<b>”You were forged in the fires of hatred too, made new by your revenge.”</b>

4.5 ⭐️
I want to preface that this book is marketed as a <i>The Count of Monte Cristo</i> retelling. I have not read the original story, only some CliffNotes prior to reading <i>For She Is Wrath</i>, thus I have little base to compare this and the retelling. This story is about love, friendship, deceit, betrayal, revenge and atonement.

This retelling follows a morally grey FMC assassin, Dania, and her new friend, Noor, both falsely imprisoned, anger-filled and trying to escape. Dania and Noor have two things in common—the will to escape and the rage to obtain revenge. Their friendship is a great balance throughout the story, Dania, the braun, a trained fighter, and Noor, the brains, an herbalist.

Dania and her family were betrayed by people they once trusted and loved—including Dania’s first and only love, Mazin. Her once good heart was turned cold and her anger from these betrayals left her nothing but hunger for revenge. Noor, familiar with losses of her own, seeks the same. The two plot their revenge by creating a plan, with the help of the magic of Djinn and their Zoraat seeds, to destroy those who have wronged them.

The relationship between Dania and Mazin was tragic and the author did a great job weaving in relevant flashbacks that detailed the raw emotion that was their friendship, budding romance and ultimate demise. We feel Dania struggle with her mind and her heart wanting two separate things. Mazin’s presence reminds her of a different time, when she felt loved and happy, causing her to grapple between forgiveness and revenge.

This story was fast paced and plot heavy, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I was enamored by the author’s ability to tell the story while also making the reader’s feel the emotion of what the characters were going through.

The only qualm I had about this book was how quickly paced the resolution was. The majority of the story was spent plotting and what we saw of revenge was somewhat lackluster. Without spoilers, I feel it could’ve been better fleshed out as it made the FMC seem meek.

Overall, I was a huge fan of the story and the characters. I don’t know if it’s in the author, Emily Varga’s, plans, but I would love to see a sequel story that tells Noor’s journey to find out more about her identity, family and history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday books for providing this ARC for me to read, enjoy and review.

Thank You Wednesday Books and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy of For She is Wrath in exchange for my honest review!

3.75 Stars

"I choose vengeance, I choose death"

If you love a pissed off morally grey women, this book is for you ☺️


Within the first few pages you jump right into action. Betrayed by her Lover and Best Friend Dania has been in prison 364 days for a crime she did not commit. Through a freak accident she meets another prisoner and they make a plan to escape.


The anxiety this book gave me..
This story is so fast paced and action packed it flew by. Enemies to lovers, to enemies, to lovers. betrayal. Heart break. REVENGE. I was completely sucked into this world.

⬇️Mild Spoiler⬇️
I was hooked until 85% in. We have a fierce badass protagonist hellbent on rage and destruction. The whole book built up to this vengeance. Within a page and a half she forgives Maz after a simple explanation. It made this strong female character feel a bit meek. This would have stood out more if we had an ending where Dania gave into the rage (everything doesn't have to be a happy ending), or even if she didn't it would have been nice having Dania end as the same fierce female character from the beginning.

I would recommend this if your looking for a fast paced fun read. I really love this type of writing style and will pick up the authors next book 🎉

3.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the marketing team for this ARC.
Dania is betrayed by the love of her live and falsely accused of a murder that she didn’t commit. While she waits in prison, she only has one thing on her mind: revenge. While the story starts out with a lot of mystery and action, it had some moments that dragged. I loved the friendship between Dania and Noor, their banter was very sister-like. I also enjoyed the magic system and how it was woven into the characters’s day-to-day life. Overall, it was a fun and twisty read!

Imaginative world of djinn, magic, corruption, greed, and revenge. The deepest betrayal comes from those you love - what happens when revenge becomes all that you are? Where does friendship and love hide when you live and breath revenge and will do whatever it takes? Is the price worth it? No spoilers, quite the high adventure and satisfying conclusion ...

I was beyond thrilled when I saw I got this arc. The premise is right up my street. Unfortunately for me it didn’t feel flushed out well enough and I was catching myself not wanting to pick it up as often as I thought I would.

✰ 4 stars! ✰
I was surprised when the publisher sent me a copy of the arc, since I remember loving the summary and cover. I liked how determined Dania was, and how far she would actually go for revenge. I mainly enjoyed this book because it had a lot of things I usually enjoy, such as a magic system I like, lovers to enemies, and a protagonist driven by revenge/rage (I like female rage!).
*I have not read 'The Count of Monte Cristo', so I can't say how similar it is to the original*

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this before publication.

I'm going to be absolutely upfront - if you are a fan of the original novel this was based off of, prepare to be insulted. As most of us know, the original novel had to do with a man getting well-thoroughly fucked over by three men each with different desires of intent. The man, Edmond Dantes is kept for 15 years in a prison with no knowledge of what he has done. He befriends a man, who teaches him and listens to him for years and takes his chance on escaping in the man's stead when he dies. He then has a couple adventures, becomes wealthy, gains prestige under a new name and takes down those who fucked him over.

I was very interested in this book because it was a female retelling. Unfortunately, from chapter one, I realized we were going to have issues. The prose is half-baked and the reason for why she is in there isn't quite gleamed and the author uses flashbacks without really identifying they are flashbacks until you're halfway through the first page of the flashbacks.

The role of the man / priest that our heroine would meet up with is watered down to that of a girl who was digging her way out but found her way into the cell of our main character. It is there the two scheme to get out, and which you find out that the girl has only been in the prison for one year. Not 20 years, not fifteen, but one year... okay. A year is a long time, but girl, Edmond spent 15+ years in his prison being tortured and you complain about a year. Then, there is mention of magic - djinn magic, which comes from (what looks like to me) 90's bath gels that you ingest. Too much of them causes you to go dark and psycho.

This is where I started to get really frustrated. The story of The Count of Monte Cristo is like a chess game, where Edmond has to take down each of the opponents one by one. Though he is hurting over his rejection or betrayal (so he thinks) for Mercades, he cannot stray, he cannot falter, he has to stick to the plan because... he spent 15+ years thinking of nothing but hate. Our female lead? She strays so many fucking times from the agenda, her hate, etc. over this man-boy (of course, she only spent a year in prison thinking she knew what hate was). I expected some kick ass female mentality from her. No. None of that. I can't tell you that when she finally saw her 'man' how many times she had to complement how he looked, how he fit in his clothes, how she fucked him etc. etc. etc.

That djinn bath gel magic? It allows her to change her face. It lasts a month, but in her time as her alt. persona, she really doesn't do anything spectacular. She has these plans or things she does only for them to blow up in her face or in the face of her friend / co-conspirator. Which is another issue. This girl, Noor? Girl is literally an echo chamber written as a person for our main character to bounce her thoughts, ideas, her crush-obsessions off of. She has no personality and is literally used as the 'tool' that makes things work. Girl says she wants to kill the emperor because he killed someone important to her. I made it through 90% of the book and she still never got her chance nor had any time setting the plot up. It was all a really bad focus romantasy on the female lead and the male.

Then there is a plot twist that comes out around the 85% mark that I just had to go 'what? are you serious?' because it was so dumb and pretty much tried to explain away why this girl was whiny and hate driven through he whole novel.

Maybe someone who has never read the original book that this was based off of would enjoy it? But honestly, if I didn't, I think it's a poor novel with half-baked ideas, a whiny protagonist, and a echo chamber friend.

This book is so good, from the first chapter I was hooked. The main character is empowering and lovely.

I was so incredibly excited for this one when I saw it on NetGalley. I mean, a girl dead-set on revenge against her ex-lover and everyone who has ever wronged her??? Sign me up!

But sadly, For She Is Wrath fell short in so many ways. The biggest problem for me was how long it took to get to the revenge bits. We spent so much time plotting, but the actual payoff was disappointing. I kept expecting more, and it just wasn't happening. It was like Varga was scared to fully commit to the revenge plotline. In theory, it seemed nice, but when it came down to the gritty decisions, Dania always fell short. I kept waiting for something explosive to happen, and it never did.

And really, if you strip away the first 3/4 of this and consider only the ending, it reads like every other YA fantasy detailing a hero's journey. For She Is Wrath brought nothing new to the YA sphere. I know part of my disappointment stems from a growing distaste for YA fantasy, but I thought the revenge aspects in this one would redeem it. Sadly, that wasn't the case. I wish all the best for this book and its author, but it wasn't for me.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
This is a YA retelling of the count of monte cristo that made me want to pick up that dusty classic once more. It was YA, but didn’t suffer from feeling too juvenile. Instead, the author explored complex themes and made the characters and their experiences relatable to someone of any age.

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Emily Varga's "For She Is Wrath" is a YA book that travels through the depths of revenge, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Set against a backdrop of betrayal and imprisonment, the story follows Dania, a young woman wronged by those she once trusted, as she embarks on a quest for retribution. If you’re looking for a YA retelling of “The Count of Monte Cristo,” then you will definitely enjoy this book! I even see this book working as a pair with the classic in the high school English classroom; students might enjoy comparing/contrasting the two novels.

From the outset, “For She is Wrath” grabs you with its fast-paced plot and raw emotional depth. Dania's quest for vengeance is driven by a sense of betrayal and injustice, yet Varga manages to avoid the cliché revenge route that is standard of YA revenge stories. Instead, she infuses the story with nuance and complexity, exploring the psychological toll of seeking retribution while navigating themes of loyalty, friendship, and self-discovery. I really enjoyed the fast pace of the book as I found it difficult to put down because I just wanted to know what would happen next with Davia.

The dynamic between Dania and Mazin, her former love turned betrayer, is another highlight of the novel. Varga does a wonderful job at developing their relationship in a realistic way, infusing it with genuine emotion and tension. The romance never got in the way of the actual plot/revenge, which I appreciated. While Dania mainly grapples with feelings of betrayal and mistrust, her characterization then becomes a compelling exploration of the human heart's capacity for forgiveness and redemption. Equally compelling is the friendship between Dania and Noor, a fellow prisoner and steadfast ally. Their bond adds depth and warmth to the story; I really like how Varga was able to flesh out Noor’s character; side characters are often undeveloped compared to the plot or the MC, but I thoroughly enjoyed that through their shared experiences, Dania and Noor navigate their own feelings of revenge and redemption, ultimately finding solace in each other's company.

Varga's prose is rich and evocative, immersing you in a vividly imagined world teeming with magic and intrigue. The worldbuilding was excellent in this book with the blend of fantasy and adventure. Overall, "For She Is Wrath" is a well-written story of vengeance and redemption. With its well-developed characters, richly textured world-building, and plot twists, this book is one that I recommend for fans of fast-paced fantasies as well as those who enjoy well-written revenge stories.

The story begins with a prison break attempt, then proceeds both backward and forward. The history is woven into the current action. Dania is the perfect underdog because she has a rich history and a plan for her future despite being imprisoned. Those close to her become real as they are seen through Dania's eyes and experiences. She has a mastery in blade use and enough fortitude to keep moving forward after continually being knocked down. The magical threads throughout the story tie all of the battles and hardships and victories together into an exciting adventure. The battles are bloody on both sides, and allegiances are questionable at best and like the tides at worst. This quest for vengeance will grab you quick and hold you until the last battle is won!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

4 stars!⭐

Thank you to Wednesday books, and NetGalley for an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is going to be one of my favorite YA fantasy reads of 2024. This was such a captivating tale of vengeance, learning one’s own heart, and has the perfect touch of enemies to lovers.

We follow Dania who has been captured for a great wrong-doing she had no part in, and after being in prison for nearly a year she has experienced unimaginable hardships that are pushing her to find an escape-and soon. Befriending another prisoner, they plan their steps wisely and imagine what they can accomplish (or who they can destroy) once left to their own devices. Dania feels wronged by the people who were closest to her before her time in confinement, and is seeking revenge - but how far is she willing to go?

WOW. Not going to lie, when a story revolves around feelings of hate and wanting to avenge justice - I find myself getting bored or underwhelmed with the plot as it’s buried under the character’s emotions. This was very much NOT the case with this masterpiece of a novel. I found a lot of the inner monologue of our FMC to be quite raw and honest. The story did not drag out or harp on the same ideas over and over. It brought a lot of adventure, and self-seeking to the table. Hats off to Emily Varga! ❤️️ I just know this is going to be a hit once published.

I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say that the relationship between Dania and Mazin was so well executed. THIS is how we expect enemies to be written. To have actual deeply gutted betrayal and sound reasoning to be hesitant to trust the other person. It gave what it needed to give.

The friendship developed between Noor and Dania was so heart-warming. The soft-spot Dania had to look after Noor throughout their endeavors kept me turning the pages. Noor is SO loyal and wise, she truly cared for Dania’s well-being and wanted to help her in any regard.

If you love a fast-paced fantasy, be sure to add this to your TBR! 📖

After nearly a year of imprisonment for a crime she did not commit, Dania finds her way out thanks to Noor, a crafty fellow immate who also knows the location of a djinn treasure.
First on Dania's list of people to get revenge on is Mazin, the boy she fell for despite being on the opposite sides of the conflict between her people and the Emperor he works for.

While the Emperor continues using djinn magic via the zoraat seeds he prizes, Dania reinvents herself and gets Noor to join her in her quest for vengeance. But vengeance, as we well know, can be all consuming, and once Dania gets a taste of power, she will need to decide if she is willing to give up everything, including her humanity, in order to appease the need for revenge that lives inside her.

This Pakistani retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo is rich and vibrant, and is different enough from the original story that it becomes its own story, with magic and power adding to the well rounded characters.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for sending me the eARC of this book to review.

3.5/5 stars.
For She is Wrath was a lesson learned in how revenge can be all consuming. Dania was betrayed by a person she loved and is sent to prison where she meets Noor, another wrongfully imprisoned young woman and together they set out to exact revenge by any means possible.
Theres lovers to enemies, betrayals, and the question of how far will you bend your own morals to achieve your goal?
I liked the balance that Dania and Noor gave one another and their friendship. Each character was given adequate backstory to make you either love or hate them.
Overall I thought it was a well done retelling and I enjoyed reading it.

The Count of Monte Cristo has to be one of my most favorite books of all time so I was really excited to get my hands on this eARC. Thank you NetGalley!

Dania's character is Edmond Dantes though she's part Arya Stark when she's chanting names in seeking revenge. Dani believes she was betrayed by her first love Mazin who has joined forces with the emperor who has been controlling and wielding djinn magic through consumption of zoraat seeds. The story follows Dani and Noor (inspired by Abbé Faria) as they escape imprisonment in search of revenge. While this retelling involves more magic, the themes are still there - revenge, redemption, friendship, and love.

I quite enjoyed this book. I actually wanted the book to end before the epilogue because it would have left me to imagine my own ending like when movies fades. That's a personal preference.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

OH MY GOD! I AM OBSESSED!
this book is everything I have not slept all night I couldn't stop reading it! so so so worth it .oh my .I honestly have no words but just one.BRILLIANT. If you have not added this to your tbr you have to please .it's a must read if you are in need for an epic fantasy!
wish I could rate it more then 5 stars. 12/10.