What a delight! The narrator is fantastic. The story is exactly what you'd want from a gender-bent Pakistani Count of Monte Cristo retelling (both thematically and in plot). And the PROSE. So many gorgeous turns of phrase.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the #gifted copy!

A Pakistani retelling of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, this book is all the female rage wrapped up in a pretty cover. Dania has been in prison for a year, tortured and starved, and only wants to break out to get revenge on the boy who broke her heart for his own gain.

Emily’s writing is beautiful. I loved both the rage and romance elements, and there were a lot of great lines that stood out to me. There’s also fantastic friendship, constant action, and dual timelines, making this a really solid fantasy read. I absolutely love this on audio and I’m really glad that I read it that way.

Read for:
🗡️BA female main character
🗡️Rage and revenge
🗡️Djinn magic
🗡️Count of Monte Cristo retelling
🗡️Pakistani influence
🗡️Romance and friendship

Firstly I want to thank NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for providing me with an audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Dania was wrongly imprisoned, accused of murder and betrayed by her oldest friend and lover, Mazin. She’s hell bent on breaking out of prison and exacting revenge upon those that were involved in the conspiracy against her. In the process she meets Noor, another girl who was wronged by some of the same people. Together they cook up and carry out a plot to bring down those that did them wrong.

I loved this book! The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my all time favorite stories, and this is a gender bent retelling that was done right! At times this is almost a shot-for-shot reimagining, which I know will not work for some, but it had me grinning at how Emily Varga reimagined the original text. Then there was Djinn magic and intrigue thrown in which helps keep it feeling fresh and exciting. I thought Dania was a fantastic MC. I love her rage fueled revenge plot, but also how she maintained her humanity throughout. She was complex and her journey felt authentic. I loved Noor and her friendship with Dania. She was her co-plotter, but also her conscience at times, and she helped keep Dania grounded. Finally I loved watching Dania and Mazin interact, especially knowing the story and how things would turn out. It was catnip for me!

My only complaint is that I think it could have been longer and could have delved deeper into the Djinn magic and some of the other aspects of the plot that were kind of glossed over. But ultimately, I think this is a solid debut and am so excited to see what Varga writes next! 4.5/5 Stars

Do you plot the revenge of your enemies? When someone does you or your family wrong, do you picture the ways in which they could be held accountable until it eats you alive or do you let it go on the wind?

For She is Wrath by @emilyvargabooks came out of LEFT FIELD. I was not prepared for how good this book is. 

Dania is stuck in prison, for a year they have tortured her, for a crime she did not commit. For an entire year she plots her revenge on the man who claimed to love and stabbed her in the back, and the emperor responsible for the destruction of her people. 

When she frees herself and discovers access to ancient and powerful Djinn magic, will she destroy the people who ruined her, or will she let her revenge eat her alive. 

This book was phenomenal, I finished it in 2 days. I was entirely enthralled from the first page to the very last. Make sure to pick up your copy October 29th!

Thank you so much to @wednesdaybooks for the arc. 

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I am a sucker for The Count of Monte Cristo so when I saw this was a retelling I knew I had to get my hands on it. Thank you so much Varga and Netgalley for the ALC (advanced listener copy). The audiobook was very well done. The narrator made me feel like I was in the story. paired with Varga's writing style, I could see the world she had created beautifully.

If you picked this up like me for the retelling - be aware that it is very fast-paced and not at all like the original story. (I feel I should mention this because somehow people forget a retelling does not mean it has to be an exact replica.)

I liked Dania for all of her hot-headedness. I like that she was able to make a friend during her escape of the prison and how they worked together throughout the story. The way the author incorporated Djinn magic is what intrigued me most about this plot however. That being said, I wanted more. I wanted more detail on how it worked, how Dania would be used and punished for using it.

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I felt Dania should have been properly punished by the Djinn when she went back on her deal. In the same breath, I hate that she forgave Maz so easily (even though I absolutely adored him!) I wanted her to destroy him, I wanted her to get her vengeance. I understand where he was coming from, but to abandon her got under my skin.

Maz was by far my favorite character though. I knew he knew who she was. When she kept her hands while she changed the rest of her appearance I knew he would recognize them. That he would recognize the scars that he gave her.

I didn't see the twist coming and was a little taken aback. It was so out of the blue I wish we had had more build up to it and even hint that the grandmother had been behind everything.

Overall, I wish we had more detail but I truly enjoyed the story. I'm hoping I can meet Varga for a signing she has coming up in my city so I can get her to sign a copy of the physical book I'll be buying.

“I’d know you with any face. Any skin. Any hair. A thousand djinn could disguise you from me and I’d still be able to find you just by the sound of your breath.”

Short Synopsis:
For She is Wrath is a Pakistani retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo. Dania has been in prison for a year. All she wants is revenge on the boy who is responsible for her prison sentence but also the boy she loved. She befriends a fellow prisoner, Noor, and the two manage to escape together. And her revenge plot takes shape.

My Thoughts:
This was such a fantastic debut. Bravo Emily Vargo. 👏

This is “female rage” in book form, it’s full of revenge, killer swordswoman, and swoony romance. The revenge plot was captivating. The romance has me melting. The friendships were beautiful. Though I found some of the twists predictable, I loved the journey getting there.

What You’ll Find:
🖤Revenge
🔥 Burn it all down
🌆Corrupt city
⚔️Girl with swords
🗡️Arya Stark-like heroine
❤️‍🔥Lovers-to enemies-to lovers
🫠Swoony romance
2️⃣Dual timelines

Oh my gosh. This book was such a ride and I was just hanging on for life. This takes feminine rage, and women scorned to a whole other level. I was grateful that the story just jumps right in. I read the Count of Monte Cristo in high school and absolutely loved it. So when I saw that this was was a romantic fantasy retelling I was excited to dive in. I will say that a lot of time when things are marketed as one thing they end up falling short but I think that this was spot on. Dania was a great character, I found her to be complex and I enjoyed watching her development throughout the book. The supporting cast of this book are all interesting and lend their own pieces to the story. I was glad to see that there weren't really any characters that were just thrown in as a space filler. The action in this book is fast paced and intense. The scheming and back ally politics are well planned out. I really enjoyed the pieces of Pakistani culture and lore that were included in the book and thought that they made this story so unique. This is a book that I don't regret staying up until 2am reading. And one that I cannot wait to add to my physical library.

The narration of this book was done so well. It brought this story to life so beautifully!

Short synopsis: Dania is falsely imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit. Meeting up with a fellow inmate named Noor, they hatch a plan to escape prison, find the hidden djinn treasure, and enact revenge on those who wronged her.

My thoughts: I love a book with a strong female character and boy did Dani fit that portrayal tenfold. She was strong, smart, cunning, and at moments had to fight for her own humanity.

The romance subplot was also well done, betrayed by her best friend and the boy she loved. I really enjoyed their chemistry throughout and finding the reason behind the betrayal.

The ending came completely out of left field for me! Completely unexpected. Also, I didn’t realize this was a Count of Monte Cristo retelling, I’ve never read it but do remember watching the movie adaptation years ago.

Read if you love:
- Revenge plots
- Strong female protagonist
- Sword wielding
- Romance subplot
- Magic

This book is perfect if you loved the Count of Monte Cristo as a kid, but you wished for my diversity in the writing. I loved every moment of this book and the Pakistani mythology that breathed through. The main female character is also amazing and a badass.

4.5⭐️

This story was epic! From the very beginning I was completely swept up and dazzled by this story of magic, survival, betrayal, and revenge. The action sequences had me on the edge of my seat and I found myself holding my breath quite often, unsure what sinister magic and secrets Dania and Noor would have to face next.

I am truly in awe of the sheer determination, strength, and resiliency of Dania and Noor. They literally clawed their way out of the darkest depths of despair after being betrayed by those in their inner circle of friends and family. There were many moments when it seemed all hope was lost, but Dania and Noor were always at the ready with their wit and swords.

The audio was fantastic! The narration was flawlessly executed to the point where I couldn’t stop listening - you know the book is good when you voluntarily do more laundry just to keep reading! I think the story would be excellent read with eyes or ears, but I definitely recommend the audiobook!

This was such a fantastic retelling with well developed characters, rich history and culture, heart wrenching moments of betrayal, sword fights, danger, romance, and magic, and I highly recommend if you’re looking for a fast paced standalone fantasy!

This book deserves a five-star rating without a doubt! It was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. The revenge storyline was incredibly gripping and the plot twists were unexpected. The relationship between Dania and Mazin was complicated and enjoyable. The depth of emotion and intensity in the book kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Overall, this is a must-read for anyone looking for a captivating story. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

I wanted to love this. I hated everything about it. I should've known not to trust a beautiful cover.

While retellings are hard for me, if you're going to write one, make it good. Make it different. Make it SOMETHING. This was NOTHING.

Dania is whiny. Mazin isn't worth it. Her "friends" are also not worth it. The twist wasn't twisting.

ALC Review: For She is Wrath by Emily Varga
Pub Date: October 29, 2024

Dania has been in prisoner for a year for a crime that she did not commit. Her father is a swordsmith so she knows how to fight and she's cunning. When she meets Noor they plan to escape the prison together and get revenge on those who wronged them. For Dania this means the boy she once loved as well as Emperor Vahid who rules due to his djinn magic.

Pakistani Count of Monte Cristo?? Say less! The Count of Monte Cristo was one of my favorite classics and having this flipped so that the main character is female really worked for me! I love a take no prisoners type of FMC and Dania felt like a well rounded and complex character as the book continued. She definitely makes some morally grey choices at times but they're ones that you can really understand given her need for vengeance for all that has happened to her.

I really loved how far Dania came throughout the book and thought the ending was really satisfying. As much as this is a story of female rage, it never goes too dark and Dania never loses her humanity. There was a twist I fully did not expect, which I love to see!

I liked the romance much more than I thought and there was a *moment* that really made me swoon! I typically don't love flashbacks/dual timelines in books but I did actually really appreciate the ones here because they show the relationship between Dania and Mazin before all of the events of the book.

I LOVED the narrator Safiyya Ingar - she added so much to the story for me and I'm so glad that I listened to this instead of reading it. She really immersed me in the story in a way that felt really unique and fresh and that I wouldn't have gotten had I just read it. I would happily listen to anything she narrated and actually will probably seek her out as a narrator!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Simply perfect!

I had high hopes for this book ever since I found out it's a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, and somehow it managed to not only meet my expectations, but go beyond them.
Dania is the protagonist you simply want to root for; everything has been taken for her and now she's out for revenge on the people that wronged her. Her inner monologue and moral conflicts throughout the novel were delightful to follow.

The plot was fast paced (a thing I love in YA books), but unfortunately some worldbuilding had to be sacrificed for it. We do not learn much about the magic or the world beyond what is necessary to further Dania's revenge plot, so beware, stuffy worldbuilding lovers, this book might not be for you.

It's my first time listening to a book narrated by Safiyya Ingar, and I absolutely loved her! I sometimes have trouble differentiating between the characters' voices when listening to an audiobook, but it was not the case here. I recommend the audio over reading this book, as I feel it's perfect for the fast paced plot and the narrator excels in giving more emotion ot the story.

I really enjoyed this story, I was hooked from the first page, and highly invested in Dani’s journey from the start. I do love a good revenge plot. I found this quite original, with the magic, the worlds, the characters. I loved the friendship between Dani and Noor, probably my favorite part of the book. I loved the twists and the surprises, the character growth, the romance, journey, the end. I just loved it.

I did mixed reading between my kindle and the audio and loved both formats, the narrator is great. I think I preferred the audio a little bit more.

4.5 stars

Title: For She is Wrath
Author: Emily Varga
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Safiyya Ingar
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Teen/YA Mystery
Audiobook Release Date: October 29, 2024
My Rating: 3
Pages 400

“A sweeping, Pakistani romantic fantasy reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, where one girl seeks revenge against those who betrayed her—including the boy she used to love.”

I was drawn to this based on the blurb as well as the great reviews from readers I trust - however, I soon struggled.
I know I am not the target audience for this story but as a High School Guidance Counselor I love to read YA books as I not only enjoy a good YA story but it pleases me when I can recommend a book to my students. Although there were things I ended up liking about this- on the whole I did not love it. However, I do believe I know students who will like this. So my mission was accomplished!

I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 29, 2024.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator absolutely made the story. A sweeping tale of justice and revenge with a really unexpected ending! The protagonist is a strong female who takes no prisoners. Great read, and I will definitely recommend this to my readers.

For She is Wrath is a stunning Pakistani retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo. Dania has been imprisoned for nearly a year, for a crime she didn’t commit. The crime was actually committed by Mazin, a boy she once was in love with. Now, Dani is set on revenge and will do almost anything to get it. With the help of another prisoner, Dani escapes and sets off on an adventure to steal djinn in order to gain magic powers and get revenge on everyone who has betrayed her.

The writing in this book is absolutely gorgeous. It was incredibly descriptive and I felt all of the feelings while reading. The world building was so well done and I was immersed in the story from the very beginning. Dani was a character that was so easy to root for. She was determined, strong, and unrelenting. I also loved Noor, who was an incredible friend. Mazin was an intriguing and complex character. The plot twists were unexpected and came at just the right points in the story. There was just the right amount of romance too. Overall, this was an amazing read.

I listened to the audio, and the narrator, Safiyya Ingar, was absolutely amazing at bringing the story and characters to life. The narration was clear and amplified the character’s emotions in meaningful ways.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.

One of the easiest ways to hook me is to pitch something as a Count of Monte Cristo retelling, and it's even better when it delivers in execution.

Dania is like, the ultimate stabby girl, and I loved her story. Her need for revenge, her grief over what she lost, her heartbreak--it all made her such a fulsome character. This was a well done retelling with a unique take that was a joy to read. Will definitely look out for more from this author in future.

This audiobook was absolutely incredible. Safiyya Ingar‘s performance was top tier. You can easily differentiate between the different characters as she flawlessly brought them to life.
I can’t imagine a better choice to narrate these characters.
It’s rare for me to enjoy an audiobook more than reading it myself but this was executed perfectly and I had to pry myself away from the book to get some sleep 😆
I’ll write a full review on the book on the page dedicated to the book specifically.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.