The Wrath & the Dawn

The Wrath & the Dawn is a Young Adult Fantasy novel re-telling of One Thousand and One Nights. The novel follows Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, who takes a new bride each night and has her murdered the following morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad Al-Khayzuran's best friend falls victim to Khalid, she swears vengeance against him and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad stays alive by enchanting Khalid with a new story each night while simultaneously plotting his revenge and unfolding the mystery of his murders.

This novel is the first of a duology which ends in an intense and satisfying way. I loved this story because it aims to bring more diverse books into the Fantasy and Young Adult genres as it is set in an ancient Arabian setting with POC characters and a historical Eastern background. This book is filled with war, wizards, romance, mystery and history. The story carries a unique tone which makes it impossible to put down. Authentic, historical eastern terms are used everywhere to describe weapons, clothing, materials and architecture which really divulges that the author did intense research in order to make the story feel so real.

Memorable quotes
Khalid: You are not weak. You are not indecisive. You are strong. Fierce. Capable beyond measure.

Shahrzad: Love is a force unto itself, sayyidi. For love, people consider the unthinkable ...and often achieve the impossible. I would not sneer at its power.

Musa: The more a person pushes others away, the clearer it becomes he is in need of love the most.

The Rose & The Dagger
In the much-anticipated sequel to The Wrath & The Dawn, The Rose & The Dagger continues in a land on the brink of war. Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse--one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.