Review: The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

The Rose and the Dagger
(The Wrath and the Dawn #2)
by Renee Ahdieh
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Publication Date: April 26th 2016
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9780399171628
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: For Review | Own

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The much anticipated sequel to the breathtaking The Wrath and the Dawn, lauded by Publishers Weekly as "a potent page-turner of intrigue and romance."
I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.
In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. 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.

While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
I started reading The Rose and the Dagger just moments after finishing The Wrath and the Dawn. I enjoyed the previous book so much, I was super curious to see how The Rose and the Dagger would compare. Once I started reading this book, I was completely captivated, and, if possible, I think I love it even more than the first book!

Shahrzad is quickly becoming one of my most favorite heroines. I love that she's so determined and willing to do whatever she needs to do to save the ones that she loves, even when putting herself in danger to accomplish it. Her relationship with Khalid is perfection, and I loved all the swoon-worthy moments between the two. They are definitely one of my favorites couples of all time.

There are so many secondary characters in this series that I love, a few that we met in the first book, and some we meet for the first time in the sequel. They are all so well written, you can't help but love them, except for the ones that you'll love to hate, and there are more than a few of them as the story goes along.

The storyline for the book picks up right where the previous book leaves off. I dove right into the pages, dying to know what was going to happen next, especially after that ending in The Wrath and the Dawn. I do believe this book was an even wilder ride than the first book, as it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. There are quite a few twists and turns throughout the story as well, and I love that it kept me guessing. And, the book seriously has the most perfect ending. Everything came together wonderfully, and I was left completely satisfied after I closed the last page. I love it when that happens.

Overall; I adored this series so very much, and implore you to check them both The Wrath and the Dawn and The Rose and the Dagger! This series was full of adventure and romance, and it will keep you completely captivated as you turn the pages. I know it did for me, and Renee Ahdieh is definitely now on my list of authors to watch to keep an eye out for. I can't wait to read more by her in the future!!