The Rose & the Dagger brings back Shahrzad & Khalid back to their readers. 
 In this installment Shahrzad is back with her family and friends while they gather forces to attack and kill Khalid. With a war brewing and Shazi discovering more about her own magic, she has more on her plate than she can handle. With the curse to be broken and a war to be stopped, Shazi needs to use her charms, wit and magic shrewdly in order to emerge victorious. Stuck between choosing her family and her one true love will her warring heart manage to survive the journey ahead? 
 Shahrzad is a brave, as strong, as stubborn and as honest as ever. I really love reading about strong female characters. The fact that it is this kickass heroine that comes to the rescue of the prince also helps. Khalid is not a hapless Prince, but he is strong and powerful. He realizes what his limits are and when he needs help. His character really grows and matures in this book. Together Shahrzad and Khalid make for a couple who would make you believe in love. The supporting characters - Despina, Jalal, Tariq, Rajput, all play their parts admirably. There's a lot more magic involved in this book than the glimpse we got in book one. The only thing that stops me from rating this book a five star is the ending which was bittersweet but a bit rushed, I feel. 
 If you have read The Wrath & the Dawn, then book will meet all of your expectations. For those of you who are YA/Fantasy lovers and haven't picked this duology yet, GO READ IT NOW!