Originally posted on my blog, With Her Head in a Book. 
 Predating The Wrath & The Dawn's publication, I became caught up in the hype and told myself I'd pick up the novel instantly. I didn't (I wish I did). This is one of those rare occurrences where the book lives up to the hype. 
 TW&TD is a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights, a book I have yet to read that has been sitting in my shelves for a few years collecting dust. I find myself ever so slightly inching towards picking up the original 1000 page fairy tale collection so I can reread this fantastical tale and notice all the references. For those who have also not read the book or even heard of it, TW&TD reminds me of the TV show Once Upon a Time with a focus on Beauty and The Beast and done extremely well. 
 For some time I debated whether or not this book is actually a 5 star book or am I too caught up in that post-read high of pleasure. Maybe I'm still living in that dream-like state; I might always but I don't mind as long as The Wrath & The Dawn is the cause. 
 Shahrzad gets herself caught up in a dangerous game of life an death when she voluntarily agrees to marry the Caliph of Rey, the king of kings who marries a new woman every day only to murder the wife during the first night of their honeymoon. He recently married Shahrzard's best friend so she decides to give him a taste of his own medicine...but not is all as it seems. Shahrzad is able to hold her own in battles of wit and strength. She's honest, loyal, and true to herself before anyone else but she's willing to admit when she's wrong. 
 I told myself I wouldn't give up on Shahrzad's first romance, but I, like many others, dropped ship and found something incredible on the other side. I will note that their romance did seem a bit rushed, but at the same time, I completely understand why they fell head-over-heels for one another so quickly when there's so much passion and chemistry between the two of them. 
 I also wish the prologue was entirely removed from the book as it 100% ruined the mystery to the Caliph's reason for murdering his wives, though the scene luckily doesn't spoil why he does what he does. And I cannot stand where the book ends but only because I do not have the second book here in my arms (I was about 3 pages from the end when I realized everything that needed to happen would not be happening)! 
 I desperately want to say I would recommend The Wrath and the Dawn for anyone simply because it's so fantastic. Developed and prominent secondary characters, spot on humor, the rich writing style... all wonderful. Readers who enjoy magical realism, any fairy tale retellings, romance novels, or are searching for quality YA. This is a page turner. Once you start, I'll be surprised if you can put it down! 
 Plot: 4.5/5 
 Characters: 4/5 
 Writing Style: 5/5 
 Idea All Around: 5/5 
 Total: 5/5