5 stars for everything - plot, setting, characters. Renee Ahdieh actually makes me feel like I'm experiencing everything right along with the characters in their world. I started reading this on a whim, and I'm so glad I did! The story was such an interesting twist on 1,001 Nights. And the world Renee Ahdieh has created is absolutely beautiful. I was so lost in her fantasy that I was very startled and upset when it ended because I wanted more. I wished it could go on forever. 
 And the characters! This is one of the books where I truly felt that each character was vital to the progress of the story in his or her own way. I never felt like Renee was writing "side stories" for filler. Every character mattered to me and I cared about their feelings, thoughts and motivations. 
 Also, Shahrzad and Khalid!! I've always preferred and loved dark, handsome, brooding heroes beyond measure, so I expected to like Khalid from the start - even though he seemed like a murderer and a monster - but I more than liked him. I fell for him, hard. Fell in love with him beyond words. The truth is Khalid just takes my breath away and I don't even know precisely why. I think he embodies everything I treasure in a male lead - honor, intelligence, loyalty, reticence, the ability to love deeply. And looks too, of course. 
 Shahrzad intrigued me from the start because of how fiery she was. I like her because she's independent and strong-willed, and isn't a female lead who is "weak" or who lets her feelings control her. Shazi takes matters into her own hands, and she's also fearless and willing to sacrifice anything for those she loves. I loved that about her. 
 Renee's writing is beautiful too. She uses a combination of pretty metaphors and fairly simple, yet poetic language. Her words and descriptions bring to mind beautiful imagery. And she explores in detail characters' emotional landscape. 
 I felt that this book focused mainly on Shahrzad and Khalid's relationship, with many sweet as well as intense moments. That's one of the reasons I loved it so much, I think. This book definitely featured slower, more lyrical romance, instead of thrilling action, but I quite enjoyed it because the plot was intricate and layered. 
 Another thing that I found wonderful was there wasn't a SINGLE white character in this book. Renee Ahdieh has written a purely beautiful romance that emphasises diversity. I loved the Arabic culture that was represented in this book. Kudos to her for managing to write such a story!