Wrath and The Dawn covers the Spectacular Empire of Khorasan, a King named Khalid who married a different girl every day, and that girl was dead at dawn.
The young King was harsh, and he got new brides every day. The entire Empire of Khorasan was terrified of him and his bloodthirst.
Who will be brave enough to end the misery of the people of Khorasan and stop the bloodthirst of the King?
Introduction to the series:
The Wrath and The Dawn is a series comprising two Books. Renée Ahdieh wrote this series, and it became pretty popular. It retells the famous One thousand and One Night’s Tale.
The series has the following two books:-
- The Wrath and The Dawn
- The Rose and The Dagger
The series follows the story of a young Caliph/King named Khalid and his new bride named Sheherzaad. The story had the elements of magic, fantasy, politics, bloodshed, war, and romance.
Book 1 | “A riveting Game of Thrones meets Arabian Nights love story.” - US Weekly Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi’s wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend. |
The Wrath and The Dawn:
Spoiler Free Plot:
Sheherzaad is a young teenage girl who has presented herself to become the bride of the Caliph of Khorasan named Khalid. Her friend, Shiva, was once a bride of Khalid, and he had killed her at dawn, as he always did with all of his brides.
Accordingly, Sheherzaad wanted to avenge her friend’s blood. She swore to wreak havoc on Khalid.
So on her wedding night, Sheherzaad started to tell Khalid an exciting tale. Khalid was mesmerised by the story. However, there was a twist; Shehrzaad told him the story so that it was at its cliffhanger when dawn reached.
So at dawn, when the guards came to take away Shehrzaad to kill her, Shehrzaad requested Khalid to leave her to live for one more day. Khalid accepted her request.
Every dawn, Shehrzaad requested Khalid that the story would be over tomorrow and to let her live for one more day. And every day, Khalid obliged her request.
This news soon started to spread in the Kingdom. Tariq, Shehrzaad’s childhood lover, along with his friend Reza began to plot the murder of Khalid.
Consequently, Shehrzaad and Khalid slowly started to fall for each other. Shehrzaad hated herself for falling in love with a killer and monster. She has begun to rule like a Queen.
The Enchanted Saga Begins:
One night, Khalid does not come to listen to Shehrzaad’s tale. But at dawn, the guards approach to take Shehrzaad and kill her. The guards cover her face and hang her. But she is saved by Khalid.
Finally, Khalid has saved her, and the consequences are worse for Khalid. He has started to suffer from headaches after not killing his bride.
Tariq and Reza are planning to get followers to help them kill Khalid. Shehrzaad has discovered that Khalid is not the monster she had always imagined.
My take on The Wrath and The Dawn:
Firstly, This story beautifully depicts the vulnerable feelings of love for each other. The enemies-to-lovers trope in the book is the best, and the book has all the elements a reader looks for in a book.
Secondly, The book powerfully portrays the feeling of, ‘It’s us against the world. I mean, look at this quote from the book:
“Her conviction wavered further. “I told you; don’t try to own me.”
“I don’t want to own you.”
She swivelled her neck to meet his gaze. “Then never speak of sending me away again. I am not yours to do with as you will.”
Khalid’s features smoothed knowingly. “How right you are. You are not mine.” He dropped his palm from the door. “I am yours.”
This quote single-handedly describes the beautiful relationship between Khalid and Shehrzaad.
Apart from the main characters, the story is political and magical. The riot that follows the Kingdom and how Khalid and Shehrzaad handle it is extraordinary.
Additionally, the black magic elements further enhance the reader’s curiosity.
Thus My rating is 5/5 stars and highly recommended.
  Book 2 | "A satisfying fast-paced conclusion, Ahdieh explores the difficulty of family, lasting loyalty, and love giving you a tale you won't soon forget."--InStyle 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. |
The Rose and The Dagger:
Spoiler Free Plot:
The Rose and The Dagger is the second book of The Wrath and the Dawn series.
The book opens with Sheherzaad being in the camp of Omar Al-Badawi, the person who has allied with Reza to destroy Khalid and his Kingdom.
Earlier, Khalid told Shehrzaad the secret that made him kill his brides at dawn every day. Meanwhile, Shehrzaad’s love for Khalid started to grow tremendously.
Shehrzaad was taken from Khalid by Tariq and Reza, and she hated herself for not being with Khalid.
The Capital Of Khorasan, Rey, is in ruins, and thus Khalid is on his own to save his people and country.
“No. He was not here to wreak revenge. For revenge was trifling and hollow. No. He was not here to retrieve his wife. For his wife was not a thing to be retrieved. No. He was not here to negotiate a truce. For a truce suggested he wished to compromise. He was here to burn something to the ground.”
Therefore, Shehrzaad must find a way to help Khalid from the evil planning her family is doing.
My take on The Rose and The Dagger:
Although the first book mainly focuses on the relationship between Khalid and Shehrzaad, this book primarily focuses on the war, magic, politics and curse.
Also, The writing style in this book is similar to the first book. The plot is captivating, and the book keeps the readers hooked till the very last page.
Indeed, There are several cliffhangers and plot twists in this book that instantly grab the reader’s attention.
Additionally, This book focused on the action part of the story. The adventures, warfare, bloodthirst and betrayals made the story incredible.
Equally important, the book delivered the messages of empowerment and courage.
“Destiny was for fools. Sharzad would not wait for her life to happen. She would make it happen.”
On the whole, All of the characters in this book are fierce and brave. They had their share of differences and wanted peace. But they also had internal conflicts that made them more realistic and gave them more individuality.
