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chrissie_whitley's reviews
1549 reviews
The Rose & the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh
This duology can safely be labeled a favorite. Having read both books from the library, I will probably go out and buy both hardcover editions to have at home. In a year of rereading, these two books are easy choices for revisiting.
There is an exotic and mysterious quality in the writing by Ms. Ahdieh. A difficult feat to accomplish, this book and its predecessor ([b:The Wrath & the Dawn|18798983|The Wrath & the Dawn (The Wrath & the Dawn, #1)|Renee Ahdieh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417956963s/18798983.jpg|26724902]), has some of the most poetic phrasings that still somehow stop short of being overdone. The balance of stylistic writing, phrasing, mystery, dialogue, action scenes, and characterization is very nearly perfect. I honestly couldn't ask for more in a book.
Having read several handfuls of fairytale retellings, and still enjoying them, I found this to be such a refreshing venture that I had to remind myself - even now I must - that this story came before. And yet, it didn't. More than anything, this book is a perfect balance. It's tales of old, and it's new and exciting. Poetic, mystical and straightforward, decisive.
The continuation of the story from [b:The Wrath & the Dawn|18798983|The Wrath & the Dawn (The Wrath & the Dawn, #1)|Renee Ahdieh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417956963s/18798983.jpg|26724902] makes the two books so completely whole, while the development of this new book by itself is so wonderful on its own. Another difficult task. To say I'll be on the lookout for any new books by Ms. Ahdieh, is a statement in the obvious.
4.0
"The banyan tree I used to hide in as a boy."
Despite everything, Shahrzad's interest was piqued, for he was unlike any of the soldiers who had come to torment her thus far. "Banyan tree?"
The rustling sound from beyond the darkness made Shahrzad think her strange visitor had settled in for a while. He cleared his throat. "When I made mischief as a child, I would run to the hollow of a very old banyan tree on the edge of the jungle and hide within it before my father could punish me."
"And why do I remind you of this tree?"
"Because these trees destroy everything around them over time."
Shahrzad let out an unamused chuff. "Thank you for the lovely story, old man."
He coughed a low chortle. "I meant it as a compliment."
"Forgive me for not seeing it as such."
"Where I come from, we are raised to see things in a never-ending cycle. I saw that cycle in the life of the banyan tree. It grows big and tall and wide while providing shelter to those who seek it. Over time, it can grow too big for itself, destroying everything around it. but I've also watched it slowly feed its way to new life. Provide roots for the new trees. Seeds for the new flowers. You are a banyan tree because in you I see this tory. The beginning and the end of all things. The hope for something to grow, even in shadow."
Shahrzad's pulse started to rise.
The old man's voice had begun to deepen as he spoke. Had begun to lose some of its raspiness. Had begun to roll like distant thunder.
This duology can safely be labeled a favorite. Having read both books from the library, I will probably go out and buy both hardcover editions to have at home. In a year of rereading, these two books are easy choices for revisiting.
There is an exotic and mysterious quality in the writing by Ms. Ahdieh. A difficult feat to accomplish, this book and its predecessor ([b:The Wrath & the Dawn|18798983|The Wrath & the Dawn (The Wrath & the Dawn, #1)|Renee Ahdieh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417956963s/18798983.jpg|26724902]), has some of the most poetic phrasings that still somehow stop short of being overdone. The balance of stylistic writing, phrasing, mystery, dialogue, action scenes, and characterization is very nearly perfect. I honestly couldn't ask for more in a book.
Having read several handfuls of fairytale retellings, and still enjoying them, I found this to be such a refreshing venture that I had to remind myself - even now I must - that this story came before. And yet, it didn't. More than anything, this book is a perfect balance. It's tales of old, and it's new and exciting. Poetic, mystical and straightforward, decisive.
And up here—higher than she'd ever thought she could be—the wind blew alongside her, while all else vanished in a blur.
Still, there was no fear.
For up here, Shahrzad chased the wind.
The ground did not exist. Nor did the sky.
Here, she was truly boundless.
Fear would never overtake her again.
The continuation of the story from [b:The Wrath & the Dawn|18798983|The Wrath & the Dawn (The Wrath & the Dawn, #1)|Renee Ahdieh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417956963s/18798983.jpg|26724902] makes the two books so completely whole, while the development of this new book by itself is so wonderful on its own. Another difficult task. To say I'll be on the lookout for any new books by Ms. Ahdieh, is a statement in the obvious.
The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
4.0
I held off on reading this book because it seemed like one of *those* books - there's all this hype surrounding it, and everybody and their mother loves it, and it is *the* book. I'm stifling an eye roll as I type this, for the sheer reason that I shy away from that kind of book (or movie) because I rarely actually like them.
The exception proves the rule, this is not one of *those* books - of which there are many.
Easily a favorite of 2016, I really fell in love with this book and its setting. The setting and the emotions that you could lift off the page from the poetic descriptions were simply otherworldly. This is one of those transport-you-somewhere-else books. Poof.
This book is heavy with romance. Not insta-love, but actual romance. Not lusty, teen passion. Romance. Enjoyable, honest to goodness romance. But, wait. That's not all. There is a mystery element, betrayal, vengeance, and more. This was such a well-rounded tale, and it's so well-written that I could not wait to read the sequel, [b:The Rose & the Dagger|23308084|The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath & the Dawn, #2)|Renee Ahdieh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1443797156s/23308084.jpg|42862750]. So, I suppose, in a way, I'm glad that I delayed reading it because I only had to wait two months before the sequel came out.
The main characters, Shahrzad and Khalid, were so multi-dimensional and fully fleshed out that I could not put the book down. I think you fall in love along with them - with the two of them separate, the two of them together, and the world in which they live.
The one gripe I have with the book is that there is *one* little decision made at the end of the book that I thought felt out of character and made me a touch dissatisfied with the ending, which, in turn, is unsettling for the beginning of the second book. But, we shall see.
The exception proves the rule, this is not one of *those* books - of which there are many.
Easily a favorite of 2016, I really fell in love with this book and its setting. The setting and the emotions that you could lift off the page from the poetic descriptions were simply otherworldly. This is one of those transport-you-somewhere-else books. Poof.
This book is heavy with romance. Not insta-love, but actual romance. Not lusty, teen passion. Romance. Enjoyable, honest to goodness romance. But, wait. That's not all. There is a mystery element, betrayal, vengeance, and more. This was such a well-rounded tale, and it's so well-written that I could not wait to read the sequel, [b:The Rose & the Dagger|23308084|The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath & the Dawn, #2)|Renee Ahdieh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1443797156s/23308084.jpg|42862750]. So, I suppose, in a way, I'm glad that I delayed reading it because I only had to wait two months before the sequel came out.
The main characters, Shahrzad and Khalid, were so multi-dimensional and fully fleshed out that I could not put the book down. I think you fall in love along with them - with the two of them separate, the two of them together, and the world in which they live.
The one gripe I have with the book is that there is *one* little decision made at the end of the book that I thought felt out of character and made me a touch dissatisfied with the ending, which, in turn, is unsettling for the beginning of the second book. But, we shall see.
The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski
4.0
I don't even know where to begin. This book was delicious. There were very few light moments, and most came from small slits of hope or reprieve, but altogether, it was quite a thoroughly hopeless book. I mean, there's a third book (why do I not have this book now?), so I have hope, but the realism and the resignation of the two characters, Arin and Kestrel, is just believably heartbreaking.
Arin and Kestrel are so real and so complex, and are so easy to know. You know these two. Even their miscommunication, hidden agendas, and secrets that boil beneath the surface when they do met is so multi-dimensional and realistic that it (surprisingly) isn't frustrating to read at all. It only served its purpose in the story and made me want to continue to devour the book as quickly as possible.
The pacing and writing style is set as such that you barely notice as the pages fly by. Like eating a piece of delicious chocolate cake, you find yourself at the end of the book, and your fork scrapes an empty plate. I cannot wait to start the third book.
Arin and Kestrel are so real and so complex, and are so easy to know. You know these two. Even their miscommunication, hidden agendas, and secrets that boil beneath the surface when they do met is so multi-dimensional and realistic that it (surprisingly) isn't frustrating to read at all. It only served its purpose in the story and made me want to continue to devour the book as quickly as possible.
The pacing and writing style is set as such that you barely notice as the pages fly by. Like eating a piece of delicious chocolate cake, you find yourself at the end of the book, and your fork scrapes an empty plate. I cannot wait to start the third book.