It isn’t that I think this is a bad book, but it wasn’t for me. I didn’t really get much wrath from the book, which considering the title I was expecting a good amount of female rage. I found the FMC just a bit dull and the revenge plot dragged out, it’s lacking in any real action or dramatics and I found the frequency of the FMC still swooning over one of betrayers infuriating.

I actually don’t know much about The Count of Monte Cristo so I can’t really comment on the retelling aspect of this book, but it just wasn’t gripping or interesting for me.

Unfortunately I did DNF this book at 56% but I will give it another go when the audio is available on my platform as I suspect it could be better as an audiobook for me. Until the point of DNF I was thinking this would be a 3⭐️ read - just very middle of the range. Therefore I’ve given this a 3⭐️ here.

“I choose vengeance. I choose death. And in the end, that’s what you chose too.”

This was such an incredible book and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to read it prior to release.
Dania, Noor and Mazin are three beautifully flawed characters with desires for revenge that often appear to know no bounds. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know them as characters and I am genuinely rather sad to have finished the story. I know very little about Pakistani culture, so a lot of the things in this book were new to me and I have found it so exciting searching unfamiliar words to see if what I am picturing and my mental pronunciation is correct. Despite my lack of knowledge, the descriptions in this book were fantastic and I felt like I could see everything on the page and picture it well. The brutal magic of the Djinn was another feature that I enjoyed seeing throughout the story. The way it explored revenge, power and greed felt powerful itself.
Overall this was a truly magical YA romantic fantasy that I honestly believe pretty much anyone would enjoy.
💜 I received an ARC of this book and am leaving an honest review voluntarily.💜

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Books for this eCopy to review

She is Wrath is a dark, atmospheric retelling of the Count of Montechristo. Dania’s quest for vengeance was raw and gripping. The moral ambiguity and intensity of the plot kept me on edge throughout the book.

The story follows Dania, a young woman framed for a crime she didn’t commit. After spending almost a year in prison, she’s consumed with rage and plotting her escape and revenge on those who betrayed her, including her childhood best friend and first love, Mazin. With the help of her cellmate Noor and some dangerous djinn magic, Dania embarks on a mission to bring down her betrayers. However, the magic threatens to overtake her, and she struggles to maintain her humanity while seeking vengeance.

What stood out was the depth of Dania’s emotional turmoil—Varga did a phenomenal job portraying her inner conflict and pain.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely loved the story and event the romance elements were perfect (which is a rare thing for me)! For She is Wrath has an amazing blend of world building, political intrigue, character evolution and interesting plot twist. I enjoyed that the author decided to portray both the present and past interactions - it was the best tool to portay the romance building in this story. A definite recommendation!

** 3.75 stars**

Dania is quite the bloodthirsty character. I think the summary of this as a gender flipped Count of Monte Cristo is a really good description. The focus on revenge and the battle between love and hate came through very clearly. I enjoyed Varga's writing style, but I have to say the ending seemed a bit abrupt. All of a sudden I only had 80 pages to go and that's when we get a bit of a twist and Dania's realization about family, love, revenge, etc. The most vivid part of this, in my opinion, was Dania's pain at Mazin kissing and loving someone other than her and how it caused her mind to war between wanting him to kiss her more and hating that he can kiss someone else. The other scene that stood out to me was a realization that forgiveness and showing kindness do not have to go hand in hand. You can forgive someone for their mistakes, their cruelties, but that does not mean you have to show kindness. You can move on, and leave them behind. That's a lesson I can take into my own life.

I can't give this a solid four, because it didn't pull me in like some of my previous reads have. I found myself skimming some pages of descriptive text, because I didn't care much about the imagery. I will also say... Aman, Mazin's sister, seems to be a bit of a pointless character. I wanted more from her in the end than being magically whisked away during the protests, but oh well. However, it is an interesting read, and portrays some interesting scenarios pitting revenge and love against each other.

This was an amazing debut! I absolutely loved everything about it and I'm looking forward to more from the author. This a lovers to enemies fantasy and the hurt, longing and sense of betrayal that the mmc was constantly feeling during the book were described so well and I could really relate to her internal conflicts. I loved the writing and atmosphere of the book and her quest for revenge had the perfect conclusion.

R E V I E W

For She is Wrath by Emily Varga

☆☆☆☆.5

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Macmillan Children's Books | First Ink via Netgalley.

A Pakistani twist on The Count of Monte Cristo, For She is Wrath tells the story of Dania as she escapes prison and seeks revenge against those who lead to her being wrongly incarcerated. And at the top of that list? Her ex-lover Mazen, the Emperor's second in command, whose devastating betrayal hurt worse than the subsequent torture she experienced whilst imprisoned. Hand-in-hand with a fellow escaped prisoner with a score to settle and armed with illicit djinn magic, Dania turns her grief following the death of her father into fuel for the flames of her ire; flames intent on burning an empire to the ground.

A tale of vengeance, grief, forgiveness, and love, this story was one of the best YA books I have read in a while, harkening back to The Crimson Moth and Divine Rivals with its poignant writing and cleverly penned intimacy between the characters. I loved the use of 'before' chapters interspersed against the present, allowing us to come to love Mazen as Dania did, despite knowing what would ultimately become of them.

I wasn't sure if this was a stand-alone or part of a series when I began reading this book, and therefore my only criticism would be that a lot happened in the final 10% of the story, tying up all loose ends neatly but with less finesse than I would have liked. Dania's decision to forgive Mazen and implicitly trust him so quickly felt unlikely given everything that had happened between them, and the final confrontation with the Emperor felt rushed and unsatisfying for someone who was at the heart of their collective vengeance. It also would have been nice to know what became of Mazen in Basral through the epilogue, which only really shed light on their relationship and not his role in the new empire.

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Spicy rating: 0/5

Where do I even begin with this book? Pretty sure it’s my book of the year! This was genuinely incredible. I loved every second of it.

This is a beautifully written story of feminine rage and the cost of vengeance. A retelling of the classic Count of Monte Cristo with a city on the brink of a war and corrupted under the control of ancient and dangerous Djinn magic.

There are incredibly deep and well fleshed out characters, beautiful immersive world building that has opened my eyes to another culture. Feral female friendship that will fill your heart and make you scream and cry just as much as the lovers to enemies, betrayed by her first love romance.

Dania was a morally grey, bright burning ball of rage and I love and relate to her with my whole heart watching her journey of escape, trauma and the fight for vengeance whilst burning down the world was brilliant to read. Think Arya Stark but even better still!

The gasp I let loose at those final plot twists was so loud I was turning heads on the train and I just wanted to scream at them “You won’t believe what just happened!”

The dual timeline was both insightful and heartbreaking watching Dania and Mazin fall in love whilst ultimately knowing the betrayal and heartbreak is coming and man did it break my heart. I cannot get enough of these two and I can’t share some of my fave quotes because I can’t spoil this for you just read it. Trust me and read it.

Emily Varga has laid down the gauntlet for YA Romantasy and it’s going to be very hard for other stories to even come close! 👏👏👏

This felt over the top, the main character felt like she was written to be trying to hard to be cool which ruined a lot of the journey aspect in enjoying this fantasy as I coupons get a grip on the insufferable main character. It was the way she was written, I don't know if intentional bit she was unlikable. This then lead to me not enjoying the romance as it felt intolerable due to the main characters arrogance. I usually like female characters who are badass but this felt so over the top that it was exaggerating her traits to just be a one dimensional "bad bitch" woman. There was no one depth to her character which is a shame because I was really interested in a south Asian inspired fantasy romance to get hooked into. The plot by itself was not as exciting as I was expecting. Overall I'm not as hyped up as I was to begin reading this. I think it can appeal to some audiences who can get past my gripes with the main character.

As soon as I saw that this book was a Pakistani retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo, I was sold. The fact that it is also choc full of feminine rage was also a big plus. I'm very glad to say that I wasn't disappointed at all.

While I was a bit concerned that the initial prison escape was seeming to take ages and I worried about how this would affect the pacing of the rest of the book, I'm actually glad it took a while. It helped to build the world, explain who Dani was and who she had become, but also set up her relationship with Noor, which is incredibly important.

Once they get out of prison things do move along at a much better pace, giving enough infornnation to keep you hooked but also not glossing over how the plan plays out. I actually would have enjoyed the ending taking a bit more time, as it felt a little rushed, which meant it seemed a bit anti-climatic.

I enjoyed the magic system a lot, especially as it was fairly simple and didn't have a huge impact on the story. It existed to explain the power balance and for a way to change Dani's appearance, but other than that, the fantasy elements were nonexistent. This means the book is a great choice if you're not a big fantasy reader or want to read something to introduce you to the genre in a subtle way.

I honestly had such a great time reading this book and if it weren't for the slightly rushed ending that left me feeling slightly deflated, this would have been a 5-star read.

Described as gender-flipping Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo, this is gripping from the outset with pacey action, a feisty female lead, strong cultural references and a buzzing, well-developed plot. A harsh but excellent debut, an author to watch

I enjoyed the first half of this book and sped through it but found it lagged slightly in the second half and took me longer to finish. It was a fun read, otherwise, and I thought Dani's character growth was great.

The award for the best book of the season goes to this one
I had the opportunity of reading for For she is wrath and i was blown awaaaaaay.
Couldn’t believe this is just a debut, it’s by far one of the best book out there this year.
The female rage was portrayed perfectly, i found myse getting angry with and for Dania.
The romance…… IT WAS EVERYTHING 🥹🥹
Dania and Noor’s relationship was so important, everyone needs a Noor in their life.

We have magic, female rage, revenge, lovers to enemies to lovers again, found family( a small one but it doesn’t have to be a big family to know you found your people), djinn, it’s also a count of monte cristo retelling, aaaaaand pakistani inspired which is so amazing to see since this one is usually in very very very few books

Thank u to the oublisher for the arc

For She Is Wrath is a riveting book that spans three hundred and sixty-four days of imprisonment, where the protagonist, Dania, bides her time until she can exact revenge on Mazin, the boy who betrayed her and the one she still loves. Wrongfully accused of a crime she didn't commit, Dania's quest for vengeance becomes an all-consuming mission, intensified when she discovers that a fellow inmate holds the key to a stolen djinn treasure that could change everything.

As Dania and her new ally plot a daring escape to find the hidden treasure, the narrative takes on an exhilarating pace. Armed with dark magic and a new identity, Dania is determined to bring down those who have wronged her and her family, but her path is complicated by the undeniable chemistry that still simmers between her and Mazin. Their relationship adds layers of complexity to her quest for revenge, making it a gripping game of cat and mouse filled with twists that come without warning.

The author's writing is nothing short of spectacular. Her mastery of language and world-building creates an immersive experience, allowing readers to feel every moment of pain, anger, and sadness. The plot twists are expertly woven into the narrative, keeping you on the edge of your seat and making it impossible to put the book down. I found myself losing sleep, captivated by Dania's relentless determination and character growth throughout the story.

Dania’s friendship with Noor stands out as a beacon of loyalty, showcasing the true essence of camaraderie amidst chaos. Meanwhile, Mazin's character evolves into something intriguingly complex as the truth about his actions unfolds.

The book delves into profound themes of friendship, vengeance, and the sacrifices one makes in the pursuit of retribution. It raises thought-provoking questions about the cost of revenge and the lengths to which people will go for those they love.

I loved every moment of this book and highly recommend For She Is Wrath to anyone looking for a powerful and emotionally charged read that lingers long after the last page is turned.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

A book with true feminine rage is always worth the hype and this book nailed it.

Our FMC Dani had me riled up reading what led her to be imprisoned and tortured, she is defiant and cunning. Although she is burning with a desire for revenge, Dani’s longing to be reunited with her father is what stands at the forefront of her mind during her time locked away. While in prison we’re introduced to a prisoner who is living a similar fate, but holds the solution to get them both free.

Dani and her new friend/escapee are a duo you can root for, and you will find yourself wishing them nothing but success on their path to vengeance.

There are secrets and betrayals that will gut you, the level of betrayal in this book reminded me of Red Rising but with djinn magic making the stakes that more intense.

There’s elements of romance and found family you can enjoy along this journey, it does add some lighter but also emotional points.

That was an unexpected little gem!

I must say I'm always impressed when I find a good standalone fantasy book! It’s seems like such a feat to execute well, and this book was fab! I felt you got up to speed with the world and magic, whilst still getting thrown into the action. For a 400 page book, a lot happens!

~~~
Premise:

{Count of Monte Cristo inspired}

Dania is thrown into prison for a crime she didn't commit, and whilst she's there she meets another prisoner, Noor, who knows of a stash of dark magic and riches.

They escape to together and embark on a mission to destroy the emperor and the people that wronged Dania. One of whom, happens to be Dania’s ex-love and the Emperor’s second, Mazin.

Using magic to conceal her identity, she plots of overthrow the city and seduce and destroy Mazin.

~~~

Tropes: Revenge list; Evil ruler; friends to lovers to enemies to lovers; sword fighting FMC ; Pakistani inspired fantasy world; Hidden identity; Dark and destructive magic.

~~~

What I loved:

🌟 Two romances in one: I loved seeing the development of Dania and Mazin, first in the flashbacks at the start of their more innocent relationship, and secondly in their more deceitful one! And there's a Mr Darcy hand flex!!*
🌟 Lots of plot! Firstly there’s the prison escape and then seeing how Dania takes everyone down! The to-do list lover in me loves a revenge list plot!
🌟 It just flows! It’s fantastic writing for a debut! I feel visually its very engaging without neglecting the plot! And the world is easy enough to pick up! At no point did it fill like there was uneccesary filler! The last 100 pages especially, I inhaled!

All in all, a great read! I will definitely be keeping an eye on what the author does next!

*Romance info: It’s marketed as romantasy, but the romance elements are slightly more limited, and things don't overly develop until the end! And it’s definitely YA! There are two slightly spicier scenes, but they are quick and more PG!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Books for the ARC. 2.5? 2.75⭐ rounded up. Not a 2 because oddly enough, I was not bored nor felt the urge to give up multiple times, so that counts for something.

I'm still simmering on how much of it I actually really liked. I've never read The Count of Monte Cristo so I can't account for how faithful FSIW is or if it even matched the original story's themes. I do feel that it's a serviceable YA debut. But maybe because it's YA that it doesn't truly deliver on the unhinged heroine bent on revenge that I went in expecting. A satisfying revenge book to me ensures its protag has conviction, which Dania lacks. This is a story that is more of a look at the destructive nature of revenge and when to let go before it consumes you.

That isn't a story I was expecting and it became rather apparent midway through. I had to quickly adjust my mindset lest it sour my entire reading experience.

Dania, despite her lofty ambitions to take down the men who wronged her, has such flimsy schemes that I half expected them to fall apart sooner than they did. I felt only her first plot against Casildo, the supposed close friend of her father's who betrayed him to the tyrannical Emperor Vahid for gold, was interesting. There was calculation and a malice in spectating his downfall that isn't matched in her subsequent conspiring, even for all the murderous intent she kept repeating she had.

The worst part is that what should have been the highlight of this revenge book—the main scheme of seducing her former lover Mazin, who stood by and watch her be wrongly imprisoned, so as to manipulate and then hurt him the way he hurt her—fell so incredibly flat. Again, her lack of conviction throws this to the bin. Dania grapples with mixed feelings of love and hate; she's STILL drawn to him despite, ya know, the fact that he abandoned her when she needed him the most and she was made to suffer both physical and mental torture for a whole year. I needed her to LOATHE him more than her missing how good it was to be with him.

It was also rather obvious that she was never going to go through with her revenge against a certain character, with how the story sets up the flashback chapters interwoven with the present that we're supposed to see what kind of person this character truly is. I felt that she forgave them too quickly, and would've preferred more ambivalence from her with regards to their relationship. And! You cannot for the life of me get me to fully enjoy a story that set off an avalanche of tragic events hinged on one bad decision of Not Freaking Telling The Person Important Info.

There was also a plot to stir up even more anti-Emperor Vahid tension amongst the common people that ... didn't pan out? Lol.

And then there's the plot twist of Who the True Killer Was. Which I felt wasn't a very good twist because it truly came out of nowhere and I wonder if author Emily Varga wanted to throw readers into a loop. I understand the narrative purpose of this twist, to further reinforce the novel's moral message of the monster Dania could be if she continues on her path of vengeance, but there was no set up to it at all. I was so unimpressed.

The friendship between protagonist Dania and Noor as two wronged girls seeking revenge & retribution and breaking out of prison together started out enjoyable to read. But Noor's true purpose is eventually revealed as to serve as Dania's moral compass, reminding her again and again on not becoming a monster while on this vengeful path. Which did not bode well for me if I came in wanting to see a protagonist become monstrous like that. Otherwise, she was...fine.

Despite my gripes, I'd read another book of Varga's. I could see her actually writing a YA novel I'd have fun with.

This was a really engaging tale. I loved the setting and the atmosphere the author created. The opening of the novel instantly hooked me and I needed to know if Dania would get her revenge!
At times it felt a tad repetitive in the mid section, lots of references to beautiful embroidery and sharp pickles etc. But otherwise I found the story really enjoyable. The characters were strong and the plot had enough twists and turns to keep it fun and surprising.
It is also nice to have a clean YA title. A steamy kiss and a fade to black is quite refreshing nowadays! Great for fans of Fantasy, strong heroines and south asian mythology.

Brilliantly fun lovers to enemies Count of Monte Cristo Rettelling. Revenge is the name of the game.

FOR SHE IS WRATH is a gorgeous, thrilling tale of vengeance! It reminds me of REBEL OF THE SANDS in the best way. A fierce protagonist hell-bent on revenge, djinn magic, and betrayal. The chemistry between Dania and Mazin was incredible. Their banter and bonding during training had me in a chokehold. Seriously, their “before” scenes were my favourite of the entire book. I’ve not read the classic “The Count of Monte Cristo” yet, but now I definitely want to. To see what inspired this gripping debut. I’m so excited to see where Emily Varga’s career goes.

Thank you to the author, Macmillan Children's Books, and Netgalley for this ARC!