I received a digital and audio copy from Macmillian Audio & Wednesday Books via Net Galley. All reviews are my own.
Walk with me as I set up the ambiance of this new read. While minding my business, doom-scrolling on Instagram, I come across a flash mood board filled with sand, exotic women, and sharp, pointy objects with the promise of revenge. By now, ya'll know how I feel about a vengeful story; I clicked on the reel for more information. I was introduced to Emily Varga and her eye-catching promotion for her debut book, For She Is Wrath. Women righting wrongs by blood sacrifice, a little bit of magic, and torment? Yes, please! Sign me up for that audio! And Netgalley went ahead and approved it. I have yet to read Sabba Tahir's Ember in the Ashes series, but from what I've heard about it (thanks to @Ezeekat), it sounds like this book was modeled after it.
"Three hundred and sixty-four days.
Framed for a crime she didn't commit, Dania counts down her days in prison until she can exact revenge on Mazin, the boy responsible for her downfall, the boy she once loved—and still can't forget. When she discovers a fellow prisoner may have the key to exacting that vengeance--a stolen djinn treasure--they execute a daring escape together and search for the hidden treasure.
Armed with dark magic and a new identity, Dania enacts a plan to bring down those who betrayed her and her family, even though Mazin stands in her way. But seeking revenge becomes a complicated game of cat and mouse, especially when an undeniable fire still burns between them, and the power to destroy her enemies has a price. As Dania falls deeper into her web of traps and lies, she risks losing her humanity to her fight for vengeance--and her heart to the only boy she's ever loved."
I spent a lovely 12 hours listening to the narrator, Safiyya Ingar, blissfully weave the story about these two women exacting revenge on the people who wronged them. And I recommend you check out the audio if you can.
I'm learning something new about my reading habits anytime I read something based in a developing country. Many of their stories have a unique-sounding synopsis with an air of ambiance and mystery. The only problem is that the authors are so caught up in the details and world-building that the rest of the text sometimes comes out dragging. I've seen it in The Stardust Thief, We Shall Be Monsters, and The Jasmine Throne, and I loved that book! It takes a confident person to weave a story and gain the attention of those entrapped by the storyteller's tale. I don't think Varga hit the mark on the bullseye, but this was an impressive debut for her.
For She is Wrath started with a bang and slowed down shortly after. We got the introduction of Dania, who is hell-bent on breaking out of prison just so she can reconnect with her father and kill every rat bastard who put her in jail in the first place, including her first love. There, she meets Noor, who later becomes her best friend and her moral support whenever Dania feels herself going left with power. These two characters worked great as a team, and I only wished Noor was more at the forefront of her revenge plan.
FSIW is not as magical as I projected it to be, but it still holds its own with the action sequence and bloodlust throughout the text. Whenever I see Djin magic listed in a book, I expect giant genies to rampage through the pages. We do get a Djin, but later down the thickened plot. There is also romance. I'm still not a fan of the whole "Romantasy" genre, but this one was palatable.
Varga did a great job with the world-building, but the character creation made me stick around. I love an underdog story in character, and Varga nailed it with Dania.
Overall, I rated this book 4-stars. From what I understand, this is a retelling of Monte Cristo, which I have yet to read, so the story was new and unique to me. It was slow in some areas, but the action and the reveal made it all worth it. FSIW is a good standalone book, and I'm curious to see what Varaga comes up with next.
For She Is Wrath debuts October 29, 2024
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