The Rose & The Dagger by Renee Aldieh
I flew through The Wrath and the Dawn (check out my review here) a few months ago, and I quickly picked up the second one right after. The book ends in insanity, and I simply needed to know what happened with my beloved Shazi and Khalid next. I’m not really sure what happened after that, but someone it got lost in the shuffle of my giant TBR. And just like the magic carpet in the book, this book had a pull on me to read it and I just had to devour it as soon as possible. I also credit this book for helping me to semi-get me out of the ACOMAF book slump.
(You do need to read The Wrath and the Dawn before you read this one. They cannot be read as standalones.)
Once Upon a Time…
The darker the sky, the brighter the stars.
In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad is forced from the arms of her beloved husband, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once thought Khalid a monster—a merciless killer of wives, responsible for immeasurable heartache and pain—but as she unraveled his secrets, she found instead an extraordinary man and a love she could not deny. Still, a curse threatens to keep Shazi and Khalid apart forever.
Now she’s reunited with her family, who have found refuge in the desert, where a deadly force is gathering against Khalid—a force set on destroying his empire and commanded by Shazi’s spurned childhood sweetheart. Trapped between loyalties to those she loves, the only thing Shazi can do is act. Using the burgeoning magic within her as a guide, she strikes out on her own to end both this terrible curse and the brewing war once and for all. But to do it, she must evade enemies of her own to stay alive.
The saga that began with The Wrath and the Dawn takes its final turn as Shahrzad risks everything to find her way back to her one true love again.
While I did have some qualms in The Wrath and the Dawn, The Rose & The Dagger definitely made up for them. The biggest issue I had with the first book is that I didn’t feel super connected to the characters. They were just kind of there. However, in this book, I fell hard for the characters. I loved them, rooted for them, and felt all the feels with them. I loved Shazi and Khalid and even the new additions of main characters including Shazi’s sister and Tariq’s friend. Every new character I enjoyed, and I found that missing connection I had in the first one with all of the characters in this book.
Shazi was also such a great main character. She was so fierce and strong, and Mulan (hint, hint) would have been so proud of the butt-kicking she did. She loved hard and showed it through all that she did. She makes such a great calipha, and I would certainly want her ruling over my kingdom.
Aldieh’s writing only got more beautiful as well. One of the biggest thing I missed, though, was Shazi’s story. Aldieh’s storytelling abilities are magical, and while there were a few in here, I missed this aspect. Aldieh’s beautiful writing style still shines through, though.
The romance was so good, too, though. I had enjoyed Khalid and Shazi’s romance in the first book, but the ship took to new levels, though. The feels were toooo real here. The other ships were great as well, and they all sailed so well for me, too, but Khalid and Shazi were my ultimate.
The only thing, though, that took off a crown was the beginning. It took me a while to get in the book. It started off a little too slow for me, and once Khalid and Shazi starting communicating and that lovely magic carpet got back in use, it was offfff from there. I loved the twists and turns, and there was so much action. I loved it. I just wished the beginning didn’t take as long to get into, but I understand it was needed.
Four crowns and Mulan/Jasmine rating – Mulan for Shazi being an epic, fierce warrior and Jasmine since she is inspired by Arabian Nights, just like Shazi! Now, I shall just patiently wait for The Flame In the Mist…which is supposed to be a Mulan-type novel. Huh. Ironic this book got a Mulan rating?
Check it out:
What do you think? Have you read either of these books? Have you ever connected more with a sequel than a first book? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
Great review! I absolutely loved this series!
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Thanks so much, Kyera! 😀 It is such a great series! 😀 Can’t believe I waited this long to get on the book train for them. XD
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Great review! I really liked this series but I felt like The Wrath & The Dawn better than The Rose & The Dagger. I enjoyed it much more and had more fun reading it. I’m still super excited for the Flame in the Mist. I can’t wait for it to come out!
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I do agree. There were just a few certain elements there were missing for this one that seemed not to work as well. But yes, and I can’t wait either. Luckily only a few more weeks. :O 😀
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When I read ‘only a few more weeks’ I had to do a double take! It really is coming in less than a month! It’s almost May! Where has time gone? My entire year flashed before my eyes and I realized I had done nothing! Anyway, aside from my life crisis, I am super excited for The Flame in the Mist. I have really high hopes for this one. I am in desperate need of a good book.
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I know! I kept second guessing myself when I wrote that because I thought for sure that it was wrong. I seriously don’t know how it’s the 9th of April already. Didn’t time seem to take forever as we were kids? But yessssss. I keep trying to talk myself down about it and not get too excited because I’m afraid I’m going to let myself down. But I still think it’s going to be amazing as you said.
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I get the feeling. I’m not ready for May! And I have a pretty good feeling. All the early ratings I’ve seen are pretty high. But as always, I keep my fingers crossed. I don’t want to be disappointed.
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Me either! At least that seems to be a good book month…but as you said, totally not prepared for it. But yes! Super agreed!
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Yay more fangirling material!!! I loved this series and I totally agree with your points in the slow beginning. Shazi is amazing, I love her! Also Khalid 🔥🔥🔥🔥 I feel like that is the best emoji to describe him! You get me? 🔥🔥🔥 I wish there was more to the series as I would have loved to have known how they rebuilt themselves after the battle. Another lovely review, yay! Hopefully the next book can really push you out of your slump!
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AHAHAHAHA. OMG, YES. The fire emoji is soooooo Khalid. Ugh, he was such a dreamboat, Rendz. And Shazi was amazing as you said. I definitely would have loved to see the aftermath as well and how they all got readjusted to ruling the country now there wasn’t a curse and evil uncle stopping their way. But thank you! 😀
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I have t read The Wrath and the Dawn duology yet but it is on my TBR list. I met her last month and she is the sweetest. I plan on getting to this one this year!
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It is a great read, Sarah, so I can’t wait to see your thoughts! 🙂 But ooooh, she always seems so nice on Twitter and such, but it’s always cool to go back and read a book now that you know how cool she is. XD
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I think so too! I think it helps understand the story and writing as well when you know the back story, and the hard work they put into to.
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Yes, definitely! I automatically appreciate it more when you find out personally all of what you said. 😀
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Exactly! 😊
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I totally need to read this series. Looks awesome! I’m also excited for The Flame in the Mist. Sounds so good!
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Yes, it is definitely worth a read! 😀 And yesssss. The Flame in the Mist sounds amazing. Just a few more weeks! 😀
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I loved this series and I can’t wait for Flame in the Mist.
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I ADORE these books so much. Excellent review, Mandy! I will admit that I enjoyed The Wrath and the Dawn more than The Rose and the Dagger, but they’re both STUNNING. And Flame in the Mist is coming up on my TBR. Week after next. I cannot wait!!!
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Super agree, Kyrsti! I just missed my fairytales and stories that we got with the first. And the ship was takne away for so long. But ahhhhhhhh I literally canNOT wait for your review.
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Yeah, I definitely agree. I wish she could have done three books and added a more of those things into book two, because the end felt a little rushed to me. The first book is complete perfection! 😀
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I super agree. I think I was talking with Rendz down there and I was saying I would have loved to see them go back and rebuild the kingdoms together. It would have been so interesting to see how they ruled the two places without the evil curse and crazy uncle. I agree that it did feel rushed and it was a blink and you missed it.Sadness. But everything shall be redeemed by Flame in the Mist XD
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Yes to all of these things. I did still love it, just not quite as much as the first. I do have VERY high hopes for Flame in the Mist! ❤️❤️❤️
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Yes definitely. And suppppper definitely. I really need to get my pre-order in too. I keep forgetting that it’s coming out so soon. D:
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Heck yes! You can win a trip to bookcon with Renee with that preorder!
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Yes! I believe there’s buttons too? I swear I saw buttons in there. XD I need to get my butt in gear.
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All I saw was win a trip to Bookcon with Renee and immediately purchased and submitted my entry. LOL.
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LOL, well, true. XD That really does a grab a book lover right away. And also, I JUST SAW YOU STARTED GEEKERELLA. You must give me updates!! I’m soooo excited for you to read this.
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Hahaha! YAY Geekerella! I’m actually starting it tonight. I just got it today. I’m SO EXCITED to read it. It sounds perfect. And it’s great timing, since I’m going to YALLWEST in a couple of weeks.
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Ooooooooh I’m so pumped for you!! You’re going to love it, Krysti. Well, at least I hope. BUT STILL. And ahhhhhh, you’re going to have to fangirl with her for me. XD That lineup is amazing, though, so I can’t wait to hear all your stories…and see all the pretty books and goodies!
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Thank you!!! You’re the sweetest ever. I will DEFINITELY be fangirling. The lineup is crazy. I just hope I can meet all the authors I want to. The schedule is pretty intense. I will definitely be posting pics. 🙂
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Awh, thankies. Right back at you. And yes!! I always think that these fests look so amazing and you can totally do it, but after reading posts I’m like, I would probably just sit there going, BOOKS. HELP. It seems so intense, so yes, I totally hope everything goes well. Who are your top 5 so far?
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Luckily I have some bloggers helping me prep, or I would have been a hot mess! LOL! Top 5 that I haven’t met already are probably Leigh Bardugo, Evelyn Skye, Adam Silvera, Benjamin Alice Saenz, and Ransom Riggs.
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Yes, when you come back you must tell me all the book fest wisdom. o.o I must know although book fests appear to never be happening here. XD But oooooh those are some epic names. Is Sarah or the Book Hubs going with you?
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I’m totally going to do a post before I leave all about prepping for a con with all the info I’ve learned from bloggers much wiser than myself. I’ve actually roped my whole family into going, so Book Club Hubz, my mom, dad, and my little brother. They’re the best! <3<3<3
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Ooooh epic. I shall be eagerly awaiting it. And oooh that’s amazing. XD Everyone can see the amazing benefits of a book fest. I’m sure there is a ton of other amazing things to do out there, too. But you know, books. XD
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They’ve given me so many hot tips that I never would have though of! Going to a book conference is way more complicated than I anticipated!
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Lol, oh dear. XD Yeah, I basically thought you could just wander around and get books signed but apparently there’s more to it? XD
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I mean you can, but you probably won’t get much signed that way. There is a whole science to this that I’m learning! 😀
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Huh. Intriguing. XD But now I doubly can’t wait to see what the tips and tricks are.
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I just have to finish prepping it all, and then I’ll do the post. Probably next week sometime. 🙂
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Great review! This series far surpassed my expectations. I loved it!
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Thank you! 😀 And it really did. I didn’t think it would like up the hype, but it was quite good. 😀
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I loved this series !! I had dipped into fantasy a little before these books, and I really chose a bad book to dip with but these books completely redeemed the fantasy genre for me ! Although I do agree the first one is better.
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Oh dear. 😦 That’s the worst when you end up with a book that kind of ruins the genre at first for you. Glad these books helped redeem, and I totally agree about the first book. I think some of the elements were missing in the second one that I loved from the first one.
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It’s the worst !! But I’m okay with fantasy now, we made up :P. Yeah same I think it was because it took place in a different setting I found that took away from it for sure
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Lol, yay! I’m glad it was a permanent breakup. But I totally agree. I wasn’t feeling the tent in the middle of the desert thing as much as the castle and such.
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Great review! I have both of these books on my TBR for ages now, but your review made me want to pick it up right now so badly!
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Lol, thank you, Evy! It took me forever to get to them, too, but it’s definitely worth it! 😀 It was a lot of fun and the retelling aspect is so cool. Definitely can’t wait to see what you think. 😀
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Glad you enjoyed this one, Mandy 🙂 I’ve had it on my TBR since… forever! Definitely need to pick the whole series up.
Loved your review ❤
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It was a great series as a whole. And it is best to grab them together because the first one ends all :O
Thanks so much, Sophie! 😀
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❤ ^^
Will do that!
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I’ve been eyeing these books for a while now. And now that you written a review about it, I think I’m gonna add them to my To-Buy-Books list. (Yes I have that. XD) But is this a duology? Or are there more books coming?
Anyway, great post Mandy! I miss reading and commenting on your posts! 😀
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Oooooh, yes! (lol, I have that list too…it’s evil and amazing at the same time). But it is a duology, so there are just the two stories in the series!
And thankies and sameeeee! Every day, I was like, where is Jannin??
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Well, I think I’m gonna buy this duology soon! 😄 I’ve been gone but now I’m back! Haha! 😂😂😂😂
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YAYYYY! 😀 I can’t wait to see what you think. *crosses my fingers* And hehehe, that’s an even bigger reason to say YAYYYYY (see, it got an extra Y).
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I LOVED this duology and read this when it was first released. I had so many sticky tabs in this book by the end of it because I loved so many parts of it. And that ending was so bittersweet! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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Yes! I’m sad that there isn’t more, but I’m also totally okay with it because it was amazing while it was there. I totally agree about that ending, though. Thanks and you too! 🙂
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Loved this duology!
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Yes! I had a slightly rocky start with it, but overall it was so good. Loved Shazi!
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