For teens grappling with impossible choices and discovering their inner power, this epic fantasy sequel weaves a thrilling tale of love, magic, and destiny.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating complex loyalties, whether between friends, family, or their own evolving beliefs. It's for the young adult feeling caught in the middle and needing a story about finding their own power and voice. A sequel to 'The Wrath & the Dawn', this epic fantasy follows Shahrzad as she is torn between her cursed husband, the Caliph, and her family, who have allied with his enemies. She must harness her own latent magic to break the curse, stop an impending war, and unite the people she loves. This story beautifully explores themes of love, family duty, resilience, and self-discovery. Best suited for older teens, it offers an empowering model of a young woman who refuses to be a pawn and instead forges her own destiny.
Several supporting characters are killed in the conflict.
Mature ThemesModerate
Characters make difficult choices where the lines between right and wrong are blurred by love and duty.
Romantic ContentModerate
Passionate romance with kissing and embraces. No explicit scenes.
Sad ContentMild
Themes of loss, separation from loved ones, and the consequences of war.
ViolenceModerate
Depictions of war, including battles with swords, magic, and resulting injuries.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the impending threat and reality of war, including battle scenes, strategic violence, and character deaths. The approach to these deaths is a direct consequence of the conflict, and while sad, it's handled as a realistic outcome of war. Family conflict is a central theme, with Shahrzad actively opposing her father and first love to protect her husband. The resolution is hopeful but acknowledges the sacrifices made. The concept of good vs. evil is nuanced, exploring how love and grief can drive good people to do destructive things.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a teen, 15-18, who loves lush, atmospheric fantasy and sweeping romance. They have likely read and enjoyed the first book. This reader appreciates a strong, clever female protagonist who takes charge of her own fate. They enjoy stories with political intrigue, moral complexity, and high-stakes emotional conflicts, and are looking for a satisfying conclusion to a beloved story.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of moderate fantasy violence (battles with swords and magic) and character deaths. The romance is passionate but not sexually explicit. No specific preparation is needed to read the book, though it is essential to have read the first book, 'The Wrath & the Dawn', for context. A parent has a teen who feels caught between two sides of a family conflict (e.g., divorce) or a rift in a friend group. The teen is struggling with where their loyalties lie and feels pressured to choose a side, wishing they could fix things for everyone.
Age Experience
A younger teen (14-15) will likely be most captivated by the epic romance, the magical elements, and the action sequences. An older teen (16-18) will also appreciate these elements but may connect more deeply with the themes of political maneuvering, leadership, sacrifice, and the moral grayness of the characters' choices.
What Makes It Special
This book's primary differentiator is its gorgeous, lyrical prose and its rich world-building inspired by Persian mythology and 'One Thousand and One Nights'. Unlike many YA fantasies that focus solely on action, this duology places equal weight on the intricate emotional lives of its characters and the power of storytelling itself.
Read plot summary
This is the conclusion to the duology that began with 'The Wrath & the Dawn'. Shahrzad is separated from her husband, Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan, and is now living in a rebel camp with her family and her childhood love, Tariq. While Tariq and Shahrzad's father plot to destroy Khalid's kingdom, Shahrzad works to understand the curse that forces Khalid to kill his brides. She discovers her own lineage is tied to magic and, with the help of a magic carpet and the irascible sorcerer Irsa, she seeks the power to break the curse, prevent a devastating war, and reunite with Khalid, all while navigating the treacherous political landscape and her own conflicting loyalties.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Shahrzad is torn between her loyalty to Khalid and her loyalty to her family. Do you think she made the right choices? When is it right to defy your family for what you believe in?
2
How does Shahrzad's discovery of her own magical abilities change her role in the story and her relationship with others? Does it make her choices easier or more difficult?
3
Tariq's actions are fueled by love and a desire for revenge. Did you sympathize with his motivations, even when you disagreed with his plans? How did your opinion of him change?
4
By the end of the book, do you feel that Khalid has earned redemption for the deaths he caused while under the curse? What does the story say about forgiveness and second chances?
