A really well written tale with intricate world building that drew me in from page one. Tahereh Mafi is already well known for her wondrous way of weaving words together and she did not disappoint with This woven kingdom. This was a very thrilling and addictive fantasy novel.

Reads like an old-fashioned fairytale!
Alizeh is alone in the world, hiding her true identity and living as an overworked servant. She’s Jinn and has ice in her veins. She’ll be in danger if anyone discovers who she is because she’ll be seen as a threat to the human king. Kamran, the young prince, sees Alizeh help a homeless thief and is intrigued by her actions. The more he observes her, the more curious he becomes. The king, Kamran’s grandfather, sees that the prince is interested in the girl so he explains that their kingdom’s peace is at stake if they let her live. He orders Kamran to put her to death and then be ready to attend the planned ball the next evening and choose a wife. Alizeh works as a seamstress after her servant hours are finished for the day. She’s helping Miss Huda with several gowns. Alizeh is exhausted and after she leaves Miss Huda, she’s attacked by six men. She warns them but they laugh at her so she subdues them with the only weapons she has available, seamstress needles and scissors. Afterwards, she’s approached by a man who has been searching for her and wanting to protect her from harm. He sees the attack and knows she can protect herself. He offers her assistance and safety. He will take her away at the ball the following night. He also gives her a nosta, a rare orb that warms in your hand when the truth is told and chills like ice when a lie appears. This man’s identity is a surprising twist to the story! Huzzah!!!
The action takes over and another twist is revealed, ending the book with a bang! I can hardly stand to wait for the next book! Elegant storytelling, 5 stars!

This woven kingdom was one of my most anticipated releases and I was so happy when I finally read it! It didn't disappointed me at all! Forbidden romances, a long-forgotten queen, clashing empires, love story, enemies to lovers, this book has everything and I loved it. Inspired by Persian mythology, the descriptions and settings are lush and evocative and the characterization amazing. Alizeh and Kamran are brilliant characters, so complex and wonderfully developed and the plot is filled with twists and secrets, lies, a truly rollercoaster of emotion and action and it was breathtaking.

Hello this book was incredible????????? It was so different from Shatter Me but not in a way that will alienate any of the fans. I cannot get enough of this mythology. When is book 2 and please send me an ARC for it immediately. Thank you for this ARC even if I was slow reading

Classic fairytale meet Persian folklore in this spell-binding and fast-paced novel. Set in an illustrious world pulled directly from Middle Eastern influences, the magic and political system is rich and the writing is even richer.

This is my first exposure to author Tahereh Mafi. Her Shatter Me series has reached popularity amid younger readers - I own the first two but haven't been able to get to them yet as I slog through my ever-growing home library. I was very excited to pick up this book, as Tahereh is an author with a diverse background, and part of my goal as a reader is to diversify my shelves.

This Woven Kingdom has luscious prose, setting it apart from most Young Adult fiction I’ve devoured. The first half of the book contains a lot of world building, as it introduces the reader to the magical lore of the Jinn, the beautiful setting of an ancient world, and the complex political platform related to royalty and the delicate machinations involved.

I will admit, I was very close to not finishing it - in fact, I started it on January 31st and had to put it down at 26% because I simply could not get in the headspace to enjoy it. It's HEAVY on the eloquent language, making it hard to muck through during the first half. The dialogue felt very stilted, choppy and awkward. Though the second half of the book picked up significantly - and became magnetic and enjoyable - the conversation between characters still felt unnatural.

Plot-wise, I really enjoyed the thematic events once I was able to get through the establishment of the world. It had heavy Cinderella vibes, which usually would annoy me, but it was different enough it didn't feel like a complete rip-off of the story. As a seamstress myself, it was really cool to see how Alizeh's story developed as she maneuvered around the intricacies of hiding her identity while trying to survive as a low-class civilian. Top this off with the lyrical folklore of the Jinn and it transported me to the world immediately.

The characters felt very well-thought-out. I saw a depth in them that made it easy to relate to them. Alizeh: beautiful, strong, adaptable. Kamran: sensitive, powerful, strategic. Even the supporting characters were excellent in bolstering the story and not feeling like simple fillers to move the plot along.

One piece felt very unrealistic for me in my experience in sewing and garment making: the time Alizeh is given to finish multiple gowns by hand while still maintaining her work as a house servant. Add to the fact she was fighting with injury and that she could not utilise any of her Jinn abilities and it became a little bit far-fetched. There were several times I thought the timing was off due to this fact, even though the events happen in a matter of days and not over weeks or months. I do realize, however, that this is purely speculation and not a huge focus for the story.

I am quite interested to see where Alizeh and Kamran's stories take them, as the book ends on a slight cliffhanger that just NEEDS to be resolved. Unfortunately, there's no news on when the next book in this trilogy will be released.

Thabnk you to HCC Frenzy for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!

I have been such a huge fan of Tahereh Mafi since the release of her Shatter Me series. I was so excited to learn about this book and it did not disappoint! This book was so phenomenal and I loved the Persian-inspired world and Islamic influences. Her writing is so lyrical and rich and full of so many beautiful quotes. The two main characters Alizeh and Kamran were absolute perfection and I really enjoyed reading about them. I am looking forward to reading more in this series and seeing where she takes the story!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and got completely sucked into the world the author has created. I'm intrigued to see where the next book takes us.

Set in Ardunia, a world where Jinn are not accepted, Alizeh works as a snoda (servant) and has to hide her identity and move from place to place with almost nothing. Kamran, heir to the throne of Ardunia, is a stoic, honest prince, but when he see Alizeh disarm a street child, Kamran thinks she is a spy against the crown. When their worlds intertwine, secrets are revealed and tensions get high.

This is my first book by Tahereh Mafi and it won’t be the last! The writing in This Woven Kingdom was beautiful, the characters were well fleshed out, the world building extravagant, and the way the tension built was unmatched. I loved the banter between the characters! Like many first books in a trilogy, this book had to set the tone and foundation for the world, but I thought it was done in a fulfilling way. I cannot wait for book two – I need it now!! If you like the Daevabad trilogy or A Master of Djinn, then you need to pick up This Woven Kingdom.

Thank you to HCC Frenzy and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve found novels based around or inspired by Persian fiction to be hit or miss for me. I wasn’t sure if this was a story for me when I was reading the beginning section but soon the story picked up in a way that caught my attention and I was very glad that I continued. I’ve never read the poem it is inspired by. That being said it feels like there was hints of a Cinderella retelling during parts of the story.  These may also be hints at the poem instead, as I said, I have never read it. The story gets really interesting and a bit faster in action and flow as the story moves into the middle section. This is where I started to find the novel hard to put down.

I really enjoyed it until the end. Then I was wished there was more after it had ended. I think this should be a worthy bestseller.

This book is so beautifully written that it earned 4 stars just for the language alone. Reading it brought such joy. It transported me to another time and place.
Add to that some complex characters and lore, and you have a story guaranteed to please.
I adored the twisty plot full of yearning, hardship, and a classic romance.
This book has something for every type of reader, and the ending will leave you begging for the next installment.

I have read a few of Tahereh Mafi's books over the years, but THIS WOVEN KINGDOM is by far her best work yet. I don't know what finally inspired Mafi to write this story but I am so glad it happened because this definitely came across as her heart story. You can just feel the love and passion in the writing.

Mafi's prose is beyond gorgeous--and this is evident from the first line of the novel. The quality of her writing remains consistently stunning throughout the entire story. Mafi really has such a gift with words. I found myself re-reading passages just to savor the beauty of the descriptions when generally I'm happy to skip over these portions of a text.

The tension and banter between Alizeh and Kamran is chef's kiss. They are both such sympathetic characters and there's nothing more compelling than when they are on the page together.

Overall, the plot is wonderfully crafted. Everything comes together well at the end, but it's also quite obvious early on that this will be the first of some sort of series. I'm already eager to get my hands on the sequel to know what happens next.

My only point of criticism about THIS WOVEN KINGDOM is that there is quite a bit of ableist language throughout the story.

"Let it be known that Tahereh Mafi, author of the Shatter Me series, has another brilliant story on deck! Head to a Persian mythology inspired world where those of humble means actually hold the keys to the kingdom. Meet Alizeh, a servant, and Kamran, the crown prince. The two are tied together by an ancient prophecy that may leave their kingdoms — and their hearts — in shambles."

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This review contains spoilers.

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD I NEED THE REST OF THIS SERIES RIGHT MEOW. This is my first Tahereh Mafi book, and I am floored both by the beauty of her storytelling and writing and by her intricate worldbuilding and character development. Please give us the rest of this series soon. PLEASE. I need more Alizeh and Kamran, and my heart won't be able to bear it if she really marries Cyrus. This Persian-mythology-inspired forbidden-romance trilogy is easily going to be one of my favorite book series ever. I just know it.

DNF at 10%.
Lackluster worldbuilding with too much exposition and info dumping, lack of originality when it comes to character work and bland writing style that tries to be poetic but just ends up sounding nonsensical.

I recently discovered Tahereh Mafi and began her "Shatter Me" series. I found the world building in this to be wonderful, and I really enjoyed the characters. It had the perfect amount of action, mystery, and humor to keep me reading.

So this is the first book I have read by Tahereh Mafi and I did very much enjoyed it.
I found the story is well done. I love the characters and the story .
This is the first book in a new Fantasy Romance series and you bet I will be picking up the next book when it comes out.
I give this 4 out 5.

This book, like Mafi's others, is riveting. She does such a good job of weaving a tale, and making you care for every single character, even if they are complicated and dark. Especially if they are complicated and dark. I also appreciated learning about Persian mythology through reading this book. My only problem is that this is the first in a trilogy! Gasp! I hate waiting. If you are looking for a book with a strong heroine who has to find her way into her own power, this is a great book. Full of adventure, romance, and just an all-around great escape.

Tahereh Mafi is back with another fabulous read filled with clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long forgotten queen destined to save her people. It is inspired by Persian Mythology so it is perfect for me!

The world is incredibly interesting and I think the Persian Mythology really aids that. I loved the writing - it was very relatable, had good pacing, was consistent, and the plot was engaging. I found myself wanting more after finishing the last page which is good because it is only the first in a series! I am very reminded of fractals like Aladdin, Cinderella, Rumpelstitskin and more and cannot wait for the second book!

Taherah Mafi is back with an all-new fantasy series that is "perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Tomi Adeyemi, and Sabaa Tahir."
Summary:
Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people—bestselling author Tahereh Mafi’s first in an epic, romantic trilogy inspired by Persian mythology.

To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.

The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom—and the world.

Review:
Having read all of Mafi's work to date, I knew that This Woven Kingdom would be a winner for me. Her prose is lyrical and world-building so immersive, and she brings all of those skills into this new series. Alizeh is a compelling heroine and Kamran is an archetypal prince with whom I think we will see much development. I enjoyed every page!

I really wanted to enjoy this one. The premise and the beginning started out well enough - a queen in hiding, riddles from the devil, a jinn MC (and all around the jinn history, magic, etc.). I think it generally had a good foundation.

But then the MMC's entire personality is "privileged boy learns about the real world" to the extent that my eyes hurt from the amount of eye-rolling, the FMC's storyline just felt like empathy manipulation of how HARD her life was and how much pain she went through, which is effective in the beginning and in moderation but this almost felt excessive. By 75% I honestly did not care for either of them. What REALLY got me, though, was the dialogue. I am all about the dialogue, I love character interactions much more than long descriptive scenes. And the dialogue in this book felt like my high school essays when I would look up synonyms to add in big words to make myself sound smart. And it was the worst when the two main characters interacted.

I also realized, nothing really happened in this book. It was all character development (???) to set up for book two? I'm honestly not sure. I'm kinda curious where it goes because the last 10% actually had some action going on but will probably just get a summary about it from someone else.