Oh my god? This was so good?

I loved Shatter Me as a teenager but am not a fan as an adult, and I've had very different opinions on each of Mafi's contemporary novels. THIS? Was exactly what I knew that she could deliver and I LOVED IT.

The writing in this struck a perfect balance between whimsical/lyrical and clear/concise, I found myself reading 50 pages of this at a time and then putting it down because I really wanted to savour the setting.

Speaking of setting, this book is actually very wintry (which is not everyone's first thought when you think of a middle-eastern inspired fantasy, even though obviously the Middle East is a very diverse geography) so January/February is the absolute best time to read it. The sense of cold was extremely pervasive and I felt like I needed to bundle up in front of a fire while reading this book.

Alizeh was a delightful main character to read from, and I found Kamran really fascinating too. The plot was a little bit slow, and not quiiiite repetitive but perhaps slightly? But I was so immersed that I really didn't mind.

Finally, I was so confused when I read this because my e-galley said 333 pages, but it was taking me way longer than usual! Turns out it's over 500 pages LOL.

“And the devil, she reasoned, could go to hell.”

Tahereh Mafi just keeps proving why she’s one of my all time favourite authors.

My absolute favourite thing in this book - okay who am I kidding, *in every Tahereh Mafi book I have ever read* - was the characters. Seriously, I’m convinced no other author is doing it quite like Ms Mafi, she always has character creation down to an art, with this book being no exception, because I adored each and every one of them. I found that I actually liked them more than the story itself. I loved the fact that they were all were complex on their own, with backstories and separate burden, but still found ways to connect with one another. I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens to them all next.

Also, and I’m not going to say a ton on this because I don’t want to give anything away, and also… I have some theories (let’s just say I’ve seen Tahereh throw some wicked romance curveballs?!), BUT I love the way the romance in this book was written. I honestly don’t consciously know what makes it so amazing, but there’s just something about it that makes my heart do a full on gymnastics routine while juggling and also jumping on a trampoline. And this is coming from someone who wholeheartedly tries to convince people that I don’t like the romance part of books (yes, this is an outright lie I continue to tell myself). Also, did I mention this book is DUEL POV?! Yes, you read that correctly, which means that a) we get a more intricate story, and b) we get to see BOTH people’s thoughts about various interactions (hint hint). Did I audibly go “YESS” when I learned about this? Yes, yes I did.

The writing style in this book was different from the rest of her work, as a lot of the dialogue, especially the prince’s, was written in a old-timey-pretentious-royalty-way (I swear this description makes sense if you read the book), which wasn’t a bad thing, just not what I had expected. The story itself was a bit slow to get into - something I find to happen with the vast majority of fantasy books - as it takes time to orient yourself in the complex world and to be properly introduced to the characters. But the story did begin to have Tahereh’s trademark addicting quality to it once I got further into it, only having a few slow parts. I would also say that this book seemed to be more so settle my the stage for the rest of the series (which I of course can wait to read) than a book on its own, but interesting all the same. I did it find the ending to be a bit weird pacing wise, with the climax being very quick and a little disorienting. Although in a way, I do love when an ending leaves me sitting there saying to myself, “what just happened… no seriously WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!!”

Overall, I would say that the plot and story is setting itself up to be super interesting, and definitely one I want to continue reading (*wink wink* book publishers). And, while I didn’t love this book AS MUCH as Mafi’s other novels, I still enjoyed it all the same and would 100% recommend reading it yourself. I’d especially recommend this book to people just beginning to branch out into the fantasy genre, as the world building isn’t too overwhelming, while still being super interesting and creative.

wowowowow, where do i start?!
this was my first book by TM and boy, oh, boy it did not disappoint.

"This was impossible.
Not only impossible, it was dangerous. Ruinous. Not merely for themselves—but for the realms they occupied. Their lives were pitted against each other. He had a kingdom to one day rule, and she had her own life to pursue. Any other avenue would lead only to chaos."


loved everything about this book.
first off, the prose is absolutely beautiful and just perfect, i can only compare it to poetry.
the world-building was on point, the characters absolutely amazing, the twists jaw dropping, the romance - to die for.

"Will you not tell me your name?" he asked.
She shook her head, the movement slow, uncertain. Kamran felt paralyzed. He could not explain it; his body seemed anchored to hers. He drew closer by micrometers, propelled to do so by a force he could not hope to understand. What mere minutes ago might've struck him as lunacy now seemed to him essential: to know what it might be like to hold her, to breathe in the scent of her skin, to press his lips to her neck. He was scarcely aware of himself when he touched her—light as air, faint as fading memory—a stroke of his fingers against her lips.
She vanished."

[can't tell you how many times i've reread this, and how i screamed the first time i read it]
i'd say that this first book is more character driven but who the MCs are - their personalities, secrets, talents - is an extremely important part of the plot, and they are well fleshed-out and developed. i love both MCs with undying passion.
just because we focus more on the characters doesn't mean that the plot is non-existent, exactly the opposite - the plot happening in the background is extremely interesting, intricate and important.
almost every chapter made me feel the spectrum of emotions.
it's just such an amazing book i literally cannot recommend it enough and i'm already screaming at my friends to pre-order, i need everyone to read This Woven Kingdom
it's a physical torture to wait for the next book after the way this one ended and honestly i'm still not okay

eternal gratitude to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperCollins for the ARC
all quotes are from an advance copy and may differ in the final publication

actual rating: 4.25/5
I am so happy Tahereh Mafi finally decided to write a high fantasy series! She has the most beautiful writing style, and it really shined through in This Woven Kingdom. The world that Mafi has created is so lush and beautiful. On top of the world-building and beautiful writing, I adore the characters in this book (our main characters and some that we don't meet until later). We follow Alizeh and Kamran, switching back and forth between their POVs. Alizeh is Jinn, a race that is stronger than humans but oppressed by them. Kamran is the crown prince of the kingdom. Alizeh is such a strong and incredible character. I found myself admiring her strength and outlook on life constantly, wanting to look at the world more like she does, with more positivity. I might be older than her, but she is a character that I found myself looking up to. I liked that we saw Kamran's struggles and his growth throughout his POV. I really loved learning more about him as the book goes on.
I was not 100% sold on the romance in this book because it felt a little like instalove. Instalove is fine, it's just typically not my favorite. However, by the end, I was completely blown away by everything that happened. I couldn't have predicted the ending, especially the romance aspect. The forbidden romance was not the main conflict of this story, but I think (and hope) that it will take more prevalence in the next book because I love what Mafi can do with romance in her books!
The premise of this book was so interesting. I loved the mythology and lore of this world. I wish we had spent a little less time in the characters' heads because the action and outer conflicts were so interesting. However, they would be broken up by pages and pages of thoughts and inner monologue from Alizeh or Kamran. This is fine at first when we're getting to know them, but I think their actions spoke loud enough that not all of the inner monologue was needed. However, because this is the first book in a series, I know that everything was set up spectacularly for the next book. Knowing Mafi, the next book will take this series to a whole new level, and I cannot wait to see what she does next, especially after that ending!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was so thrilled to receive an ARC for THIS WOVEN KINGDOM, and it absolutely did not disappoint. The worldbuilding is rich and incredibly detailed, with a political turmoil that feels incredibly real. I adored the characters, and how thoroughly they were fleshed out. Tahereh Mafi's strong usage of metaphors, similes, and other figures of speech are always a delight, and shine through the pages. This is an incredible YA high fantasy that will captivate readers and leave them immersed for hours on end.

I loved this one so much! I was a huge fan of the shatter me series (minus the last 2 books) and was so excited for something new from Mafi and this one didn't disappoint! I loved the relationship in this book and thought that the enemies to lovers trope was super well done. The book also gave me cinderella type vibes which im here for and the ending left me wanting the next book, assuming there is a next book, now!

I unfortunately could not get far into this novel. I read over half and just could not connect to anything in it. I'm not sure if it's me or the book, but I can't keep going.

What I did like, in its own way, was the writing. It was very lyrical and beautiful, it just could not hold my attention as well as I thought it should. Or needed it to. I'm definitely willing to give the book another shot, maybe once it's published or maybe the second novel is out?

Based on Persian mythology and drawing heavily on the Cinderella story, This Woven Kingdom is a serviceable start to a YA romance trilogy. Alizeh is a jinn, absorbing the cruelties of the world while hiding a secret - she is the heir to the jinn kingdom. She works long hours as a servant, with a precarious life devoid of safety, yet she remains kind to those around her. A kindness given to a stranger on the street brings her to the notice of crown prince Kamran, who seeks her out without knowing that she could end his kingdom and cause the death of his king. Lushly written, if not particularly original. Could be enjoyable for those who enjoy intricate details and can ignore the cliched plotting.

Okay.
•
Let me first say, I ADORE Tahereh Mafi! Her shatter me is delicious, and fast paced and one of my comfort reads.
•
This one….though beautifully written with complex and scenic world building, just didn’t hit the spot for me.
Let me explain.
•
It has all the makings of an EPIC, YA fantasy, Destiny, forbidden love, a Royal in hiding…like! What’s not to love?
I will tell you.
I had a hard time with all the inner monologues happening in BOTH the main characters heads… like key moments… they would fall into their thoughts for PAGES AT A TIME!! Why?
To me it seemed excessive.
•
The pacing…was not smooth. It dragged for me till page 100, and then again after 150 until page 246 and then again at page 340.
It was all over the place..
•
The only thing giving this book 4 stars for me is a character I met in the last 20% of the book.
Morally grey, but I am intrigued!
Alizeh - I cannot wait for her to SHINE!!
I will keep up with the series because I Adore Tahereh, but this one was just not it for me…
•
3.75 star read and only because of the beautiful writing….

This book was amazing! 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.

Our main characters, Alizeh and Kamran, were so well done. I felt so much compassion for Alizeh; her life has been total shit and she's constantly mistreated for no reason at all. It infuriated me! Kamran was a sympathetic character as well; although he was a prince and well-off, he still had so many problems that can't be solved by money. We don't get to see them interact much until the halfway point, but when they did? *Chef's kiss* After reaching the end, I'm anxious to see how their relationship will play out.

The world building here was incredible. Learning about the myth of the Jinn and Persian mythology was fascinating. Tahereh Mafi described the sights and sounds so vividly that I felt like I was right there with Alizeh. The plot was so interesting and seeing everything come together at the end was wonderful. The world created in this story is amazing, and I can't wait for the next book!

After much consideration I’ve decided to give this book 3.5/5⭐️

This book follows Alizeh, a servant, and Kamran, a prince.

When I started reading this i was very confused (obviously it’s a fantasy book.) this was my very first Tahereh Mafi and Fantasy book.

I loved all the scenes with Alizeh and Kamran but am disappointed because we got so few scenes with them together. The first half of the book was… boring? I had to push myself to read the first 50% of this book. The other half was a little better. The writing was phenomenal I have to say although Mafi uses words I don’t understand. 😭

I went into this book with low expectations so I’m not that disappointed to be honest. It was fairly good for being my first fantasy book.

*this review will be available on my goodreads @jessiwritess*

I must be missing something here... I did not like this at all.

The pacing is so off to me. It took literally 50% of the book (I was reading an e-copy, so the percentage is right there) for something remotely interesting to happen. Up until then, all I was getting was characters talking in circles and little spikes of information. It was ALL telling and no showing. I didn't understand why Kamran was taken with Alizeh when she has no discernible personality, but I guess neither does he? I'm really baffled with this one, everyone. I was told Game of Thrones and clashing empires and excitement, but...none of that action happens until the last 20% of the book. What was I reading until then...?

I can't even give you a plot summary, because I'm unsure of the point until the end, and I don't want to spoil the end.

I just reviewed This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi. #ThisWovenKingdom #NetGalley **Read in return for a free review via Netgalley. To be published Feb 2022.

What can I say about this novel? It took my on an adventure the likes I haven't seen since "The Wrath and the Dawn." This Cinderella-esque story was filled with beautiful imagery, relatable characters, and twists and turns that kept me guessing as a reader. What a wonderful combination of excellent writing and captivating storytelling this book was!

I went in with an open mind, slightly hesitant and a little intimidated as this is my first ever Tahereh Mafi bool, but words can’t explain how much I LOVE this book! My favorite book of 2022, so far!

Book Review 📖:
🌹This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi 🌹
So many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing this ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:5/5 Stars

WOW. We are really starting 2022 off with a bang! This book THROUGH AND THROUGH was just absolutely amazing!!

The world building was exquisite, as well as the writing and detail that went into everything. Tahereh Mafi has always been an amazing writer with a mind like no other, but THIS. No lie, this book and what will be a series is mind blowing and she really hit it out of the ball park.

I want to take a second and say how much I am in love with the characters. Character building is one of those things that I really look forward to in stories that I read and the characters in this are written so well. Really, I fell in love with Alizeh and really what a badass she is, but throughout the story, I FELT what she felt and might I say the fact that I could shows how well written these characters are.

I don’t want to go into detail to avoid any spoilers, but THAT ENDING LIKE WHAT DKEKHANDLSHABSK HOLY MOLY. That’s all I will say.

Bravo, Tahereh. This was A MASTERPIECE.

never ending thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins publishing for providing me with my first arc
publish date: Feb 1, 2022 preorder now!!

➝4.5/5 stars

*clears throat* Ms Mafi, this review is personal. You hear? personal. Because who told you to write such a literary masterpiece...and then not immediately give me the next book? My jaw is on the floor right now, I don't even know where to start.

I want to start off by saying that her writing style is just so amazing- and the more she writes, the better it gets. It really was amazing watching her writing develop throughout her books, especially this one! The writing was beautiful, the world building was immaculate, the plot twists?. And the characters?

Don't even get me started on Mr Kamran, he reminds me so much of Warner<33 He is everything you want in a dark-haired-morally-grey prince who fell so damn hard for the forbidden queen destined to destroy him🥰. NOW ALIZEH the ultimate badass with a heart of gold and the strength of ten women (yes, women). Her character is just amazing and SO SMART?? Like, usually the fm main character would make all the wrong decisions and not trust their instincts and be oblivious to everything, but NOT ALIZEH. And that's one of the main reasons I loved her!!

The story might be kind of slow for some people at the beginning, though that wasn't the case for me. I was hooked from the very beginning, and hardly wanted to put it down. Everybody and their mothers- go read this!!

Now Ms Mafi- THE ENDING?? THE AUDACITY YOU HAVE TO kill the king and reveal that he ate children???? the devil was behind it all, the king of Tulan basically kidnapped Alizeh TO MARRY HER, and Hazan was OUTED AS A TRAITOR AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY?? AND THEN MAKE US WAIT MONTHS- YEARS, FOR A KNEW BOOK? HOW WILL I SURVIVE? UGH

What a cliffhanger on which this book ends!! I will be very eagerly awaiting book 2! I really like the main character, Alizeh. She is smart, headstrong, resilient, kind, and determined. I cheered for her throughout the novel. I also really grew to like Kamran a great deal. I look forward to finding out more about the world in which the story takes place. It’s such a rich environment so far! Highly recommended!!

I enjoyed this book so much!! It was everything but the typical fantasy. I loved the world, the premise, the character development, the developing relationships, but the best part was how unexpected everything that happens is. I had no clue what was going to happen next. Every time I thought I knew something completely different would happen. It was wonderful. This is definitely going to be a favorite series for me and one I am already planing on purchasing.

I loved the world building
. I loved the magic of the jin and their fight for life . I loved the descriptions,characters and dialogue. I was intrigued by the devil of a man.

I received a copy of this book as a Netgalley ARC.
I am absolutely at a loss for words. This Woven Kingdom is like Ever After meets an Ember in the Ashes, but it is completely spellbinding on its own. I was hooked from the beginning, and by the time it ended, I felt as if it was just barely getting started. This book is completely epic and I'm already anticipating the next one.