This story is beautifully crafted and incredibly engaging, drawing readers in from the very first page.

The characters are wonderfully endearing, each with their own unique qualities that make them relatable and memorable. The world-building is rich and immersive, creating a vibrant setting that feels alive and full of possibilities. The magic system is particularly captivating, intricately woven into the fabric of the narrative and sparking curiosity about its limits and potential. Additionally, there's a hint of romance that adds a lovely touch of sweetness without overshadowing the main plot.

Dania, our main character, is a compelling figure driven by unyielding fury and a desire for justice. Wrongfully imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit and betrayed by the boy she once trusted, her emotional journey is both heartbreaking and empowering. She finds solace and strength in Noor, her gentle and compassionate friend, who provides the support she desperately needs. Together, they embark on a thrilling quest for revenge, harnessing djinn magic to aid their escape and navigate the challenges ahead.

One of the standout elements of this story is the vivid scene-setting. The author excels at evoking the senses through lush, descriptive prose that paints a clear picture of the world and its inhabitants. I felt as though I could see, hear, and even feel the magic around me. The character development is equally impressive; I appreciated how the author allowed Dania and Noor to grow and evolve throughout their journey. The plot twists were surprising and kept me on the edge of my seat, making for a truly immersive reading experience.

The ending, in particular, felt a little rushed, especially after the slower pacing in the middle of the story. A more gradual build-up to the conclusion might have created a more satisfying resolution.

Overall, this is an excellent standalone YA fantasy that honors the genre while offering a fresh, female-centric retelling. It’s a story that celebrates friendship, resilience, and the pursuit of justice. I highly recommend giving it a read—you won’t be disappointed!

Emily Varga is a must-read author. This fantasy novel is epic and I appreciate the attention put into the world building for a standalone. I love Dania and Noor's friendship because they listen to each other and help each other. Mazin is amazing.

For She is Wrath is a reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo set in Pakistan. It focuses on Dania who was falsely imprisoned for a murder and wants revenge on those who frame her including her former lover/friend Mazin. She teams up with another prisoner, Noor, who has her own plan for revenge against the man who killed her father. They manage to escape and put their plans into action.

Dania is to disguise her appearance using djinn magic with the help of Noor. She slowly puts her plan into action but discovers that her feelings for Mazin are not dead and he may not be the enemy she thought. Dania is a great FMC who is strong and will not let a man dictate her actions.

I really enjoyed this book. I have never read the classic it was based on but this story was a entertaining read and I could not wait to find out what happened to the characters.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I’m not a huge fantasy reader however, The Count of Monte Cristo is in my top three favorite books/movies. When I saw this was a fantasy reimagining of it, I just had to read it. My expectations were incredibly high and I had a few things I needed from the story to enjoy it. Without them, this book would be an overall disappointment. Let me tell you, it had everything I wanted and more.

The story opens with Dania already in prison and plotting her escape. It isn’t until she partners with Noor that things start to pick up. The story takes an interesting turn and we are hit with twists and emotional nuggets left and right. There isn’t a single lull in the story. I was captivated from beginning to end and look forward to reading more from this author.

This book is being voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of NetGalley, the Publisher, and Emily Varga.

4.25!

“We had become intertwined, we were part of each other, and with him, I felt at home.”

This book had enemies to lovers to enemies and back to lovers (?) and it ATE!

It's been a while since I have enjoyed a book so much! especially a YA book and to see a book where I could relate to so much and understand the cultural references made me feel really good. I would say the writing was really good. It was fun, well written and so easy to read. I was hooked like I was flying through the pages and it was so good to sit and read and love a book. I was a little hesitant seeing how a pakistani retelling would work but it did not disappoint I was having fun reading it and if that wasnt enough the way she carried the plot and the romance as a sub plot was so enjoyable, they were so heavily intertwined which had me at the edge of my seat AND giggling at the same time lol

Dani, after reading a really shitty dark romance I needed an FMC who could stand up for herself and was somewhat in the morally grey area and she delivered, she was ruthless and a soldier, her past story was so interesting to and read and you would feel what happened to her to be honest. It was done so well, her relationship with her father was so cute and the one vision had me sobbing. Dani really stood out to me, she was driven by revenge and allowed that to cloud her moral believes so it was fun to read that lol. Noor, She was Dani's morality because without her Dania would have been lost, I liked her role as well she alongside Dania escaped prison with the goal of revenge but she didnt let her hatred cloud her judgement or made decisions based around that so she was more of a smarter character. Mazin, Okay look I grew to hate him with how well Emily wrote Dania's hatred for him so I was definitely not fond of him but I needed to know his motives and his character was more mysterious like Dania would be thinking of trapping him under her spell but you'd know that he had something else under his fingers, it was interesting to read but I didnt really like him.

The romance, This was enemies to lovers done right!! I needed this and it quite literally consumed, some scenes had me fanning myself. I loved the before chapters and how they transitioned into the lovers state and even in the present timeline, they fit so well together and I absolutely loved it BUT yk what I loved more? The best friend relationship what dani and noor had honestly!! it was so fun to read a friendship like that and the way they stood up to each other for each others mistake and didnt really let things slide but yeah this book delivered on that for sure.

The plot, was very closely based on revenge and it was well planned out, I liked how it was drawn and how the things were slowly unravelling and the final plot twist had me shooketh I did not expect that at all and yeah I had to sit back and think on what I read lmaoo but yeah I would definitely recommend this book because it was amazing!!

Read it if you like An ember in the ashes, we hunt the flame or the wrath and the dawn.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it a little slow at the very beginning, but then it flowed great. It was well written and I really liked reading about a kick-ass lady like Dania! I also had a soft spot for her friend; Noor. She was loyal and had Dania's back. The premises was great and I kept rooting for Dania! Highly recommend for anybody who wants a great book with a lot of action set in south east Asia/middle east.

This was such a cool read. I loved the opening scene and how the two FMCs join forces. I also loved their plan and watching as the story unfolds. I was invested in the story right from the start and it had me until the end. Although there is a romance I like that it didn’t overwhelm or slow the rest of the story down. I wish Noor was more developed and that we learned more about the magic but it was still a good read that I would recommend others check out. 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Retellings of classics can be a huge hit or miss and I think that Emily Varga was able to make a great Pakistani retelling of "The Count of Monte Cristo". This story blew me away and I can't wait to pick up the physical copy for myself and re-read this book! I am curious about this authors next book and look forward to pick up any of her next projects. I can't sing anymore praises, but if you like a retelling and romance, pick this up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was an absolute pleasure to read, and I found myself thinking about the characters and their machinations long after I put it down for the day. As a Pakistani retelling of “The Count of Monte Cristo,” I didn’t really know what to expect when beginning this debut novel from Emily Varga. Varga expertly navigated the topics of betrayal, love, revenge, and at times complicated family dynamics. This book was deeply and profoundly captivating, and it truly makes the reader question their own motivations for actions (for good or ill), as well as the deeply rooted cost of vengeance and the strength you can find only within yourself. This novel is very poignant and well-written, and I can’t wait to read more of Varga’s work in the future. As always, thank you to NetGally and Wednesday Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

honestly a really solid ya dark fantasy! the premise of lovers to enemies to maybe lovers again and dark magic plus revenge was what initially sucked me into this book, and it delivered. the struggle of dania's desire for revenge and the sacrifices she'd make to get it were intense. this book is easy to get into and easy to understand. i really like how emily varga developed the characters and led us through the story. the flashbacks (before chapters) were my favorites, seeing dania and mazin's relationship at its baby stages was so sweet.

the last 15% of the book honestly lost me... i was a little disappointed by the plot twists. BUT i still really enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who needs a little rage in their lives....

thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the eARC! this is my honest review.

You happen across the magic to accomplish everything you’ve ever fantasized about. Of course there’s a cost. There’s always a cost. The real question is: What are you prepared to sacrifice for all that power?

Dania meets Noor while in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Noor has been inside for three times as long as Dania as a kind of political prisoner and has been digging her way out, slowly but surely, Shawshank-style. The two form an alliance, bonding over their need to escape, their hatred of the Emperor, and their thirst for vengeance. Noor has the plan and Dania has the skills taught to her by her blacksmith father. Together they plan to take out the people responsible for their pain and grief.

For She is Wrath is a really fun read with beautiful and engaging writing. Emily Varga has a real talent for worldbuilding and atmosphere, and the dialogue is really well-written. I found that I enjoyed the friendship dynamic between Noor and Dania more than I enjoyed the romantic relationship between Dania and Mazin, but that may be because we spend a lot more time with Noor and Dania, especially in the very thoughtfully-written first half of the book.

It’s one of the best debut standalone romantasy novels I’ve read this year, especially in the YA subgenre. I can’t wait to hear more from this author.

I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Fantasy/Romantasy/Standalone Novel/YA Fantasy/YA Romantasy/YA Fiction

A sweeping, Pakistani romantic fantasy reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, where one girl seeks revenge against those who betrayed her—including the boy she used to love.

I would like to thank Wednesday Books for sending me a copy of For She Is Wrath in exchange for my review.

I love The Count of Monte Cristo so to read a gender swapped retelling was really exciting for me and this book also adds in the element of magic, which makes it even better.

The characters in this book are so beautifully written and the world we are immersed in is so richly described you can smell the chai. I loved how Dani finds herself as she struggles to come to grips with her life being destroyed and seeking revenge on all those who had a hand in her world crumbling.

Such a fun read and I highly suggest if you love a little bit of magic sprinkled into your stories.

You had me at Pakistani Count of Monte Cristo retelling! This book came on my radar months ago, and I was practically feral for it! The Count of Monte Cristo was a favorite book, and Guy Pearce movie, of mine growing up.

First of all, I love a gender swap—let's go FMC out for revenge! I love a woman’s wrongs, we do them right! I also love the subplot of two down and out prisoners, betrayed by the emperor, finding allyship and then friendship with each other. Noor is the voice of reason to Dania’s rage, and I really feel like that worked so well, as opposed to something like inner turmoil; Dania never questions her actions and instead has meaningful conversations with her friend.

I was waiting for Mazin’s actions to make sense and got a good amount of cookie crumb clues throughout that when we finally got the reveal, it felt so good, and rightly shook Dania!

I loved the romance, it wasn’t shy and had plenty of tension from the past through the present.

Also, the big twist in Dania’s betrayal story was absolutely perfect, I did not see that coming! And the end resolution was powerful with strong messaging. All I want now is a Noor story! In the end, this book was five stars!

This is one of the best fantasy debuts I've ever read. The premise had me excited as a lover of all things Count of Monte Cristo (Revenge anyone?) and a Pakistani retelling with a dash of magic sounded really intriguing. I love when an author can take a story most people are familiar with and use the bones of it for a fresh and unique take. Dani is sent to prison for a crime she didn't commit and spends the time there thinking of revenge against all those who betrayed her. When a chance encounter gives her everything she needs to not only break out of prison but use the magic of her enemies to enact her retribution she embarks on a journey of mistaken identity, romance, friendship and vengeance.

I loved Dani and Noor and their friendship so much that became increasingly tested as Dani loses sight of herself on her journey for revenge. Varga isn't afraid to really go there with Dani and I love how she uses the Monte Cristo story to interrogate what revenge and vengeance means and how far Dani will go and what she will sacrifice. The romance here was everything. I loved the simmering burn of it as Dani must seduce the boy she loved and who betrayed her. Mazin is a complicated character who I enjoyed learning about and I loved how his own journey in this story mirrored Dani's.

I was on the edge of my seat this entire book. I could not wait to see what would happen and it literally began from page one.

Thank you so much to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 16%. While the premise of this one sounds awesome, nothing about the way the book begins made me want to continue reading. The writing was not descriptive or captivating. It felt like not enough effort was made to building or creating the setting for example when there is a loose bit of floor that she uses to hide her escape route we the reader don’t fully understand how that is possible when it’s not described or fleshed out enough. It seems too convenient. The dialogue reads like a Disney channel superhero movie except for the incongruous times when she would curse?? The cheesy lines she would say before or after attacking an opponent felt childish. And at this point in the book she was only just breaking out of prison and yet I was not interested in knowing what happens to her after. Maybe others will love this story but for me it just couldn’t get me to connect emotionally. Thank you Net Galley and Wednesday Books for this e-arc!

A reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, For She Is Wrath follows Dania's journey from breaking out of prison after being betrayed by those closest to her to escaping and seeking out her revenge with mishaps and unexpected twists along the way. I loved the building friendship between Dania and Noor and the friends to lovers to enemies to...?? If you like women with swords, a good bit of revenge, magic, and brown girls not afraid to fight and take back what's theirs...then this YA book is for you.

4.5⭐️ (rounded up)

For She Is Wrath is a Pakistani romantasy retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo. Dania is in prison for a crime she did not commit. The only thing getting her through the tortuous experience is the thought of revenge. When Dania and her fellow inmate Noor are able to escape, they go after Noor’s mentor’s lost treasure. Armed with gold and dark magical powers, Dania and Noor return to the capital city to take their revenge on the men who wronged them, including Dania’s first love Mazin.

I was so enthralled with this story from the first chapter. The characters in this book had such great development and I loved Dania and Noor’s friendship throughout the story. I have always loved enemies-to-lovers stories, but this book made me fall in love with the lovers-to-enemies trope. Dania and Mazin had such great chemistry and I loved every scene with them together. Emily’s writing was phenomenal and I am really hoping that she writes Noor’s story next.

What to expect:
🖤 Romantasy
🖤 Lovers-to-Enemies
🖤 Count of Monte Cristo Retelling
🖤 Revenge
🖤 Found Family

Thank you to Emily Varga and Wednesday Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this ARC looking for a cure to my “An Ember in the Ashes” slump— and this did not disappoint! This is the story of one woman’s revenge on the corrupt empire that took everything from her, and the traitorous lover who helped. Frankly, it was a fantastic read; a fresh and innovative take on the Count of Monte Cristo story. .The prose was solid and well balanced, like good sword I would say. 😉 I will be recommending this book without a doubt.

Though this is a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, I did not need to have read that to like this book. A rich Pakistani retelling of that famous story, For She Is Wrath brings complex characters, rich world building, epic fantasy, and white-hot female rage to bear on a revenge tale both as large as an empire and as small as one girl. Not that that means the girl is weak, though; Dania proves herself to be a fierce and formidable protagonist from page one. Her intelligence and grit were traits I deeply admired, and I found her survival against all odds, under circumstances that would have broken most others, heartening, Though I definitely didn’t agree with some of her decisions, I still understood and sympathized with where she was coming from.

Noor, too, is incredible in her own right, possessing knowledge and skills complimentary to Dania’s, enabling both to seek the revenge they desperately crave. Dania’s cunning very well could have come to nought if it weren’t for her. Going from purely co-conspirator to also a friend, she serves as a more measured voice to Dania’s worst impulses at times. Her importance to the story cannot be understated, and I would definitely be interested in seeing her get her own story someday.

Now, the magic. What little of djinn lore I knew was of course about the fact that one should never make a bargain with a djinn because of all of the dire consequences that could result from it. For She Is Wrath takes this and runs with it in a darkly incredible way, making hoarding power literal and bringing to mind the maxim about absolute power corrupting absolutely. It becomes an actual drug, zoraat, that, if not outright fatal, slowly consumes the very essence of those who become addicted, something Dania and others must contend with throughout the story, and which draws any number of real-world parallels. All told, zoraat and the magic system surrounding it serve to paint the true price of revenge in stark relief.

With all of this and more to enjoy and contend with, it is no wonder that the end result is a richly detailed and layered story to sink one’s teeth into. Come for the revenge quest; stay for that and so much more.

I forgot to give feedback for this one, but I really love the cover, and I can't wait to read it when my TBR gets less unwieldy!