I wanted to love this, I really did but I found myself bored more than anything else.

The synopsis made it seem like a grand adventure of revenge and we didn't get that. The writing style wasn't for me, I skimmed quite a bit just so that I could see how everything played out.

maybe the ReAL rEVeNge was the fRieNdS wE mAde AloNG tHe WaY

LOL but actually i did enjoy this. i wouldn’t say the revenge plot was particularly well thought out with military precision - it was more revenge-lite, but i’m willing to let it go (haha)

not me just sneaking in my arc review half a year after the book has been published … hehe thanks netgalley and the publishing house that shall not be named

This was alright. The writing was decent enough, and if I was more into revenge plots, this likely would have kept its 4th star. To an extent I think this one just wasn’t for me. I’d still recommend this to the right person.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book!

This is one of those books I believe should be gone into with little previous knowledge, so I'll just give a brief synopsis. A girl is imprisoned for one year but when she escapes, she vows to get revenge on those who put her there. It is a Pakistani fantasy retelling of "The Count of Monte Cristo"

I enjoyed every minute of this book and I'm deeply disappointed I didn't read it sooner. The author had such an instinctual way of writing that made me forget often I was just reading a book. The scenes played out so clearly in my mind I would forget that it was all fictional and not an experience I was living. This is the first Pakistani book I have ever read and I enjoyed the culture immensely. I can't wait to read more Pakistani stories! The combination of real culture mixed with an intricate fantasy world worked so seamlessly and every emotion the characters felt and portrayed was so utterly believable. The ending was tied up in a way that made sense in the perfect amount of time and the relationships in the story were so heartwarming.

Honestly, it is hard for me to find fault with this book. The one thing I will say is that I wanted to see more of Mazin's sister because her character was one of my favorites. This was an easy 5/5 stars for me.

Review of "For She Is Wrath"
"For She Is Wrath" is a mesmerizing tale of revenge, redemption, and the complicated nature of love set against a backdrop of magical intrigue. The novel delivers a potent exploration of how the pursuit of vengeance can both empower and corrupt, all while weaving an intricate romantic subplot that adds layers of emotional complexity.
The story centers on Dania, a compelling protagonist whose wrongful imprisonment sets the stage for a revenge narrative that transcends typical genre conventions. The countdown structure—marking three hundred and sixty-four days of imprisonment—creates an immediate sense of urgency and purpose that propels the narrative forward. This temporal framing device effectively emphasizes Dania's singular focus and the methodical nature of her planned retribution.
What elevates this novel is the complicated relationship between Dania and Mazin. Their shared history transforms what could have been a straightforward revenge tale into something far more nuanced. The author skillfully navigates the thin line between love and hate, creating tension-filled encounters where romantic history and present animosity collide. The "undeniable fire" that persists between them raises the emotional stakes and forces readers to question the permanence of betrayal and the possibility of forgiveness.
The introduction of djinn magic provides a fascinating fantastical dimension that serves the thematic elements of the story. Dania's acquisition of dark magic acts as both literal power and metaphor for the corrupting influence of vengeance, creating a character arc that questions how much of oneself can be sacrificed in pursuit of justice before becoming unrecognizable. The magic system feels consequential rather than merely decorative, with powers that come with genuine costs.
The novel's pacing deserves special mention, balancing introspective character development with high-stakes action as Dania executes her elaborate scheme. The prison escape sequence and subsequent treasure hunt infuse the narrative with adventure while maintaining focus on Dania's emotional journey. As she adopts a new identity and weaves an increasingly complex web of deception, readers witness her transformation and question whether she can maintain her core self amid her pursuit of retribution.
Particularly compelling is the moral ambiguity that permeates the story. There are no easy villains or heroes here, just flawed individuals making difficult choices in the aftermath of betrayal. This complexity extends to supporting characters, including Dania's fellow escapee, whose motivations add additional layers to the narrative.
For readers who appreciate character-driven fantasy with emotional depth, "For She Is Wrath" delivers a satisfying blend of revenge narrative and star-crossed romance. The novel ultimately poses profound questions about the price of vengeance, the possibility of redemption, and whether justice sought at the expense of one's humanity is justice at all.

when I heard Count of Monte Cristo Pakistani retelling I said sign me up 🙋🏻‍♀️ and it did not disappoint

I was blown away by the story, the characters, the revenge, yearning, magic 😭 there was so much plot and depth to this story with complex characters I seriously haven’t loved a fantasy book like this in a while!!!

“Did you think I wouldn’t know you? I’d know you with any face. Any skin. Any hair. A thousand djinn could disguise you from me and I’d still be able to find you just by the sound of your breath.” ✋🏻 hold on while I GASP OUT LOUD

While there was romance (THE ROMANCE) there was also friendship that was so important to me 😖

10/10 recommend!!!!❤️‍🩹

"I've left marks all over you." - Dania
"Shall I tell you my favorite ones?" - Mazin

The Count of Monte Cristo will always hold a special place in my heart, but this is a fabulous retelling with a Middle Eastern dijinn twist. Dania has been locked in a prison for a year, betrayed by her greatest love turned greatest betrayal. Now she is bent on revenge... no matter the cost. I loved the Pakistani setting, lovers turned enemies, plot, and pretty much everything about it. I feel like it was missing something to make this a true 5 star, but I still really enjoyed it. I highly recommend the audiobook, as well.

Wow! What a fantastic book! Emily Varga weaves a tale of love, revenge, and magic so beautifully. The world is stunning, the characters so real, and the magic so unique. I loved the twists, the flashbacks, and the romance. I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

I LOVED this book! I have both OwlCrate and Fairyloot versions and Emily Varga is a gem! I loved Varga's take on the Conte of Monte Cristo. This book was creative and full of female rage - two things I will never say no to.

I recommend this for all YA readers and lovers of YA lit. I will be keeping this book for my daughter to read when she gets older as well.

What a tale of friendship, love, and firey vengeance. Loved the culture, the history, and the nod to the Count of Monte Cristo done in a completely new way.

It’s no wonder this book is getting so much acclaim, Emily nailed it.

Thank you, Macmillan and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book!

I am struggling with how I feel about this book. I think part of my problem is maybe that I’m only vaguely familiar with The Count of Monte Cristo. I know the premise and general story line, so I thought that would be enough to enjoy a retelling. But overall I feel like it fell flat.

I liked the djinn magic system, but it felt overly simplistic. I also felt like Dania’s path to vengeance was just too easy. There were no real challenges presented, she just decided she wanted to do something and it all worked out. I understand that her true battle was within, but man… I would’ve liked to have seen some exterior opposition as well.

I talked about it with my husband, who loves The Count of Monte Cristo, and he said that ease of a journey mirrors the original text. Unfortunately for me, that makes the whole storyline feel shallow and the victories feel unearned. It felt like all of the bones were there, it just wasn’t fleshed out.

Even still, I enjoyed the listen. I think enjoying it is what made me wish for more.

This book was amazing! Dania was such a fun character to read & I loved the angry girl vibes of this story! The magic was so fun to read, and the world was so well rounded. 10/10 would recommend this book to friends!

For a retelling this was done well. I did forget about it, which is why this is a late review. I couldn't connect with the story or see the why behind it.

I also realize that not everyone will like every book, and I did request this book be purchased for our college library collection, because I can see others really loving this book.

For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga is a gripping, darkly atmospheric novel that blends revenge, power, and a touch of the supernatural. The story follows a young woman named Dania bent on vengeance, unraveling secrets in a world where betrayal lurks around every corner. Varga’s writing is vivid and immersive, drawing readers into a setting that feels both eerie and enchanting. While the pacing slows in some parts, the tension and emotional depth keep the story compelling. With a fierce protagonist and a richly woven narrative, this is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and morally complex heroines.

This is a Crime and Punishment retelling, but I have never read the classic, so the following review will not touch on similarities or differences to the original story whatsoever.

This is a story about revenge. And anger-fueled actions. And wrath in every sense. And that’s about it.

And we are told so time and time again. I know the title, I know what the focus of the story is. You do not need to mention it on every. single. page.

So much happened so quickly and very hard things were SO EASY for our characters to overcome, despite their difficulty being stressed. The very first obstacle is NOT A SIMPLE ONE and yet took barely any time to accomplish. The next stage of the story was set up to be this massive search, an epic quest – and their goal was met in the space of a chapter. There are these magical items that FEW CAN CONTROL – but of course our secondary character is one of the rare few that possesses that knowledge. A deception is set into motion – and no questions are asked. A plot is hatched – and it goes off swimmingly. A betrayal takes place – and our main character escapes all blame. And I could go on.

This book was somehow both too short and far too long. There is a wild twist that comes out of left field at the 85% mark, but at that point, sure, whatever, fine.

On the sentence level, the prose is beautiful. When taken as a whole, this book is overwritten, disjointed, and far less emotionally moving than it would have you believe.

Content warning: violence, death of a parent.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an exciting fantasy novel. I loved the touches of magic in this book and loved how ferocious Dania was. These characters were amazing and so wonderful. This book was great and a fun read.

Dania’s quest for vengeance was entertaining and full of twists and turns. The ending was satisfying, but I wish some things (like the friendship between Dania and Noor) were explored more/more fully flushed out. I could see this working well as a duology to allow for a bit more depth.

3.6 - Love alternate retellings of classics, ESPECIALLY in PoC/ethnic settings. World building and magic system was so cool, immersed in Islamic myth and (vaguely) Pakistani culture (even the food and clothes!) Shocking plot twist! Dania and Noor were such great, complex, flawed, and developed characters that really dig into brown womanhood and reflect the novel's greater themes of vengeance, justice, oppression, and cycles of hurt/pain.

That being said (spoiler) I found that the novel to be resolved rather quickly, especially after the extensive buildup. I felt that Dania forgave Mazin for his betrayal (which cost her a year in a brutal prison and her entire living family) SO quickly, within a moment of him explaining why he had to do it. This felt strange after her whole character arc was driven by anger and revenge. I would have understood them coming to terms and getting back together after a much more prolonged development.

I really wanted to like this - everything about this made me want to like this. Female rage, murder, breaking out of prison, female friendships while murdering.. truly this book should've been perfect for me.

But it was really really... off writing wise. and the characters felt a little flat. And I felt myself getting bored around the 20% mark. I just don't think this one is for me!

Thank you Wednesday Books and Netgalley for a chance to read and review.

Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Dania was framed for a crime she didn't commit, framed by the boy she once loved, Mazin, a boy she can't entirely forget. So when discover that a fellow prison mate could have the key for her vengeance, a stolen djinn treasure, they plot to escape and recover it. Armed now with magic power and a new identity, Dania starts to plot her vengeance against those who betrayed her and her family, but Mazin is still standing in her way and things aren't so simple when feelings are involved.

A game of cat and mouse, mixed with magical power, in a romantic Pakistani retelling of The count of Monte Cristo, in a very compelling and original story.
Battles, blood, vengeance, treasures, For she is wrath is a brilliant story with female rage and revenge against those who wrongly framed her months earlier. Dania is a fantastic main character and not only I loved her relationship with dark magic and her slow descent into losing herself to vengeance, but also her relationship with Mazin, someone she can't completely forget or exact vengeance against, blocked by her own feelings.
I haven't read The Count of Monte Cristo, but For she is Wrath is fantastic, very intriguing and so well written I loved every single thing.