While this book was an interesting read, it felt very surface level. I kept hoping we would get more from Dania and Noor, but as I mentioned it was all very surface level, to the point where you could skim the lines and miss nothing.

Overall it was a quick and cute read, with interesting Djinn concepts.

This book had really strong moments, but overall, in my opinion, wasn’t that strong of a book.
I think the pacing of this book, especially in the first third, is really slow and that makes it really hard to get into it. This book also gives very little when it comes to the characters. It’s really hard to root for and fall in love with characters that are painted two dimensionally.

I *soft* dnf’d this book at 67%

This book was an absolute ride from start to finish—intense, action-packed, and deeply emotional. The story follows Dania, who’s been framed for a crime she didn’t commit, thrown into a brutal prison, and hell-bent on revenge. Her escape, alongside her clever prison mate Noor, sets off a chain of events that is nothing short of thrilling. Armed with djinn magic, hidden identities, and seething with rage, these women are a force to be reckoned with. The plot was full of sword fights, strategic plotting, and the pursuit of justice that kept me hooked the entire way through.

The pacing was excellent, with the perfect balance between heart-pounding action and moments of raw emotional depth. Dania's journey for revenge was so well-written, and the rage she carried was palpable, making her character all the more relatable and compelling. The Pakistani-inspired setting brought the world to life with its rich cultural details—the smells, the food, the politics, and the power dynamics all woven in seamlessly.

The friendships, particularly between Dania and Noor, were beautifully done, adding layers of trust and camaraderie to the narrative. The enemies-to-lovers romance with Mazin was the perfect slow burn, full of sizzling chemistry and palpable tension. It kept me frustrated in the best way possible, wanting more with every interaction.

The understated magic system, centered around djinn, was unique and easy to follow, adding just the right amount of mystique and cultural richness. As a reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, this Pakistani retelling hit all the right notes with its revenge-driven plot and character growth. It’s a beautifully executed debut, packed with adventure, complex emotions, and cultural depth. An unforgettable read!

Occasionally I hit a book where I love the premise and have no issues at all with the characters or prose, but something about it just doesn't click with me. Unfortunately, this is one of those books. There's nothing I didn't like--I just couldn't get into the story for reasons I can't identify.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

This highly anticipated book is being marketed as a gender-reversed Pakistani romantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, and for the most part, that's exactly what it is. Who wouldn't want to read about a girl dead-set on revenge against everyone who's ever wronged her?! YES bring it on!!

And for the first 80% of the book it was pretty good! I would have given it 4 stars, (although I did have to look up all of the Pakistani terms and references because I'm not familiar with the culture at all.) but then, unfortunately, it took a pretty big left turn and kind of went off the rails.

For most of the book, when I was thinking of a djinn, I was thinking of a genie from Aladdin, or from the Wishmaster movies or something... but then later I realized it was being portrayed more like one of the gods, like how the Greek gods are portrayed? A bit more explanation into the Pakistani culture would have been helpful.

I did like the main character, Dania. I liked her fierceness, determination, emotional strength, and of course her light banter. But she also seemed to care very little for what her friend Noor wanted. Noor seemed to just follow her around like some kind of servant, when she was supposed to be an equal partner in this revenge plot, I thought? It seemed a little unbalanced.

Overall, I enjoyed the beginning half of the book, but the end left me with confused feelings, because I was happy, yet unsatisfied.

I really enjoyed this gender-swapped, Palestinian, young adult version of Count of Monte Cristo—it was a fun, fast-paced story. The romance was excellent, packed with rage and longing, and the Arya revenge-list nod was also amusing. I loved especially how the djinn whose magic she used became a symbol for vengeance possessing her and how she had to break free of it—that was really well-done. Overall, it was just everything you wanted it to be, and a really good time.

This book is amazing. We meet the protagonist in the bottom of a jailcell, trying to fight her way through and escape. She then meets a friend and escapes prison but then becomes set on revenge after the death of her father by the empire. This book was amazing to say the least. This book has found famiy, revenge, and magical elements that made this an easy read and immediately had me hooked. I am so glad I got a chance to read it. It was amazing.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I am OBSESSED with revenge stories, and For She is Wrath is no exception. I didn't even realize until a good chunk into the story that this was a Monte Cristo retelling. It was fresh, and had just the right dash of romance. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

For She Is Wrath was such a good read! I’m always down for a badass female character out for revenge! This was such a fast paced read and I highly recommend!

'For She Is Wrath' is undoubtedly a 5 star read for me! One of my top reads of this year! This book is a Pakistani-inspired fantasy twist on The Count of Monte Christo. I loved the romance, the revenge, the tension, and the friendship! The world-building was fantastic and the mystery of the revenge plot made this book a hook from the start.

Dania and Maz have my whole heart. I love them both so much and I greatly enjoyed the way their arcs played out. The revenge was so delicious but more than anything I loved getting to see the moments from their past. I mourned their relationship the same way Dania did.

Emily Varga is an incredible writer and I can't believe this is her debut novel! I'm so excited for this book to be released into the world this month. I'm also looking forward to seeing what else Emily has in store for the future!

The cat and mouse of it all made it more fun. I had a general idea of how the story would play out because of the Count of Monte Christo inspiration, but I was on the edge of my seat the entire time with all the differences and the added tension. There are so many high stakes moments that I couldn't put this book down at all! I finished it two sittings overall and I can't wait to read it again soon.

Thank you SO MUCH Wednesday Books for providing me with an eARC to read and review!

I’ve read a couple Count of Monte Cristo retellings and this one is my favorite. I do love a stabby heroine out for revenge. 😍
A gender swap and setting shift from the classic give a fun twist, and obviously we love a good lovers to enemies arc.
10/10 for fans of classic retellings!

I received an advance copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own and a review was not required.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, Emily Varga, and Safiyya Ingar (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook of For She is Wrath in exchange for an honest review.

A Tactless Escape
Dania has been imprisoned for a crime she did not commit. She continues to count down the days: three-hundred sixty-four (and counting). Perhaps it won't even be a whole year. When she hearse a scratching sound from within her own cell, she meets Noor, another prisoner, though in the middle of an escape attempt. Figuring it will go faster with two, Dania joins Noor. They may have to leave a few casualties in their wake though...

A Path to Vengeance
Dania and Noor find that they make a good team. Both have their own ambitions, but they develop a friendship that may hold the power to take down an empire. Noor knows how to blend zoorat, a plant-based concoction that allows them to disguise themselves, though they need to take it at a certain time within a certain window to maintain the disguise. The reader can see how this may be risky. With not only a disguise, but a deal with a djinn, Dania finds herself face-to-face with Mazin, her former lover and the man responsible for her imprisonment. A fire still blooms between them both, even though Dania is disguised, but betrayal makes for a stronger emotion.

Dania will learn about the secrets behind her imprisonment and have to make a daring choice for love, friendship, family, djinn power, and the empire.

Final Thoughts:
I found this novel to be well-crafted and fast paced. The lore and world were intriguing. The plot twists were unexpected and exciting. I really found myself absorbed in the tail-end of this novel in a way that I just couldn't put it down! It has the feel of a stand-alone, which is nice because the novel is fulfilling for the reader without having to invest further into a series. All around, this is just a really great novel.

For She is Wrath follows a path of vengeance and encompasses a few lessons about one's desire for revenge, such as avoid acting without all the facts. It is also a testament to friendship and how friends can become family in their own right. This novel is excellent for lovers of fantasy for both teens and adults alike.

Betrayal.
Imprisonment.
Revenge.

Dania has been framed for murder by the boy she loved, sent to a prison known for its torture. She makes a connection with fellow inmate, Noor, a clever girl with a powerful secret. Together they escape and forge a plan for revenge on the people that wronged them.

I absolutely devoured this story. The setting with a Pakistani backdrop was fantastic and Dania was a great protagonist - smart and cunning, also good with blades! Her endeavor to enact revenge was super interesting and executed very well. The friendship between Dania and Noor was so natural and I really liked both of these young strong women!

The romance was the best kind of enemies to lovers slow burn, the chemistry between Dania and Mazin added fun tension to the plot and I really enjoyed it.

This book has an understated magical system, simple to follow but at the same time, rich in its culture. I’m a big fan of djinn stories and this added an edginess and few surprising reveals to the finale that made the book worth while!

Dania has been in prison for a year, falsely accused of murder. She befriends another inmate, Noor, and when they finally break free, they embark on a path of vengeance.

I loved this retelling, although I never read the original Count of Monte Cristo. Dania was such a fierce and determined character. Noor, while also determined, balanced her out really well. They were brought together by their trauma, and you'd almost expect it to be toxic due to that, but they actually worked really well together. Her journey to acceptance was really well done, and I appreciated the path this story took across relationships. I was captivated by the story, the characters, and the magic. I felt like the main betrayal was a bit wishy-washy and coincidental, rather than a true betrayal against Dania.

This was written in first person, which can be tough at times. I often find myself wanting to know more of what the character is thinking and feeling. BUT, Emily Varga hit this out of the park. Her portrayal of Dania, her emotions, desires, and experiences were brought to life that I didn't find myself questioning her feelings once. I can't wait to read more from this author.

This. stunning. book! The intensity, from the prison break to the sword fighting and plots of revenge, what a wild and adventurous ride. The pacing was excellent and the female rage so well-written and understood. Framed for a crime she didn't commit, Dania exacts revenge on those responsible for her downfall. She and her fellow prison mate execute a daring escape and work together to get revenge on those who hurt them and their loved ones. Armed with dark djinn magic, secret identities and a lot of anger is a dangerous combination. This Pakistani retelling of Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo” is so well done! The characters are well-developed with character arcs and relatable emotions. The worldbuilding was so good - the food, the smells, the visuals, the political system and the power dynamics. The female friendships were so well instituted too. And that hate-to-love you, love-to-hate-you romance was sizzling, the chemistry undeniable, but frustration palpable. I enjoyed the interspersed magic and Middle Eastern culture. Incredible debut novel.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For She Is Wrath is the queen of debuts!! I loved it so much! It's phenomenal really, and I just can't fathom how this brilliant book is a debut. Emily Varga is definitely an auto-buy author for me. I will read anything she ever writes.

This is a book about an angry girl who has been wronged in the worst possible way, a girl set on surviving and getting revenge from everyone who has wronged her and her father, a girl who will do anything for her goals, and it was mind-blowing from page 1. To be honest, I had read the first 30% but then had to read some other more time-sensitive arcs. And let me tell you that this book never left my thoughts in the meanwhile. Once I went back in For She Is Wrath, I knew exactly where I had left off, and I remembered everything because this book lived in my mind regardless of whether I was actually reading it or not. That's a true testiment of this book's power.

We follow Dani's point of view, and she never disappoints. She has a keen mind, strategic and organizing. She loves her knives and swords, and we often see her twirl and throw them while she thinks. She's cognizant of the dangers she faces-both her enemies and the internal turmoil she's going through, whom she must become to exact her revenge. Dani is the girl you want in your corner, the girl you trust to have your back in everything. And she certainly keeps everyone on their toes.

Nour is Dani's best friend. They met in prison, they forged an undeniable bond, and managed to escape together. She is definitely not like Dani. Nour is the quiet, smart girl who hides her anger very well. Who wants revenge but is not loud about it. She's the kind of friend who will joke with you and scowl at you when you need it. Dani is powerful but Nour also wields a power that shouldn't be undermined. I loved Nour, and I loved her bond with Dani because they really needed each other.

Mazin is the love interest and the guy who betrayed Dani and her father. I won't give spoilers, but I'm sure you realize that not everything is as it seems. I mean, he makes some horrible and wrong decisions, but he is definitely not evil. He is a ruthless guy also set on revenge and who is so lost in his own head that he doesn't realize that there are better options. But I will say that even though he hurts Dani, his personality is perfect for Dani. They have the perfect push and pull effect, they're the pair that complements each other to perfection, and their chemistry is SCORCHING!

This book has everything!

bickering friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-??? romance
scorching chemistry and some spice
revenge plots
problem-solving
angry girls
found family
sword fighting

It's a standalone, and has a masterful fast pace without it being overwhelming. A brilliant book that I loved with all my heart.

It has multiple special editions, and I am trying very hard not to get them all haha

Let's start with the cover because it is so beautiful, I cannot wait to see physical copies of the book!
The Count of Monte Cristo was monumentally influential to my reading as a teenager, and I was surprised and delighted to find that it was being used as an inspiration for this book! The author did an excellent job of paying homage to the story while still adding their own delightful take on it and adding in Pakistani culture that created a rich setting for our characters. While at first I found Dania a little annoying, I started to understand that her need for revenge was supposed to be all consuming so that the reader understood the stakes that it would have to take if she were ever to try to let them go. Noor was delightful! She reminded me of Toph from Avatar a little bit.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3 / 5 ⭐️

I was so hopeful for this book up until about 85%. The world building was beautiful, lush, rich, and incredibly immersive. I could smell the chai, I could hear the bustling market, I could see the palace and the beautiful garments and weapons. And how Dania was exacting her revenge with her first two targets was entertaining, intriguing, and had me hooked into the story.

Where the story lost me was on two points:
1. This book, while beautiful and immersive (up to the 85%) does not read like a young adult novel. The brutality of this book among other themes is not suitable for a young adult audience. Secondly, the age of the primary characters is not clear and they read more as new adult (18-22) than young adult.
2. This * whole revenge plot * could’ve been avoided with a three minute conversation, which was called out ON THE PAGE. I was so frustrated by this point that I begrudgingly got through the end of the story, including the reunion of Mazin and Dania, and the evil Nanu bit.

I would’ve been so much more keen on this book if the ending was different and that miscommunication trope didn’t come up the way it did, or at all (seeing as it lead to the deaths and ruin of so many).

I HAD SO MUCH FUN READING THIS BOOK! I devoured it whole!! I love when I am enjoying a book so much that I can't put it down and end up reading it in one sitting and that is exactly what I did with For She Is Wrath.

it’s been a year since dania was framed and imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit. she devises an escape plan with a new friend. she has two goals for when she’s out: to reunite with her father and to get revenge on mazin, the boy she loved until he betrayed her. the latter plan gets trickier as she realizes a fire still burns between her and mazin.

i kept seeing this everywhere, so i’m very grateful to have been able to get an early copy! i really do not know much about the count of monte cristo, but i was so here for the promise of a pakistani romantasy. the tension between dania and mazin was wonderful. dania disguises herself so that she can enact her revenge easier, but of course, can’t change her memory of and feelings around what happened between them (conflicting as they are).

i’d highly recommend this to YA romantasy fans. i can’t wait for whatever’s next from emily varga!