Despite the intriguing premise of the book, I found the execution to be bit lacking. What first drew my eye towards this book was its revenge-seeking heroine who had been deceived my her lover, as well as the Pakistani-influenced elements in the story. And we do get a female MC motivated by the idea of vengeance and retribution, but it was unecessary just how repetitive it became. The characters felt surface-level and immature (which I can find passable given that it's a YA fantasy), but I couldn't find myself connecting with any of them, either. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to get a digital copy of For She is Wrath, as I was incredibly excited to read it based on it incredibly compelling premise. Unfortunately, this story fell short for me, and I would probably recommend this book for young readers who are new to YA fantasy. It's an accessible, action-packed, quick read.

This was a great book. I really love the world building and the characters. The pacing was really good and it kept the story moving and I was engaged the entire time as a reader

I’m giving this a 2.5 star rating, rounded up. This book is being marketed as a Count of Monte Cristo retelling with a gender swapped lead, I was sold on this premise. Dania our FMC has been imprisoned for a year for a murder she did not commit when another prisoner Noor(our sidekick with convenient skills of mixing the djinn seeds, another note on this in a minute) literally digs a tunnel into her cell. The girls end up escaping after Dania kills a lot of the guards due to her great fighting skills from her father and begin to plot “revenge.”

I will say with a book like this, more planning/plotting by the main characters is warranted. Things sort of got planned, other things were just moments of convenience.

The magic was interesting but like the setting not as well fleshed out as I would have expected, the djinn seeds in a nutshell are magic beans one eats if correctly cooked and gives you power. Too many beans? You go bad.

Overall I can’t say I felt strongly one way or another about this. It didn’t have enough “oomph” to recommend it, pretty meh.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by this one! A Pakistani romantic fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo with lovers to enemies to lovers?? It was so intriguing and I was very honored to be sent this widget via Wednesday Books, thank you!

The world building was great! It got me really interested in what was going, in our setting, and sucked me right into the story without a hitch. The characters were distinct and easy to keep track of and to get to know, though I would have liked to have see them a little bit more flushed out. Dania's desire for revenge was so delicious and we definitely get to see some of that come to fruition, but I do wish we got to see MOREEEE.

Overall, this was a great retelling. I actually kind of wish that this was a bit longer because perhaps with that, some of the issues I had could have been solved by giving more room for growth and detail.

Thanks NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and Wednesday Books for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for this book.

The book took me less than a day to read only because I read it nonstop.

It is an amazing read. You're in for a treat!

I have never heard of this author so took a chance based on the cover and reviews. I am glad I did.

Lived the magic system and was sad for the book to end. Hoping for more from this author.

Recommend.

Dania is imprisoned for a murder she didn’t commit and is looking for revenge on those who betrayed her. I enjoyed this Count of Monte Cristo reimagining. I loved Dania’s character and her motivations. I liked the twists along the way. The book did struggle with pacing in the middle of the book. There were some things that happened too conveniently and I would’ve like to see more of the characters planning and plotting. Overall it was an enjoyable, quick YA standalone.

Dania gives me all the Arya Stark vibes--seeking vengeance, list of names, bada** with a sword--and I'm HERE 👏 FOR 👏 IT. I thought the pace was fantastic and was able to devour it in just a few days. The magic system was interesting and the world building made me feel like I was dropped into the middle of a movie. Varga's descriptions are vidid and mouth watering (really, I just wanted to eat everything they were eating). Overall, I LOVED this book and the world it's set in, and truly hope Emily Varga continues the story within it. It seems like the door was left open in the end, so fingers crossed 🤞

DNF @58%

I tried. I promise I tried. But I had to dnf (finally) because thinking about finishing this had me stressed beyond measure.

I expected revenge plots and carefully planned schemes and vengeful, kickass characters. What I got was... not that. I was bored. I didn't care about anything. Or anyone. The romance was... ugh, NO.

I'm sorry this just didn't work out for me.

I enjoyed this book. I thought the author did a great job writing the characters and creating their story. The characters were well developed and you could easily get attached. 5 star read easily! Great read!!

For She Is Wrath is a Pakistani-inspired retelling of The Count of Montecristo (which admittedly I have not read). Our main character, Dania is imprisoned after the boy she loves frames her for a crime that she did not commit. A chance accident while in prison leads to her meeting another character, Noor, who is seeking revenge on the emperor after he ordered the death of someone she loved. Both girls manage to escape the prison and begin on their path of vengeance, aided by djinn powers that are obtained through careful mixing of magical seeds. Mazin, Dania's betrayer returns to her life and the girls plan to use him as a tool to exact their revenge on those who have hurt them and those they love.

Overall, this was a very fun read and I loved how Varga incorporated South Asian (specifically Pakistani) elements and mythology into the story while still maintaining the fantasy elements. The writing was approachable and I found myself drawn into the story right away. The concept of magic being drawn from precise mixing of ingredients was very unique although I would like liked more explanation of the magic system and how it was used in Dania's world. The plot twist at the end was not something I would have ever predicted! I feel that it was slightly rushed (as was the general ending) but Varga did a fantastic job of pulling off a surprise that I think few (if any!) will see coming. For She Is Wrath seems to have ended in a way that makes it a standalone but I could absolutely see Varga revisiting this world, maybe with more of Noor's story!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

So magical and full of action! I loved this story. Originally I thought that perhaps the story wasn't for me but the characters and world won my over quickly. I highly recommend!

I appreciate the opportunity to read this but this one is a DNF for me. I made it about 40% of the way through but felt like there wasn't much that happened other than discussing revenge. I also didn't feel like the characters had much depth to that point.

What a gorgeous story with intriguing magic! I was absolutely obsessed with the lovers to enemies trope in this story and I can’t wait to purchase a physical copy!!

4.6 rounded up to 5/5.

In "For She is Wrath", Emily Varga takes readers on a sweeping and enthralling romantic fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, infused with Pakistani culture and rich with themes of revenge, love, and redemption.

From the very first page, Varga immerses readers in the gripping story of Dania, a young woman framed for a crime she did not commit, and her relentless quest for vengeance against those who betrayed her, including the boy she once loved. As Dania counts down the days of her imprisonment, her desire for revenge burns ever brighter, fueled by a stolen djinn treasure that may hold the key to her salvation.

Varga's storytelling prowess shines throughout the narrative, keeping readers engaged and on the edge of their seats as Dania navigates a treacherous game of cat and mouse, facing off against formidable enemies and confronting the complexities of her own heart. The addition of djinn magic and an evil emperor adds layers of intrigue and mystique to the story, while the lush Pakistani setting and vibrant cultural elements enhance the immersive experience.

The characters in "For She is Wrath" are well-developed and compelling, with Dania standing out as a fierce and determined protagonist driven by her thirst for justice. The dynamic between Dania and Mazin, her former love turned adversary, crackles with tension and unresolved emotions, adding depth to their complex relationship.

Varga strikes a perfect balance between action, romance, and introspection, weaving together a tale that is both exhilarating and thought-provoking. The pacing is excellent, with well-timed twists and revelations that keep the plot moving at a brisk pace while allowing for moments of reflection and character development.

Overall, "For She is Wrath" is a masterfully crafted novel that will captivate readers from start to finish. With its blend of gripping storytelling, impressive world-building, and compelling characters, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on fans of romantic fantasy and retellings alike.

This was a confusing read. I liked the adventure, and the bones of this retelling are there.

However, its thematic exploration of revenge and vengeance was superficial at times and its main character, Dania, reads as quite immature. Perhaps the immaturity fits the main characters' young age, but Dania is frustrating to read and follow her decision-making. I think it would have been better to age up both main characters, Dania and Noor, by 5 to 10 years.

I will admit I did not see the twist at the end coming, though in reflection, perhaps there are hints to it. But not seeing it coming does not mean it’s a good twist.

Furthermore, the revenge against the men who wronged Dania and Noor was too fast and unseen. Noor is left as a sidekick who does much of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and plotting, and honestly, I would have liked to follow her journey and exchanges.

For She is Wrath (excellent title) is a decent adventure book but would benefit from refining the motivations of the main characters and a more thorough explanation of the magic system.

There are also punctuation and editing errors to fix.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC.

3.75 star for me!
I enjoyed this book a lot! A retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo from the perspective of a Pakistani girl, Dania. I liked the similarities to the original story as well as the unique fantasy aspect of consuming magic/power through a seed.

I feel like a lot of the set up for the revenge schemes happened behind the scenes - so when plans came together and her enemies were arrested it seemed sudden.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and would recommend.

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader copy ebook!

This was such a great fanstay read! The book not only has a good plot but is full of great characters and relationships! Definitely recommend :) Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC!

“But hope was a dangerous thing, because once taken away, it was impossible to feel more despair. That much I knew from the past year.” — For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga

Framed by someone she loved and locked away for a crime she didn’t commit, Dania lets plans of revenge swirl while she plans her escape.
Once free, and armed with dark magic and a new identity, Dania sets her plans in motion. But her plans begin to become twisted and complicated the deeper she gets into it and she risks herself all over again.

I really liked this story and Emily’s writing style. Dania is so fierce and the embodiment of a strong independent female and I loved her. I also loved Noor and I’m hoping Emily writes more about her in the future!

This story has djinn magic, revenge, a complicated love story, a strong FMC and so much more. I’m excited to see what Emily does next.

Spoilers ahead!!

Let me just start off by saying I support women’s rights, and wrongs. As someone who loves count of monte cristo so much. As in has 5 copies of the book in different languages as well as exclusive versions this book was exciting, thrilling and I could not put it down. In the beginning, it’s like an exact carbon copy with some differences. It’s 100% a retelling. And you can tell, whether or not that’s what you’d like it’s up you. But I was eating it up like a goddam man starved. I love count of monte Cristo and whenever someone said a book was “inspired by” it was just with a bit of revenge. Dania is smart, she is angry, and she comes up with plans very well. She’s been training in sword fighting essentially since she could pick one up. But by chapter two you KNOW that Dania is about to do EVERYTHING she can to get her revenge on the person who put her in jail. You can already feel her anger. Obviously the biggest difference is that Dania’s first love is the one that betrayed her and not just her best friend. He was also her best friend though. Her anger is so large and yet when she was first asked what she’d do it was to find her father. She loves her family very much. In the original, he loves his Fiance, but that too ended in betrayal. While it’s a bit slow in the beginning it does pick up pace. another difference? The benefactor lives. Noor is witty, and badass. She doesn’t like bloodshed but will cut a bitch if she needs to. Chapter 12 is when you really see Dania’s anger outright. The book so far has been inching towards it. But this. This was her breaking point. She was ready for her Jason Todd moment. Again, this book is a retelling of the count of monte cristo so it is essentially the same with the authors own twists. If you are not a fan of blood, gore, and of course revenge do not read this book. Please read trigger warnings of the book beforehand. And remember, revenge is sweeter than justice.

Favorite moments?
“I did try again”
- God it was so good. So badass. Love her.
“Never show them your fear. The weak feed from fear”
- this quote meant so much to me. As a Latina in a new state living thousands of miles away from family fear is practically my roomate. But never let your fear control your fate.
“I think. That you didn’t really save your sister from a hawk that day.”
- the way she’s insinuating that the Nahid is the hawk is so ughhhh so good.
“You know I’d follow you anywhere Dani”
- all I could hear was donkey saying “oh the betrayal”
“I had him”
- ok. This is here because I know that from that moment. From that touch. He knew who she was.
“What you are saying is that you liked it when I stabbed you?”
- HAHAHAHAH no explanation needed.

This was really good! I wish there was a map in the front, and hopefully before this book is published there will be!
The plot was really strong. I loved the detail that was given to the characters and their story! It was a bit repetitive at times, but mostly it was a strong fantasy story. The relationships were really strong, and I would’ve loved to have a prequel of Dania’s father and mother’s love story. Just the bit we got in this book didn’t feel like enough!
I loved reading the training scenes, but I wish Dania and Maz didn’t fall in love so quick and we got more background of their story. It just seemed fast. However, it’s an easy fantasy read! Enjoyable.