To start off, I was very interested in reading this book because, of course, it’s a retelling. When I first started this book, I was a bit confused with the past and present POV because the author didn’t inform the readers when a flashback started. At times I wouldn’t know it was a flashback until I kind of was already half way through the passage, which made it hard to follow along with the story. There is a twist that happens near the end of the book but unfortunately it wasn’t a shock factor for me. Also, I didn’t like how the FMC ended up with The male lead, especially when hearing his excuses for why he put her and kept her in a prison. I do believe the story is good, I would just recommend it to YA Romantasy readers who hasn’t been introduced to Monte Christo.

This novel was about the cycle of revenge and the damage it leaves on a person. I loved Dania's character, her relationship with Noor, and their nonchalance (really) at destroying the empire's usurper, Vahid. The love story between Dania and Mazin was beautiful, and the chapters taking place "before" Dania's imprisonment were crucial for building that relationship as one of subtle enemies to lovers to enemies once more. I enjoyed the insightful writing, the time period and setting--it was refreshing and easy to immerse myself in. This novel features passion for weaponry, court intrigue, complex character relationships, and Varga's beautiful art of storytelling.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an arc of this novel. I look forward to more works from this author.

Wow.
The story was gripping straight from the first page, I loved how well-paced it was, with not too much action all at once that leaves you burnt out from it and also not long periods where you get bored..
Emily portrayed Dani in such a way I felt like I could feel exactly how she was feeling and that alone was such an experience.

I sincerely hope there are more retellings planned in the future! Every minute of reading this book was filled with everything you expect to get and it did not disappoint.

4.5 ⭐️

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I've seen on other reviews that For She Is Wrath is supposed to be based on the Count of Monte Cristo. I have not read the original so my review will solely be based on this book.

I personally loved this book. I've been in somewhat of a book slump for the past month and this took me straight out of it. The plot was engaging and the characters were relatable. The writing was fantastic. I found that the world building was perfect. It was easy to understand, which made it easy to feel like you're in the world itself. The pacing was also great! Something was happening all the time.

"I am a tool of vengeance now...I exist to destroy those who came for me and my family."

Plot:
This book tells the story of Dani, our FMC, who has been wrongfully imprisoned for a crime she didn't commit. In prison she meets Noor, who was in the same situation as her, and was trying to escape. They worked together to escape and vowed to avenge themselves and their loved ones. I really appreciated how strong both of them were throughout the story, I'm honestly getting tired of the damsel in distress beginning of many FMCs.

"She didn't look like a woman who was getting revenge, more like one who had lost everything and was trying desperately to hold on. But then, maybe I did too."

Throughout the story, you see their friendship grow, and through that their characters developed. Noor was the voice of conscience for Dani. She kept her grounded and was not afraid to question the path that Dani was following. There is also a subplot of romance. Yes, she wanted revenge on her childhood lover who betrayed her, but I feel like it wasn't the main focus of the story.

I really enjoyed For She Is Wrath. I just know I'll be recommending it to everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for accepting my request for an ARC of this book!
3/5
Three hundred and sixty-four days of rage brewing inside my veins. Three hundred and sixty-four days of plotting my escape.
I love a good revenge story as the next person, this one isn’t an acception. I enjoyed the characters and the story. The worldbuilding was so interesting and I enjoyed how it didn’t feel like it was fabricated. My only problem with the story is that the pacing for me was kind of slow.

Dania was betrayed and set up by the one she loves and has been imprisoned for a year in a high-security prison. In a twist of fate, she meets Noor, another prisoner, who helps her to escape the prison and enact vengeance on those who have betrayed her. With djinn magic on her side, she searches for the three people who put her in prison, including the emperor. This story has magic, friendship, and a little bit of romance set in an absolutely enthralling world.
I really enjoyed this book. It was really fast paced and the characters were so lovable. The world is truly so magical and beautiful and I loved the plot. I do think that the ending wrapped up a little quickly and there could have been a little more action towards the end. The pacing was a little off at some points as well but other than those things I truly loved this book. The cover is also absolutely beautiful and really drew me into this book. Overall I would absolutely recommend this book, the world is beautiful and the characters’ motivations are so interesting to read about.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Review to be posted closer to the publishing date.

“For She is Wrath” is a thrilling tale of adventure, friendship, and revenge. Dania and her new friend escape prison bent on avenging their families against the emperor and a past love. The pacing of the plot really starts to pick up once we meet Mazin. The romantic tension will keep you on the edge of your seat!

For those who enjoy:
🕌 Friends to Lovers to Enemies
🕌 Female Friendship
🕌 Djinn Magic
🕌 Revenge Plot
🕌 Undercover
🕌 Sword fighting
🕌 Political Intrigue
🕌 Dual Timeline
🕌 Only One Bed

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This enthralling fantasy novel is a captivating blend of elements, from an intelligent, fierce heroine to a gripping revenge plot and childhood friends-turned-enemies trope. Varga's world-building is exceptional, and the pacing keeps you hooked from start to finish. The chemistry and tension between Dania and Mazin are palpable, making for some of the most compelling scenes in the book. If you're a fan of strong female characters who can wield a dagger as well as any man, this is a must-read!

The narrative unfolds seamlessly, alternating between Dania's past and present, gradually revealing her backstory and motivations for seeking vengeance. The addition of djinn magic and an oppressive emperor adds depth and intrigue to the story. Dania's resilience and determination shine through, making her a truly memorable protagonist.

However, there are some flaws in the novel, particularly in the portrayal of the male characters and the handling of certain plot twists. The pacing occasionally falters, and some readers may find certain aspects of the story predictable. Despite these minor drawbacks, the book remains a highly imaginative retelling that will undoubtedly resonate with fans of fantasy and revenge narratives alike.

Overall, this is a highly enjoyable read with plenty of action, romance, and twists to keep you turning the pages. Varga's fresh take on a classic tale is sure to delight readers and leave them eagerly anticipating her next book.

Thank you so much for this ARC NetGalley!

First off, the cover is amazing! The art is what compelled me to read the description and ultimately request it.

I love a good retelling and this did not disappoint. Action, adventure, a cast of characters fit for an epic- it was super enjoyable. The prose was powerful and the storytelling entrancing!

Imprisoned for a crime she did not commit, Dania has had nearly a year in a harsh, high-security jail to think about who set her up and how she’s going to get her revenge. But escape seems impossible until fate brings her Noor. Dania and Noor team up to escape prison and set off to right the wrongs done to themselves and the ones they loved. With Dania’s sword fighting skills and Noor’s access to djinn magic, the women set off to the capital for vengeance.

But what happens when Dania is faced with the boy she once loved? The one who betrayed her without remorse? She’ll have to determine if forgiveness is more important than retribution and if love greater than hate.

I don’t want to give too much away, but readers can expect magic, power struggles, and subterfuge. Rife with battles of the conscience, this book will have readers thinking about what their priorities would be in Dania’s position. A well-told story that will be sure to surprise you!

Thank you NetGalley and Emily Varga for early access in exchange for my honest review.

Dania is fire, and like any fire it can bring comfort or destruction. Dania must choose which she wants to be while on her journey to take back the life she’s lost.

This was a great story, with lessons entwined throughout. The characters went through a journey of discovery and all become more reassured versions of themselves as the book concluded. Dania and Noor were such a great duo and I enjoyed reading the growth of their friendship. They balanced each other’s personalities and Noor provided Dania some much needed grounding at times.
The flashbacks of the relationship Mazin and Dania were planted nicely. They gave just enough information about who they were before they became what they are now, and I lovedddd the burn. From lovers to enemies, enemies to lovers, the process was laid out well and the build was perfect. Mazins backstory was nice to have, sometimes we forget that the men have their own pasts that make them who they are and I appreciated getting those details to truly complete his character.

The Djinn was such a cool “bad guy not bad guy”. One you didn’t even see until chaos had already taken control over everyone’s lives. The Djinn was neither good nor bad, the creature just was. That thought made you more aware that actions have consequences and most of the consequences were caused by these characters poor actions. The story was so thought out and well written.
I am so glad to have read this work and believe Emily wrote a great piece that every young girl should read.

I had the pleasure of receiving this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed by the author's debut in the fantasy genre.

For those who may not typically delve into fantasy, this book serves as an excellent introduction. The world-building is masterfully crafted, striking the perfect balance between detail and accessibility, while the characters leap off the page with depth and complexity.

As a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, I found this iteration particularly compelling. The central theme of revenge adds an irresistible layer of tension and intrigue, showcasing the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and the consequences of pursuing vengeance.

While the story reaches a satisfying conclusion, I couldn't help but feel that there is still more to explore within this captivating world. I eagerly await future works from the author, hoping to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of characters and narratives they have skillfully woven. Overall, a remarkable debut that leaves readers hungry for more.

The cover of "For She is Wrath" is what initially caught my eye but I also really love re-tellings of classic well known stories.

From the premise I thought that this book would be a great fit for me but overall I thought it was just okay. I struggled a bit to connect to the storyline and stay engaged throughout the book.

I think that it's worth checking out if you enjoy reading books in the YA Fantasy Genre but it just wasn't the right fit for me.

Thank you Emily Vargas, Net Galley and St. Martin's Press-Wednesday Books for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Cool concept and a great marketing catch when describing it as a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. Wished some aspects of the story weren’t given away immediately so more suspense could have been built (exo: explaining why Dania was in prison and how she’d been betrayed within the first ten percent of the book). Definitely liked the friendship between Dania and Noor as well.

that cover is what drew me in and I'm so glad I was able to read this. The concept worked well with the retelling of Count of Monte Cristo, it still felt like its own thing and enjoyed the overall concept of the story. Emily Varga has a strong writing style and thought the concept was beautifully done. The characters were interesting and that they were everything in this world and that I was looking for in this type of book.

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.