Review: The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

Title: The Rose and the Dagger
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Publication Date: April 26, 2016
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Rating: ★★★★★
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I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.

In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse—one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.

While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love.

“It was because they were two parts of a whole. He did not belong to her. And she did not belong to him. It was never about belonging to someone. It was about belonging together.”

‘The rose and the dagger’ is the sequel to ‘The wrath and the dawn’ by Renee Ahdieh. This book was absolutely beautiful, the writing was lyrical and this duology is now one of my favorites.

 “Destiny was for fools. Sharzad would not wait for her life to happen. She would make it happen.”

This book continues on from the events that occurred at the end of ‘The wrath and the dawn’ and I loved it, loved everything about this book. Shazi and Khalid were just amazing together, Shazi is a strong and fierce character and Khalid is a very sweet and handsome and together they are just perfect. I also love watching how Khalid is only sweet to Shazi, I thought that was cute, whilst he was brooding to everyone else.

“For nothing, not the sun, not the rain, not even the brightest star in the darkest sky, could begin to compare to the wonder of you. Khalid”

And can we talk about Artan, I absolutely loved his character and now I kind of want a book on him or even just a novella because that epilogue though. I really want more of Artan and of his character.

“Are you finally starting to breathe in a normal fashion?” Shahrzad teased. “I must confess I find your behaviour rather odd, considering you said only a child would be afraid to fly.”

“I wasn’t afraid.” Khalid wrapped a forearm of corded muscle around her. She slanted a disbelieving look his way. “You just lied to me.”

“I wasn’t afraid,” he repeated. “I was terrified.”

I honestly don’t know what else to say but to go and read this duology because it’s just amazing and its completed!

“Sharzad was rewarded with one of his uncommonly effortless smiles. The kind that changed a face of shadows into one of light"

This book was a beautiful conclusion to this duology and one of my favorite duologies.

“In the end, there is only time for love.”