The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh - 5+/5 Stars

I absolutely LOVED this book!

Here is the Blurb:

One Life to One Dawn.

In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.

Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?

“Love is a force unto itself, sayyidi. For love, people consider the unthinkable...and often achieve the impossible. I would not sneer at its power.”  

Did you read that? Do you like it already? 

Renee Ahdieh delivers in every aspect! 

The secrets, the plot twists, the longing, the love, the small touch of magic, the friendships... everything about The Wrath and the Dawn is perfection. 

Renee Ahdieh is an amazing storyteller. There are many tales intertwined within the main story itself. Although we don't know much about the world in which the story is set the exquisite tales and fantastic characters make up for it in abundance. 

Shahrzad fierceness and eventually willingness to to learn more about what is going on before acting makes her an amazing character to read. She might have been in love with the boy she grew up with when she married Khalid, but at no point did I want them to end up together. He was never right for her. The connection and the trust built between Shahrzad and Khalid made them the perfect couple. I loved when her old love came to the castle and watched as one smile from Shahrzad told Khalid all he needed to know. Their connection was more than skin deep, was one one of body and soul.

“My soul sees its equal in you.”

Khalid's tragedy had my heart in shatters. He was ready to kill her, and almost did. He was a monster impossible not to love! 

“What are you doing to me, you plague of a girl?” he whispered.
“If I’m a plague, then you should keep your distance, unless you plan on being destroyed.” The weapons still in her grasp, she shoved against his chest.
“No.” His hands dropped to her waist. “Destroy me.” 

If I hadn't already read book two I would seriously consider naming this my favorite ya fantasy of the year. But, alas! I have read The Rose and the Dagger, and sadly it wasn't as good. 

“So you intend to go through life never loving anyone? Just … things?”
“No. I’m looking for something more.”
“More than love?”
“Yes.”
“Is it not arrogant to think you deserve more, Khalid Ibn al-Rashid?”
“Is it so arrogant to want something that doesn’t change with the wind? That doesn’t crumble at the first sign of adversity?”
“You want something that doesn’t exist. A figment of your imagination.”
“No. I want someone who sees beneath the surface-someone who completes the balance. An equal.”
“And how will you know when you’ve found this elusive someone?” Shahrzad retorted.
“I suspect she will be like air. Like knowing how to breathe.”