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.
My Review
I loved the first book in this series but sometimes that means Book 2 is a let down. This was absolutely not the case for The Rose and the Dagger. I loved the second book as much as the first book. The characters were just as engaging and the twists and turns kept me reading right to the end.
I also liked the fact that the book actually ends. I crave closure (which was why The Hunger Games made me so happy – when it ended it was over). I was more than satisfied with the ending of The Rose and Dagger.
I highly recommend this book and its prequel to all readers. This is a different interpretation of the Arabian Nights and it’s one that will resonate with any young adult reader who loves magic and action.
Buylink: https://www.amazon.ca/Rose-Dagger-Ren%C3%A9e-Ahdieh/dp/0399171622
