The Rose and the Dagger (Hardcover) by Renee Ahdieh

About the Book

In this reimagining of The Arabian Nights, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her in an attempt to break Khalid's curse, save the empire, and reunite with her one true love.

Book Synopsis

Instant New York Times Bestseller

The much anticipated sequel to the breathtaking The Wrath and the Dawn, lauded by Publishers Weekly as a potent page-turner of intrigue and romance.

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.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Rose and the Dagger
#1 New York Times Bestseller

★ "Beautiful, lyrical writing combines with a cohesive plot, richly drawn backdrop, and just the right mix of action and romance to create an undeniable new classic."--School Library Journal, starred review

"Above all there is the shattering, triumphant catharsis of love... In a story about stories, love is 'the power to speak without words.' Thrillingly full of feeling."--Kirkus Reviews

"Fiery romance, a spirited heroine, shifting loyalties... With more than a few heartrending twists and turns."--Booklist

"[Ahdieh's] prose remains lush and evocative, ideal for sand-swept landscapes and racing hearts."--VOYA

Praise for The Wrath and the Dawn:
#1 New York Times Bestseller
#4 on the Summer 2015 Kids' Indie Next List!
An Amazon Best Book of the Year for 2015 - Young Adult
A New York Public Library Best Book for Teens for 2015
A Seventeen Magazine Best Book of 2015
A YALSA 2016 Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick

"Lushly imagined and powerfully characterized, it's a potent page-turner of intrigue and romance."--Publishers Weekly

"This book is a fairy tale, a mystery, and ... promises to become a classic tale of its own."--VOYA

★ "Set against a backdrop of political intrigue and a simmering revolution, this is a carefully constructed narrative of uncertain loyalties, searing romance, and subtle magic in a harsh desert city."--Booklist, starred review

★ "The rich, Middle Eastern cultural context adds to the author's adept world building... a surefire hit with teens."--School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Renée Ahdieh's lush debut novel, The Wrath and the Dawn, is a suspenseful and beautiful reimagining of The Arabian Nights, with an edge."--Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Dreamily romantic, deliciously angst-y, addictively thrilling."--Kirkus Reviews

"Sumptuous detail ... satisfyingly steamy scenes, along with some angsty push and pull moments between the two for optimal romantic tension."--BCCB

"Don't be surprised if the pages melt away and you find yourself racing through warm, golden sands or drinking spiced wine in cool marble courtyards. This is an intoxicating gem of a story. You will fall in love, just as I did."--Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of the Legend series and The Young Elites

"In her absorbing debut, Renée Ahdieh spins a tale as mesmerizing as that of her heroine Shahrzad, filled with lush details and brimming with tension. The Wrath and the Dawn is truly an exceptional story, beautifully written."--Carrie Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth

"Ahdieh weaves a world that is lush with detail. You will want to hear, taste, and touch everything. But it's not just the world that is vividly alive. The characters are fascinating too: I loved the friendships, romance, and shifts in feeling. A beautifully written book, The Wrath and the Dawn is a story I could not put down."--Marie Rutkoski, author of The Winner's Trilogy

About The Author

Renée Ahdieh is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her spare time, she likes to dance salsa and collect shoes. She is passionate about all kinds of curry, rescue dogs, and college basketball. The first few years of her life were spent in a high-rise in South Korea; consequently, Renée enjoys having her head in the clouds. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and their tiny overlord of a dog. The Rose and the Dagger is the sequel to her sparkling debut novel, The Wrath and the Dawn.