Review by Booklist Review
Revenge has had ample time to fester in Dania's bones since she was thrown in prison nearly a year ago after being framed for murder. When Noor, another prisoner, accidentally digs into Dania's cell during an escape, there's nothing left to do but join her, and in this Pakistani reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, both prisoners make it out alive. Noor's thirst for vengeance is amplified after learning that Dania's father, like Noor's, was killed. After procuring treasure containing unimaginable wealth and zoraat (djinn magic), Dania consumes zoraat to conceal her identity and draw the attention of those they seek to destroy, including a magic-hungry emperor and Mazin, the boy Dania loved and who betrayed her. The effects of zoraat and Dania's lingering love for Maz threaten to upend all their well-laid plans. Revenge might fuel the story forward, but it's made memorable by heart, grief, and friendship--not to mention a romance that burns bright. Varga's meticulous, fiery gender-bent retelling lights a path beyond retribution, one alight with possibility.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Revenge and romance go hand in hand in Varga's Pakistani-inspired fantasy debut. Imprisoned for a murder she did not commit, Dania, a highly skilled swordswoman trained by her renowned swordsmith father, plots vengeance. A chance meeting with fellow prisoner Noor provides both girls with an opportunity to escape, and the discovery that Dania's father was killed for defending her renews her desire for retribution. Armed with gold, a magically altered appearance, and dangerous magic from djinn-produced seeds, Dania returns to the city of Basral with Noor. There, she aims to exact her revenge on all who'd wronged her, including the power-hungry emperor, the corrupt head of the palace guard, the greedy sword merchant who conned her father, and the emperor's ward Mazin, the lover who betrayed her. But even as she successfully cuts down her targets, Dania finds she can't escape her lingering feelings for Mazin. Evocative prose is punctuated by sumptuous descriptions of Pakistani food, clothing, and weaponry, creating a memorable backdrop for Dania's retaliatory schemes and sultry encounters with Mazin, which build to a satisfying, somewhat hastily resolved denouement. Ages 13--up. Agents: Laura Rennert and Paige Terlip, Andrea Brown Literary. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--A Pakistani reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo perfect for fans of Hafsah Faizal's We Hunt the Flame and Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass. Dania was framed by Mazin, the boy she loved, and has spent a year in prison--each of those days spent planning and preparing for how she will get her revenge. Dania escapes with the help of a fellow prisoner and gains a djinn treasure that will help her get close to those who betrayed her family, including her old flame and the evil emperor. With a new identity and dark magic that changes her appearance, Dania can infiltrate court--but magic has a price, and the longer her plans take, the more she risks losing herself. Varga utilizes dual time lines to deliver backstory to readers and keep the momentum rolling. Secondary characters feel underdeveloped as they fit agreeably into plot points throughout the novel, possibly because this is a 1000+ page classic adapted into a single volume. Dania does not have the original hero's single-minded focus on revenge but gets pulled in many directions--especially when Mazin reenters the picture--as more obstacles are thrown in her path. The lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance will thrill readers, as what Dania wants tangles with what she must do. Varga crafts excellent action sequences that propel the plot to even higher stakes. VERDICT Hand to romantasy fans looking for an Arya Stark--esque heroine. This standalone is recommended for most collections.--Emmy Neal
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young woman framed for murder seeks vengeance with the help of a new friend and some dangerous magic. For almost a year, Dania has been in prison, framed for a murder she didn't commit. With plenty of time to think, she's become consumed with rage, plotting her escape and her revenge on those who put her there. At the top of her list is Mazin, her childhood best friend and first love, who betrayed her out of his loyalty to Emperor Vahid. Dania manages to flee with cellmate Noor, who's also seeking retribution against the emperor. Since Noor has access to zoraat seeds, the powerful djinn magic that Vahid used to overthrow Dania's kingdom, the girls devise a plan to use it to obtain justice. After consuming zoraat powder to change her appearance, Dania executes an elaborate scheme to hurt her betrayers as they hurt her, slowly chipping away at their power. But the djinn magic threatens to overtake her, and she can't forget her feelings for Mazin. Dania must be careful not to succumb to her own trap. Varga's debut, a Pakistani-inspired retelling ofThe Count of Monte Cristo, is a compelling story with a strong, sword-wielding female lead, intense fight scenes, unpredictable magic, and fiery romance. Chapters labeled "Before" offer insight into Dania's relationships with Mazin and other characters. Pakistani cultural elements are woven into the worldbuilding. A vividly realized, page-turning revenge story.(Fantasy. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
