For She is Wrath by Emily Varga

Pan Macmillan

9781035045037

400pp

Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize (Older Readers), For She is Wrath is a clever gender-flipping retelling of Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo. Dania is imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit, and it’s all her ex-lover’s fault. But when she is given the opportunity to escape, and with some powerful djinn magic on her side, she decides it is time to exact her revenge.

This is a fast-paced novel of almost visceral vengeance. Nothing will stop Dania on her mission. I was quickly swept along by the storytelling, and the world-building is excellent. Where I struggled was with Dania’s hellbent attitude. It sometimes lacked plausibility in its scope. Perhaps I find it hard to acknowledge that someone’s hatred could run that deep that they would continue, no matter the consequences.

Of course, the enemies of Dania are suitably vile. We don’t feel sorry for them one ounce. Apart from Mazin, her ex-lover, we are given no reason to feel pity or empathy for her enemies. Which, of course, gives a small insight into where this story goes.

This is a twisty fantasy, with lots to get your teeth into, and is never not entertaining. From the Big Bad Guys to the mysterious and attractive ex-lover, from djinn magic to Dania herself, you are gripped and rushed along to its huge conclusion.

I loved the world-building most of all. The tricksy djinn, and the beautiful little villages and the vast emperor’s city, it all comes together to paint a vivid picture that you can practically taste coming off the page. I’d happily return to this world again and again (if only just for the beautiful outfits Dania wears). In wish there had been more depth to Mazin, but perhaps that’s a trivial complaint.

This is fractured but compelling read. A solid 3 stars.