I am SOOOOOO excited about being apart of this blog tour! Renee has done an awesome guest post to share with you guys! ♥
The Rose & the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on April 26th 2016
Genres: Ancient Civilizations, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Fantasy, Fantasy & Magic, General, Historical, Love & Romance, Retellings, Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Fiction
Buy the Book • Goodreads
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.
I read and fell in love with THE WRATH AND THE DAWN last year and I’m currently falling in love with THE ROSE AND THE DAGGER. I am halfway through and it is FABULOUS!! I love Shazi and Khalid so much. Ahdieh has such a way of weaving words that makes me absolutely MELT. If you haven’t started this duology seriously what are you waiting for??
My biggest inspirations as a writer are probably Isabel Allende and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, along with the poetry of Rumi and e. e. cummings. I’d say all these writers were hugely impactful when it came time to write this series. Both Allende and Garcia Marquez pen such lush, atmospheric work. It’s so transportive and immersive. I knew I wanted to write books that did that for a reader—took them someplace new and really let them explore. e. e. cummings’ work inspired me from my teens to play with structure and focus on the music of the language. When I finish with a draft, one of the first things I do is read the entire thing aloud. This is something my classes in poetry taught me—how a poem is best enjoyed as spoken word. A gifted poet’s use of allegory, simile, and metaphor is astounding to see, given the fact that some poems are incredibly short. Many of the most beautiful love poems ever written were written by cummings, and he could do more with fifty words than some writers do in thousands.
In my humble opinion, the poetry of Rumi belongs in any book inspired by Persian culture. When I read his poetry, it takes me to a different world in a different time. The Persian language is rich and nuanced—almost its own kind of poetry. It reflects a culture filled with grand gestures and fervent displays of emotion. This culture was hugely influential when I wrote these books, and—were it not for my husband’s family—so much of these stories would be sorely lacking. His mother taught me to cook Persian food, and his father taught me many of the phrases and stories I wove throughout the narrative. These books are a tribute to my family, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share them with others!
About Renee Ahdieh
Renee lives in North Carolina (Go Heels!) with her husband Victor and their dog Mushu. THE WRATH AND THE DAWN, is available wherever books are sold. Its sequel, THE ROSE AND THE DAGGER, was published on April 26, 2016.
In her spare time, she likes to cook, dance salsa, and wreak havoc on the lives of her characters.
She is also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, as well as an active member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.
Have you started this duology?
Are you absolutely obsessed with it like I am?
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Yay 😀 Stunning blog tour post Crystal. <3 So glad you love these books. Best of luck finishing this one 😀 I hope it will end so good. I haven't read book one yet, but soon. <3 I'm excited about them both. Hope I will love them like you do 😀 Fingers crossed. Thank you for sharing about this 😀
Amazing guest post! I love Renee’s writing, it’s absolutely enchanting. I loved The Rose and the Dagger, it was a wonderful ending to one of my favorite duologies ^_^
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
I read the wrath and the dawn last month and loved it sooo much! I also met renee at yallwest on sunday SHE IS SO COOL I DIED OF FANGIRLING!
I really like what you guys are up too. This sort of clever work and reporting!
Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my own blogroll. http://www.yahoo.net