Audiobook Review: The Rose and the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh

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The Rose & the Dagger
The Wrath and the Dawn #2 
Author: Renée Ahdieh
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: April 26th 2016
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers | ReadingTeen

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.

The Rose and the Dagger is everything I hoped for and more. Right after finishing reading the book, I headed back to this world because I had to. Thankfully, Andye offered the audiobook and this was easier than expected.

The Rose and the Dagger's audiobook is perfect. I loved listening to the narrator, her voice was so smooth and it was very pleasant to listen while driving to work. I loved how there were things that I had forgot and I was able to “re-live” the scenes. I really enjoyed how she was able to mimic Shahrzad’s emotions. When you read a great book, sometimes you are shocked and you really do not grasp the emotion of the character since you’re more in tune with your own... but when you listen to this audiobook, it feel more real… You’re more emotional, haha. Maybe it’s just me?

Honestly, it felt like Shahrzad was telling me her story personally. Which made me love her even more. She is such a strong character and I soooo want to be her best friend. So listening brought me closer to her and this epic story.

The only fallback is this is the end. I don’t want this story to end and I want more. And now.

This story is full of actions, betrayals, heartbreaks, and so much more. It brought so many feelings and it will leave you like there is no book/audiobook worthy of your attention like The Rose and the Dagger.  As much as you love reading the book, I highly suggest to re-live this world and these characters by listening to the audiobook. So you have two choices, either read The Rose and the Dagger or listening its audiobook because you cannot miss on this beauty story.