Kamran is a sweetheart. I like him. At the end of the book, I felt so sorry for him. I love that he always cared for Alizeh. I liked both main characters, but I wasn’t fully blown away by them though. Alizeh I found interesting and not at all annoying (which is often the case with YA heroines, unfortunately), but I don’t feel really close to her yet. Slowly, very slowly, Alizeh touched her fingers to his waist, anchored herself to his body. She heard his soft intake of breath. Tahereh Mafi is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Shatter Me series, the National Book Award longlisted and bestselling novel A Very Large Expanse of Sea, as well as Furthermore and Whichwood. The best thing about this book is the plot. The worst thing about this book is also the plot. I think the general synopsis of what's going on, a Jinn Queen being forced to hide her identity and work as a lowly servant in a world of humans who despise her kind and a King who tries to kill her when he finds out who she is, is very captivating.

This Woven Kingdom: the brand new fantasy romance series from This Woven Kingdom: the brand new fantasy romance series from

In conclusion: I enjoyed Alizeh's pov and character more than Kamran's. Despite the romance being a bit disappointing, the plot and world building kept my interests in this first book. I’m planning on reading the second book mainly because I’m very invested in Alizeh, and I’m hoping the romance will develop more/be a bit more exciting. After that cliffhanger, I have a theory about the direction the romance might take in book 2 and I really hope it comes true. And the romance? *Sigh*. My God, the insta-love was heavy in this one. When you have a nightmare/vision about the devil prophesising something you don't want to hear about and then suddenly you're looking at the face of a stranger, would you immediately be taken away by their attractiveness? (I just know some of you might say yes... but you get the point! It's still ridiculous!) In actual fact, the whole thing is ridiculous. They keep describing each other as the sexiest, most beautiful, most handsome person alive etc. etc. and you expect me to believe their love is founded on valid grounds of trust and friendship and genuine, deep connection? A big nope from me. Nothing was compelling about their romance whatsoever. I did not root for them in any way nor do I think that they did each other any good. To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight. Alizeh fears the devil who haunts her and fears being killed for being a Jinn. She doesn't make choices out of fear, however. She spares a desperate boy who threatens her life when she could easily kill him, defends herself and others when threatened, and trusts in those who want to help her. Kamran is angry a lot, but mostly because he's frustrated with how his grandfather runs the country and both how much and how little is expected of him. He's to marry and have an heir, but he's not to have opinions about the threats his country faces. When he trusts his instincts and shows compassion, he's punished for it, but still knows it was the right decision.You have consumed my thoughts since the moment I met you,” he said to her. “I feel now, in your presence, entirely strange. I think I might fetch you the moon if only to spare your tears again.” The pacing of this book was well done in my opinion. It didn’t move so fast that readers missed any pertinent information, but wasn’t so slow that it dragged along. As the world building transitions into more of the story I think readers will find themselves wrapped up in the political intrigue as well as the danger that the characters are facing. A little bit of romantic yearning sprinkled with attempted murder every few chapters makes for a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The ending will definitely make you wish that time moved much faster than it does now. I then get up, make my way toward the microphone, and out of my teensy tiny I-couldn’t-care-less clutch, I pull out my prepared acceptance speech*

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi | Waterstones This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi | Waterstones

You are quite good," his grandfather said coldly, "at taking clear and logical arguments and elevating them to a level so esoteric they are rendered ineffectual." This has the exact same vibe as letting everyone in House of Gucci speak English… but with an Italian accent because they are Italian, yk? It’s got to be authentic! Same as you can’t let those characters speak either Italian or English without any kind of ridiculous accents, the author couldn’t write about a fantasy world without using over-the-top language that, if read out loud to a 17th-century landlord, would scare the shit out of him. God bless thee, good Sir. Everyone else was cardboard material, AKA 2D prints of side characters. Honestly I'm not even sure I can really exclude the main characters from that either. The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom – and the world. An] illustrious tale of magic, court intrigue, and romance. Captivating readers from the very first chapter...A magnetic series opener that will delight fans of Mafi's previous series." - BooklistAs for the plot, Well tbh there's not much happening in the span of time, only just at the end of the book, and since this book is inspired by Shahnameh I was so hyped to get another book(hopefully a better inspiration of this book) from the author i previously enjoyed her works. I do think it could have been elaborated better than this. Also thinking about it now, this book had hints of Aladdin and Cinderella vibes to it. but sadly, I Can't say I was super INTO the whole story and I'm torn on whether I like this book or not. and believe me, I myself am really upset about it. I think it’s important to mention whether a book is more plot-driven or character-driven. I do think that this one is more character-driven. It’s not a very fast-paced book, and except for the finale, there wasn’t a whole lot of action either. There is romance in this book with an instant love trope. The steam level is 1/5 but I hope it’s more in the next book because this reader needs all the spice. Also, what I would call a POSSIBLE love-triangle???? huh no. Now the romance was good. This is definitely not slow burn but more love at first sight but oh wow that first kiss was amazing.

This Woven Kingdom - Goodreads

I can excuse some things; this, I absolutely won’t. It’s wild that a book like this is part of and published in a genre predominantly geared towards teenage girls, but what do I know. The villain(s) were well written. There were a few villains in my eyes because I wanted to murder so many cruel characters. However, the main two were mysterious, pretty scary, and I wanted more interactions between them and Alizeh. Now, if you like your romances well-developed, well-seasoned, with a good dash of character development, mutual emotional growth and maybe a little bit of slow-burn and tenderness, this book… IS ABSOLUTELY NOT FOR YOU as the only thing it “served” was luke-warm insta-love with a whiff of love-triangle. They see each other ONCE and already can’t stop thinking about each other. They see each other TWICE, and already they’re madly in love and obsessed. You don’t understand, I was laughing so hard, the Nokia phone I was writing my 1D fanfiction on nearly fell out of my hand.Finally he moved, one hand capturing her face, his thumb grazing her cheek in a fleeting moment, there and gone again. His voice was a whisper when he said, "Do you wish to know my name, too, Your Majesty?" This book was so good! This was an enchanting and interesting young adult fantasy about forbidden romance, power, magic, love and betrayal. Alizeh is the heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom, but to humans she is a servant and is not treated well. Alizeh must hide herself and her powers, until she meets Kamran, the crown prince. Kamran is suspicious of Alizeh at first, but as he learns about more about her he can't stay away. Dear Academy, friends, and fellow readers. It is with great pleasure that I accept this award. As you surely understand, it took immense self-composure and strength to act in Managing Not to Throw This Book Repeatedly Against a Wall, but I hope you can see that your votes and confidence in me are much appreciated.