There’s an allure to Tahereh Mafi’s stories that can’t be denied. Her words glint like gemstones that are waiting to be uncovered by the right treasure hunter, and the journey to them will be rife with danger and delight. This story builds a world where the characters are being beaten down by both life and duty, where the only promise offered is one of pain instead of safety. The harsh edges of this story open up into a deeper exploration of what drives people’s decisions. The world seems to be seen in shades of grey rather than black and white. If you’re looking for a story that is impeccably built and remarkable in its characters, you’re going to want to add this to your TBR. I found myself drawn to Alizeh’s strength, and Kamran’s impulsive nature. After the ending, I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
Alizeh’s heritage as the heir to the jinn kingdom has been lost to time. She is now an easily forgotten servant that goes to painstaking lengths to ensure her anonymity. Meanwhile, the crown prince Kamran is hearing whispers of a prophecy foretelling the death of the king. What he does not expect is that the unforgettable servant girl with strange eyes is supposedly the one that will uproot her kingdom. What will happen next is anyone’s guess, but it’s certain to change their whole world.
From the start, there’s a lot of world building happening that illustrates just what kind of world Alizeh is in. It’s a world where being a little too educated could mean a death sentence for a servant. Kindness is looked upon with suspicion, and the struggle to survive a day longer might come at the expense of another’s life. Despite the harsh reality she exists in, Alizeh is a young woman who suffers at the hands of cruel mistresses who seek to exploit her ability to labour because she’s a jinn. Her tragic situation doesn’t keep her from extending kindness to others, but at the same time, knows that there are people out there that are seeking to kill her…and Kamran might be one of those people.
The contrast between Kamran and Alizeh essentially makes them opposites. Alizeh is honest and candid, but calculated in a way that only comes from desperation and betrayal. Kamran is passionate, and unapologetic in his actions. It definitely gets him in trouble a time or two. When the two characters meet, the chemistry is undeniable and absolutely forbidden. I was head over heels for this romance, and I honestly couldn’t tell you why. I’m not usually one to love instant attraction in characters, but it definitely worked here.
As a side note, the jinn as a people are fascinating, and I loved the myth as to how they came to be. Moreover, it’s central to the plot, and things that happen later. I won’t talk about it too much because of spoilers, but I really loved this aspect of the story. There’s also magic coming from a couple different sources that I hope will be explored further in the next book since there’s so many things that the users can do. Again, without any spoilers, I think this is something that readers will inevitably gravitate toward as they read through.
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.
Trigger-wise, if you’re someone who is sensitive to abusive situations (physical assault by someone in power), attempted murder, murder, and self-harm, then I would approach this book with a bit of caution. The list I’ve given isn’t exhaustive, but there are scenes that could potentially trigger readers sensitive to certain types of situations.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and look forward to what will come next. Definitely add this to your TBR as it would make an excellent winter read, cosied up by a fire.
This Woven Kingdom is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people—bestselling author Tahereh Mafi’s first in an epic, romantic trilogy inspired by Persian mythology.
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.
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.
Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Tomi Adeyemi, and Sabaa Tahir, this is the explosive first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award-nominated author Tahereh Mafi.
