Review of 'This Woven Kingdom'

New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller! Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people—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.

“In a tale as exquisitely crafted as one of Alizeh’s own garments, Mafi weaves a spell of destiny and danger, forbidden love and courtly intrigue, magic and revolution.”—Cassandra Clare, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Hours

“This Woven Kingdom is an exquisite fantasy. Rich with clever prose, delicious twists, and breathtaking world building. Prepare to be destroyed—this one will wrench at your heart and make it pound, and in the end it will leave you entirely speechless.”—Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series

Review

This Woven Kingdom follows Alizeh and Kamran as they face the trails set forth by the Devil, all while fighting the battle of their hearts.

Character Driven Story

This Woven Kingdom tells the story of Alizeh and Kamram, splitting it between their perspectives. However, both characters have strong presences on the page that carries over each time they come face to face.

Alizeh is the long-lost queen of the Jinn empire. Fire cannot touch her, and she is constantly cold because of the ice in her veins. However, that does not mean she cannot be hurt. Alizeh lives as a servant, keeping her identity secret. She wants to live peacefully without the Devil haunting her with his riddles and evil machinations.

Alizeh carries herself with such grace. She does her job, working on little to no sleep. A Jinn, she has the strength of ten men and will use it to defend herself if the situation sees fit. But she never stops showing grace, compassion, and even kindness.

Kamran compliments her beautifully. Kamran is methodical, stern, stoic, and perceptive. He is also arrogant. Time and time again, he learns that Alizeh is more than what she appears, allowing him to see compassion and even delve into his own. He is like a double-edged longsword, whereas she is like a katana.

They complement each other and are drawn to one another because of that. They are the novel's driving force, and their slow-burn romance makes the reader invested in their relationship.

Final Thoughts

This Woven Kingdom is a quick read. Bringing together two vastly different characters and throwing in unpredictable plot twists to keep them apart, Mafi allows the characters to shine and complement one another in a way that keeps the reader hooked.

• Writing Quality : 9/10
• Character Development : 9/10
• "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 9/10
• Intellectual Depth: 8/10
• Originality: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 4 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats.