Format: Hardcover, 512 pages
Release Date: February 1, 2022
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic
This Woven Kingdom is the first installment in author Tahereh Mafi's This Woven Kingdom series. Tahereh was inspired in great part by the epic poem Shahnameh, one of the greatest literary masterpieces in Persian history and culture. Tahereh has woven a story from the legends from Persian culture, putting a unique and exciting spin on court intrigue fantasy that will appeal to fans of and newcomers to the genre alike. This new, magical trilogy is unlike anything she’s ever written before, but includes the spellbinding romance and intricate worldbuilding of her other books.
Thanks to the Fire Accords, Jinn and humans are allowed to mix. Jinn are forged by the essence of fire, while humans are called clay. The story alternates between two main characters: Alizeh and Prince Kamran. Alizeh is a Jinn with extraordinary powers that she’s forced to conceal to survive in a world controlled by humans. She can fight off any threat that comes her way all on her own—even a team of six men sent to execute her. Though the Jinn no longer have an official leader, she’s the heir to the throne and is destined to lead her people out of hiding and back into power.
Alizeh's parents forfeited their lives so that she can live. She has a natural aversion to the darkness and spends most of her days being a slave to rich people while also being an unsanctioned seamstress. She wears a mask to hide her features, fearing that if anyone saw her real eyes, they would punish her. Alizeh is a survivor, fated to be a queen. Fire is her blood, water is her life. Two kings vie for her hand--one with his heart, the other to repay a debt, both foolish to consider her a pawn. And the devil, called Iblees, seems always to be pulling the strings.
Kamran is next in line to the throne of Ardunia. Kamran has been hardened by war and by loss. He's been gone from home for over a year, so when he sees a girl disarm an attacker like a flyswatter squashing a fly, he takes interest in her. Could she be a spy sent to infiltrate Ardunia? Ardunia is the largest country in the known world. They have the largest army in the known world. Yet, the possible return of the Jinn, and their prophesied Queen, has King Zaal on edge and demanding that Kamran find her and eliminate her. Kamran's only real friend seems to be Hazan who is a mystery that needs solving.
Only Alizeh can bring out Kamran's softer, more tender side, and he’d do anything to protect her—even risking his life and defying his grandfather, the king. Alizeh and Kamran have a relationship puts them both in danger, but they can’t resist the pull they feel toward each other, and their chemistry is explosive.
Tahereh has created an incredibly rich and lush world, and the sumptuous
details describing Alizeh’s seamstress work, the bustling marketplace,
and the glimmering castle bring it to vibrant life on the page. This
story is a feast for the senses—readers will be able to taste the sweet
pomegranates and smell the freshly baked baklava, and will never look at
fireflies in the same way ever again. I would have liked more explanation of Alizeh's abilities, and why they didn't come to her after her parents sacrifice.
Truth in reviewing: I have not read any other books from this author, so I can't in good conscious claim to be an expert and am unable to compare it to any previous series she may have read. I will say that at no time while I was reading this story, did it feel as though it was bogged down with unnecessary detours. The book tends to flow easily, yes, even with the book being over 500 pages long. The book does end on a shattering cliffhanger, and yes, I do intend to find out what happens next.
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