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The Marghazar Trials #1
The Lady or the Lion
Retells “The Lady or the Tiger?” against a Pakistan-inspired world of forbidden love and court intrigues.
Once there was a princess forced to choose a fate for her lover - to a future in the arms of a beautiful lady, or to death in the mouth of a lion? But what came first was the fate she would choose for herself.
As crown princess of Marghazar, Durkhanai Miangul will do anything to protect her people and her land. When her grandfather, the Badshah, is blamed for a deadly assault on the summit of neighboring leaders, the tribes call for his head. To assuage cries for war, the Badshah opens Marghazar's gates to foreigners for the first time in centuries, in a sign of good faith. Enter Ambassador Asfandyar Afridi, a wry foreigner who admits outright that he is a spy. Stubborn, proud, and suspicious of foreigners, Durkhanai does not appreciate that he won't bow to her every whim and instead talks circles around her.
And yet, she has to make him her ally to expose those truly responsible for the attack as more ambassadors from neighboring tribal districts arrive at court, each one of them with their own agenda and reasons to hide the truth.When a mysterious illness spreads through the village and the imperialists push hard on her borders, Durkhanai must sort through the ever shifting loyalties at court and her growing feelings for Asfandyar. Will she be able to leave the antics of a spoiled princess behind and become what her people need - a queen?
Once there was a princess forced to choose a fate for her lover - to a future in the arms of a beautiful lady, or to death in the mouth of a lion? But what came first was the fate she would choose for herself.
As crown princess of Marghazar, Durkhanai Miangul will do anything to protect her people and her land. When her grandfather, the Badshah, is blamed for a deadly assault on the summit of neighboring leaders, the tribes call for his head. To assuage cries for war, the Badshah opens Marghazar's gates to foreigners for the first time in centuries, in a sign of good faith. Enter Ambassador Asfandyar Afridi, a wry foreigner who admits outright that he is a spy. Stubborn, proud, and suspicious of foreigners, Durkhanai does not appreciate that he won't bow to her every whim and instead talks circles around her.
And yet, she has to make him her ally to expose those truly responsible for the attack as more ambassadors from neighboring tribal districts arrive at court, each one of them with their own agenda and reasons to hide the truth.When a mysterious illness spreads through the village and the imperialists push hard on her borders, Durkhanai must sort through the ever shifting loyalties at court and her growing feelings for Asfandyar. Will she be able to leave the antics of a spoiled princess behind and become what her people need - a queen?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published July 20, 2021
35 people are currently reading
5331 people want to read
About the author
Aamna Qureshi
14 books882 followersAamna Qureshi is a Pakistani, Muslim American who adores words. She is an award-winning and USA Today, Amazon, and Times bestselling author who grew up on Long Island, New York, in a very loud household, surrounded by English (for school), Urdu (for conversation), and Punjabi (for emotion). Much of her childhood was spent being grounded for reading past her bed-time, writing stories in the backs of her notebooks, and being scolded by teachers for passing chapters under the tables. Through her writing, she wishes to inspire a love for the beautiful country and rich culture that informed much of her identity.
When she's not writing, she loves to travel to new places where she can explore different cultures or to Pakistan where she can revitalize her roots. She also loves baking complicated desserts, drinking fancy teas and coffees, watching sappy rom-coms, and going for walks about the estate (her backyard). She currently lives in New York. Look for her on IG @aamna_qureshi and Twitter @aamnaqureshi_ and at her website aamnaqureshi.com.
When she's not writing, she loves to travel to new places where she can explore different cultures or to Pakistan where she can revitalize her roots. She also loves baking complicated desserts, drinking fancy teas and coffees, watching sappy rom-coms, and going for walks about the estate (her backyard). She currently lives in New York. Look for her on IG @aamna_qureshi and Twitter @aamnaqureshi_ and at her website aamnaqureshi.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
April 8, 2021
I hope it isn't in poor taste to give my own novel 5 stars but if I'm not going to be my biggest cheerleader, who will??
Also, I wrote a blog post describing what inspired this novel and my journey writing it! You can read it here: https://www.aamnaqureshi.com/blog-3/w...
Also, I wrote a blog post describing what inspired this novel and my journey writing it! You can read it here: https://www.aamnaqureshi.com/blog-3/w...
June 15, 2021
An intricate deep dive into a forbidden love story and all the stages in-between. Aamna Qureshi writes of a world steeped in rich culture and tumultuous politics with an expert hand. The Lady or The Lion is a gorgeous read.
January 13, 2021
I just finished reading The Lady or the Lion by Aamna Qureshi, a Pakistani-inspired Young Adult fantasy novel, and I am absolutely in love with this book for so many reasons. The first and most significant reason is that Pakistani-culture is instilled into this story like I have never experienced before. As a Pakistani teen myself, this book meant the world to me. Just the fact that one of the characters shared a name with my dad, or the fact that the characters were constantly drinking chai and eating samosas, or the fact that the main character played kadam board with her cousins. I can go on and on about all of the bits of Pakistani culture in the book, but that would be an essay. I will say that as someone who has never been to Pakistan and who has many times felt so very disconnected from half of his culture, this book hit home. It made me feel a belonging to my culture that I’ve so deeply needed because many times I haven’t felt super Pakistani, living in America my whole life, and when I recognized and identified with so much of this book, I felt so very validated as a Pakistani. I was transported to magical mountains that I’ve yearned for so long to visit. While that can only be really quenched by actually going to Pakistan, this book will help me feel like I’m there until I can actually go.
This is probably not first story focusing on a Pakistani princess but it’s the first one I’ve experienced! Disney may never make a story about one, but Aaamna Qureshi sure did and she did a beautiful job! Durkhanai is such a relatable, flawed protagonist to follow, and I cannot wait to see where her journey takes her next. She also wears the most fabulous lenghas and chudiyan. This is the first time I’ve read a story that does Desi clothing justice in its descriptions!
I can’t talk about this book without talking about the romance because it was such a big part of this book. Shockingly, I actually wasn’t immediately invested in it. Of course I appreciated the banter and classic romance tropes used, but it takes a lot for me to actually truly care about a fictional couple. I need a feeling in my gut saying “WOW I NEED THESE TWO TO GET TOGETHER!” And by the end of this book, I found that feeling. Durkhanai and Asfandyar are icons and I love them so much, individually and together. Asfandyar is biracial, which made for a beautiful interracial romance that didn’t involve any white people, which is rare. The obstacle of race is very real when it comes to Desis pursuing a relationship with someone that isn’t Desi, and I really appreciated this book addressing that.
The writing in this book is immaculate. This book’s prose is lyricism at its finest. I will say that some metaphors felt a little too exaggerated or out of place, but for the most part they brought out so much emotion. Whether it was the descriptions of the gorgeous palace in the mountains, the inner struggles of our main characters, or just a conversation between cousins, Aamna Qureshi’s debut writing was so fun to read.
The story has mysteries and twists and lots of spying. It’s a fun ride that will keep you guessing, and really, I didn’t see many plot points coming. Prepare to be shocked quite a few times!
I honestly don’t have much to complain about with this book. There were a few parts where the story felt a bit stagnant, but I enjoyed spending more time with these characters. One thing I will say that felt a bit strange was the Muslim representaion. This is a fantasy world, so it was a bit confusing trying to understand how Islam fit in it. Also, some characters seemed to believe certain deeds were sins and when they did them, I felt like it was brushed over. I would’ve appreciated the characters discussing that more.
I will never forget this book for making me feel seen as a Paksitani teen like few other books have made me feel. No other book has made me wish I was a Pakistani princess so that I could have an infinite supply of mango lassi and samosas at the ready hehe. This book tackled issues like dealing with close-minded family, the struggle of being in an interracial relationship, being torn between blood and love, and so much more that I am so grateful for. The Lady or the Lion is an impactful, heart-wrenching story of love and family and discovering what you truly value the most. It comes out on June 22nd, and I will be cheering it on every day till then.
This is probably not first story focusing on a Pakistani princess but it’s the first one I’ve experienced! Disney may never make a story about one, but Aaamna Qureshi sure did and she did a beautiful job! Durkhanai is such a relatable, flawed protagonist to follow, and I cannot wait to see where her journey takes her next. She also wears the most fabulous lenghas and chudiyan. This is the first time I’ve read a story that does Desi clothing justice in its descriptions!
I can’t talk about this book without talking about the romance because it was such a big part of this book. Shockingly, I actually wasn’t immediately invested in it. Of course I appreciated the banter and classic romance tropes used, but it takes a lot for me to actually truly care about a fictional couple. I need a feeling in my gut saying “WOW I NEED THESE TWO TO GET TOGETHER!” And by the end of this book, I found that feeling. Durkhanai and Asfandyar are icons and I love them so much, individually and together. Asfandyar is biracial, which made for a beautiful interracial romance that didn’t involve any white people, which is rare. The obstacle of race is very real when it comes to Desis pursuing a relationship with someone that isn’t Desi, and I really appreciated this book addressing that.
The writing in this book is immaculate. This book’s prose is lyricism at its finest. I will say that some metaphors felt a little too exaggerated or out of place, but for the most part they brought out so much emotion. Whether it was the descriptions of the gorgeous palace in the mountains, the inner struggles of our main characters, or just a conversation between cousins, Aamna Qureshi’s debut writing was so fun to read.
The story has mysteries and twists and lots of spying. It’s a fun ride that will keep you guessing, and really, I didn’t see many plot points coming. Prepare to be shocked quite a few times!
I honestly don’t have much to complain about with this book. There were a few parts where the story felt a bit stagnant, but I enjoyed spending more time with these characters. One thing I will say that felt a bit strange was the Muslim representaion. This is a fantasy world, so it was a bit confusing trying to understand how Islam fit in it. Also, some characters seemed to believe certain deeds were sins and when they did them, I felt like it was brushed over. I would’ve appreciated the characters discussing that more.
I will never forget this book for making me feel seen as a Paksitani teen like few other books have made me feel. No other book has made me wish I was a Pakistani princess so that I could have an infinite supply of mango lassi and samosas at the ready hehe. This book tackled issues like dealing with close-minded family, the struggle of being in an interracial relationship, being torn between blood and love, and so much more that I am so grateful for. The Lady or the Lion is an impactful, heart-wrenching story of love and family and discovering what you truly value the most. It comes out on June 22nd, and I will be cheering it on every day till then.
August 15, 2022
Durkhanai is a princess of Marghazar, a kingdom known for its barbaric traditional trials. Her grandfather is blamed for an attack on a gathering of leaders, and ambassadors from those countries arrive to judge his guilt. Durkhanai is tasked with being welcoming and open with the ambassadors to prove her country’s innocence, but she is warned not to become involved with Ambassador Asfandyar. Despite this, Durkhanai finds herself drawn to him and stubbornly refuses to listen to others. They form an uneasy alliance, and both attempt to discover the truths and lies that are intertwined around the recent attack.
I enjoyed the setting of this work and the way the author neatly incorporated it into the story. This included the use of different words for “love” and their different specific meanings, which added greatly to the story. Several scenes of the work also took place outside of the palace within different villages and the surrounding area, which added greatly to the setting.
The characters were okay overall. I never could become completely engaged with any of them or their personalities, which did detract from the story. Durkhanai was a difficult protagonist to like – she began as a spoiled, stubborn, demanding princess, which was absolutely acceptable. But despite being told that she was growing and developing as a character, I just didn’t see it until the very end. Even in the last quarter she’s still whining and stomping her feet, which made the growth unbelievable. There were also instances where she was changeable (like a complete about-face) with no explanation as to why, which was annoying.
There were several chapters at the end of the book that focused on secondary characters, providing some backstory for choices they made. This weakened the ending for me and detracted from the work overall. I wasn’t invested in these secondary characters, so for the plot to stop while we explored some of their stories was a little frustrating. Also, this work ended on a massive cliffhanger with almost no resolution to anything, which made for an unsatisfactory ending.
I listened to the audiobook version of this work; the narrator did an excellent job with the different characters’ voices and bringing them to life. Overall, this was a solid read with some real positives, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I recommend it for fans of non-western fantasy and romance.
My thanks to NetGalley and CamCat Books for letting me read review copy of this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I enjoyed the setting of this work and the way the author neatly incorporated it into the story. This included the use of different words for “love” and their different specific meanings, which added greatly to the story. Several scenes of the work also took place outside of the palace within different villages and the surrounding area, which added greatly to the setting.
The characters were okay overall. I never could become completely engaged with any of them or their personalities, which did detract from the story. Durkhanai was a difficult protagonist to like – she began as a spoiled, stubborn, demanding princess, which was absolutely acceptable. But despite being told that she was growing and developing as a character, I just didn’t see it until the very end. Even in the last quarter she’s still whining and stomping her feet, which made the growth unbelievable. There were also instances where she was changeable (like a complete about-face) with no explanation as to why, which was annoying.
There were several chapters at the end of the book that focused on secondary characters, providing some backstory for choices they made. This weakened the ending for me and detracted from the work overall. I wasn’t invested in these secondary characters, so for the plot to stop while we explored some of their stories was a little frustrating. Also, this work ended on a massive cliffhanger with almost no resolution to anything, which made for an unsatisfactory ending.
I listened to the audiobook version of this work; the narrator did an excellent job with the different characters’ voices and bringing them to life. Overall, this was a solid read with some real positives, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I recommend it for fans of non-western fantasy and romance.
My thanks to NetGalley and CamCat Books for letting me read review copy of this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 21, 2021
~4.5 stars~
check out the full review along with an aesthetic on my blog!
The Lady or the Lion was a fantastic and refreshing read. This is a debut people shouldn't miss out on.
From the beginning, I was charmed by the poetic writing which tugged at my emotions in the right place. The beautiful descriptions of the setting literally transported me to the land of Marghazar. And the Pakistani culture elements included in the story were a delight to read for my south asian heart, especially the mentions of chai and samosa that made me hungry while reading.
Durkhanai, our protagonist, is flawed and sharp. I loved reading her character arc as we get to see her different sides. I loved how she was attached to her family and their reputation and also how emotional she was. Of course, her love interest Asfandyar is also another strong character. Their romance, however forbidden, made me root for them till the end. And it had some of my favourite tropes.
Ah, the ending had me at the edge of my seat. Though I guessed the betrayal that was to come, I was too engrossed in reading how Aamna Qureshi pieced it all together. I'm still stunned by the ending. My heart goes out to Durkhanai and the decision she had to make. The side characters also had significant importance in the story.
Overall, The Lady or the Lion is a very enjoyable read and is sure to be loved by South Asian and Muslim readers.
Thank you Edelweiss and publisher for the ARC
check out the full review along with an aesthetic on my blog!
The Lady or the Lion was a fantastic and refreshing read. This is a debut people shouldn't miss out on.
From the beginning, I was charmed by the poetic writing which tugged at my emotions in the right place. The beautiful descriptions of the setting literally transported me to the land of Marghazar. And the Pakistani culture elements included in the story were a delight to read for my south asian heart, especially the mentions of chai and samosa that made me hungry while reading.
Durkhanai, our protagonist, is flawed and sharp. I loved reading her character arc as we get to see her different sides. I loved how she was attached to her family and their reputation and also how emotional she was. Of course, her love interest Asfandyar is also another strong character. Their romance, however forbidden, made me root for them till the end. And it had some of my favourite tropes.
Ah, the ending had me at the edge of my seat. Though I guessed the betrayal that was to come, I was too engrossed in reading how Aamna Qureshi pieced it all together. I'm still stunned by the ending. My heart goes out to Durkhanai and the decision she had to make. The side characters also had significant importance in the story.
Overall, The Lady or the Lion is a very enjoyable read and is sure to be loved by South Asian and Muslim readers.
Thank you Edelweiss and publisher for the ARC
December 14, 2021
being a south asian, i was so happy when i first read the synopsis. a desi fantasy book? sign me up. desi representation in books is not something one sees everyday and even if we do get some brown characters, they appear once in a blue moon.
reading this book made me realize how proud i am of my culture, of my heritage, my ethnicity. the language our characters sometimes use just made me scream because urdu and hindi are so similar and i understood every single thing what our mc durkhaina spoke with her dhadi or someone else. the descriptions - from food items like samosas to the clothing used like kurtas and lehengas - perfect.
ALSO THE MANGO SCENE OH MY GOD
i loved the writing style, its just *chefs kiss* beautiful. the plot, the plot twists, the characters, the setting, every small detail we get about the characters, everything about this book is amazing ! my words just wont do justice to the emotions im feeling at the moment. i loved every single thing about this book and i hope everyone reads it. also can we appreciate the politics in this book? it was written and executed so well.
i want book 2 rn ! the ending was such a cliffhanger i need it i need it i need it.
thankyou aamna qureshi for bringing to us this book, these characters and for making me feel represented.
thankyou edelweiss + for sending me the E-ARC of this book.
reading this book made me realize how proud i am of my culture, of my heritage, my ethnicity. the language our characters sometimes use just made me scream because urdu and hindi are so similar and i understood every single thing what our mc durkhaina spoke with her dhadi or someone else. the descriptions - from food items like samosas to the clothing used like kurtas and lehengas - perfect.
ALSO THE MANGO SCENE OH MY GOD
i loved the writing style, its just *chefs kiss* beautiful. the plot, the plot twists, the characters, the setting, every small detail we get about the characters, everything about this book is amazing ! my words just wont do justice to the emotions im feeling at the moment. i loved every single thing about this book and i hope everyone reads it. also can we appreciate the politics in this book? it was written and executed so well.
i want book 2 rn ! the ending was such a cliffhanger i need it i need it i need it.
thankyou aamna qureshi for bringing to us this book, these characters and for making me feel represented.
thankyou edelweiss + for sending me the E-ARC of this book.
July 12, 2025
EDIT: 3.5 stars *may change
Errr, alright. Where do I begin?
As a Young Adult romance with court intrigue, this reads...like a Young Adult romance with court intrigue. It's sweet, it's funny at times, it has the infamous "moody rebellious teenagers" thing going on, so on and so on. Basically, if you love YA and you love romance, I'd say this is a book for you.
Me, personally? I'm not really a fan of YA, but I don't think it bothered me much here.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an advanced reader's copy.
Errr, alright. Where do I begin?
As a Young Adult romance with court intrigue, this reads...like a Young Adult romance with court intrigue. It's sweet, it's funny at times, it has the infamous "moody rebellious teenagers" thing going on, so on and so on. Basically, if you love YA and you love romance, I'd say this is a book for you.
Me, personally? I'm not really a fan of YA, but I don't think it bothered me much here.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an advanced reader's copy.
January 24, 2021
Thank you so so much to the most lovely Aamna for gifting me an ARC!
This was such a fantastic read, I enjoyed every page turn!! The writing was so beautiful and poetic Aamna really is extremely talented ‘Ma Sha’ Allah!!! It felt so refreshing reading about authentic south Asian rep, written so magnificently at that. The characters were amazing, I really admired Durkhanai. I’ll be honest this book made me hungry also and nostalgic of authentic south Asian food. The last 50 pages had me on edge omg I couldn’t stop reading. The plot twists and reveals really blew my mind. Al’hamdulilah this was such an enjoyable read and I look forward to more of Aamna’s works!
This was such a fantastic read, I enjoyed every page turn!! The writing was so beautiful and poetic Aamna really is extremely talented ‘Ma Sha’ Allah!!! It felt so refreshing reading about authentic south Asian rep, written so magnificently at that. The characters were amazing, I really admired Durkhanai. I’ll be honest this book made me hungry also and nostalgic of authentic south Asian food. The last 50 pages had me on edge omg I couldn’t stop reading. The plot twists and reveals really blew my mind. Al’hamdulilah this was such an enjoyable read and I look forward to more of Aamna’s works!
January 16, 2022
read my review HERE !!
READ THE LADY OF THE LION IF YOU LIKE....
💔 Forbidden romance
👑 A kind & cruel heroine
🖤 A hero with a tragic past
☪️ Muslim characters
❓ Court intrigues
🏔 Pakistan-inspired setting
✨ Fairytale vibes
READ THE LADY OF THE LION IF YOU LIKE....
💔 Forbidden romance
👑 A kind & cruel heroine
🖤 A hero with a tragic past
☪️ Muslim characters
❓ Court intrigues
🏔 Pakistan-inspired setting
✨ Fairytale vibes
Want to read
June 3, 2021i thought the cover of this was so incredibly ugly until i clicked "enlarge cover" whAT THE HELL THAT'S A PAINTING NOT A PHOTO??????
anyways utterly in love with the premise, still hate the font of the cover tho <3
anyways utterly in love with the premise, still hate the font of the cover tho <3
August 19, 2023
[digital arc provided by the publisher via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review]
rating: 4.5★
all i knew going into this book that it was a fairytale retelling that features pakistani-muslim characters and i called all in!
what i loved the most: the writing. such beautiful prose and delicately handled phrasing that made me smile in pure appreciation. oh how i wish people talked like that in real life. the romantics of life through the pretty words the author managed to weave together to craft the storytelling of this book was just incredibly admirable. i enjoyed it a lot.
i also loved the politics; there were political intrigue and discussions of classist systems and racism with the ongoing illness that was interesting to read about and i wish there were more we could’ve delved deeper into!
now, as for durkhanai, she was the kind of protagonist that would defy all orders, go against all warnings, do whatever, then come back crying regretful of her actions...then does it all over again. her narrative voice was very self-centered and narrow and she seemed to be easily swayed whenever someone presented her with new information and it bothered me sometimes but i did understand that as her character. so i could defend that i guess, because she’s been under her grandparents’ shell for all of her life and all of her gullible actions are a result of being that contained.
durkhanai and asfandyar’s relationship was one that started with instantly harboring unbearable attraction for one another, which kind of took me off guard from the very first chapter. there was also a point in the story where asfandyar’s whole characterization shifted because of a change in their relationship with each other and it felt like he was a totally different person and i don’t know how to feel about that. but it was still fun to read their back-and-forth. some of the internal conflicts annoyed me a little but these could easily be excused as they’re young and in love and under huge pressure to protect each’s people.
and even though the reveal in the ending had started building up early on, i was still entertained to see what happened and oh how i am excited for the second book!
i also appreciated the undertones of the serious themes presented in the book, neocolonialism being one of those. i loved the rep that was the whole of this book and i really wish i could understand urdu so i can instantly get the little phrases sprinkled throughout the book.
the lady or the lion is a warm romantic tale that is both hopeful and depressing and just beautiful, and i can’t wait to read the next book and see where these characters take me.
tw: suicide, murder, contagious disease, racism, classism, manipulation, dysfunctional family, death of loved ones, murder of a child, neocolonialism
rating: 4.5★
all i knew going into this book that it was a fairytale retelling that features pakistani-muslim characters and i called all in!
what i loved the most: the writing. such beautiful prose and delicately handled phrasing that made me smile in pure appreciation. oh how i wish people talked like that in real life. the romantics of life through the pretty words the author managed to weave together to craft the storytelling of this book was just incredibly admirable. i enjoyed it a lot.
i also loved the politics; there were political intrigue and discussions of classist systems and racism with the ongoing illness that was interesting to read about and i wish there were more we could’ve delved deeper into!
now, as for durkhanai, she was the kind of protagonist that would defy all orders, go against all warnings, do whatever, then come back crying regretful of her actions...then does it all over again. her narrative voice was very self-centered and narrow and she seemed to be easily swayed whenever someone presented her with new information and it bothered me sometimes but i did understand that as her character. so i could defend that i guess, because she’s been under her grandparents’ shell for all of her life and all of her gullible actions are a result of being that contained.
durkhanai and asfandyar’s relationship was one that started with instantly harboring unbearable attraction for one another, which kind of took me off guard from the very first chapter. there was also a point in the story where asfandyar’s whole characterization shifted because of a change in their relationship with each other and it felt like he was a totally different person and i don’t know how to feel about that. but it was still fun to read their back-and-forth. some of the internal conflicts annoyed me a little but these could easily be excused as they’re young and in love and under huge pressure to protect each’s people.
and even though the reveal in the ending had started building up early on, i was still entertained to see what happened and oh how i am excited for the second book!
i also appreciated the undertones of the serious themes presented in the book, neocolonialism being one of those. i loved the rep that was the whole of this book and i really wish i could understand urdu so i can instantly get the little phrases sprinkled throughout the book.
the lady or the lion is a warm romantic tale that is both hopeful and depressing and just beautiful, and i can’t wait to read the next book and see where these characters take me.
tw: suicide, murder, contagious disease, racism, classism, manipulation, dysfunctional family, death of loved ones, murder of a child, neocolonialism
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2021
i was lucky enough to receive an arc of this book from the author herself, and wow. it blew me away. i immediately fell in love with the writing, the description of this beautiful pakistan-inspired land, the complex characters and their relationships. as a pakistani girl i can't put into words how amazing it was to see urdu words and part of my culture so seamlessly weaved in with the story. reading this book, i felt as though i had been transported to the beautiful land of marghazar, and isn't that what every reader wishes when they're reading a book? to feel as though they can see the setting come to life before their eyes?
i also would just like to mention that the last 50 or so pages had me on the edge of my seat, and that ending genuinely made me want to scream, but i loved every minute of this book and i cannot wait for it to come out so everyone can read this masterpiece.
also, the cover reveal is next week and i can't wait for everyone to see it!!! it's absolutely beautiful
i also would just like to mention that the last 50 or so pages had me on the edge of my seat, and that ending genuinely made me want to scream, but i loved every minute of this book and i cannot wait for it to come out so everyone can read this masterpiece.
also, the cover reveal is next week and i can't wait for everyone to see it!!! it's absolutely beautiful
December 29, 2021
THAT ENDING IM SCREAMING FULL RTC
ok so i love saying full rtc and never posting the review but i love this book SO much it's like . yeah such a book fr
ok so i love saying full rtc and never posting the review but i love this book SO much it's like . yeah such a book fr
January 8, 2022
My mind is still spinning from that ending. This was a beautiful and vibrant story, full of color and love, and then tinged with betrayal and heartache. Trust me when I say this is not a book you want to miss out on.
We start the story off with Durkhanai, the young princess who strives to prove her grandfather’s innocence as her palace is filled with foreign ambassadors demanding answers for a deadly summit attack.
While her goal may seem simple, the journey is anything but, and she finds herself wrapped up in politics and court intrigue, not knowing who to trust and who to suspect, but perhaps most pressing of all, not knowing who to love.
“She knew what she felt for him was otherworldly, but what she couldn’t quite figure out was whether it was from heaven or hell.”
Aamna’s writing is something special.
There are so many stunning lines in this book, and I’m aching to share some, but for now I will just drop one:
"He sunk his teeth into her heart and she let him."
Safe to say, the romance in this book both made me swoon and made me want to scream. The angst! The tension! The drama! Forbidden love is my favorite romantic trope, hands-down. The secrecy of it all! I live for it, and it was so so well done in this book.
The South Asian representation was amazing, the clothing, the dialogue, the jewelry, the Urdu, the food! It made me miss India. (note: this world is Pakistan-inspired.) The mentions of mango lassi, samosas, chai being available whenever Durkhanai felt like calling for it. I loved it; though it made me hungry lol, it was such fun to read.
The setting was enchanting. I could feel the chill and the brightness of the mountains, the clarity as the characters gaze out at the starry sky. I could envision the serenity as characters walked through soft grass past waterfalls and mountain streams. I loved the imagery and it truly made the story come to life in the most vivid way.
Though the pacing at the beginning felt a bit slow, it all contributed to the incredible build and the shocking twists at the end. I was so caught off guard by how things turned out, and it was a conclusion I don’t think many readers will be able to guess.
The protagonist, Durkhanai, is wonderfully witty and sharp, kind yet flawed, and the different layers of her personality really come through while we experience all that she has to deal with, and witness the lengths that she goes to in order to defend her family and their honor and reputation. She is such a compelling, interesting character, and I can’t wait to see the decisions she makes in the sequel.
The side characters were wonderful as well; Durkhanai’s cousins added so much to the story, and for the sake of spoilers I won’t mention more, but I can’t wait to see them get more development and time in the sequel.
I loved reading about the concept of family loyalty, the question of how strong is blood, and should we really put our full faith in those who were are connected to no matter what? Durkhanai had to make some hard decisions in this book, and I really enjoyed the fact that none of them were made lightly; she is a character who puts so much thought and consideration into things, and it makes her all the more interesting to read about.
This story means so much to me and I’m so happy I read it. I already know that the sequel is going to be devastating and powerful and shocking and thrilling and I cannot wait!!
[4.5 stars]
We start the story off with Durkhanai, the young princess who strives to prove her grandfather’s innocence as her palace is filled with foreign ambassadors demanding answers for a deadly summit attack.
While her goal may seem simple, the journey is anything but, and she finds herself wrapped up in politics and court intrigue, not knowing who to trust and who to suspect, but perhaps most pressing of all, not knowing who to love.
“She knew what she felt for him was otherworldly, but what she couldn’t quite figure out was whether it was from heaven or hell.”
Aamna’s writing is something special.
There are so many stunning lines in this book, and I’m aching to share some, but for now I will just drop one:
"He sunk his teeth into her heart and she let him."
Safe to say, the romance in this book both made me swoon and made me want to scream. The angst! The tension! The drama! Forbidden love is my favorite romantic trope, hands-down. The secrecy of it all! I live for it, and it was so so well done in this book.
The South Asian representation was amazing, the clothing, the dialogue, the jewelry, the Urdu, the food! It made me miss India. (note: this world is Pakistan-inspired.) The mentions of mango lassi, samosas, chai being available whenever Durkhanai felt like calling for it. I loved it; though it made me hungry lol, it was such fun to read.
The setting was enchanting. I could feel the chill and the brightness of the mountains, the clarity as the characters gaze out at the starry sky. I could envision the serenity as characters walked through soft grass past waterfalls and mountain streams. I loved the imagery and it truly made the story come to life in the most vivid way.
Though the pacing at the beginning felt a bit slow, it all contributed to the incredible build and the shocking twists at the end. I was so caught off guard by how things turned out, and it was a conclusion I don’t think many readers will be able to guess.
The protagonist, Durkhanai, is wonderfully witty and sharp, kind yet flawed, and the different layers of her personality really come through while we experience all that she has to deal with, and witness the lengths that she goes to in order to defend her family and their honor and reputation. She is such a compelling, interesting character, and I can’t wait to see the decisions she makes in the sequel.
The side characters were wonderful as well; Durkhanai’s cousins added so much to the story, and for the sake of spoilers I won’t mention more, but I can’t wait to see them get more development and time in the sequel.
I loved reading about the concept of family loyalty, the question of how strong is blood, and should we really put our full faith in those who were are connected to no matter what? Durkhanai had to make some hard decisions in this book, and I really enjoyed the fact that none of them were made lightly; she is a character who puts so much thought and consideration into things, and it makes her all the more interesting to read about.
This story means so much to me and I’m so happy I read it. I already know that the sequel is going to be devastating and powerful and shocking and thrilling and I cannot wait!!
[4.5 stars]
August 8, 2021
Thanks to the author for sending me this eARC for an honest review
Find the full review on my blog
https://bookstalebyme.wordpress.com/2...
It is one of my most anticipated reads of the year and when Aamna Qureshi offered me to send an eARC, I was over the moon. I haven’t read many books representing Pakistan and a Pakistani-Fantasy? why I would say no. I know our culture is so rich and complex which is just perfect for any Fantasy world setting.
Durkhanai is the princess of Marghazar, her grandparents rule Marghazar, she is directly next in kin to inherit the throne. There was a deadly assault on a summit and all the eyes on Marghazar, all the ambassadors from the neighbouring tribal districts are in the castle to find out the truth. Durkhanai is so enthusiastic to defend her grandparents and people.
If I’ll talk about the plot, It was pretty disappointing. Whatever is in the synopsis it is loosely the whole story. Durkhanai is 17 and a princess she is supposed to be strong head and smart, but her character development is so cringy and totally unlikeable. She is more of a whiny teenager who knows nothing better than keep pouting, I was forced to think that she got some serious disorder, her pouting in the book went just out of the hands. Her grandparents were just there, I mean she is doing all the stupid stuff but in the half of the book her grandparents are absent or if they are there it is only for sake of showering their love on her, which I couldn’t relate to, they were pretty one-dimensional. Asfandyar’s only personality trait was his curly hair and everyone keeps mentioning it. Zarmina and Saifullah couldn’t be more filler characters.
The chemistry between Durkhanai and Asfandyar didn’t attract me a bit. The romance was so cringy and it wasn’t Muslim rep. Doesn’t matter how much all the characters kept mentioning that they are religious. But romance? It wasn’t halal. It disappointed the hell out of me. They were all so touchy-touchy.
Find the full review on my blog
https://bookstalebyme.wordpress.com/2...
It is one of my most anticipated reads of the year and when Aamna Qureshi offered me to send an eARC, I was over the moon. I haven’t read many books representing Pakistan and a Pakistani-Fantasy? why I would say no. I know our culture is so rich and complex which is just perfect for any Fantasy world setting.
Durkhanai is the princess of Marghazar, her grandparents rule Marghazar, she is directly next in kin to inherit the throne. There was a deadly assault on a summit and all the eyes on Marghazar, all the ambassadors from the neighbouring tribal districts are in the castle to find out the truth. Durkhanai is so enthusiastic to defend her grandparents and people.
If I’ll talk about the plot, It was pretty disappointing. Whatever is in the synopsis it is loosely the whole story. Durkhanai is 17 and a princess she is supposed to be strong head and smart, but her character development is so cringy and totally unlikeable. She is more of a whiny teenager who knows nothing better than keep pouting, I was forced to think that she got some serious disorder, her pouting in the book went just out of the hands. Her grandparents were just there, I mean she is doing all the stupid stuff but in the half of the book her grandparents are absent or if they are there it is only for sake of showering their love on her, which I couldn’t relate to, they were pretty one-dimensional. Asfandyar’s only personality trait was his curly hair and everyone keeps mentioning it. Zarmina and Saifullah couldn’t be more filler characters.
The chemistry between Durkhanai and Asfandyar didn’t attract me a bit. The romance was so cringy and it wasn’t Muslim rep. Doesn’t matter how much all the characters kept mentioning that they are religious. But romance? It wasn’t halal. It disappointed the hell out of me. They were all so touchy-touchy.
July 13, 2021
Initial thoughts: While the beginning took some time to get through it really took me by surprise after halfway. Definitely intrigued and I absolutely yelled at the ending because I didn't realize it was not a standalone! More thoughts to come
April 4, 2023
no bc what are you even doing with your life of you haven't read this?? this was so good, from the court politics to the slow burn romance to the witty banter. a solid 5 star!!!
May 9, 2024
Asfandyars my man, Durkhanai needs a better family.
Moral of the story: Everyone’s fake and blood is in fact, not thicker than water. Kill dem hoes 😊
On a serious note though, I really enjoyed this book. I loved everything about it (even tho she pissed me off a little bit bc she was living in fantasy land). I’m reading book 2 asap. Everyone read this NOW!
Moral of the story: Everyone’s fake and blood is in fact, not thicker than water. Kill dem hoes 😊
On a serious note though, I really enjoyed this book. I loved everything about it (even tho she pissed me off a little bit bc she was living in fantasy land). I’m reading book 2 asap. Everyone read this NOW!
June 30, 2022
I keep forgetting to review this, and by now, my memory isn't as sharp so as to be able to go in-depth with a proper review, but I'd like to point out my major takeaways.
CW: anti-Blackness, colorism, semi-graphic violence, and one instance of sexual assault.
REP: all Pakistani MC's and SC's.
Qureshi is someone who has a wonderful way with words, and her prose brings every aspect of the novel to life, from the character interactions to the descriptions of clothing and scenery. That being said, I don't think that talent for prose is enough to buoy the novel itself, which, while it has a very attractive premise, is let down by the fact that the major plot points feel all too predictable. Predictability doesn't necessarily have to be a problem in a novel, but it's particularly significant here considering an important part of Durkhanai's personal arc is about proving herself worthy of engaging with politics so that she will be taken seriously rather than be condescended to by older members of her court. The accomplishments she makes in an effort to prove herself are too easy, and she's never challenged in a way that would warrant her experiencing significant setbacks that she would then have to navigate with developed smarts and skills. Her goal is to not be treated like a naïve princess who can only offer presence and platitudes, but I don't see how she makes any moves to actually accomplish this goal, because narratively, nearly everything is handed to her. I think it is one thing to want to write about political intrigue in a novel and another to actually possess the skill in order to execute it, and Qureshi to me lacks the latter, to the point that I ended up more invested in Durkhanai's cousins and their bare bones mentions, because the premise of their subdued deception is ultimately more interesting, especially with the revelations made at the end. Durkhanai's relationship with Asfandyar is also filled with loads of chemistry and sexual tension, but the political foundations of their initial antagonism are more or less lost to the wind because Durkhanai is rarely concretely challenged with regards to the colorism and extremism of her court. To the end, she makes excuses upon excuses for her grandparents, their prejudice, and their oppressive violence. Admittedly, this is something I hope the next novel in the series will try to address, but it's nonetheless incredibly annoying to read about an MC who is so pampered in her own worldview and her desperate need to be taken seriously that she ends up constantly justifying her family's bigotry and proving even moreso why she shouldn't be taken seriously at all. This is made even worse by the fact that Qureshi constantly inserts instances of anti-Blackness expressed towards Asfandyar by members of Durkhanai's court without any substantive follow-through; there's no concrete effort made to question her family's anti-Blackness and colorism and it feels almost as if these instances are sprinkled out to prove that the phenomena exist and nothing else. The antagonism between Durkhanai's court and Asfandyar's court is treated purely as one of political social standing and borne of the tenuous status quo that exists between bordering nation states, and colorism's impact is never brought into the picture despite clearly existing within the world and impacting how people interact with each other. It feels irresponsible of a non-Black author to engage with anti-Blackness and colorism in this way, and if possible, I hope these phenomena are addressed more conclusively in the sequel.
FINAL RATING: 2.5
CW: anti-Blackness, colorism, semi-graphic violence, and one instance of sexual assault.
REP: all Pakistani MC's and SC's.
Qureshi is someone who has a wonderful way with words, and her prose brings every aspect of the novel to life, from the character interactions to the descriptions of clothing and scenery. That being said, I don't think that talent for prose is enough to buoy the novel itself, which, while it has a very attractive premise, is let down by the fact that the major plot points feel all too predictable. Predictability doesn't necessarily have to be a problem in a novel, but it's particularly significant here considering an important part of Durkhanai's personal arc is about proving herself worthy of engaging with politics so that she will be taken seriously rather than be condescended to by older members of her court. The accomplishments she makes in an effort to prove herself are too easy, and she's never challenged in a way that would warrant her experiencing significant setbacks that she would then have to navigate with developed smarts and skills. Her goal is to not be treated like a naïve princess who can only offer presence and platitudes, but I don't see how she makes any moves to actually accomplish this goal, because narratively, nearly everything is handed to her. I think it is one thing to want to write about political intrigue in a novel and another to actually possess the skill in order to execute it, and Qureshi to me lacks the latter, to the point that I ended up more invested in Durkhanai's cousins and their bare bones mentions, because the premise of their subdued deception is ultimately more interesting, especially with the revelations made at the end. Durkhanai's relationship with Asfandyar is also filled with loads of chemistry and sexual tension, but the political foundations of their initial antagonism are more or less lost to the wind because Durkhanai is rarely concretely challenged with regards to the colorism and extremism of her court. To the end, she makes excuses upon excuses for her grandparents, their prejudice, and their oppressive violence. Admittedly, this is something I hope the next novel in the series will try to address, but it's nonetheless incredibly annoying to read about an MC who is so pampered in her own worldview and her desperate need to be taken seriously that she ends up constantly justifying her family's bigotry and proving even moreso why she shouldn't be taken seriously at all. This is made even worse by the fact that Qureshi constantly inserts instances of anti-Blackness expressed towards Asfandyar by members of Durkhanai's court without any substantive follow-through; there's no concrete effort made to question her family's anti-Blackness and colorism and it feels almost as if these instances are sprinkled out to prove that the phenomena exist and nothing else. The antagonism between Durkhanai's court and Asfandyar's court is treated purely as one of political social standing and borne of the tenuous status quo that exists between bordering nation states, and colorism's impact is never brought into the picture despite clearly existing within the world and impacting how people interact with each other. It feels irresponsible of a non-Black author to engage with anti-Blackness and colorism in this way, and if possible, I hope these phenomena are addressed more conclusively in the sequel.
FINAL RATING: 2.5
June 19, 2023
1.5 stars ✨ AND DONT GET ME STARTED I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY!
March 17, 2021
*3.5 stars
I picked up this book mainly because of its description. A Pakistan-inspired world, with Pakistani Muslim characters, a royal family and court intrigues? I was immediately sold. It helped that this is a retelling of 'The Lady or the Tiger?', a short story with no real solution, an unsolvable problem left up to the readers to interpret as they wish.
Considering this full-length novel was based on a short story, I think the author did rather well on delivering: the characters are fleshed out, the plot thoroughly developed, a reason given for every action taken. The fact that I understood every word given in the Urdu language elevated my experience – seeing something inherent to my life, portrayed on a page, pleased me greatly.
My rating reflects not only the good, but also the areas which I felt were not for me. Simply put, it boils down to personal preference: neither romance nor young adult as genres really appeal to me anymore. I picked the book up, despite knowing how it was categorized, solely for the experience of reading about fellow Pakistani Muslim characters (and on that point it provided plenty of content that engaged me well); Asfandyar and Durkhanai's insta-attraction, their romance, the writing style in general were all clearly geared towards a different audience. Keep in mind, though, that if you're a young adult who doesn't dislike the insta-attraction trope, this book is a good read!
Thank you to Edelweiss and CamCat Books for providing me with a free ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I picked up this book mainly because of its description. A Pakistan-inspired world, with Pakistani Muslim characters, a royal family and court intrigues? I was immediately sold. It helped that this is a retelling of 'The Lady or the Tiger?', a short story with no real solution, an unsolvable problem left up to the readers to interpret as they wish.
Considering this full-length novel was based on a short story, I think the author did rather well on delivering: the characters are fleshed out, the plot thoroughly developed, a reason given for every action taken. The fact that I understood every word given in the Urdu language elevated my experience – seeing something inherent to my life, portrayed on a page, pleased me greatly.
My rating reflects not only the good, but also the areas which I felt were not for me. Simply put, it boils down to personal preference: neither romance nor young adult as genres really appeal to me anymore. I picked the book up, despite knowing how it was categorized, solely for the experience of reading about fellow Pakistani Muslim characters (and on that point it provided plenty of content that engaged me well); Asfandyar and Durkhanai's insta-attraction, their romance, the writing style in general were all clearly geared towards a different audience. Keep in mind, though, that if you're a young adult who doesn't dislike the insta-attraction trope, this book is a good read!
Thank you to Edelweiss and CamCat Books for providing me with a free ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2020
I got a Beta version of this book so no spoilers but this book is AMAZING!!!!!! The way the author instantly transports you to the Northern areas of Pakistan, you can almost feel as though you are there! being Pakistani Muslim myself, I loved how the author used urdu phrases and had inserts of Islam put in there which just were just utterly delightful!
The 2 main characters I love alot, particularly the heroine as I see such of myself in her and you instantly root for her! I love especially how everything the author does, she does purposefully and masterfully. You are constantly propelled and hooked to this story and I'm already salivating at the sequel tbh! When this book comes out I will have a much more detailed update but for now 5 stars (if I could, I'd do higher!)
The 2 main characters I love alot, particularly the heroine as I see such of myself in her and you instantly root for her! I love especially how everything the author does, she does purposefully and masterfully. You are constantly propelled and hooked to this story and I'm already salivating at the sequel tbh! When this book comes out I will have a much more detailed update but for now 5 stars (if I could, I'd do higher!)
August 23, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating.
This is a retelling of the short story “The Lady or the Tiger?” in a Pakistan-inspired historical setting. Durkhanai is the crown princess and will do anything for her people, even when an ambassador, Asfandyar, comes through and steals her heart. Soon, she has a lot on her plate, including the mysterious illness sweeping through her kingdom and her off-limits love.
Something that was done incredibly well was how the ending was given at the beginning, yet this did not spoil the reading experience one bit, not even when we caught up to that point in the story. I love retellings, and though “The Lady or the Tiger?” is a short story I read in ninth grade, I was really excited for this retelling of that story and I’m so glad it didn’t disappoint!
The romance was so angsty, which is another thing I love to read in books. As she is the crown princess, there are a select few eligible to marry Durkhanai. However, that wasn’t even the only thing holding her and Asfandyar back, as you’ll come to find out.
I am curious to see what’ll happen in book two. This would still work great as a standalone, in my opinion, but I’d love to see more Durkhanai and possibly even Asfandyar.
Audiobook note: The narrator had a lovely voice and really brought this story to life! Highly recommend.
This is a retelling of the short story “The Lady or the Tiger?” in a Pakistan-inspired historical setting. Durkhanai is the crown princess and will do anything for her people, even when an ambassador, Asfandyar, comes through and steals her heart. Soon, she has a lot on her plate, including the mysterious illness sweeping through her kingdom and her off-limits love.
Something that was done incredibly well was how the ending was given at the beginning, yet this did not spoil the reading experience one bit, not even when we caught up to that point in the story. I love retellings, and though “The Lady or the Tiger?” is a short story I read in ninth grade, I was really excited for this retelling of that story and I’m so glad it didn’t disappoint!
The romance was so angsty, which is another thing I love to read in books. As she is the crown princess, there are a select few eligible to marry Durkhanai. However, that wasn’t even the only thing holding her and Asfandyar back, as you’ll come to find out.
I am curious to see what’ll happen in book two. This would still work great as a standalone, in my opinion, but I’d love to see more Durkhanai and possibly even Asfandyar.
Audiobook note: The narrator had a lovely voice and really brought this story to life! Highly recommend.
Want to read
October 27, 2022The premise sounds so cool
October 9, 2023
3.5⭐
I couldn't give it much bc i had a hard time reading some parts since i don't know much about the Pakistani culture. Aside from that it was good but THAT ENDING????
I couldn't give it much bc i had a hard time reading some parts since i don't know much about the Pakistani culture. Aside from that it was good but THAT ENDING????
January 2, 2022
Oh my gosh, this book was so magical. It fulfilled all my desi royaltycore dreams and I would do anything to see this book turned into a movie or TV show--just imagining the scenes being depicted on screen with the gorgeous South Asian costumes and sets makes me go feral. I also got so much serotonin seeing all the phrases in Urdu and Punjabi in this book (plus the Muslim rep!), and references to aspects of growing up in a South Asian family that many members of the South Asian diaspora can relate to, like drinking haldi doodh when you're sick, your grandmother forcing you to eat parathas coated in ghee because she thinks you're too thin, and more. It made the book so much more nostalgic and enchanting, as if I was watching a period Bollywood film before my eyes. I also appreciated the commentary of anti-blackness and how incidents of sexual assault is often kept under wraps in South Asian communities. Speaking of, TW for anti-blackness (the love interest is Black and faces prejudice) and sexual assault (the MC witnesses an assault and experiences one herself--both are stopped midway).
I wasn't actually familiar with the story of The Lady or the Tiger before reading this book, so I went in with pretty much 0 expectations. I loved following Durkhanai and seeing her grow from a "timid" princess into a fierce leader. The focus on family and her inner turmoil of trying to please her grandparents versus helping her people and discovering the truth behind the summit attack was really interesting. Some scenes with her family members did feel a little repetitive and unnecessary, and I think there was definitely potential to replace those scenes with scenes more significant to the plot.
The romance between Durkhanai and Asfandyar was EVERYTHING. Their relationship reminds me so much of the relationship of some of my other favorite South Asian + MENA inspired fantasies, such as The Wrath and the Dawn, An Ember in the Ashes, We Hunt the Flame, and A Crown of Wishes. All the innuendos, charming one-liners, angst, pining, and tension between the two made this book so enjoyable. I'll admit their story was pretty predictable, especially when taking the prologue into consideration, and it was full of cliche YA tropes, but I ate it all up.
Overall, I'd give this book 4.25 stars, mainly because of the repetitive + drawn out scenes in the middle, and because the writing felt childish/unrealistic at times. I definitely think it's still worth the read, especially if you enjoy low-fantasies about royals that are more focused on the romance. I have no idea how I'm going to survive the wait until Book 2, especially given that huge cliffhanger at the end.
I wasn't actually familiar with the story of The Lady or the Tiger before reading this book, so I went in with pretty much 0 expectations. I loved following Durkhanai and seeing her grow from a "timid" princess into a fierce leader. The focus on family and her inner turmoil of trying to please her grandparents versus helping her people and discovering the truth behind the summit attack was really interesting. Some scenes with her family members did feel a little repetitive and unnecessary, and I think there was definitely potential to replace those scenes with scenes more significant to the plot.
The romance between Durkhanai and Asfandyar was EVERYTHING. Their relationship reminds me so much of the relationship of some of my other favorite South Asian + MENA inspired fantasies, such as The Wrath and the Dawn, An Ember in the Ashes, We Hunt the Flame, and A Crown of Wishes. All the innuendos, charming one-liners, angst, pining, and tension between the two made this book so enjoyable. I'll admit their story was pretty predictable, especially when taking the prologue into consideration, and it was full of cliche YA tropes, but I ate it all up.
Overall, I'd give this book 4.25 stars, mainly because of the repetitive + drawn out scenes in the middle, and because the writing felt childish/unrealistic at times. I definitely think it's still worth the read, especially if you enjoy low-fantasies about royals that are more focused on the romance. I have no idea how I'm going to survive the wait until Book 2, especially given that huge cliffhanger at the end.
April 5, 2021
I need therapy...please tell me there will be a sequel
Well, I enjoyed this one. The Lady or the Lion by Aamna Qureshi is a Pakistani inspired young adult fantasy (though I believe that the magical element is nonexistent unless we are counting the beautiful mountains and luscious prose).
Y'all I was totally invested in the romance. I never knew I liked angsty forbidden romance until I read this book. By the end, everything makes sense, I promise. It isn't something new or unique but Aamna Qureshi writes in a way that you can't help but fall in love with their romance...at least a little. Of course, the protagonists are young - Durkhanai (17) and Asfandyar (19) sometimes behave in a way that makes me shake my head a little but they are very young. Ah, I can forever talk about the descriptions of clothes, mountains and the sky. The writing, in my opinion, awakens every sense organ in the reader. Oh, to read a book like this with a full poc cast. The plot twists are good, I couldn't see them coming.
Of course, the characters are Muslim but they do not strictly follow the rules and their concept of sin is at times shaky and I wish it was better addressed.
But, ah, I ship these two so hard. I can't stop thinking about them. Am I being too generous with my star rating? Probably. But, I very much enjoyed it💔😭❤
*I cannot thank CamCat Books and Edelweiss enough for the e-ARC. Of course, the opinions are my own.
Well, I enjoyed this one. The Lady or the Lion by Aamna Qureshi is a Pakistani inspired young adult fantasy (though I believe that the magical element is nonexistent unless we are counting the beautiful mountains and luscious prose).
Y'all I was totally invested in the romance. I never knew I liked angsty forbidden romance until I read this book. By the end, everything makes sense, I promise. It isn't something new or unique but Aamna Qureshi writes in a way that you can't help but fall in love with their romance...at least a little. Of course, the protagonists are young - Durkhanai (17) and Asfandyar (19) sometimes behave in a way that makes me shake my head a little but they are very young. Ah, I can forever talk about the descriptions of clothes, mountains and the sky. The writing, in my opinion, awakens every sense organ in the reader. Oh, to read a book like this with a full poc cast. The plot twists are good, I couldn't see them coming.
Of course, the characters are Muslim but they do not strictly follow the rules and their concept of sin is at times shaky and I wish it was better addressed.
But, ah, I ship these two so hard. I can't stop thinking about them. Am I being too generous with my star rating? Probably. But, I very much enjoyed it💔😭❤
*I cannot thank CamCat Books and Edelweiss enough for the e-ARC. Of course, the opinions are my own.
March 20, 2024
FIVE HUMONGOUS GIGANTOUS FUCKING STARS (yes I know it’s gigantic but idfc)
This book…ugh all the feels. All the fucking feels.
I’m first off I didn’t know what I was going into so imagine my surprise when I came across our snarky handsome ambassador.
Ummmmm..SMASH
And Durkhanai was such an amazing and flawed protagonist. Like miss girl was gaslighting and gatekeeping…like YASSSS QUEEN.
The worldbuilding was amazing as per us. (That’s usual in slang terms) and the political intrigue was doing its thang.
I love seeing Islamic culture represented so well. I’m so used to seeing my religion used to make people terrorists but it was refreshing to see it from an actual Muslims perspective in a book. (TAKE SOME NOTES SJM)
This book…ugh all the feels. All the fucking feels.
I’m first off I didn’t know what I was going into so imagine my surprise when I came across our snarky handsome ambassador.
Ummmmm..SMASH
And Durkhanai was such an amazing and flawed protagonist. Like miss girl was gaslighting and gatekeeping…like YASSSS QUEEN.
The worldbuilding was amazing as per us. (That’s usual in slang terms) and the political intrigue was doing its thang.
I love seeing Islamic culture represented so well. I’m so used to seeing my religion used to make people terrorists but it was refreshing to see it from an actual Muslims perspective in a book. (TAKE SOME NOTES SJM)
April 30, 2021
THAT ENDING
March 31, 2023
A unique YA fantasy debut inspired by Pakistani culture with a strong Islamic presence throughout the novel, "The Lady or the Lion" attempts to take blend of historical and secondary world fantasy to create an etheral story. What ends up happening, however, is often times a clunky attempt at a fairytale that keeps on forgetting that it is not set in our world.
The FMC is Durkhani, the princess of the kingdom (that also is semi-independent, though the various political alliances are never explained) and opens at a time when her palace and isolationist kingdom is holding court for a variety of ambassadors who are here to decide if a prior off page summit attack is to be blamed on her kingdom and her grandfather, the Badshah. As she navigates these roles as crown princess (though her role is incredibly vague, as one minute she believes to have importance, the other she does not), she meets Asfandyar, who is an ambassador and claims to be a spy from the get go, and we see the very light trope of enemies to lovers begin to take root.
As the story progresses (painfully, because pacing is not the best) the world building is also handled in an incredibly sloppy way. For example, unless you are an Urdu speaker, or are familiar with South Asian court/political culture, this book will be relatively unaccessible to you. Second, as someone who loves politics in their fantasy novels, Qureshi did a terrible job in explaining both the court politics of the kingdom, and the geopolitics. Durkhani as princess laments that colonialism is what the kingdom is fighting, yet is interchanging that with a Gregorian calendar (rest assured folks, there are other calendars from South Asia that could have been used). Also, while Urdu does borrow heavily from Farsi, Turkish and Arabic, there are natural words in regional dialects or aryan languages that could have been used, rather then the "colonization" languages of Farsi, Arabic and Turkish that were brought over by the Mughals, Safavids and Silk Road traders into South Asia (which in this world apparently didn't happen, so another point that did irritate me)
All that to be said, the last 60 pages or so did make up for some of my irritations with the book, and I did appreciate that the story sets up for the next book to deal with those highs and lows. It's not perfect, and there are a lot of areas that Qureshi could have done better to really help the novel out - but I can't deny that I didn't have fun, and enjoy the easter eggs to other areas of Desi/South Asian/Islamic culture that translated well into her book. In addition, her usage of anti-Blackness that is prevalent in South Asian societies, especially in Pakistan and how it deals with its own black populace in the general public was a good inclusion to how those realities do not disappear in a fantasy world without real work being put in.
The FMC is Durkhani, the princess of the kingdom (that also is semi-independent, though the various political alliances are never explained) and opens at a time when her palace and isolationist kingdom is holding court for a variety of ambassadors who are here to decide if a prior off page summit attack is to be blamed on her kingdom and her grandfather, the Badshah. As she navigates these roles as crown princess (though her role is incredibly vague, as one minute she believes to have importance, the other she does not), she meets Asfandyar, who is an ambassador and claims to be a spy from the get go, and we see the very light trope of enemies to lovers begin to take root.
As the story progresses (painfully, because pacing is not the best) the world building is also handled in an incredibly sloppy way. For example, unless you are an Urdu speaker, or are familiar with South Asian court/political culture, this book will be relatively unaccessible to you. Second, as someone who loves politics in their fantasy novels, Qureshi did a terrible job in explaining both the court politics of the kingdom, and the geopolitics. Durkhani as princess laments that colonialism is what the kingdom is fighting, yet is interchanging that with a Gregorian calendar (rest assured folks, there are other calendars from South Asia that could have been used). Also, while Urdu does borrow heavily from Farsi, Turkish and Arabic, there are natural words in regional dialects or aryan languages that could have been used, rather then the "colonization" languages of Farsi, Arabic and Turkish that were brought over by the Mughals, Safavids and Silk Road traders into South Asia (which in this world apparently didn't happen, so another point that did irritate me)
All that to be said, the last 60 pages or so did make up for some of my irritations with the book, and I did appreciate that the story sets up for the next book to deal with those highs and lows. It's not perfect, and there are a lot of areas that Qureshi could have done better to really help the novel out - but I can't deny that I didn't have fun, and enjoy the easter eggs to other areas of Desi/South Asian/Islamic culture that translated well into her book. In addition, her usage of anti-Blackness that is prevalent in South Asian societies, especially in Pakistan and how it deals with its own black populace in the general public was a good inclusion to how those realities do not disappear in a fantasy world without real work being put in.
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