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The Wrath and the Dawn #1.5
The Mirror and the Maze
The city of Rey is burning. With smoke billowing, fires blazing and his people fleeing, Khalid races back to defend his city, and protect his queen. But Khalid is too late to do either. He and his men arrive to find the city in ruins, nothing but a maze of destruction, and Shahrzad is gone. But who could have wrought such devastation? Khalid fears he may already know the answer, the price of choosing love over the people of Rey all too evident.
7 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2016
196 people are currently reading
12716 people want to read
About the author
Renée Ahdieh
27 books17.9k followersRenée Ahdieh is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking, skincare, and fashion. The first few years of her life were spent in a high-rise in South Korea; consequently, Renée enjoys having her head in the clouds. She and her family live in North Carolina.
She is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Wrath & the Dawn series, the Flame in the Mist series, The Beautiful quartet, and the picture book, Emilio Sloth’s Modern Manners. Park Avenue is her debut adult novel.
** Please note that requests for Advanced Reader Copies should be made through the respective publisher, and all other requests should be submitted through the author's website. **
She is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Wrath & the Dawn series, the Flame in the Mist series, The Beautiful quartet, and the picture book, Emilio Sloth’s Modern Manners. Park Avenue is her debut adult novel.
** Please note that requests for Advanced Reader Copies should be made through the respective publisher, and all other requests should be submitted through the author's website. **
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 906 reviews
July 8, 2017
“And I shall take from you these lives, a thousandfold.”
Ohh Khalid Jan nothing is your fault. You're so perfectt, when you're going to accept that. Why do I forget how much I love khalid and every single side and main character of this story. If it would've been in my hands I would've made the author helpless to write a thousand books on khalid. Anything which is about Khalid will always be per-fect!!
The fear he’d felt before was nothing now. Nothing compared to the horror of certainty.
All this death. All this destruction.
My fault ...
In The Mirror & the Maze is written in Khalid's POV after he came back and saw his city in chaos of destruction. His fury and fear was so strong that I was feeling it in myself. The love of his for Shahrzad is just WOW. THE moment when Jalal told him about Shahrzad was amazing as well heart-wrenching.
“Look around you, Khalid Ibn al-Rashid. Look around you with the eyes of a man, not the heart of a boy.” It was spoken so softly. Not an admonition, but a plea. Jalal moved closer. “Is it not for the better?”
Can't wait to dive in The Rose & the Dagger and lose myself in this mesmerizing love story!! <33
June 18, 2016
This was a great jump start to get me back into this world going into The Rose and the Dagger!
February 10, 2017
❝Look around you, Khalid Ibn al-Rashid. Look around you with the eyes of a man, not the heart of a boy.❞
Rating: {★ ★ ★★}
Khalid is a great king and an even greater man. No surprise there! This novella doesn't add much to the general storyline of The Wrath and the Dawn but we see more of the storm that builds within Khalid's mind as he finds out that Jalal has sent Shazi away with Tariq.
Khalid doesn't speak much but when he does, he means a lot. But I believe his character speaks more through actions than words and here we see his true love for Shazi and the conflict that he constantly battles between the duty of a king and the duty of a husband.
Now I'm going to go cry in the corner because I already finished reading The Rose and the Dagger and now this novella. I refuse to believe that it's over. CRYING. :'(
March 27, 2017
yo Khalid,
YOU CUTIE, LET ME EAT YOU
YOU CUTIE, LET ME EAT YOU
February 12, 2019
4 STARS! a shattering short addition :(
Storyline
I kept wondering what happened when Khalid returned to Rey and found Shahrzad gone, and in this very short novella we get to read Khalid's POV and decision; I'm grateful for this.
I totally understand why it couldn't be put in The Wrath & the Dawn, I just wanted more.
Storytelling
I have been trying to find different ways to explain the magnificence of Renée Ahdieh's writing; I once compared it to a seductive dance of the words, and another time to the waves and light upon the sea. Now, I say it's a storm.
Characterization
Khalid Ibn al-Rashid: my love, my heart, my everything; joonam, delam, Khalid-jan. My king of the lost.
I never fail to be amazed by this amazing character that Renée has built, brick by brick. And I never fail to fall.
Companions
Related books:
(recommended reading order)
• The Wrath & the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn, #1) [ MY REVIEW ]
• The Moth & the Flame (The Wrath and the Dawn, #0.25) [ MY REVIEW ]
• The Crown & the Arrow (The Wrath and the Dawn, #0.5) [ MY REVIEW ]
• The Mirror & the Maze (The Wrath and the Dawn, #1.5) [ MY REVIEW ]
• The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath and the Dawn, #2) [ MY REVIEW ]
Book playlist:
• “King of the Lost” by Efisio Cross [Instrumental]
“Look around you, Khalid Ibn al-Rashid. Look around you with the eyes of a man, not the heart of a boy.”*weeps, dries tears; breaks, puts her pieces back together; falls, but does not get up*
Storyline
I kept wondering what happened when Khalid returned to Rey and found Shahrzad gone, and in this very short novella we get to read Khalid's POV and decision; I'm grateful for this.
I totally understand why it couldn't be put in The Wrath & the Dawn, I just wanted more.
“If there is anything this chaos has taught me, it is to know my place. Better than anyone.”Again, it's very short, but precious. And, strangely enough, the author manages to establish exactly where each character—including Despina and Jalal—stands, in such few pages!
Storytelling
I have been trying to find different ways to explain the magnificence of Renée Ahdieh's writing; I once compared it to a seductive dance of the words, and another time to the waves and light upon the sea. Now, I say it's a storm.
“A storm with the fury of all the gods at its back.”Her storytelling is like a storm that wreaks havoc on your heart, a chaos-bringer tearing down all your walls, striking your soul, and shattering your lost will to resist her lure. You should just fall, my friend, just fall...
Characterization
Khalid Ibn al-Rashid: my love, my heart, my everything; joonam, delam, Khalid-jan. My king of the lost.
What right had he to pursue the desires of his heart?Every right, I tell you, every right.
I never fail to be amazed by this amazing character that Renée has built, brick by brick. And I never fail to fall.
Companions
Related books:
(recommended reading order)
• The Wrath & the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn, #1) [ MY REVIEW ]
• The Moth & the Flame (The Wrath and the Dawn, #0.25) [ MY REVIEW ]
• The Crown & the Arrow (The Wrath and the Dawn, #0.5) [ MY REVIEW ]
• The Mirror & the Maze (The Wrath and the Dawn, #1.5) [ MY REVIEW ]
• The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath and the Dawn, #2) [ MY REVIEW ]
Book playlist:
• “King of the Lost” by Efisio Cross [Instrumental]
July 19, 2016
Khalid's story after what happened in The Wrath and the Dawn.
This novella is my favorite. Khalid rides back to his city to find out it's being ruined. What he feels for Shahrzad is unstoppable, though. Just wow !
This novella is my favorite. Khalid rides back to his city to find out it's being ruined. What he feels for Shahrzad is unstoppable, though. Just wow !
May 5, 2016
This short story is a preparation for The Rose & the Dagger. It showed a glimpse of what happened in the first book, (The Wrath & the Dawn) after the destruction of Rey City.
My heart still breaks for Khalid here,my poor,handsome king! And in this book, my admiration for Jalal and Despina leveled up!
I'm loving this series and Renee Ahdieh even more!^^
My heart still breaks for Khalid here,my poor,handsome king! And in this book, my admiration for Jalal and Despina leveled up!
I'm loving this series and Renee Ahdieh even more!^^
April 26, 2016
Review posted on Fafa's Book Corner !
Beware spoilers ahead!
Initially I had no intention of reading The Mirror and the Maze. But once I saw that it was available on the publishers website I decided 'Why not'. I am surprised to say that I actually liked it!
The story begins right after The Wrath and the Dawn with Khalid returning home. Much to Khalid and his men's surprise they see smoke coming from their home. They get their horses to move faster and eventually make it. Khalid is in shock at the destruction. He's never seen so much destruction.
Once they make it Khalid spots Jalal and Despina but doesn't see Shazi anywhere. He hopes off his horse and Jalal hugs him happy to him. Khalid then asks where Shazi is. Jalal replies that Shazi is safe. Khalid losing his temper asks again. Jalal explains that he sent Shazi with Tariq. Knowing that Tariq would protect Shazi. Khalid blows and asks why he did that and Jalal tells Khalid to look around him and see the destruction. Khalid then realizes that he doesn't have a choice and will have to trust Tariq.
I liked this more than The Moth and the Flame. I guess it's because it was more interesting and I was worried about their lives. But I still didn't find this to be 4 star worthy. It was just far too short. Needless to say that I did like it and will be reading The Rose and the Dagger.
Overall this was a good short story! I recommend it to those who want to know what happens before reading the second book. And to fans of the series.
Beware spoilers ahead!
Initially I had no intention of reading The Mirror and the Maze. But once I saw that it was available on the publishers website I decided 'Why not'. I am surprised to say that I actually liked it!
The story begins right after The Wrath and the Dawn with Khalid returning home. Much to Khalid and his men's surprise they see smoke coming from their home. They get their horses to move faster and eventually make it. Khalid is in shock at the destruction. He's never seen so much destruction.
Once they make it Khalid spots Jalal and Despina but doesn't see Shazi anywhere. He hopes off his horse and Jalal hugs him happy to him. Khalid then asks where Shazi is. Jalal replies that Shazi is safe. Khalid losing his temper asks again. Jalal explains that he sent Shazi with Tariq. Knowing that Tariq would protect Shazi. Khalid blows and asks why he did that and Jalal tells Khalid to look around him and see the destruction. Khalid then realizes that he doesn't have a choice and will have to trust Tariq.
I liked this more than The Moth and the Flame. I guess it's because it was more interesting and I was worried about their lives. But I still didn't find this to be 4 star worthy. It was just far too short. Needless to say that I did like it and will be reading The Rose and the Dagger.
Overall this was a good short story! I recommend it to those who want to know what happens before reading the second book. And to fans of the series.
April 25, 2016
3.5 stars
I am so not ready for The Rose and The Dagger. This novella reminded me that, a) Renee Ahdieh is capable of breaking my heart within the space of 7 pages and that, b) I am still very much in love with Khalid Ibn al-Rashid.
I am so not ready for The Rose and The Dagger. This novella reminded me that, a) Renee Ahdieh is capable of breaking my heart within the space of 7 pages and that, b) I am still very much in love with Khalid Ibn al-Rashid.
April 26, 2016
Khalid my poor baby!
February 13, 2017
Oh die Geschichte war genau das was ich zum Überbrücken bis zum nächsten Band brauchte! Sie spielt nach dem ersten Band bzw. zum Ende des ersten Bandes und dann war ja auch noch das erste Kapitel des zweiten Bandes als Leseprobe mit dabei, ich bin gespannt wie ein Flitzebogen wie es weitergeht mit Sharzad, Chalid und allen anderen! :)
February 3, 2020
“And I shall take from you these lives, a thousandfold.”
Ahh... I love Khalid POV's.
He is on his way back to his burning city and I could feel his despair and worry for his people and his family and most of all Shahrzad.
At first Khalid believes it's his enemies striking his city. But when Jalal tells him about the story he then thinks it's the curse that set his city ablaze. That it's in fact his own fault.
And as much as Khalid is desperate to reunite with Shahrzad, he knows that he can't abandon his people. I just hope he doesn't give up on her.
________
My reviews for:
0.25. The Moth and the Flame
0.5. The Crown and the Arrow
1. The Wrath and the Dawn
2. The Rose and the Dagger
Ahh... I love Khalid POV's.
He is on his way back to his burning city and I could feel his despair and worry for his people and his family and most of all Shahrzad.
At first Khalid believes it's his enemies striking his city. But when Jalal tells him about the story he then thinks it's the curse that set his city ablaze. That it's in fact his own fault.
And as much as Khalid is desperate to reunite with Shahrzad, he knows that he can't abandon his people. I just hope he doesn't give up on her.
________
My reviews for:
0.25. The Moth and the Flame
0.5. The Crown and the Arrow
1. The Wrath and the Dawn
2. The Rose and the Dagger
May 12, 2016
“And I shall take fro you these lives, a thousandfold”.
The fear he'd before was nothing now. Nothing compared to the horror of certainty.
All the death. All the destruction.
My fault.
And Shazi left with Tariq because of the destruction, too!
Let's hope Khalid and Shazi will be together again.
January 10, 2017
I don't know how I missed this last year. It was a good little snippet into Khalid's head, but I could have done with a million more pages.
April 27, 2016
This was my least favorite of the short stories. It just seemed totally pointless. But I still love Khalid and the story did remind me of where we left off in the first book. Thank God the second book is finally here and in my hands!!
June 5, 2019
I needed more of this. More Khalid. Always more Khalid. LITERALLY ALWAYS.
May 4, 2016
Okay. I absolutely love hearing more of the story and feelings from Khalid. I want him to find happiness. These two short stories might actually push me right into book two.... ♡
December 30, 2016
this has gotten me hyped for the sequel!
November 14, 2016
The Mirror & the Maze
takes place right after the The Wrath & the Dawn. Khalid was on his way back to his kingdom ruined by the storm. That was it, my dear friends.
When I started reading the first paragraph of this novella, my brain was already running through situations on what Khalid would do when he arrived in Rey. My guesses were all correct.
If you’ve read the first book, you would surely have an idea on how Khalid might have reacted to his situation, how he might have felt, and whatever Khalid would have attempted to do. Yes, I think that this was kind of predictable. Khalid loves Shahrzad and surely he would prioritize her best interest.
Despite all these things I’ve pointed out, I liked this because I got a glimpse of what Khalid had been through in that moment.
When I started reading the first paragraph of this novella, my brain was already running through situations on what Khalid would do when he arrived in Rey. My guesses were all correct.
If you’ve read the first book, you would surely have an idea on how Khalid might have reacted to his situation, how he might have felt, and whatever Khalid would have attempted to do. Yes, I think that this was kind of predictable. Khalid loves Shahrzad and surely he would prioritize her best interest.
Despite all these things I’ve pointed out, I liked this because I got a glimpse of what Khalid had been through in that moment.
May 29, 2016
I liked that this picked up almost exactly where The Wrath and the Dawn finished. It was really interesting to see the initial aftermath and consequences through Khalid's point of view. I do wish it could have been longer but it's definitely made me even more excited to finally read The Rose and the Dagger!!
May 24, 2016
Meh! What you get is... "And I shall take from you these lives, a thousandfold.".... over and over.
This was pointless.
*Read this for our May Short Story Month Marathon, a personal challenge during which Sandra and I will be going through our short story collection.
This was pointless.
*Read this for our May Short Story Month Marathon, a personal challenge during which Sandra and I will be going through our short story collection.
May 8, 2016
The writing is just so beautiful. I wanna cry. It makes me wanna reread The Wrath and the Dawn and the novellas other than this before reading The Rose and the Dagger. You know what? I might just do that.
December 26, 2016
Full review to come.
January 5, 2021
I've always wanted to know what happened in the time between The Wrath and the Dawn and The Rose and the Dagger and here it is!
Honestly I'm just grateful for the additional Khalid/Shazi content I got in this one, I really adore the two of them. Khalid loves Shazi so much and it's so evident here. The two of them are so perfect together -- one of my favorite ships ❤️
As Khalid had just learned from his inquiries along the border between Khorasan and Parthia, this was the boy responsible for the budding unrest. Responsible for organizing a force against Khalid. He would be damned a thousand times before he’d allow Shahrzad to fall into this traitorous boy’s care.
Honestly I'm just grateful for the additional Khalid/Shazi content I got in this one, I really adore the two of them. Khalid loves Shazi so much and it's so evident here. The two of them are so perfect together -- one of my favorite ships ❤️
“Look around you, Khalid Ibn al-Rashid. Look around you with the eyes of a man, not the heart of a boy.”
June 5, 2020
“And I shall take from you these lives, a thousandfold.”
I almost forgot how much I loved Khalid because it’s been too long, but this story brought it all back. And now I can’t stop thinking about him. I even reread this tale because I was freaking out so much the first time.
The Mirror and the Maze follows Khalid’s return to the city of Rey. With smoke billowing, fires blazing and his people fleeing, Khalid races back to defend his city, and protect his queen. But Khalid is too late to do either. He and his men arrive to find the city in ruins, nothing but a maze of destruction, and Shahrzad is gone.
“Much of Rey was still burning. Now it was no longer a ruined labyrinth but rather a maze of destruction. A maze to mirror his thoughts—lost. Directionless.”
As always, Renée Ahdieh does not disappoint with her wonderful writing and phenomenal storytelling skills (seriously so good).
I read this at the perfect time and now I cannot wait to get my hands on The Rose & the Dagger. This tale brought back all my feelings for my favorite couple and everyone involved in their story.
I’m so, so excited and giddy.


*Note: I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you're interested in buying The Mirror & the Maze, just click on the image below to go through my link. I'll make a small commission!*
This review and more can be found on my blog.
I almost forgot how much I loved Khalid because it’s been too long, but this story brought it all back. And now I can’t stop thinking about him. I even reread this tale because I was freaking out so much the first time.
The Mirror and the Maze follows Khalid’s return to the city of Rey. With smoke billowing, fires blazing and his people fleeing, Khalid races back to defend his city, and protect his queen. But Khalid is too late to do either. He and his men arrive to find the city in ruins, nothing but a maze of destruction, and Shahrzad is gone.
“Much of Rey was still burning. Now it was no longer a ruined labyrinth but rather a maze of destruction. A maze to mirror his thoughts—lost. Directionless.”
As always, Renée Ahdieh does not disappoint with her wonderful writing and phenomenal storytelling skills (seriously so good).
I read this at the perfect time and now I cannot wait to get my hands on The Rose & the Dagger. This tale brought back all my feelings for my favorite couple and everyone involved in their story.
I’m so, so excited and giddy.


*Note: I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you're interested in buying The Mirror & the Maze, just click on the image below to go through my link. I'll make a small commission!*
This review and more can be found on my blog.
December 14, 2017
Oh, my heart.
May 28, 2020
noooooo baby Khalid don't think that! this isn't your fault! it's dumbass Shazi's father and the dumbass rebellions fault!!
:((
thanks to amazon kindle and the author for the free book :))
:((
thanks to amazon kindle and the author for the free book :))
December 21, 2020
I think i have forgotten too much of this series to get much out of the accompanying novellas.
April 30, 2016
This is how I feel reading these short stories (and this one in particular):
WHY MUST YOU TORMENT ME SO.
These short stories are way too fucking short.
Book: Here we have some Khalid for you. Come. *shows Khalid*
Me: *tries to reach Khalid and almost succeeds*
Book: Time's up. *gets Khalid back*
WHY MUST YOU TORMENT ME SO.
These short stories are way too fucking short.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 906 reviews