About This Book:
Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people—bestselling author Tahereh Mafi’s first in an epic, romantic trilogy inspired by Persian mythology.
To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.
The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom—and the world.
Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Tomi Adeyemi, and Sabaa Tahir, this is the explosive first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award-nominated author Tahereh Mafi.
*Review Contributed by Olivia Farr, Staff Reviewer*
THIS WOVEN KINGDOM is a lush and atmospheric YA fantasy that sweeps the reader away into this world where the Clay (humans) and Jinn are at odds. Alizeh is a Jinn in the kingdom of Ardunia, where they are generally reviled, despite the peace treaty signed years ago that stopped the direct crimes on their people. As such, her inability to find work and lodging is not unexpected and has led her to be a snoda, a maid or servant who wears a mask, in a wealthy house, as the lowest of the low servants. She has a little closet and gets some water, enduring abuse for these small things. At the same time, she is working her nights as a seamstress to gain a small amount of extra coin. The garments she creates cannot be too good or she will be run out of town – again.
After a chance encounter with the prince, Kamran, he decides that there is something suspicious about her and begins looking into her. However, what he finds is merely an impoverished servant with a great deal of kindness and mercy for others. His attention sparks a new inquiry, however, and they soon realize that she is the heir to the jinn kingdom – and a potential enemy to Ardunia.
As they get to know each other and the world starts to unravel, they feel an undeniable and dangerous pull to the other that they cannot deny.
What I loved: This was an absolutely delicious and highly devourable read. The writing pulls the reader into Alizeh’s life so quickly, and she is an incredibly compelling and complex character. Her past has been challenging, as she and the other Jinn have suffered at the hands of the Clay, and she was orphaned and forced onto the streets at a young age. Even working as a snoda is difficult with long hours and painful tasks, often rewarded with physical and emotional abuse. Although her wish is to be allowed to quietly live her life, the world seems to have other plans for her.
Iblees, considered to be a devil of sort, is another intriguing figure that appears to her and speaks in riddles she cannot decipher. His interest in her is enduring and adds an intriguing element to the story. Some of the secondary characters, such as Deen and Hazan, are particularly interesting, and I would be curious to learn more about them in future books.
Themes around poverty, financial concerns of healthcare, treatment of servants/lower classes, underpaid labor, intolerance/prejudice, fate, oppression, education, and political corruption make this a really thought-provoking read. As Kamran investigates Alizeh and tries to understand motives, he is exposed to the concept of wealth inequality and what this actually means in terms of healthcare, limited choices, and tolerance for abuse. These themes will resonate with readers and bring up important questions about wages, healthcare, and education as well as financial gate-keeping.
The plot is relatively fast-paced, and I loved Alizeh’s expertises and ability to defend herself mixed with her compassion, fears, and desires. The storyline is one that will easily pull the reader in and keep them riveted until the end. The twists in the last several chapters were surprising, and I loved the way it all evolved and kept the surprises coming. That ending was shocking, sure to leave the reader reeling and very eager for the next installment. This is definitely a series I am excited to continue!
What left me wanting more: As a small thing, Kamran was a character that I sometimes struggled with, as he is relatively immature but with enough power that it can be dangerous. He does begin to grow and learn during the story, so I think he will continue to mature in future books. As a very small thing, there are a couple scenes where he analyzes his attraction to Alizeh, how she is different from all the other girls, and requires education – something basically forbidden to the lower class, which makes him rule out girls from that class – that are less savory. He does have many redeeming qualities however that make these early insights able to be overlooked, and I think his character has a lot of development potential as the story continues. His life and world is changing, and he may rise to the occasion.
Final verdict: An enchanting and lush YA fantasy, THIS WOVEN KINGDOM is a thought-provoking and atmospheric read that is sure to keep readers quickly turning pages to the shocking end. Highly recommend for fans of AN EMBER IN THE ASHES, THE KISS OF DECEPTION, and THE RED QUEEN.
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