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The Rose & the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh, book cover

Book 2 of 2 in The Wrath and the Dawn

The Rose & the Dagger

by Renée Ahdieh

Spice 2 out of 5, Simmer2/5 · Simmer: Closed door

In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse—one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.

While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love.

Spice
2/5
Burn
Medium
Pages
~420
Ending
HEA

KU Is it on Kindle Unlimited? Check on Amazon

How spicy is The Rose & the Dagger?

The Rose & the Dagger is a 2 out of 5 on our spice scale: simmer (closed door). Sex happens, but the door closes (or it is brief and non-graphic). Tension without the details.

  • Steam: Behind closed doors
  • Burn: Medium burn
  • Pairing: One man, one woman
  • POV: Third person, multiple POVs
  • Ending: Happily ever after

Content warnings

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Show 5 content warnings
  • Graphic violence
  • Kidnapping
  • Sexual assault
  • Death of a loved one
  • War

Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.

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    The Rose & the Dagger: quick answers

    How spicy is The Rose & the Dagger?

    The Rose & the Dagger is a 2 out of 5 on our spice scale: simmer (closed door). Sex happens, but the door closes (or it is brief and non-graphic). Tension without the details.

    Is The Rose & the Dagger a standalone?

    No. The Rose & the Dagger is book 2 of 2 in The Wrath and the Dawn. Start with The Wrath and the Dawn. The series is complete.

    What tropes are in The Rose & the Dagger?

    The Rose & the Dagger features retelling, royalty. It is a medium burn M/F romance that ends with a happily ever after.

    Does The Rose & the Dagger have content warnings?

    Our notes for The Rose & the Dagger include: graphic violence, kidnapping, sexual assault, death of a loved one, war. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.

    What should I read after The Rose & the Dagger?

    If you loved The Rose & the Dagger, try Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim, A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer. They share its retelling and royalty energy at a similar spice level.