The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Title: The Wrath and The Dawn
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Genre: YA Fiction, Fantasy


Synopsis: A young king (Caliph) in Rey, Khalid, is taking a new wife every day and then having her killed the next dawn. When her best friend is selected to marry him and killed, Shahrzad volunteers to marry the Caliph in order to take revenge on this murderer. Shahrzad's father and childhood friends work to free her from certain death, but she begins to understand there is more to the story of this murderous ruler. He may be a person and not a monster after all.

My Thoughts

A friend of mine suggested we read this during the stay at home order, and I'm so glad she did! Nothing is a perfect palate cleanser after an intense nonfiction piece like Young Adult fantasy. That being said, as I read this novel, it did not feel overly young-adulty. Several stories are going on at once, Shahrzad and Khalid, her father and friends, and the back story for why Khalid is killing these women. While each individual story is simple, how they fit together is a bit more complex. 
This novel is a retelling of Arabian Nights,  A Thousand and One Nights. I have not read that, so I cannot compare but I will be adding it to my reading list and keep you all informed. Overall, if you are looking for a fun, quick read this summer I suggest you pick up a copy! 

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!




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Public Enemies by Bryan Burrough

Title: Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI
Author: Bryan Burrough
Genre: Nonfiction


Synopsis: This work chronicles the formation of the FBI and the growing pains in its creation as they tried to thwart notorious criminals like Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, The Barker-Karpis Gang, Bonnie and Clyde, and John Dillinger.

My Thoughts

This book was meticulously researched to the point where it feels more like a story than real life. Burrough uses all the facts to create a clear picture of the events in the criminal lives of each of these notorious gangs. He can say who was there, what was said, where the FBI was when each robbery or hideout was happening. He shares what critical pieces were missed that allowed the gang members to get away again and again, and what changes were made that led the FBI to finally get to each of them. 
As a Clevelander myself, it was interesting to find out that members of the Karpis-Barker gang lived on the west side Cleveland for a while lying low. It makes them seem that much more real.
It is also intriguing to know that when the FBI began the agents were not armed and were mostly young Ivy League lawyer-types that Hoover felt were the right type of men for the job. 
I wouldn't say that this reads like fiction, because it doesn't, but once you figure out all of the major players (there are so many people in this book) it is really engaging and interesting to read about these kidnapping bank-robbers trying to survive during the Great Depression.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!




To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above