Princess Soraya lives hidden within the walls of a rose garden, cursed with a poisonous touch that kills any living thing she encounters. As her brother’s wedding approaches, she discovers that a captive div, a demonic creature held in the palace dungeons, possesses the knowledge to break her affliction. Her quest for freedom leads her into a complex alliance with Azad, a young man who claims to see beyond her lethality, and Parvaneh, a silver-tongued monster who challenges Soraya’s understanding of her own nature. The narrative draws heavily from Persian mythology, specifically the Shahnameh, centering on the duality of holiness and horror contained within a single body.
Fans of dark fairy tales and sapphic romance read this book for its subversion of the traditional monster-slayer dynamic. It appeals to those interested in moral ambiguity, as the protagonist must choose between fitting into a human world that fears her or embracing a destructive identity. Readers walk away with a nuanced perspective on how isolation shapes a person's loyalty and the realization that being a hero often requires accepting the parts of oneself that others label as villainous.
Clear-cut and escapist; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2020
- Language
- EN
