This Woven Kingdom
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This Woven Kingdom

Tahereh Mafi2022
Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people--New York Times bestselling author Tahereh Mafi's first novel in this epic, romantic fantasy series inspired by Persian mythology.
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Reviews

Photo of mehrsa
mehrsa@mehrsa_dy
2.5 stars
Jan 10, 2025

this was fun, I enjoyed the persian inspirations and the romance, but the plot progression is sooo nonsensical, twists so ridiculous and magic system and world building so poorly explained.

+3
Photo of lena
lena@alarkling
3 stars
Aug 28, 2024

I reallyyy wanted to like this book, but it was not as good as I expected. It was still fun to read and kept me engaged, so I feel like the next one could offer more of what I'm looking for because the writing was lovely, and I think Alizeh is a good character. Although the entire book takes place over a few days, it still felt extremely slow and took me a while to get through. The plot isn't my favorite premise in the world, but I have hope that it'll pick up more as the trilogy goes on. In terms of romance, I was underwhelmed. I think I will like Cyrus much more than I did Kamran bc wdym you're obsessed with this girl, but you're willing to watch her die with little to no intervention LIKE ? Overall, fine, but not my favorite.

+1
Photo of fris🐝
fris🐝@lfrisbee
4 stars
Jul 28, 2024

I like it but I think with the ending the next one will be even better! very YA but the writing is gorgeous, almost on the verge of being too purple but not quite over the edge. it reminded me a bit of laini taylor but read way faster. the plot itself took a while to set up and was pretty basic, but i like the characters and it was cute

Photo of matti horckmans
matti horckmans@matti444
4 stars
Apr 1, 2024

the writing is absolutly stunning

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nina @ninaisreading
4 stars
Feb 16, 2024

3.75 stars

Photo of amelia <3
amelia <3@yourlocalbookaddict
2.5 stars
Dec 17, 2023

took me a while to get into and finish, there was one or two good lines, the rest was predictable and boring I’ve read better things on watt pad I feel like I just dont like this authors style of writing loved the dragon though, definitely my favourite

Photo of tiahna rojas
tiahna rojas@tiahna_r3
3 stars
Aug 28, 2023

i enjoyed the book, but i personally just couldn’t get into it until about chapter 23. Very slow paced at lest to me.

Photo of Savannah
Savannah@savvyy
3.5 stars
Jul 26, 2023

This book was pretty slow until the ending but the ending fully convinced me to continue this series omg

Photo of Annabella
Annabella@onmyown
4 stars
Jun 10, 2023

I couldn't tear myself away from this

Photo of Ellie
Ellie@ellie_k
5 stars
May 21, 2023

I've never been more confused in my entire life but I very much like the book. Why make him a read-head tho?

Photo of Sophia
Sophia@sophia25
4 stars
May 14, 2023

It took me a while to get into it just because the writing was so far from what I expected. Once I got into it I really liked it!

The ending was kind of insane haha so much happened in so little time I have no idea what to make of everything.

The devil thing was a bit weird ngl but the firefly was so cute it made up for it haha

It definitely felt like an introduction book so there wasn't that much plot but you were fed the world building and characters bit by bit which I liked because I struggled with the words at first haha

I'm excited for the next book now that the story is finally "happening"!

+2
Photo of Emily B
Emily B@emiri_g
4 stars
Apr 2, 2023

3.75 STARS:

I keep debating on if I want to round my rating up to four stars or not. This book wasn't bad. In fact, I had a lot of fun with it. It just needed something extra.

The part of this book that stood out to me was the characters. This book is heavily character-driven, so it makes sense that it would dive deeper into their mindsets and show their different layers. Alizeh was a protagonist who was easy to get behind. Kamran (when he wasn't obsessing about Alizeh) showed a lot of potential. The side characters (especially Miss Huda) all had distinct personalities that made it easy to tell them apart.

The plot, though, needed some work. There was absolutely no point to it, no overall destination they were trying to reach. If you're a plot-driven reader, you probably won't like this book. I could handle it, but I do wish we had more of a point to the story.

The romance was also fairly insta-lovey, but knowing this author's track record, that's on purpose. For me, it was very melodramatic, and I ate it up like popcorn. Still, I hope my suspicions are right about the future of the romance. I think it can still be saved.

Besides that, the pacing was very consistent, if slow, and the world felt lush. I also am glad I waited until the sequel was out because it left off on a cliffhanger. I am extremely interested to see what the deal is with Cyrus, as I think he could be a great character.

Overall, I did really enjoy this, I just had a few criticisms. I still recommend it if you're like me and A) like Tahereh Mafi's work, B) enjoy a character-driven narrative or C) are here for the drama. If that sounds good to you, check it out!

+3
Photo of eli
eli@elisha
5 stars
Mar 6, 2023

Firstly, thank you to Harper Collins UK, Harper Audio and Netgalley for this ARC.


I had already heard so many amazing things about this book, yet I still went into it slightly blind and not knowing what to expect. Tahereh Mafi has done an exceptional job at building a world that is so enthralling and Kate Reading did an amazing job at bringing it to life through the audiobook. I was able to visualise this world of fantasy as well as the characters within it. I spent every free moment listening to this and truly felt like I had been transported into the world of the story.


The plot of this had me so enraptured with so many plot twists, which had me gripped right until the very end. I loved how the characters were written, and how even though we are seeing things from their own perspectives we are learning about them to the very end. The elements of romance were weaved into this fantasy world so seamlessly and I cannot wait to see where this takes these characters.


All I can think about right now is the cliffhanger at the end of the book and I cannot wait to get my hands on These Infinite Threads to find out just what happens next.

Photo of Genevieve
Genevieve @laviedegin
3.5 stars
Feb 28, 2023

“What a strange girl you are... To behold a rose and perceive only its thorns, never the bloom.”

3.5 ⭐s

I am saddened to say I was disappointed by this book - when I read the blurb I was so excited, a fantastical story about forbidden romance between two royal heirs on opposing sides, sign me up. The story is about a woman, Alizeh, who is the lost queen to the forgotten and overthrown kingdom of Jinn and a man, Kamran, the heir apparent to the Kingdom of Ardunia - a human, whose people were the ones to hunt and oppress Jinn, and then eventually grant them tentative peace. Alizeh has been in hiding since she was a young girl after her parents were both killed, forced to become a servant, or snoda as they're referred to in this book, to earn a living and to keep her identity better hidden. One day she shows compassion to a street urchin who tries to rob her but unbeknownst to her the Prince of Ardunia was watching the exchange, when he interferes he triggers chaos, the King wants to kill Alizeh for she is prophecised to be the ruin of Ardunian Kingdom.

This Woven Kingdom read a bit like a fever dream, unfortunately. The first 250 or so pages are incredibly slow, the pace almost torturous - nothing really happens, the two meet and fall instantly in love but in between that and the climax point of the novel we don't get a lot of substance. Both characters extensively share their feelings about the situation, repetitively, in long, drawn out blocks of thought and in unnatural, over done conversations. Despite this we never really get to know the characters very well except on a surface level or relating to their meeting, and therefore the reader doesn't really form a connection with them. Kamran comes across as a spoiled privileged boy, his feelings about having to become the king and his disagreements about how the kingdom are run are valid but outside of this he continuously complains about the quality of clothing he wears, whines about the quality of women surrounding him (a bit 'not-like-other-girls' tropey) and treats his only friend, Hazan, like trash. Alizeh is interesting to begin with, her connection with the devil Iblis, her strange eyes connected to her rare powers of ice are both fascinating but then she continues to make strange choices that threaten her life and seems a little bit slow to whats happening around her.

I didn't enjoy the way things just kept happening too suddenly and over dramatically without much lead up. There is so much tell and not enough show that it read like a "and then, and then, and then" story and this only gets worse as the story goes on. The last 75% of the story is the most exciting part about the book but it was all over the place.

SPOILER: One minute she's at Miss Huda's putting on a dress, next shes spirited away by a stranger in a weird hat who turns out to be the Tulanian King, then she's with Kamran, then with Omid the street urchin and Hazan is there, then there's screaming and magical fire, next the King has snakes coming out of his back, then there's a dragon... see what I mean by fever dream!? END SPOILER.

I also wish some of the pieces where the characters flashes back to previous situations had been written as actual flashbacks rather than the character zoning out and recounting what had happened - it meant that it read very jarringly, you could imagine the other character in the scene just staring at them as they zoned out like 🤨

Overall, there are enjoyable parts to this story - I think it's a case of a good idea but poor execution. Tahereh Mafi uses overly flowery prose a little too often and while parts are absolutely beautifully written the heaviness of the language used make the rest hard to read and a bit dull. I really, really wanted to enjoy this story with it's nods towards Cinderella (got to leave the ball by midnight) and Aladdin (with the mention of a flying carpet), and the fascinating mythical story line based on a beautiful culture - but unfortunately, this was a real let down.

This review contains a spoiler
Photo of Emily Klo
Emily Klo@emilyklo
4 stars
Dec 28, 2022

Ummm. What???? What was that ending???


Ngl it felt kinda like a reversed TOG but I’m like, not against it.


Also that scene in her room was ✨✨✨


Okay time to go find out when the next book comes out.

Photo of Tina Abbott
Tina Abbott@imagination2ink
5 stars
Nov 5, 2022

Great book. Cliffhanger ending. Will definitely buy the next book out in 2023.

Photo of Matilda Liljestrand
Matilda Liljestrand@matildasofia
3.5 stars
Oct 28, 2022

The last 10% was the best part and the ending was good

Photo of More
More @more
2 stars
Aug 16, 2022

1,5⭐* No se si fue porque yo tenia las re expectativas pero dios no me gustó mucho este libro que digamos osea los protas me parecieron meh y no tenian mucha quimica e la historia se me hizo muy lenta pero aún así pienso que el universo tiene algo de potencial

Photo of Emily
Emily@booksoverpeople
5 stars
Aug 14, 2022

I was so hooked I read it in one sitting!

+2
Photo of caly
caly@calypso
4 stars
Aug 12, 2022

oh i’m beyond excited for the rest of this series

Photo of Lana
Lana@lanareads5
5 stars
Jun 26, 2022

so. freaking. good.

+8
Photo of June
June@shapeshiftingqueen
4 stars
Jun 11, 2022

I loved the whole backstory and world building of the Jinn and Clay, love the Alizeh and her sweetness, love that it spent so much time focusing on how characters feel. Sometimes the writing felt like the fanciness was too forced, but at the same time I liked how it made the book feel. It has instalove which I'm not a fan of, but with the characters also not finding it reasonable and some spoilery reasons I'm actually not minding it this time. The first half of the book felt kinda slow and the end somewhat rushed but I still plan to reread it many times and look forward to the next in the series.

+3
Photo of Emma Kamer
Emma Kamer@emmakamer
4 stars
Apr 30, 2022

At first I didn’t really like the story. It was to slow. But after a while that changed completely! It had amazing caracters and plottwist. I was happy with the ending (although I am not sure I can wait for the seccond book to come put).

+5
Photo of Kaelyn Oskin
Kaelyn Oskin @kaeos
5 stars
Apr 5, 2022

The writing was beautiful.

+2

Highlights

Photo of Rin
Rin@aamouteru_ww

It is a difficult thing, is it not? To worry always how you will be perceived for who you are; to wonder always whether you will be accepted if you are truly yourself?

Photo of Rin
Rin@aamouteru_ww

To behold a rose and perceive only its thorns, never the bloom.

Photo of Rin
Rin@aamouteru_ww

A human body could not withstand so much, and they take advantage of you because they can.

Photo of Rin
Rin@aamouteru_ww

…perhaps only in death might she find the freedom she so desperately sought, for she had long ago given up hope of finding solace in this world.

Photo of Sara Vasilescu
Sara Vasilescu@keepondreaming

What worlds he might be inspired to give up, he wondered, in the pursuit of knowing more of her mind.

Page 307
Photo of Sara Vasilescu
Sara Vasilescu@keepondreaming

"Does it not frighten you, sire? Are you not terrified to imagine what you might do for her - what you might do to yourself-if she became suddenly real? If she were to become flesh and blood under your hands? Does this not strike you as a terrible weakness?"

Page 219
Photo of Sophia
Sophia@sophia25

Slowly, Alizeh looked up to face the stranger. “Did you really feel it necessary to add that last part?”

“Which part?”

“And I will not care,” she said, echoing his emotionless tone. “Do you enjoy being needlessly petty?”

“Yes,” he said. “I do.”

Page 433

💀😂 I love him

Photo of Sophia
Sophia@sophia25

“You have consumed my thoughts since the moment I met you,” he said to her. “I feel now, in your presence, entirely strange. I think I might fetch you the moon if only to spare your tears again.”

Page 332

The fact he doesn't even know her yet makes this so much better omg

Photo of Sophia
Sophia@sophia25

Kamran heard the distinct rustling of fabric, and he closed his eyes. He was a gentleman of honor. He would not imagine her undressing.

He would not.

Page 309

suuure😂

Photo of Sophia
Sophia@sophia25

“Speak,” she said. “Tell me what you seek here. Answer honestly, and I give you my word I will leave you unharmed.”

Was it terrible that his heart pounded in his chest at the soft sound of her voice? Was it worrisome that he felt nothing but pleasure to be held at her mercy?

Page 307

Whipped

Photo of Sophia
Sophia@sophia25

“Step away from the girl.”

The prince’s voice was low and murderous, his eyes flashing a shade of black so fathomless it terrified even Alizeh to look at him.

Page 290

👀

Photo of Sophia
Sophia@sophia25

"I gave you a direct command, bade you find a wife—”

A moment of madness prompted Kamran to say, “This girl has royal blood, does she not?”

Page 168

oh he is bold💀😂 or as he would say audacious haha

Photo of Sophia
Sophia@sophia25

Her tears fell now with abandon.

Alizeh knew she could survive long hours of hard labor, knew she could persevere through any physical hardship. It was not the burden of her work or the pain in her hands that broke her— it was the loneliness. It was the friendlessness of her existence; the days on end she spent without the comfort that might be derived from a single sympathetic heart.

It was grief.

Page 145

💔

Photo of elle
elle @ella_23

“By the angels,” he whispered. “You really are afraid of the dark. You strange girl.”

Page 328
Photo of Emily Klo
Emily Klo@emilyklo

You might do us all a favor, Hazan, and begin to manage your expectations of my state. This is where I live, minister. Here, between angry and irritable, lies my charming personality. It does not change. You may be grateful that I am consistent, at least, in being boorish.

Page 409

Grumpy grump

Photo of Lana
Lana@lanareads5

The earth has chosen you to rule, my dear, but you must first be found worthy of the role by your own people. Five must be willing to sacrifice their lives to give rise to your reign; only then will the mountains part with their power."

Page 361

watch one of these five be Hazan 🥲 i will die if thats the case

This highlight contains a spoiler
Photo of Lana
Lana@lanareads5

"I haven't the slightest idea what we're doing," he said softly. "Though if you mean to take me captive, you need only ask. I would come willingly."

Page 326

my god.

Photo of Lana
Lana@lanareads5

"I find it difficult to believe you imagined me at all” "Why?" Alizeh hesitated, blinking up at him. "I beg your pardon What reason would you have to wonder about my temperament?” "You need only one? I have many."

Page 322

im ded

Photo of Lana
Lana@lanareads5

"With all due respect, I would point out only that yu welcomed my arrival with a promise to slit my throat and have since been moved to tears at least twice in my presence. I would hardly call that sort of behavior constant.”

Page 320

🤪

Photo of Lana
Lana@lanareads5

He went suddenly solid. There was the familiar press of a cold blade at his throat the feel of her small hand at his back. He heard her soft breathing and could tell merely by the unmuffled sound that she did not wear her snoda.

the girl holding a knife to the guy’s throat trope>>>

This highlight contains a spoiler
Photo of Lana
Lana@lanareads5

"I will not repeat myself again. Step away from the girl or I will have you arrested.'

😙😙😙

Photo of Lana
Lana@lanareads5

He turned to leave. Wait," she said softly, grabbing his arm. "Will you not at least tell me your name?" He stared at her bandaged hand on his arm for a beat too long, and when he looked up, he said, "I am Hazan, Your Majesty. You may depend on me with your life."

Page 265

im so glad i guessed this like HECK YEAH ALSO OMFG I STG this man 🥰

This highlight contains a spoiler
Photo of Lana
Lana@lanareads5

It was too bad, then, that the sole object of the young man's first and only desire was now—he glanced up at the clock—yes, almost certainly dead.

This highlight contains a spoiler
Photo of Sarah
Sarah@smax1014

The girl was prepared. She was armed. The puncture wounds inflicted indicate she had access to highly unusual weapons, which one can only assume were supplied to her by a third party with access to a complex arsenal.

Page 274

Sir. They were sewing needles. And scissors. For sewing.

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