I recently had the pleasure of reading an early copy of The Wrath & the Dawn and I instantly fell in love with not only Ahdieh’s beautiful prose but also the sweeping scenery, characters and pacing. This book became an instant favorite for me and I’m delighted to have the honor of asking Renee some questions.
Interview
One of the reasons I was drawn to your novel was because of the reference to A Thousand and One Nights in the summary. I loved that you incorporated aspects of this folk tale into your own story and used a similar structure to frame your own. Was there any specific reason you chose the Middle East and A Thousand and One Nights for TW&TD?
I have to be careful when answering this question because sometimes I feel its answer could be a book in and of itself. My husband is Persian, and the first time he took me to visit his family, I saw this gorgeous tapestry hanging on the wall of their living room. At a distance, it looked like a hundred different vignettes strung together at random. When I asked his mother what it was, she told me it was tales from A Thousand and One Nights. Eventually, this inspired me to consider what it would be like to write a YA version of the tale of Scheherazade. I’m also a child of mixed-race, so I’ve always been fascinated with different worlds. I think all of these things along with many others contributed to what eventually brought about the book
You were able to give lush, vibrant descriptions of the scenery that made me feel that I was there. Have you traveled to this area of the world? If not, what resources did you use to help transport your reader?
Thank you so much for saying so! I’ve been to India several times, and I traveled through Greece and Egypt. Many of the things I saw and experienced served as inspiration for certain scenes in the book. I also watched several documentaries and read a lot of poetry and literature from the region, as well as had lengthy discussion with family members who lived in the Middle East for many years. I think it’s so important to make novels an immersive experience, both for the reader and the writer.
Since your novel has historical and folklore elements I imagine there was a good amount of research involved. What was the oddest or most interesting thing you learned?
Oh, lord. I think the day I learned about ancient Egyptian surgical procedures was a pretty fascinating/horrifying day. Also any research that goes into detail about old school waste disposal. That’s always fun 
Your main character is a heroine to root for. Shazi is strong willed, cunning and incredibly likeable. In writing TW&TD did the characters or the storyline come first?
Thank you again! For me, character always comes first. I can read a book about two people stuck in an elevator for three hours if I find them to be compelling. Whenever I’m drafting, I begin with character sketches. These sketches usually detail specific traits I’d like a character to embody. From these, I craft scenes that, hopefully, convey those character traits.
Did any of your characters take on a life of their own and go off the original path you had set for them?
Hmmmm. The fun answer would be yes. But no. I’m a crazy plotter and a big control freak. One of those nutjobs prone to make lists about every inane detail. Seriously you can ask my agent. Her nickname for me is Crazypants. That being said, there were definitely moments characters said things that surprised me. But I always know what I plan to write when I sit down.
My favorite type of character is one with secrets that aren’t instantly revealed and straddles the line between good and evil, which you accomplished beautifully. Do you have a specific method for creating your characters and their personalities?
Thank you so much! I think I inadvertently started to answer this question above and then deleted some of it because I saw this one. What can I say; your questions are all so great and thought provoking! I usually start with a character’s name. I write it on a sheet of paper and create a web around his/her name with character traits, physical features, anything I think might be of relevance to that specific character. Sometimes I’ll write a short story from that character’s perspective just to establish voice.
Do you use music to help set the tone as you write? If so, what are a few songs that express the feel of your book?
Music is of absolute necessity when I write. The sound of silence drives me batty. Usually I’ll have a playlist on low, running on repeat. If other people are around me, I’ll put on noise-canceling headphones (see above re: control freak/Crazypants). I love all kinds of music, but I’m partial to anything by Explosions in the Sky, M83, Radiohead, Sevenlions, Bassnectar, Gemini, AWOLNATION, Massive Attack, Metallica, any of Stravinsky’s ballets, John Coltrane . . . I mean this list could get exhaustive.
Are you actively working on anything right now? Can you tell us anything about it?
I’m working on edits for the sequel to The Wrath and the Dawn, tentatively titled The Rose and the Dagger.
Thank you so much Renee!
Thank YOU, Kristen!! J
About the Book
Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi’s wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.
She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.
The Wrath & the Dawn releases May 12th 2015 by Putnam Juvenile
Giveaway
Extras
- Review of The Wrath & the Dawn
- Lego Cover of The Wrath & the Dawn
I really really want this. I love all kinds of retellings, and this is one I haven’t seen before.
Great interview, Kristen! I swear all the hype for this book is making me crazy — I JUST NEED TO READ THIS ALREADY AND GET IT OVER WITH. Thanks for the giveaway too!
This book sounds so different because of the Eastern setting: it makes me very curious!
The Wrath and the Dawn is one of my most anticipated releases of 2015 and all because I absolutely adore A Thousand and One Nights.
Really enjoyed reading the review and so cannot wait to read the book! =D
OMG this interview!! I cannot wait to read this book, I love everything about it from the cover to the story and its setting! !!!! *-*
I’m so excited to read The Wrath and the Dawn because Renee seems like such a fun lady, and the book itself sounds like a Middle Eastern version of Marie Rutkoski’s Winner’s Trilogy due to its lush writing! I’m also really excited to read a book set in the Middle East, and I think it will be fun to be transported somewhere I’ve never been before. I’m so looking forward to The Wrath and the Dawn!
Thanks for the chance to win!
The Wrath and The Dawn sounds amazing! Thanks for the interview and for the chance to win!
I have yet to read a Scheherazade retelling, so I’m very much looking forward to this one.
This is such a great interview! It makes me want to pick up The Wrath and the Dawn even more. And thank yuo for the giveaway -and for making it international
This sounds so unique and has a gorgeous cover! Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks for this giveaway!! This book sounds so interesting!
I’m excited about the Middle Eastern setting/mythology. I worked in the region so I have a big interest in it. I’m also excited to meet this strong heroine!
This sounds wonderful! Fingers crossed!
I’m really excited about the aspects referring to A Thousand and One Nights, also, the cover is lovely
the reviews are great so im super excited to read it!
I am CRAZY about folklore inspired books, and honestly, this one looks like the perfect way to kick off my sunny-weather summer reading. Can’t wait to read!
I can’t wait to read this book because I have heard such great things about it!
I want to know why the brides die every night.
Ooooh I was already so excited about this book but NOW?? Now I’m dying to get to read it, but since I want to get a signed copy from Malaprops… it’s gonna be a lil bit of a longer wait, but I’m sure it’s gonna be very much worth the wait!
Fantastic interview Kristen and Renee!
I think this one just sounds soooo good! I don’t think I ever read the original tale, but I might have read similar ones. Something like the Storyteller’s Daughter maybe? Where she tries to prolong her life after others had failed? I know I know of that story though! LO!L Thanks for the giveaway!!
Because I enjoy reading fairytale/folk tale retellings. Thanks for having the giveaway.
I love retellings, and I don’t think I’ve ever read one of A Thousand and One Nights. Also, we need diverse books!
I’m definitely most excited about the setting for this novel – I can’t think of a single book I’ve read that’s had Middle Eastern aspects or settings, so it’ll definitely be widening my reading horizons.
I am so so so excited for this book!! I grew up reading Shadow Spinner, which is another retelling of Sharazad and it’s ALWAYS been a top favourite book of mine, even now. so seeing the original tale retold again freshly?!! *flails and grabs for this marvellous book* I loved the interview and such good questions. x) This is definitely on my to-buy list!!
I want to see if it is as good as I hear it is!
I read parts of A Thousand and One Nights for school and really enjoyed, and my interest is always peaked when I see retellings or books inspired by other ones, so I knew I had to keep my eye on this one!
This book sounds like it would be a great read. Thanks for the giveaway
What a great interview!
I’m especially excited for the mixture of romance and fantasy. I love how this seems to be a fabulous mix of the two, and I can’t wait to read this book.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I love re-tellings and I’ve read a lot of positive reviews for TWaTD.
Great review! My favorite part is when you asked Renee which between the character and the storyline comes first when writing her novel.
I am familiar with the story of “One thousand nights” and I would love to read this retelling! Thank you for the giveaway!
I read some of the stories in A Thousand and One Nights and I’m interested in seeing how Renée put a spin to this and I really love retellings
The strong female lead! And the setting is unlike any I’ve ever read before!
I can’t wait to read this book! It sounds so interesting and unique. I love retellings!
I absolutely love retellings! I can’t wait to read this one!
Gooorgeous interview Kristen
So much love. <3 I'm so happy how you love this book and author. I'm so so excited for it 
Soon it shall be mine. <3 Oh, how I hope I'll love it like you love it. Fingers crossed 
I'm most excited because of the gorgeous cover. And THAT SUMMARY. It is peeerfect. Oh, how I'm dying for this book 
Thank you for this perfect giveaway sweetie. <3 You are the bestest 
The premise is so so interesting! And the cover is gorgeous too
Thank you so much for the giveaway!
I’m intrigued by Middle Eastern culture (all cultures for that matter!), I love retellings and the cover is just perfection! <3 
EVERYTHING about it is just so brilliant!
I NEED THIS!! I read an excerpt and hte writing is beautiful and I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!
I adore retellings.
For me, just the fact that the book is inspired by A Thousand and One Nights is enough to get me excited. Also, that cover is absolutely gorgeous! Great interview!
Thanks for the giveaway!
maybe the premise
Because I love retellings and this one sounds pretty intriguing so I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance! Nice interview!
I heard this was a thousand nights retelling! I’m really excited to see how the authors writes about it!
IT IS A THOUSAND ARABIAN NIGHTS RETELLING!!! AND IT HAS DIVERSITY! AND BOTH ARE KIND OF RARE BUT RIGHT UP MY ALLEY!
This answer was totally deserving of the caps. Thanks for the chance to win!
When the cover first came out I thought it was going to be a contemporary! (Couldn’t see the title w/o glasses)
I really want to read it because Middle Eastern fantasy! :O
I’m most excited to find out what makes her fall in love with a killer.
This will be the perfect gift for my wife.
The heroine! She sounds amazing!
Wow this book sounds amazing… I’m so excited to see how the classical story of the Arabian nights is woven into a YA interpretation… Plus the romance sounds great
thanks for the giveaway!!
It seems like it is a hint of the story of Esther in the Bible and Crimson Bound, and I love them both, so I think I will really enjoy this as well.
It’s a toss up for what I’m most excited about — the re-telling part, or the diversity! The hype for this seems warranted and I can’t wait to read it!
I’m excited about this book because of its setting and its reference to One Thousand and One Nights.
EVERYTHING!! This book is absolutely on the top of my list! Thank you for the giveaway!