Book Review: This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

‘This Woven Kingdom’ by Tahereh Mafi was published in 2022. It is the first book in the series of the same name, following a world where a race of Jinn was punished for the wrongdoings of the devil himself, segregated from the human race, known as Clay.

We follow two characters, a Jinn woman called Alezeh, who fled her affluent home after her parents died, and battled discrimination as she tried to make ends meet. She found herself working in the Imperial Capital of Ardunia, as a snoda, the lowest class of servant, where she bounced from job to job, trying to survive, and dreaming of a life on a homestead with a flock of sheep to tend to, or a comfortable income from dressmaking.

We also follow the Imperial Prince, Kamran of Ardunia, who, at eighteen years old, is near the age of succession. Having lost his father in a war with the neighbouring empire of Tulan. Having been summoned home from the war front, Kamran encounters Alizeh by chance, when he witnesses her being mugged by a street child, and intervenes, leading to the boy attempting to take his own life. Adamant that the snoda that had hurt the child that could have easily taken her life, Kamran seeks her out, thinking her a spy from Tolan.

Although I have read one of Mafi’s books before, ‘An Emotion Of Great Delight’ (2021), I never found myself particularly drawn in by the premise of her popular dystopian series, ‘Shatter Me’ (2011 -2021). But, I love fantasy novels and how immersive they can be, and was eager to give this a go.

I really enjoyed this book, it was an interesting, stylised and immersive story, that has an enemies-to-lovers motif throughout. I loved the way that Mafi was able to use riddles and seemingly random elements of worldbuilding to foreshadow the fates and choices of various characters in the story.

The way that Mafi is able to show that both Alizeh and Kamran are drawn to each other, have a strong attraction, and deep care for one another was compelling and interesting, as both Alizeh and Kamran think it is irrational, and know that the Ardunian people would not want the Jinn to reclaim lands to call their own, that had once belonged to the empire, and rule in their own sovereign state.

I found the politics very intriguing and really enjoyed getting my hands dirty. Mafi did a great job at giving readers a taste of what she was offering, and ending the book with a huge cliffhanger. I wanted more immediately and was very glad I’d waited until the trilogy had been completed before I started it, as I am a fiend for immediate gratification. I hate waiting to know what happens next!

Thus far, I’d recommend the series, because, while I am still reading it, there is something so moving and sweet about Kamran considering his infatuation and attraction to Alizeh as being crazy, reflecting upon the scrutiny his character has faced upon his return to the palace, and following it up with “I much prefer this kind of madness”. Very romantic!