Book Review: All This Twisted Glory by Tahereh Mafi

‘All This Twisted Glory’ by Tahereh Mafi was published in 2024. It is the third book in Mafi’s series. Having finished the second book, I all but launched myself at this book. I am nothing but a fiend for immediate gratification.

The issue is, unfortunately, the series was pitched to me as a prospective reader, as a complete trilogy, and until about a third of the way through the book, I was convinced that may still be the case. However, instead, readers get a deeper exploration into the characters and their motivations, with Kamran and his new-found allies reuniting with Alizeh early on in the story.

Of the three books, I’d say this is marginally, my least favourite, but that is likely due to the misconception that this was the conclusion of a trilogy, and that everything would be wrapped up nicely going forward. This book had big shoes to fill in my mind, and finding out that it wasn’t remotely going to fill them, nor would the conclusion be available to me quickly, considering I read this at the start of 2025. Patience is not one of my best skills, especially when it comes to series’.

Despite this book not meeting my pre-conceived expectations, it was an evocative and dark story, exploring the varying reasons as to why both Kamran and Cyrus seek Alizeh’s hand, and while Miss Huda, Deen, and Omid simply want what is best for their friend.

I really liked the way Mafi was able to explore the extent of Cyrus’ suffering in his yearning and his lust. While Cyrus has been dreaming of being with Alizeh, readers got a much deeper exploration of what he is experiencing, not only as he is tortured by the devil, but also where he is being tortured by his own desire. This deeper exploration of the character makes the dramatic irony of a reader knowing what Alizeh and Kamran are thinking respectively even more interesting and compelling, because the closer Alizeh and Cyrus get, the clearer it is that they would probably be together, no strings attached. The budding romantic tension has only grown and I was desperate for them to actually admit their feelings aloud to each other. The yearning is palpable!

I loved this book for what it was, though it seemed clear that it was, yet another book that helped lay the foundations for the characters to make heartbreaking sacrifices in the end of the series. After all, we need to be attached to them, and enjoying the characters and their banter as we acknowledge that it was prophesised that people will need to be willing die for Alizeh, in to unleash her powers. Though, it isn’t clear whether they will die, but, someone likely will, and to be honest, at this point, I reckon the loss would be most cataclysmic if it was Omid, the former street child. But, from a tragic romance perspecive I could see it being Cyrus, due to him being bound to dark, painful, and controversial magic, both tying him to the devil and to Alizeh.

As I write this, I am beyond excited to find out what happens in the next book. And am being incredibly impatient. I look forward to the future conclusion of this series.