All This Twisted Glory by Tahereh Mafi

Cyrus, bound by a deal with the devil (Iblis), proposes to Alizeh. The agreement is simple: she will take over his kingdom and kill him, freeing him from the devil’s torment. While Alizeh is reluctantly on board with assuming the throne, she remains undecided about ending Cyrus’s life. Despite their mutual animosity, their growing attraction complicates matters—Cyrus’s desire for Alizeh is made even more agonizing by the devil’s cruel design, ensuring he can never truly have her.

Meanwhile, Alizeh wrestles with uncertainty, struggling to determine her next steps amidst the chaos of her newfound role and personal conflicts.

Kamran, unaware of the full situation, arrives intending to confront Cyrus—and by confrontation, he means assassination. Cyrus killed Kamran’s grandfather, and Kamran is under immense pressure to prove his worth as the rightful king of Ardunia. Back home, Zahhak, the defense minister, is plotting to usurp the throne, further fueling Kamran’s desperation. His mission takes an unexpected turn when he discovers Alizeh’s presence in Tulan. While relieved that she did not betray him, Kamran is thrown into turmoil by her apparent connection to Cyrus, sparking jealousy and confusion.

Kamran travels with a colorful band of companions, including:

• Hazan, his steadfast right-hand man, who is ultimately more loyal to Alizeh as the rightful Jinn queen.

• Deen, the skilled apothecarist.

• Huda, the sharp-tongued, unrefined, and illegitimate daughter of a noble family, whose gossiping nature often provides surprising insights.

• Omid, the orphaned boy who once tried to kill Alizeh but is now fiercely protective of her, insisting, “She’s not magical or anything… we just like her a lot.”

As tensions escalate, Alizeh is gravely injured near the climax of the story and must be taken to the Diviners for healing. During this time, Kamran learns of Cyrus’s marriage proposal to Alizeh. His solution? Once Alizeh marries Cyrus, claims his kingdom, and kills him, Kamran plans to marry her himself. He believes this union will not only solidify their love but also unite Ardunia and Tulan, securing the resources Ardunia desperately needs to survive.

Meanwhile, Alizeh begins to embrace her destiny as a ruler. Her resolve strengthens as she decides to journey to the mountains to fully reclaim her magic, a crucial step in solidifying her power and identity.

By the end, the story finds itself firmly entrenched in a love triangle, with Kamran, Cyrus, and Alizeh’s intertwined fates pulling them further into a web of passion, duty, and peril.