And I Darken was a very viciously stabby book and for that? I AM A FAN.
Excuse me, I think my psycho is showing. Ahem. Let’s move forward to my thoughts, shall we?
“But what is the book actually about, Cait?” you ask, because it is an oddly unique tome. And lucky for you today I’m writing a list of things this book is about. So you can (A) know what to expect when you read it, and (B) know if it’s for you. It ain’t your average YA, so this list will help you know whether you should devour it at dawn.
7 FACTS ABOUT AND I DARKEN
- It isn’t fantasy. Whoever is bopping around the internet saying “Ooh epic fantasy!” is WRONG and needs to sit down. This is historical fiction. Granted it is gender-swapped, but I don’t call that fantasy! I call that a retelling. So it’s a sort of historical fiction retelling. But there is zero magic okay? OKAY. Just clearing this up.
- Hello monstrous amounts of politics. It almost reminded me of Game of Thrones in that respect. Because And I Darken it is 90% about who is at war with who and who wants to stab and impale who and it’s about alliances and broken alliances and who gets the throne and etc etc.
- There is a lot of historical information. This is definitely not a negative if you like historical facts! Except not all the facts are historical (the author mentions this in her note at the end) so I unfortunately cannot wax poetic about Vlad the Impaler to my family because I’m not sure what was real or not. Here, let me calmly summarise: everyone distrusts everyone and there’s stabbing.
- So many precious murder characters. Peoples, the dark and viciousness in this book is THE REAL DEAL. Often I read books where it crows “I am so dark and scary!” and the character, like, sneezes on a puppy and doesn’t apologise or whatever. So scary. Please no. YOU GET NONE OF THAT HERE. Lada is downright CRUEL. She stabs and bites and she’s 100% feral and wild and she’s basically amazing. I loved her. She is the most violent thing I’ve read in a long time.
- It’s actually narrated 50% Lada and 50% Radu.
- Radu is the younger brother and basically my favourite thing ever. He’s the “weak” one. He spent his childhood being abused and neglected. And despite Lada tormenting him 89% of the time, they have this awesome SIBLING BOND WHICH I ADORED.
- They are the only ones they can depend on.
- Seriously, these killer pumpkins are my favourite.
- I cry over them.
- I would never ever ever ever ever like to meet them in real life.
- Just putting it out there.
- I LOVE THEM FROM A DISTANCE.
- OTHERWISE:
- It is a love triangle. But I’m going to call it an Unrequited Oblivious Triangle Wherein No One Expresses Feelings And Everyone Is Somewhat Awful.
- See, there is this young Sultan named Mehmed who is actually a little beast but also very charming.
- He loves Lada.
- Lada takes a long time to love him back.
- Radu? Radu is so freaking in love with Mehmed that he basically sentences himself to his rooms so he can never see Memhed again. #logic
- Mehmed has 0% of an idea that Radu loves him so much.
- Do you see what I mean??? It ain’t your average triangle. Particularly considering most of the parties don’t even realise the other parties have feelings.
- They are all for Oppressing Feelings.
- And honestly, everyone’s so stabby and Mehmed has a harem and Radu manipulates people and Lada scares the living hell out of everyone, that I don’t even know who I ship.
- (Although Radu is only 16% stabby and too precious for this world and very clever and also a spy and will probably end up ruler of all, to be honest.)
- It’s very long. 500+ pages. My favourite scenes were the conversations between Mehmed and Lada and Radu. They were such an awesome and complex and dynamic trio. I will squish them. But I honestly wish the book had been half as long and involved more action.
- It’s violent and dark, but I wouldn’t say overly graphic? There is death! But I felt like it mostly told the murder and mayhem instead of describing it in deep detail, which kept it well in the YA category. PEOPLE DO GET IMPALED THOUGH. Blood is shed and Lada is violently vicious. Just sayin’.
I have fond feelings for this vicious book.
It wasn’t an easy read. It was gritty and brutal and cruel and it was intense and actually kind of emotional?! I FREAKING LOVED THE CHARACTERS SO VERY MUCH. I will definitely read on with the series!! I NEED MORE RADU.
Definitely try this one if you like (A) gender-bent historical fiction retellings, (B) actually brutal characters, (C) impaling, (D) tragic precious darlings who turn out to be wickedly intelligent, and (E) detailed historical universes.
THANK YOU TO PENGUIN RANDOM AUSTRALIA FOR THE REVIEW-COPY! And I Darken by Kiersten White was published June, 2016.
No one expects a princess to be brutal. And Lada Dragwyla likes it that way.
Ever since she and her brother were abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman sultan’s courts, Lada has known that ruthlessness is the key to survival. For the lineage that makes her and her brother special also makes them targets.
Lada hones her skills as a warrior as she nurtures plans to wreak revenge on the empire that holds her captive. Then she and Radu meet the sultan’s son, Mehmed, and everything changes. Now Mehmed unwittingly stands between Lada and Radu as they transform from siblings to rivals, and the ties of love and loyalty that bind them together are stretched to breaking point.
The first of an epic new trilogy starring the ultimate anti-princess who does not have a gentle heart. Lada knows how to wield a sword, and she’ll stop at nothing to keep herself and her brother alive.
Publisher Goodreads Author’s Website Buy
Wow, I can’t tell if I am terrified to read this book or really excited. I mean stabby vicious books for the win, but a lot of politics do my head in. BUT I’ll probably end up reading this because I LOVE complex character dynamics. Plus I really want to try a gender bent historical retelling. 😀
Yessss, excellent life decision.😂 I mean, it wasn’t “perfect” for me, but the characters just totally won my heart over and that’s what counts for me in a book!
Oh *.* Oh *.* Oh *.* …. it’s a villain laght but it looks more like I’m Santa. By the way…. I’m so freaking excited to hear this about about the book.
I was already planning to buy it really soon, but I will wait a little bit since seems it will arrive also in Italy. But if the publisher change the cover, my soon-to-be-spend money will says: hell, no and goodbye.
HUZZAH! I’m glad you’re excited for this one too! *hi fives* It is glorious and I really hope you get to devour it soon. 🙂
Oh my gosh I would absolutely LOVE to read this book except that I don’t know how I’d feel about the inaccurate historical information. I mean, usually I wouldn’t even bat an eye, but considering this is VLAD THE IMPALER I mean come on. Just how often will I get the chance to learn about Vlad?!
And also I am wary of Mehmed and his harem. Historical inaccuracy causes these sorts of feelings in me.
Oh, well, I didn’t mean to make it sound like it was historically inaccurate?😳 I just am not familiar with the history myself, so I hesitate to say, you know? Plus it is historical FICTION, so that means it’s going to take liberties with the exact time line. The author’s note is very interesting. 🙂
What’s that you say? An overload of politics? Gruesome murders? Anti-hero princess?! YES PLEASE. I mean, I’m a WoT fan. I LIVE for politics and murders in books. *ahem* I NEEDED THIS BOOK LIKE 1234567890 DAYS AGO. ARGH.
ANTI-HERO LOVE TIME! *flails happily* And murders at least make politics mildly exciting. I mean, one minute they’re discussion world domination, the next they’re being stabbed. Good times.
This is the second review in a month I’ve seen about this book. Being aware of a lot of the historical details around the actual Vlad, and realizing that this is therefore a retelling, personally I won’t read it, because of the brutal stuff. But I think it’s a really interesting concept for a focus on this figure/time period.
Great use of Monty Python images. 🙂
Fair enough! I love retellings and I think they can be very creative, but each to their own of course!😂
This review made me soooo happy and even more excited about this book than I was before !
As soon as I heard impaling I was sold !!!!! IS THAT BAD ?
WELL. IF YOU’RE BAD THEN I AM TOO BECAUSE THAT’S LIKE 99% OF THE REASON I WANTED TO READ IT.😂
It is kind of comforting, I think ? hahahah ! At least I am not the only one out there to have a black soul !
This sounds like it’s right up my alley 😄 Lada sounds awesome and I’m definitely interested in Radu after your review 😉 which btw is amazing (as are all of your reviews). I don’t like to read to many reviews but I always read yours!
Have you read the His Fair Assassin series? I think you would like those!
Awww, *blushes* AREN’T YOU SUPER NICE. <3 Thankyou! I really enjoy writing reviews so I'm glad they're fun to read!
And ah yes I did read Grave Mercy and sadly didn't adore it. Wah. I might still continue with the series though!
ooohh…im excited by the anti-princess theme( and the love triangle)…..so getting it…ermmm a bit put off by the historical monolouges…how long you say? *massive page skipper.*
It IS A MONSTER BEAST OF A BOOK THAT’S FOR SURE. *uses it as weapon in the apocalypse* But worth trying, I think. 😉
This is a great book. 😊 I loved Radu -very sneaky. But Lada was so frustrating! She had a major plan which got conveniently forgotten 90% of the time while she proved how strong she was.
Hhhaah! Well, I loved Lada! I thought she was totally ruling there, and I liked how she actually grew as a character too and didn’t just stay biting people all the time. :’) I’m keen to see what villainy she’s going to get up to in bk 2!
I’m trying to decide whether or not I want to read this, because I LOVE politics and stories narrated by the villain, but I’m hesitant, because a girl killing a bunch of people to get revenge for her kingdom doesn’t sound that fun to read. This review was helpful, though, because I thought the synopsis was confusing.
Also on a totally unrelated note, will you ever review a Star Wars book? I am a total nerd but I can’t decide which of the Journey to TFA or canon books to read.
Great post!
It’s not so strong on the plot half, that’s for sure.😂 But for me the stabby little characters won out so that was awesome.
Okay but…ahem…Ellie. I NEED TO ADMIT SOMETHING. *whispers* I’ve never seen Star Wars. Or read a book. I know like 3% about it.😂
I have a copy of this actually. I didn’t read it yet since a friend said it was wrong about Muslim culture. I’m not sure whether to read it or not. The plot and history points you brought up are things I don’t like. So! Not sure yet…
Oh, well, I’ve heard a few people complaining because it’s not 100% historically accurate….but honestly. It is historical fICTION. So I think it deserves leeway. But each to their own!
Yeah. To me, it should have historical accuracy. It’s not like you took the time period and did things like with a European steampunk or something. But if you mention something, you should be able to hold it up with facts. That’s what I think anyways.
I’ve heard so many things about this books so far, but your facts super helped me decide whether I want to read it. My biggest worry was the historical fiction bit, and like you, that this is boring seems to be the common complaint. The stabbing is intriguing, but now that I know there was potential for a Radu/Mehmed coupling that probably won’t happen I’ve lost a lot of interest. Radu seems to be the more loved character from reviews I’ve read, and his lack of coupling has put me off. I’m already upset about it and I haven’t even read the book.
I do wonder what’s the most violent YA book you’ve ever read though…
Radu is just ADORABLE. But I’m not sure if the Radu/Mehmed will happen or not. Tbh, from the end of this one….I think it might? But historically, I mean, IDEK. Mehmed is a bit of a womanizer too. But Lada just RULES so that’s awesome. And I hope you get to try it someday!
Omg, the most violent YA…haha, that’s a really good question. Half Bad was seriously violent/bloody and Gone had guts going EVERYWHERE. So that was interesting. :O
I keep hearing that about this one. Somewhat boring, but interesting at the same time. And the girl on the cover reminds me of a Grounder from The 100, which was actually my first thought when I saw it. Although I think the US cover is different? Like, I remember it being purple or something like that.
Yes! The US cover is like a knife and purple flowers?? I honestly don’t know what’s up with that. This one looks like the cover model is about to stab me, SO. I suppose it’s winning there, but also scary.😂
I am not really into historical fiction, but there’s almost a legendary quality to Vlad the Impaler, that – even though there’s no magic – I think it’ll feel like fantasy. And with fantasy, I love me some politics and intrigue! I love big wars and alliances! Oooh, I am excited! Though I’m a little put off by all the history. I kind of want to have it woven into the story, but from what you’ve said, it doesn’t sound like it is. Hmm. I’ll give it a go though! I’m hoping I enjoy it! 🙂
Awesome review, Cait! 😀
The history is INTENSE but I think it gets easier the more you read? And I mean, yes Vlad the Impaler is definitely legendary.😂 But without magic, I don’t consider it fantasy in the slightest. 😛
So far I feel like people either LOVE THIS BOOK OR HATE IT WITH A PASSION OMG! So, I’m happy that you expressed both sides of this fierce battle. I do like darkness and dark characters so on the one hand, I’m very tempted to read this. I don’t scare over big books or lots of historical facts either. I just don’t know how I’ll do with a book where ALL of the characters are so…well…to you your word: STABBY. I can read about villains all day long but I do love to have some goodness in there, even if it’s only sprinkled around the edges. I’m iffy as to if Radu will fit the bill for me but I’m just not sure. GAH! Decisions!
Yayyy, thankyou! *bows* I originally gave it 3-stars honestly.😂 But then I decided I loved the characters way too much. But it has a lot of severe pros and cons that’s for sure.😂
While I don’t like reading horrible long politics (why I didn’t like reading Game Of Thrones!), I love adorable, complex characters! And I don’t read historical fiction that much, so I have been anticipating this book since FOREVER. I CAN’T WAIT FOR RADU! (and yes, stabby stabbyness!)
I think maybe the reason I ended up liking this so much was because I did like Game of Thrones a lot.😂 hahah. And it definitley has similarities to that! Although not quite as dark, definitely. BUT YEAH I HOPE YOU LIKE THE STABBYNESS.
YES YES YES to EVERYTHING about this review. Lada and Radu’s relationship was such a weird one- like mostly she hated him but then she was like “no only I can hate him”. SO WEIRD.
I KNOW, RIGHT?!?😂 I’m laughing though because that’s totally sibling-y.
This is a fantastic review. I personally LOVE historical fiction and I devoured this book!! But I agree that it felt a little long and going into it, I expected more Impaling of the Vlad the Impaler variety; I didn’t expect starting with their childhood, etc. BUT I like slow burn stories when you are invested in the characters and I really think that the second book will be much more full of action and stabby stabby hahah. AHHHH RADU. Radu is like Sansa. He’s going to rise to the top, just you wait. And LADA. I liked all of the character arcs a lot, I like that Lada is vicious and different but not static. She adapts, albeit slowly. I can’t wait for the rest of the series.
Yesss, I totally get this!! And I did actually expect more impaling.😂 I mean, I feel bad for expecting that?! BUT C’MON. IT SAID IT WAS ABOUT AN IMPALER. I’m expecting bk 2 to get even more bloody since Lada is off to conquer everything.
OMG YESSSS. Radu is totally Sansa!! AHHHH. <3 And yes. He will win and conquer all, I'm like totally sure of it. The quiet spy ones are always underestimated.
I neeeeed bk 2 LIKE RIGHT NOW.
SO I was starting to be drawn in and was thinking “hmmm this seems interesting”, but 500 PAGES??? WHAT ON EARTH??? That seems like a lot especially if YOU thought it was way too long. I have the attention span of a… was that a squirrel? Haha, but really.
HAHAHHA….yes. *cries* 500pages is a lot. And I’m always for concise books, more? But I mean, ultimately, it was great! But loooooooong.
I have a DARK secret…
…
Sometimes I read your blog posts when I’m supposed to be working.
Like right now.
#confession #guilty
THIS IS A FABULOUS CONFESSION. I LIKE IT. PAY RAISE FOR YOU WHEN I TAKE OVER THE WORLD.
Yay money!!! *dances in it*
OMG I WANT IT, I NEED IT. Vlad Tepes is like my secret obssession since I’ve read Dracula by Bram Stoker. So whenever I hear his name I’m up for it. That combined with murderous character… even better!
Though I don’t know how I feel about the politics and history because I love them but not a lot of it. Well, we’ll see. I definitely want to buy this book because gender-swapped Vlad!!!! I’m literally fangirling. 😀
YUP. I AGREE.😂 I mean it has everything wonderful going for it! But the politics/history/info-dumping could’ve been toned back a bit.😂
Historical fiction is alright. I’m more into the political aspect of books. I love your pictures of this book too. So beautiful, I love the head dress. I have this book on my TBR and now it just moved up to my top 5 priorities. I think your review made me fall in love with Leda. I barely now anything about Vlad the Impaler and now I need to go research stuff:) Oh, and did you notice that Goodreads changed the Home page?! How do you feel about that. I’m not a fan of change and I miss how it used to be.
Aww, thankyou about the pictures!! I had fun with this photoshoot…and it helps THAT THAT COVER IS SO AWESOME. And omg, I know right?! I know like nothing about the Ottomans and now I want to research all the things. DARN YOU BOOK FOR MAKING ME WORK.😂
Ohhh, Goodreads changed?! *panics* It hasn’t for me?
I love history and I love historical fiction but the amount of days/names/past events made my head swim in this one! I blame my history teacher.
I totally get that!! It’s VERY intense on the history info-dumping part. I almost think I’d have liked it a bit better on audio?! I tend to absorb facts easier that way.😂
I totally loved Radu and Lada’s relationship, too, and Lada’s psychotic personality. But I basically slept through this whole book and went THERE WAS LITERALLY NO PLOT when I finished. It was SO hard for me to get through, so I could never give it as high of a rating as you did, but BONUS POINTS FOR ALL THE STABBY RIGHT?
Omg Lada was entirely completely psycho.😂 BUT I STILL LIKED HER. And I agree about napping….where was the plot? I kept looking for it. haha. But at the end I really truly loved the characters to rate it this high. <3 But I'm not arguing about the nappability. (Omg is that even a word? IT SHOULD BE.)
You know, I’ve seen a lot of people flailing about this books, but for some reason this is the first time that I’m hearing it’s gender-swapped. Minor detail to some people, I guess. :p
Bahah, it’s kind of like THE WHOLE POINT OF THE BOOK. hhaha.😂 Although perhaps people didn’t know?? I mean, Vlad the Impaler is definitely not a story that’s told a lot, right?! I’m really glad authors are starting to do more obscure retellings!
OK. First..it sounds frightening. Not scary scary horror-ifically frightening, but the part where it’s dry as toast but characters are crazy vicious. Ok..maybe that will work. Wait, did you say 500 pages of dryness? Hmmmm. The there are the names. “Mehmed” and “Lada” and “Radu” sounds like baby talk, literally. I need to really think about this one…if I shall add to me TBR……….
Well the names are historically accurate from the Ottoman time period. (Well, I mean, it should be “Vlad” instead of “Lada” but Lada is historically the female derivation.) 😊
Vladette the Impaler :’) Oh Cait. This sounds cool!!! Possibly not my thing (the only reason I’m reading Game of Thrones is because 1) hype and 2) dragons) but gender-bent retellings are cool. I want to write all of them.
Bahah, I HEAR YA with Game of Thrones. I basically read it because of hype. (And then got obsessed so there you go.) Are you going to read the rest of the books btw? Because if you do, bk 2 is SUFFERING OF BOREDOM and then the rest of the books will murder you with feels and are perfect. :’)
Okay, the sound of the characters are cool and that it’s a gender swapped Vlad the Impaler. It sounds a bit dense for me though, so I don’t know…
Fair enough!! The info-dumping/politics WERE on the heavier side. But omg these precious damaged terrifying cinnamon rolls. <33
Wow! Judging from your review, this seems to be a pretty strong book character-wise, but the plot is weak? Oh well. The love triangle does seem pretty unusual, but now I really want to read and find out! Poor Radu! I think he would be my favourite one. Gender-swapped Vlad the Impaler and a historical retelling? Count me in!
I feel like that’s an excellent summary.😂 Just too much info-dumping when what I wanted was more Lada howling at things.😂
Ack! I think I would really really love this book. Buuuuut…glossed over violence? Telling vs. showing? Ergh. But it just sounds so awesome!
Also I love that cover so much. She’s looking at you no matter where you go! The flowery one I keep seeing here is so tame (possibly why people are labeling it fantasy?).
IT STILL IS AWESOME. I PROMISE IT IS.😂 And yes this cover is WAY more epic than the flowery/sword-ish cover. And who even started the “this is a fantasy” rumour? THEY NEED TO SIT DOWN.
I am so glad that you liked this one – all the feelings that you had are pretty much how I feel about the book. It had it’s pros and it’s cons, but overall I really enjoyed it.
Thanks for the review!
Yessss. We are TWINNING THEN. *hi fives* I think it just could’ve been shorter and a little less-info-dumpy and then it would’ve been perfect.😂
Ahhh!!! I’ve been dying to get my hands on this book! And your review has me 100x more excited. Although I am a tad bit (ok… more like incredibly) intimidated by the size. I had no idea that it was 500 pages long! But I’m all about stabby characters and I can’t wait to read about Lada! Awesome review!
Omg I AM VERY VERY HAPPY ABOUT THIS, AMANDA! *flings confetti in the air* I hope you do get a copy soon and devour it at dawn. :’)
Hmmmm….I’m very excited to read this…but a little disappointed to find out that it’s so long. I’m not a fan of super-long books. My attention tends to wander! That said, I do like the idea of a fully fleshed-out political intrigue with a gender bent Vlad…it sounds like it could really be interesting. I guess I’ll find out when I read it!
I’m not really a fan of super long books either. Gah. I MEAN, SAY IT FAST, PEOPLES, AND CUT THE USELESS CHIT CHAT. *chops things with an axe* But the characters definitely won me over so that’s good. <3
Hi Cait,
I stumbled upon your review/blog recently and have been in stitches ever since… The way you write is just so awesome and engaging and really cool and hilarious – I love it!
Yes I do often mispronounce character names, even when they have a pronunciation guide! It’s like when you see the movie version or the author’s choice for the character and you’re like “Naaaahhh!!!!” …It’s just already imprinted in your head the way YOU perceive it and everyone else can just 😝!! Haha.
Btw, I was wondering have you read/checked out/have a wonderfully colorful opinion & thoughts on the ‘Fallen’ series by Lauren Kate? I’m looking for something to amuse me while I’m in between ‘Throne of Glass’ books. …And I now highly value your opinion so… Lol.
Omgggg THANKYOU SO MUCH, JAMIE!! *gives you welcome cake* This is honestly the nicest comment of ever. <33 Pronouncing names is the HARDEST.😂 If only things were actually said laterally like they're spelt...omg life would be so much easier. haha.
I haven't read the Fallen series, actually. But I did read Teardrop by Lauren Kate and, um, hahahah. OH DEAR.😂 I had a violently colourful opinion about it. #mybad You can see my review here if you want. But omg if you’re looking for something similar to Throne of Glass, can I recommend The Demon King series? IT IS SO SO EXCELLENT.
OH NO! I’ve really been wanting to read this book because I’ve heard amazing things about it, but now I’m scared to pick it up because me and politics in books don’t get along. I just get so BORED. That with LOTS of history, for me, equals … zzzzzzz. I don’t know, though, because I want to love this book. I have to think on this.
Political info dumps ARE SCARY.😂 I agree! But the characters made up for it for me. <33 I think it depends on if you really like historical fiction or not honestly. hehe. Good luck deciding!
I have mixed feelings regarding this book. I liked the characterization, but the romance was just a bit too angsty for me. I loved the unique love triangle, but I know Lada is going to complicate everything, and I’m 99% sure that there is no happily ever after for her and Mehmed. The book is SO long, but I loved all of the politics. I felt like this book tried too hard to be vicious and like Game of Thrones, but I felt like it ultimately failed in that aspect… Great review!!
Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books
I totally get what you mean! *nods* And I think it WAS trying a bit too hard with the violence at times, because it always seemed to be trying to be mega-dark but then wouldn’t go into details? So IDEK what was going on there.😂 I’m 100% sure that Lada will RUIN Mehmed/Radu (which I think is THE ship to ship here) but egh. When does historical fiction ever go right for anyone? *goes to eat chocolate to console self*
Arrgh, I am so excited to read this book. My brain is pretty much just sitting here going I don’t even care if it’s not good because the cover is WORTH IT. Because I am a very shallow bookworm. But I actually think this does sound right up my alley – I love historical fiction and I love devour facts. I really hope that I do enjoy this one but I feel like I need to know the history of this Vlad dude before delving into it so I can fully appreciate everything that’s going on – *buries self in historical books*.
THE COVER IS AMAZING AHHHH. I actaully wasn’t so convinced on the cover at first? But then as I was doing the photoshoot I was all “I really love this cover ever so much”. <3 And if you love facts and historical fiction then YES. This book calls to you. Basically shrieks for you, Kirstie. Go eat it.
I loved And I Darken so much. It’s a story I knew I would fangirl over, but it is one of my favorite books of the year. I rushed out a few days after finishing and bought my own physical copy because ARC review copy wasn’t physical enough for me and I needed it in my grabby hands. I’m a huge fan of the politics and the intrigue as well as the trio triangle- oh, the angst.
Yesss, I SHALL FANGIRL WITH YOU NOW, SARAH. *flails wildly* It’s a book I just seem to love more and more as I keep thinking about it.😂 This character trio though. <3 Omg they are so dysfunctional and glorious. I am in love.
I had heard of this book, but no one I knew had reviewed it yet, so of course I couldn’t make a decision about whether to buy it or not. I thought this was a Fantasy so I am glad you cleared that one up. I am glad you loved this one, but the boring plot and the love triangle give me great pause. Maybe I will try it if there is a sale? Oh well. Great review!
YAY!! I’m glad you liked the review!! And definitely not fantasy, nopity nope. I don’t even know who started calling it that?! But yeah, it’s annoying because it makes one go into it with completely the wrong expectations. *sighs* Maybe a good one to library?
Okay, here’s a super-weird observation that no sane mind would probably make: this sounds a bit like a super-violent, historical The Darkest Part Of The Forest. Which, yes, I realize is insane. But HEAR ME OUT HERE: a wonderful sibling dynamic wherein the brother is definitely “the weaker one”? And everyone is kind of awful, but also amazingly complex? And both brother and sister briefly (think they) love the same larger-than-life guy… but they’re still sibling goals and basically depend on each other and everyone else is sorta fishy?
I mean, THAT SOUNDS PERFECT. I haven’t gotten around to And I Darken yet, so I may be waaaaaaay off the mark, but IN MY HEAD IT’S SIMILAR, AND THEREFORE DELICIOUS. #siblingdynamics4ever
And for what it’s worth, you are aaaaaabsolutely not alone in having those “Did I love this or did I not?” conversations with your appallingly indecisive brain. (When I say ‘your’, I really also mean ‘mine’, to be clear and non-insulting here.) Like, MAKE UP YOUR MIND, MIND. In this case, though, it sounds like a ‘love’ scenario, if only it could have been condensed into 100-200 pages less than where it currently stands? Like, that’s the impression I got? I’m a weirdly patient reader, though, so even despite the dragging, now you have me thoroughly excited. I’ve heard mixed things, but…
… stabbiness always wins the day. Just sayin’.
HAHHAHAH. OKAY I SORTA SEE IT. I Mean, just with a brother and sister both being in love with someone.😂 But otherwise there are basically zero parallels. DID I BREAK YOUR HEART, LEXIE? I’M SORRY. And siblings, omg, I love siblings in books. Especially if they have a love/hate relationship. Like Lada is full on mean to Radu and then he nearly dies and she’s like “MY PRECIOUS BABY I LOVE YOU AND CANNOT EVER LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO YOU”. <-- Actual realistic siblings. They hurt each other just fine, but woe to anyone else who hurts them. And I agree *nods* If it'd been minus 100-pages, the pacing would've been so much better.
I just finished this the other day Cait and I too loved it’s pants off.
It was so dark and lovely and sinister. I loved that she wasn’t swayed by Mehmed, I’m sick to death of these fierce protagonists turning mushy because the male love interest is interested in them. I was suprised to see so many readers didn’t enjoy it though. That scene where she’s a little tike and runs into the room with a knife shouting DEATH TO INFIDELS, I knew this book and I were going to have a good time. This review is perfection. I don’t need to review it now, I’ll just slap up the cover and point people here <3
Ahhh, YES, that was definitely a bonus that Lada stayed stabby the whole time.😂 I kind of wish she hadn’t fallen for Mehmed at all? But I feel like she definitely did at the end. OR. Was it just because she wasn’t used to positive attention? *ships Mehmed and Radu* Ahem. And omg yes the “DEATH TO INFIDELS” was glorious. Bless Lada and her stabbiness. :”)
I JUST received my copy of the book this morning and I’m REALLY looking forward to reading it! I love historical fiction and anything to do with Vlad the Impaler, I will devour!
AHHH I HOPE YOU LIKE IT VANESSA!! If you need someone to flail with I AM HERE.😂
OH DEAR. I don’t think this is for me, really, but I might give it a shot if I come across it and I’m in the mood for it.
GREAT REVIEW, CAIT. But you knew that.
I get that!! It’s not a “this book is one everyone should read” sort of thing, I think.😂 one needs to like historical fiction, tons of details, and much stabbing for this one.
I’ve heard a lot about this book, and it’s been getting really good reviews. Even though it does seem long, and there are so many historical details and characters to remember, I’m excited to try it out, just for the characters 🙂
The info-dumping was definitely a downside, bUT YET EVERYTHING ELSE WAS BRILLIANT SO AFJDSAKLD I’M IN LOVE WITH IT.
ERMEHGERD CAIT.
I READ THIS LIKE A WEEK BEFORE YOU AND WAS LIKE I NEED TO SEE IF CAIT’S READ IT.
AND THEN LO AND BEHOLD YOU HAVE.
I liked Lada more than Radu because of the brutal hurting. Heh, how is this classed as fantasy? HOW?
And yeah sometimes the actual history was a bit too much but the stabby anti-hero made up for it in my opinion.
Also your copies cover is so much different to mine. Mine had FAMOUS LITERARY HEROES ALL OVER THE COVER. YES I FLAILED. MULTIPLE TIMES.
I READ EVERYTHING BASICALLY. IT IS MY #1 GOAL IN LIFE. *devours all the books at dawn*
And omg I know right?! Every time I see someone going “it’s fantasy” I’m like NOPE IT’S NOT.😂 The history info-dumps were meh, but the character development was aaaaamazing and I love it.
I pretty much read all of that review in the SHOUTY VOICE. Which really made my day 😉
Bahahhaah. I’M GLAD THEN.😂 I may or may not have a slight addiction to all caps?
This sounds really interesting! Like the characters and the whole warring political atmosphere. It is rather disappointing when characters are premised to be big and bad then they finally show up on the page and they are more like a little old man behind a curtain pretending to be magnificent wizard. Talk about anti-climatic. So it’s nice when the characters finally DELIVER!
But it also sounds monstrously long. I don’t know if I can do monstrously long nitty gritty details. . . But I might try anyways. 🙂
PS If I can’t manage to have a stimulating conversation with myself, well. . . Who am I going to have stimulating conversations with? If I can’t hold up my side of the stimulation, I’m done for. 😉
Omg I totally agree!! I LOVE when characters are actually as dark/bad as they’re promised to be.😂 I mean, that sounds kind of awful of me?!? But it’s always annoying have books pitched as being brutal WHEN THEY REALLY AREN’T. So this one lives up to that expectations huzzah!
The info-dumping is definitely a downside though. *weeps bitterly*
And oneself always has the best conversations with oneself, honestly.
I have a need for stabby books, this one will do.
This book is giving me feels. must read.
I hope you like it!!
I love historical fiction and I truly enjoyed And I Darken myself. I was surprised how much since I was reluctant to read it based on all that comparison to Game of Thrones. It was complicated, dark, full of murders and complex characters… it was simply amazing 🙂
AHhhh I’m so glad you’er a fan of it too, Lucia! *flails* I THINK IT WAS SO GLORIOUS. And I actually almost understand the GoT comparisons this time??? Usually I loathe those comparisons.😂 But I see the resemblance with the emphasis on politics!
But omg I need bk 2 immediately. *cries with longing*
I definitely need to be in the right mood to pick this one up – it sounds absolutely brutal but also long and arduous with the historical facts as well (which are also meshed with fantasy). I love the whole gender bent thing and Radu sounds like such a fabulous character! Awesome review Cait, can’t wait to read it!