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sarahsbooklife's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Violence, Religious bigotry, Rape, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Islamophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Physical abuse, and Trafficking
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
queer_bookwyrm's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
And I Darken by Kiersten White wasn't what I was expecting. This was one if those books that I bought on Thriftbooks, because the cover looked pretty, and I thought it was going to be fantasy with royalty. Not a lick of magic or fantasy to be found. Instead it is a story set during the Ottoman empire as historical fiction.
We follow Lada and her younger brother Radu. Lada is ferocious, mean, quick to violence, and ugly (She's no Disney princess). Radu on the other, hand is very pretty and is very sensitive and cries easily. They go through the horror of being sold as collateral to the Ottoman Sultan.
Once there, they meet Memed, one of the sultan's sons, and they both promptly fall in love (one awkward love triangle). I did like how the friendships were written in this; Nichoae and Lada and Radu and Nazira. They were sweet and I wished we had focused on that more.
I loved Lada's character even if she wasn't particularly likeable, but because of the sheer badassery of this woman. She learned to fight, lead the men and have some serious power and influence, which was unheard of for a woman. Radu is a soft boi and must be protected.
Although was and interesting read, I don't think I care enough about this plot or these characters to continue with this series, when I have so many other books I'd rather read.
We follow Lada and her younger brother Radu. Lada is ferocious, mean, quick to violence, and ugly (She's no Disney princess). Radu on the other, hand is very pretty and is very sensitive and cries easily. They go through the horror of being sold as collateral to the Ottoman Sultan.
Once there, they meet Memed, one of the sultan's sons, and they both promptly fall in love (one awkward love triangle). I did like how the friendships were written in this; Nichoae and Lada and Radu and Nazira. They were sweet and I wished we had focused on that more.
I loved Lada's character even if she wasn't particularly likeable, but because of the sheer badassery of this woman. She learned to fight, lead the men and have some serious power and influence, which was unheard of for a woman. Radu is a soft boi and must be protected.
Although was and interesting read, I don't think I care enough about this plot or these characters to continue with this series, when I have so many other books I'd rather read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, and Slavery
Moderate: Trafficking and Religious bigotry
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