You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I wish I liked the main character.... Lada frustrated the crap out of me! But so did Radu. They were such opposites they could never see or understand why the other did things. Bah! But the story was great and I devoured the book.
I really liked the beginning of this book, but the middle and the end were kind of slow and boring. Overall though, I would definitely recommend.
It took me way too long to finish this book but I kept forgetting to charge my Kindle. This genre is definitely not my cup of tea but I did enjoy this book. I really enjoy the relationships between all of these characters, and I enjoy the characters themselves. Overall, a great read!
**Edit: Re-read 2019. Still mixed feelings on Lada, but I want all the good things for Radu (and Nazira) in these next two books.
I have mixed feelings. It's difficult because I can't decide if I love or hate Lada.
I have mixed feelings. It's difficult because I can't decide if I love or hate Lada.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Why did I wait so long to read this book? It was on my TBR for years!
This is a great character-focused historical fiction. Every chapter has some new revelation or important character moment. It may start out slow but it's definitely worth finishing!
This is a great character-focused historical fiction. Every chapter has some new revelation or important character moment. It may start out slow but it's definitely worth finishing!
Goodness, I really enjoyed this epic masterpiece of a first installment of a series. Fighting, loyalty, twists and turns and unrequited love... And this is just the first in a series!!? I need the second one immediately!
this book was fucking fantastic!!! this is a historical fiction/ alternate history set at the height of the Ottoman Empire. The story was new and refreshing and the brilliant plot was executed so damn well. I loved the characters.
Lada is fucking brilliant; she’s brutal and psychotic and determined and fierce and just so badass. I have never come across a character like her and doubt I ever will. make no mistake lada is an anti hero in every right; she’s vicious and calculating and self serving and most importantly angry. Lada is furious at this world, at herself, at everyone, constantly. She exists in a constant state of anger and fights her way through life. I loved all the discussions of women and femininity in this book; wat does it mean to be a women in this world and wat does it mean to have power and how women can have power. all of it was so well done and it was so refreshing to see.
Radu is such a soft boi and his relationship was Lada was so interesting and complex; this is no simple brother sister relationship, there’s so much to this relationship, there’s love but also so much resentment.
i loved the exploration of religion, especially how Islam was portrayed as a religion of peace and how religion was look at through a non judgmental lens.
I’ve heard some people say that this book features a love triangle but I think that simplifies the very complex relationships in the novel.
the world building is brilliant, the character ars are well written and well developed and the plot is strong and unfaltering.
Lada is fucking brilliant; she’s brutal and psychotic and determined and fierce and just so badass. I have never come across a character like her and doubt I ever will. make no mistake lada is an anti hero in every right; she’s vicious and calculating and self serving and most importantly angry. Lada is furious at this world, at herself, at everyone, constantly. She exists in a constant state of anger and fights her way through life. I loved all the discussions of women and femininity in this book; wat does it mean to be a women in this world and wat does it mean to have power and how women can have power. all of it was so well done and it was so refreshing to see.
Radu is such a soft boi and his relationship was Lada was so interesting and complex; this is no simple brother sister relationship, there’s so much to this relationship, there’s love but also so much resentment.
i loved the exploration of religion, especially how Islam was portrayed as a religion of peace and how religion was look at through a non judgmental lens.
I’ve heard some people say that this book features a love triangle but I think that simplifies the very complex relationships in the novel.
the world building is brilliant, the character ars are well written and well developed and the plot is strong and unfaltering.
Now this was a major surprise!
And I Darken contains all the elements of any good epic fantasy, except for magic - I'm still waiting for any wizards or mages or sorcerers to make their appearance - which focuses on the three main characters.
The story is told through multiple Point(s) Of View (POV), because the lives of three intertwine inextricably.
But the most surprising part of this story so far, for me, has to be the major LGBTQIA themes, which becomes more prominent from the second half of the book onwards - this gave a new perspective on the story and I may have enjoyed the story more just because of this.
Even though this is epic fantasy, the writing isn't archaic; it flows smoothly and is clear and imaginative. My first book from this author did not disappoint in the least.
And I Darken contains all the elements of any good epic fantasy, except for magic - I'm still waiting for any wizards or mages or sorcerers to make their appearance - which focuses on the three main characters.
The story is told through multiple Point(s) Of View (POV), because the lives of three intertwine inextricably.
But the most surprising part of this story so far, for me, has to be the major LGBTQIA themes, which becomes more prominent from the second half of the book onwards - this gave a new perspective on the story and I may have enjoyed the story more just because of this.
Even though this is epic fantasy, the writing isn't archaic; it flows smoothly and is clear and imaginative. My first book from this author did not disappoint in the least.