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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Surprising novel that reads like an epic fantasy but for beginners if that makes sense. Some of the secondary characters were hard to keep track of but overall it’s a very good story. Excited for Book 2.
This book was so wonderfully written. The dialog, and descriptions and driven plot were absolutely fantastic. I'm so glad I own all three so that I don't have to wait to read the next one.
4.75 stars THE MOST FULFILLING FIRST BOOK I'VE READ IN A WHILE
But you have to be in a certain more serious mood to read this though, it's not like other light-hearted fantasies there are barely light-hearted moments. But it's so good. WARNING about the sluggish pacing the first quarter though, bare with it and the payoff is AMAZING!
I just finished seconds ago and I AM BLOWN away, the characters are hands down the MOST COMPLEX I've seen in a while, this has more character development than an entire series of books, the writing is absolutely stunning, the characters are real and morally ambiguous.
And I Darken follows 2 children forced to live in their enemies' country. Lada and Radu became prisoners of war and are conflicted by struggling between their morals and loyalty to their country to the Mehmed’s (the direct heir of the country they are forced to live in) who they are both growing fond of.
Lada and Radu are very different. Lada has always been a tough cookie, she's defended her brother all her life, she's the definition of the tough love kind. She's strong, knows how to fight and refuses to give up on anything once she sets a mind to it, and of course what she wants is revenge and to go back to her country. Through this book we get the constant contrast of their personalities and their thoughts through different POV chapters and it works so well because I really fell for both siblings.
Radu on the other hand always only wanted to find love, find people that love him since growing up he lacked it and he wants to prove useful without wielding a sword like Lada, he uses his charm, his wit and acting skills to befriend people and in his own way gain power.
But it's absolutely heartbreaking to see the misunderstandings and Lada and Radu falling out and hating each other, they would go so far to save each other. Despite the slowish pacing I felt captivated by these fleshed out characters, the siblings make it all the more heartbreaking when shit goes down, the hate envy, bitterness and love for each other all mixed, it's complex and not one dimensional.
I hate love triangles but this one was absolutely perfect and refreshing to read. Everything was so captivating about the main characters and their relationships. I won't be picking up book 2 for a while since i need a breather from this tense/serious mood, but when I do I have high expectations for it!
But you have to be in a certain more serious mood to read this though, it's not like other light-hearted fantasies there are barely light-hearted moments. But it's so good. WARNING about the sluggish pacing the first quarter though, bare with it and the payoff is AMAZING!
I just finished seconds ago and I AM BLOWN away, the characters are hands down the MOST COMPLEX I've seen in a while, this has more character development than an entire series of books, the writing is absolutely stunning, the characters are real and morally ambiguous.
And I Darken follows 2 children forced to live in their enemies' country. Lada and Radu became prisoners of war and are conflicted by struggling between their morals and loyalty to their country to the Mehmed’s (the direct heir of the country they are forced to live in) who they are both growing fond of.
Lada and Radu are very different. Lada has always been a tough cookie, she's defended her brother all her life, she's the definition of the tough love kind. She's strong, knows how to fight and refuses to give up on anything once she sets a mind to it, and of course what she wants is revenge and to go back to her country. Through this book we get the constant contrast of their personalities and their thoughts through different POV chapters and it works so well because I really fell for both siblings.
Radu on the other hand always only wanted to find love, find people that love him since growing up he lacked it and he wants to prove useful without wielding a sword like Lada, he uses his charm, his wit and acting skills to befriend people and in his own way gain power.
But it's absolutely heartbreaking to see the misunderstandings and Lada and Radu falling out and hating each other, they would go so far to save each other. Despite the slowish pacing I felt captivated by these fleshed out characters, the siblings make it all the more heartbreaking when shit goes down, the hate envy, bitterness and love for each other all mixed, it's complex and not one dimensional.
I hate love triangles but this one was absolutely perfect and refreshing to read. Everything was so captivating about the main characters and their relationships. I won't be picking up book 2 for a while since i need a breather from this tense/serious mood, but when I do I have high expectations for it!
3.5/5 stars
i’ve been wanting to read this for so long and i’m so glad i finally got to it!! i liked the characters (i would eat shit for radu and nazira) i liked the writing, and i kinda liked the plot?? idk it wasn’t the best and ngl there were many times where i zoned out or didn’t know what the fuck was happening bc the characters were talking about politics in the ottoman empire like ??? do i care?? not really haha
omg and also there was lgbtq rep!!!!! i suspected [redacted] was gay and i’m so so happy kiersten white went in that direction. it added an interesting dynamic between our characters! and pls don’t get me started on [redacted] and her maid that was so fucking sweet i absolutely LOVED that.
overall i think this book was really good and im so happy i enjoyed it!!
i’ve been wanting to read this for so long and i’m so glad i finally got to it!! i liked the characters (i would eat shit for radu and nazira) i liked the writing, and i kinda liked the plot?? idk it wasn’t the best and ngl there were many times where i zoned out or didn’t know what the fuck was happening bc the characters were talking about politics in the ottoman empire like ??? do i care?? not really haha
omg and also there was lgbtq rep!!!!! i suspected [redacted] was gay and i’m so so happy kiersten white went in that direction. it added an interesting dynamic between our characters! and pls don’t get me started on [redacted] and her maid that was so fucking sweet i absolutely LOVED that.
overall i think this book was really good and im so happy i enjoyed it!!
2.5/5
Lada is such a one dimensional caricature, it's hard caring about her or figuring out her motivations - which to be honest is something very unclear about the book as I wasn't sure where the story was going until the last five pages. I get zero Vlad the Impaler vibes from her.
Radu on the other hand is a much more interesting and nuanced character and the only thing that might make me continue the series. I'm just a bit uncomfortable because I read that the historical romance was between Radu/Mehmed and not Lada/Mehmed. I thought the YA twist in the retelling was that everyone would be vampires, not heterosexuals. Oh well.
Lada is such a one dimensional caricature, it's hard caring about her or figuring out her motivations - which to be honest is something very unclear about the book as I wasn't sure where the story was going until the last five pages. I get zero Vlad the Impaler vibes from her.
Radu on the other hand is a much more interesting and nuanced character and the only thing that might make me continue the series. I'm just a bit uncomfortable because I read that the historical romance was between Radu/Mehmed and not Lada/Mehmed. I thought the YA twist in the retelling was that everyone would be vampires, not heterosexuals. Oh well.
Wow! What a gripping rewriting of 15th century Ottoman/Byzantine/Eastern European History! Imagining Vlad the Impaler as a young girl is a wonderful plot device, but this book really shines because all of the characters are so complex and well developed! Lada, in particular, is a joy to read. She is exactly what is not expected of a princess-angry, violent, insolent and cruel, and yet you still grow to love her, flaws and all. This is a perfect exploration of the lengths that circumstances will push people to, and the struggle to fight a destiny you were born to. I can't believe I have to wait for June for the next instalment!
Literally so boring and the characters are the worst. I don’t know how else to state it.
I liked this book a lot. But at the same time, it felt a little, I don’t know, as if it was just meant to be the foundation for the other two books. And that’s where the real excitement will begin. Lads and Radu spend more than half of the book as children. So while the author does a good job of bridging the gap between MG and YA, it’s tough to get into the MG side of the book, then transition so quickly into all three characters being young adults in a very adult world with adult decisions to be made. Im looking forward to the next book. But I’m probably not rushing out to start it. Especially considering my TBR pile right now!
If you like Tamora Pierce, you’ll very likely like this book and the ones after. It’s very similar in style, sans the fantastical elements, of course.
If you like Tamora Pierce, you’ll very likely like this book and the ones after. It’s very similar in style, sans the fantastical elements, of course.