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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
so many things going on in this book wow
Wasn't a straight forward story but it was okay
Wasn't a straight forward story but it was okay
When Lada and her brother are ransomed to the Ottoman empire, they meet the future sultan and become intimately familiar his nation's brutal politics. But Lada has only one goal: to use what she learns in preservation of her homeland, Wallachia. And I Darken is a reimagining of Vlad the Impaler with a female protagonist, an intimate, slow story with thorny gender issues, queer representation, and a nearly spiritual sincerity. I'm reminded distinctly of Nicola Griffith's Hild, as both books are about gender-nonconforming female protagonists loyal only to their homelands and both are slow burns, although this is the less skillful novel--but the payoff is that the more delineated narrative is also more approachable. Watching this cast grow from children to adolescents and charting their intimacies and troubled motivations is supremely satisfying, and it also sets up for a sequel. And I Darken is unpretty and passionate and it impressed me; I recommend it.
I loved Lada’s character. She was awesome and brutal. I loved this morally grey character. She made sense as to why she was hard on her brother and let him suffer somethings so that Radu couldn’t be used against her. I loved that she never wanted to fit into the mole what she was born into. And that she carved a new path for herself outside of what the role that was made for her and became a warrior in her own right. I really wanted Radu to find love with Mehmed. But I’m going to read book two and hopefully it happens.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death
I think I liked this book, but I'm actually not too sure.
I really enjoyed the world of this - both historical and fictional - and the idea of Vlad the Impaler as a girl with this heart-wrenching, terrifyingly awesome backstory. I love Lada and Radu, their complex relationship, and the tale that White weaves. I love that there's queer rep, and I love that this story is a smart book about an even smarter girl.
What I don't know if I love is the way this story was written. Thinking back, organization was a big detriment to my reading experience - I couldn't keep trap of years and location the way White sets this. Normally, readers get sections of locations and years as a sort of primer before a chapter begins, but setting it as an epigraph was confusing and hindered my experience. I could more easily ignore it as I got more invested in the story, and often was left grappling for ages and place. I also don't know how much I care about seeing this story's end; I'm not sure if that has anything to do with White or the anti-hero protagonist, and if it's the latter then that's more of a me issue. I'm potentially interested in reading the next book, but I think I need to consider this first one a bit more before I maybe move on.
I really enjoyed the world of this - both historical and fictional - and the idea of Vlad the Impaler as a girl with this heart-wrenching, terrifyingly awesome backstory. I love Lada and Radu, their complex relationship, and the tale that White weaves. I love that there's queer rep, and I love that this story is a smart book about an even smarter girl.
What I don't know if I love is the way this story was written. Thinking back, organization was a big detriment to my reading experience - I couldn't keep trap of years and location the way White sets this. Normally, readers get sections of locations and years as a sort of primer before a chapter begins, but setting it as an epigraph was confusing and hindered my experience. I could more easily ignore it as I got more invested in the story, and often was left grappling for ages and place. I also don't know how much I care about seeing this story's end; I'm not sure if that has anything to do with White or the anti-hero protagonist, and if it's the latter then that's more of a me issue. I'm potentially interested in reading the next book, but I think I need to consider this first one a bit more before I maybe move on.
Listen. All you jerks who failed to tell me a trilogy existed about an alternate history where Vlad Țepeș was a woman? You are DEAD TO ME.
Oh, man. I am so starry-eyed right now. The funny thing is, this book is filled with things that normally I don't care for - politics and romances that are bad for you/love triangle issues being chief among them - but they were so well done, and so in context with what I might expect from a world where Vlad the Impaler had been born female.
I've always had a deep fascination with the story of Vlad III. It started because of my vampire addiction when I was young, I admit, but then grew into something all its own. I was so excited when I learned about this book, and I deeply enjoyed the way the author managed to stay so true to so many aspects of the history.
And Radu. Oh, Radu. I love him dearly and deeply and without reservation. I need all the happiness and joy for this soft, sweet boy. *ALL THE TEARS*
Really looking forward to diving into the second book!!
Oh, man. I am so starry-eyed right now. The funny thing is, this book is filled with things that normally I don't care for - politics and romances that are bad for you/love triangle issues being chief among them - but they were so well done, and so in context with what I might expect from a world where Vlad the Impaler had been born female.
I've always had a deep fascination with the story of Vlad III. It started because of my vampire addiction when I was young, I admit, but then grew into something all its own. I was so excited when I learned about this book, and I deeply enjoyed the way the author managed to stay so true to so many aspects of the history.
And Radu. Oh, Radu. I love him dearly and deeply and without reservation. I need all the happiness and joy for this soft, sweet boy. *ALL THE TEARS*
Really looking forward to diving into the second book!!
Wow okay I loved this book. I love Radu in particular and honestly so much happened in the book i cant believe there is two more in the story.
So I loved the beginning of this but then I just stopped caring? I so wanted to love this all the way through to continue the series but I dont think I will right now.
