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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. Also, I see this as a historical fiction, as there are no fantasy elements.
There were some things I really liked in this story. I liked Lada's viciousness and refusal to fit into the mold for women at the time. I especially appreciated her thoughts on marriage - I am not sure I had found those feels so clearly articulated in fiction before this book. I liked the unfamiliar setting of ancient Romania and the Ottoman Empire, and the politics were intriguing. I appreciated how deeply we got to know the characters and hear their thoughts.
There were also some things that didn't work for me. I wanted more plot and overarching movement. A lot of the book felt like a raging against women's treatment and the expectations on them, and though that has its place, I did also want a more compelling story. Also, I wanted more emotional connection to Lada. The romance between her and Mehmed also felt very volatile, and neither of them had any softness towards the other, which is at least partially required in a relationship (you do have to care for each other, after all).
I finished this book wondering if it was worth it to try the next, as I didn't have the desire to read another plotless, rageful story. But, this book series is highly recommended by a friend, so I will try book 2 and see if it improves in plot at all!
**romance notes: lots of innuendo & sexual joking. attempted sexual assault (non-descriptive). mildly described kisses. lots of thinking about sexuality (specifically from the gay character as they come out, though also from Lada as she matures into womanhood).
**content notes: violence/gore.
There were some things I really liked in this story. I liked Lada's viciousness and refusal to fit into the mold for women at the time. I especially appreciated her thoughts on marriage - I am not sure I had found those feels so clearly articulated in fiction before this book. I liked the unfamiliar setting of ancient Romania and the Ottoman Empire, and the politics were intriguing. I appreciated how deeply we got to know the characters and hear their thoughts.
There were also some things that didn't work for me. I wanted more plot and overarching movement. A lot of the book felt like a raging against women's treatment and the expectations on them, and though that has its place, I did also want a more compelling story. Also, I wanted more emotional connection to Lada. The romance between her and Mehmed also felt very volatile, and neither of them had any softness towards the other, which is at least partially required in a relationship (you do have to care for each other, after all).
I finished this book wondering if it was worth it to try the next, as I didn't have the desire to read another plotless, rageful story. But, this book series is highly recommended by a friend, so I will try book 2 and see if it improves in plot at all!
**romance notes: lots of innuendo & sexual joking. attempted sexual assault (non-descriptive). mildly described kisses. lots of thinking about sexuality (specifically from the gay character as they come out, though also from Lada as she matures into womanhood).
**content notes: violence/gore.
I just couldn't make myself care about the characters or the story.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This a rambling saga clocking in a hefty number of pages. I enjoyed this historical fiction with a strong female protagonist who chafes against the limits and expectations for her time and gender. She is not content to be chattel, a chess piece to be strategically surrendered as political machinations require. She not always likable but she is admirable in her ambition and wiliness. All of the main characters are well fleshed out. Although I wished for the narrative to move more quickly at times, it is a satisfying read and I'm eager to learn what a to become of Lada, her brother, and the young sultan. There is violence, an attempted rape, and homosexuality in the content which makes it best suited for older readers but, honestly, it is handled very tastefully and is not at all gratuitous. I think readers will appreciate the way the characters comport themselves and will identify with their struggles.
As I was finishing this book on the beach, a nearby sunbather asked me how I was enjoying it and where I was in it. I was surprised as it was another adult! She was equally surprised! We both give it thumbs up!
As I was finishing this book on the beach, a nearby sunbather asked me how I was enjoying it and where I was in it. I was surprised as it was another adult! She was equally surprised! We both give it thumbs up!
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I have read some of Kiersten White's other books and this one definitely does not compare to them. It for sure wasn't her best book.
For starters, the love...triangle, maybe, idk what you call it, but whatever it is...it's pretty messed up. You have two siblings falling for the same guy, but of course Radu isn't going to catch the affections of Mehmed. For once it would be nice to have a book favor a romance between two guys. There doesn't seem to be enough. But that isn't my point. One sibling is fall head over heals for Mehmed and the other doesn't know how they feel. She has feelings, but she doesn't. One thing is for certain, they are both constantly thinking about Mehmed. He's not constantly seen throughout the whole book, but we sure do hear about him A LOT. I felt that it was little overboard.
I overall felt this book was a little boring. And a little too long. All of these singular thoughts about Mehmed just took up a lot of ink. I will read the next book, just because I am curious to see if it gets better. Hopefully, it does.
For starters, the love...triangle, maybe, idk what you call it, but whatever it is...it's pretty messed up. You have two siblings falling for the same guy, but of course Radu isn't going to catch the affections of Mehmed. For once it would be nice to have a book favor a romance between two guys. There doesn't seem to be enough. But that isn't my point. One sibling is fall head over heals for Mehmed and the other doesn't know how they feel. She has feelings, but she doesn't. One thing is for certain, they are both constantly thinking about Mehmed. He's not constantly seen throughout the whole book, but we sure do hear about him A LOT. I felt that it was little overboard.
I overall felt this book was a little boring. And a little too long. All of these singular thoughts about Mehmed just took up a lot of ink. I will read the next book, just because I am curious to see if it gets better. Hopefully, it does.
I’m not sure why this is classified as fantasy. There is no magic or other fantastical elements. At first glance it looked like historical fiction, but it contained none of what makes historical fiction great - learning about distant times and places through a story. Other than references to the harem, this modern feminist story could be set anywhere there was conflict in the past.
There are plenty of great books out there with strong female characters who have grit and heart and compassion while the male characters also have brains and feelings and courage. This was not one of them.
There are plenty of great books out there with strong female characters who have grit and heart and compassion while the male characters also have brains and feelings and courage. This was not one of them.
4.5 stars
!!!!!!!!!! I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did, WOW.
!!!!!!!!!! I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did, WOW.
most of the book was sensational! but the ending was a bit anticlimactic