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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. Phenomenal.
To be honest, this is probably a 3.5/5.
I loved the first pages, and the ending where Lada "returns" to her former self.
I didn't like the fact that she changed herself for Mehmed. There are a few moments throughout the book where this change is questioned, and the fact that he can't really make her happy is raised (which I appreciate a lot!). I just think it was a bit stretched so I was getting a bit sick of Lada&Mehmed.
Lada is amazing, she had some great scenes and as I said, I just thought Mehmed was pulling her down.
Radu is a character I have mixed feelings towards... He is very bland and self centered for most of the book (which I can't really be mad at because it's who he is). I didn't like him then.
And then he turned around and made some very good choices, and I started to like him!
As for the book itself, I was expecting a little more *impaling* tbh. I'm hoping the second book will grant me that!
I loved the first pages, and the ending where Lada "returns" to her former self.
I didn't like the fact that she changed herself for Mehmed. There are a few moments throughout the book where this change is questioned, and the fact that he can't really make her happy is raised (which I appreciate a lot!). I just think it was a bit stretched so I was getting a bit sick of Lada&Mehmed.
Lada is amazing, she had some great scenes and as I said, I just thought Mehmed was pulling her down.
Radu is a character I have mixed feelings towards... He is very bland and self centered for most of the book (which I can't really be mad at because it's who he is). I didn't like him then.
And then he turned around and made some very good choices, and I started to like him!
As for the book itself, I was expecting a little more *impaling* tbh. I'm hoping the second book will grant me that!
It started out as something amazing. It felt like a story I haven't read a million times before, and characters with some actual personality. It was giving me hope for YA books, but then... Those few ending pages happened...
I feel like there was meant to be some kind of huge fight or castle infiltration scene, and then instead I got a few pages (if that) of action. The real kicker, however, was the great big 'reveal' to Mehmed about the big bad thing that the main characters did to him in the beginning. It was kind of like
Lada: "Hey I did this one thing to you when we were really little, but I only did it for your sake because I cared about you. Sorry."
Mehmed: "HOW DARE YOU DO SUCH A THING???" followed by "jk I don't really care that much" a few pages later.
Like.. what? Did I miss something somewhere? Was there even a point to this scene?
And then oh yeah, by the way Lada, your childhood friend that you pretend-married when you were little... yeah, he's back, but only he's totally dull. Like he's just a plank of wood at this point. You'll have to get to the next book to start the love triangle sequence because right now he's just not that into you... or anything for that matter it would seem.
Sigh.. if only the book was as good at the end as it was in the beginning. Everything just fell apart in those last 100 pages.
I feel like there was meant to be some kind of huge fight or castle infiltration scene, and then instead I got a few pages (if that) of action. The real kicker, however, was the great big 'reveal' to Mehmed about the big bad thing that the main characters did to him in the beginning. It was kind of like
Lada: "Hey I did this one thing to you when we were really little, but I only did it for your sake because I cared about you. Sorry."
Mehmed: "HOW DARE YOU DO SUCH A THING???" followed by "jk I don't really care that much" a few pages later.
Like.. what? Did I miss something somewhere? Was there even a point to this scene?
And then oh yeah, by the way Lada, your childhood friend that you pretend-married when you were little... yeah, he's back, but only he's totally dull. Like he's just a plank of wood at this point. You'll have to get to the next book to start the love triangle sequence because right now he's just not that into you... or anything for that matter it would seem.
Sigh.. if only the book was as good at the end as it was in the beginning. Everything just fell apart in those last 100 pages.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
THANK YOU LADA. THANK YOU.
Also I know my status updates may not show it but I actually don't hate Radu anymore, just think he can be a little twat sometimes. Then again, he's probably technically the best of the three considering Mehmed is a spoiled brat who thinks he can have anything he wants and also thinks his "faith" justifies him throwing his people into war *rolls eyes* and Lada has no soul whatsoever and literally bites people. I don't know. I loved this story though, extremely unique and not what I expected at all.
Also I know my status updates may not show it but I actually don't hate Radu anymore, just think he can be a little twat sometimes. Then again, he's probably technically the best of the three considering Mehmed is a spoiled brat who thinks he can have anything he wants and also thinks his "faith" justifies him throwing his people into war *rolls eyes* and Lada has no soul whatsoever and literally bites people. I don't know. I loved this story though, extremely unique and not what I expected at all.
I was going to start off by saying And I Darken was not the type of book I usually go for. Historical fiction has never been my favorite, but I need to reevaluate that after reading this and the His Fair Assassin books. Maybe I just like YA historical fiction with incredibly kick ass heroines? That’s probably it! And I Darken fits that description perfectly.
I’m sure that most of you know that And I Darken is a re-imagining of Vlad the Impaler with a female Vald, right? It’s as awesome as it sounds! This is also a time period that I knew little about, or had forgotten most of it. I was super intrigued by all the history. There’s a lot of details and info to take in, but it never felt like a info dump to me. I was captivated by all the politics and intrigue from the very start.
Lada was certainly my favorite part of the story. She is the epitome of ruthless. She was so violent and completely unapologetic about it. She was very refreshing. The story is also told from her brother’s point of view. Radu is not one to be overlooked. He may appear harmless and weak but he has so much to offer the story. I really grew fond of him throughout the book. The relationship between Lada and Radu was so complex. I don’t think we even scratched the surface on their dynamics yet.
There was actually more romance than I was expecting in And I Darken. Not that that’s a bad thing. There is a love triangle. Before you groan, let me assure you that it’s not one of those annoying love triangles. Not at all. This one is brutal and heartbreaking. I can’t wait to see where it goes.
I’ve read Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy books and enjoyed them. And I Darken is nothing like those. There’s captivating history, wars, compelling relationships and an awesomely kick ass character at the heart of the story. The sequel is already on my most anticipated of 2017 list.
I’m sure that most of you know that And I Darken is a re-imagining of Vlad the Impaler with a female Vald, right? It’s as awesome as it sounds! This is also a time period that I knew little about, or had forgotten most of it. I was super intrigued by all the history. There’s a lot of details and info to take in, but it never felt like a info dump to me. I was captivated by all the politics and intrigue from the very start.
Lada was certainly my favorite part of the story. She is the epitome of ruthless. She was so violent and completely unapologetic about it. She was very refreshing. The story is also told from her brother’s point of view. Radu is not one to be overlooked. He may appear harmless and weak but he has so much to offer the story. I really grew fond of him throughout the book. The relationship between Lada and Radu was so complex. I don’t think we even scratched the surface on their dynamics yet.
There was actually more romance than I was expecting in And I Darken. Not that that’s a bad thing. There is a love triangle. Before you groan, let me assure you that it’s not one of those annoying love triangles. Not at all. This one is brutal and heartbreaking. I can’t wait to see where it goes.
I’ve read Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy books and enjoyed them. And I Darken is nothing like those. There’s captivating history, wars, compelling relationships and an awesomely kick ass character at the heart of the story. The sequel is already on my most anticipated of 2017 list.
Soo slow in pace. Plot is not interesting and characters are not very likable or seem to serve much of a purpose
3.8
I love how i was halfway through before i found out that its a historical fiction,, ceo of being oblivious.
i really enjoyed this. the writing style and whole premise is so different from everything I've read. i honestly tend to not read any historical fiction bc everything gets muddled up in my brain.
I really like the main 3. they're dynamic is very unique and i enjoyed seeing different stages of their relationships. it makes it very difficult to choose who to ship lmao,, so I'm not really shipping anyone.
lada's insane patriotism is low-key a mood. but i also understand radu's perspective bc realistically, Wallachia just contains bad memories for the both of them. but I'm proud of my girl becoming a prince.
the ending was really smth. honestly once bogdan came back, shit started to go down. with ilyas' betrayal and the 3rd assassination attempt,, yikes. I'm happy for nazira and fatima and I'm glad radu's helping them out. i just feel so sad for him :/ unrequited love is the worst. nicolae is also great, very funny guy and one of the only people truly loyal to lada and doesn't hesitate to tell her his opinion.
I love how i was halfway through before i found out that its a historical fiction,, ceo of being oblivious.
i really enjoyed this. the writing style and whole premise is so different from everything I've read. i honestly tend to not read any historical fiction bc everything gets muddled up in my brain.
I really like the main 3. they're dynamic is very unique and i enjoyed seeing different stages of their relationships. it makes it very difficult to choose who to ship lmao,, so I'm not really shipping anyone.
lada's insane patriotism is low-key a mood. but i also understand radu's perspective bc realistically, Wallachia just contains bad memories for the both of them. but I'm proud of my girl becoming a prince.
the ending was really smth. honestly once bogdan came back, shit started to go down. with ilyas' betrayal and the 3rd assassination attempt,, yikes. I'm happy for nazira and fatima and I'm glad radu's helping them out. i just feel so sad for him :/ unrequited love is the worst. nicolae is also great, very funny guy and one of the only people truly loyal to lada and doesn't hesitate to tell her his opinion.