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jafinc's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books/series which I want to end at the moments where things are going relatively well, making it short and happy, mostly because I already (at least, on a grand scale) know what history has in store for these characters.
/sigh
I love Lada, despite not always agreeing with her choices. Understand Mehmed, despite hating what he becomes in this book. And Radu, poor sweet handsome Radu...he deserves so much more.
Where's book three already?!
/sigh
I love Lada, despite not always agreeing with her choices. Understand Mehmed, despite hating what he becomes in this book. And Radu, poor sweet handsome Radu...he deserves so much more.
Where's book three already?!
leafblade's review
4.0
Bold of me to assume Kiersten White would spare my favorite characters and give them anything that resembled a happy ending in book two
fatimareadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Holy crap. Can this series get any better? It's been such a long time since I read a 5-star book! Honestly, I think the last time I felt this strongly about a series was after reading the first 2 books in the ToG series. If you've read [b:And I Darken|27190613|And I Darken (The Conqueror's Saga, #1)|Kiersten White|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1449153532s/27190613.jpg|41682914] and found yourself thinking, "Can this get any better?" The answer is yes, my friend. It definitely has.
This series has been coined with the popular phrase: "a teenage Game of Thrones set in the Ottoman Empire" and I couldn't agree more. It's brutal & dark, while still managing to remain utterly captivating. This book demands your attention with every single paragraph, making it very difficult to tear your eyes away from the page. So clear your schedules folks!
Our protagonists are Radu and Lada, presented in alternating POVs. In this book, Radu is spying in Constantinople for Mehmed whereas Lada is trying to reclaim the Wallachian throne and become Prince.
I didn't even think it was possible to love Lada even more than in the first book, but boy was I wrong. She is such a fiercely complex character, gaining her the title of 'antihero'. However, this does not stop her from demanding the reader's sympathy and attention. You can't help but root for her, despite all her cruelty. Even though she struggles with being a woman in a patriarchal and heavily male-dominated society, she sure as hell does not let that stop her. Lada plays by her own rules, and you see many characters throughout this book appreciate that about her.
Meanwhile, Radu is in Constantinople struggling with his intense feelings for Mehmed. As expected, being a spy is no easy task. Radu sees the goodness of the people in Constantinople and grapples with all the atrocities he must commit for their enemy and his friend. He is caught in between, until the lines blur and he cannot distinguish friend from foe. A new character from the last book is brought into the mix, making it even harder for Radu. I really admire Radu's character for how smart & collected he is, as opposed to Lada's brashness. In my opinion, Lada seems to see the world in black-or-white, whereas Radu is in the gray zone. His POV highlights all the morally ambiguous choices he has to make, further endearing him to the reader.
This book isn't all gloom and doom, though. Nazira's vivacity and charm are a welcome reprieve from all the darkness. She's probably the purest character in the whole series! The Jannisary characters also bring in a much needed dose of levity. Their funny banter was such a pleasure to read, and their dynamics were top-notch.
As always, the world is so richly fleshed out and the writing so richly expressive that putting this book down was a struggle. Writing a fictional book about history is definitely not easy, so kudos to Kiersten. The history surrounding the fall of Constantinople seems so fascinating; I'm definitely invested in reading more about it.
I can't vouch for the historical accuracy of this book, but if you're looking for a book with a hella dramatic plot and some hella self-destructive, badass characters, then you've come to the right place. I really don't think this review does this book justice, so all I have to say is -- just pick it up, you won't regret it.
Follow me on my blog, Book Whizz | Bloglovin' | Twitter
My review of And I Darken, the book that started it all.
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
This series has been coined with the popular phrase: "a teenage Game of Thrones set in the Ottoman Empire" and I couldn't agree more. It's brutal & dark, while still managing to remain utterly captivating. This book demands your attention with every single paragraph, making it very difficult to tear your eyes away from the page. So clear your schedules folks!
Our protagonists are Radu and Lada, presented in alternating POVs. In this book, Radu is spying in Constantinople for Mehmed whereas Lada is trying to reclaim the Wallachian throne and become Prince.
I didn't even think it was possible to love Lada even more than in the first book, but boy was I wrong. She is such a fiercely complex character, gaining her the title of 'antihero'. However, this does not stop her from demanding the reader's sympathy and attention. You can't help but root for her, despite all her cruelty. Even though she struggles with being a woman in a patriarchal and heavily male-dominated society, she sure as hell does not let that stop her. Lada plays by her own rules, and you see many characters throughout this book appreciate that about her.
Meanwhile, Radu is in Constantinople struggling with his intense feelings for Mehmed. As expected, being a spy is no easy task. Radu sees the goodness of the people in Constantinople and grapples with all the atrocities he must commit for their enemy and his friend. He is caught in between, until the lines blur and he cannot distinguish friend from foe. A new character from the last book is brought into the mix, making it even harder for Radu. I really admire Radu's character for how smart & collected he is, as opposed to Lada's brashness. In my opinion, Lada seems to see the world in black-or-white, whereas Radu is in the gray zone. His POV highlights all the morally ambiguous choices he has to make, further endearing him to the reader.
This book isn't all gloom and doom, though. Nazira's vivacity and charm are a welcome reprieve from all the darkness. She's probably the purest character in the whole series! The Jannisary characters also bring in a much needed dose of levity. Their funny banter was such a pleasure to read, and their dynamics were top-notch.
As always, the world is so richly fleshed out and the writing so richly expressive that putting this book down was a struggle. Writing a fictional book about history is definitely not easy, so kudos to Kiersten. The history surrounding the fall of Constantinople seems so fascinating; I'm definitely invested in reading more about it.
I can't vouch for the historical accuracy of this book, but if you're looking for a book with a hella dramatic plot and some hella self-destructive, badass characters, then you've come to the right place. I really don't think this review does this book justice, so all I have to say is -- just pick it up, you won't regret it.
Follow me on my blog, Book Whizz | Bloglovin' | Twitter
My review of And I Darken, the book that started it all.
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
mllejoyeuxnoel's review against another edition
4.0
Really great follow-up to the first installment! Lada continues to be one of my favorite protagonists; I laughed out loud whenever she did something completely insane, like break into a child's room at night to give said child a knife to defend herself... from intruders like Lada. So if you loved her the first time around, you'll love her still in this sequel. She also grows as she fights her way to the Wallachian throne - physically and politically. (Though I will say I wasn't crazy about how much her arc in this book felt a bit like we had some Harry Potter and the Unnecessarily Extended Camping Trip action, which is the only reason I give the book four stars and not five.)
Now Radu... my sweet smol son whom I will protect with my life... I spent the entire book feeling like this guy about Radu and Cyprian:
Hoo boy - there is a new ship available to the audience in this book, and I am just as on board with it as Nazira. (We also get to see a lot more of her being the fabulous gay queen she is! WOO!)
Can't wait for the next part of the saga! 2018 can't come soon enough...
Now Radu... my sweet smol son whom I will protect with my life... I spent the entire book feeling like this guy about Radu and Cyprian:
Hoo boy - there is a new ship available to the audience in this book, and I am just as on board with it as Nazira. (We also get to see a lot more of her being the fabulous gay queen she is! WOO!)
Can't wait for the next part of the saga! 2018 can't come soon enough...
sushizhan's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good ending and is beautifully written.
PROS:
- def one of the better written YA books/series I’ve read
- a good representation of religious differences and conflicts that arise
- anti-war sentiments from Radu’s POV
- Lada, Radu POVs
- good open ended ending
CONS:
- not so good with war details
- not trying to be historically accurate (then again it IS Fiction)
-Mehmed (he pisses me off!!!)
Overall: LOVE. This is actually getting me interested to know what are the real historical facts surrounding Vlad the Impaler and the conquests of Constantinople.
EDIT: ok so I thought this was going to stay a duology... but apparently not...?!?!
PROS:
- def one of the better written YA books/series I’ve read
- a good representation of religious differences and conflicts that arise
- anti-war sentiments from Radu’s POV
- Lada, Radu POVs
- good open ended ending
CONS:
- not so good with war details
- not trying to be historically accurate (then again it IS Fiction)
-Mehmed (he pisses me off!!!)
Overall: LOVE. This is actually getting me interested to know what are the real historical facts surrounding Vlad the Impaler and the conquests of Constantinople.
EDIT: ok so I thought this was going to stay a duology... but apparently not...?!?!
staciben037's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
maremi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
alyssaindira's review against another edition
4.0
*no spoilers were harmed in the making of this review*
"I should be partners with the devil"
Hey guys, so I finally got around to reading Now I Rise (And I Darken Series, #2) by Kiersten White. I am kind of glad it took me so long to read it, cause now I dont have to wait long to read the third book, since it just came out, ha. Anyway, I think I enjoyed this book a bit more than the first book, probably due to the fact that the first book just had so much character shaping and background building and ya know, all the stuff a first book of a series needs. Due to that, one could slip relatively easily into the second book. I felt like the second book had more going on, like one event after another, in rapid succession. It was almost hard to keep up, haha. Like this is happening then this and that led to this then that, etc. Also, the story was told in alternating POV's of Lada and Radu. I liked that, except when something interesting happens to one of them, and I want to continue with that event, but the book has other ideas. Heh. Ultimately, all the scattered events led the characters toward their goals. For Lada, get the throne of Wallachia. For Radu, help Mehmed get Constantinople. Both of these goals by any, means, possible. I think the characters stayed true to themselves for most of this book, and from the characters we got to know in the first book. Lada as always, would rather negotiate with blood promises than false promises. She would rather turn to violent means to get what she wants instead of slightly less violent means. But hey, I dont judge her. She knew what she wanted, and she would do anything,become anything to get it. The only things that she could not become, were a man, nor Radu. Several times during the novel, she wonders what would happen if Radu were beside her, or if she was simply more like Radu. But then she remembers that he is not beside her, and she has to be what she has always been. Herself. She gains allies her own way, no one elses. Gotta have respect for that. She never gives up, she always finds a way. Always. No matter what. The only thing I didnt like about Lada in this book was how she used Bogdan. :/. She flat out used his affections and his loyalty to...service her. I was just...*sighs* She even says that she wont belong to Bogdan, but he belongs to her. She admits that she doesnt like him like that,but she still used him for her own pleasure. I was just...gah. I wish Bogdan would find himself someone who could actually give him the love he deserves. In regards to Lada's other men, I liked Nic. I also found Hunyadi an interesting character. I also kind of liked Mattias too. Wonder if we'll see more of him in the next novel. Now flipping to Radu, well, he often found himself asking what Lada would do if she were in his position. Sometimes he wishes he was more like her, sometime he doesnt. But he gets thing done in his own way. Sadly, I dont really think it was bcause Radu wanted to do these things for himself, but for another, in hopes that he would finally get the love he so rightly deserved. However, that man has no heart to give Radu. Honestly, I dont know where MEhmed's heart went wandering off to in this novel. In the first novel, he was alright. In this novel, he was so not alright. I hated how he didnt seem to care at all about Radu and the conditions he might have to face and everything he would have to see and experience on the mission that Mehmed sent him on. If mehmed had cared about Radu the way he said he does, well,,,*coughs* things would be different. Not only did Mehmed hurt Radu, used poor Radu, he also pulled a fast one on Lada. Gods. He is...ughhh. I think at the end of this novel, Radu was starting to realize that he was just so over Mehmed. That he was moving on. He was beginning to see the truth about Mehmed and that the sultan would never be enough. Onto something better, or should we say, someone? Cyprian was bae. I swear. heh. I hope in the next book, that ship sails, yesss. So yes, the character relations and dynamics swayed over the course of this book, as did their hearts, kind of. Yes the book kind of dragged out some of the events, but it made it seem as if it wasnt too dragged out, the descriptions were an ease to read and not to complex. All in all, I enjoyed this novel and cant wait to read the third. As always, if you guys have any questions or comments, drop em below. Till next time. Bye
"I should be partners with the devil"
Hey guys, so I finally got around to reading Now I Rise (And I Darken Series, #2) by Kiersten White. I am kind of glad it took me so long to read it, cause now I dont have to wait long to read the third book, since it just came out, ha. Anyway, I think I enjoyed this book a bit more than the first book, probably due to the fact that the first book just had so much character shaping and background building and ya know, all the stuff a first book of a series needs. Due to that, one could slip relatively easily into the second book. I felt like the second book had more going on, like one event after another, in rapid succession. It was almost hard to keep up, haha. Like this is happening then this and that led to this then that, etc. Also, the story was told in alternating POV's of Lada and Radu. I liked that, except when something interesting happens to one of them, and I want to continue with that event, but the book has other ideas. Heh. Ultimately, all the scattered events led the characters toward their goals. For Lada, get the throne of Wallachia. For Radu, help Mehmed get Constantinople. Both of these goals by any, means, possible. I think the characters stayed true to themselves for most of this book, and from the characters we got to know in the first book. Lada as always, would rather negotiate with blood promises than false promises. She would rather turn to violent means to get what she wants instead of slightly less violent means. But hey, I dont judge her. She knew what she wanted, and she would do anything,become anything to get it. The only things that she could not become, were a man, nor Radu. Several times during the novel, she wonders what would happen if Radu were beside her, or if she was simply more like Radu. But then she remembers that he is not beside her, and she has to be what she has always been. Herself. She gains allies her own way, no one elses. Gotta have respect for that. She never gives up, she always finds a way. Always. No matter what. The only thing I didnt like about Lada in this book was how she used Bogdan. :/. She flat out used his affections and his loyalty to...service her. I was just...*sighs* She even says that she wont belong to Bogdan, but he belongs to her. She admits that she doesnt like him like that,but she still used him for her own pleasure. I was just...gah. I wish Bogdan would find himself someone who could actually give him the love he deserves. In regards to Lada's other men, I liked Nic. I also found Hunyadi an interesting character. I also kind of liked Mattias too. Wonder if we'll see more of him in the next novel. Now flipping to Radu, well, he often found himself asking what Lada would do if she were in his position. Sometimes he wishes he was more like her, sometime he doesnt. But he gets thing done in his own way. Sadly, I dont really think it was bcause Radu wanted to do these things for himself, but for another, in hopes that he would finally get the love he so rightly deserved. However, that man has no heart to give Radu. Honestly, I dont know where MEhmed's heart went wandering off to in this novel. In the first novel, he was alright. In this novel, he was so not alright. I hated how he didnt seem to care at all about Radu and the conditions he might have to face and everything he would have to see and experience on the mission that Mehmed sent him on. If mehmed had cared about Radu the way he said he does, well,,,*coughs* things would be different. Not only did Mehmed hurt Radu, used poor Radu, he also pulled a fast one on Lada. Gods. He is...ughhh. I think at the end of this novel, Radu was starting to realize that he was just so over Mehmed. That he was moving on. He was beginning to see the truth about Mehmed and that the sultan would never be enough. Onto something better, or should we say, someone? Cyprian was bae. I swear. heh. I hope in the next book, that ship sails, yesss. So yes, the character relations and dynamics swayed over the course of this book, as did their hearts, kind of. Yes the book kind of dragged out some of the events, but it made it seem as if it wasnt too dragged out, the descriptions were an ease to read and not to complex. All in all, I enjoyed this novel and cant wait to read the third. As always, if you guys have any questions or comments, drop em below. Till next time. Bye