Editorial Content for And I Darken
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Reviewer (text)
It is the year 1435 and Vlad Dracul, the duke of Wallachia, must protect his state from the oncoming threats of the Ottoman Empire. Vlad's son, Radu, is an elegant, young boy who is tormented and dismissed due to his inability to be a warrior. Instead the role is taken over by Vlad's daughter, Lada, who is a brutal, unladylike warrior who strives to win over her father's approval. But when Vlad sells his children off to the Ottoman Empire, Lada and Radu must survive within the brutal walls of the Ottomans. That is when they meet Mehmed, the son of the sultan, and the two siblings are forced to face the reality of their relationships.
"AND I DARKEN is a beautifully crafted novel that combined the difficulties of a brutal empire with the difficulties of maintaining a stable sibling relationship."
Kiersten White (one of my favorite authors) and this book definitely didn't disappoint. AND I DARKEN was a very original, suspenseful story that I thoroughly enjoyed, but my favorite thing about the book was definitely the characters. About the first 100 pages were dedicated to developing both Lada and Radu, and I thought that the author was able to do this very well. There was never a point at which I felt that the book was getting boring or the plot was too slow. The author was able to find the perfect balance that continued throughout the rest of the book with a great plot as well.
The plot was very original and informative as well. I had never read a book that took place during the dominance of the Ottoman Empire, and I actually learned a lot about their ability and the brutality of their rule. Also, there was a large sibling relationship throughout the novel that took the centerpiece of the plot, even over Lada and Radu's relationship with Mehmed. There was a large contrast between their personalities, but the author was able to display the bond between siblings and how it can be both broken and repaired. I would almost compare it to the concept of Jandy Nelson's I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN, so if you enjoyed that book I would definitely recommend this one.
AND I DARKEN is a beautifully crafted novel that combined the difficulties of a brutal empire with the difficulties of maintaining a stable sibling relationship. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it to those looking for a suspenseful, historical fiction to read this summer. And to anyone who has read any previous Kiersten White novels, I would say pick this one up as well because it doesn't disappoint!
Teaser
Ever since she and her younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and taken to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada Dragwlya has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, who’s expected to rule a nation, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend --- and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.
Promo
Ever since she and her younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and taken to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada Dragwlya has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, who’s expected to rule a nation, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend --- and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.
About the Book
This vividly rendered novel reads like HBO’s "Game of Thrones"...if it were set in the Ottoman Empire. Ambitious in scope and intimate in execution, the story’s atmospheric setting is rife with political intrigue, with a deftly plotted narrative driven by fiercely passionate characters. Fans of Victoria Aveyard’s THE RED QUEEN, Kristin Cashore’s GRACELING and Sabaa Tahir’s AN EMBER IN THE ASHES won’t want to miss this visceral, immersive and mesmerizing novel, the first in a trilogy.
No one expects a princess to be brutal. And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them.
Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, who’s expected to rule a nation, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend --- and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.
But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against --- and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point.
From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes the first book in a dark, sweeping new series in which heads will roll, bodies will be impaled...and hearts will be broken.
Audiobook available, narrated by Fiona Hardingham.
