And I Darken (The Conqueror's Saga #1) by Kiersten White - Restarting November 4th 2021

[T.J.]

Dannii wrote: "
The writing was also far more beautiful than I had anticipated. I had assumed this a straight up typical YA but it incorporated elements from so many genres into one seamless and brilliantly executed novel. "

Totally agree. I feel so much like I am there in the 15th century Ottoman Empire. Maybe this book speaks to me so well because I am such a Turkey fan! Istanbul is my favorite city in the world.

(view spoiler)[I wonder if Mehmed will take Constantinople. (hide spoiler)] I have to admit, I need to brush up on my Ottoman history. But I decided not to do it before finishing this book. That would be a spoiler... ;)

[T.J.]

Dannii wrote: "It dealt with so many hard-hitting topics with a grace, knowledge and tenderness that really endeared me to the writer."

Too true.
(view spoiler)[
...like woman's rights, homosexuality, coming-of-age, political manipulation, good versus evil, war and violence...
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Dannii wrote: "I also [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Dannii wrote: "I also fell in love with Lada's character. She was such a badass female heroine and totally not a product of her cultural, historical and societal background"

I often wonder when reading a book like this how I would react if I had lived a different time... It's hard to say, but I'd like to think I would have been a rebel to the conventions of the time (since I am in my time ;) ).
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Kim at Divergent Gryffindor wrote: "43% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
Kim at Divergent Gryffindor wrote: " Oh, finally! Things are just starting to become interesting! I was close to putting this aside because the narratives can just be a bit too much, but now things are finally looking up! I can only hope that this continues."

Totally agree!
(hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from the 7th of July 2016

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[Karen]

Have a couple of books from NetGalley due to be archived at the same time so I've started this a bit early.
Opening chapters suggest a complex relationship between the siblings is developing. Talk about a dysfunctional family!

[Karen]

16%-a brave move to play with what people know, but this lends a real complexity to the portrayal of the characters. Lada is fast becoming a character that I am really full of admiration for (even if she scares me to death!)

[Karen]

23%-even more to admire in Lada! Wondering what is to come in this next phase of their 'education'

[Karen]

46%-I can't imagine how you live when you are denied basic freedoms. While the story is interesting enough, I'm gripped by the machinations behind the action.

[Karen]

53%-Rada...he didn't want the answer to the question he dared not ask, but it's harsh to set up another reason for him to fall out with Lada.

[Karen]

73%-we know both will do what it takes to protect Mehmed, but Radu can't really have done this. Can he?

[Karen]

Completed-well, that's certainly setting up an interesting next book. Lada and Radu have kept me highly entertained.

[Helen 2.0]

10% - (view spoiler)[ This is amazing! I love the contrast between brother and sister that's established right from the start. I also like Lada for the fighter that she is, even though I think Ruda has his merits too. I wonder if the story will jump forward to when the siblings are older or stay with them as preteens. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from July 27th 2016

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[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 15: (view spoiler)[ Mehmed is exactly the kind of friend Lada needs to recover from Bogdan's loss. I hope the two of them stay together on good terms for a long time. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 28: (view spoiler)[ OH MY GOD. Radu is so totally gay for Mehmed! I should have seen that coming, there were many signs before this chapter. That's going to be awkward, having both siblings love Mehmed... (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

Up to chapter 14: (view spoiler)[ I really like it so far. I like that this story began from when Lada was born. We got to see her and Radu grow up. We also saw how they came to be as they are now. It's definitely different. I'm worried for Lada though. She has so much hate and anger in her. I'm really curious how Mehmed will change that for her. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 41, 42: (view spoiler)[ And here's why you should always read what you're signing before you sign it. Smh. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 49: (view spoiler)[ I think the Radu/Nazira marriage worked out really well, beneficial to both. I'm so happy for Nazira. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Done: (view spoiler)[ Still processing... (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

I'm at chapter 47. I'll be done soon. Sorry I didn't really post. I'm trying to get through my reads since I'm behind, so I haven't had time to post. I will post my final thoughts and reply to yours.

[Helen 2.0]

Nicole wrote: "I'm at chapter 47. I'll be done soon. Sorry I didn't really post. I'm trying to get through my reads since I'm behind, so I haven't had time to post. I will post my final thoughts and reply to yours."

I'm in the same position.

[Skyler]

I am 11% in so far, and I like it so far!

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Done: [spoilers removed]"

I have no idea what to say....(view spoiler)[ This was soooo epic! But it's not perfect...I had issues with Lada but I loved the drama and how heavy this book was. (hide spoiler)]

[Alley]

I haven't started yet because I've been busy the last couple days. I plan to start tomorrow

[BlaiddDrwg]

Hello. Is anyone still doing this buddy read? If so may I join? :-)

[BlaiddDrwg]

Great :-) I've started yesterday but I'm only like 50 pages down and I'm making a really slow progress (even though I love it so far). Waiting for you guys to start :-)

[Brooke]

im joining once i finish Voice of dragons :)

[BlaiddDrwg]

I'm struggling with all Radu's chapters. Lada is damn amazing and I'm really enjoying chapters about her but Radu... soooo booooring

[BlaiddDrwg]

I'm at like page 70 now.
Lada's Mother (view spoiler)[ Lada says somewhere that her mother was married at age of 13 and I'm pretty sure we're at the time where we're dealing with arranged marriages. So I think 1. She was forced to marry Vlad and didn't love him or like him 2. He was a cruel man and probably abused her so yeah, she didn't want to be there. (hide spoiler)]

And I can't help disliking Radu. I understand that he's a fragile delicate boy, brain over muscles and stuff. But why does he have to cry all the time?

Lada on the other hand... I love her. I've read a quote from the book on goodreads before I picked it up with a tiny little spoiler about her and I can't wait till she's a grown up. She's gonna be such a badass. Even more than she is now. And I really hope that she'll never fall in love with someone. I want to see her as independent cruel woman who doesn't feel a lot :-)

[BlaiddDrwg]

But teah. Radu would be cute and cool if he only stopped crying ;-)

[T.J.]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "Ahh! I'm loving this so far! I'm only about 40 pages in, but I immediately fell in love with Lada. She's great! And Radu... [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "I was a bit baffled in the beginning about Lada's mother. [I hated the way Vlad treated her, but even worse seeing the way she treated her children. I'm not sure if I understand the situation correctly... Did she not wanna be there in the first place? Like maybe Vlad forced her to be with him and bear his children?"

Ya, that's exactly it. I think she was like 14 or 15 when she had Lada, I'll have to check, but she was really young when she was forced by her parents into political marriage with Vlad. Since she has been there, she has suffered severe depression. All she wants is to go back to her home country and her family.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Ooops, I just noticed that you already commented on Lada's mother, BlaiddDrwg. :D

BlaiddDrwg wrote: "I'm at like page 70 now.
Lada's Mother [spoilers removed]
(view spoiler)[
BlaiddDrwg wrote: "And I can't help disliking Radu. I understand that he's a fragile delicate boy, brain over muscles and stuff. But why does he have to cry all the time?

Lada on the other hand... I love her. I've read a quote from the book on goodreads before I picked it up with a tiny little spoiler about her and I can't wait till she's a grown up. She's gonna be such a badass. Even more than she is now. And I really hope that she'll never fall in love with someone. I want to see her as independent cruel woman who doesn't feel a lot :-)

I think it's interesting that traditional gender roles are reversed. If Radu and Lada's personalities were reversed, no one would be surprised... although I'm sure we all would complain about Lada's wimpiness...

But considering both children were neglected by their mother, their mother was abused by their father, and their father was a negligent, absent, abusive ass... Radu's sensitivity is as understandable as Lada's aggressiveness. Both are reactions to a traumatic childhood.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "And I love the moments when [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "I'm an only child, so I've never gotten to experience the love and/or bond of siblings. So I enjoy reading books about siblings, no matter the circumstances."

lol! This isn't your average sibling bonding... But I guess, under the traumatic circumstances in which they live, Lada and Radu only have each other -- so maybe the bond is even greater...
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "Hey, TJ!! Thanks for joining us :)"

Thanks, Megan! I had to speedread through the second half to complete a challenge, so I'm rereading the second half so that I can write a decent review for my blog. What's more, all my reading buddies had finished and stopped discussing by the time I got to the second half (as usual I was multi-tasking... btw, I'm only 5% into Nevernight so you can still join me when it comes out on the 9th -- my buddy started early and is already finished).

But I think there is so much to discuss in this book.

[Skyler]

I'm only 11% through and I feel like so much has happened already haha

[BlaiddDrwg]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "I think it's getting ready to start getting really good!!

The parents in this book! Omg, now Vlad leaves them in another country/town, whatever. Not cool.

And what about those executioners puttin..."


Yeah, I actually liked that bit with impaling people. That's like the signature of Vlad Drakul. I really enjoyed the part that it's mentioned in the book and can't wait for the moment there's more of it. Of course it's vivid and horrible but there's a reason Vlad is called Vlad the impaler Drakul. Oooh I love this book so much! Finally a ya version of actual history of Drakul not vampires! (I'm so sick of vampires)

And hopefully Lada will take that bit from her father. I really may sounf weird but the more violence and cruelty the more I'm enjoying this book. I just really wished someone told me what happens between now (I'm on that bit when they're having lessons in Ottoman's empire) to the point when she's actually older and starting to show power so I can go straight to that bit.

And I hope that Lada protecting Radu is a possesion thing. I mean, it's her brother so obviously she loves him somehow with her weird crueal heart. But she says stuff like HER Wallachia, HER something. So I guess it's HER brother and no one can touch it apart from her. If someone wants to hurt him it's gonna be her or no one.

[Skyler]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "Skyler wrote: "I'm only 11% through and I feel like so much has happened already haha"

I know! It's great, right? :)"

I'm loving it so far!

[Skyler]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "Do all of you have siblings?"

I'm an only child!

[BlaiddDrwg]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "How do y'all feel about [spoilers removed]"

I don't have a good feeling about that. Not at all. And I don't like it. I'm not a religious person myself and as much as I respect others people choices about their faoth it's always a bit creepy for me. I don't know. I only hope that if someone gets hurt it's not gonna be Lada :-P

And I am the only child. No siblings whatsoever. I always wanted a twin :-)

[BlaiddDrwg]

hahah my mom is a twin! also not identical. and my partner is an identical twin. twins everywhere and I want to have an identical twin sister so badly!!! or brother. doesn't really matter. just a twin :-D

[BlaiddDrwg]

You'll get there :-) it's starting to get better with every chapter! Although I'm getting really tired of constant "Radu felt at home when praying" "Radu felt happiest when praying" blah blah blah. Every few pages. Or at least every chapter about Radu. So sick of it. I got it when it was said the first time. Now I've read about it like at least 5 times and I'm pretty sure I'll read same thing few times more.

[BlaiddDrwg]

I did a little marathon with reading today. And I'm officially finished.

(view spoiler)[It started to be a little boring after like 180-200 pages. It was not what I was expecting at all. Too much political stuff and not enough evil cruel Lada for me. From the blurb I thought that it's gonna be a story of actual evil and horrible princess. Violent one. The one I would love and hate at the same time. And I'm disappointed. Even though she got what she wanted at the end. Even if she became a prince I didn't want to see it as a political truce. I wanted fire and blood. All in all. I liked it. It was a good book just not what I wanted it to be. (hide spoiler)]

[BlaiddDrwg]

It was a bit slow for me when I reached 40% mark but I'm really curious what you think :-) keep posting I'll definitely be here to read it :-)

[BlaiddDrwg]

Yeah and (view spoiler)[ totally expected Lada saving him (hide spoiler)] sooo obvious...

[T.J.]

Hi All!

I have very sporadic access to internet currently, but I've been quickly downloading your discussions and reading them without internet.

I have 3 siblings, 2 sisters and a brother, all one year apart, and we have always been, and as adults are still, best friends. So Lada and Radu's relationship is hard for me to understand. They are bound to each other, but don't really love, appreciate, or even like each other as I would expect siblings to do...
(view spoiler)[
Sure Lada saves Radu's life, but let's the other kid drown. Not cool.

Radu is my favorite character in this story. I think Radu's finding religion, but more importantly finding someone who shows him kindness with no expectation of reward, Kumal, is a positive development for Radu's personal growth.
(hide spoiler)]

I agree that the story drags a bit in the middle, but it gets much, much more exciting towards the end. So don't give up! It'll be worth the perseverance... :D

[T.J.]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "I can honestly say that I was not expecting [spoilers removed]"

Chapter 28 (48%)
(view spoiler)[
I suspected that Radu was gay long before this chapter -- not because of his gentle nature (that is obviously a stereotype), but because of his connection to (and attraction to) Mehmed. I also suspected that Lazar may also be gay, but only recently.

This section (and the entire book) is so well written -- how Radu tries to suppress (and deny) feelings he regards as "not normal" -- this is a great depiction of a boy discovering/denying his sexual preference and being conflicted about it. This is hard enough today, let alone in a macho culture in the 15th century.
(hide spoiler)]

[BlaiddDrwg]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "I don't know why I'm starting to have a hard time getting through the book. Trying to get passed the 50-60% mark. Starting to become difficult."


I felt that way. How are you dealing with it now? It wasn't bad but not what i wanted and a bit too long

[BlaiddDrwg]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "BlaiddDrwg wrote: "megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "I don't know why I'm starting to have a hard time getting through the book. Trying to get passed the 50-60% mark. Starting to become difficult."


I..."


Exactly, this book turned to be more political book than actual Lada's story, or even Radu's story. And I hate the love triangle. Absolutely hate it. I'm waiting for this one book without any romance in it. Especially poorly written romance...

[Brooke]

5%
(view spoiler)[ OMG i love Lada! biting kids, threatening with knives, love her (hide spoiler)]