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

[Brooke]

18%
(view spoiler)[ I'm really glad Radu has found someone he likes and who is nice to him, poor kid has it rough (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

36%
(view spoiler)[ Did Lada just kill that man?! Epp (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

47%
(view spoiler)[ bored. nothings happening. talking, talking, talking. time to put it down for a something else. (hide spoiler)]

[BlaiddDrwg]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "Brooke wrote: "47%
[spoilers removed]"

Aghh!! This is where it slowed down for me. Like to a complete halt."

I think this is where it slowed down for everyone. And the beginning was so promising...

[T.J.]

Hang in there! (I took over a month break, so I understand what you are all saying), but I'm am nearing the end, and I'm finding it exciting and interesting...

[T.J.]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "TJ, Radu is my favorite too. I liked Lada, but since she's [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "TJ, Radu is my favorite too. I liked Lada, but since she's lost her fierceness, I've grown to dislike her."

I know what you mean. I really like Radu. He makes friends wherever he goes. He's a gentle soul with a good heart. He uses his ability to easily make friends strategically (and gains access and power through it, which he doesn't really seek -- he just wants love), while Lada is not able to use her aggressive nature to gain her goals -- mainly power. But I like Lada's development -- I like that she learns to care about people and not be so selfish... I hope it keeps up.
(hide spoiler)]


megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "How do y'all feel about [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "How do y'all feel about Radu's sudden interest in religion? Do y'all think this will play an important part in the story, or have any affect as to how it may turn out?

I like how Radu is fascinated by Islam and the call to prayer. I've been to Erdirne -- it's close to my favorite city in the world: Istanbul. I've never experience anything quite like Turkish hospitality, so I'm glad that Radu finds friends there.

And yes, I think it definitely affects the story.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 15 (27%)
(view spoiler)[
I'm quite entertained by Mehmed and Lada's "friendship." I certainly hope they are able to keep it up (and Lada doesn't do anything to sabotage it, but I guess it's in Lada's nature to sabotage things). Maybe Mehmed's fascination with Lada will provide enough glue to hold the friendship together.

I really feel for Mehmed.

Of course it is hard being a woman, especially a poor woman, during these times, but also any woman, even the daughter of a national leader, like Lada. But it is also hard to be a son of a sultan, like Mehmed.

When I was touring Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, we went into the Harem. The tour guide told a story of one newly anointed sultan, who went into the harem and had all his brothers and half-brothers killed (even babies), so that he would have no challenge to his authority. I thought of this story when Mehmed said that all his father's energy and resources were going to fight off his brothers' challenges to his authority. So being the third son of the sultan is a dangerous place to be.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 29 (52%)
This book is full of political intrigue!
(view spoiler)[
I really like the new dynamic between Lada and Huma. Huma now wants Lada to marry Mehmed. I did not expect that. Huma seems to be very sick, probably dying. But that she thinks Lada would be good for Mehmed is unexpected.

I also like Radu's new role of getting into Halil Pasha's inner circle in order to spy on him and protect Mehmed. Nice.

I really really like the Mehmed-Lada relationship. I wish, wish, wish that they could get together and rule together. And I wish, wish, wish that Radu could remain their ally. All three. I know that this is likely just hopeful thinking, considering the title of the book...
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 42 (78%)
(view spoiler)[
I love the episode in which Radu meets up with Skanderberg. Epic. I appreciate Radu’s personality more and more as the story progresses. It’s hard to remember that he is still just a teenager.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 42 (78%)
(view spoiler)[
I love the episode in which Radu meets up with Skanderberg. Epic. I appreciate Radu’s personality more and more as the story progresses. It’s hard to remember that he is still just a teenager.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 45 (84%)
(view spoiler)[
Yay! Mara got what she planned.
According to Lada, She had written her own fate, free of the men who tried to engineer it for her.
Good for her.

I feel bad for Halima, however, who will be separated from her son. Even Lada feels sorry for Halima, and that is saying something.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 46 (86%)
(view spoiler)[

Wow. Nazira. I did not expect that. I think it’s great that Radu has finally found someone who understands him, someone he can trust – not Lazir, who has turned out to be untrustworthy.

I think a marriage between Radu and Nazira is perfect, in a time and culture in which homosexuality is not at all tolerated. They can protect each other and give the appearance of a heterosexual liaison. And although Nazira has already found happiness, I think that Mehmed is heterosexual and Radu will not be able to find happiness with him, although… Mehmed did pick Lada to be infatuated with (not the most effeminate of ladies), and sometimes the way he looks at Radu makes me think, he may also be attracted to him. In a time and culture in which people rarely married for love (arranged marriages were the norm), I think Radu needs to get over Mehmed and move on.

Radu is still definitely my favorite character in this book. I like Mehmed (though I don’t understand his need to take Constantinople) and I’m fascinated by Lada. I still think she needs her own country to lead. Kumal and Nazira have good hearts, too. But Radu is intelligent, loyal, sweet, brave, and clever.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 47 (89%)
(view spoiler)[
Uh oh. I think Bogdan is involved in a plot to assassinate Mehmed. Lada will be caught between the two. What will she do?
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 48 (91%)
(view spoiler)[
Lada would be the obvious choice as heir to the thrown of Wallachia, but something tells me this is not going to be offered to her. If she wants it, she is going to have to take it… forcefully.
(hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

85%
(view spoiler)[ Am i the only one really not understanding the need to make Radu have homosexual thoughts towards him? Unless they get together or some big thing happens because of it, it seems very unneeded, nice, but not needed. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Ending Thoughts
(view spoiler)[ This started out very good, then the middle killed me, then the last few chapters, were great! I loved Lada, one of my fav female MC for sure, i need another book of her older and dealing with marriage and all that! Radu, whiny person for sure, he did get a backbone towards the end, but it was too little too late for me. (hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Brooke wrote: "85% [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Brooke wrote: "Am i the only one really not understanding the need to make Radu have homosexual thoughts towards him? Unless they get together or some big thing happens because of it, it seems very unneeded, nice, but not needed."

I thought it was fascinating to see how homosexuals (Radu, Lazar, Nazira) might dealt with their "dilemma" in the middle ages -- especially in a culture like the Turkish, in which the topic is still "don't ask/don't tell" today.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "TJ, would you mind letting me check out your blog? I'd be really interested in taking a peek :) "

Absolutely! (Sorry I just saw this message) -- I'm trying to buddy read on a little tablet, which is hard to scroll... ;) ).

TJ's Time Travel Tips
https://tjtimetraveltips.wordpress.com/

It's new, so I'm just getting started. (I haven't updated it this month either -- my internet access is too sporadic here in Israel).

[T.J.]

Brooke wrote: "Ending Thoughts
[spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Brooke wrote: "This started out very good, then the middle killed me, then the last few chapters, were great! I loved Lada, one of my fav female MC for sure, i need another book of her older and dealing with marriage and all that! Radu, whiny person for sure, he did get a backbone towards the end, but it was too little too late for me."

Ya, I took a break at the middle and came back. That was probably a good idea, because now I just remember how action packed the last third was.

I really liked Lada too. I was glad that here character was more "humanized" than I expected. I expected her to turn into a cold-blooded killer (which she still might), but I'm glad that we get to know her personality developments, both positive and negative, and that we discover that she is indeed capable of love (for Mehmed and Radu). I'm glad we got to discover her moments of weaknesses along the way -- at the beginning it seemed like she was just turning into a callous, hard, feelingless fighting machine.
(hide spoiler)]
I definitely want to know what happens next!

[[deleted user]]

TJ wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Ending Thoughts
[spoilers removed]"
Brooke wrote: "This started out very good, then the middle killed me, then the last few chapters, were great! I loved Lada, one of my fav female M..."

(view spoiler)[ I'm glad that you liked it and that you are looking forward to seeing more of Lada.. I think I wouldn't mind reading more about Lada but I didn't really care much for Radu, Mehmed was also interesting and more could've happened with his character but maybe the author is saving all that good stuff... (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Brooke wrote: "Ending Thoughts
[spoilers removed]"

I couldn't have put it in better words, although (view spoiler)[ I thought only the beginning was good and then the rest totally killed... yea it had good parts but I felt Lada just wasted time and could've been with Mehmed a lot sooner and in a better post. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Brooke wrote: "85%
[spoilers removed]"

I guess there had to be some kind of love triangle.

[[deleted user]]

40% (view spoiler)[ Yeay! Lada save the sultan! But of course not because of all the training but because of crazy GIRL tactics. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

50% (view spoiler)[ Is it me or is Radu crushing on Mehmed??? Is that why he didn't like Mehmed's mother insinuation to Lada to marry with Mehmed?? Ummm. "He (Radu) loved him more than he loved Lada." (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

85% (view spoiler)[ I am too wondering about Nazera. Why marry Radu so fast? (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Finished. Final thought. (view spoiler)[ I don't see me reading the sequel. As much as I liked Lada I feel she should have been more of a fighter, Mehmed should've grown more of a backbone, and Radu's new backbone didn't really impress me. (hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Cinthia wrote: "TJ wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Ending Thoughts
[spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Cinthia wrote: "I'm glad that you liked it and that you are looking forward to seeing more of Lada.. I think I wouldn't mind reading more about Lada but I didn't really care much for Radu, Mehmed was also interesting and more could've happened with his character but maybe the author is saving all that good stuff..."

Oh, man, Radu is my favorite character. Such a diplomat, making friends everywhere. Even facing off Skanderbeg -- that impressed me. He is brave, loyal, sensitive, friendly, and good-hearted. He does whine a bit too much as a kid, and he broods a bit too much as a teenager-in-love, but he's still quite young. It's easy to forget because he is an officer and a husband, but he is still a teenager.

It was a tad long... but I'm curious to know what happens next.
(hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting December 1st 2016. Happy Reading ☺

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[Abi]

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Reading from the 3rd of January 2017

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[Dr. Andy]

Just checked out the ebook so I'll try to jump in if I can!

[Dr. Andy]

No worries! I started late last night but haven't had time to read today since I'm finishing up applications. I'm around chapter 4.

[Dr. Andy]

Chapter 7 (11%) (view spoiler)[ I can't believe Bogdan got taken! I wonder if he'll come back again? I love how ruthless Lada can be. She's very different from the typical female character. I'm already hooked! (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Chapter 15 (27%) (view spoiler)[ I love Lada! I'm glad she's learning to fight from the Janissarians, hope I spelled that right lol. Mehmed is an interesting character and I can't help but wondering if he doesn't have ulterior motives besides friendship. Idk what but something else. (hide spoiler)] Can't wait to read more but I have to go run some errands!

[Dr. Andy]

Chapter 24 (43%) (view spoiler)[ Wow the Ottoman Empire went to dissent fast! I feel bad that Lada & Radu had to betray Mehmed, but I'm glad he'll live to see another day. Hopefully the next time he takes up the sultanship will work out better... (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Chapter 43 (75%) (view spoiler)[ So glad that Mehmed isn't dead and he got to see Radu at the siege even if it was only briefly! I hope Radu can crush part of Halil Pasha's web before Mehmed retakes the throne if he ever does. Omg that scene where Lada asked Nicolae if he wanted to kiss her was so funny!!! I'm still laughing about it. I want to know why Lazar is trying to get rid of Lada. Is he part of the Janis guards that tried to kill Mehmed? (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Finished! That was really good! (view spoiler)[ I'm so glad Lada is going to be prince of Wallachia!! AHHHHHHHHHH (hide spoiler)]

[Danii]

Up to 25%: (view spoiler)[ Okay I seriously love Lada. She's a huge ball of sass, even from a young age! Their dad is obviously a jerk and I don't like him. Really happy with how this book is going, I wish I would have read it sooner! (hide spoiler)]

[Danii]

61%: (view spoiler)[ I love that the book has different phases in their life, and it shows everyone growing up. Everything is written beautifully and I love the characters. Does anyone know if this is based on a true story or am I getting my hopes up? xD (hide spoiler)]

[Danii]

Chapter 48: I seriously love Nazira and Fatima!! <3

[Danii]

Finished: That ending made me so sad!!! (view spoiler)[ HOW COULD LADA JUST LEAVE HIM LIKE THAT?! I understand she has to do what she has to do, but they both could have ruled together. ): I need the next book right now!!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Chapter 7: (view spoiler)[ Why was Bogdan taken? I hope he will come back later on in the story. I love Lada. She is very ruthless and she has fierce attitude. I love it! She is not like the everyday main female character. She makes the story more engaging for me. I love female characters like her. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Chapter 15: (view spoiler)[ This is like the YA version of Game of Thrones. I love Lada. I am happy that she is learning how to fight. Mehmed is an intriguing character. Can't wait to see what happens between him and Lada. I'm thinking they will fall in love with each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Chapter 24: (view spoiler)[ I am sad that Lada and Radu had to betray Mehmed. However, if they did not do that Mehmed would have been killed and that would be saddening as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Ending Thoughts: (view spoiler)[ This was really good. I need the second book. I think this is the YA version of Game of Thrones and I am sticking to that. I loved the ending when Lada says that "I am the dragon." I thought of Dany being the mother of dragons. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting March 8th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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[These Violent Delights]

I have the ARC of the sequel, so I gotta read this one soon :) Can't wait to start.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

I'll be starting this shortly.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[I love that the father is Vlad Dracul. lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[I love how strong Lada is to be able to move past any feelings she has about her brother being beaten to see the big picture in order to save him. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Chapter 22: O.O (view spoiler)[Lada killed a man! Her first I believe. For all her show of strength I don't think she has ever killed anyone. I'm glad it was to save Mehmed! (hide spoiler)]