And I Darken

And I Darken is the first book of Kiersten White's The Conquerors Saga.

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 targets.

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, 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.

The Breakdown:
1.  I loved this alternate history of Vlad Dracul, as in what is he was really a she. White's book is filled so much intrigue and action that it is hard to put down. Plus, she does something unexpected with the love triangle trope with Lada and Radu both having feelings for Mehmed.

2. One of the best things about this book is how very different Lada and Radu are and how they navigate their world. Lada is strong, stubborn and cunning in battle.  She refuses to lose her love of her home.  Radu, on the other hand, is kind, smart, and cunning in courts. He adapts to life in the Ottoman courts, and flourishes there like he never did at home. Their difference complement each other so well, and both aid Mehmed in his rise to power.

3. Mehmed presents an interesting character. He is charismatic, and zealot for his religious beliefs. He inspired both loyalty and love in Lada and Radu. I can't wait to see what White does with character as the saga progress knowing the history of the actual Mehmed.

4. Funny aside, every time Constantinople was mentioned in the book, I started singing They Might Be Giants song, "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" which was on Tiny Toon Adventures. In case you're wondering here is a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsQrKZcYtqg

To Read or Not to Read:
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