And I Darken

And I Darken
The Conquerors Saga Book One
Written by Kiersten White
Historical, Alternative History, Young Adult
Published June 28th 2016
498 Pages
Thanks to Penguin Random House Australia
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★★★★☆
No one expects a princess to be brutal. And Lada Dragwyla likes it that way.

Ever since she and her brother were abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman sultan's courts, Lada has known that ruthlessness is the key to survival. For the lineage that makes her and her brother special also makes them targets.

Lada hones her skills as a warrior as she nurtures plans to wreak revenge on the empire that holds her captive. Then she and Radu meet the sultan's son, Mehmed, and everything changes. Now Mehmed unwittingly stands between Lada and Radu as they transform from siblings to rivals, and the ties of love and loyalty that bind them together are stretched to breaking point.
From the moment she entered the world, Lade Dragwyla was seen as little more than a disappointment. A girl who's only purpose would be to marry at a tender age to strengthen political ties. Born to a father who devalues women, Lada is determined to prove her worth as a female with a thirst for blood and cruelty. Lada is darkness to Radu's light, her younger brother charming leaders and aristocrats alike, a legitimate heir to The Dragon Prince's throne of Wallachia but without the thirst needed to command his nation.

Within the opulent walls of the Dragon empire, her father has sent away Lada's only friend, Bogdan, the son of her nursemaid and constant companion. Lada finally sees the cold and calculating man her father is. A man who has lost the support of his trusted advisers while his cruel, first born son plans to conquer the Wallachia lands. To retain his power, Lada's father agrees to abandon his children under the guise of their education, held as ransom on the Ottoman Sultan's estate to ensure their father's compliance. The man she once idolised is unworthy of ruling Wallachia, preferring to surround himself with death and notoriety rather than his beloved children.

Lada has never known what it is to be seen as an equal, the only man worthy of her admiration had bestowed his children for his empire. Until Mehmed. The Sultan's heir is spirited and adventurous, seeing Lada as a challenge and an equal worthy of kindness. But as Radu and Lada befriend the young heir, the distant and tentative sibling relationship will be fuelled by resentment and hostility.

Lada refuses to comply. While Radu marvels in religious teachings, Lada is a fierce young woman who is determined to learn the fine artistry of bloodshed and warfare, before returning to her motherland where she intends to conquer. Leaving a trail of victims, and heartbreak in her wake.

My Thoughts

And I Darken is a brutal alternative history of the Prince of Wallachia, blending historical fiction with a cruel and calculating antihero that pushes gender roles, stereotypes and labels. Lada is without a doubt the most callous and savage character in modern young adult.
'I kill infidels!' the child snarled, brandishing a small kitchen knife.

I loved her. Immensely. Lada isn't a character who allows herself to indulge those around her, especially sensitive and gentle younger brother Radu. Showing affection is a weakness and Lada won't allow Radu to be used against her, a trait inherited from her father who rules with an iron fist. Lada's cold, calculating persona is an asset she's also developed through her environment. Her mother but one of a magnitude of wives taken by her father, eventually leaving her harem, abandoning her children and returning home. Raised by a nurse, Bogdan's mother, Lada's strength is nurtured, celebrated, while the young girl wants nothing more than to make her father proud while she forges her own path. But beyond her brutality, Lada is a character rarely seen within young adult. She unapologetically cruel. She isn't interested in affairs of the heart, nor does she want to be seen as a female used for entertainment or to produce an heir. She wants equality and is determined to be the leader among men that her father and brother cannot be.

Younger brother Radu isn't worthy of the title of heir to the Wallachia throne, he's sensitive and emotional, preferring to befriend others and avoid conflict. He's immediately cast aside by his father in favour of Lada, and struggles with his sexual identity. It isn't until Radu and Lada are both held within the Ottoman Empire, that he begins to realise that he will never truly love any woman, preferring the company of men. Radu also struggles with his Christianity and I loved exploring the teachings of Islam through his young eyes. From the prayer sessions to the Holy Month celebrated nightly by a fest and a sense of community.

The overall storyline is focused on Lada, and Radu as an extension, each being raised as children of the Dragon Prince until kept captive at the mercy of the Sultan. Both find a sense of kinship with Mehmed, the Sultans son. I must admit, I found him nauseating. He was a young man and future leader in a position of power, but often felt incompetent and unable to make decisions. Naturally he begins to fall for Lada, despite her maiming threats but it's Radu who falls in love with the young Sultan, unable to label why he feels an attraction towards men when society dictates he must marry or face ostracisation. Mehmed was frustrating. He felt unwilling to push boundaries and seemed oblivious to Radu's affections even though their relationship felt far more intimate than a heterosexual relationship between friends.

The writing was beautifully vivid, detailed and lovely, which added and eerie calm among the violence. The storyline is reasonably modest and it feels as though the brutality of the era has been toned down to allow for a character driven storyline. I was hoping for intense warfare and unfortunately, it barely delivered on that aspect.

I loved it. Lada is a brilliant, headstrong character that we rarely see in young adult novels. In an empire in which men hold the power, she's not afraid to question loyalties, decisions and sexist stereotypes within the era.
She breathes fire and pisses vinegar.
She's perfection.

30 comments

  1. Happy to see this rating from you, I was let down by her last few books so I didn't have high hopes for this one but I've seen quite a few reviews from people on my feed (aka bloggers I trust) that liked this book. I have this one on audio and hope to get to it soonish.

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    1. I haven't actually read any of her previous titles so have nothing to compare it to, but this one was incredible. Lada's character is cold, calculating and cruel but yet you can't help but fall in love with her. I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  2. I've heard both really negative and really positive reviews of this book, so it was interesting to get another perspective! I really love the concept of a gender-swapped Vlad the Impaler, but I've heard many people say the romance overshadows the rest of the plot. *sighs* I'm debating whether or not to put this on my TBR.

    Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality

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    1. The romance of lack thereof between Mehmed and Radu, personally I didn't enjoy it. Mehmed falls in love with Lade, but she's so kick ass and wasn't having any of his bullshit. She's a modern day feminist in an era dominated by male roles and pissing contests. Gosh how I loved her. Definitely consider giving it a read, it's not my usual read but I loved it regardless.

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  3. YAYYYYY I'm so glad you liked this one too! Lada was awesome and entirely terrifying. She's definitely one of the most brutally cruel YA characters I've read in a long time and, like, woah I love her, but please never let me be in the same room as her. *runs away screaming to hide behind Radu* RADU WAS ADORABLE. And tbh, I don't know why they both fell for Mehmed. XD He's a bit...insipid. But here's to hoping he gets a backbone in future books. And here's to hoping Lada rules the world. :')

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    1. I loved her immensely. I didn't particularly like Mehmed or Radu though. Radu was a little too nice. But Mehmed, it just felt as though he played on Radu's affections and used them to his advantage. He could read the signs that Lada was beginning to like him, but oblivious to Radu? I hope he's on that list of people she'll wipe out in book two. Viva La Lada!

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  4. I've heard nothing but great things about how amazing this is, so I am so glad you enjoyed it too! Lada sounds like such a complex and vicious heroine and she kind of reminds me of Adelina from The Young Elites in a way. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3

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    1. I haven't read The Young Elites yet, but if she's anything like Lada, I need this book in my life desperately. I'm already impatient for book two.

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  5. I've been hearing so many great things about this book, and I love Kiersten White. Lada sounds like an awesome badass character and I can't wait to read about her. Too bad about the romance, it sounds like Mehmed was more annoying than dreamy. Oh well, this book still sounds great! Awesome review!

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    1. Luckily the romance doesn't overwhelm the storyline, I think I would have had a different reading experience entirely. She's such a no nonsense character who doesn't succumb to male charms. Just wait until you meet her Amanda, she's incredible!

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  6. I haven't had the best of luck with her books in the past, unfortunately. I have to say though that I'm really intrigued by Lada's character. She seems ruthless and unlike any other YA protagonist. I'm not sure how I'd feel about Mehmed. He seems to be quite annoying from your description though.
    I'm glad you liked it so much though, Kells! Lovely review! <3

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    1. Thanks Nick. I must admit, this is the first book I've read from Kiersten White so I have nothing to compare it to, but it was glorious. I loved Lada for her cruelty and ruthlessness, which sounds bizarre because it's usually the traits we tend to dislike in a character. But she's amazing, you have to read it!

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  7. That cover.. it's so mysterious. But the thing is that right when I looked at it, I was like YES. KELS IS GOING TO LOVE THIS BOOK BECAUSE, HOW COULD SHE NOT?? And so in the end, I'm super glad you did! The MC, even on the cover doesn't look like she play games with anyone. I won't be messing with HER anytime soon..

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    1. It's an awesome cover isn't it and represents Lada brilliantly. She's such a fierce warrior in an era dominated by men and carving her own path. I can't even begin to describe how much I loved her character.

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  8. Yess I love that you loved this Kelly! I also adored Lada and her cruelty, plus she was really only cruel for a reason. I love that she stood up to men, but at the same time, I also adored Radu because he had different talents that he used in court. I just love how the roles were reversed here.

    Awesome review Kelly! I agree with you that Mehmed was a pain sometimes :)

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    1. Thanks lovely girl and he really was. But Lada, she was so incredibly fierce. I hope she wipes out Mehmed in the next installment to be honest.

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  9. YES! I love Lada so much! If White follows history, I think you'll get more intense warfare in the next book. lol - that gif!

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    1. Oh gosh I hope so Christy. Between Nevernight and And I Darken, I've turned into a bloodthirsty reader.

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  10. YAY! I'm so happy you enjoyed this! I read Kiersten White's Paranormalcy a few years back, and it didn't click with me - but this sounds like it will, with wonderful characters and awesome writing - two of the most essential things to any book for me! Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. It was brilliant! I haven't read anything else of hers, so I have nothing to compare it to, but it sounds like she's really taken her writing up a notch. Can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  11. Ok now that I've recovered from laughing at the knife wielding crab, I must get my hands on a copy of this book.

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    1. The crab has game hasn't he. Look at his knife skills. That's one crab that refuses to be eaten, the delicious little thing.

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  12. Oh I already was interested but I think this review sealed the deal. I'm off to go buy!

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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    1. Oh Karen, it's magnificent. Lada is by far my favourite YA character in the last few months. She's cruel and calculating, but you can't help but love her. I cant wait to see what you think of it!

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  13. Oh my gosh she sounds so good. I didn't know she'd be so cool-sounding! When I look at historical fiction I usually want it to be accurate as possible so honestly when (I'm sold on the book already) I do get my hands on this I'm going to treat it as fantasy. The characters sound brilliantly constructed and the mixing of all the different elements is something I'm yearning to read about. Love this review!

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    1. It was brutally beautiful, if there's such a thing. One other aspect was how wonderfully Islam was portrayed. It was one of my favourite aspects of the book. Lada is so incredibly fierce, I can't wait for you to meet her!

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  14. Your review is so on point and beautifully written, gahh <3 Haven't read any of her books before, but I'm putting this book onto my wish list now.

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    1. Thanks Clara, that was so incredibly lovely of you. It's magnificent! I hadn't read any of her previous books either, but this was a brilliant one to start with. Looking forward to seeing what you think of it!

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  15. I'm really looking forward to reading this one and Lada sounds like a really strong female character which is wonderful, even though the whole affection thing is a bit difficult. Can't wait to pick this one up, lovely review Kelly.

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    1. It's really strange, because normally most of us would shy away from a cold and calculating character like Lada, but you can't help but love her for those very same reasons. I wasn't too keen on the romance though, but luckily Lada doesn't stand for bullshit, which made it even more entertaining. Push it up that TRB list, it's brilliant!

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