Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

And I Darken by Kiersten White

4 reviews

annorabrady's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The story was compelling and interesting. The development of relationships was complex and fitting for each character. The political intrigue was engaging. The reversal of the roles of prince and princess seen wish Lada and Radu was refreshing. But there was something missing in this story that left me unsatisfied in a way I can't identify. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Classism

kassidyreads's review

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, and Colonisation

Moderate: Child death, Misogyny, Abandonment, and War

Minor: Animal cruelty and Domestic abuse

reclusivebookslug's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I first read this book several years ago. I loved it, even though it was one of the hardest for me to read. It was denser, slower-paced, and had a darker tone than what I was used to. It has this pervasive sense of dread, one disaster happening after another. And there is sparse comfort to be found, even in the characters' dearest relationships. Nothing is ever safe or secure or completely happy. There are scenes of (historically accurate and normalized) abuse and injustice that turns my stomach. At that time I also started reading the second book but didn't get very far in before abandoning it. Since then, I have regularly looked at this series sitting on my bookshelf and wanted to read it but was too intimidated to.

Now I have reread the first book and plan to finally finish reading the series. I'm older now and have more experience reading complex and dark books. It made me aware of my growth as a reader.

I consider this one of my favorite books. It is captivating, even when it is challenging or devastating or frustrating. I have thought about and loved this book even after reading it just once, years ago, and even without reading the rest of the series. I feel so deeply for both Lada and Radu, despite how deeply flawed they are, how different they are, and how often their interests are in opposition to each other. That's what continues to make it a challenging read - I want a happy ending for everyone, but I can't imagine a way that could happen in their circumstances.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Islamophobia, Abandonment, and War

Minor: Colonisation and Classism

mpbookreviews's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Abandonment, Colonisation, and War

Minor: Child death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail