4riareads's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Homophobia, Islamophobia, War, Abandonment, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Minor: Physical abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Bullying, Child abuse, Racism, Murder, and Slavery
ellieb09'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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, War, Classism, Sexual assault, Colonisation, Sexism, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Slavery
kassidyreads's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Death, and Colonisation
Moderate: War, Child death, Misogyny, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty and Domestic abuse
thaliareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.0
For me, the beginning of the book felt a bit meandering and by the time I made it to the end I understood the setup and enjoyed the story overall, but I think if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook I would have stopped reading pretty early on because it didn't grab my attention until about halfway through. However, I'm glad I did finish it. I would read or listen to the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, Child death, and Confinement
Moderate: Death, Murder, Islamophobia, Homophobia, Slavery, Religious bigotry, War, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent
I want to start by prefacing that the author does not come off as homophobic, islamaphobic, or otherwise bigoted. These content warnings are present because of the time period and context of when the book takes place. Spoilers to clarify:Spoiler
In this book the two main characters are basically sold to the primary ruler of the region in exchange for more support fighting his battles. The region where this ruler presides is primarily Islamic and while one of the MCs finds it fascinating and comforting in their time of crisis, the other doesn't want to be forced from the religion they've grown up in and does come across as bigoted. In addition, due to the time period, women are seen as secondary citizens and really lack the respect of the men. This is a consistent recurring theme throughout the entire book where one of the MCs is denied equal treatment and denied the ability to follow her desired path in life. The next issue is that one of the MCs realizes that they're gay however, once again, due to the time period it wasn't safe for them to be open about who they are. While they do find solace in certain people who feel the same way they do, there's still an overwhelming sadness about the closeted nature with which the MC must live. Finally, as it is war time on and off throughout the book there are instances of torture, death, and murder throughout the entire plot, including one of the MCs accidentally killing a child during a conflict.alba_marie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars
"When do borders ever stay as they are? Our own people were driven from the east, fleeing destruction. They saw cities and walls, and they wanted that. So they took them. If they had not taken them, they would have died. And someone else would have come and taken them instead."
This quote pretty much sums up this book and the sentiments within held by all of the characters. Me want something so me take something. Its like all of the despicable people in the book never got past 5 years old.
I wanted to like this book, I really did. I love Romania (after all, I chose to spend my honeymood there!) and have a fascination with Vlad Tepes, and the Dracula legend his legacy inspired.
I wanted to.
But I really didn't. I struggled to care about Lada. I couldn't give two sh*ts about Mehmed - I have pretty much zero respect for the raiding Ottomans. Radu was the least despicable character but he was just so whimpering and selfish... Well they were all so selfish while thinking they were so noble it was aggravating.
The childhood first half of the book was slow and hard to get into. I can't remember half the stuff that happened because it just wasn't memorable.
The second half really picked up and I flew through it in a couple of days. But though the second half was closer to 4 stars, the first half was closer to 2 stars, so I've settled somewhere I the middle.
I don't know if I will continue the series. Halfway through, it would have been a flat out no. But by the end, I was a little more invested....
I didn't realise how much of the book would be set in the Ottoman Empire, a part of history that holds no interest for me. I also mistakenly thought that when people said "female dracula" (Which I was like cool!), they meant that the book was about Elizabeth Bathory, a nobleman and prolific female serial killer, who is sometimes called a sort of female version of Dracula. I didn't realise it was a book where Vlad exists.... but is weak and pointless and his daughter is the real Tepes legacy. Meh.
Anyway, the book has high ratings and I can see why! It just didn't meet my expectations. Apparently book 2 is better and its worth holding out, so we'll see 🤷♀️
"When do borders ever stay as they are? Our own people were driven from the east, fleeing destruction. They saw cities and walls, and they wanted that. So they took them. If they had not taken them, they would have died. And someone else would have come and taken them instead."
This quote pretty much sums up this book and the sentiments within held by all of the characters. Me want something so me take something. Its like all of the despicable people in the book never got past 5 years old.
I wanted to like this book, I really did. I love Romania (after all, I chose to spend my honeymood there!) and have a fascination with Vlad Tepes, and the Dracula legend his legacy inspired.
I wanted to.
But I really didn't. I struggled to care about Lada. I couldn't give two sh*ts about Mehmed - I have pretty much zero respect for the raiding Ottomans. Radu was the least despicable character but he was just so whimpering and selfish... Well they were all so selfish while thinking they were so noble it was aggravating.
The childhood first half of the book was slow and hard to get into. I can't remember half the stuff that happened because it just wasn't memorable.
The second half really picked up and I flew through it in a couple of days. But though the second half was closer to 4 stars, the first half was closer to 2 stars, so I've settled somewhere I the middle.
I don't know if I will continue the series. Halfway through, it would have been a flat out no. But by the end, I was a little more invested....
I didn't realise how much of the book would be set in the Ottoman Empire, a part of history that holds no interest for me. I also mistakenly thought that when people said "female dracula" (Which I was like cool!), they meant that the book was about Elizabeth Bathory, a nobleman and prolific female serial killer, who is sometimes called a sort of female version of Dracula. I didn't realise it was a book where Vlad exists.... but is weak and pointless and his daughter is the real Tepes legacy. Meh.
Anyway, the book has high ratings and I can see why! It just didn't meet my expectations. Apparently book 2 is better and its worth holding out, so we'll see 🤷♀️
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Death, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
emselders'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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Abandonment, Death, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexism, War, and Islamophobia
Minor: Classism and Colonisation
drlove2018's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Lots of palace intrigue tropes and internalized homophobia, but the two main characters are vivid and their relationship is well-crafted
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Xenophobia, Murder, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Homophobia, War, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Physical abuse
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and Cursing
k_galloway's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
slowwwwwww pacing. it felt like pulling teeth trying to read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Toxic relationship, War, Gore, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
abby17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and War
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Homophobia
lanitaylor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Rape