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.
Graphic: Xenophobia and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Toxic relationship, War, Gore, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
andrikkk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Deadnaming, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Blood, Sexism, Violence, War, Bullying, Gore, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Xenophobia, Cursing, Grief, Sexism, and Homophobia
lapis's review
dark
emotional
tense
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
4.5
Graphic: Gore and Torture
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Islamophobia
Minor: Slavery and Medical content
Islamophobia: it's during the crusades and one of the characters views religion as a tool, but also thinks poorly of Islam. One of the other charactersSpoiler
converts to Islam secretlyqueer_bookwyrm's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
And I Darken by Kiersten White wasn't what I was expecting. This was one if those books that I bought on Thriftbooks, because the cover looked pretty, and I thought it was going to be fantasy with royalty. Not a lick of magic or fantasy to be found. Instead it is a story set during the Ottoman empire as historical fiction.
We follow Lada and her younger brother Radu. Lada is ferocious, mean, quick to violence, and ugly (She's no Disney princess). Radu on the other, hand is very pretty and is very sensitive and cries easily. They go through the horror of being sold as collateral to the Ottoman Sultan.
Once there, they meet Memed, one of the sultan's sons, and they both promptly fall in love (one awkward love triangle). I did like how the friendships were written in this; Nichoae and Lada and Radu and Nazira. They were sweet and I wished we had focused on that more.
I loved Lada's character even if she wasn't particularly likeable, but because of the sheer badassery of this woman. She learned to fight, lead the men and have some serious power and influence, which was unheard of for a woman. Radu is a soft boi and must be protected.
Although was and interesting read, I don't think I care enough about this plot or these characters to continue with this series, when I have so many other books I'd rather read.
We follow Lada and her younger brother Radu. Lada is ferocious, mean, quick to violence, and ugly (She's no Disney princess). Radu on the other, hand is very pretty and is very sensitive and cries easily. They go through the horror of being sold as collateral to the Ottoman Sultan.
Once there, they meet Memed, one of the sultan's sons, and they both promptly fall in love (one awkward love triangle). I did like how the friendships were written in this; Nichoae and Lada and Radu and Nazira. They were sweet and I wished we had focused on that more.
I loved Lada's character even if she wasn't particularly likeable, but because of the sheer badassery of this woman. She learned to fight, lead the men and have some serious power and influence, which was unheard of for a woman. Radu is a soft boi and must be protected.
Although was and interesting read, I don't think I care enough about this plot or these characters to continue with this series, when I have so many other books I'd rather read.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, and Slavery
Moderate: Trafficking and Religious bigotry
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