sampena16's review against another edition
4.0
3.75
Started off a little slow and parts certainly dragged on. The writing is a little flowery and too descriptive for no reason at certain parts, but the story is relatively engaging and the lead character is certainly interestingly unusual. I'd read the second book, just to find out what Lada ends up doing.
Started off a little slow and parts certainly dragged on. The writing is a little flowery and too descriptive for no reason at certain parts, but the story is relatively engaging and the lead character is certainly interestingly unusual. I'd read the second book, just to find out what Lada ends up doing.
wombat_88's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarahelainereads's review against another edition
2.0
Not sure what the big fuss about this book was. Too much focus on explaining the historical background and not enough on the action. I liked the characters and found the beginning fairly addictive, but after the first 100 pages I lost interest and it took me another week to finish.
Also, this is not fantasy. There is absolutely no magic. More of a historical retelling.
Also, this is not fantasy. There is absolutely no magic. More of a historical retelling.
librarianmillie's review against another edition
5.0
Lada is one of the most bad ass, meanest, and greatest heroines I have ever read. Just as good the second time around. I cannot wait for the sequel next month.
joanna_p's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
eirasnow's review against another edition
5.0
It took quite a long time for me to finish this book. It wasn't because it was boring or that I lost interest, like the case with many other books that sat too long in my currently-reading shelf. It was kind of the opposite. I loved it so much that I wanted to take it slowly to immerse in the story, to absorb every detail and picture them vividly in my head.
There were so many things I loved about this book, but most of all were the characters. I loved the protagonists, Lada and Radu. I cared about them. I loved how flawed and complex they both were, and how their characters were fleshed out. Radu stood out more to me than Lada, though Lada herself was a wonderful character.
Notes:
This book is not historically accurate. As I read this book, I was aware that some reviews mentioned how inaccurate it was to the actual culture and history, and how the names were being used not in the right way, and even the map was probably inaccurate. I didn't view this book as a historical fiction. I viewed this book as merely fiction, with characters inspired from historical figures. I didn't expect to learn history by reading this book. Whether it was accurate or not, I do not know and it wouldn't change my thoughts about this book. I enjoyed the story for what it was.
There were so many things I loved about this book, but most of all were the characters. I loved the protagonists, Lada and Radu. I cared about them. I loved how flawed and complex they both were, and how their characters were fleshed out. Radu stood out more to me than Lada, though Lada herself was a wonderful character.
Notes:
This book is not historically accurate. As I read this book, I was aware that some reviews mentioned how inaccurate it was to the actual culture and history, and how the names were being used not in the right way, and even the map was probably inaccurate. I didn't view this book as a historical fiction. I viewed this book as merely fiction, with characters inspired from historical figures. I didn't expect to learn history by reading this book. Whether it was accurate or not, I do not know and it wouldn't change my thoughts about this book. I enjoyed the story for what it was.
alysoninthelibrary's review against another edition
2.0
really more like 3.5 stars. The characters in this book were wonderfully flawed and I loved them so much, but the story was long, spanning half a lifetime, and I think I would have liked the narrative more if the story had been more focused. all in all, a very good book
ksauders125's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
_alwaysrealokay's review against another edition
3.0
They are a few things I want to say about this book.
1) I plunged into this book knowing next to nothing about it. I simply decided to read it because it's been sitting on my shelves for 2 years now so I thought, it was about time. What really blew me off about it is how well White interwove facts with fiction and made it work. It was so well done that I went ahead and got myself books about the rise and fall of Constantinople. White helped me found a new interest.
2)The characters were my favorite part of this story. I like how she didn't write a stereotypical story about a girl finding strength in her male counterparts. Lada was ruthless, she did not take any prisoners and love and hated that about her. Hated because I felt like Lada's harshness went a bit too far but it was a great trait for her to have. Radu is my baby. He's as ruthless (maybe less) as Lada when it comes to Mehmed's safety. He was more subtle. Mehmed, i really don't know how I feel about him yet. I don't know, his character did not touch me in any way but then again, we only saw him through the eyes of either Lada or Radu. The secondary characters were fun to get to know. I hope, they're more concrete in the sequel.
3)I didn't like the fact that the story wasn't linear. It threw me off guard in the beginning. I like all the little details. I don't like gaps that only mentioned in passing.
4)I enjoyed the book. I like White's take on the retailing of the Fall of Constantinople
1) I plunged into this book knowing next to nothing about it. I simply decided to read it because it's been sitting on my shelves for 2 years now so I thought, it was about time. What really blew me off about it is how well White interwove facts with fiction and made it work. It was so well done that I went ahead and got myself books about the rise and fall of Constantinople. White helped me found a new interest.
2)The characters were my favorite part of this story. I like how she didn't write a stereotypical story about a girl finding strength in her male counterparts. Lada was ruthless, she did not take any prisoners and love and hated that about her. Hated because I felt like Lada's harshness went a bit too far but it was a great trait for her to have. Radu is my baby. He's as ruthless (maybe less) as Lada when it comes to Mehmed's safety. He was more subtle. Mehmed, i really don't know how I feel about him yet. I don't know, his character did not touch me in any way but then again, we only saw him through the eyes of either Lada or Radu. The secondary characters were fun to get to know. I hope, they're more concrete in the sequel.
3)I didn't like the fact that the story wasn't linear. It threw me off guard in the beginning. I like all the little details. I don't like gaps that only mentioned in passing.
4)I enjoyed the book. I like White's take on the retailing of the Fall of Constantinople