A review by leyaruth42
And I Darken by Kiersten White
3.0
This is a good book. I found it listed under Romance at my library. Not sure it really belongs in the romance genre. I'd say it is more of a historical fiction, with some romance thrown in. I enjoyed the unconventional setting of Eastern Europe and the Ottoman Empire. I enjoyed learning more about the Dracula family. However, the blurb about this book compares it to Game of Thrones. In no way is it even close to that series. It is, however, an excellently written story. I am waiting to listen to next book.
I enjoyed the strong character of Lada. I'm not so sure about the realism behind her ability to actually command men in the Ottoman Empire. She is obviously a fictional character, but the stories around Radu and Mehmed actually kind of line up with history. Mehmed II was the man who conquered Constantinople, and there is speculation that his good friend Radu was actually his lover. So it is neat to understand the backstory from a fictional point of view.
I also enjoyed having a western writer portray Islam in a good light, instead of the typical "evil religion" concept. In that part of Europe, religion and identity were definitely more complicated (and still is today) than in other parts of Europe at that time in history.
I would've liked more actual romance if it is going to be shelved in a romance section. Everything between Lada and Mehmed seems to happen off stage. I look forward to seeing, hopefully, the romance between Radu and Mehmed pick up steam in the second book.
I enjoyed the strong character of Lada. I'm not so sure about the realism behind her ability to actually command men in the Ottoman Empire. She is obviously a fictional character, but the stories around Radu and Mehmed actually kind of line up with history. Mehmed II was the man who conquered Constantinople, and there is speculation that his good friend Radu was actually his lover. So it is neat to understand the backstory from a fictional point of view.
I also enjoyed having a western writer portray Islam in a good light, instead of the typical "evil religion" concept. In that part of Europe, religion and identity were definitely more complicated (and still is today) than in other parts of Europe at that time in history.
I would've liked more actual romance if it is going to be shelved in a romance section. Everything between Lada and Mehmed seems to happen off stage. I look forward to seeing, hopefully, the romance between Radu and Mehmed pick up steam in the second book.