Review: Now I Rise

Conquerors Saga: Now I Rise  | Kiersten White

Published by: Corgi Childrens, July 6th 2017

Genre: YA, Historical

Pages: 480

Format: Ebook

Source: Corgi, via Netgalley

Lada Dracul has no allies. No throne. All she has is what she’s always had: herself. After failing to secure the Wallachian throne, Lada is out to punish anyone who dares to cross her blood-strewn path. Filled with a white-hot rage, she storms the countryside with her men, accompanied by her childhood friend Bogdan, terrorizing the land. But brute force isn’t getting Lada what she wants. And thinking of Mehmed brings little comfort to her thorny heart. There’s no time to wonder whether he still thinks about her, even loves her. She left him before he could leave her.

What Lada needs is her younger brother Radu’s subtlety and skill. But Mehmed has sent him to Constantinople—and it’s no diplomatic mission. Mehmed wants control of the city, and Radu has earned an unwanted place as a double-crossing spy behind enemy lines. Radu longs for his sister’s fierce confidence—but for the first time in his life, he rejects her unexpected plea for help. Torn between loyalties to faith, to the Ottomans, and to Mehmed, he knows he owes Lada nothing. If she dies, he could never forgive himself—but if he fails in Constantinople, will Mehmed ever forgive him?

As nations fall around them, the Dracul siblings must decide: what will they sacrifice to fulfill their destinies? Empires will topple, thrones will be won . . . and souls will be lost. 

I did not think this book would ever surpass And I Darken, but boy was I wrong. I'm gonna lay out my thoughts:

-Lada is my fave ever. I love her viciousness, her drive to get what she wants, and how she fights for abused women. Hell yes.

- I freaking loved Radu???!!! So confused. I went into this not really fussed, but now I respect him so much and I love him. I think it's because we get to really see him as himself, away from Mehmed in this.

-Radu/Nazira are friendship goals and also marriage goals tbh

-I want to keep Cyprian forever and ever. He's (mostly) new to this book but I know everyone's gonna love him. Precious, kind, smol gay son.

-Daciana is my new fave (really hope I remembered her name right, because I almost called her Daniela) I love everything about her, and she and Stefan are super cute.

-Oh, and the brutality of the plot is awesome, this book is written INSANELY WELL and paced even better, and the war is so vivid and cunning and everything I wanted it to be. But mostly the characters! I love the characters, they're everything!

-My one complaint? I wish Hunyadi had lived!

-I finished Now I Rise and immediately missed it. I wish book 3 wasn't so far away!

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

ARC Review: And I Darken

The Conquerors Saga: And I Darken | Kirsten White

Published by: Delacorte Press, June 28th 2016

Genre: YA, Historical (with a fantasy feel)

Pages: 475

Format: Ebook

Source: Delacorte, via Netgalley

No one expects a princess to be brutal. And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them targets.

Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend—and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.

But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against—and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point. 

I'll start with the negative to get it out of the way. This book is much, much slower than I expected. I thought it'd be fast and action packed and brutal, and it kind of is all three but only in parts. The other issue is I did NOT like Radu, a POV character, in the least. He's whiny and just irritated me, though I did like seeing him grow as a person. Plus, I'm miffed because I thought Lada was the reason this book is LGBT but nope, another gay guy.

What I loved about this book, though, is Lada. She's fierce and merciless and she will never back down or compromise her ideals, even if it means killing someone or betraying someone she loves. I admired her so much for the lengths she was willing to go to to protect her family and friends. I didn't mind Mehmed, the other main character, though I much preferred Nicolae as a romantic interest. I particularly loved Lada's friendships with her men, and how she refused to be sexualised by them. This book is feminist as fuck, which is so up my street it's not even funny.

The book lagged in the middle, which made it feel like it went on FOREVER, but I was grateful for the extra time with the characters because their growth became more evident. I look forward to the next book to see where they go next.

Brutal but slow, with a lot of feeling for a girl renowned for being harsh and cruel. And I Darken has my favourite female character this year by a mile and a STUNNING setting. This is historical fiction for fantasy lovers.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★☆

Illusions of Fate (ARC review)

Illusions of Fate | Kiersten White

Published by: HarperTeen, September 9th 2014

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical

Pages: 288

Format: Ebook

Source: HarperTeen, via Edelweiss

Downton Abbey meets Cassandra Clare in this lush, romantic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White.

“I did my best to keep you from crossing paths with this world. And I shall do my best to protect you now that you have.”

Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him.

Kiersten White captured readers’ hearts with her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy and its effortless mix of magic and real-world teenage humor. She returns to that winning combination of wit, charm, and enchantment in Illusions of Fate, a sparkling and romantic new novel perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, The Madman’s Daughter, and Libba Bray.

Oh, this book. *sighs dreamily*

You know, I read this because I needed a reprieve between Icons and Idols, and boy - did I get a reprieve of emotions and heartache? NOPE. This book fucked my feelings so hard.

This is nothing like The Infernal Devices (it's much better written, sorry Cassie) and why it's been compared to Downton is BEYOND me. This book is just wonderful, and a million times better than the both of them put together. And you know how much I adore Shadowhunters and Granthams.

The writing of this book sucked me in from the literal first page. Jessamin is hilarious and witty and a delight to read. Probably my favourite period heroine ever, now. I'm finding it hard to write a proper review, because most of what I loved about this book was the way it made me feel - enamoured and frustrated and thoroughly amused. I was caught up in a magical, twisty tale of romance and betrayal and magic, and I never wanted it to end.

I'm so upset it did end, and the ending ... *glares at Kiersten* NEVER do that to me again. Everything about this book, the lively characters, the detailed world, the villain, the drama, the threats (the KISSES!). Ugh I need more, I'm not satisfied. Give me a book about Eleanor. Give me a book about anyone. I'll take what I can.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world building ★★★★★

Writing Style ★★★★★

(All the stars in the sky have come together in my heart to form my love for this book)

---

(from galley:)

"It makes a soul lonely when even your tongue has no home"

"I saved my own life. You are simply keeping me company on this leg of my escape"

"I refuse to be anything less than what I am"

Reading round up (37)

Reading round up is a weekly journal where I record my daily reading progress, my thoughts on each book as I read it, and any books I've acquired during the week. It's August bitchessss!! My birthday month. You should buy me books, all of the books.

28th July

Currently reading: Icons | Margaret Stohl

Current page/percent: page 429

Read today: 92 pages

Thoughts: I'm crying. I'm crying so hard. It's like I don't want this to end even though I have the second book??

29th July

Started Illusions of Fate and holy shit it's surpassing my hopes. I read 75% of it in one day HO-LY SHIT. I love this book. I love this book. But white washing of the cover? PISSED. She specifically says she's dark skinned a hundred times.

30th July

Finished Illusions of Fate. Arghhhhhhhhhh. I need to own this book. Literally, properly own it. I need it in MY HANDS. I also started Exquisite Captive (5% read). I thought this book was HF but it turns out to be set in Hollywood. Which instantly turned me off tbh. Pls claw me back by having a POC protag. I mean ... jinnis, it can't be a pretty little white girl, right?

31st July

SUCCESS!! POC PROTAGONISTS. ALL THREE OF THEM, EVEN THE LOVE INTERESTS. Exquisite Captive, you're growing on me. So far I'm not hooked, though that could be because of an Illusions of Fate hangover. WELL - I say I'm not hooked but I read the equivalent of 170 pages. Eek. Not sure how.

1st August

Currently reading: Exquisite Captive | Heather Demetrios

Current page/percent: 60%

Read today: 40%

Thoughts: EVERY time I read this book I'm like meh, it's alright, I don't mind it HOLY CRAP WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BABY? DON'T YOU HURT MY BABY OR I STG I'LL END YOU. So ... yeah. It's one of those 'don't know you like it' books. Until, y'know, you do. 

But I can't abide the setting. I apparently hate California and never want to go there? It's described positively - busy, bustling beaches, blazing sun, weirdos everywhere and I DON'T WANT THAT. why would anyone want that? Idk, man.

2nd August

Currently reading: Exquisite Captive | Heather Demetrios

Current page/percent: 100%

Read today: 40%

Thoughts: Can't decide if the cover is whitewashed so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. But I have a super strong feeling of Whitegirlitis. This totally bored me at the end. Skimmed the last 20%.

3rd August

Started The House of The Four Winds because PIRATES!! Also fairy tale esque. You know I go for both of those. I read 9% and I'm floundering. I've having a floundering day. I read 2% of Take Back The Skies too and I'm not enjoying either, despite not having read much of them. Ugh. Tomorrow should be better.

Books finished this week: 3

(*cries bc Illusions of Fate*.)

~

Books added to my collection:

Sticks, Stones & Dragon Bones | Evelyn Ink

This book just sounded really cool. I've been looking for some middle grade, and this one is (I think) indie, which is even better :) (update: the writing isn't that great. Maybe better for an actual MG kid to read than critical old me.)

And now the Super Awesome Harper Haul:

Monstrous | MarcyKate Connolly

A Wicked Thing | Rhiannon Thomas

Red Queen | Victoria Aveyard

The Distance Between Lost and Found | Kathryn Holmes

That Kathryn Holmes book is the only contemporary I have EVER been hyped for. I can't even explain it, since the blurb doesn't totally hook me. I just hope the book lives up to the cover. Pls. Also the others have been on my radar for MONTHS now. I'm so happyyyyyyy. Bless you Harper Collins and imprints.

In other news: there's plenty of time left to fund the campaign for printing and shipping of The Wandering and claim your rewards! Donate a pound for your name in the acknowledgements. Donate £3 or more for extra cool stuff - bracelets, bookmarks, rare paperbacks etc. Help me give people more free books!!