The mind-blowing sequel to AND I DARKEN, described by Buzzfeed as ‘A dark, gritty, and seriously badass epic’ is a sweeping Ottoman-inspired historical adventure. Appeal to teens: 4/5–best for strong readers adults will love it, too.Empires will topple, thrones will be won.Engrossing: 4/5–some of the war scenes drag a bit.I can think of three specific girls who have raved about it and will no doubt read the sequel. I do promote it, particularly with my stronger readers. Historical fiction, especially 500+ page historical fiction, can be a tough sell in my library, but And I Darken has gotten some checkout. STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: Oh, we will totally be getting this. THE BOTTOM LINE: Now I Rise is thoroughly-researched and features well-drawn characters, particularly in Lada and Radu. THEMES: Vlad the Impaler, Romania, Ottoman Empire, 15th Century, war, feminism
Lada is hardly a flower, and the arrow is just boring compared to the face-painted, hooded Lada. I want those covers for my library, but if I want a durable hardcover, I have to go with the flower and arrow covers. The Lada covers are by far my favorite, but it seems those are not available in hardcover.
Now I Rise also has two covers: one with an arrow and one with a fierce-looking Lada. And I Darken has two front covers: one with a purple flower and one with Lada with war paint on her face. I do have a complaint about the front covers. He is awesome, as is his clever wife Nazira. I have this certain picture of Radu in my mind that I don’t want ruined. If this book ever becomes a movie, I don’t think I will go to see it. Radu is certainly more sensitive than Lada, but I absolutely adore him. The 1400s were violent times.Ĭan I just gush about Radu for a minute? I’ve read reviews where readers complain that Radu is whiny or full of angst. There is also lots of war violence, as well as rape, concubines, slavery, and plenty of murder.
Lada Dracul will ultimately become Vlad the Impaler, and yes, there is plenty of impaling happening in Now I Rise. This book is not meant for those with a weak stomach. Lada’s fierce viciousness contrasts with Radu’s heartbreaking quest for peace, and I adore both of them. I LOVED this book just as much as I loved the first one! Lada and Radu are so well-drawn as characters, I feel like I know them both. If you enjoyed And I Darken, you won’t want to miss Now I Rise.
Meanwhile, the Sultan Mehmed sends Lada’s brother Radu to Constantinople to serve as a spy. But Lada still has Bogdan, her childhood friend, and her army of loyal Janissaries. And now, after leaving behind her brother Radu and best friend Mehmed, Lada has no allies. At the end of And I Darken, Lada Dracul, daughter of Vlad II of Wallachia, has failed to take over her destiny: the Wallachian throne. This book alternates chapters between Lada and her brother Radu.
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