And I Darken

By: Kiersten White

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham

Length: 13 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

This vividly rendered novel is like HBO's Game of Thrones if it were set in the Ottoman Empire. Ambitious in scope and intimate in execution, the story's atmospheric setting is rife with political intrigue, with a deftly plotted narrative driven by fiercely passionate characters. Fans of Victoria Aveyard's The Red Queen, Kristin Cashore's Graceling, and Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes won't want to miss this visceral, immersive, and mesmerizing novel, the first in a trilogy.

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, who's expected to rule a nation, 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.

From New York Times best-selling author Kiersten White comes the first book in a dark, sweeping new series in which heads will roll, bodies will be impaled, and hearts will be broken.

©2016 Kiersten White (P)2016 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Full of sword fights, assassination plots, and palace intrigues, this novel is ambitious in scope and concept and reveals a fascinating, important, and somewhat obscure slice of history...the novel is breathtakingly good." ( School Library Journal)

"White deftly weaves historical fact into this complex concoction of love, war, politics, homosexuality, religion, loyalty, and friendship." ( Booklist)

"A dark jewel of a story, one that gleams with fierce, cunning characters - absolutely riveting." (Alexandra Bracken, number-one New York Times best-selling author of Passenger)

"Fiona Hardingham’s commanding narration steers a clear path through this densely woven tapestry of mid-fifteenth-century intrigue.... Hardingham’s resonant voice keeps listeners firmly grounded as a strange and destructive triangle of friendship and love develops, with forays into murder, lust, and homosexuality." ( AudioFile)

A true epic with unexpected depth.

This book was so long, I feel like I have lived a full life time as it’s main character in the best way possible. This book is very well written, and for those listening to the audio book, the narrator is one of my favorites. The only tricky part of the story was how many named characters are introduced, often with similar sounding names. However, the author did an excellent job of contextualizing it so you know who was who. It was dense as far as political intrigue goes, and to be honest there was not enough combat in the book. I recommend this book for anyone who likes strong, complex, feminist woman.

great characters

Now here's a girl that's scary and ferocious, but written so well you still cheer her on. Her brother is meek and mild, and you can't wait for him to find his courage. Original.

slow starter

It took a while for the story to develop, but I ended up really enjoying the book.

Great narrator

though the story was written in third person I could follow the story easily. Great story

awesome and inspiring

great story. very relevant.I love the strength of the female characters and how you can feel their inner conflict and journey.

I wanted so much more

I really wanted a lot more of the Dracula history. I feel like it was so dragged out. While it was historical it could have been half as long.

Narrator brings to life the authors characters.

I struggled at first with how long the story is. after awhile thought Fiona (Narrator) built up these amazing characters. I bought book 2 so I could read it faster than listen. absolutely adore the narrator and highly suggest this as well as the other books she reads.

enjoyable

great story! I ended it after listening to the red queen series and an ember in the ashes

A Gutsy Departure for Kiersten White

Kiersten White's newest book is a tour de force and unlike anything else I've ever read by her.

In And I Darken Kiersten White recasts Vlad the Impaler as a girl, Lada Dragwlya. Vlad III, known for his ruthlessness, is most famous for being the historical inspiration for Dracula. Lada, in turn, is ruthless, smart, and fierce. She has a viciousness that is rather terrifying. You don't read about too many girls like her.

I was expecting some kind of fantastical element to this story, but it reads more like true historical fiction. White follows the outline of Vlad's life as she tells her tale. She adds detail and character to the historical facts. Plus, we have a girl Vlad so that opens up all kinds of possibilities. The book is narrated by both Lada and her brother Radu. And I really enjoyed the complicated relationship between the two siblings.

Vlad and his brother, the young princes of Wallachia, were ransomed by their father to the Ottomans in 1442. Lada and her brother Radu are as well. There they come of age, and in some ways this book is a coming of age story -- especially when it comes to Radu's part of the tale. Living in the Ottoman empire, the princess and prince are somewhat isolated. They don't really belong. The tide changes a bit when the two meet and become friends with Mehmed (the future Sultan). Mehmed is the other towering figure in And I Darken.

This book has great character development, lots of political intrigue, a high-stakes love triangle, and fabulous historical atmosphere. I really enjoyed delving into the history of the Ottoman Empire. It was so formidable for so long, but I haven't encountered it much in fiction.

This book strikes me as a gutsy departure for Kiersten White. And I Darken explores issues of gender equality, sexuality, religion, familial relationships, and politics in a sophisticated and unflinching way.

Fiona Hardingham always delivers a great performance. I'm pretty sure my enjoyment of this book was upped because I listened to the audio version. I will definitely be listening to the sequels.

Dracula meets antiheroine

What made the experience of listening to And I Darken the most enjoyable?

The Narrator was great

What did you like best about this story?

OMG, I loved this historical fiction book, characters and plot! Imagine antiheroine, Lada Dragwyla, during the Ottoman Empire. She is the opposite of her brother, Radu, who is sweet, kind, and soft-spoken - constantly terrorized by his sister but also loved deeply by Lada. When they are given over as prisoners to the Sultan, Lada only wants to return to her homeland, Wallachia. But once they meet, Mehmet, the heir to the Ottoman empire and a kindred spirit- these three form a very strong bond of friendship. I loved White's characters, even minor ones like Kumar. I loved/hated Lada, Radu and Mehmet- you will too. I can't wait to see what happens as more war, passion, atrocities, and betrayal continue to play out in this 2nd in The Conquerors Saga.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Lada saves Mehmet the Sultan twice- she was daring, diabolical and kick-ass

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!!! I kept looking for reasons to listen to it...