
Now I Rise ( 14 + )
By ; Kiersten White
Publisher ; Penguin Random House ( June 2017 )
The much awaited sequal to the epic triology with an ultimate dark princess. It is as addictive as the first with an array of fascinating characters that enriches the plot; a continuation, meticulously detailed and absolutly riverting!
The story recreates an era in the Ottoman empire with a vivid and colorful imagination while retaining some precise periodical details. It further explores complexities in relationships. Lada, Radu and Mehmed, now in their prime, are all driven by their individual desires and duties. As they choose to go on seperate paths, they long for each others support, though they never receive it.
Lada, who lacks feminine wiles of any sort tries to seal her place in man`s territory by being a better villain than all of them, her need to be powerful, secure and respected is stronger than her love for Mehmed; the ruler of Turkish empire; though Lada`s vulnerability that lies beneath her fierce confidence is apparent to the reader.
She steps out of the Ottomans' land with few loyal men to lead towards Wallachia, her land, to secure the throne but faces many unexpected obstacles on her way. Wars erupt, betrayals happen, but Lada proceeds with knives on her wrists and the sword on her belt, with no allies to back her. Her burning passion for Mehmed and her deep sisterly love for Radu together creates the ultimate woman in Lada that the readers without doubt will admire and applaud for!
Meanwhile Radu, gentle and beautiful is torn between his love for Mehmed and loyalty to Lada though he proceeds to support Mehmed, in his desperation to be with him. Then Radu, being the expert in court politics is sent to Constantinople as a spy, where his humanity interrogates his allegiance to Mehmed and disturbs him deeply. His compassionate nature provides an imperative balance to this brutal and action-packed tale.
The dramatic presentation of the siege and court politics would leave readers on the edge. The parallel journeys of the siblings with their choices,failures and successes eventually weaves a rich work of fiction.
( With many thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGally for the ARC )

And I Darken ( Installment 1 )
By Kiersten White
Penguin Random House ( July 2016 )
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