Now I Rise

Starred review from April 1, 2017
The Dracul siblings experience power's price in this middle volume of a trilogy that imagines a female Vlad the Impaler.Despite Sultan Mehmed's initial backing, Lada has made little ground in securing the Wallachian throne. She writes Radu a letter asking for his assistance, as she lacks his interpersonal strengths and way with courtly politics. Radu, however, desperate to close the distance between himself and Mehmed, prioritizes romantic love. Lada must make her own (violent) way as she struggles to be seen, and she makes her own dark choices on both sides of tough betrayals. Meanwhile, Mehmed sends Radu away to Constantinople as a double agent right before launching a brutal siege. This puts Radu (and Radu's wife, Nazira, a believer in Mehmed's cause since her true wife suffered greatly at the hands of crusaders) in position to sabotage Constantinople but also to admire enough of the people for it to hurt. The siege's depiction is viscerally painful--brutality and atrocities from both sides shake Radu deeply. The complex politics and sprawling world make for a dense, rich read. Human nature's contradictory depictions are exquisite and painful. Tender-hearted Radu cares for Lada, but it's brutal Lada who loves Radu; and great, good people commit terrible acts. The multiethnic cast features strong LGBTQ representation and nuanced religious diversity. Lada, Radu, and Mehmed are well on their way to remake the world--but at the cost of their souls. Absolutely devastating in the best way. (dramatis personae, glossary, author's note, acknowledgments) (Historical fiction. 15-adult)

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April 1, 2017
Gr 10 Up-In this sequel to And I Darken, White continues to weave a dramatic tapestry of espionage, passion, and conquest. Lada returns to her homeland after her long exile among the Ottomans, but without allies she struggles to become the vaivode, or prince, of Wallachia. The young sultan Mehmed seeks to establish his legacy and looks to conquer Constantinople and make it his capital. Lada's brother, Radu, is dispatched on a secret mission to the besieged city and, as he fights alongside those whom he will ultimately betray, becomes immersed in the horrors of war. The author crafts a compelling story that also asks important questions about the lengths to which people can and should go to achieve their destinies and defend their god. The pace of this volume is perfect for its setting, and the language is evocative, making the hefty tome eminently readable. The subject matter has become even more mature as this lush and ominous retelling of the Vlad Dracul legend continues, but teens will be entranced. VERDICT This chilling and thrilling new episode in the historical fiction trilogy is highly recommended for all high school collections.-Kelly Kingrey-Edwards, Blinn Junior College, Brenham, TX

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Starred review from April 15, 2017
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* White's captivating sequel to And I Darken (2016) revolves around three individuals questing for power: Lada, the girl who desires to be Wallachia's prince; Sultan Mehmed, who wants Constantinople in order to fulfill a promise to his god; and Radu, brother to Lada, who wishes only to have power over Mehmed's heart. Political aspirations are enough for Lada and Mehmed, but Radu, caught in the middle, becomes a wounded instrument of Mehmed's triumph. White works effectively with historic factMehmed and his conquest of Constantinople, the figure of Radubut she reimagines and shapes it to tell a compelling story of three interconnected lives on seemingly unstoppable and tragic trajectories toward one another. This is mostly Radu's story, and it is historical fiction at its best, situated in an evocative setting with characters that capture the imagination, and yet are human enough to keep readers thoroughly invested in the outcome of the narrative. So often the bridge book in a trilogy functions as a placeholder for the beginning and ending novels, but this one soars on its own. Even so, recommend beginning with And I Darken for the fullest reading experience. A glossary and list of major and minor players lend reader support, and an author's note directs history buffs to resources provided in the first book. Gorgeous, rich, and rewarding. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Best-seller White is getting star treatment for this one, complete with a tour, book display, and promotions at trade shows, festivals, and Comic-Cons.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)