And I Darken

March 21, 2016
What if Vlad Tepes, the historical inspiration for Dracula, had actually been a fearsome and brilliant teenage girl? That’s the question raised in this alternate history, first in a trilogy. Set in the mid-15th century, first in Wallachia and then in the Ottoman Empire, the narrative focuses on Ladislav “Lada” Dragwyla and her younger brother, Radu (later known as the Handsome), who are sent by their father to act as royal hostages in the Ottoman Court of Sultan Murad. There, the ambitious Lada chafes at the limited options available to women, Radu converts to Islam, and both fall for the charismatic prince Mehmed, resulting in an awkward love triangle. White (Illusions of Fate) draws heavily on historical figures and events to craft this slow-burning tale, which focuses more on characterization and drama than on setting and detail; subtle commentary on gender, religious conflict, and geopolitical strife winds up overshadowed by churning romantic emotions. Given the historical bloodshed in which the novel is based, it comes across as somewhat sanitized, though grisly days seem likely in future installments. Ages 12–up. Agent: Michelle Wolfson, Wolfson Literary Agency.

April 1, 2016
A historical reimagining that asks: what if Vlad the Impaler had been a woman? This history diverges at the birth of Vlad Dracul's daughter, a Ladislav instead of another Vlad. Young Lada is ugly, vicious, and borderline feral, especially in comparison to her sensitive, sweet younger brother, Radu. While beautiful Radu's tormented for his weaknesses, Lada's brutality makes her a natural at their court. But when their father's precarious position forces him to flee to the Ottoman sultan for help, the sultan takes Lada and Radu hostage to ensure their father's loyalty. Lada hates everything about the cultural-melting-pot empire that's brought her own country so low; Radu takes to it well, finding comfort in converting to Islam. Both siblings are drawn to Mehmed, the sultan's third son, who's suddenly the heir. These three primary characters repeatedly learn the hard way how slippery and illusory power is. Lada--so ugly and mean that readers will adore her--stubbornly rejects gender roles, yearns to liberate her country, and yet also falls for Mehmed for seeing her as an equal. The political mechanisms are endlessly twisty, and the characters, though they sometimes don't read as their given ages, benefit from complex motivations and an unconventional love triangle. Addictive intrigue that will send readers to history books as a balm while waiting for the sequel. (dramatis personae, glossary, author's note; not seen) (Historical fiction. 12 & up)

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Starred review from May 1, 2016

Gr 10 Up-The first in a trilogy from best-selling author White, this historical adventure set in the mid-15th century tells the story of Lada and Radu, the children of Vlad Dracul, prince of Wallachia (modern-day Romania). Shouldered with the inescapable curse of being female and the unrelenting burden of her beautiful, sensitive, and physically inept brother, Radu, Lada is perpetually spoiling for a fight. When her father tries to secure his throne by giving the children as hostages to the Ottoman Empire, Lada and Radu must find a way to survive and thrive in a world where no one cares if they live or die. They befriend the young Ottoman heir Mehmet, and the three form a bond of friendship that saves their lives and ultimately shapes their adult destinies. 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. Compared to White's painstaking development of her characters and the fantastic world they inhabit early in the novel, the ending sequence that sets up the next book in the series seems rather abrupt and haphazard. However, as a whole, the novel is breathtakingly good. The brutality and carnality of this time and place in history are faithfully rendered here, making the volume more appropriate for older teen readers.

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Starred review from May 1, 2016
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Lada and Radu, adolescent daughter and son of Wallachian Prince Vlad Dracul, are hostages held by the Ottoman Empire to assure their father's cooperation with the Turks. Radu settles in and builds a life over time, while prickly Lada continues to dream of home. The Sultan's son, Mehmed, soon claims them as companions, and the three grow up together planning for his time on the empire's throne. This historical-romance trilogy opener is an engrossing tale of the Ottoman Empire during the early to mid-1400s. White deftly weaves historical fact (and the real-life figure who served as inspiration for Dracula) into this complex concoction of love, war, politics, homosexuality, religion, loyalty, and friendship. There is plenty of action, but the fully developed characters, who age from approximately 12 to 20 over the course of the book, are the engine by which this expansive story works. Details of court and military life emerge through these characters' interactions, never bogging down the plot, only enriching the tapestry created. The author has left herself multiple opportunities for exploration, and it isn't clear which direction sequels may take, but the next volume will likely be highly anticipated. Maps and back matter, including an author's note, were unavailable at the time of this review. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: White achieved best-seller status with her Paranormalcy trilogy and will get an extra push from the publisher's extensive marketing campaign. Expect plenty of demand for this one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)