Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Review: Now I Rise by Kiersten White

Title: Now I Rise
Author: Kiersten White
Series: Book Two in the Conqueror's Saga
Published By: Delacorte Press (June 27, 2017)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Historical Fantasy
My Rating: 5 Stars!


Book Description:
Lada Dracul has no allies. No throne. All she has is what she’s always had: herself. After failing to secure the Wallachian throne, Lada is out to punish anyone who dares to cross her blood-strewn path. Filled with a white-hot rage, she storms the countryside with her men, accompanied by her childhood friend Bogdan, terrorizing the land. But brute force isn’t getting Lada what she wants. And thinking of Mehmed brings little comfort to her thorny heart. There’s no time to wonder whether he still thinks about her, even loves her. She left him before he could leave her.

What Lada needs is her younger brother Radu’s subtlety and skill. But Mehmed has sent him to Constantinople—and it’s no diplomatic mission. Mehmed wants control of the city, and Radu has earned an unwanted place as a double-crossing spy behind enemy lines. Radu longs for his sister’s fierce confidence—but for the first time in his life, he rejects her unexpected plea for help. Torn between loyalties to faith, to the Ottomans, and to Mehmed, he knows he owes Lada nothing. If she dies, he could never forgive himself—but if he fails in Constantinople, will Mehmed ever forgive him?


As nations fall around them, the Dracul siblings must decide: what will they sacrifice to fulfill their destinies? Empires will topple, thrones will be won . . . and souls will be lost.











There is nothing so alluring and so addicting as a fierce strong heroine that doesn’t take crap from anyone.

White has managed to not only put a remarkable and utterly believable twist on history in her character Lada (think Vlad the Impaler here) but has also managed to make her completely lovable in all her wickedness and harsh ways. Someone that isn't necessarily endearing but instead captivating. Fascinating simply because you never know what she will do next to prove herself and show the world the fierce, smart, and strong woman that she is in a world run completely by men. 

She is a no hold, balls to the wall kind of girl and it is hard not to fall in love with that ferocity that she shows the world and the determination that she has to take what is rightfully hers. With each new step in her journey, each new chapter in her story, I fall more and more in love with White's ability to twist this story into something new and unique. Something bloody and battle worn but also something beautiful and hopeful and with a heroine that is every bit as determined as she is feared by those around her.


What I love most about this series though is that White isn't afraid to tell it how it is, darkness and all. She gets her hands dirty and things aren't pretty. This is not a book of romance or of fun. It is a brutal trying time filled with a whole lot of death and blood, murder and deceit. There is very little happiness and no sunshine or rainbows. What it is instead is imaginative, captivating, and undeniably addicting, this story is truly something you don't want to miss out on. 






*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

48 comments:

  1. I love it when an author can make us love or at least relate to a character, even if maybe they're not the nicest person lol. Sounds like she does that here! I'm intrigued by this one, definitely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is kind of fun when that happens, especially like you said, when that person doesn't always make good choices. ;)

      Delete
  2. I've never been able to get into her books, but this sounds awesome. I love the sound of the main character. She sounds unique!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is such a fun series Nick with the blend on fact and fiction and then the twist of Vlad being a women. Very good. ;)

      Delete
  3. oh sounds good and bloodthirsty just what I like :)
    Thanks Kindlemom

    ReplyDelete
  4. I missed the first book entirely last summer when I was away, so this series wasn't even on my radar until everyone started buzzing about this book. Now I am most curious. If you rated it five stars, I must look into it soon. My pile is getting too big!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know you would find this interesting Heidi and it really doesn't read like an YA novel/series at all.

      Delete
  5. YAY! I'm really looking forward to this one and I hope the pace picks up. I have this love/deathly afraid of relationship with Lada.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It wasn't quite as slow going as the first one but there are some slower parts but for the most part things are moving more quickly with the war and such than the first book did. I really think you will like it. ;)

      Delete
  6. I quite like the sounds of this one.

    ReplyDelete
  7. These books are so humongous. But I definitely want to meet this kick ass heroine!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh it is great to have such a good one. I saw it but haven't read it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should read it, it is such an unique series.

      Delete
  9. I have book one Ali and hope to read it soon. Your five stars for book two have me even more excited!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You would like this Kim and Christy loves this series too. ;)

      Delete
  10. I do love a strong female character! Sounds like an exciting read. I'll have to look this one up. Wonderful review! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Rachel, she really is unlike any character I think I've read, especially in the YA genre. ;)

      Delete
  11. Oh wow, a 5 star rating! I'll stalk this book hehe.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really like this author, so I'm really glad to hear this was a good one. I liked the first book, so I'm happy. Nice review!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've been curious about this series...sounds like one I should look for!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It definitely is something different and fun. ;)

      Delete
  14. Lada is the kind of character who makes me read books.

    ReplyDelete
  15. As a Romanian, I`m really curious about this book, because many people have their facts wrong. While his methods were bloody, Vlad The Impaler was a just ruler. And that`s where sometimes the real story gets lost. But this sounds like a great retelling and I love a strong female protagonist.

    http://www.carmensreadingcorner.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This seems pretty accurate from what research I've done.

      Delete
  16. I've been hearing so many good things about this series! Glad to see this was a 5 star read for you! Lada definitely does sound captivating and the story just super badass! Awesome review!

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is what I keep hearing about that this is one of the best and kick ass heroine books out there. I've never actually read a book by this author at all. I really must change that. Great review. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lada really is and I've read a lot of kick butt heroines. You should definitely give it a try!

      Delete
  18. I read the first book and I found all the story completely boring. Sincerely Lada is not a predictable character but not an interesting one to me. Sorry but this time I am not going to read this second.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm so glad you enjoyed this sequel!! I am so, so excited for it to release and I can't wait to find out what happens next. Wonderful review!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great review and 5 starts is always nice!

    ReplyDelete