Monday, June 26, 2017

Now I Rise by Kiersten White

Series: The Conqueror's Saga #2
496 p.
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Published: June 27,17
Source: From NetGalley and Publisher for review
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.
My thoughts:

I really loved the first book in the series so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. I was not disappointed.

We are split in-between the siblings Radu and Lada in the telling of this adventure. Both still have feelings for Medmed but now have grown into adults and trying to figure out who they are while trying to achieve their goals. I have to say as much as I was captivated by Lada and her harsh and severe decisions I really enjoyed Radu's POV in this one. He questioned everything in the end and while he still chose a side expected, the experience changed him profoundly and I'm curious to know where he will go from here. I think he has the biggest epiphany coming and more choices on the horizon which I think will become increasingly difficult.

Now this does not mean that I missed the adventure Lada had nor her growth. She is slowly figuring out not just who she or who she wants to be but more importantly, what kind of leader she will eventually become. I also have a feeling this road will not be easy and I can see her last decisions will have severe consequences. What I took away from most of the story is that the siblings were stronger together than separately but they both wanted different things out of life. It was interesting to see them both come to that same conclusion.

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. It is a great historical fantasy and it isn't hard to get into for those that don't often read fantasy. I also recommend you read this one in order. Very few fantasy books should or can be read out of order.
👑

About Kiersten:

Kiersten White is the NYT bestselling author of the Paranormalcy trilogy, the Mind Games series, Illusions of Fate, The Chaos of Stars, In the Shadows with artist Jim Di Bartolo, and the upcoming historical reimagining, And I Darken. She has one tall husband and three small children and lives near the ocean, where her life is perfectly normal. Visit her at www.kierstenwhite.com.

Giveaway Details:
3 Winners will receive a finished copy of NOW I RISE, US Only.




Tour Schedule:
Week One:
6/19/2017- BookfeverExcerpt
6/20/2017- Lisa Loves LiteratureReview
6/21/2017- Two Chicks on Books- Interview
6/22/2017- FiktshunReview
6/23/2017- Carina's BooksReview

Week Two:
6/26/2017- Dazzled by BooksReview
6/27/2017- Books and ThingsReview
6/28/2017- Rattle the StarsReview
6/29/2017- YABCReview
6/30/2017- Once Upon A TwilightReview

Week Three:
7/3/2017- Adventures of a Book JunkieInterview
7/4/2017- Seeing Double In NeverlandReview
7/5/2017- Fiction FareReview
7/6/2017- YA and WineReview

7/7/2017- Little Red's ReviewsReview


49 comments:

  1. Shame on me not knowing this is a historical fiction! Will add this on my cart now. Love your review.

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  2. I need to borrow book 1 from the library

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  3. I really like Kiersten White's work as a whole. I was also happy with book one in this series, so I'm really happy to hear book two was just as good. Great review, I'm excited about it again!

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    1. I need to read more of her work. I have them on my wishlist.

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  4. So good to hear that the second book held up and was a good follow-on to the first. And it's great that the main characters are experiencing growth. I definitely have this series on my TBR!
    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

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  5. Okay, so I do need to read this series!!

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  6. oh! i didn't read any of your review lol I have the first book and I'm so looking forward to it but I'm happy you loved this one too!

    For What It's Worth

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    1. You didn't? I'm crushed. ;) I really do hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

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  7. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Melissa! I'm so, so excited for it and hopefully I'll have enough time to read it this week because I know I'll barely be able to concentrate at work when ik this is out. Fabulous review, dear!

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    1. I hope you find it as enjoyable! It is one to devour and I won't worry about rushing. You'll want the next one to find out what happens next and it isn't out yet. :)

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  8. Glad this was a great addition to the series!! I still haven't decided if I will start this series but glad to hear both books were good!! Great review!

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    1. If you like historical fantasy with a retelling twist... go for it! :)

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  9. I've always been fascinated by this story in real history so I'm keen to experience this alternate story. People growing and making tough decisions even if they are wrong always make it more interesting. Glad to get your thoughts on this one.

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    1. I think that the alternate story is what made me curious about this series too. :)

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  10. Ooh glad this was good. I have to admit I've been intrigued by that premise, and the cool cover. And the siblings sound like a highlight, with their being stronger together but having different goals or wants out of life. Sounds like a nice touch.

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  11. I am determined to listen to these this summer. July and August respectively. You have me excited!!

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  12. I am glad you enjoyed this installment. Lovely review.

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  13. Haven't heard of this series before but it sounds like something I will totally enjoy. Awesome review!

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  14. I really enjoyed the first book and am looking forward to this one too!
    Jen @ YA Romantics

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  15. oh wonderful looking cover, plus i think i might have a crush on Lada

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    1. Lada is such an interesting character. I also love this cover.

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  16. I'm glad to hear you liked this one!! yay for no sophomore slump. I still need to read the first book.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  17. This series has been on my TBR ever since the first one was released, I just still haven't gotten to it yet. So glad to hear you loved the second one as well though! Hope to read it for myself soon :)

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    1. I think you'll like having more of this to read so no worries. :)

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  18. I missed the first book last summer when I was away, so I finally picked it up the other day in audio format, and so far I am liking it. Glad that the second book doesn't falter. I have it reserved at my library.

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  19. It's been a long while since I read a historical fantasy. Sounds pretty good. Glad to see it was a satisfying read :)

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  20. Yes! Sounds like a great series so far. That's awesome.

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  21. I've been wanting to read book 1 for quite a while..Hopefully i'll be getting it for my birthday!!

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  22. This sounds like such an enjoyable historical fantasy. I remember when the first one came out, I wasn't sure if it was for me. However, this sounds like a good read. I'll have to grab a copy of the first book.

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    1. It is pretty good. Try it at the library to see if you like it.

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  23. I have a slightly warm/hate relationship with YA, but I think I could like this series.

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    1. You might like this one as it feels like it has a more fantasy bent to it.

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  24. Ahhh! I still need to read Kiersten White! This series sounds great too... I need to get into it!

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