And I Darken by Kiersten White is the first book in a trilogy that I have read in a long time. And I Darken tells the tale of Lada and Radu, who are forced to live in the Ottoman Empire after being sold out by their father. In order for them to survive their father must hold up his end of the bargain. Lada hates the Ottoman Empire and plots her vengeance against them. While living in the palace Lada and Radu meet Mehmed, the son of the Sultan. Their friendship will test their loyalty and love for one another.

Despite everything Lada was born to become a warrior and she will not let anything get in the way of that. This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. Lada is a strong and brave character.

1. “Your father will do what? Write the sultan to ask permission to scold us? Ask my family to donate to the throne so he can afford a switch to whip us with? Your father is nothing. Just like you.” (p.15)

2. “What could she do? She had no power.

Yet, she vowed. She no power yet.”(p.45)

3. “If you are too weak to stand being hit and too stupid to avoid it, then you deserve more pain.”(p.93)

4. “A true conversion is always only between a man and God.” (p.153)
5. “Appearances are deceiving.” (p.209)

6. “My presence does not usually elicit such joy. I will make a point of disappearing from your life for years only to surprise you again more often.” (p.211)

7. “Your words are as sweet as honey, and as lacking in substance. ” (p.247)

8. “Someday you will go, and your life will be blessed for it. But it will not fix you-all your troubles will still be here, waiting. First you should strive to find peace where you are, and then you can make the pilgrimage to celebrate that peace.” (p.289)

9. “You can be the aggressor, you can fight against crusaders on their own land, or you can stay at home and wait for them to come to you. And they would come. They would come with fire, with disease, with swords and blood and death. Weakness is an irresistible lure.” (p.333)

10. “I am the dragon.” (p.575)