♡ Alexandra Emilia ♡ · @Northern_Ruler
7th Jul 2017 from TwitLonger
Now I Rise Review
"And I Darken Review": https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1684949882
"Now I Rise" Review Part 1: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/15796876-alexandra-emilia
Part 2:
According to the Romanian historian Vasile Pârvan, the Dacian war flag, representing a wolf with a serpent's body, depicted the balaur (means Dragon in romanian). The balaur is not identical to the other creature of Romanian myth, the zmeu (another word romanians are using for the word Dragon). The biggest difference is that the zmeu, even if it has some lizard features, nevertheless is a human-like figure, while the balaur is the true form of the dragon. It is to be noted that usually, in all Romanian myths, legends and fairy tales, the balaur always has three, five, seven, nine or twelve heads. The balaur sometimes is a malefic figure, but most of the times is a neutral figure, guarding various places, objects or knowledge. Also, in various myths and lore, there will be a series of dragons that have to be defeated in order to obtain the precious objects or entrance to the guarded places, usually three dragons, with scales of iron, silver and respectively gold, or silver, gold and respectively diamond, each stronger than the previous one, the number of their heads increasing with the difficulty. Some motifs developed in the folk tradition that defines the snake as protective of the household correspond, to some extent, to the interpretation of a protective Dacian "Dragon" symbol.
Dacian Draco in warfare
Dacians marched into the battle accompanied by the howl of wolf-headed trumpets and following their sinister multicolored dragon-head standard. As intended, they made a terrifying audiovisual spectacle. The draco first appears on Trajan's Column in Rome, a monument that depicts the Dacian wars of 101–102 AD and 105–106 AD. German historian Conrad Cichorius notes that, even though Dacians carried the draco, it was called the Scythian draco. In Arrian's Tactica written around 136 AD. according to Ellis Minns, the dragon standards of the Arrian were those of the Dacians.
Vlad The Impaler used "The Dacian Draco" symbol when his armies had to go to war against the ottomans or other enemies and that's why he was called “The Devil” or “The Dragon”.
Balaur = means The Dragon
Zmeu = another term used by the Romanians for the word The Dragon
Dracul = The Devil
Wallachian = means Romanian
Wallachia = means Romania, that's why in my review for the "And I Darken" I said The Wallachian Language doesn't exist at all. Back then (and even now) the people from Wallachia, Moldavia, Transylvania, were speaking Romanian not Wallachian, Moldavian or Transylvanian.
I was expecting to read something similar to the “Outlander” Series by Diana Gabaldon because the Romanian history is so amazing. We have spectacular landscapes, beautiful castles, popular costumes, myths and legends but Kiersten White didn't want to explore that. She refused to describe anything related to the magnificent landscapes and our historical buildings. In case you want to see how beautiful my country is I recommend you to watch:
“Discover Romania with Peter Hurley” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywDHSpVui8o&t=221s or
“Welcome to Wild Carpathia Travel Documentary” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oerXn42bdYs
All the Romanian rulers from Burebista (Dacian King - Reign 82/61– Died 44 BC) to King Michael I of Romania (the last Romanian King - July 20th 1927 - June 8th 1930 and also between Sept 6th 1940 to December 30th 1947) had one job, to protect this country and their people. Romanians fought for their freedom, lands, faith, for their country's independence since ancient times till today and we are going to fight every time when someone tries to steal our lands or enslave us. We are a proud nation and our nation’s history is very old. The Romanian History has 2000 years so it's a sacrilege to mess up with our past, traditions, faith and culture.
Ioan "Iancu" of Hunedoara aka John of Hunedoara/ Hunyadi, John The Get, The White Knight. (1400-1456)
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/Iancu-de-Hunedoara-214x300_zpsxhtfnab7.jpg
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/Iancu%20de%20Hunedoara_zpswiq84aca.jpg
I wasn't prepared for what was about to happen. Never in my life have I felt so much rage as when reading the following sentences and it's my duty to correct Kiersten White's lies and errors because this lady is obviously misinformed when it comes to Romanian History. Saying that John Hunyadi was a brilliant Hungarian commander.
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/Nobilime%20maghiara_zpswlbsqcpq.jpg
He was the son of peasants . He wasn't married to Elizabeth and Ladislas Posthumous wasn't his own son. His other son Matthias Corvinus and his wife treated him poorly, Hunedoara Castle is just some dark and simple castle, Hunedoara County back then was a part of Hungary, it's just outrageous. Saying that Hunedoara is a part of Hungary is like saying New York or Los Angeles are in Canada or Australia. According to the author John Hunyadi couldn’t speak Wallachian and he barely understood it. Are you kidding me? Since John Hunyadi was 100% Romanian he was perfectly capable to speak and understand Romanian / " Wallachian" language. He didn't have any problems to communicate with other rulers and peasants from all the Romanian lands.
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/nota%20autoare_zps5x8ojda1.jpg
You send your apologies to the wrong country, instead of Hungary you should write Romania because The Hunyadi Family Legacy belongs to the Romanian Nation.
Ioan “Iancu” of Hunedoara (John Hunyadi) known as Ioannes Corvinus in Latin and called the “White Knight” and “John The Get”.
Ioan of Hunedoara was a voivode (ruler) of Transylvania from 1400 to 1456. John Hunyadi was the father of Matei Corvin (Mattia / Matthias Corvinus (ruled 1443-1490), one of the most legendary and admired kings of Hungary. John was born into a minor Romanian family in 1407 as the son of Voicu, a boyar (nobleman) from Wallachia and Elisabeta / Elisabeth Mărgean, the daughter of a Romanian noble family. Voicu took the family name of Hunyadi (de/of Hunedoara) when he received the estate around Hunedoara Castle from King Sigismund of Hungary, in 1409, and was given the title Count of Hunedoara. A fake and unproved rumor has it that Ioan/John was in fact King Sigismund’s illegitimate son after a love affair with a Romanian peasant woman. Both Hungarians and Romanians like to claim Ioan/ John as their own but the historical truth is that Ioan “Iancu” / John Hunyadi was 100% Romanian. John married Erzsébet/ Elizabeth Szilágyi, a high-ranking Hungarian noblewoman. The title “Corvinus” was first used for his son Matthias Corvinus of Hungary, but it also applied to Ioan “Iancu” / John Hunyadi. The name Corvin (Raven) has a legend attached to it. During a trip with his parents, the seven-year-old Ioan /John was playing with a precious gold ring belonging to his mother and father while they were sleeping. A raven swooped down and stole the ring. Little Ioan/John took a bow and arrow and shot the bird. King Sigismund was so impressed with his skills that he bestowed the crest of a raven with a ring in his beak to the family and the image can be seen in many places by Hunedoara Castle.Thanks to his prowess in battle and military skills, Ioan/John rose through the ranks and soon became one of the wealthiest and most respected aristocrats in the country and when I say country I’m talking about Transylvania, not Hungary. He was particularly admired for his campaigns against the Ottoman Empire. Hunedoara County even back then was a part of Transylvania, so every time when Lada talks about Hunedoara as a part of Hungary, I cringe. That’s so ridiculous and stupid. Ioan/John was in fact the Regent King of Hungary for a while. The Hunedoara Castle is one of the most impressive castles ever and I strongly recommend you to visit one day.
I'm going to attach a map of Romanian Lads in 14th -15th century, a picture with The Corvinus "Corvin" Genealogical Family Tree and several pictures with Hunedoara Castle because someone needs to teach Kiersten White the real Romanian/Hungarian history not the fake bullshit she wrote in her books. If you don't believe me watch this documentary, maybe this way you'll learn something useful and you'll stop messing with Romanian history.
TRANSYLVANIA - STOLEN HISTORY. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pd-Y2UBHM8&t=2970s
Map of Romanian Lads in 14th -15th century
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/Principatele%20romanesti%20in%20sec.%20XIV%20-%20XV_zpsspmndvnj.jpg
The Hunedoara Castle
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/Castelul%20Corvinestilor%201_zpszkt7ssfh.jpg
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/Castelul%20Corvinestilor%202_zps8hjuf0sc.jpg
The Corvinus "Corvin" Genealogical Family Tree
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/Arborele%20Genealogic%20al%20Familiei%20Corvinestilor_zpsmebbtn3w.jpg
Matthias I King of Hungary (1443 – 1490)
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/matei%20corvin_zpsyy4gu0ea.jpg
The "Now I Rise" version of Matthias Corvinus is just awful. He's described like this spoiled brat, who hated his father, didn't want to do spend time with him, he's orphan because the author decided to eliminate his mother and brother from the story, they are present in the book but they are total strangers to him. Like his father he couldn't speak Romanian "Wallachian" and his only quality was his beauty and his ability to be charming. At some point Kiersten White had this crazy idea to try an alliance in this case a marriage between him and Lada. Thank God she abandoned the idea pretty quickly because Vlad The Impaler/ Lada and Matthias Corvinus were cousins, distant cousins that's true but still they belonged to the same family. Now let's see the true image of Matthias Corvinus.
Matthias I, aka Matthias Corvinus /Matthias Hunyadi was born on Feb. 24, 1443 at Cluj Napoca in Transylvania and he died at April 6, 1490 in Vienna in Austria. He was King of Hungary from 1458 to 1490. He attempted to reconstruct the Hungarian state after decades of feudal anarchy, chiefly by means of financial, military, judiciary, and administrative reforms. His nickname, Corvinus, derived from the raven (Latin corvus) on his escutcheon. Matthias was the second son of a military leader, Ioan “Iancu” of Hunedoara (John Hunyadi). After the death of his father and elder brother, Matthias became heir to a vast landed property (Hunedoara County in Transylvania) and to a great name glorified by the chroniclers of the war against Turkish conquerors. After the death of King Ladislas Posthumus of Austria (Habsburg), and despite dynastic claims of his uncle, the Holy Roman emperor Frederick III, and other pretenders to the throne, a general Diet held in Buda and Pest in January 1458 elected Matthias king. This was the first time in the medieval Hungarian kingdom that a member of the nobility, without dynastic ancestry and relationship, mounted the royal throne, although it happened contemporaneously in the neighbouring Bohemian kingdom. Such elections upset the usual course of dynastic succession. Crossing the plans of the Habsburg dynasty (and partly those of the Jagiełłos of Poland), they caused a long series of controversies in that part of Europe. In the Czech and Hungarian states they heralded a new era, characterized by the supremacy of the “estates and orders,” a dietal system, and a tendency to centralization. Just like his father he was perfectly capable to speak and understand Romanian "Wallachian" language and usually he spoke the language during his trips to Hunedoara or when he was visiting several other cities from Transylvania. From his father side, he was Romanian and from his mother side he was Hungarian. In a way his Hungarian bloodline and heritage helped him to ascend the Hungarian Throne. After struggles to stabilize his reign against repeated attacks, mostly from baronial opposition and the foreign dynastic pretenders, Matthias held back Turkish invaders, who had annexed the Serbian and Bosnian territories on his southern frontiers. He reorganized a defensive system against the Turks, taking his lack of forces into consideration. He did everything he could to increase state incomes and to improve the modern elements of his army and his warfare. One of his first steps was a reform of finances and taxes (1467), ending special exemptions to large proprietors. A few years later the treasury was developed into a well-organized office, collecting regularly the “extraordinary” taxes (originally intended in case of urgent necessity, mostly under the pressure of the Turkish peril). As a result the state income reached a considerable sum. The high taxation burdened mostly the peasants. The financial reforms were not easily accepted. Revolts endangered the government, occasionally even the reign of Matthias. The opposition, stimulated by foreign forces, won over some old counselors of the King. But Matthias always succeeded, by force and diplomacy, in calming the opposition and in reestablishing, even reinforcing, the political and social conditions of his sovereignty. Some historians have characterized him as an early representative of modern absolutism, but this was far beyond his possibilities. He increased the influence of the lower nobility against the barons; he tried to repress or at least to moderate feudal anarchy; he protected merchants and small proprietors and even peasants, not against their own lords but against other troubles; and he tried to improve the system of central government (without disturbing local autonomies), mainly by increasing the governmental role of the chancellors, the royal secretaries, and other offices. His jurists began a great work of codification; a royal decree of 1486 was intended to summarize the main principles of law “for all times.” This meant, together with the further development of the standing army, a certain degree of centralization, within the limits of an essentially lordly state. Successes in foreign politics, diplomacy, and warfare contributed to the stabilization of his own authority and his country’s position. Matthias possessed high personal qualities, as reported by friends and enemies alike. He tried to strengthen his state, not without success. His name became later—during centuries of Turkish occupation and Habsburg oppression—a symbol of strength and independence. His memory was glorified by statesmen and military leaders as well as by students of cultural progress. And, despite the heavy taxes, it was also glorified by the people, who were reported, a few years after the King’s death, as being willing to pay still more, “if only he could rise again.” This could be explained by the general decline of the country after Matthias’ death but also by a popular saying: “Matthias is dead—justice is lost.”
Radu The Handsome (1462 - 1475)
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/radu%20cel%20frumos_zpsqyreube4.jpg
Just like his sister, Radu The Handsome was one of my favorite characters in "And I Darken". I didn't have a problem with him being gay or when he chose to embrace the Islamic faith because this portrayal of him was correct. The real Radu was in fact gay and he wanted to become a muslim. My main problem with him in "Now I Rise" was his behavior and his speech about the benefits of being a slave and how lucky the people of Constantinople will be when The Ottomans will arrive and they will conquer the city. How can you say that?!? Being a slave is the most horrific thing ever, every human being has the right to be free, happy, to live in a secure country. In 14th century the rules of the Ottoman Empire were pretty simple, if you want to live, you have to renounce of your faith (in this case Orthodox and Catholic faith) and immediately you have to embrace the Islamic faith. If you refused to do that you were killed, your daughters (if they were beautiful and smart) were sent to join the Sultan's Harem, or they were sold as slaves (if they were ugly and stupid).Your sons were send to train as Ottoman soldiers, they were also forced to forget their native language, their parents’ name, their faith basically they were brainwashed. The children (both genders) were beaten and abused daily, they lived in fear so NO, don't try to sugar coating their fate. Families were ripped apart, innocent lives were lost and no one cared about the pain of this people. Being under the rule of the Ottoman Empire meant Death and Destruction for many countries from Europe. In a way The Ottoman Empire was similar to the Nazi Regim, total annihilation of the Christian Faith and their believers. I'm sorry to say this but back then The Ottoman Empire had one purpose: to spread the Islamic faith as the True Religion and if that meant killing thousands and even millions of people (who opposed that) so be it, and their second purpose was to collect all the riches in the world. The Ottoman Empire didn't want to revenge the deaths of muslims killed by the Christian Crusaders, they wanted to conquer the whole world. So being conquered by the Ottoman Empire wasn't a blessing in disguise, nope on the contrary it was a curse. The Ottoman Empire was a force to be reckoned with and the muslims weren't persecuted for their faith in 13-18th centuries like you tried to insinuate in your books. For anyone who wants to learn more about The Ottoman Empire I recommend you to watch :
“THE HISTORY OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oean5l__Cc
Also the European Kings and rulers tried their best to protect their countries against the Ottoman threat. They weren't a bunch of crazy people who couldn't see the benefits of being under the foot of the Ottoman Empire. Don't compare them with several contemporary European leaders who are against muslims now. At some point Constantinople is portrayed like some ruined city and its only salvation was the Ottoman Empire, I don't agree with you but I don't have the time to prove you how wrong you are. Maybe you've read Turkish history books who describe the conquest of Constantinople like a fairytale but that's one side of the historical truth. Personally, when it comes to the Conquest of Constantinople, even though it's not 100% historically speaking accurate I like the Turkish movie
"Fetih 1453"- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wm-318Dks4&t=5480s
Don't get me wrong The Ottoman Empire was a sophisticated empire, they did many good things for their citizens and the saying that The Ottoman Empire was the rightful successor of the Roman Empire is true.You tried in your books to solve a 21th century problem using the timeline of the 14th century and that's wrong. Speaking of 21th century, every time I hear about the horrors that happen right now in Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan etc, my heart bleeds for the innocent people who are forced to endure this atrocities. I'm against any form of discrimination against Muslim community, LGBT community, Black community and Latinx community. I don't support the ban travel decreet established by Donald Trump for several Islamic countries and also I don't support the European leaders who want to build walls to keep the muslim people who need help, out of their countries. That's wrong and I mourn the loss of the muslim people who died trying to save their lives by leaving their countries. Indeed the Islamic faith is a faith of peace and tolerance and in many ways has the same message like the Christian Faith and it's our duty to protect the muslims against threats like discrimination, hate murders or the false accusations that the Islamic Faith means ISIS or Al-Qaeeda.
The Sultan Mehmed II commonly known as Mehmed the Conqueror (1432 -1481)
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/mehmet_zpsowcy3ww5.jpg
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/mehmet%202_zpsrtx3jbkg.jpg
I honestly thought you wouldn't ruin Mehmed's character but once again I was wrong. Who told you Mehmed had long hair and he looked like a Tatar???? Like I said before The Tatars are cousins with the Ottomans but they had different tastes when it came to clothes, jewels, psychical appearance. In my review for the first book of the series I said how precious to the ottoman their male heirs were, they had since birth many servants and their own personal household inside the Harem. They were protected, educated, cared for but with all the protection in the world they were in constant danger 24/7.The life of a Ottoman Prince (Şehzade) was full of terror, they lived in fear almost all their lives because at some point being so many heirs to the Ottoman Throne something bad was going to happen and they were killed inside the harem (by the mothers of their siblings) or by their enemies or by their own fathers, grandfathers, uncles aka the Sultan.
Ottomans | Death And Sorrow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSU_wXzVO7o
●The path to power. ►The pain and suffering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdT0zbeLJKE
Being a Sultan was even harder because the whole Empire was looking at you and you had to prove every single day you are going to be the Greatest Sultan the world has ever seen. Your legacy mattered to the Empire and in the same time you had the sacred duty to conquer many countries in the name of Allah and the Islamic Faith. Your version of Mehmed is manipulative and foolish. In "And I Darken" Mehmed was a coward and a weak Prince (Şehzade), completely false. Mehmed was a bit shy, that's true, he didn't want to claim the throne but he was a smart child/teenager and when the time was right he was eager to ascend the throne. Now as a Sultan, Mehmed (the character from "Now I Rise", not the real Sultan) wants to conquer Constantinople for the sole purpose of making Lada an Empress. NO, NO, NO, that's untrue, the real Sultan wanted to conquer the city just to prove to the Christians that Allah is more powerful than the Christian God. Also, he wanted to leave this great legacy to his successors. I never was a big fan of love triangles and the love triangle from the first book annoyed me and I really wanted to see this magnificent forbidden love story between Lada and Mehmed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLAq8zHRdgc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFNDBC3SorI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXaQubIYMuE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7_fM9SfXgc
I wanted to read about a unique love story similar to the one from
"Kingdom of Heaven" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuDadcDpmP0 between a Sultan who's also a Muslim and a fearless warrior princess (who's an Orthodox Christian) who wants to fight for the throne of her country but in the same time she wants to be with her soulmate. I had high hopes for the second book of the series but all my hopes and dreams were crushed by Kiersten White's ignorance when it comes to Romanian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Serbian, Ottoman/Turkish History.
In the third book we are going to meet Stephen III of Moldavia aka Stephen The Great ( 1438/1439 – 1504) he's my favorite Romanian ruler and I love him with all my heart since the 4th grade. He's Vlad/Lada's moldavian cousin.
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/Stefan%20Cel%20Mare%201_zpso318edbb.jpg
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg550/Emma-Alexa81/Stefan%20Cel%20Mare_zpsymptj5lc.jpg
That was the first moment I've heard about him, I cherish all the Romanian rulers since ancient times until 1947 but “Stephen The Great” has a special place in my heart so Kiersten White be ver careful how you portray him, I'm talking about psychical appearance, military skills, his courage in battles, his love and devotion for the Orthodox faith. Don't you dare to destroy him like you did with Vlad The Impaler, John of Hunedoara/ John Hunyadi, The Sultan Mehmed II commonly known as Mehmed the Conqueror, Matthias Corvinus. The person or the team who's responsible for the covers did an amazing job! Congrats and can't wait to see the covers for book #3. I'm planning to read the third book of the series and I'm prepared to write a review, sorry but I can't help myself when it comes to Romania's history. I'm a patriot and I'm going to defend the Romanian culture and history against anyone who dares to spread lies about my beautiful country, her neighbours and the whole European continent in general. I would like to say Thank You to my friend Gabbie (Gabriela Pop - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/29398103-gabriela-pop )who's a sweetheart and she's responsible for the impeccable English that I've used. I'm a History major, not an English major and I have the tendency to make many mistakes when I write texts in English. I know that my review was extremely long and sometimes boring, but I hope after reading it you'll understand how important it is to be respectful and honest when it comes to European culture if you really want to.