*I received an advanced review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Yet, this in no way influenced my review.* 
 This was genuinely and wickedly exquisite. 
 And I don't say that lightly. 
 It was so badass. 
 The story itself is a YA historical fiction novel in which the life of Vlad the Impaler, mythologized in popular culture as Bram Stoker's legendary character Dracula, is altered slightly. This alteration proves to be remarkably significant: Vlad is instead born a woman, named Lada. Her life unfolds in extraordinary and shocking ways. It's seriously twisted and intense. You have been warned. 
 This book, the first installment in the trilogy, follows approximately the first sixteen/ seventeen years of Lada's life. The author, Kiersten White, structured this in a way that is so similar to actual events (including names and dates), that the story coneys almost as a very intimate documentary about the interpersonal relationships involved in this epic time period. We feel privy to the private workings of these influential figures, in a fictionalized yet highly believable manner. The author clearly did a ton of research. It's spectacular. 
 The driving force behind this is undeniably the hyperrealistic and complex three main characters, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed. They felt so real. Sometimes in books when the characters reflect on a past event, it feels redundant because the story does not maintain enough complexity for me as a reader to either forget or become so wrapped up in the tale that reminding us feels excessive. Yet, with this novel, the character's reflections felt like reflections to me as well. I was astounded by the magnitude and multitude of events that had taken place, and how far the story had progressed from that point. I honestly feel as though I got to know the characters deeply. 
 Lada, as I mentioned previously, is the reincarnation of Vlad in girl form. She is vicious and cruel and sinister and manipulative and justified in her anger (although many people around her don't think so). To others she could seem somewhat psychopathic, but the story frames her in a way that requires empathy from the reader. I felt fulfilled by her successes and defeated by her failures. Her fearlessness was what really drew me in. Her characterization somewhat reminded me of Katsa from Graceling on steroids (and we all know how much I love Katsa) so I was vibing with it. Lada defies customs of the 1400s by asserting her own worth, regardless of her womanhood. Yet, she is not presented with convenient advantages to avoid political turmoil or rejection from society. She is ugly, refuses to be married, openly violent, disrespectful, and all around a poisonous person regardless of her somewhat prestigious lineage and being the daughter of the Wallachian prince. She confronts all these things, sometimes wilting slightly, but always returning to her strangely comforting rage. She is the powerhouse behind this story. 
 Radu is her younger brother. He is the beauty to her malice. As a child he is weak and unnoticed next to Lada's strength and anger. He cries constantly and is generally deemed a disappointment to his family due to his obvious weaknesses. His character develops throughout the story into someone who presents power in a very different way to Lada. He is kind and gentle and charismatic. He can read situations, a skill he acquired from being constantly forced to listen and observe in his youth. He feels he is consistently overlooked, so is always seeking a home and acceptance. Clearly, the two siblings are polar opposites. Yet, they defend each other in their own ways. Their sibling relationship felt SO realistic. At times they hated each other, but they always had each other's back in times of crisis. 
 The final character in this trinity is Mehmed. He is the next sultan of the Ottoman empire. Lada and Radu meet him when they are young. They had been sold to Mehmed's father as ransom for their father obliging to peace with the nation. Mehmed takes an immediate liking to the two and they all become very close. Mehmed himself is complex and proud, thoughtful yet assertive, the stake to the wayward characters of both siblings. He connects them in a way they never experienced before. The journey they all take together is nothing short of astounding. 
 Also I thought it was hilarious how these teenagers essentially overthrow the government and plot against the leaders and all that. Like sometimes I forgot how young they were based on the depth of their experiences. It must have been a mindfuck for all the adults >:D 
 And as if this all wasn't enough, the story holds powerful themes of power, feminism, sexuality, body acceptance, and a ton of other ideas widely accepted as "modernity" but truly lived in all time periods. The author handles them all so well, never shying away from touchy topics. 
 I'm seriously blown away by this book. IT WAS SO GOOD. 
 Please believe me and get hyped for this to come out because I need to fangirl HARD with you all. 
 You might find yourself rooting for the bad guys.