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lyakimov's review against another edition
4.0
I'm very sad that this series is over! This is definitely an underrated period urban fantasy series, and, to me, reminds me of The Infernal Devices but with a good plot and much less of a focus on romance.
The romance is seriously the most angsty I have read in a long time. Honestly, it was ridiculous how invested I was in Carlston and Helen's relationship. However, the majority of their relationship development happens in the second book and not a great deal in this book. I wish there was an epilogue because, yes, it was mostly wrapped up and left a little open-ended, but I wanted just a couple more pages of them being happy!! We got like two paragraphs. That being said, I did still like the ending but I just wanted a LITTLE MORE!!! I think the unique situations and maneuvering out of both Helen's marriage and Carlston's marriage for them to finally be together was a very interesting way to conclude the romance and it gave real reasons for them not to be able to be together. I liked that it wasn't just some stupid miscommunication reason. They were important issues and really highlighted the time period they lived in.
I did love the relationships between all the characters, especially Darby and Helen's friendship. One of the funniest, most entertaining parts of the book is when Aunt and Andrew come to Chenwith Hall and everyone begins complaining and fighting over the fact that Carlston is there and around Helen. The drawing room and bedroom scenes took me OUT, they were funny as hell and I just loved the animosity. Such good entertainment value that we only get because of the great interconnection of the characters. I also cherished Helen's relationship with Aunt, they had such an interesting development and I love how Aunt was arguing with her over Carlston, but despite the disagreements, was always on Helen's side and even argued in Carlston's favor because it would benefit Helen. She was an amazing mother figure. Aunt and Darby are my favorites as always.
I do also want to say that all three of the books in this trilogy contained multiple conversations that passed the Bechdel test. In YA literature???? This is insane!! Give Alison Goodman an award because she deserves it.
The book was a little slow like the other two, but it really picked up within the second half of the book and it was definitely interesting. I liked the twist of Margaret and Selburn being the Grand Deceivers, I like how this author is not afraid of killing off major characters and causing large consequences for characters' actions. Also, Helen is such a likable main character and she is a truly strong female lead because of the grace with which she deals with the consequences of her actions and the content of her character.
I'm not ready for it to be over!!! I want more!!
The romance is seriously the most angsty I have read in a long time. Honestly, it was ridiculous how invested I was in Carlston and Helen's relationship. However, the majority of their relationship development happens in the second book and not a great deal in this book. I wish there was an epilogue because, yes, it was mostly wrapped up and left a little open-ended, but I wanted just a couple more pages of them being happy!! We got like two paragraphs. That being said, I did still like the ending but I just wanted a LITTLE MORE!!! I think the unique situations and maneuvering out of both Helen's marriage and Carlston's marriage for them to finally be together was a very interesting way to conclude the romance and it gave real reasons for them not to be able to be together. I liked that it wasn't just some stupid miscommunication reason. They were important issues and really highlighted the time period they lived in.
I did love the relationships between all the characters, especially Darby and Helen's friendship. One of the funniest, most entertaining parts of the book is when Aunt and Andrew come to Chenwith Hall and everyone begins complaining and fighting over the fact that Carlston is there and around Helen. The drawing room and bedroom scenes took me OUT, they were funny as hell and I just loved the animosity. Such good entertainment value that we only get because of the great interconnection of the characters. I also cherished Helen's relationship with Aunt, they had such an interesting development and I love how Aunt was arguing with her over Carlston, but despite the disagreements, was always on Helen's side and even argued in Carlston's favor because it would benefit Helen. She was an amazing mother figure. Aunt and Darby are my favorites as always.
I do also want to say that all three of the books in this trilogy contained multiple conversations that passed the Bechdel test. In YA literature???? This is insane!! Give Alison Goodman an award because she deserves it.
The book was a little slow like the other two, but it really picked up within the second half of the book and it was definitely interesting. I liked the twist of Margaret and Selburn being the Grand Deceivers, I like how this author is not afraid of killing off major characters and causing large consequences for characters' actions. Also, Helen is such a likable main character and she is a truly strong female lead because of the grace with which she deals with the consequences of her actions and the content of her character.
I'm not ready for it to be over!!! I want more!!
writinghideout's review against another edition
4.0
This entire trilogy was very well written and enjoyable from beginning to end! Also, I find I see twists coming these days and while I did spot one, I didn’t spot the other, which was great! A solid ending to the series, and I’m thoroughly glad I stumbled across them in the library.
mickachoo's review against another edition
5.0
I was not prepared to part with these characters whenever I turned the last page.
I have loved all three of these books so incredibly much and read them so fast and felt so empty after finishing each one. The amazing details of the world and the characters and the paranormal aspect have yet to cease just stunning me. The attention to the historical details and the real people from historical England who are included in the story make it even more enthralling.
And the character development! Lordy, I love beautifully written characters and beautiful character development. These books contain some of the best CD that I have read and it made reading the book so much more enjoyable. I somehow an attachment to each and every character, even bad ones, because they are all so intertwined to the plot that you can't see how the books could be so alive without them.
The romance between Carlston and Helen were just the icing and sprinkles and whipped cream and cherry on top! Who doesn't love a brooding Earl, amirite? The chemistry these two have and the obstacles they face as a pair and as partners in The Dark Days Club just have you racing to reach the next page until, sadly, there is nothing left.
In the last 50 or so pages, I kept having the set the book down and calm myself from all of the plot twists and the frustration I felt. If you've read this, you know what I'm talking about. I almost couldn't handle it and I was messaging everyone just screaming and crying. And then I finished the book and loosed a long breath that I'd been holding since about 20 pages back.
These books were a wild and beautiful ride and I honestly can't wait to read them again. I hope everyone else can enjoy these amazing books as well.
I have loved all three of these books so incredibly much and read them so fast and felt so empty after finishing each one. The amazing details of the world and the characters and the paranormal aspect have yet to cease just stunning me. The attention to the historical details and the real people from historical England who are included in the story make it even more enthralling.
And the character development! Lordy, I love beautifully written characters and beautiful character development. These books contain some of the best CD that I have read and it made reading the book so much more enjoyable. I somehow an attachment to each and every character, even bad ones, because they are all so intertwined to the plot that you can't see how the books could be so alive without them.
The romance between Carlston and Helen were just the icing and sprinkles and whipped cream and cherry on top! Who doesn't love a brooding Earl, amirite? The chemistry these two have and the obstacles they face as a pair and as partners in The Dark Days Club just have you racing to reach the next page until, sadly, there is nothing left.
In the last 50 or so pages, I kept having the set the book down and calm myself from all of the plot twists and the frustration I felt. If you've read this, you know what I'm talking about. I almost couldn't handle it and I was messaging everyone just screaming and crying. And then I finished the book and loosed a long breath that I'd been holding since about 20 pages back.
These books were a wild and beautiful ride and I honestly can't wait to read them again. I hope everyone else can enjoy these amazing books as well.
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
5.0
I do appreciate it when an author takes the time and effort to finish a trilogy well. Yes, I had guessed the ending, but that didn't really matter. Thoroughly enjoyable series.
carrymey's review against another edition
5.0
MAN, was this good. I must admit I was rather hesistant after the second book, which I did not enjoy as much as the first. But the last was even better than the first!
All in all I had guessed who the Grand Deceiver was back in book 2 but Miss Goodman managed to make me doubt this time and again. I suspected everyone at soome point, but in the end I was right. At least a bit!
Man, this was so good. I can't even put it into words. This is truly Buffy X Regency in ALL the best ways. Like Jesus christ, if you love both or even one, READ THIS. It is really THAT good!
All in all I had guessed who the Grand Deceiver was back in book 2 but Miss Goodman managed to make me doubt this time and again. I suspected everyone at soome point, but in the end I was right. At least a bit!
Man, this was so good. I can't even put it into words. This is truly Buffy X Regency in ALL the best ways. Like Jesus christ, if you love both or even one, READ THIS. It is really THAT good!
amoureux_des_livres's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
steph01924's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. I'll admit that I was a bit let down with this book. After the strong finish of the second novel, I was really hoping to be wowed by this, but I did have some concerns. Overall the series was great, but I wish it had been excellent. Check out my full review over at Forever Young Adult.
jnordgren's review against another edition
2.0
This was such a slog. The author did her research but incorporated it into the text fairly clumsily. She makes oblique references to events and customs that make it seem more like she wants to rub your own ignorance in your face. The world-building was needlessly complex, and at the end I still didn't really understand the mechanisms that made the plot make sense. The plot was so poorly paced. The twists and turns were fairly boring. The characters made me want to grind my teeth. I understand that a woman of the Regency Period would likely have put up with Selburn's possessive bullshit, but I have a hard time believing that a feminist audience would have patience with the excuse after excuse Helen makes for the Duke's gross behavior.
And lastly, Carlston and Helen's love story has the most anticlimactic ending. If you're going to put me through so many scorching glances and hearts beating in time then you damn well better give me a love scene.
And lastly, Carlston and Helen's love story has the most anticlimactic ending. If you're going to put me through so many scorching glances and hearts beating in time then you damn well better give me a love scene.
whatsmacksaid's review against another edition
5.0
I really disliked the first of these books, but each became progressively more engaging and better written. I had so much fun reading this last one. It's a huge story, but the size of the book itself keeps things from feeling rushed. I was pleased to find that, although I'd figured out several big plot points well before they occurred, there were plenty of other surprises and twists that I hadn't guessed. Also, it was very clear that Goodman planned almost every little detail from the beginning. Everything comes to fruition by the end of The Dark Days Deceit.
I was telling a friend last night as I finished this book that I couldn't think of a trilogy that improved so much between the first and latter books. I still can't--The Dark Days Club is a slog if you don't enjoy the Regency intricacies, but The Dark Days Pact and The Dark Days Deceit are a real treat. I highly recommend this trilogy.
I was telling a friend last night as I finished this book that I couldn't think of a trilogy that improved so much between the first and latter books. I still can't--The Dark Days Club is a slog if you don't enjoy the Regency intricacies, but The Dark Days Pact and The Dark Days Deceit are a real treat. I highly recommend this trilogy.