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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
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
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
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
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.
thebookishunicorn's review
4.0
Actual rating 3.5 stars
"When the earth is fractured, and the poison pours forth, bring the blood, bring the bone, bring the dead."
Like the previous two entries in the Lady Helen series, this book is full of historical accuracy and Georgian mannerisms. I really loved how researched these books were, down to the most inconsequential things, making the reader feel as though they were actually there. Even though there was so much detail, and so much going on with the plot, these books still manage to read very quickly.
I felt that this was a satisfying ending to the whole series, wrapping up all the loose threads from the second book and answering all of our questions. I was really looking forward to the end of this series, it didn't really have the pizzazz I was hoping it would have. The ending felt almost rushed, and was kind of predictable, even though this was over 500 pages long!
Helen ended up becoming a little boring in this last volume, having a lot of the same thoughts over and over again about her training, and her wants in life. But thankfully that was of balanced by the amazing cast of side characters, especially Darby, Helen's handmaid and Terrene. Darby really grows into her role in this book and really, just stole my heart.
Overall I would say this series is worth your time if you like really detailed historical fiction with some dark fantasy thrown in!
*****MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW *****
BUT I was surprised that Delia was initially the other half of the Grand Deceiver, before she died and jumped into Margaret's body, I did not see that coming. I do think that maybe Delia should have lived and revealed herself as one half, it would have been more of a emotional blow.
I am also just so sad that Margaret died, she was so awesome and such a strong female character, even in this male dominated world.
"When the earth is fractured, and the poison pours forth, bring the blood, bring the bone, bring the dead."
Like the previous two entries in the Lady Helen series, this book is full of historical accuracy and Georgian mannerisms. I really loved how researched these books were, down to the most inconsequential things, making the reader feel as though they were actually there. Even though there was so much detail, and so much going on with the plot, these books still manage to read very quickly.
I felt that this was a satisfying ending to the whole series, wrapping up all the loose threads from the second book and answering all of our questions. I was really looking forward to the end of this series, it didn't really have the pizzazz I was hoping it would have. The ending felt almost rushed, and was kind of predictable, even though this was over 500 pages long!
Helen ended up becoming a little boring in this last volume, having a lot of the same thoughts over and over again about her training, and her wants in life. But thankfully that was of balanced by the amazing cast of side characters, especially Darby, Helen's handmaid and Terrene. Darby really grows into her role in this book and really, just stole my heart.
Overall I would say this series is worth your time if you like really detailed historical fiction with some dark fantasy thrown in!
*****MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW *****
Spoiler
One of the major things I was able to predict was that Selburn ended up being one half of the Grand Deceiver. I started having my suspicions in the second book and thought it was weird that no one thought he could possibly be one. His actions were so odd at times, especially with how obsessed he was with Helen.BUT I was surprised that Delia was initially the other half of the Grand Deceiver, before she died and jumped into Margaret's body, I did not see that coming. I do think that maybe Delia should have lived and revealed herself as one half, it would have been more of a emotional blow.
I am also just so sad that Margaret died, she was so awesome and such a strong female character, even in this male dominated world.