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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.
thebookishunicorn's review against another edition
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.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure why I waited so long to jump into the Lady Helen series. I've owned them for a while but somehow forgot about them. But... if see the disaster of tornado books in my room you would probably realize why I haven't gotten to them. One month I was really into cleaning and reorganizing my books and now I just have piles of books randomly throughout the house. Maybe one day I will eventually get to doing what I originally planned.
Maybe.
So, while I'm ignoring my cleaning goals, it seemed like a good time to read some books. Especially when it came to this series. I feel like I was always seeing great reviews and how likable Helen was. I'm not going to lie - I got those vibes while reading this too. She was definitely a bad ass but got herself into some interesting situations.
Then there's the endless questions I had. Eventually answers came my way but it took a long time. As for the romance? Well, it was pretty good up to a point. Don't get me wrong, I still really enjoyed the characters but the romance in this one was just okay for me. I think everything else kind of saved it though.
In the end, this book had twists that I didn't predict and I'm kind of shocked right now.
Maybe.
So, while I'm ignoring my cleaning goals, it seemed like a good time to read some books. Especially when it came to this series. I feel like I was always seeing great reviews and how likable Helen was. I'm not going to lie - I got those vibes while reading this too. She was definitely a bad ass but got herself into some interesting situations.
Then there's the endless questions I had. Eventually answers came my way but it took a long time. As for the romance? Well, it was pretty good up to a point. Don't get me wrong, I still really enjoyed the characters but the romance in this one was just okay for me. I think everything else kind of saved it though.
In the end, this book had twists that I didn't predict and I'm kind of shocked right now.
msmagoo502's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nicolleelizabeth's review against another edition
5.0
I did love this book and the author's commitment to detail is astounding.
I love all the characters in this book and the way the relatioshios develop are great but despite the length there wasn't as much of that as there had been in previous books. Quinn and Darby deserved more dammit! We deserved an epilogue of a year later or SOMETHING.
I was and wasn't surprised at the deceiver duo because I thought the first battle was too easy, I couldn't understand how it was done but we still had so much book left.
Considering the one part of the duo I felt like the wedding was a way to even the score between Carlston and Helen in terms of now they're both widowers. Also the very subtle, once mentioned, rape suggestion made me feel uncomfortable. But the way Helen responded its clear that because of the time it was set it was very common and she could look after herself so she wasn't overly worried, but still I wouldn't have said yes at the aisle to him.
The Elise thing was annoying throughout and I did feel like it could have been done differently in terms of us realising she may have been closer than we realised. For example, they recognised Berta, so should they not have been able to recognise Elise in other forms?
Anyway, great books
I love all the characters in this book and the way the relatioshios develop are great but despite the length there wasn't as much of that as there had been in previous books. Quinn and Darby deserved more dammit! We deserved an epilogue of a year later or SOMETHING.
I was and wasn't surprised at the deceiver duo because I thought the first battle was too easy, I couldn't understand how it was done but we still had so much book left.
Considering the one part of the duo I felt like the wedding was a way to even the score between Carlston and Helen in terms of now they're both widowers. Also the very subtle, once mentioned, rape suggestion made me feel uncomfortable. But the way Helen responded its clear that because of the time it was set it was very common and she could look after herself so she wasn't overly worried, but still I wouldn't have said yes at the aisle to him.
The Elise thing was annoying throughout and I did feel like it could have been done differently in terms of us realising she may have been closer than we realised. For example, they recognised Berta, so should they not have been able to recognise Elise in other forms?
Anyway, great books
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
5.0
This book was perfect. So much happened - like.. wow. A lot. I can honestly say that I did not see some of those twists and turns but they sure did make my heart sing. Wow! Alison Goodman is a masterful storyteller!
Here's hoping we get to revisit Lady Helen at some point in the future with short stories or spin-offs or something. I'm not ready to step away from The Dark Days Club just yet!
Here's hoping we get to revisit Lady Helen at some point in the future with short stories or spin-offs or something. I'm not ready to step away from The Dark Days Club just yet!
chloe035's review against another edition
5.0
Magnifique !!! Un vrai bonheur de lire cette dernière aventure de Lady Hélène. L'histoire, l'intrigue, le contexte historique et des personnages vraiment attachants font de ce livre un vrai bonheur !!