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soumiii's review against another edition
4.0
It was good, but something is missing.
I wouldn't mind a fourth book of them in Russia
I don't know, I feel like it's not finished yet, no what I mean is I NEED MORE THAN TWO SWEET KISSES.
Spoiler
I wanted Helen to runaway with Carlston during her engagement ( I needed some scandal) with Helen being happy and believing and trusting her heart.I wouldn't mind a fourth book of them in Russia
I don't know, I feel like it's not finished yet, no what I mean is I NEED MORE THAN TWO SWEET KISSES.
elizpeace's review against another edition
5.0
I have a huge bone to pick with this book. An enormous one.
What gives with 527 pages of lead up, only to have ONE (O-N-E!!!!) page of romance with Carlston and Helen??!?! I've been waiting for this for 3 fucking books, and that's all I got. I feel beyond gypped. As someone against insta-love (unless it's me and Christian Bale), and as someone who loves the slow burn, I need serious pay off in the end. And I did not get it. ARGG!!!! Ok, rant over.
In the end, still one of my favorite series. Combine fun magic in an interesting way, with Regency era, and you've got me. And really, Goodman remains true to the time, as though I was yelling at Helen for letting EVERY SINGLE MAN talk to her like that, neither Helen's character or the time period, would have allowed for that. (Still...it would haven amazing.) And I liked Goodman for that. For not throwing a 21st century woman in a 19th century period.
What gives with 527 pages of lead up, only to have ONE (O-N-E!!!!) page of romance with Carlston and Helen??!?! I've been waiting for this for 3 fucking books, and that's all I got. I feel beyond gypped. As someone against insta-love (unless it's me and Christian Bale), and as someone who loves the slow burn, I need serious pay off in the end. And I did not get it. ARGG!!!! Ok, rant over.
In the end, still one of my favorite series. Combine fun magic in an interesting way, with Regency era, and you've got me. And really, Goodman remains true to the time, as though I was yelling at Helen for letting EVERY SINGLE MAN talk to her like that, neither Helen's character or the time period, would have allowed for that. (Still...it would haven amazing.) And I liked Goodman for that. For not throwing a 21st century woman in a 19th century period.
fanaticalfantasy's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars. Lord Carlston for life.
readingoverbreathing's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I should probably stop picking up sequels to books I read 3 years ago, but there's just something about leaving a series unfinished, especially after I'm already multiple books in, that I just can't reconcile with. In this case, while I didn't remember much about the previous Lady Helen books, I knew this would be a fun paranormal regency romance, and that and my unfinished series phobia were enough to encourage me to request it from the library.
I honestly had no idea that this would be set in Bath, which was such a fun surprise and honestly might have saved it a star. Goodman clearly did her research into 19th-century life in the city, and I got so much enjoyment seeing the characters traipse through the same streets I do in my day-to-day.
Elsewhere, however, I will admit that I sometimes had a hard time paying attention or even following a lot of the action. Any scene where Helen and Carlston were training or fighting just went straight over my head — I found it difficult to visualize any magical action. I had also lost almost all of my knowledge of the fantastical elements and end-goals at play here, which really didn't help.
One thing I do really like about this series is how pragmatic and logical Helen is, a rarity in a YA heroine, but in this book, sometimes, somehow, it was just too much. Helen seemed to pick apart every single interaction and agonize over every decision to the point where it was just exhausting. I know she had a lot going on and some very tough choices to make, but there were a lot of cases where I simply did not need the full play-by-play.
I will say that I think Goodman strikes an excellent balance between historical fact, historical glamour, and the paranormal world that drives her plot. She doesn't skimp (for the most part) on the restraints of the period, but really intertwines them with Helen's mission and the world of the Reclaimers. While I do find this admirable, especially for a YA series, at the same time, I really think I could have used a little more glamor and sexiness to better engage my attention here.
For a book with so much going for it and going on, this was a tad boring and a rather disappointing conclusion as far as thirds in a trilogy go. It felt good to start off 2024 by finishing a series, but as far as first reads of the year go, this was a bit of a let-down.
I honestly had no idea that this would be set in Bath, which was such a fun surprise and honestly might have saved it a star. Goodman clearly did her research into 19th-century life in the city, and I got so much enjoyment seeing the characters traipse through the same streets I do in my day-to-day.
Elsewhere, however, I will admit that I sometimes had a hard time paying attention or even following a lot of the action. Any scene where Helen and Carlston were training or fighting just went straight over my head — I found it difficult to visualize any magical action. I had also lost almost all of my knowledge of the fantastical elements and end-goals at play here, which really didn't help.
One thing I do really like about this series is how pragmatic and logical Helen is, a rarity in a YA heroine, but in this book, sometimes, somehow, it was just too much. Helen seemed to pick apart every single interaction and agonize over every decision to the point where it was just exhausting. I know she had a lot going on and some very tough choices to make, but there were a lot of cases where I simply did not need the full play-by-play.
I will say that I think Goodman strikes an excellent balance between historical fact, historical glamour, and the paranormal world that drives her plot. She doesn't skimp (for the most part) on the restraints of the period, but really intertwines them with Helen's mission and the world of the Reclaimers. While I do find this admirable, especially for a YA series, at the same time, I really think I could have used a little more glamor and sexiness to better engage my attention here.
For a book with so much going for it and going on, this was a tad boring and a rather disappointing conclusion as far as thirds in a trilogy go. It felt good to start off 2024 by finishing a series, but as far as first reads of the year go, this was a bit of a let-down.
lectrice_x's review
fast-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
3.75
mili_on_a_book_adventure's review against another edition
5.0
Ohhh how I wish we would get more of their adventures!
sarag19's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 out of 5 Stars
I have been so highly anticipating this book and to say I was left wanting more is an understatement. And I don't say that in a good way even if I did like the book in the end.
Lady Helen and her crew are in Bath waiting out her wedding to Selburn while still trying to track down the Grand Deceiver. It is clear that the author did a great deal of research on the Regency period. Everything from parties to clothing styles to the gossip of the day is put out in great detail and you can feel how much the author really likes the time period. So I have to give her a great deal of credit for creating such a beautiful crafted world in her book, focusing on the way society works, especially for women with their clothes and gossip. Unfortunately its in these periods that I felt my eyes glaze over and my brain start to tune out. It was great in the first book as the world was established and okay in pieces in the second book but by the third book my interest in gossip and clothing style is gone and I wanted the fight between the Grand Reclaimer and Grand Deceiver. This is what the entire story has been building up to and by the time we get to it, its almost blink and its over.
I still liked the majority of the characters but I feel that this book suffered from what so many other books seem to when they get to the final battle. Characters that are dumbed down and oblivious to what is going on around them just for the sake of the plot. There are so many far to convenient conflicts that rise and neither Helen or Carlston take a step back and think "Hmm... How interesting that these things designed to keep us apart keep popping up once we come together. Maybe we should stay together." I would have been okay if this was a straight period romance but its not.
The fact I didn't pitch my book across the room at that moment is still beyond me. The fact that Helen, who seems to be so observant in the first two books doesn't see the truth before her is maddening. I wanted my strong Helen who stood up to her uncle back, who peeked her head up from time to time throughout the book. Its clear from the beginning what the authors end game is with regards to the marriage but its still frustrating. Carlston and Helen deserved their happiness and while they get it in the end, I would have loved to see maybe a tiny epilogue with them out loving life and kicking ass.
Overall, I still really liked this series and the characters and the world that the author has created. I just wish there had been more with a better paced story.
I have been so highly anticipating this book and to say I was left wanting more is an understatement. And I don't say that in a good way even if I did like the book in the end.
Lady Helen and her crew are in Bath waiting out her wedding to Selburn while still trying to track down the Grand Deceiver. It is clear that the author did a great deal of research on the Regency period. Everything from parties to clothing styles to the gossip of the day is put out in great detail and you can feel how much the author really likes the time period. So I have to give her a great deal of credit for creating such a beautiful crafted world in her book, focusing on the way society works, especially for women with their clothes and gossip. Unfortunately its in these periods that I felt my eyes glaze over and my brain start to tune out. It was great in the first book as the world was established and okay in pieces in the second book but by the third book my interest in gossip and clothing style is gone and I wanted the fight between the Grand Reclaimer and Grand Deceiver. This is what the entire story has been building up to and by the time we get to it, its almost blink and its over.
I still liked the majority of the characters but I feel that this book suffered from what so many other books seem to when they get to the final battle. Characters that are dumbed down and oblivious to what is going on around them just for the sake of the plot. There are so many far to convenient conflicts that rise and neither Helen or Carlston take a step back and think "Hmm... How interesting that these things designed to keep us apart keep popping up once we come together. Maybe we should stay together." I would have been okay if this was a straight period romance but its not.
Spoiler
Its pretty obvious from the first book that Selburn is going to be the main bad guy and I found it actually humorous that the only one that seems to see something wrong is her uncle! He states clearly that Selburn is mad for wanting her and in this society that the author has taken so much time to craft, it makes a lot of sense. Selburn doesn't like who Helen is and will not play second fiddle to a woman, there is even a scene that Selburn declares that he would force himself upon her and Helen, strong Helen, just sits there and says nothing.Overall, I still really liked this series and the characters and the world that the author has created. I just wish there had been more with a better paced story.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
A fitting end to the series. The audio performances by Fiona Hardingham are delightful.
erinarkin20's review against another edition
5.0
The Dark Days Deceit is the final book in the Lady Helen series by Alison Goodman and if you haven’t read the first two books yet, I’m not sure we can still be friends…just kidding…kind of. I really do wish more people I know would read these books because I love them, and they will be on my favorites shelf forever. For those of you reading who have not read the first two books, please know that I can’t promise not to spoil but no spoilers ahead for the final book…I promise! With that said, don’t hate me when I don’t tell you ALL THE THINGS.
This book picks up where we left off with Lady Helen and Lord Carlston now bonded as the Grand Reclaimer, but they are still trying to figure out how it works. Now in Bath, the Dark Days club are searching for the Grand Deceiver and oh yeah, Helen is preparing to marry the Duke of Selburn. There are just a few things going on in Helen’s life and things are definitely not easy.
I will truly miss these characters – of course Helen and Carlston are my absolute favorites and I can’t even tell you about all the things that happen with these two because Goodman put so many twists and turns into this book that just when she had me thinking one thing, something else happened to make me need to put the book down and regroup. Of course, since Helen is getting married, the tension between them due to their feelings for each other is something else.
Helen has been through so much in this series and she has grown so much since the first book. No longer is she the sheltered, young girl who only wants to make a good marriage match. She has a purpose and by the time this book starts, she is determined to do whatever she can to protect those around her. One of the keys to this story though is the people who surround Helen and help her because she never would have made it this far without them all. Of course, there is Carlston but from Hammond and Lady Margaret to Darby, Delia, Quinn, and even Pike – they all play key roles throughout the book and in Helen’s life and help shape her to become who she needs to be in this final book.
As Helen, Carlston, and the club get closer to figuring out who the Grand Deceiver is, things don’t always go as well as one would hope. I’m not going to lie, there are a lot of ups and downs for the characters and not everyone makes it out of this story, but you’ll have to read it to see just how things end up for everyone.
I would also like to call out that Goodman had to have done a crazy amount of research for this series as everything related to the Regency era and even the locations these characters inhabited felt real and while I’m not an expert, it felt authentic to me.
That’s it – I can’t say anymore without potentially giving something away, so I am going to stop here. I will close with saying that if you enjoy a book that is a combination of paranormal, magic, danger, and deceit, you need to pick this up as soon as possible. This book had everything I wanted in a final book and while I am sad this series is complete, I loved it. This will definitely not be the last book I read by Alison Goodman, that’s for sure. With this series she has made it on to my favorite author list and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
Thank you to the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book picks up where we left off with Lady Helen and Lord Carlston now bonded as the Grand Reclaimer, but they are still trying to figure out how it works. Now in Bath, the Dark Days club are searching for the Grand Deceiver and oh yeah, Helen is preparing to marry the Duke of Selburn. There are just a few things going on in Helen’s life and things are definitely not easy.
I will truly miss these characters – of course Helen and Carlston are my absolute favorites and I can’t even tell you about all the things that happen with these two because Goodman put so many twists and turns into this book that just when she had me thinking one thing, something else happened to make me need to put the book down and regroup. Of course, since Helen is getting married, the tension between them due to their feelings for each other is something else.
Helen has been through so much in this series and she has grown so much since the first book. No longer is she the sheltered, young girl who only wants to make a good marriage match. She has a purpose and by the time this book starts, she is determined to do whatever she can to protect those around her. One of the keys to this story though is the people who surround Helen and help her because she never would have made it this far without them all. Of course, there is Carlston but from Hammond and Lady Margaret to Darby, Delia, Quinn, and even Pike – they all play key roles throughout the book and in Helen’s life and help shape her to become who she needs to be in this final book.
As Helen, Carlston, and the club get closer to figuring out who the Grand Deceiver is, things don’t always go as well as one would hope. I’m not going to lie, there are a lot of ups and downs for the characters and not everyone makes it out of this story, but you’ll have to read it to see just how things end up for everyone.
I would also like to call out that Goodman had to have done a crazy amount of research for this series as everything related to the Regency era and even the locations these characters inhabited felt real and while I’m not an expert, it felt authentic to me.
That’s it – I can’t say anymore without potentially giving something away, so I am going to stop here. I will close with saying that if you enjoy a book that is a combination of paranormal, magic, danger, and deceit, you need to pick this up as soon as possible. This book had everything I wanted in a final book and while I am sad this series is complete, I loved it. This will definitely not be the last book I read by Alison Goodman, that’s for sure. With this series she has made it on to my favorite author list and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
Thank you to the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.