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katie_reads94 's review for:
The Dark Days Pact
by Alison Goodman
This series is turning out to be one of the best researched pieces of (fantasy-based) historical fiction I've ever read. Goodman really brings the early 19th century regency era to life in her many wonderful descriptions and details.
I'm especially impressed with her ability to keep her characters' mindsets and opinions so steadfastly set in the 1800's. Helen is an excellent heroine, but she isn't a 21st century feminist put into the body of a girl from the past (as is pretty much every other YA hero of a fantasy/historical novel). Slowly, and over the course of two books- and probably some of the next in the series- she is shaking off the rigid society rules that once governed her life and gender. Her agonizing over things like her word seem so frustratingly obtuse to us (you seriously want to shake her sometimes) but ultimately rings true to the character Goodman has created.
Overall, excellent character building in the form of Helen, though I would like to see the rest of our cast (perhaps excluding Hammond, he was flushed out rather well in DDP) shored up in following books as no one else really changed- or even got a chance to speak- this time around. Carlston, as the central plot device, remained stagnant in his battle with his internal darkness until the last few pages of the book. I am very excited to see what will be done with him, Helen, and their new power in #3!
Duke what's his face can suck it though. Helen might still be trapped in the vestiges of a world completely dominated by male bravado, but I'll happily punch that dude in the face until he begins to comprehend that when a lady says no to your proposal multiple times you should learn to back the hell off. Especially when that lady has the strength to smash you into plaster dust.
I'm especially impressed with her ability to keep her characters' mindsets and opinions so steadfastly set in the 1800's. Helen is an excellent heroine, but she isn't a 21st century feminist put into the body of a girl from the past (as is pretty much every other YA hero of a fantasy/historical novel). Slowly, and over the course of two books- and probably some of the next in the series- she is shaking off the rigid society rules that once governed her life and gender. Her agonizing over things like her word seem so frustratingly obtuse to us (you seriously want to shake her sometimes) but ultimately rings true to the character Goodman has created.
Overall, excellent character building in the form of Helen, though I would like to see the rest of our cast (perhaps excluding Hammond, he was flushed out rather well in DDP) shored up in following books as no one else really changed- or even got a chance to speak- this time around. Carlston, as the central plot device, remained stagnant in his battle with his internal darkness until the last few pages of the book. I am very excited to see what will be done with him, Helen, and their new power in #3!
Duke what's his face can suck it though. Helen might still be trapped in the vestiges of a world completely dominated by male bravado, but I'll happily punch that dude in the face until he begins to comprehend that when a lady says no to your proposal multiple times you should learn to back the hell off. Especially when that lady has the strength to smash you into plaster dust.