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A review by bybookandbone
The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
Did not finish book.
I can't help but be disappointed.
Alison Goodman's world building really drew me into the novel, (even though the name set off alarm bells) I adored the attention to detail and enjoy a slow burn (Robin Hobb's assassins apprentice being one of the best). I liked the characters in the beginning, Helen started off as a great heroine and her Uncle a great antagonist, with her Aunt, brother and friend, Millicent, propping up Helen's personality. However, none developed as the novel progressed. I felt especially cheated by Helen's continued one dimension (even though she is constantly monologuing).
I was at first intrigued by Lord Charlston, then annoyed at how plain and run of the mill anti-hero he is (I smell a ❤️ Triangle).
Having said all this, Goodman's world building could have kept me interested, if this had continued to be a well informed historical fiction. However, as soon as Helen began inching closer to transforming into the Mary Sue she was always meant to be.. I rapidly lost interest.
I'm not sure if this counts as a spoiler, but what makes Helen think she has super powers is that she catches a small object that Lord Charleston throws at her. I swear I read that paragraph three or four times, aghast at how astounded she was to not totally fail at being more than a shrub. I have an eery ability to fall down my stairs once a week with minor injuries, which I think is more impressive than playing catch, and yet not once have I considered that I may be 'the chosen one', destined to fight demons.
Again, as an avid fantasy and YA reader, I could have continued (and did for several hundred more pages). What really disappointed me about the novel is the actual supernatural element. I felt that it was uninspired and not what the author really wants to write about. To me it seemed that she wanted to tell a story of high society but got derailed by adding in a half hearted supernatural trope. If all supernatural elements were taken out and the writer allowed herself to properly explore the disgraced mother storyline, I know I would have finished the book.
Alison Goodman's world building really drew me into the novel, (even though the name set off alarm bells) I adored the attention to detail and enjoy a slow burn (Robin Hobb's assassins apprentice being one of the best). I liked the characters in the beginning, Helen started off as a great heroine and her Uncle a great antagonist, with her Aunt, brother and friend, Millicent, propping up Helen's personality. However, none developed as the novel progressed. I felt especially cheated by Helen's continued one dimension (even though she is constantly monologuing).
I was at first intrigued by Lord Charlston, then annoyed at how plain and run of the mill anti-hero he is (I smell a ❤️ Triangle).
Having said all this, Goodman's world building could have kept me interested, if this had continued to be a well informed historical fiction. However, as soon as Helen began inching closer to transforming into the Mary Sue she was always meant to be.. I rapidly lost interest.
I'm not sure if this counts as a spoiler, but what makes Helen think she has super powers is that she catches a small object that Lord Charleston throws at her. I swear I read that paragraph three or four times, aghast at how astounded she was to not totally fail at being more than a shrub. I have an eery ability to fall down my stairs once a week with minor injuries, which I think is more impressive than playing catch, and yet not once have I considered that I may be 'the chosen one', destined to fight demons.
Again, as an avid fantasy and YA reader, I could have continued (and did for several hundred more pages). What really disappointed me about the novel is the actual supernatural element. I felt that it was uninspired and not what the author really wants to write about. To me it seemed that she wanted to tell a story of high society but got derailed by adding in a half hearted supernatural trope. If all supernatural elements were taken out and the writer allowed herself to properly explore the disgraced mother storyline, I know I would have finished the book.