Synopsis (Goodreads): The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing...
Jonathan Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul.
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Oh. My. God. I die!
My heart is (oh God) alight with joy!
Yeah, I know I just said that, but that's exactly how this book made me feel.
Darker Still was delightfully strange and charming. The book absorbed me within its first couple of pages. I was instantly captivated by Natalie Stewart, the book's unique protagonist, who was quick-witted, brave, and absolutely her own person. Let's not forget to mention her role as the novel's hero, sent by destiny, to rescue the "damned-man in distress."
Come on, we're talking 19th Century here! It wasn't common for girls to be that bad-ass in ye olde times. Love. It.
And in a world where YA fantasy books kind of muddle together, Leanna Renee Hieber, brought a really different story to the table. It was every bit as inspired as the synopsis described. It's also writing like this, that makes me wish that these fictional characters were my friends.
Like Lord Denbury, for example. Um...I swoon, I drool, I embarass myself. He may or may not play a role in my unrealistic expectations of men. Le sigh
This novel is chock-full of mystery, suspense and a most magical romance! I absolutely loved it and I absolutely recommend it.
Can you tell?
Also, Leanna Renee Hieber? Well, you just earned a huge spot in my book-loving heart...and my favorite author's list. Bring on that sequel!
**Darker Still is on Pre-order and will be released on
November 8th, 2011**
For a personalized copy check out Word Books
November 8th, 2011**
For a personalized copy check out Word Books
Posts
I love historical fiction! I've never heard of this book before, sounds so good.
ReplyDelete@ftlobooks You definitely need to check it out! It's such a great read!
ReplyDeleteOh, I saw this one on Goodreads yesterday! It sounds seriously interesting, and it's refreshing to see a book that has a paranormal element that isn't vampires!
ReplyDeleteActually, I watched an old episode of Bewitched on the weekend, where this 16th century Lord is trapped in a painting and Samantha frees him.
Historical fiction with a paranormal element is seriously fun, too. I'll be keeping an eye out for this one!
@Sarah - This book is most definitely fun! You should check it out!
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