The Dark Days Club by Allison Goodman

She remembered other whispers too, echoes of Lord Carlstons words: souls and darkness And one that she had heard over and over again: loss.

Another ARC I received! Of course it comes out in like 6 days but I was really busy okay.

Reading the reviews is a bit of a ? experience? Everyone seems to adore this book? I certainly didn't hate it. This book is a Good Story, a Good Historical, but a Meh Horror.

~this book will be released on Jan 25th~

the coveeerrrr, guys. ThE COvErR

Stats:

Genre:  Historical fiction paranormal

Feelings: Naw

Happiness: Fun?

Cuteness: Not really, for me at least. VErrrryrYYyyY vague romance. Like it's romance but not in your face insta-love

Fast pacing: Slow, but it fit given the time period for some reason 

Series: Yup

Read if you like: Paranormal regency? Quirky plots?

Content: Some sex talk. Like. The monsters and stuff. It's complicated. But there's sex stuff. Kissing very c l o s e l y. And that's about it?

Trigger warning? Vague rape-like situations. 

In one sentence... Helen is supposed to focus on finishing her Season and getting married....but paranormal abilities and monsters are definitely things that can get in the way of that

Thoughts: Parasols. Dripping in blood. 

Messages: I guess you could call in feministic but it's not really. it's what you'd expect from Regency-Girl-Can-Do-The-Thing but I found it far from annoyingly feministic 

Overall

Rating: 3.5/5

Vague Spoilers regarding the paranormal aspects of story

-The characters-

Helen was kinda just a lot fantastic. Like. She was a well put together heroine. She was realistically curious, not overly annoying, but also not overly Merida-istic. You know, the whole "I CAN CHOSE WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE FIGHT ME" Don't get me wrong I love Merida but this trope can be overdone, especially when books are set in decades when the way people treated woman was crap, even to anti-feminists.

And like. I love how Goodman didn't force the femisim. Helen didn't complain about stitching or cooking or parties because that's a part of her life. Helen didn't complain that she was being smothered in womanly duties because she was raised for that.

Anyway. Helen. I'm glad that she was noble, ready to do the right thing, without being arrogant about it. She genuinely wants the best for everyone including herself, and that's shown well. She's not too mary-sue, but she's not too I Am ~Special~. 

Normally I don't care much about "Special" characters, but after reading so much of this genre, I have started to grow more accustumed to what is used a lot. 

Which brings me to why I am the few not raving about this book. 

-Writing and structure-

I feel like I would have asbolutely adored this book if I was fourteen. Back when I first started writing. Back when I wanted an epic histroical girl kicking ass and gifted with COOL POWERS. That was the type of story I loved. 

Okay, I still do. Who doesn't want historical settings with cool powers and weird creatures?

But something about this story didn't feel quite as dark, gothic and unsettling as I like historical paranormals to be. This book felt like the type of story younger-me would write. A story that tries to be scary and Big but doesn't quite get there. A story that uses different fonts for when characters write letters and all that. If it weren't for the sex stuff, it'd feel more vaguely middle-grade-y, at least for me.

Please don't get me wrong. A lot of people will love this. A lot of people do love this. But I love gothic atmospheres, and so I went into this expecting a Regency Creepy Atmosphere, with fluid writing and scariness. And I didn't get it. Allison is definitely a good storyteller, and I think her voice fits well with this decade. But it wasn't quite there for me.

Fourteen year old Mariesa is dying of the Awesome inside of me right now, that's for sure. But as for my horror loving side....meh. It's fully my fault for expecting horror, since it wasn't advertised as such but what can I say. I really like horror. And I like my paranormal stories to scare.

-Other-

Okay, Goodman, you did your research.

I've read a lot of speculative historical, given that's what I write. And you can tell when an author cares about historical accuracy not just cool monsters. And I appreciate that.The setting was so vibrant, and I adored it.

Basically, this book has a lot going for it. The atmosphere is good in everything except the fact that it's trying to be scary.

Also like. The sex stuff. Really weirded me out. The monster legit sucks the energy from someone while fornicating with them. 

What.

What.

Yeah I was weirded out. 

I was glad that Goodman didn't fling too much at you. She actually invented her own demon thing. And it was weird and uncomfortable. But she didn't just have this regency setting and suddenly go "OH YEAH SO VAMPIRESWEARWOLVESWITCHESZOMBIES EXIST"

Because all those would be so freaking awesome but all at once is hard to pull off

Overall, this book did a good job of telling a story with some well done characters. The paranormal atmospehre was lacking for me, but overall I think Goodman has a great start to a series on her hands, and the more I think about it, the more ready I am to give book two a shot. 

Go you

2015: A Reading Year in Review

Well there goes 2015. I, the girl who usually reads 100 books a year, read quite a sad amount in 2015. But. I did get published. I did write 2 1/2 novels. I did read so much more nonfiction. I did start junior year, join speech and debate, fly to Florida for two weeks on my own, go on my first mission trip, and see two of my favorite Broadway plays.

So 2015 has been exciting, which is why I'm not too upset about my reading slumps. 

Here we go guys, 2015 in review:

Book I'm so glad I gave a chance: The Walls Around Us

The cover was the best part. After the vague disappointment of Imaginary Girls, it was going to be a while till I read this. Until my book-soul-sister Linnea, at REACH came rushing at me screeching "NOPE YOU ARE READING IT." It was probably calmer than that but tbh I always picture her as this majestic punk, shaking stacks of books aggressively at me with alternative loud music in the background, following me into bookstores until I buy the thing. (If that didn't make you want to go follow her blog than you're wrong) 

So I bought the thing. 

And good lord. That freakin book destroyed me and made me whole all at once.




Favorite of the Year: Six of Crows

I was in this haze of excitement for other books, and this book pretty much came out at the worst time for me, so to be honest I forgot this book was coming out. Again I was met with Linnea's HOW COULD YOU FORGET. I honestly don't know. Thank the heavens for Amazon pre-order. 

I got the the book. I read the book. I died a few times but its okay because this book is important.



Least Favorite Read: Playlist for the Dead

I'm sorry. But ew. You tried.




Most Anticipated 2015 read: Winter

What can I say? This series has been a fun journey. While not quite perfect, they were perfect for me. And there came so many memories around these books. Marissa Meyer has done something really fun, and she also became one of the coolest authors after I got to meet her twice.



First of the year: Through the Woods

This was a delightful horror graphic novel collection of stories. That was far from delightful. It was creepy and wonderful and I loved it. A quick kick into the new year.

Last of the year: A Madness so Discreet

A vaguely confusing, bit underwhelming, but all together satisfying historical fiction. I didn't really end the year reading anything symbolic, but this one certainly was good.

Best Contemporary: My Heart and Other Black Holes

This book caught me by surprise. 

I picked it up because cover, mainly. I read it. I ignored the 4h club I had to teach because I was so wrapped up in the tangle of string on the cover of this book. 

It tied me up till I finished. And then I had this wonderful hollow happiness inside that comes from a really satisfying contemporary. 


Best Paranormal: The Walls Around Us

Hahahahaha.

Ha.

Best Dystopia: Red Queen

Technically a weird fantasy-dystopian but. I loved this book. I read it during a babysitting job, made a few dying whale noises, then flailed on the floor because I needed the next book. CURSE of reading a book the week it comes out.

So I flung it at my best friend Rachel. She read it. Yelled at me. And then this past week my brothers girlfriend is reading it and I slowly point at it and give her a thumbs up. Then she finishes it and declares how upset she is at me over dinner which sends us into the depth of fangirl discussion while everyone else sits confused.

Basically: This book was a lot of fun.

Best Fantasy: Six Of Crows

Sorry but I don't need to explain myself. This book will and always will be the best fantasy and best everything ever.

Best Historical: The Girls at the Kingfisher Club

I go running to Emma (over the internet of course since we live 2,900 miles apart) freaking out because I found a 1920's retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses. She reads it before I do, naturally, flips out, and so Linnea and I decide to read it together.'

God. This book. It was light and dark and perfect and imperfect and everything I want in a historical fairy tale retelling.




Best Debut: The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly

This book wasn't perfect, but it was quite the journey, and one I'm glad I went on. I eagerly await anything else this woman writes. This book was raw, and real, and I felt this weird desperation while reading it. Some of the best debut prose I've read in a while.



Book that Met the Hype: The Help

This book didn't come out this year obviously but. All I ever hear talked about is THEHELPTHEHELPTHEHELP. Well I finally read it.

Good lord, guys. This book. Is my soul and love and yes.

New Favorite Character: -whispers into wind- Kaz Brekker from six of crows

OKAY OKAY. For real. Probably Nimona from the now published graphic novel Nimona. She's fun, crazy. and I really do love her. 

Best Author Meeting: Um I met Maggie Steifvater?? So? That was? Amazing?

But my favorite event would still be the Winter Release Party because that was one of the most fun nights with my friends that I've ever had. 

Most Memorable Book: Honestly, I'm going to say my friends novels. I got to read my best friend's novels. So. Empty Alibi by Emma Grace and Haven by Samantha Addy. These books will be cherished and loved. Keep writing, you dorks. 

Most anticipated 2016 read:

I won't be repetitive and say Raven King because that goes without saying. 

Also I kinda want to say Lin Manuel Miranda's guide the the Hamilton musical but then the grief I will get.

And I ALSO want to say Glass Sword but I have this sinking fear that it will disappoint me.

So I'm honestly just going to say  Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson. 

Since you've Been Gone changed my life so I have faith for this book.