Review: The Dark Days Pact

The Dark Days Pact
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

June 1812. Just weeks after her catastrophic coming-out ball, Lady Helen Wrexhall—now disowned by her uncle—is a full member of the demon-hunting Dark Days Club. Her mentor, Lord Carlston, has arranged for Helen and her maid, Darby, to spend the summer season in Bristol, where Helen can sharpen her Reclaimer powers. Then the long-term effects of Carlston’s Reclaimer work take hold, and his sanity begins to slip. At the same time, Carlston’s Dark Days Club colleague and nemesis will stop at nothing to bring Helen over to his side—and the Duke of Selburn is determined to marry her. The stakes are ever higher for Helen, and her decision will truly change the world…

Okay, you guys know that The Dark Days Pact is one of my favourite books ever right?! So you can imagine how I've been anticipating this book, I made time to re-read DDP and everything. This book was everything I was hoping for in a sequel. Genuinely. Fair warning there's going to be a good chunk of reacting in this review because there's so much I need to discuss! 

As we embark upon The Dark Days Pact, four weeks have passed since the end of the last book and Helen is dealing with the fallout from the events of her ball and is in the midst of training to become a Reclaimer. Now, I need to talk about the characters a little bit. 

There's plenty of familiar faces from the first book! Margaret....sorry but she annoyed the living hell out of me in this book. I kinda wanted to just be like "my love, have you heard the saying 'if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all?'" she's so critical and just...rargh. I know why. But still. Interestingly enough, I really warmed up to Hammond in this book. There's an interesting reveal about him, and considering the time period I was surprised but also intrigued. He's not got it easy. I really enjoyed getting to know him more and see more of him in this book. He and Helen actually make quite a good team, and towards the end of the book he comes in to his own as he makes his own stand. 

Helen is still my favourite. I love her. She's a badass. She's really comes in to her own in this book, she's working out what it means to be a part of the Dark Days Club, what she needs to do and how her power works and what she can do with it. She's determined to protect those she cares about and she goes through the wringer in this book, and has so much thrown at her...but she still manages to retain her charming personality and mostly keep a level head. I love how she's a badass one minute...and then shows some vulnerability the next, it keeps her very realistic and you root for her. In my opinion, she spends a lot of this book with men trying to control her. I would have decked someone, but she manages to remain ladylike. Pike, Selburn etc...I felt frustrated for her and it must be stifling, yet she comes through it all. Mostly.

Selburn...oh Selburn. How I wanted to punch you. He was really getting on my wick in this one, I'm not going to lie. Like go away. Things happen and then some more things and how things end up with him and Helen...I may or may not have screeched in anger. This is the book that made me really dislike him as a character. He refuses to listen to what Helen has to say, won't do as she says when that's essentially his job, and just ignores whatever she says or tells him to do because he thinks he knows better. I know that's just how things where but sweet lord it was frustrating. Helen won't stand for it, so I'm anticipating a lot of head butting between the two in the next book. 

Carlston is still my favourite. I ship he and Helen. I always have and I always will. There's a love triangle, and there's some more romance in this book and it was cute and had me squealing, but things aren't going to be easy after the revelations of this book. I'm Team Carlston all the way. Some of the questions we have about him get answered in this book...but then we have more and he's in an interesting situation, as is Helen by the end of the book. Poor old Carlston doesn't have an easy time this book and I just need for everything to work out *sobs*. 

There's some interesting new characters introduced in this book. Pike....well it was hate at first sight. Sorry not sorry. I spent half the book wanting to punch him and the other half wanting to punch Selburn. I totally wouldn't have survived in Regency England. Stokes was amusing and I quite liked him, it was nice to meet another Reclaimer! Plus through him we learned about another one who's on Helens side! We finally meet Delia too! I got where she was coming from, and I could sympathise with her but I still wanted to give her a shake in the beginning. I ended up really coming to like her, she does the unexpected and it was nice to see Helen have another friend to lean on. Im' wondering if she might have a bigger role to play in the next book as she seems determined to stick with Helen and do the job she's been given. Sprat...we see her briefly, but she made quite the impression. I'm counting on Helen to give her a job! 

Once again, Goodman brings in so much historical fact effortlessly woven with the fiction. It really transports you to the time, and I've been to Brighton multiple times for the beach, or the shopping or for gigs, it's actually not too far away from me and so I could picture everything so very clearly. The descriptions from the books superimposed themselves over the Brighton I know and I even googled some pictures! The thing I love about these books is all of the historical detail, it makes it such an authentic read. Goodman's researching blows me away because it must be so intense, I'm kind of jealous of all the resources she must have gotten to look at! I actually got to meet her at an event not too long ago and it was fascinating to hear about the research process that goes in to these books. It's mind blowing. 

The plot thickens, there's intricate plot threads woven throughout the book that all come together to make the main plot of this book and add to the over-arcing plot involving the Grand Deceiver. There's even some that continue on fro the last books, to go with the new ones. The plot is just so intricate, there's never a dull moment, your brain is always working to put the pieces together and see how everything fits. It's just so rich. There's so many epic revelations in this book, and plot twists that you find yourself reaching a point where you're holding your breath and reading as fast as you can. Things never go the way I expect, so I'm always kept on my toes and the ending...fair warning...it's kind of cruel, but in a good way. It'll kill you but you'll be happy about it because of all the implications for how awesome the next book is going to be and all the drama and such. The wait will be horrendous though but it's always worth it when it comes to this series. 

Like I previously mentioned regarding Carlston we get some answers about him and his past, and there's some other answers we get too, but Goodman isn't revealing all of the cards up her sleeve as we still have a couple of mysteries waiting to be solved. Helen's parents for one, and how the answers we did get will play out and come in to the story. I won't go in to too much detail because I don't want to spoil the surprise, but things have definitely taken an interesting turn for our group, shall we say? 

The Dark Days Pact moves at a nice pace, embellishing the world with historical tidbits, and bringing it to rich life. There's a rich plot to match a rich setting, and we get to see some more of Regency England, as well as learning more about the Dark Days Club and the characters, both supporting and main. We get to see some of the characters interact with each other more too and build up new friendships and alliances. The plot goes deeper and deeper, and more elements are brought in to go with the plot twists and revelations. We also get out next destination....Bath! Finally! I've been waiting to head to Bath! 

Fantasy and the supernatural blend with history and fiction with a smidge of romance. This is genuinely one of the best YA historical reads out there, every page is rich, and intricate and just pulls you straight in and Helen is a character you can empathise with and root for. She's even pretty relatable at points too! 

Spooktober Review: The Hidden People

The Hidden People 
Rating: 3/5 
Buy or Borrow: Buy 
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Pretty Lizzie Higgs is gone, burned to death on her own hearth - but was she really a changeling, as her husband insists? Albie Mirralls met his cousin only once, in 1851, within the grand glass arches of the Crystal Palace, but unable to countenance the rumours that surround her murder, he leaves his young wife in London and travels to Halfoak, a village steeped in superstition.

Albie begins to look into Lizzie's death, but in this place where the old tales hold sway and the 'Hidden People' supposedly roam, answers are slippery and further tragedy is just a step away . . .

I wasn't too sure what to expect from this book when I received it. I got sent it to review for Spooktober and I was intrigued by the synopsis, as I was reading I at one point wasn't sure where the book was going. I thought it might go one way but I was totally wrong and it went a different way, like full murder mystery, so I got a nice surprise! The book genuinely had me believing at one point too! 

My problem with this book was how long it felt. It was 300 and something pages, but it felt like longer because of the way it was written. I found myself skimming certain passages to get to the good stuff. Don't get me wrong, the way it was written fit authentically with the time period, and the detail was very good and historically interesting. However, it made the book drag a lot. I started to read it and I found my attention wandering, but I persevered because I wanted to know what happened to Lizzie and see what direction the book was going to take. But I'm going to be totally honest with you...the first half of the book was so slow. I know some of it was necessary to create the setting and get you familiar with the villagers and their way of life, but still. 

I spent the entire book split between being angry at how the villagers treated Lizzie, and then trying to work out if...maybe, just maybe...the villagers where right and fairies where a thing. I was convinced at one point that a fairy was going to pop up and that would be that, but then it kept twisting and turning and changing my thoughts! I was surprised by the book, it was a little bit chilling and creepy at points, and I liked the mystery to it and the way the author had you questioning who was really the crazy one, and then had you being angry at the ignorance the other half of the time. But there is a lot of filler in this book and for me, that made it a slog for over half of the book. 

January Book Haul

Hey guys, it's Haulin' time! So I've had to impose a book buying ban on myself because things are just getting out of hand and I need to control myself. So yeah. SO book hauls are gonna be getting a lot smaller and probably more boring. Sorry. I might not even have a book haul some months! 

January's been good to me, not going to lie and I hope you enjoy my Haul video down below! 

As usual each photo has the buy and TBR links to the books! 

Books Received This Month: 

The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury

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TBR

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
Buy
TBR

The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
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TBR 

For The Most Beautiful by Emily Hauser
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TBR

City Of The Lost by Kelley Armstrong
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TBR

The Tiger and The Wolf by Adrian Tchaikovsky
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TBR

I was so incredibly lucky this month with review books, and I'm so grateful to all the publishers for sending me these! 

Books Bought This Month: 

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett
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TBR

Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
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TBR

Mort by Terry Pratchett
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TBR

Soul Music by Terry Pratchett
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TBR

So. Damn. Pretty! Yet another set of editions that I collect! 

Books Won This Month: 

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
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TBR

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
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TBR

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
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TBR

This is like the first time ever I've gotten to do this category! This was such a lovely surprise! 
ANYWAY
Video's down below and I'll be telling you more about the books featured here! 

Review: The Dark Days Club

The Dark Days Club
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: BUY BUY BUY! 
Source: Copy Courtesy of the Publisher, Walker! 

London, April 1812. Eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall is on the eve of her debut presentation to the Queen. Her life should be about gowns and dancing, and securing a suitable marriage. Instead, when one of her family's housemaids goes missing, Lady Helen is drawn to the shadows of Regency London, full of demonic creatures and deadly power.

There, she finds William, the Earl of Carlston, a man of dubious reputation and infuriating manners. He
is one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of powerful demons that has infiltrated every level of society. He believes that Helen, too, is destined to protect humanity, but all he is offering her is danger, savagery and the possibility of madness. Not the kind of destiny suitable to a Young Lady or a life she is sure she wants. On the other hand there is a Duke offering her a normal life, one she has been trained for all her life. 

But Helen finds herself being drawn further and further in to the shadowy world Carlston is offering. Should Helen trust a man whose reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her headstrong sense of justice lead them both into a death trap?

"In 1812, Prinny had been regent for one year. Britain was on the brink of war with America, and in its tenth year of almost continuous war with France and its emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. None of these countries, however, knew there was another, even older war being waged."

Well, well, well, I had a feeling I was going to love this book, it was pitched as "Jane Austen meets Cassandra Clare" it's set in Regency London and has demons...how could I not?! I was definitely not wrong. The Dark Days Club has firmly situated itself as one of my favourite books, and just completely blew me away. I became so immersed in to the world that my notes took on a very distinct Regency manner of speech! I bet this review will as well! I'm just not over the book, it was completely fantastic from start to finish and as soon as I started to read I knew I was going to love it, and I loved the book more and more the more I read and I fell completely in love. It surprised me, it didn't go where I thought it might, it took turns I didn't think it would and I never wanted the book to end as I was reading it! The world was so sumptuous and vivid and authentic!

There's a little introduction page at the beginning of the book that gave me such a shiver of anticipation as well as setting the scene and giving me some quick background information on the time period! Then we go straight in to the story, and it's everything you hope it will be and are expecting it to be and more! 

Helen is introduced to us immediately, and you get such a sense of her as a person just from one chapter, and I immediately loved her, and was on her side. She's fantastically loyal, particularly to a friend in a situation that would have seen most ladies of the time running away from said friend! She's friendly with her servants, Darby being her closest confidant. She's willing to help them as well, which would have been unusual for the time! Helen herself is quite unusual, she's taller than most girls of the time period, she's a debutant that also has some crazy demon slaying destiny, and she's fairly well learned when most ladies of her age would not be, nor would care to be. She's witty, intelligent, and she takes steps to protect her made as well as herself as things come to light. I can't get over how fantastic she is, she's completely different from the majority of YA female leads! I connected to her immediately and continued to love her more and more, feeling what she felt and rooting for her. 

You're immediately curious about Helen's parents and begin to suspect something is amiss. Little tidbits are dropped to drive you mad with intrigue and even when you get some answers, you don't get the one answer you're desperately trying to work out! So hoping for that mystery solved in the next book! Particularly as the Queen herself appears to be on Helen's mother's side! But that's only the start of the mysteries, more on the rest later! Let's talk characters....

Every single character was fantastically created and really came to life as you where reading, you could picture the characters so perfectly and they where complex and in a lot of cases there was or is more than meets the eye! I loved Darby, her ladies maid, she was loyal to Helen as well as her own friend. She was as protective as she could be of Helen, and she's there for her every step of the way supporting her and helping her with her plans. I'd love to know more about her in the next book, and she definitely has a larger part to play! 

Lord Carlston was an interesting character, I don't want to give too much away, which makes most of my notes redundant actually! BUT, he has a very shady reputation, like done something really bad and all of society is determined to shun him as best they can, except he has some friends in high places! As such, Helen's family hate him, but he knows about her mother and what's going on with Helen herself, he's pretty much decided he's her mentor. I actually really loved his character, I liked how there's this mystery to him and you're not entirely sure what the real story is, so for all you know he could actually be really dodgy, but then...as you get to know his character you're like noooo there's a proper explanation and he's innocent, much like Helen's thought process! I'm waiting to find out the truth to be honest! He was a bit tough to crack in the beginning, he was cold and rude,  but as Helen gets to know him you see more and more of what he's really like as well as why he is the way he is and he's kinda perfect. He's pretty much really misunderstood and I loved how he was protective of Helen if when she wasn't sure she'd actually join him and the Dark Days Club. Helen's right though, his manners are awful! 

The supporting characters as well, are equally as well created, and complex, they're colourful and lively and add so much to the story just by being present. A lot of them you don't really see much, but I'm hoping to see more of some of them in the next book, as well as learn more about them. I really liked Helen's brother Andrew, he made me chuckle and was so open with his emotions compared to Helen, although I did want to smack him one at a couple of points! He was there for Helen in the end though! 

Quinn is another interesting supporting character I'm itching to know more about, he's Carlston's Terrene. What's that I hear you ask? That'd be giving too much away! The deranged mentor of Calrston's, was very well created, he made my skin crawl and made me feel mildly sickened. Then you have Lady Margaret and her brother Mr Hammond, I'd love to know how they came to be involved in things! I'm also looking forward to seeing more of the pair and their backgrounds hopefully! Duke Selburn (more of him shortly!), Beau, Millicent and so on, so many smaller characters helping to add to the story and create the atmosphere and setting so perfectly! 

Now we've covered characters, I'm sure you're all itching to know about the romance! The romance is  very subtle. We spend most of the book watching Helen and Carlston getting to know each other and watching things slowly building up. There's cute scenes, don't get me wrong, but they're further in to the book as the two have gotten to know each other better and feelings are beginning to develop! All of this culminates in a scene near the end that had me quietly cheering (because it was nearly 5am), and then the very end of the book was totally cute and made me so excited for the next book! The romance isn't the main point of the plot, and I loved that it was subtle and the romance didn't jump straight in. The pair have some definite chemistry that becomes more and more apparent, and it leaps off the page. 

One thing I dislike in YA is insta-love so I loved watching Helen and Carlston get to know each other, be surprised by each other as they learn new things about the other. They both have a lot more in common other than both being ya know...what they are, and their opinions of each other clearly change as they learn. They're both logical and intelligent, rationalists. I think they both surprised each other at varying different parts of the book, and you see them slowly get to know each other and then like I said, it perfectly segues in to developing feelings. Developing. I say that for a reason because we are literally just seeing the beginning of the potential romance, and I'm excited to see they're relationship develop more over the course of the next book and see where it goes! 

Their first meeting though, I just have to mention it because I kind of wanted to smile and chuckle a bit, but at the same time I really wanted to smack him one! Much like Helen, actually! I loved how Helen didn't give him the nicest description in the beginning either, and you could see Helen's feelings develop and change as her descriptions of him changed, which was a lovely touch to be honest! 

I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty much on the Helen and Carlston ship, (do they have a ship name?) like as soon as they first met I was like YUP! I SHIP IT! I'm also fairly certain Helen is set on Carlston as well. So yeah, I have picked my team and my ship and so because I immediately loved the two of them together, and their back and forth, it added another dimension to watching the whole getting to know you oops now I have feelings, thing!  There's some interesting obstacles in their way as well, and the way is not smooth in this book either, there's trust issues and some drama but like I said, I do find them kinda cute when he's not being all jerky. I'm so excited to learn about Carlston and hopefully have one of the obstacles removed, but it looks like it's going to be an interesting romance and not straight forward. No drama for the sake of drama, but perfectly natural and organic obstacles before things can be settled. I really hope I'm correct, because if the author goes in a different direction with the romance I'll look back at this and probably cry! 

Although, speaking of obstacles, I loved how Helen's struggle over whether or not to join The Dark Days Club was so completely authentic. It's a perfect example of what I'm talking about, no drama for the sake of drama, it's a completely natural obstacle. Considering the time period and the situations being a Reclaimer throws her in to, and what things where like for women of the time, her concerns about joining where very real. She's risking a lot by joining, her sanity, her reputation and so on, so it's a very genuine struggle and because she's intelligent and logical and weighs everything she can see both sides, good and bad of joining or not joining. I can't really blame her for hesitating! I love how you have that level of understanding of Helen! 

Now. I'm not entirely sure if there is going to be a love triangle. The previously mentioned Duke Selburn has an interest in Helen, an interest that doesn't go away no matter what situation she gets herself in to that isn't entirely proper. He and Carlston have an interesting background together, and I'm not entirely convinced that Selburn really does like Helen and doesn't want to just one up Carlston, or isn't seeing his past love when he see's Helen. Selburn is kind of the perfect contrast to Carlston, he too has things in common with Helen, but has a different countenance to him than Carlston. Or does he? Thinking about it, there's a bit near the end that made me wonder about him actually. ANYWAY, he's an interesting potential romance. He can offer Helen a normal life, and a way out from her Uncle and his douchey nature. 

We don't actually see much of Selburn or get to know him as much as Carlston, I'm wondering if that might change in the next book. Like I said, I'm not sure if there is going to be a love triangle but like he seems pretty determined, and even though Helen seems fixed on Carlston and joining his cause and has seemed to settle on not having a normal life, I'm wondering if it might change or if maybe she does have some sort of feelings for Selburn, not as strong as Carlston but maybe. I'm not sure. If there is going to be a love triangle, it's definitely going to be an interesting one for many reasons! 

So at this point, you're probably dying to know what Helen and Carlston are. All I'm going to say is the book introduces us to the Reclaimers. Helen and Carlston are two of 8 in the country, and they are part of the Dark Days Club. The club also has other members who gather intelligence, and they fight Deceivers aka demons. They have plenty of different gifts, but eventual madness is a consequence of using them. Helen is tied up in a prophecy, there's signs of a Grand Deceiver coming ( I snorted so hard at the implication Bonaparte was one) and the game could change. This is a brief, very brief, explanation without going in to too much detail, because there is seriously so much to the story and what they are! 

The lore of the demons in the book and the mythology surrounding the Reclaimers is rich and detailed and very well explained, as well as astoundingly original. There's different kinds of demons that feed on different things. The demons and how they operate is original, and I just love original spins on things! You come away from the book feeling like you really did enter the world, you have such a complete understanding without reading pages and pages of explanation, it's all slotted in to the dialogue and is so fascinating that you're gripped and eager to learn more. So my very brief explanation is merely the tip of the iceberg, there is so much to learn and it all gives your imagination a workout! 

I really, really liked that it didn't jump straight in with the demons right at the beginning, it builds up to it, adding to the mystery that Helen is trying to solve. You could tell something weird was going on but you weren't sure what was going on, you where kept guessing as you, along with Helen, tried to work out what she was, what she could do and so on. The introduction of this shadowy world was gradual, strange events occur, Helen discovers more and more things she can do, and you make some guesses, and the intrigue and the suspense builds....then there's the reveal. I think the reveal was done right at the perfect moment in the story and fit with the pace, and I loved how when Carlston does the whole reveal thing, there are still surprises that you aren't expecting, within the lore and the mythology and what they can do and so on! I must say, I was delightfully surprised at the detail to it all! I've read so many that don't delve in to it too much, but everything is laid out in a fantastic amount of detail so you can fully understand the workings of the Reclaimers. 

I just have to mention Helen's abilities for a minute, she immediately displays some of them, and it really gets you excited for what's to come especially when you know some of the ones that are coming. The strength coming on was a fantastic scene *fans self*, I wasn't sure what to expect from it and I loved the position it put Helen in, being able to fight back. I loved the Chi thing, it was something I'd not seen done before! I particularly loved how she could predict/calculate what would happen next in situations, particularly potentially violent ones, and could see the steps needed to prevent them and so on, the way it was written when she uses this ability really reminded me of the Sherlock Holmes films! I also loved the way Helen reading people was described! So much thought has gone in to the book! 

I immediately fell in love with the world of the book, and it was obvious that a hell of a lot of research had gone in to it. It doesn't romanticise the time, I mean the talk of the hair pads, uncomfortable clothing, and ya know....what happens if you need to pee while waiting to be presented! While that was quite gross, I did actually chuckle at the whole, men using sawdust to bulk out their calves, and women using wax rather than the more modern chicken fillets! The author has done a hell of a lot of research on events at the time, phases of the moon, etiquette, people of the time, publications of the time and what life was like and more! 

You genuinely are thrown straight back in time to Regency London, you can picture the streets and the settings so clearly, smell the food, feel the heat of the dance rooms. You're fully brought in to the world in how authentically created it is. No to mention the fact that real historical events have been smoothly tied in to the plot, with a twist to bring them fully in to the world of the book, and it's so brilliantly done that you immediately accept the alternate explanation like "yup, can totally see that happening".  Other events are mentioned to give you an idea of the political climate of the book, and what else was going on in the world, events that weren't tied entirely to the plot, but just added a nice touch to bring you in to the world. Not to mention the historical figures added to the book, some that you see more than others like Beau and others you only see in passing like Byron that helps to set the scene. Not to mention the characters authentic reactions to Byron and Beau, in particular! 

I just completely fell in love with the world of the book as I fell in to it, despite it not pulling it's punches and showing the harsher sides to living in that time as well as the glamour of the dances and being presented and so on. Like I wouldn't have liked to have lived in that time, or at least not as one of the ton and being married off to any bloke with good standing, not one that you necessarily like! I wanted to smack her Uncle so many times, preferably with a heavy object for being such a d**k! I mean I know he was a "product of his times" but he made me so damn angry and how he treated Helen and spoke to her and ugh. Yeah. Women couldn't really do much and didn't have all that much control basically.

The writing was beautiful with some fantastic descriptions, including the not so flattering one of Carlston where she says he basically has eyes like a shark. Hey! I told you she's not that flattering of him in the beginning! As well as the stunning and vivid descriptions, the writing was compelling with a steady pace that ramps up as the action does and we head towards the end! Every word rang with authenticity. The entertaining narrative, the dialogue, all of it was authentic in the language and phrases used, without being a heavy read. I loved that. That I felt like I was reading an actual book from the time period, without being bored, or struggling, in fact I was gripped the whole way through! 

It was also incredibly atmospheric, each setting have an atmosphere to go with it that was practically a physical thing, that rises off the page and surrounds you, drawing you in to the book more and more until you get completely lost in the book. That is, coincidentally, how I ended up reading until gone 5am! And THAT is probably why I found some bits creepy. Like there where some bits that where creepy in general, but made even more creepy by the fact I was reading it at night, when everyone else was asleep and kept hearing strange noises! The fight scenes where also fantastically written! They where gripping and had you on the edge of your seat, just as much as the social situations fraught with backstabbing Ladies and people watching and judging your every move. 

The plot is fantastic. Like I said, we build up to the big reveal and learning about the world, which gives time for the author to let you get to know the characters, the world and what things are like in that world. Not to mention to show you how much Helen overcomes and develops over the course of the book! It's got a fantastic pace, and there are so many threads! The missing maid, who Carlston is, what really happened with him, Helen's life, what she is, the man following her, and that's just some of them. Seriously. There's so many fantastic threads, that weave together perfectly to create one hell of a gripping and enchanting plot. Each thread adds another element to the plot, another piece of intrigue to keep you guessing. Not to mention the surprising plot twists, and some that where downright shocking, I actually gasped and choked on what I was drinking! 

I would fully agree with the description about being Jane Austen crossed with Cassandra Clare, I would however, say that Dark Days Club is darker than the Mortal Instruments, and as much as I love Mortal Instruments, I think this is on another level. I'm kind of leaning towards saying it's more grown up and definitely doesn't shy away from the seedier elements of Regency London! I completely loved the mix of these darker elements with the lighter ones such as the dances, and the humour. 

The build up to the ending of the book ramped up the tension, like I said, I stayed up until 5am because I couldn't put it down and was completely engrossed in the world of the book! It was the perfect build up of everything that had been going on, and the scene with her Uncle! SO MUCH FIST PUMPING! I can't even with the end! It got me so excited for the next book, and it's a YEAR wait! A YEAR! I can't cope that long without more Lady Helen! Like I've said, I can't decide if a love triangle's coming, or just a problem in general, there's so many possibilities for the next book and the direction of the story!

I'm so excited to see what's going to happen next, I'm in complete desperate need of the next book and I'm really not looking forward to the incredibly long (A YEAAAAARRR) wait! So many questions where answered, but there's more questions and some questions left unanswered, mysteries left unsolved and I'm hoping to see them sorted in the next book because my curiosity for some of them is killing me, and all my theories have been shot down and they're getting more and more elaborate and ridiculous now! 

The authors note is a font of knowledge, giving you even more than you picked up over the course of the book, and showing you just how much the author has done. I was in awe at her researching abilities and dedication to making it so completely accurate! As a history nerd I'm so blown away by it and insanely jealous of her resources! There's also confirmation that not much has been tweaked to fit the story! I particularly loved the note "To my knowledge, there is also no documentation that supports the assertion that Napoleon Bonaparte was a Grand Deceiver.....but you never know" *snorts*

SO this has been an incredibly gushing review, but I am 100% in love with this book, the world, the characters and just everything. I mean the book has everything you could want, rich mythology, manners, romance, a fantastic female lead, lively characters, vivid settings, astounding historical accuracy, originality, heart stopping fight scenes, cool gadgets and a perfectly building romance with plenty of cute moments to keep you going! Not to mention the previously mentioned perfectly created, gripping plot! How could you not love that!? It sucks you in, you lose track of time and reality and fall on to the streets of Regency London. As the ending neared I wanted the book to last longer and found myself getting sadder as the page numbers went up and up. I'm just still completely in awe of this book and blown away and I immediately want to dive back in! Roll on the next books, and more adventures! 

Wishing For Wednesday #68

Hey guys! 
This week I've managed to find you another two exciting reads! 
First up is one from GoodReads! I have quite the knack for stumbling upon books on there and I've not been disappointed with one yet! I'm so intrigued by this one it ticks all my "yaaaaaaassss" boxes!
Second is a new book from Kiera Cass. Now. I haven't read The Selection, but they are on my "need to get on"list! I've heard such good things about The Selection and I'm eager to get started on them, and reading the synopsis for The Siren has intrigued me to another level! I'll probably get to read that before the series actually haha! 

The Dark Days Club

London, April 1812. Eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall is on the eve of her debut presentation to the Queen. Her life should be about gowns and dancing, and securing a suitable marriage. Instead, when one of her family's housemaids goes missing, Lady Helen is drawn to the shadows of Regency London.

There, she finds William, the Earl of Carlston. He has noticed the disappearance, too, and is one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of powerful demons that has infiltrated every level of society. But Lady Helen’s curiosity is the last thing Carlston wants—especially when he sees the searching intelligence behind her fluttering fan. Should Helen trust a man whose reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her headstrong sense of justice lead them both into a death trap?

The Dark Days Club is out January 21st, pre-order your copy....here!
Add it to your TBR....here! 

The Siren

A girl with a secret.
The boy of her dreams.
An Ocean between them.

Years ago, Kahlen was rescued from drowning by the Ocean. To repay her debt, she has served as a Siren ever since, using her voice to lure countless strangers to their deaths. Though a single word from Kahlen can kill, she can’t resist spending her days on land, watching ordinary people and longing for the day when she will be able to speak and laugh and live freely among them again. 

Kahlen is resigned to finishing her sentence in solitude...until she meets Akinli. Handsome, caring, and kind, Akinli is everything Kahlen ever dreamed of.

Falling in love with a human breaks the Ocean’s rules. But for the first time in a lifetime of following the rules, Kahlen is determined to follow her heart.

The Siren is out January 28th, pre-order your copy...here! 

Add it to your TBR....here!