The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman Series: Lady Helen #1
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers on January 26, 2015
Genres: Historical, Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 496
Format: ARC Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
Heat:
New York Times bestseller Alison Goodman’s eagerly awaited new project: a Regency adventure starring a stylish and intrepid demon-hunter!
London, April 1812. On the eve of eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall’s presentation to the queen, one of her family’s housemaids disappears-and Helen is drawn into the shadows of Regency London. There, she meets Lord Carlston, one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of demons infiltrating every level of society. Dare she ask for his help, when his reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her intelligence and headstrong curiosity wind up leading them into a death trap?
At A Glance
Slow but interesting.
The Good
I have never read a book like The Dark Days Club. Goodman did a great job of blending fantasy and the Regency period. So much punch-worthy sexism, horny tentacle demons, and stylish balls. Can’t forget the stylish balls.
I felt bad for Lady Helen. She is sucked into a dark world and all she wants to do the whole book is crawl her way out. Fighting demons in the 1800’s is not an easy feat for a female. She makes the best of her situation though. She is pretty kickass when she wants to be. Poor girl didn’t know who she could trust though, even amongst her friends. Lord Carlston is so sketchy it’s hard to know who’s side he is on. I loved his little smirks though. Such a smartass.
The story’s concept had me right away and I love how Goodman paid attention to the fine details. With Goodman behind the wheel, I knew I wasn’t going to miss anything.
The Bad
The pacing was super slow. Everything from how well Helen curtsied to killing demons, it was all so freaking dragged out to a snail’s pace. I felt no urgency or tension during the fight scenes. I love historical stories, so I’m use to a gentler book in these areas, but when you add fantasy, you have be more lively in some areas. Seriously, these almost 500 pages needed a huge dose of “Hell yeah!” and “Let’s get these basterds!”
The Snuggly
This book is oddly sexual without any real sex at all. We get to experience the Regency’s version of magazine porn and live-action tentacle porn. Yeah, that just happened. Other than that, there was very little steam between the characters. We get an almost kiss, which horrifies Helen. I laughed at that one.
Final Thoughts
I haven’t read a historical fantasy in some time, so The Dark Days Club really hit the spot. Sure, it’s a bit slow and not very intense, but everything else was spot on. Very recommended.
Melliane
ah difficult when the pacing is slow but it sounds so good! I asked for it but we’ll see. Maybe too late. But I want to try it!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I would still highly recommend it.
Bee @ Quite the Novel Idea
I’m not a huge historical fiction fan and I don’t usually like very slow pacing so I’m not sure if this’ll be my thing but it sounds good and when I’m ever in the mood, i’ll try to pick it up! 🙂
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Yeah, might not be your thing but try it out if you want to try something different.
Jessica @ a GREAT read
Oh nice! I’ve been seeing a lot of this one around lately. Bummed to hear its slow, that’s usually a factor that will lead me to DNF a book. So I’m not entirely sure if this one’s for me or not. Very nice review all the same!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I never thought of DNF’ing this book, it’s too good for that.
sherry fundin
I find a lot of times historical novels are a bit slow, but when they are good, they are good. 🙂
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
True, they can be slow, but I noticed the amazing historical books find a way to make the slow parts interesting.
kindlemom1
I”m so not up for super slow pacing right now but I do still think I want to try this later down the line. Great review!!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
When you are in the mood for a slower book, it’s pretty freaking good.
Lekeisha
I’m excited to read this one. I love anything historical and I can’t wait to see how the different genres mash up. Great review!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
The meshing was expertly done, that’s for sure.
Jaclyn Canada
I’m really looking forward to this one. It seems very different. Based on your review though, I’ll be sure and wait until I am ready for a slower read so I can enjoy it better. I love that she can’t trust anyone. That makes the whole story more tense and I have fun trying to figure out who will end up betraying whom. Great review!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I agree, wait until you are in the mood for a slow fantasy, but still try it out eventually. The tension was awesome.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I’m thinking this one isn’t for me, but then again it might be. Oh you have me curious but unsure. LOL I’m not sure of the tentacle porn O.o and the slow pace, but I’m curious as to what really kept you going with this book and recommend it!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Well, I am exaggerating a bit about the tentacle porn but it’s pretty darn close. lol
Brandi Breathes Books
The pacing might deter me, but glad that there was good things for sticking with it
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I would still recommend you try it.
Lisa @ Lost in Literature
I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction normally, but for some reason I was very drawn to this cover and synopsis. It being slow definitely worries me though… that’s my biggest cause of DNF’ing. It’s still on my “maybe” list. 🙂 Great review!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I swear, never did I feel like DNF’ing from it being slow, it’s too good to pass up.
Nitzan Schwarz
I’m sorry, but you can’t just throw *horny tentacle demons* around like nothing. WTF? This needs some careful consideration. I admit this was on my “maybe” list because of the cover and the fact I love historicals, but the horny tentacle demons… the horny tentacle demons!!!
Great review, as always 🙂
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Bwahaha! Okay, I might be exaggerating a little. There are demons, they have tentacles, and some are horny, but there are no tentacles in no-no areas.
Nitzan Schwarz
Haha, okay. That’s a bit better, I guess, but jeez… *shakes head at the horny demos*
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
I’ve been hearing good things about this one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts too!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
🙂 Hope you try it.
Bookworm Brandee
I’m sorry the pacing is slow – I can see what you’re saying about the need for a little shot of adrenaline since there *is* fantasy involved. 😉 But I’m happy you enjoyed it overall and I’m really excited to read TDDC! 😀
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I hope you love it!!!
Olivia Roach
I know a lot of people have been on the lookout for this one lately which is why it caught my eye. I really like the sound of combining fantasy and regency, but I am probably going to have to skip out on this one just because of the fact that it is so slow :/
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I can do slow sometimes if it’s the right book.