317p.
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Available Now
Source: TBR pile
I was obsessed.
It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.
There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.
I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still.My thoughts:
This book takes you through the adventure of Natalie Stewart in diary form. For those that don't often like this form, it is set in such a way you get lost in the story rather than being constantly interrupted. The only time this bothered me was toward the end. I had a hard time believing she would have stopped suddenly to give us an account of what happened. Unfortunately that can be the downfall of this type of storytelling. Still, up until then, I did enjoy the diary format.
The story is a bit of a mystery. A bit like the Dorian Grey story where part of the man's essence is trapped in a painting. While Denbury, our hero, did not trap himself for selfish gains, it was a demon using his magic to trap Denbury's spirit while making use of his body. The mystery is how he did it as well as how to reverse it.
Our heroine is strong despite her inability to speak. She becomes the "white knight" she wanted herself and finds incredible strength in helping Denbury. Her bravery is not lost on Denbury and he himself becomes enamored and actually allows her to rescue him. The romance felt a bit instant, but in this book it works. The strong feelings come about from extreme circumstances.
The secondary charcters weren't as developed as I would have liked saved for Mrs. Northe. She was Natalie's mentor, so it makes sense she would be the most developed. I would have liked Crenfall to be a bit more developed and really wanted to understand his true roll with the demon. Perhaps he was only a "Renfield" (aka Dracula's henchmen) but it was unclear. The aspects to the demon's story might clear up as the series progresses.
I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed the setting and the main characters in this tale. The book does not end on a cliffie (YaY!) but does hold the door open for more tales in this series. I'm curious as to what will happen next.
I love darker still. I gave it 4 starts. Tnx for the lovely review Mel
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it myself. Thx! :)
DeleteI agree - I didn't think the secondary characters were as developed as they could have been and I wasn't a huge fan of the narrative style either. I'm glad you did manage to enjoy this, though, and the cover really is gorgeous. Wonderful review, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI know some that really hate that narrative style. I gave her props for trying something different though. :)
DeleteYAY for no cliffie!
ReplyDeleteI know! :)
DeleteDefinitely an interesting premise and I like that the MC becomes her own white knight!
ReplyDeleteI also loved that about this one. :)
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one overall Melissa, I really did too! Just as you said, the diary format was really interesting and I liked that it was often difficult to even remember we're reading her diary because everything flowed well. I'll be interested to see what you think of book two if you give it a try!
ReplyDeleteThat review will be Wed. :) I had to catch up since I was asked to do the 3rd.
DeleteI started this one a few months back but couldn't' really get into it. I might give it one more go.
ReplyDeleteSometimes something different enough can just interfere with the enjoyment...
DeleteI loved the concept of this one but I felt like it didn't do justice to all the homages from Stoker, Stevenson to Wilde. I was hoping for a more meaty story and it was just so-so. I haven't picked up the second one but I'm curious to read your thoughts if you do.
ReplyDeleteI think I wasn't quite expecting something that meaty, so perhaps that is why I enjoyed it more? Hm...
DeleteThe concept sounds interesting but I am disappointed it fell flat in some areas for you. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI can blame it a bit on the style. It made it harder to really get into the other side characters.
DeleteSorry to hear the main characters werent as developed as you'd like but glad that the main character had her strength despite inability to speak
ReplyDeleteI think I gave this one three stars. I liked it okay, but had some issues too. I don't think the diary format bothered me, but it's been ages now, so I'm not sure. I'm glad you liked it fairly well!
ReplyDeleteFunny you should review this one. I was tidying up my shelves today making room for end of series books and I came across this one. I thought, "I really want to read this one." I still want to read it. I love Dorian Grey. It's been so long I don't remember how the series fared.
ReplyDeleteI hope the secondary charcters characters will be more developped in the next book... I confess I love when the style of the book is different so the fact that it is wrotten like a diary is a really great thing.
ReplyDeleteI really don't like diary style, so I will pass on this one.
ReplyDeleteI started this story but have yet to finish the series.
ReplyDeleteI have this book and I think I started it because I kind of remember what happens but I had to put it aside for other obligations. I want to give it a try again soon! And you said the magic words - "does not end on a cliffie" :-) Fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteHmm, might have to keep an eye out to see how the books go. :) Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am reading something in similar style, in letters not diary but I think it's the same feel so I kind of like it that way. It just keeps right on going.
ReplyDeleteI think I can deal with instant romance in these kind of books due to the format.