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    The Sweetest Dark
    The Sweetest Dark
    The Sweetest Dark
    Audiobook10 hours

    The Sweetest Dark

    Written by Shana Abé

    Narrated by Bianca Amato, Elizabeth Sastre and Rich Orlow

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Jones has always known that she' s different. On the outside, she appears to be an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl. Yet Lora' s been keeping a heartful of secrets: She hears songs that no one else can hear, dreams vividly of smoke and flight, and lives with a mysterious voice inside her that insists she' s far more than what she seems. England, 1915. Raised in an orphanage in a rough corner of London, Lora quickly learns to hide her unique abilities and avoid attention. Then, much to her surprise, she is selected as the new charity student at Iverson, an elite boarding school on England' s southern coast. Iverson' s eerie, gothic castle is like nothing Lora has ever seen. And the two boys she meets there will open her eyes and forever change her destiny. Jesse is the school' s groundskeeper-- a beautiful boy who recognizes Lora for who and what she truly is. Armand is a darkly handsome and arrogant aristocrat who harbors a few closely guarded secrets of his own. Both hold the answers to her past. One is the key to her future. And both will aim to win her heart. As danger descends upon Iverson, Lora must harness the powers she' s only just begun to understand, or else lose everything she dearly loves.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateJun 7, 2013
    ISBN9781470347284
    The Sweetest Dark
    Author

    Shana Abé

    Shana Abé is the award-winning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of sixteen novels, including the Sweetest Dark Series and the Drákon Series.  She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California, and currently lives in the mountains of Colorado. Visit her online at ShanaAbe.com  

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    Reviews for The Sweetest Dark

    4.5/5

    22 ratings20 reviews

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    • 4/5
      I adore this cover. Honestly, I really, really know that people say never to judge a book by its cover but can I just say "eye-candy"? There is something to be said about a cover that shows the amount of effort put behind it. It shows that it is not only important to the publisher but also to the author. It's the cover that first draws in the reader (despite what they say) and I am definitely no different. The cover definitely illustrates a major part of the book. It captures the main character flawlessly.The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe is the story of Lora, a girl without family, without money, without friends. After spending years being in an orphanage, she knows that there is something different about her and people don't seem to understand who she is. Being different in her world equates to being sent to a crazy house which is not a desirable outcome for anyone. So, being the smart girl she is, she hides her differences away under a facade of indifference and calmness. Very few things get under her skin. She is used to going without. She is used to fading in the background. She is used to being strange. But when she suddenly gets shipped off to Iverson School for Girls, she realizes how much harder it is to maintain a facade especially when she is faced with two boys who send her world spinning. It's hard enough being normal without someone awakening the songs in her with a newfound fury. All she knows is that her life will never be the same.Eleanor or rather Lora is the main focus of this story, although the point of views shift occasionally. Her life during the early 1900s is not that different from most parentless girls that were her age and yet her struggle to remain unseen is something that draws you in. I never imagined that hearing music would deem someone crazy back then but apparently it did. At first I compared her to the great composers like Beethoven who claimed that he could hear music everywhere but it became clear that my assumption was off the mark. Her music came from something darker and deeper inside her. Something that she couldn't have imagined up in her darkest dreams. And it all begins with Jesse. From the moment she meets him, he awakens something inside her and the music in her mind seems to only escalate. She longs for him unlike anyone else. He is the one who teaches her just what she really is and what the means for her even though most of it is guess work. She is not human but made of magic.Jesse is the grounds keeper for Iverson and does a lot of odd jobs around the school. Unlike Lora, he knew she was coming to him. He knew what she meant to him. How could he not? Her essence had called to him since she was born and his life was centered upon hers without a doubt. Some call it crazy, I call it soul mates. For most of the story, it seems like he is just waiting for her to realize her potential and see who she is underneath her facade that was built over the years. The other girls at the school think he is a mute, I mean he must be if he doesn't talk to them, right? They admire him from afar and it annoys Lora immensely.There is always some other guy that is also in love with the main character and I always feel bad for them because they are good guys but not good for her. Yeah, you know those guys. That, for me, was Armand or Mandy (really?! What kind of nickname is that?). He is the son of the Duke and comes off like quite the ladies man, something he doesn't bother to disagree with. One of his passions is cars, which surprised me, and whenever I got to read about him driving, I could see why. There is a certain amount of freedom in driving and being reckless behind the wheel, there is a certain amount of control. He craves it in every aspect of his life. The only place he can find it is in a car. From the moment he is introduced to Eleanor, he can't seem to get her off his mind and he doesn't know why but she seems to consume every thought of his. Just like Lora, he is a master at putting up a facade and yet she disarms him, she makes him feel things he would rather avoid. He craves her more than he should.The whole story was filled with spoiled girls who thought they were better than Lora and I guess that comes with the territory of placing the main character in an elitist school. Surprisingly though, I actually found one girl tolerable. Sophia, which is crazy since she is like the most horrible one from the beginning, seems to be the least rude to Lora as the story progresses. I think it has to do a lot with just wanting to control situations and make things happen the way she wants them to but I could see them becoming friends or something. Maybe friendly acquaintances? Mrs. Westcliffe, the headmaster of the school, is another person who seems to just give off the idea of being above everyone else. She is a stern woman who doesn't believe in giving out compliments and she keeps a watchful eye on Lora, pointing out her flaws at every turn. I like to think that she tries to find great fault in her but only sees the possibility of greatness because that's what I see when I consider Lora.During the process of the story, I determined that the beginning and the middle were well paced but as the end neared, I felt the story get a little rushed. I missed the building climax in the story which I honestly think it could have had. That is why I docked it one star because it didn't quite reach my expectations or the build up of the rest of the story. Overall, it was a really good read and I adore the historical settings in the novel.
    • 5/5
      I devoured this beautifully written book in a matter of just days. And if I would have had the time, I would have spent a marathon of hours reading it.Once again, I'm struck by how lyrical a book can be written. The words flow effortlessly and seductively towards a truly awesome ending. (And sad!)I was totally surprised to find that this was about dragons! That's definitely a first time subject for me. And I really don't mind. Abe does a tremendous job of creating these beasts into beautiful creatures that demand presence in the sky.The alternating POV's were also great. The time period was interesting to read about. Lora is a great character, and she stands strong next to Jesse and Armand. (Jesse and Armand. Yeah. Sexy names for sexy guys.)The Sweetest Dark is a fantastical story about dragons and a luscious romance full of magic. I can not wait to fall into the next book in the series.
    • 4/5
      Why does this book have a sequel? The ending was perfect - heartbreaking but perfect.

      You know - one of those moments when reading a book you have guessed what is to happen and yet while you keep dreading that and your heart breaks and scatters all over the place, you cannot wish for anything else to happen because a happier ending might not always be the better one?

      I am crying as I write this review - because this book tells the story of the kind of love people dream about. I did not expect myself to like this book so much even as I was reading it. It was predictable - annoyingly so. It was very cliche - from the hastily drawn love triangle to lonely heroine with powers unbeknownst to her and bitchy spoilt girls rounding up on the said poor heroine. During the first few chapters I had to drag myself through the book. The last few chapters too I had to drag myself through - only because I could not bring myself to put the book down.

      This book is not without flaws - I'll admit that. The beginning was really weak. The characterizations - in the beginning - were inconsistent, especially that of Armand and Sophie. There were hardly any reasons why Armand was so attracted to Lora or Lora to Jesse for that matter - but all the while in an almost fairytalesque way it reminded me true love does not need reasons. I know, right now I feel like a parody of my self that rants over insta-love too.

      But Jesse, bless my heart for it cannot hold any more love towards this boy, Jesse more than made up for any flaws this book may or may not have. He was beautiful. He was wonderful. He was the most perfect hero ever. His love for Lora had no bounds as he showed again and again and over again. For me, he was the soul of the entire book and the sole reason it got 4 stars instead of measly two.

      I was a bit apprehensive of Lora at the beginning but she grew on me. Maybe it was because there was less poor-girl-who-is-torn-between-two-perfect-guys bullshit in her than the blurb seemed to suggest. Most probably it was how she interacted with Jesse as the book continued - and how the two of them fell in love. Yes, I am a hopeless romantic. And YES, everything about this book revolves around Jesse for me.

      And as much as I hate love triangles, I really can't complain about the one in this book. I can actually understand why it is there and admit that yes, this series needs it. I am still not much convinced on Armand as a potential leading guy though I guess the sequel will change that.

      This is a cool new take on dragon stories - which I admit I don't read much. Abe's writing is beautiful though it seems to purplish on the prosing at times. I'll definitely check out her other books ASAP.

      The strongest part of the book though - for me - was the ending. I had guessed it from the get go, and yet it did not dull my emotions any. For that only I would commend Abe. The last chapter and that Epilogue were perfect. The story could very well end here than continue off to another book. But I will continue with it - and not just because I already have the sequel beckoning me on my reader. Because I am hopelessly hooked and I really wish the sequel will be good enough.

      And also, did I mention that Jesse is perfect? I did? Well, he is.

      4 Stars.

      This ebook was provided to me by the publishers via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
    • 4/5
      An engaging read that captures the essence of teenager's struggles with trying to find themselves and turning it into a heart pounding fantasy adventure.The story was written in a very descriptive manner, but what I liked most is that she could really make you feel like you were there by adding in descriptions for the other senses like touch, taste, and smell as well as sight. Lora is different and its because of this that she has hidden much of herself away. I really liked her bravery and strength throughout the story. She needed all of them in order to make it through this harsh where you never can tell you is friend or foe. I believe that although she has many abilities the average human does not she is still a very relate able character. Everyone has to deal with the issues of fitting in at some point in their life, but for Lora its life or death. I also really enjoyed the romance in this story which was very beautiful, but at the same time didn't take over the whole story. It was a nice addition and I liked how the relationships were handled. There were mistakes made, but the characters acknowledged them and were able to deal with any issues instead of running away or pretending like it didn't exist. I can't wait until the next book because there are still a lot of questions about Lora's past that I would really like answered.Overall this is a beautiful adventure with a dash of romance that I highly recommend to all YA fans!
    • 4/5
      *This is an uncorrected galley I received via NetGalley*4 StarsIn 1915 London, orphan Lora Jones, has known true hardship and has learned how to survive the rough environments that she has grown up in. Being an orphan is tough, but being an orphan who is different and has unique gifts is dangerous. When she is chosen to attend an elite finishing school for girls as one of the Duke’s charity cases it’s clear that she has a chance at a better life, but she soon has trouble keeping her gifts hidden. The strange draw towards the Duke’s son, Armand, and her growing feelings for the groundskeeper, Jesse, provides answers that she had thought impossible and bonds the three of them in ways that they never expected or welcomed but that could possibly save their lives. I like to get the negatives out of the way first. Pacing is my big complaint. There are a few places here and there that seemed slower that the rest. The lulls didn’t last long, but they were noticeable. The other thing is that I felt the characters lacked some depth. I won’t nag on that too much (that would normally be the big complaint) because in a way it does go along with the story line and could have been intentional. Like I noted above…this is an uncorrected galley so any grammar, spelling, or formatting mistakes were ignored. Plus I am no grammatical genius so I wouldn’t do that unless the mistakes made it unreadable. The plot in many ways is original (in my reading experience thus far) and that kept my fingers turning the pages. It has mystery, action, adventure, and love so there’s a little bit of something for everyone. There’s also this beautiful quality to it that made me want to sink into the words and stay cuddled up in them. The descriptiveness was so vivid that I would get goose pimples every once in awhile and that made up for the complaints that I did have. This was my first novel by this author but will not be the last. This is a light read and even with the slow spots here and there it could easily be read in one sitting if someone has that option. I definitely recommend this one.
    • 4/5
      This is a lyrical novel about difference, discovery, and destiny. Eleanor has struggled through her young life, knowing nothing of her family or where she came from and looking paler than the other children in the orphanage where she grew up since being found wandering the streets mute. Her differences and the way the walls themselves sang out to her in cacophonous music were believed to be insanity, a weakness not tolerated when you are an abandoned child with no family to protect you.She suffers incarceration in a mental hospital with rough electric shock treatments that permanently scar her wrists and ankles where the leather restraints cut in until finally she learns not how to become like others but to ignore the music of the world around her well enough to be released. It’s wartime now, and this changes things. Instead of being sent to a workhouse, she’s offered an unexpected opening to a private school as a charity case. Here, her strangeness finds purpose. She learns an unlikely, but amazing truth.I want to say more but the path of discovery through the novel is very well done, and I don’t want to spoil it. I will say that if you read the prologue, it’s already somewhat spoiled at least in the big picture, but so many skip that I’ll say only there’s a lot more to Eleanor than her unwilling caregivers expect.The novel begins a little slowly, first with the obscure, but still revealing, prologue, and then a first chapter that smoothly brings us to the moment in her life where things change while still giving the background of her experiences. Here’s where the lyrical voice wins out, because the first chapter if not for the voice is really a summary or data dump. However, the voice makes the chapter a good read while the teasing glimpses into what Eleanor experiences are much better served than a deep, showing approach to her traumatic younger years. They form both a foundation and raise questions she herself cannot answer. It’s a technique that could easily not have worked. For me, it did.Ultimately, this is a strange book not for those seeking a simple straightforward narrative. It uses unusual techniques and styles at times, but if you’re willing to put yourself into the author’s hands, you’ll win transportation into an England struggling under German bombs. You’ll see the lives of the nobility and those beneath them all wrapped around a tale of magic more ancient than humankind. I definitely enjoyed the journey, and wouldn’t be surprised to learn you do too.This is another NetGalley title. The opinions are mine, but the opportunity to read outside of my chosen author list is wonderful.
    • 4/5
      You know that pervading feeling that, once you've read one YA paranormal romance you've read them all? Well, I'm happy to report that The Sweetest Dark is a nice break from your typical paranormal fare. Don't get me wrong, there are still some common tropes used in this book. But overall I found this nicely refreshing, not only because our main character is a different sort of creature from the norm, but also because it's set in the past during World War I, so has a distinctly historical flair as well. All in all there was little to complain about, at least for me, plus two swoon-worthy boys that I very much enjoyed getting to know!Lora, our main character, is an orphan girl from London who's given an opportunity to attend a prestigious finishing school on the coast of England. At the school she catches the eye of two boys (trope number one: love triangles), one a poor workman for the school named Jesse, and the other the son of the Duke who owns the school, Armand. She also gets an immediate enemy in Chloe (trope number two: the mean girl), who fancies herself Armand's significant other, and is extremely jealous of the attention "Mandy" is giving another girl. (Sidenote: I don't dig Armand's nickname at all.) Of course it's determined that Lora is a paranormal creature, and is drawn to both boys due to her nature and theirs as well. This book very much revolves around Lora's personal journey, as she navigates her new knowledge about herself and what it means for her future.This book reminded me very much of the Gemma Doyle books by Libba Bray. Lora's story is very similar to that of Ann's, and I found myself drawing a lot of comparisons between the two. This book was a bit slow to get started, but once she gets to school and meets the boys it definitely picks up. Without giving too much away, I want to say that the background to what Lora is and the way she's connected to Jesse and Armand both was very interesting to read about, if a little confusing at times. I wish I could go more in depth on my feelings about the revelations into what Jesse, Armand and Lora all are, but I don't want to spoil anyone, so shall refrain. It's safe to say that it's definitely different, though!If you're tired of your same old, same old, you just might want to give The Sweetest Dark a try. It is the first in a series (trope number three: the trilogy), but I found myself engaged enough in not only Lora's story, but both Jesse and Armand's as well that I'm looking forward to what's coming next, especially considering the ending (no worries; there is no cliffhanger). I have to say that I actually find myself leaning more toward the "second" boy in the love triangle this time around, which doesn't often happen. I will be very interested in seeing what comes of that!An e-galley was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
    • 4/5
      Prior to reading this book, I hadn't heard of Ms. Abe at all, and the Lauren Kate comparison in the description had me a bit leery. I can honestly say, though, that despite the presence of the often-abused love triangle, this is an enjoyable, unpredictable read. And Abe's mythology here is a nice change of pace from the overwhelming number of vampire/werewolf books out there in YA.

      Our protagonist, Lora, manages to be both practical and believably naive. Raised in a London Orphanage, Lora isn't intimidated by her wealthy, attractive classmates at her new boarding school. I was surprised and relieved when Armand, a good-looking and aristocratic classmate, starts to pay attention to Lora, and Lora is smart enough to ignore it, at least at first. I hate when heroines immediately trust someone they obviously shouldn't just because that person is good-looking. Lora generally has good instincts, and she's smart enough to follow them.

      We get to see Lora naïveté, though, when it comes to Jesse, the boy she does want to be with. Jesse works for the school, and somehow knows why Lora can hear music no one else can. Jesse and Lora's connection is more or less immediate, but I thought in this case, the insta-love was fairly believable. Lora is an orphan desperate for love, and Jesse seems to have all the answers she's been looking for. And Jesse is a very attentive and loving guide, sneaking food into Lora's room when he thinks she might be hungry. It becomes pretty obvious to the reader that something is amiss with the magic-and-Jesse filled future Lora is picturing for herself as the novel progresses, but again, it felt believable that Lora herself couldn't (or wouldn't) see it.

      So, does the love triangle detract from the overall book? Surprisingly, not really, mostly because although Lora eventually recognizes a connection between Armand and herself, she clearly wants Jesse. Even so, the book's ending indicates that Armand will have a bigger presence in the second book.

      Lastly, the supernatural aspect to this book is one that I haven't encountered before, and I really couldn't figure out what Lora was supposed to be until it was revealed in the book. Readers of Abe's other books might have idea where it's heading, though. Jesse's mysterious powers were also totally new to me.

      All in all, this is a very strong opening to a new series, and I'll definitely be reading more Shana Abe in the future.

      An ARC copy of The Sweetest Dark was given to me by NetGalley & Random House - Bantam in exchange for a honest review.

    • 5/5
      I was really surprised by this book! I hadn't heard much about it and I'm kind of late reviewing it. But it was so incredible, I couldn't believe there hasn't been a huge push about this book. Or did I miss it?I mighta missed it. Cause this book hits all my must haves- magic, romance, wait, not romance, I don't know how Shana Abe did it, but she made this an epic love story in a couple of meetings between two characters. It felt EPIC! And oh yes, it is a gothic historical magical realism romance! So, if that isn;t enough labels for you, then I don't know how else to help you. I won't give away the magic.The book is set in the years of the beginning of WWI. Don't get confused, this is England. They were in it before the United States, just remember that. Because I had to call the man with the elephant memory (they aren't supposed to forget anything) and ask him when the U.S. got involved in WWI. It matters because I needed to know how old the main character is when things happen. Anyway, Lora, has a rough time growing up but she's finally caught a break. She was found mute, homeless and orphaned at 10. She served time, and I do mean that, in a mental hospital after admitting some of her secrets. No one believed her hence the mental hospital and her "treatments." Then her orphanage is bombed by the Kaiser. But it's okay because she is headed to Iverson, an elite boarding school for girls, on the coast of England. It's in a dark gothic castle and her room happens to be in one of the towers.Now, Lora sounds like a pathetic or at least sympathetic character doesn't she? But not once did I feel sorry for her. She's not written that way and she doesn't live that way. She learned in the orphanage how to be street smart and she knows people. When she gets to Iverson, she's already landed on her feet. She knows how she'll be seen and treated and she really doesn't care, she knows she's in a lot better place than she could have been. She's not feeling sorry for herself and events change in a way so that she gets the upper hand on the most uppity and therefore meanest girl to Lora. Some of the girls she attends school with are "Lady" This and "Duchess" of That. This is very upper class. And Lora's benefactor is a Duke who owns the castle and a monstrous home he's building some miles away from the school. Lora is actually funny in some of her observations claiming that on rainy days "all the girls in all the years recognized that they were made of spun sugar: Rain would surely melt them into puddles." (end of chapter 15) Sometimes she's saying one thing with her mouth and something totally opposite in her head. I'm not used to this type of character set in this time period. I really loved her! And even when something bad happens or something she can't believe, she's still very strong.There were other characters that made the book amazing, but the magic and the ending. I can't say anything about it except to say Lora is not crazy and she learns about herself at Iverson. And the war comes to Iverson in one way and many others. I think Shana Abe has created an incredible first book in a series that I am popping to the top of my favorites list for this year. I will be looking at her other books, she's got a bunch and the next book in this series The Darkest Night comes out in August!Yes, and thank you! I'm not sure I could wait a year after that ending. I'd be doing everything to get an ARC of that one. But this being April, I feel like I can wait. And just read The Sweetest Dark over and over. And read Shana Abe's other books.Thanks to the publishers at Bantam for the E-ARC I received through NetGalley! The opinions expressed in this review are my own. I was not compensated for this review.GET THIS BOOK!!! I'm getting my own copy for sure!Heather
    • 4/5
      What a wonderfully romantic book! THE SWEETEST DARK introduces a young child who was found wandering the streets of London. When no one claimed her, she was sent to an orphanage, named Eleanore Jones (but quickly became known as Lora), and raised in a very poor part of London. When she was found, she was mute but gradually her words come back and in an accent that made her sound aristocratic. This wasn't the only thing unusual about Lora. She was paler than most and had quicker reactions. Stones sang to her and she heard a voice inside her heart. When she couldn't conceal what she was hearing, she was sent for "treatment" including "daily ice bath submergence, mercury tonics, and biweekly harnessing/electrical shock." She pretended to get well as soon as possible.When war came, many Londoners sent their children to the presumably safer countryside. Lora got to go too which was unusual for poor orphans. She was offered a place at a posh school for girls at the prompting of the Duke of Idylling. Upon arrival, she meets Jesse Holms who appears to be a mute and simple gardener—but Jesse talks to her and tells her astonishing things about herself—that she is dragon born and he is a star; that he called her there and had been searching for her all his life. She also meets the second son of the Duke—Armand Louis. The story is filled with discoveries as Lora learns what she can do. It is also filled with her wonderful romance with Jesse which will set any teenage heart to beating more quickly. Armand pursues her too but his secrets make them better companions than lovers. The story is also filled with danger and sacrifices as the world is falling into World War I. Armand has to deal with a father who is already reeling from the suicide of his wife who likely had some dragon blood herself. Armand has inherited some dragon tendencies too though he had thought he was going mad not going dragon. When Armand's older brother and the Duke's most favored son is killed in an aerial battle, the Duke goes completely out of control leading to the stunning climax of this first book in a series. Readers will be eager to know what happens next for the characters. Luckily, the wait won't be too long. THE DEEPEST NIGHT will be released in August.
    • 5/5
      I've been a fan of Shana Abe's adult romance novels for years, so when I discovered she was writing a Young Adult novel along the lines of her Drakon books, I was intrigued. So far, every YA novel I've read written by a adult romance novelist has been fantastic. I've noticed that many of these authors are able to tone down the sexiness enough so that it's appropriate for younger audiences, while still smoldering. In addition, many of these crossover authors write romance with a plot, so they're actually able to write a good story, despite the lack of sex. Abe is no exception and I'm definitely a fan.Abe's Drakon novels feature characters that look like humans, but have the ability to shift into the shape of dragons. Fans of Sophie Jordan know that she is also a crossover adult romance author that writes YA novels featuring dragon shapeshifters. While these two sets of novels feature distinct similarities, the history and paranormal aspects definitely different. Abe's Drakon lore is firmly established due to her adult Drakon novels, so I doubt that readers will find the similarities troubling. Instead, I hope that fans of other shapeshifter novels, like Jordan's, will embrace The Sweetest Dark.I will admit, The Sweetest Dark is a bit slow, but, since I genuinely enjoyed the characters, I didn't mind that the action was a bit lacking. Plus, this is only the first book and I fully anticipate the next to take things to the next level, especially after the intensity of this installment's ending. And, while Abe only touched on the paranormal aspects and the powers of the Drakon in this first book, having read her adult series dealing with the Drakon, I know that we can expect some pretty amazing things in the upcoming books.Another aspect that I wasn't a huge fan of was the love triangle... primarily due to the fact that I wasn't a fan of one of Lora's possible matches. Armand is not my type of guy, but, with any luck, readers will see another side of him in book two. I feel like this is a very likely scenario and I look forward to seeing how Abe spins his sour disposition from book one.Part of me wants to recommend that those of you are interested in reading The Sweetest Dark when it releases in August check out Abe's three adult novels that focus on the Drakon. Though I did enjoy this novel and I'll definitely reading any subsequent books, I don't know if it showcases just how strong Abe's writing can be. And, if you're interested in more of the history regarding the Drakon, you can find it in The Smoke Thief, The Dream Thief, and Queen of Dragons.I'm glad to see another romance novelist try her hand at the YA genre... I think readers will enjoy this latest shapeshifter novel with it's historical elements and romance.
    • 5/5
      Mixing paranormal romance with humor, Abe clearly has a style all her own, one that readers love. Enjoyed something different and yes I would like to read others of the series. Relaxed fantasy read, that young adults and adults alike can read.This was a great book. Kept my interest, and made me want to keep reading. Has everything you want in a book, danger, love, friendship, fantasy, and likeable characters. Definitely going to read the next installment!The Sweetest Dark sucks us into a world where “dragons” and magic can exist, classes collide and finding ones true heart might bring true happiness. This was brilliant story telling with a love that will touch your soul.
    • 4/5
      This is a completely different book that what I thought. I liked that! I enjoyed going on a journey that is not what I thought it would be. Nice plot twist :)Now, what I enjoyed the most is the plot twist. With a young girl holding secrets, as the reader, I am excited to see what her destiny holds for her. The plot alone of a new girl at a boarding school always intrigues me. Not to mention that right off the bat, she is interesting. Once in her shoes, I knew I liked her.There is a love triangle in the book. Both guys are honorable and completely different. Each guy brought a whole new aspect to what is really going on and what secret they held as well. As the reader, they each hold a part of this girl in who she is to become. Of course, I did lean toward one guy. He got me from the very beginning.The ending of the book was quite...unexpected. I was sure it would end one way, but no. The author threw in a different spin that made me want more!The Sweetest Dark is a great story that can captivate any reader! With amazing world building and great characters, I enjoyed it very much. Beautifully written, The Sweetest Dark is great!
    • 4/5
      It's hard for me to say no to a Victorian-period novel, especially one with a gorgeous cover like this. Combine that with Libba Bray connections and a compelling quote and I was hooked. I had to try this book. And, for the most part, I felt like it delivered (though I admit, it does seem like much of what's in here has been done before).In England 1915, young Lora has always known that she's difference from those around here. She hears songs that no one can here, she hears voices in her mind, she has strange yet oddly prophetic dreams and she knows how important it is to hide her abilities. After she's sent off to an elite boarding school, Lora finds herself in a gorgeous gothic castle where she meets two boys -one who will open the door to her future, one who threatens to destroy her future.From the very first page, I was hooked. Author Shana Abe has an incredible writing style that's lush and romantic, yet tinged with an eerie and unsettling sense. Almost like the words are haunted with some dark past behind then that the reader can't quite touch. Through the unexpected and riveting opening, Abe was able to build a spellbinding atmosphere that offered a unique level to this book and kept me riveted to every page.Aside from the incredible writing and atmosphere, other elements of the book felt a little weak to me -probably because these eerie undertones were so strong and so well done. The characters were just okay -they didn't really stick out, but they didn't really fade into the background either. The plot was sadly a little predictable seemingly well-trodden, but the book does deliver exactly what the blurb promises: a romantic Victorian historical in the vein of Bray and Kate with a supernatural element. And that supernatural element was really compelling and very well depicted -it didn't feel cheesy or absurd, and it was one of the more original aspects of the book.Which brings me to my one main beef with this book: it's not that original. I've read this story before. Several times, but in a somewhat different setting. But, overall, this book is exactly what someone would expect based on the blurb. A solid and haunting read.
    • 5/5
      " I was found by a tinker at the age of ten. I had no memory of what happened to me until that point. I knew I was never normal, no matter how much I wished it. I mean who hears voices in a house that is completely and utterly quiet.? I never knew my name. I was given one."The first think that got my attention was the cover. The smoke just seeps from the dress, almost like a fog. As you open the pages you are taken to a world full of mystery and magic. Are you sure of what you are seeing is real or is it something of your imagination?**Meet Lora Jones. To the girls at Iverson Academy, she is a charity case, someone who is coming to the school on a scholarship. She is an outsider; someone who does not fit in. It seems that no one understands her. It is this way until she meets the ground keeper's nephew Jesse. To the girls at the Academy he keeps to himself; doesn't talk much. However he is keeping his eye on Lora. They talk every once in while. Everything seems to be going fine. Then something happens. Lora never knew how to play the piano. Suddenly she plays the great arts. People are applauding. Is it my imagination or is Jesse putting a spell on her? Only one way to find out! This was a great read! I can't wait to read the sequel! -jennation book reviews
    • 5/5
      This book is hauntingly mesmerizing and eerily moving. All the main characters are beautifully written and even some that you may not care for initially manage to change your mind. The female MC is strong in a resilient coming-of-age way and the historical atmosphere shrouding the past is interwoven quite well. A fantastic YA novel! Read it. Oh yeah, there are dragons.GoodReads FirstReads Giveaway[book:The Sweetest Dark13257637][author:Shana Abe15987]
    • 4/5
      Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.allthingsuf.comShana Abe has an unmistakeable lilt, a mystery and music to her writing that transcends individual stories and knits together the whole. Like Robin McKinley, Abe lets time and distance deepen the mysteries between her books, she employs the realistic vagaries of history to make each new story a haunting new landscape. Though there are hints of the drakon, notes from Rue, THE SWEETEST DARK is unmistakably a new and unknown present tense. New readers, unaware of the threads leading back to the Drakon series, will discover this world afresh through Lora’s eyes.And though Lora is one of the deserving poor, this orphan is no Mary Sue. Intelligent, passionate and isolated, Lora is neither a martyr nor a mean girl. I loved rediscovering Abe’s draconic magic through Lora’s experiences, I loved placing the reality of transformation in the “modern” time period of the early 20th century. And though the love story in THE SWEETEST DARK isn’t clean and simple, Abe gives nuance and depth to the messy passions of Lora, Mandy, and Jesse. Rather than villain versus hero, poor little rich boy versus a noble servant, both men are well developed characters shaped as much by their human passions as the magic of this world. Abe never divorces her characters’ humanity from their actions, which means even the most charismatic person could become the villain, the force of darkness that breaks my heart. She writes heroes and bad boys in a way that both enthralls and terrifies me, and I can’t wait to see where Lora’s next book takes me.I’ll admit, in the past I lost the thread of Abe’s Drakon series, confused from book to book about where the fate of this secretive race was going. THE SWEETEST DARK wipes the slate clean, however, and focuses in on Lora in a way that has me recommitted to this world. Abe loses none of her poetry in this series, but this more focused YA series promises to draw me into the series more effectively than ever before. I finished THE SWEETEST DARK already anxious for book two, thank goodness I only have to wait until August to enjoy THE DEEPEST NIGHT.Sexual Content: References to sex.
    • 4/5
      I have never read a book by this author before and I knew very little about the book before I started to read it. At first I wasn't sure what to think. I used to love the `girl goes to boarding school' plot which was amazing in Libby Bray's "A Great and Terrible Beauty" trilogy but hasn't been as successful in some of the more recent books with this theme that I have read. I wasn't big on the idea of this being a paranormal historical novel and I was doubtful when I began reading the book. Gradually the book got more and more engrossing and long before the end I was hooked.This story is about a teenage girl who had a lot of problems in her short lifetime. She can't remember much about her past or her parents. She hears music all the time and when she admits to this she is put into an asylum where she is given shock and water treatments. I think this is why I wasn't engrossed in the beginning of the book. We get years worth of backstory very quickly and so much of it is gloomy and dark. I wasn't sure if Eleanore was really insane or not in the first few chapters. Once Eleanore or "Lora" gets to the girls school (which is in an old castle) the story truly picked up. We meet the requisite mean girls. We meet two potential love interests in Jesse, who works on the castle property and lets most people believe he is mute and the duke's son Armand. Armand is a bit of a rogue and he is attracted to Lora from the start. The attention of the duke's son only makes the other girls at school even nastier.There is so much going on in the book. We have Eleanore discovering her paranormal secret, why she can hear songs in her head as she does. We have the connection the ties Lora, Armand, and Jesse together. I loved that the connection between these three was so much more important and meaningful than the usual YA love triangles. There is an interesting subplot involving Aramand's father the Duke. There is a catty girl who is trying her best to make Armand love her while treating Lora hatefully. I enjoyed all the parts of the book that dealt directly with the school or the relationships between the main characters. As others have mentioned the story is beautifully written. I love to read but I admit that I don't like a lot of flowery prose. This book skirts that issue but is done in a way that only adds to the book's setting and atmosphere. After becoming accustomed to the author's `language' I came to adore it.The climax of the story is absolutely amazing. I love how everything led to the final fourth of the book. It was stunning, heartbreaking, beautiful, and filled with action. I definitely didn't see the book ending the way it did and there is obviously more in store for Lora. In the epilogue of the story it is mentioned that Lora's story was just beginning. For a book I was strongly unsure of, I am very happy to report that I am eager for a sequel.
    • 4/5
      I got a copy of this book to review through Netgalley(dot)com. Thanks to Bantam and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book. Previously I had read the first two books in Abe’s Drakon series (which is an adult series) and enjoyed them. This was a beautifully written and sweet story about a girl with a mysterious past, it is entwined with the events of World War I as well. The second book in this series, The Darkest Night, is due for a June 2013 release.Lora has had a rough childhood, first orphaned and raised at a horrible orphange and then sent to a madhouse for the voices she hears, her summons to a remote boarding school is a blessing. When Lora arrives at Iverson, she is happy to have a warm place to sleep and food to eat. Of course the other girls hate her, but she can cope with that. What complicates things is the boy Jesse, who makes the voices sing louder and the darkly brooding Armand who for some reason has his sights set on Lora.This is a very beautifully written book about a teenage girl who finds out she is one of the Drakon; as such she can turn into smoke or a Dragon. The whole book takes place during World War I. So Lora's time at the boarding school is woven with stories of war. This was a quick and easy read, with some beautiful imagery. Lora is one of those characters who has gone through a lot but still seems to have a sort of tough grace about her. She seems delicate and almost lyrical in her actions, but has a core of steel when she has to. She is caring, and a survivor and makes the other more well-to-do girls around her look like young children.Jesse and Armand are both fascinating characters as well. They both have a lot of depth and are mysterious. This isn’t really a love triangle since Lora is steadfast in her love of one boy. There is a lot of romance in this book and not a lot of depth. It is a sweet and beautiful read, but nothing earthshattering. I did enjoy how the history of World War I in Britain was woven throughout the story. Lora’s world is apart from the War but still largely influenced by it at points. That was probably the most creative aspect of this book; including well-researched wartime scenes in with this paranormal love story.If there are any adults reading this book who have read the Drakon series they will enjoy the letters from Rue. Rue was the heroine of the first Drakon book, The Smoke Thief. Overall a sweet and beautiful read full of wonderful imagery. This isn’t a complex book, it’s more just a light fun read. It’s very beautiful and I enjoyed the World War I scenes and influence that were woven together with Lora’s story. The story was well paced and the characters easy to engage with. I am looking forward to reading the next book, The Darkest Night. I recommend this to those who love historical fantasies with a lot of romance and a bit of history in them. It really is a beautifully written book.
    • 5/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.Quick & Dirty: Nothing is fair for Lora Jones, not in war or life and especially not in love.Opening Sentence: Are your eyes truly open?The Review:This was a beautiful and amazing story. The details are just breathtaking. A simple night sky in Abe’s universe becomes a picturesque expanse of never ending amethyst! I’ve never been so moved by the mere description of sights or people. Seeing through Lora’s eyes makes my own vision seem weak and wrong now. I honestly don’t know how else to make anyone understand that even without the plot or the characters, I would read these pages again and again just to have these incredible images drawn in my mind over and over.The heroine of the tale is Lora, an orphan girl with much spirit and fight, without becoming a Mary-Sue type character. She understands the way society works and knows her place as an orphan girl thrown among girls of pure blood and wealth, but she never lets these girls treat her as less than human. She hears their jeers and comments without letting them effect her personality in any way.I love her interaction with the insanely annoying Chloe, a rich girl with zero personality. Although Chloe is constantly baiting Lora, Lora manages to make the girl eat her words every time. Chloe’s step-sister, Sophia, is really the saving grace for my opinion of the girls at the Iverson finishing school where they all attend. Sophia is constantly helping Lora in small ways merely for the fun of seeing how much it upsets Chloe. In the end, however, Sophia is won over by Lora’s cunning wit and spirit just as I was and, more importantly, just as Jesse and Armand were.Jesse and Armand are polar opposites; where Jesse seems quiet and thoughtful, Armand is obnoxious and close minded, but Lora finds herself drawn to both. When I realized this story seemed to have something of a love triangle happening, I admit that I grumbled and complained a little but it didn’t last long at all. Lora and Jesse share that connection that has me swooning inside. Every touch, every look, it forces me to tap into the romantic side of me that I would rarely admit to possessing. Jesse helps Lora discover who and what she is and never once abandons her or truly forces her into anything. Their relationship blossoms so fast and so completely that I would probably be complaining about it in any other book, but I commend Abe on her amazing ability to make the story flow in such a way that while I was reading, I couldn’t remember a chapter where they weren’t in love.Jesse’s is a character that I’ve never encountered before, and that makes me insanely happy. This book is in the paranormal genre so everyone who picks it up knows or at least expects there will be more than a love story between humans here, but it would be a rather large spoiler if I were to say here just what Jesse is, so I will only repeat my only tantalizing clue; he’s nothing I’ve ever seen before.Armand is of a completely different breed. He’s rich and handsome and he knows it, but he finds himself quite bored. Meeting Lora, however, quickly ends his boredom when he finds himself drawn to her for reasons neither of them understand until Jesse actually explains it. An added bit of fun is found in Chloe’s pathetic attempts to claim Armand while everyone in the entire school knows that he only has eyes for Lora. Armand’s is probably my favorite character development. He’s the son of a Duke with a brother fighting in the war against the Germans, living just down the way from a castle full of girls and yet he goes through great lengths to forge a relationship with Lora. Their’s is one of those pairings I wouldn’t fight if it happened, but silently hope doesn’t.The war adds an interesting historical twist to this paranormal tale. With everything set in the early 1900s, there is a certain simplicity to the story that I really enjoyed.Overall, this book is stunning. It is not action packed until the final chapter, but it is a wonderful read. I didn’t want to put it down until the very end and when it was over, I felt a loss. When I did have to stop reading, picking it up was easy because I was pulled back into the flow of things without having to struggle to settle back into a grove. The Sweetest Dark is officially on my top five favorite books list.Notable Scene: At the age of twelve, I realized the songs were coming from the high stone wall surrounding the Home. From the metal rings and keys of the matrons who walked the halls with their nightsticks. From the pale, blazing diamond fixed in the stickpin the Home’s director, Mr. H.W. Forrester, wore in his necktie every single day. From even the distant stars. They weren’t the worst of it, though. The worst was the voice. The one that seemed centered not inside my head but instead just exactly inside my heart. It was cunning and fiendish, whispering the maddest things; That it was natural that gemstones would singe to me. That it was good to hate the Home, with its dull walls and dull boiled turnips and dull spiteful girls who openly scorned me, who tripped me in the hallways and dipped my plaits into ink pots during our few hours of schooling. The heart-voice would say things like, Smite them. Tear them apart. I won’t let you alone until you are who you are. And I wanted to. I was trapped and friendless, and if I’d had the slightest notion of how to smite anything, I bloody well might have. I grew up considered by one and all to be peculiar at best, aloof at least, and most, likely destined for the streets the day I turned seventeen, since even the factories had standards for hiring. None of them knew that each black night, long after they themselves had curled into their dreams, I would steal from my bed to perch upon the sill of the window close by, my no-color hair a slippery curtain against my back. I would press my palms flat against the glass and gaze down at the cobblestone courtyard below, four long stories below, and puzzle over the fiend in my heart. Every night, the fiend would whisper, Open the window. Jump. So finally I did.FTC Advisory: Bantam Dell/Random House provided me with a copy of The Sweetest Dark. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.