Showing posts with label Alison Goodman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alison Goodman. Show all posts

Monday, November 12, 2018

Blog Tour: The Dark Days Deceit by Alison Goodman


Happy Monday! I hope your week has gotten off to a fantastic start. I'm so excited to participate in the final leg of the Dark Days blog tour! I'll be sharing some of my favorite quotes from The Dark Days Deceit, book three. This book publishes quite soon, so get ready!


About The Dark Days Deceit:



The Dark Days Deceit by Alison Goodman
Book Three of The Dark Days Club series
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 20, 2018

Summary (from Goodreads):

The thrilling, genre-bending conclusion to Lady Helen's demon-hunting adventures, set in the glittering Regency world.

Lady Helen has retreated to a country estate outside Bath to prepare for her wedding to the Duke of Selburn, yet she knows she has unfinished business to complete. She and the dangerously charismatic Lord Carlston have learned they are a dyad, bonded in blood, and only they are strong enough to defeat the Grand Deceiver, who threatens to throw mankind into chaos. But the heinous death-soaked Ligatus Helen has absorbed is tearing a rift in her mind. Its power, if unleashed, will annihilate both Helen and Carlston unless they can find a way to harness its ghastly force and defeat their enemy.

In the final book of the trilogy that began with The Dark Days Club and continued with The Dark Days Pact, the intrepid Lady Helen's story hurtles to a shocking conclusion full of action, heartbreak, and betrayal.



About The Dark Days Club:

The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen, #1)

The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
Book One of The Dark Days Club series
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 26, 2016

Summary (from Goodreads):

From the New York Times bestselling author of Eon and Eona; a Regency adventure series starring a stylish and intrepid Buffy-esque 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?



About The Dark Days Pact:


The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman
Book Two of The Dark Days Club series
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers 
Publication Date: January 31, 2017

Summary (from Goodreads):

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…



My Favorite Quotes:

"In principle, I agree, but in practice, I fear we may not have the time for such niceties... The gloves are off now, and we are fighting for our lives."

- ARC, page 294

Carlston released her hands and stepped back. "Do you always pray so loudly, Jacob?"

"I do when my prayers are answered," Hallifax said.

- ARC, page 355

It felt as if her heart hovered between beats as she searched his gaunt face, and then it burst into hard joy. The kiss was in his eyes, in his smile, in the way he breathed.

- ARC, page 409

... you are my heartbeat. My pulse. You are the fire in my blood and the laughter in my soul."

- ARC, page 527


I was reading this and forgot to flag places as I went, so my fault for not having too many! I started flagging them as I neared the end, and by the end I was running into spoiler territory with my favorites. Regardless, these are quite lovely!

Monday, October 8, 2018

Blog Tour: The Dark Days Deceit by Alison Goodman


Hello and happy Monday, fellow book lovers! Today is the first day of the second leg of the blog tour for the The Dark Days Club series. I've put together a mood board inspired by the series. If you missed my content from the previous leg of the tour, you can find it HERE!


My Mood Board:




About Book One:

The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen, #1)

The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
Book One of The Dark Days Club series
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 26, 2016

Summary (from Goodreads):

From the New York Times bestselling author of Eon and Eona; a Regency adventure series starring a stylish and intrepid Buffy-esque 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?

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository | The Ivy Bookshop


About Book Two:


The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman
Book Two of The Dark Days Club series
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers 
Publication Date: January 31, 2017

Summary (from Goodreads):

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…



About Book Three:


The Dark Days Deceit by Alison Goodman
Book Three of The Dark Days Club series
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 20, 2018

Summary (from Goodreads):

The thrilling, genre-bending conclusion to Lady Helen's demon-hunting adventures, set in the glittering Regency world.

Lady Helen has retreated to a country estate outside Bath to prepare for her wedding to the Duke of Selburn, yet she knows she has unfinished business to complete. She and the dangerously charismatic Lord Carlston have learned they are a dyad, bonded in blood, and only they are strong enough to defeat the Grand Deceiver, who threatens to throw mankind into chaos. But the heinous death-soaked Ligatus Helen has absorbed is tearing a rift in her mind. Its power, if unleashed, will annihilate both Helen and Carlston unless they can find a way to harness its ghastly force and defeat their enemy.

In the final book of the trilogy that began with The Dark Days Club and continued with The Dark Days Pact, the intrepid Lady Helen's story hurtles to a shocking conclusion full of action, heartbreak, and betrayal.



About the Author:

Alison Goodman writes in a variety of genres, ranging from the genre-bending DARK DAYS CLUB titles, to the EON/EONA fantasy duology, to the YA science fiction thriller SINGING THE DOGSTAR BLUES. She was a D.J. O'Hearn Memorial Fellow at Melbourne Universtiy, holds a master of arts degree, and mentors emerging writers. A long-time lover of the Regency period, she has a treasure trove of material to be viewed at pinterest.com/alisongoodman. She is online at darkdaysclub.com and on Twitter @AlisonGoodman.



Follow week two of the tour!

October 8 – The Eater of Books! – Moodboard
October 9 – @darkfaerietales – Creative Instagram Picture
October 10 – Darque Dreamer Reads – Review with gifs + Moodboard
October 11 – My Friends are Fiction – Review + Creative Instagram Picture
October 12 – By Hook Or By Book – Review with gifs

Monday, September 10, 2018

Blog Tour: The Dark Days Deceit by Alison Goodman


Hello everyone! I hope you all are having a wonderful Monday so far. And if not, I hope things start to look up. Today I'm sharing ten reasons why you should pick up The Dark Days Club, book one of the amazing trilogy by Alison Goodman! Stick around for more content on this series in the coming weeks!


Alyssa's Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Pick Up The Dark Days Club

10. The series is almost over. Okay, this might sound like a silly reason. But book three (the conclusion) publishes in less than three months! That's an excellent reason to start the series. No time like the present!
9. Nineteenth century historical fiction is super cool. You all probably know by now that I'm a huge historical romance fan, and love pretty much any historical time period.The 1800s is a great time period in which to set a story. 
8. Alison Goodman really does her research. What's better than historical fiction? Accurate historical fiction. You can check out the extensive research that Goodman did on her website, right HERE.  
7. On that note - who doesn't love some ball gowns and ball scenes? I am very partial to pretty dresses and elaborate social affairs like dances. In this series, Lady Helen is in the middle of her Season, which is peak socializing time for a young woman. I love it!
6. There is plenty of strong, gutsy women in the series. I adore Helen - she is so smart and curious, and strong in her own way. And her lady's maid, Darby, is a warrior in her own regard.
5. There is good action in the book (and series). I suppose, when one is fighting demons, there has to be good action throughout the story. Right? Right.
4. Now that I've mentioned demons - yes, this isn't just a historical fiction novel! I love the historical setting and the paranormal mashup. Demons abound! Supernatural abilities!
3.  There is a ~murder mystery~. Did Lord Carlston kill his wife? Is this just rumor? What happened to her, in truth? You'll have to read the series to find out...
2. Speaking of Lord Carlston, well, he is a reason all by himself. Do you love tall, handsome, and broody? You haven't met a man like that until you've met Lord Carlston. Helloooo hotness.
1. Slow-burn romance. Need I say more? I love slow-burn romance. Book two has one of my all-time favorite YA lit kisses. But we were talking about book one. SLOW-BURN! Love it!

(Do yourself a favor. Pick up this series. Look, there is a giveaway on Goodreads for a copy of The Dark Days Club!)


About Book One:

The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen, #1)

The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
Book One of The Dark Days Club series
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 26, 2016

Summary (from Goodreads):

From the New York Times bestselling author of Eon and Eona; a Regency adventure series starring a stylish and intrepid Buffy-esque 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?



Check out the series:

The Dark Days Pact (Lady Helen, #2)  The Dark Days Deceit (Lady Helen, #3)
(Click on the covers for more information!)


About the Author:

Alison Goodman writes in a variety of genres, ranging from the genre-bending DARK DAYS CLUB titles, to the EON/EONA fantasy duology, to the YA science fiction thriller SINGING THE DOGSTAR BLUES. She was a D.J. O'Hearn Memorial Fellow at Melbourne Universtiy, holds a master of arts degree, and mentors emerging writers. A long-time lover of the Regency period, she has a treasure trove of material to be viewed at pinterest.com/alisongoodman. She is online at darkdaysclub.com and on Twitter @AlisonGoodman.



Check out the rest of the tour!

WEEK ONE

September 10 – The Eater of Books! – Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Read The Dark Days Club
September 11 – @darkfaerietales – Creative Instagram Picture
September 12 – Darque Dreamer Reads – Review with gifs + Moodboard
September 13 – My Friends are Fiction – Review + Creative Instagram Picture
September 14 – By Hook Or By Book – Review with gifs 

WEEK TWO

October 8 – The Eater of Books! – Moodboard
October 9 – @darkfaerietales – Creative Instagram Picture
October 10 – Darque Dreamer Reads – Review with gifs + Moodboard
October 11 – My Friends are Fiction – Review + Creative Instagram Picture
October 12 – By Hook Or By Book – Review with gifs

WEEK THREE

November 12 – The Eater of Books! – Favorite Quotes
November 13 – @darkfaerietales – Creative Instagram Picture
November 14 – Darque Dreamer Reads – Review with gifs + Moodboard
November 15 – My Friends are Fiction – Review + Creative Instagram Picture
November 16 – By Hook Or By Book – Review with gifs

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Waiting on Wednesday (#277): The Dark Days Deceit by Alison Goodman


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week, I'm featuring:


The Dark Days Deceit by Alison Goodman
Book Three of the Lady Helen series
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 20, 2018

Summary (from Goodreads):

The thrilling, genre-bending conclusion to Lady Helen's demon-hunting adventures, set in the glittering Regency world.

Lady Helen has retreated to a country estate outside Bath to prepare for her wedding to the Duke of Selburn, yet she knows she has unfinished business to complete. She and the dangerously charismatic Lord Carlston have learned they are a dyad, bonded in blood, and only they are strong enough to defeat the Grand Deceiver, who threatens to throw mankind into chaos. But the heinous death-soaked Ligatus Helen has absorbed is tearing a rift in her mind. Its power, if unleashed, will annihilate both Helen and Carlston unless they can find a way to harness its ghastly force and defeat their enemy.

In the final book of the trilogy that began with THE DARK DAYS CLUB and continued with THE DARK DAYS PACT, the intrepid Lady Helen's story hurtles to a shocking conclusion full of action, heartbreak, and betrayal.




I love this series! I can't wait to read this final novel. It has been a long time coming!

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Swoon Thursday (#210): The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman


- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting


This week, my swoon is from The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman!


He cupped the back of her head in the long span of his hand and drew her closer, leaning down to brush his lips against her temple. She felt a word breathed soft against her ear - bacciami - Italian for kiss me. Ah, that was what buss meant.

[Skipped a paragraph to avoid spoilers. Helen is overthinking, in this paragraph.]

She smelled the clan, male scent of him, felt the rougher texture of his skin against her cheek, and drew a shaking breath. That pulse she had so brutally suppressed hammered into every part of her body, her fingers bunching with sensation. She found herself turning her face to meet his careful progress, her lips finding the soft curve of his mouth. They both paused, breath mingling, and then she felt the warm pressure of his tongue against her own, the taste of him, salt and wine, merging with the clean smell of his skin. It was startling and tender... and then it changed. Something wild crashed through her, a wave of throbbing energy that drove her up against his body, her fingers winding hard into the short crop of his hair. She felt him sway back, his breath catching into a gasp. She opened her eyes and saw the shock in his face flare into something more primal. She wrested him back to her mouth, any tenderness subsumed by animal need. He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her hard onto his chest, both of them locked into the dizzying sensation of their mouths and tongues and bodies pressed against each other. She felt as if she wanted to crawl into his skin, taste him, touch him, fill herself with him.

- ARC, pages 313-314




I cheated a little this week, because technically I read this book last week. But none of the books I read this week have inspiring swoony romances, and I couldn't NOT share this kiss at some point. :D I loved The Dark Days Pact! I'm really eager (and anxious) to see how the series ends... in 2018. 

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Review: The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman


The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman
Book Two of the Lady Helen series
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers 
Publication Date: January 31, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

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…

What I Liked:

The Dark Days Pact is an excellent follow-up to The Dark Days Club - it follows none of the sequel slump pattern that we've seen so often in Young Adult trilogies. I liked The Dark Days Club very much, though at times I found that book to drag a little. This sequel was thoroughly intriguing and entertaining, with a lot of action and revelations, and a little bit of angst. I enjoyed this book immensely and I am looking forward to reading the final book in the series.

Lady Helen is well on her way to becoming a fully trained Reclaimer, and an official member of the Dark Days Club. Mr. Pike comes to Bristol to swear her in, and he also gives her a task: obtain an important journal of a secretive nature. But it's clear that Mr. Pike has another intent - spy on Lord Carlston, and get rid of him. But Lord Carlston has been showing signs of deterioration, in his health. Time is running out to find a cure, which also hinges upon the journal. Helen must get the journal before Carlston does, or risk breaking her oath as Club member. But she doesn't trust anyone except Carlston, Mr. Hammond, Mr. Quinn, and Darby, and she doesn't think Mr. Pike is honorable. The journal itself isn't what it seems, and Helen's decision about what to do with it will have consequences she can't comprehend.

This sequel moves at a faster pace than The Dark Days Club, which I appreciated. I loved The Dark Days Club, but there were definitely times when I really felt the length of the book (500+ pages). This book is also around that page length, but it has more action and intrigue, in my opinion. Helen was always getting up to something sneaky, which I thought was hilarious (good for her!). 

You can clearly see Helen's growth, in this novel! Much of this book is focused on her training as a Reclaimer, and so we see her grow in that way, but also in general. She stands up for herself and doesn't let herself get shuffled around. When her oath to the Days Days Club comes up against her loyalty to her friends, and Carlston, she doesn't meekly follow one side or the other. She seeks more information and bides her time, but ultimately, she makes decisions. I wouldn't say she is totally decisive at first, but she really grows into a stronger character. There are so many feminist moments in this book in which I was cheering for Helen. Especially every time she told Selburn she didn't need a protector - you go, girl! 

That being said, it's interesting how Goodman worked that strong, feminist attitude into Helen's character. It was always there, but I like how Helen really stands up for herself, especially towards the end. She definitely is confined by societal rules and customs, but at the same time, she makes choices for her reasons, and not society's. Recall that this series is set in the 1800s - so it's painfully obvious that, historically speaking, this is a "man's world", and females are subservient (given the time period). But Helen doesn't appreciate having to hide behind a man - and she doesn't let it happen. Again, she is still confined by society's "rules" for women, but she does things her way. She has to come to terms with some difficult decisions, like dressing as a man for disguise, and cutting her hair, but Helen is a tough girl.

Along those lines - Goodman has done a fantastic job in building the world of this series. The novel is set in 1800s England, so there was a lot of research that needed to be done to write this book. Goodman has quite the eye for detail! I read a lot of adult historical romance novels, so I'm very used to this setting, but I must say, Goodman really outdoes herself with the world-building. Drop in all the monsters and supernatural powers and important magical objects and we've got a very interesting world in a realistic historic setting. Well done by the author!

This book is told in third-person, limited to Helen, and I liked this mode of storytelling. First-person is so common in Young Adult literature, but I think I much prefer third-person. Goodman writes it very well. 

The other characters besides Helen are incredibly important and so well-fleshed out as well. Carlston is arguably a protagonist, equally as important as Helen. He is ailing and clearly not getting better, and no one can figure out what is causing his deterioration. Fits of temper and bursts of madness are evidence to his deterioration, and try as they might, Helen and the gang can't hide this from Mr. Pike (who clearly wants Carlston gone). But Carlston shines in this book; he trains Helen efficiently, and he never tries to control her (like, dare I say, Selburn attempts to do). I wouldn't say that Carlston is sweet or tender - he is a quietly brooding warrior with a bit of a temper. Yet he cares so much about Helen, and he doesn't take care to make it less obvious. The poor man! He suffers quite a lot, in this particular book. 

Darby is her usual feisty self, and she and Mr. Quinn get close. We learn a lot about Mr. Hammond, and I adore him so much. His sister, Margaret, is annoying as ever (but in an endearing way). A character that becomes very important in this book is Delia; her addition to the main plot was surprising, but in the end, very welcoming. Selburn is unfortunately in this book, more in second half, and honestly he is the peskiest of flies. 

In the first half the book, the focus is on training Helen and Darby, and for Helen, making the deal with the man to get the journal. But the man, Lowry, wants something that Helen refuses to give, and then she finds out that Carlston is looking for the journal (not knowing that she is too), so Helen must sneak around and try to find out more, in order to steal the journal herself. But plans never go planned, and so there is a lot of close calls and nighttime excursions.

The romance is so obvious and wonderful (assuming you like Carlston). I didn't really see Selburn being part of the romance in The Dark Days Club, and as annoying as he is, I still don't see him being a real threat. Romantically speaking, it's all Helen and Carlston. While Carlston isn't a big softie, he gets romantic (for a moment!) in this book. The bond they have goes beyond being Reclaimers, or sharing energy, or whatever: it's clear that they both love each other. I'm hoping Goodman works that out, in the end, because there really is no other ship to be boarded. 

The ending is good in some ways, and painful in others. I love how exciting the ending is! It was a mad race to make this or that happen, and so every single character in this book was converging to one spot. All of our main characters are still alive and well and survive the scuffle. I did mention that the ending is slightly painful, and it is. It's a cliffhanger that has little to do with Reclaimers and Deceivers. Still, I have hope, and I'm very excited to read the next book. 

What I Did Not Like:

I will complain about a thing that I can't say specifically because that would be spoiler-y. But. Remember how I said that there isn't really a love triangle? That is very true, because Helen is in love with Carlston, and vice versa. Never mind that Carlston is still technically married (his wife has been missing for six or so years). Never mind that the Duke of Selburn is obnoxiously obsessed with Helen and won't stop asking her to marry him. Which is weird! Why does he persist? She has rejected him so many times. Again, I'm complaining about a thing that happened in this book that I can't say specifically. But, it's a thing that I want to see disappear very quickly, in book three, if possible.

Personally (and this is just a theory, and not a spoiler), I'm hoping that Selburn is the Grand Deceiver. We still don't know who is, by the end of this book (though we get some more information about the Grand Deceiver). I'm hoping it's Selburn, because he is so slimy in a nice way. He's too protective and invasive, in terms of Helen and her business. Sure, it would be convenient if he were the Grand Deceiver, but still. A girl can hope.

Would I Recommend It:

Despite the not-love-triangle, I really enjoyed this book, and I'm loving this series. Dare I say this book is even stronger than The Dark Days Club? Perhaps it is. So many aspects of the story are strengthened - Helen, the plot revolving the Grand Deceiver, the journal (not spoiling), the romance (that ONE scene, mercy). There are even seeds about Carlston's wife, and Helen's parents, and a darker matter about Reclaimers and Deceivers. This book sets up for an intense showdown in book three! I highly recommend this series if you like historical fiction, paranormal fiction, steampunk fiction. I'm not a huge fan of Cassandra Clare's books, but this series reminds me a little of The Infernal Devices, in terms of the world-building. 

(I like this series SO much better than The Infernal Devices, mind you.)

Rating:

4 stars. My heart will be shriveled and withered by the time book three is published! I'm not sure I can handle the ending of this book for so long. But I'm trusting Goodman to deliver a fair and good ending, for Helen, and Carlston, and Darby, and Quinn, and the others. I'm looking forward to getting book three in my hands as soon as possible!


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday (#185): The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week, I'm featuring:



The Dark Day Pact by Alison Goodman
Book Two of the Lady Helen series
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers 
Publication Date: January 31, 2017

Summary (from Goodreads):

Summer, 1812. 
After the scandalous events at her presentation ball in London, Lady Helen has taken refuge at the fashionable seaside resort of Brighton, banished from her family and training as a Reclaimer with the covert Dark Days Club. She must learn to fight the dangerous energy-wielding Deceivers and prepare to face their master, the elusive Grand Deceiver. 

As she struggles to put aside her genteel upbringing, Helen realizes that her mentor, Lord Carlston, is fighting his own inner battle.  Has the foul Deceiver energy poisoned his soul, or is something else driving him towards violent bouts of madness? Either way, Helen is desperate to help the man with whom she shares a deep but forbidden connection.

When Mr. Pike, the hard bureaucratic heart of the Dark Days Club, arrives in Brighton, he has a secret mission for Helen: find the journal left by a mad rogue Reclaimer, before it falls into the hands of the Deceivers. Coerced by Pike, Helen has no choice but to do as ordered, knowing that the search for the journal may bring about Lord Carlston’s annihilation.



Yaaasss, I adored The Dark Days Club! I cannot wait to read this sequel novel. =)

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman


Welcome to the blog tour for The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman! This is the latest book of the talented author of Eon and Eona, one of my favorite duologies from when I was just barely a teen. I adored The Dark Days Club and I hope you all check out this new book!


My Top 10 Things I Can’t Live Without
By Alison Goodman

1. Coffee. The first thing I do when I get up is stagger to the coffee machine. I cannot function without coffee. I drink it black—no sugar, no milk. I don’t want ANYTHING to get in the way of my pure caffeine hit.  


2. The 2009 Romola Garai and Johnny Lee Miller version of Emma. Whenever I am feeling down, I watch this four-part adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel. Romola Garai is a gorgeous and charmingly flawed Emma and Johnny Lee Miller plays a brilliant Knightley.


3. A long walk. I often work out plot twists and scene plans while I walk, and if I am ever stuck on a scene, a long constitutional will usually shake things loose.


4. Roast potatoes. My husband cooks the best roasties in the world. Golden and crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and you’ve got heaven on a stick.


5. A good, hearty laugh. Preferably with friends or family. 


(Source: Giphy)

6. Sunscreen. I live in Melbourne, Australia, which has a huge hole in the ozone above it, and I am very pale.  That’s why I wear 30+ sunscreen every day. Yes, EVERY DAY, even in winter.  


7. A furry someone in my life. This is my dog, Xander. His other names are Xanderpup, Xander Wonderpants, The Furry Lord of Darkness, Mr Disgusting, and Hey, Poss. He is the Hamlet of dogs: melancholy, thoughtful and prone to long soliloquys about the meaning of life.


8. Regency dancing. I learned how to Regency dance as part of my research for The Dark Days Club, and I loved it so much that I now teach it! Here is a pic of me mid-twirl at the Jane Austen Summer Ball in Bath.


9. Fashion blogs. Every morning, I visit a few favorite fashion/style blogs—it eases me into my day and I usually pick up a great style tip or a piece of interesting information. Here are two of my faves: www.insideoutstyleblog.com,  www.stylingyou.com.au. I also love the history blog http://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.com.au which has excellent articles about historical fashion and lifestyles with a focus on the Georgian, Regency and Victorian eras. 

10. Kindness. Whenever possible. It is my guiding principle. 



(Please note that Alyssa/The Eater of Books! does not own any of these images; contact Alison Goodman for source reference.)


Follow the Author:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest


About the Book:


The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
Book One of The Dark Days Club series
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 26, 2016

Summary (from Goodreads):

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?



The Giveaway:

5 winners. Ends 02/18. I think this is USA only. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Follow the Tour:

01/18 - Addicted Readers - Guest Post
01/18 - Book Nerd Addict - Review
01/19 - Love is not a triangle - Review
01/19 - The Social Potato - Would You Rather
01/20 - The Eater of Books! - Top Ten List
01/21 - Once Upon a Twilight - Book Soundtrack
01/21 - A Dream Within A Dream - Review
01/22 - Lili's Reflections - Interview
01/22 - The Starry-Eyed Revue - Review
01/25 - Gone Pecan - Guest Post
01/25 - Jessabella Reads - Review
01/26 - Fiction Fare - Interview
01/27 - Please Feed The Bookworm - 25 Random Things About Alison Goodman
01/27 - The Hollow Cupboards - Review
01/28 - WinterHaven Books - Interview
01/29 - My Friends Are Fiction - Character Playlist

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Swoon Thursday (#149): The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman

Swoon Thursday is a hot meme hosted by the fabulous ladies at YA Bound!


- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting


This week, my swoon is from The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman!


Yet he was right: the pain was already receding. Enough for her to realize the scandalous proximity of his body. He was holding her elbows, his chest almost against her own, the heat of him blending into the soft howl that still sang through her blood. Something leaped within her: a remnant of that savagery. She moved. It should have been away from him, but it was not. The shift brought his eyes to her own. He stood still, wary, like a wolf caught in the open. The smell of him - soap and sweat and brandy - drew her even closer. 

- ARC, page 327




Context - this book is set in 1800s London. I cut the scene short because I didn't want to spoil anything (what comes next is important). ;) This book didn't have many physical swoons, but there were a lot of moments like this one!