Expected Publication: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Random House
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The Blurb:
Lora 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.
Filled with lush atmosphere, thrilling romance, and ancient magic, The Sweetest Dark brilliantly captures a rich historical era while unfolding an enchanting love story that defies time.
My Review:
Let me start by saying, I loved this book! The Sweetest Dark fully and immediately pulled me into the life of Lora and I enjoyed every minute of it. The characters were well developed and engaging. Lora was strong, witty, and full of personality. She had backbone. Jesse and Armand were equally swoon worthy but for totally different reasons. The way Armand and Lora argue had me giggling more than once. The romance was a different kind of love triangle that I thoroughly enjoyed. Shana Abe's writing is truly magical. This is the first book I've read by her, and I'm definitely going to check out her other books. The title, as well as the beautiful cover, fit the story perfectly. I just learned, there will be a sequel. Since The Sweetest Dark's release date has been pushed back to next Spring, the wait for the sequel will be that much longer. I'm hopelessly hooked on this series already, and the wait will be agonizing, but I know it will be worth it. The Sweetest Dark was breathtakingly beautiful, and left me speechless in the end. I definitely recommend this book any reader. Pre-Order Now!
The ARC of The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe was provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley for review. The opinions are my own.
To learn more about Shana Abe, visit her website. You can also find the author on Twitter & Facebook.
'The Sweetest Dark' has to be one of the most unique books that I have read. And when it is finally revealed what Lora is, I was in awe with the way the author introduced it and completely surprised. I wish it didn't have to end and honestly I was very touched with the near to end beach scene... I hope to see more from this author and would be very interested to read more about Lora's journey.
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