Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

"The heart must make choices."  p.293

Darker Still
Magic Most Foul, book one 
by Leanna Renee Hieber
Copyright: 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Format: paperback
Pages: 317
Source: library

Back cover: New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing...

Jonathan Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul.

First Sentence:
 Sister Theresa handed me this farewell gift with such relief that it might as well have been a key to her shackles.

My Thoughts:  I really enjoyed my reading of Darker Still.   It was a fantastic blend of finding one's place in the world along with paranormal elements, and sleuthing.  The pacing was suitable for the tale, although, there were moments that I read quicker just because it was slightly dull, but those moments were very few.  Mostly, from page to page, I felt intrigue with what was going on, and how it would all turn out.

I absolutely adored Natalie -  our heroine with a twist - she was unique, well-grounded, and endearing.  Her interactions with her father, Mrs. Northe, and Lord Denbury fit the mood and flow of the story almost perfectly. Not only did I find her narrative appealing; she gave the story its believability.

What I loved best about this story was truly the eeriness and unique storyline. I really was enthralled by the paranormal events. I was truly captured by the eerie sense felt throughout. Intrigue was maintained.

This is the second book I have read by Hieber, and the second time I have been struck by her writing style. She has a fabulous gift for writing in the Victorian setting while embedding an incredible eerie, mysterious and unique elements through out.  Not only that, the narratives are spot on for maintaining this mood throughout the entire book.  Hieber knows how to stay true to her tone, and pace while bringing unique stories alive. I am definitely going to continue to read books by Leanna Renee Hieber.  Her books do not disappoint.

Bottom Line: If you are in the mood for a unique Victorian, paranormal coming- of-age book, then this book is for you too. Be prepared for an eerie mood that draws you into the heroine's world. Be prepared to walk away with a sense of reading satisfaction. Be prepared to want to read more books by Leanna Renee Hieber.

The Cover: I liked the cover - it was interesting enough to attract my attention. However, I think it portrays Natalie in a far more glamorous light than how she is in the story. Still, it caught my attention and that really is the purpose of book covers, right? right.