Book Review: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

If you’re looking for a deliciously dark historical fantasy book, Darker Still is right up your alley.

GoodReads | Amazon | Author Website

Title & Author: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: November 8, 2011

Series: 1st in Magic Most Foul series

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

How I Got the Book: Bought

Description:

“I was obsessed.

It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I’d ever seen–everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable…utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.

There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.

I’ve crossed over into his world within the painting, and I’ve seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked–bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still.”

Darker Still – A Rich, Historical Fantasy

I thoroughly enjoyed Darker Still – it offered a much different setting than most YA books out right now AND it has an unconventional, spunky heroine. The novel is set in New York City in the 1800s, with a mysterious, mystic-type feel brought on by the cursed Oscar-Wilde-eque painting.

Natalie is mute – she can hear and communicate by writing or signing. This instantly added some novelty to Darker Still, as I’ve never read a book with a character remotely like Natalie. What she lacks in speech, she makes up for with her fiery temper and strong personality (read: headstrong). Plus, she’s fiercely independent, which marks her as an oddity in her time.

I loved her tenacity and found her a very likable, sympathetic character. Natalie is really the driving force behind this book. If you don’t like Natalie, I’m not sure how much you’re going to connect with Darker Still.

Also, the novel definitely tips its hat to The Picture of Dorian Gray (which I loved reading in high school) – with the whole “mysterious man in a painting that seems super life-like” thing. But, I like the direction that Hieber takes with it. It’s less dark and scary and more dark and…well, actually it is scary-ish, but it definitely has a lighter overall tone. Basically, if a man in a painting ever communications with you, run far, far away.

Preach it, Sistah

One thing I definitely found interesting in Darker Still was the spiritual/mystical side of the painting (how Lord Denbury got stuck in the painting). It was interesting, mixing elements of actual modern-day practices with fantasy. Plus, it’s not preachy or pushy.

I really liked that Natalie faced a physical, emotional and spiritual struggle- it all felt well-balanced. She overcomes a great deal in a short amount of time (300 pages, give or take) without a cliched, too-perfect ending.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the romance in Darker Still! It was great, if a little instalove-ish. Overall, though, I liked the intensity, the use of different mediums (of both the human and artwork variety) and the right balance of drama.

OVERALL:

Darker Still offers a fascinating look at opposing ideas – dark and light, baseness and morality, perceived strength and weaknesses. Plus, Natalie is a charming character, who I think many readers will relate to. If they don’t, there’s always Lord Denbury to drool over.

Plus – it MAKES SENSE that the girl on the cover of Darker Still is wearing a fancy dress, although the model looks like she needs to eat a piece of pie.

Subscribe to the blog

Get FREE updates on the latest YA & Fantasy posts

TAGS: Books set in New York, Darker Still, historical fantasy, Leanna Renee Hieber

« Older Entries

Newer Entries »

Anonymous

Great review! It’s definitely piqued my interest in Darker Still. I think it would be so interesting to read about a character like Natalie – I don’t think I’ve ever read a character like how you described her.

And the cover girl most definitely needs a slice of pie…or two!

Kelly
Radiant Shadows
Sabrina Books

I plan to read this book soon and already got my copy last week. What you said about the story and characters really makes me excited to grab my copy and start reading asap.
http://www.readbreatherelax.com Lisa

Sabrina, I hope you love it!! Let me know what you think.
http://www.readbreatherelax.com/a-novel-accessory-victorian-style-jewelry/ A Novel Accessory: Victorian Style Jewelry | Read. Breathe. Relax. | Ya book reviews and fantasy book reviews

[...] was recently inspired from the 1880s setting in Darker Still to create a victorian style jewelry post! I love the antique feel of a lot of these [...]
http://twitter.com/MelLHay Melissa

You know this book is new to me. Thank you for the review. And lol. Love the comment about the model needing a piece of pie. ;D
Kelli

I think I want to read this! It sounds super interesting. Also, love your comment about the model lol
http://www.readbreatherelax.com/top-ten-books-for-people-who-like-a-great-and-terrible-beauty/ Top Ten Books For People Who Like A Great and Terrible Beauty | Read. Breathe. Relax. | Ya book reviews and fantasy book reviews

[...] 1Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber – The book is set in the early 1800s and involves a mystical painting that’s more than it seems. I loved this book! [...]
http://www.readbreatherelax.com/blog-tour-the-twisted-tragedy-of-miss-natalie-stewart-by-leanna-renee-hieber/ Blog Tour: The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart by Leanna Renee Hieber | Read. Breathe. Relax. | Ya book reviews and fantasy book reviews

[...] excited to be hosting Leanna Renee Hieber on the blog today! I loved her 2011 debut, Darker Still, and she’s here to chat about the sequel to that book, The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie [...]