The Dark Days Club

Starred review from October 19, 2015
In a delicious collision of Regency romance and dark fantasy, Goodman (Eona) tells the story of Lady Helen Wrexhall, a wealthy 18-year-old orphan on the eve of coming out at the court of King George III.
If things go as planned, she will pass from the house of her choleric uncle to that of a suitably noble husband. Rumor has it that the Duke of Selburn (the catch of the season) is interested; unfortunately, so is the disreputable Earl of Carlston, though he has something other than marriage in mind. Helen is dissatisfied with a vapid life of endless parties, and she’s also aware that she has begun to develop abilities that seem inappropriate for a young noble woman, like extraordinarily acute hearing and lightning-fast reflexes. Then Carlston tells her about the Dark Days Club, its secret battle to preserve English society from a monstrous enemy, and her destined role in that battle. Lady Helen is a well-drawn heroine, and her struggle to free herself from the stilted life of an early-19th-
century noblewoman and embrace her wilder, darker self is powerfully delineated. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Grinberg Literary Management.

October 15, 2015
Regency balls, rebellious heiresses, and demonic creatures feeding on humans: not your mother's Regency romance. Lady Helen Wrexhall, a traitor's daughter just beginning her Season, learns she is special for reasons beyond parentage or inheritance. She is a Reclaimer, one of a handful of gifted humans who fight Deceivers, humanoid creatures that feed upon human life force through, variously, suffering, bloodlust, sexual climax, and creativity. A proper young lady of the Regency period, the scope of the Deceivers' desires shocks Helen even more than the onset of supernatural abilities. Despite the commercial premise and promise, this is neither entirely page-turning adventure nor romance. Goodman's prose is assured; her impeccable research shines through on every page (sometimes to the detriment of pacing) and brings to life questions of freedom and choice for women. Helen is torn between two men, one who speaks to the powerful, somewhat unnatural, and certainly societally unacceptable side of herself and the other who offers a life of privilege and propriety; the question of which self she will choose creates more tension than the question of which man (too, this is first in a series, which rather telegraphs her ultimate choice). Readers willing to embrace the deep, deliberately paced journey will find the pace and tension increasing until the end leaves them eager for the next volume. (Historical fantasy. 13 & up)

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Starred review from December 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-As 18-year-old Lady Helen Wexhall prepares for her audience with Queen Charlotte at Buckingham Palace in 1812 London, she is constantly admonished by her aunt and uncle not to mention her mother, Lady Catherine, to the queen. Helen's mother and father drowned at sea, a result of her mother's wild and reckless pursuit of intrigue and excitement. Her aunt and uncle adopted her and her brother, and while her brother is as staid and stolid as they are, Helen shows the same reckless streak, intelligence, and curiosity as her mother. When her lady's maid mentions that one of the other housemaids is missing, Helen undertakes her own investigation. As she enters a season of parties and social affairs, she meets Lord Carlson, whose family has the ancient duty of investigating a cabal of demons who have infiltrated all levels of London society and want to bring an enlightened world back into a darker age. Although warned against Lord Carlson, she finds herself drawn more and more into his work, which seem to parallel her own and plunge her into greater danger. The first of a series, this Regency romance/supernatural mash-up introduces Lady Helen and Regency London as well as the underworld of the deceivers. Fast-paced, rich in description, with fascinating characters and excitement, this tale from Australian author Goodman will leave fantasy fans wanting more. VERDICT With mass crossover appeal, this genre-pushing tale will be enjoyed by those who don't usually read historical romances or supernatural works.-Janet Hilbun, University of North Texas

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2015
Grades 9-12 Eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall should be worrying about her upcoming presentation at court, but instead she is preoccupied with the mysterious Lord Carlston and his fight against the demonic Deceivers, who suck the life force from humans. Carlston is part of a secret agency and claims Lady Helen shares their rare Deceiver-hunting talents. A letter from her dead mother confirms this, informing Helen that she must choose between marrying a duke and leading a normal life, or joining the Dark Days Club. This regency romance with a twist starts slowly because Goodman spends too much time establishing her 1812 London setting, but once she puts the plot front and center, it takes off in a delightful way, juxtaposing the laced-up expectations of society against the newly stirring blood of a worthy heroine. The ending, while not a cliff-hanger, is satisfying and points toward another adventure for Lady Helen. Try this with fans of genre twisters, such as Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2009).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)