The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen Trilogy, #1)

by Alison Goodman

[Beth C.]

Lady Helen is getting ready for what *should* be the best time of her young life - her society introduction. Starting with the Queen, then moving to balls and soirees, it should be nothing but fun and excitement. Unfortunately, memories of her dead parents are intruding, including questions about why her mother was seen as treasonous to the crown. A housemaid has gone missing. A dear friend has, by all accounts, gone crazy. And Lady Helen herself is...changing...and doesn't understand how or why. The only person who seems to be able to help her figure it out is the last person she should be having anything to do with - Lord Carlston. Accused of killing his wife but acquitted when her body was never found, he is recently back in London and seems to be everywhere. As Helen begins to learn the truth about her mother, as well as about her heritage and her changes, she has a choice to make. But sometimes, neither option is a good one.

Frankly, what drew me to this novel was the "Regency London" and the possibility of a fantasy world intertwined. I was hesitant, simply because I am not a romance reader, and often Regency London and romance are horribly intertwined. Thankfully, that was not the case here. There is a smidge of romance, but it is tasteful and minimum. The majority of the story revolved around Helen and her background, while also dealing with monsters that l thought were unusual and interesting.

It was quite apparent that Goodman did quite a bit of research on this period in time, and the use of actual historical people within the story adds a layer of realism that worked quite well. The characters are all well fleshed-out, and the settings are done almost as well.

Frankly, I went into this novel a bit skeptical (this is the first novel I have read by this author), but I finished the book far into the night, knowing I had to be up early the next day. It was just that good. I look forward to the continuing adventures of Lady Helen in the next book!