Review - The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Size: 352 pages
Publisher: Bantam
Date: April 2, 2013
ISBN: 978-0345531704
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Sweetest Dark series
Source: eGalley through NetGalley.com
Rating: 4/5 stars

I got a copy of this book to review through Netgalley(dot)com. Thanks to Bantam and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book. Previously I had read the first two books in Abe’s Drakon series (which is an adult series) and enjoyed them. This was a beautifully written and sweet story about a girl with a mysterious past, it is entwined with the events of World War I as well. The second book in this series, The Darkest Night, is due for a June 2013 release.

Lora has had a rough childhood, first orphaned and raised at a horrible orphange and then sent to a madhouse for the voices she hears, her summons to a remote boarding school is a blessing. When Lora arrives at Iverson, she is happy to have a warm place to sleep and food to eat. Of course the other girls hate her, but she can cope with that. What complicates things is the boy Jesse, who makes the voices sing louder and the darkly brooding Armand who for some reason has his sights set on Lora.

This is a very beautifully written book about a teenage girl who finds out she is one of the Drakon; as such she can turn into smoke or a Dragon. The whole book takes place during World War I. So Lora's time at the boarding school is woven with stories of war. This was a quick and easy read, with some beautiful imagery.

Lora is one of those characters who has gone through a lot but still seems to have a sort of tough grace about her. She seems delicate and almost lyrical in her actions, but has a core of steel when she has to. She is caring, and a survivor and makes the other more well-to-do girls around her look like young children.

Jesse and Armand are both fascinating characters as well. They both have a lot of depth and are mysterious. This isn’t really a love triangle since Lora is steadfast in her love of one boy.

There is a lot of romance in this book and not a lot of depth. It is a sweet and beautiful read, but nothing earthshattering. I did enjoy how the history of World War I in Britain was woven throughout the story. Lora’s world is apart from the War but still largely influenced by it at points. That was probably the most creative aspect of this book; including well-researched wartime scenes in with this paranormal love story.

If there are any adults reading this book who have read the Drakon series they will enjoy the letters from Rue. Rue was the heroine of the first Drakon book, The Smoke Thief.

Overall a sweet and beautiful read full of wonderful imagery. This isn’t a complex book, it’s more just a light fun read. It’s very beautiful and I enjoyed the World War I scenes and influence that were woven together with Lora’s story. The story was well paced and the characters easy to engage with. I am looking forward to reading the next book, The Darkest Night. I recommend this to those who love historical fantasies with a lot of romance and a bit of history in them. It really is a beautifully written book.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- 150+ Reading Challenge
- Debut Author Reading Challenge
- Paranormal Reading Challenge
- Young Adult Reading Challenge

The Dream Thief by Shana Abe (4/5 stars)

This is book two in the Drakon Series by Shana Abe' that started with "The Smoke Thief". I actually liked this book quite a bit better than the first one. It helped that I knew to expect a story that was more of a romance than a fantasy.

This book follow's Rue's daughter, Lia, and Rue's ex-assistant thief, Zane. In this book Rue hires Zane to go and retrieve the Draumr, a dangerous diamond that can control drakon. Little does Rue know her daughter Lia has been hearing Draumr's

I liked this book much better than the first one. Zane is a much more like-able lead man; he has that "I am tough" thing going on with a good dash of vulnerability. He is not so overly alpha like a lot of the romance leads are. Lia is also an interesting character; she has interesting magical abilities and a toughness that comes and goes.

This book is more of an adventure, a quest, than "The Smoke Thief" was. There is less intrigue and more drudging through the wilderness; which I actually enjoyed. The intrigue is still there, the romance is definitely still there. Overall this is a fantasy romance. The characters spend of a lot of time thinking about each other and dreaming about one another. There is some explicit sex, but it is tastefully done.

Overall this was a sweet story and a pleasant read. I thought both the plot and the characters were more enjoyable than the last book. If there is one thing Abe' does well it is sensual writing. Everything in her books is sensual from the description of a room, to the description of a fight, to the sensual love scenes. Everything is saturated in silky golden colors, or dripping in diamonds, the wind caresses, and Lia's hair tumbles in gentle waves of gold. Abe's writing is a bit over the top in sensuality but it is still a pleasure to read. It's a bit like a cupcake with heaping loads of frosting, sprinkles, sugar, and a cherry on top. It is something I read once in a while and enjoy but I don't think I would like to read it all the time. Abe' is very creative in her descriptions and really makes the surroundings in her stories come alive to all of your senses.

I liked that this was more of a fantasy than the first book. So far it looks like there are two more books coming up for this series "The Dragon Queen" and "Treasure Keeper". I will probably read them both...eventually.

The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe (3/5 stars)

This was a beautifully written and captivating book, but don't be foolled by the reviews that say this book crosses genres. This book is a romance. There are some fantasy elements, but this book is without a doubt a romance.

The books starts in one of the lost cities of the drakon where we meet an outcast half-breed named Clarissa and the marquess Christoff. The book then jumps 15 years later to deal with a young lady named Rue who is the Smoke Thief.

Much to my disappointment minimal time is spent on the Smoke Thief's antics. Almost immediately Christoff enters the picture and begins to woo Rue. Here starts your very typical romance type of plot. Rue is willful, Christoff loves her but is too overbearing and controlling, Rue struggles with her attraction to Christoff. I won't spoil the outcome but if you know the typical outcome of a romance then you already know this story.

Despite the above complaint it is a very well-written story. It is a beautiful love story. There is some action but I found the action scenes to be far and few; this may have been a blessing in disguise because action scenes do not seem to be the author's strong point. Abe is very adept at writing about lush surroundings and beatufiul descriptions. Her love scenes are magically written and well done. If you like Victorian style romances this is definitely the book for you.

Overall I liked the story and it was a quick read. I was pulled right through it from beginning to end. I guess I just felt a bit misled from what I have heard about this being a magical fantasy novel. There is a touch of that but it does not by any means dominate the love story. I'll repeat one more time, this is a romance...a beatifully written and lush romance.

I have the second book from this author which is called The Dream Thief. It looks like this second book deals with some of the side characters from the first. I am still looking forward to reading it but I don't know that I will read many of the books beyond this one.