Thursday, August 02, 2012

Review: The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abé



With every fiber of my being, I love The Sweetest Dark. It was beautiful, magical, dark, and absolutely sweet!

Now, where should I begin? The Sweetest Dark completely took me by surprise with its gorgeous prose. The moment I finished this book, I just went into total lockdown. I don’t want to ever leave this beautiful, shady world of The Sweetest Dark.

The first adjective that came into my mind when I described it is… beautiful. The Sweetest Dark is beautiful in such ethereal way. The writing is flowing and I couldn’t flip through the pages fast enough. The characters are strange and each of them has their own dark side. I felt the harsh, frosty atmosphere that Lora faced as a poor orphan. She grew up in an orphanage and therefore, she learned about the world in hard way. She’s deeply suspicious of people and sometimes I do hope that she would soften a bit. But in spite of her flaws, Lora is a character you can’t hate. Or maybe it’s her flaws that make her feel very real.

I was shivering when I read the romance part. The feelings that each character feel are so tangible that maybe, if I reached my hands enough, I could touch them. Although it is hinted that there would be love triangle, it’s clear which guy Lora falls for. I like both guys although I always have to pick my side. Armand is dangerous, and I could feel the need to possess from him. Jesse is beautiful, undemanding, and special in his quiet way.

I think The Sweetest Dark is truly a hidden gem and it deserves all recognition it can get. This book would appeal most to people who love internal conflicts because of the small amount of action scenes. Lora’s story is the kind that would grip you until you finish reading. It would leave you with honey taste in your mouth. The Sweetest Dark is lovely, magical, and it’s dripping with sweetness. It’s like a bedtime story told in whispering voices… full of magic, enchantment, and beauty.

Shadows swallowed me in slippery black. The air took on a richer, loamy note. The ground crunched with leaves, and ferns slapped at my shins and knees, painless. I splashed through brooks and left footprints in peat. Crickets called in time to my stride, a steady chee, chee that never broke.

I was running swifter than a hart, swifter than even the advancing night, because that was outside the forest and everything surrounding me here was enchanted, as I was. I didn’t know where I was going, but it didn’t matter. Sooner or later I’d run out of land, and then I would turn back.






I rate this book:
Four cups of tea. Amazing! Love the book, it’s simply awesome. I love the tea flavor!  A strong recommendation.

29 comments:

  1. The cover is so gorgeous, Hilda! Glad to know the insides match the outside and you enjoyed it so much. Lovely review. :)

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  2. I agree with Rachel, as soon as I saw that stunning front cover I was like "I've got to see if it was as amazing inside!" So glad you enjoyed this one! :) x

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  3. I can forgo my love of action for a beautifully written book. This sounds like it's going to be an unforgettable read.

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  4. Magical, dark, AND sweet? O.o How is that even possible?? OMG I need to read this book. I would read anything you highly recommend, Hilda-doll, so this is definitely going to the top of my TBR list. I love books that aren't really that big and flashy in the blogging world but are actually really great. Hidden gems! Love those. :') Sweet stuff rocks!!! YAY! Candy! Strawberries! Marshmellows! I could go on all day but I won't bore you to death. :P Anyway...

    LOVE THE REVIEW! Hilda, you rock! Sometimes I wonder if you are really human... is it even possible for human beings to write such amazing reviews?? ;)

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  5. Wow, I actually haven't heard of this one before, but it looks like I'm going to have to add it to my TBR-Shelf ASAP! I love the cover, but the actual story seems to be even better! From your descriptions of this novel and its romance, it seems to be a must-read! Brilliant review, Hilda! :)

    ~Keertana
    Ivy Book Bindings

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  6. Gorgeous cover, gorgeous prose, gorgeous boys... what more could a girl ask? I don't think I'd ever heard of this book before, in fact, I'm pretty sure this is the first time, so I need to thank you for putting it on my radar. I'm thrilled that there is no real, angsty love triange, even if there are two hot boys to choose from.
    Wonderful review as always, love.

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  7. Ooh this DOES seem like a beautiful book! I absolutely love gorgeous prose and I can see how much this one has affected you. I've never heard of this one before but it just sounds really amazing.

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  8. This sounds indeed a beautiful read. I usually avoid love-triangles but with the gorgeous prose, realistic main character, and wonderful love interest, these I guess, were enough to make me want to read this. I'm glad you enjoyed this. Lovely review, Hilda.

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  9. Woah, what a beautiful review, Hilda! This sounds like such a lovely story just from how you wrote it, which is amazing. Thanks for letting me know about it!

    -Lauren

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  10. Beautiful review Hilda!!! Ah, I really want to drink this tea ( literally read this book, I just love how you love tea too and use it as you're rating system! <3!)
    the quote was utterly enchanting, a true showing! And I love how you described the amazing writing and the characters!
    So much brilliant diction in your review!
    Rachel

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  11. This really does sound like an enchanting read and, based on the way you have described it, it looks like the story matches the cover! That cover is just beautiful. ;) I can't wait to read this one day. I hope I have the same reaction to this as you did! Fantastic review my dear! :)

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  12. "With every fiber of my being, I love The Sweetest Dark" Omg, how do you come up with these beautiful phrases? That's what your reviews ALWAYS are-- beautiful! Everything flows and I feel as though I'm in love with a book upon reading your reviews, whether I've ever heard of it, or not!

    Jesse sounds like such a perfect book boyfriend, SO gorgeous! And the cover of this itself would be enough to pull me in, THIS is how model covers are done! I want to read this bed-time story, especially if it's full of magic, enchantment and beauty!

    Thank you for another beautiful [you know what, I NEVER use that word as much as I do when commenting on your reviews. I'm going to need to find some new words to use!] review, Hilda.<33

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  13. This sounds amazing and I just can't wait to read it! Amazing review! ^__^

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  14. I'm glad to hear you really enjoyed this one, I hope I like it just as much. I'll be reading it soon. I can't wait for the romance, the effect it seems to have had on you :) Great review Hilda

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  15. What a gorgeous review, Hilds! This really sounds like a lovely read - thanks for introducing me to a new book, I'd never heard of this until now!

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  16. I've seen this around and i love the cover! It didn't interest me before but now after this review i think i'll pick it up if i see it around.

    Great review Hilda! :)

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  17. YAY! Great review Hilda!!!! I haven't heard too much about this one but I just ADORE the cover!!! The romance sounds super sweet and the characters seem to be really intersting! I am now totally looking forward to reading this one. It sounds absolutely beautiful!!! Thanks for the lovely review Hilda!!!!

    SeeitORreadit


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  18. What a beautiful review Hilda, I hadn't heard of this book before your review, but you make me want to pick it up asap. I absolutely love beautiful covers, but I love it more when it's matched by a beautiful story too! :)

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  20. Glad you loved it, Hilda! Remember seeing this book somewhere and the cover wow-ing me! And the prose gave you shivers? Wow, when something in a book evokes such a strong reaction in me, I think... This is why I love reading! This is what words can do :D awesome review as always, my lovely <3

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  21. Awesome review! I've never heard of this one but i do like the premise of the story, and that cover is gorgeous.

    Thanks for the follow :) back at cha!

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  22. Dark AND sweet? That sounds like such a great combo! :D I'm glad that you loved it so much; the inside really matches the outside then, because I love the cover (L) Great review! ^^

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  23. Ooh, that blurb sounds amazing. I've been reading really good reviews about this one. I'm glad you enjoyed it too!

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  24. Thanks for introducing me to this book Hilda! The cover is gorgeous and the quote at the end <3 The author has such a beautiful way with words. I'm going to have to check this one out for sure!! =D

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  25. At one point, I wanted to read this and then I didn't after one review. Your review makes me want to read this again. I love sweet books, especially when they have a love triangle!

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  26. Oh wow, that cover. In all honesty, I 've sort of overlooked this book for awhile, but your review certainly convinced me that I MUST try it out ASAP. Lovely review Hilda, not that I expected any less of you! <3

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  27. This review is absolutely beautiful as well, Hilda!!! I've never seen this title, but oh how I love to read a book with ethereal prose as well! <3 I truly loved how you described how this book made you feel because this review is incredibly moving as well, and I cannot wait to check this one out! GAAAHHH!!! >_< The loveliness of all of this is killing me!!!

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  28. I've already commented on this but I just wanted to let you know that I've nominated you for a bloggy award over at: http://eileenlisblog.blogspot.sg/2012/08/the-bloggy-awards-new-event.html

    I love your blog, Hilda-sweets! I hope you win or something! <333

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  29. Oh, I loved this book too, Hilda! i thought it was really well written and I liked that the storyline wasn't the same old tired paranormal trope. The ARC I read didn't have the pretty cover yet, but it really fits the story well with the wispy smoke coming off of the girl! Your review makes me want to read it again!

    Thanks for visiting my blog earlier, I'm glad to have found yours:)

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