I'll be very honest with everyone, in some ways this was a hard novel for me to read and review. The very reason I wanted to read the book, Natalie's selective mutism, also gave me pause because I was afraid that something would be missing from it. Social anxieties are often hard to translate to page--the awkwardness and inability to convince the reader of the difference between 'can not' and 'will not'.

So I was touched when Leanna offered to let me give her some input into an early draft of the novel. Like Natalie for me writing--whether its a note, text message or blog entry--is my outlet to let my words flow. Its rare for me to 'hold back' what I'm feeling when I write, unlike in real life where the anxiety I feel over making a mistake or committing some sort of social faux pas that is obvious to everyone but me paralyzes me.

Having been a big fan of her Guard books, I expected a tone similar in nature when reading Darker. And while there is an obvious recognizability to her turns of phrase or emphasis on the smaller details, Darker is a much more intimate book then the Guard books. Told from Natalie's point of view, as journal entries and letters mainly, we get a much firmer sense of how life affects Natalie. The eeriness she feels when first seeing Denbury's painting, the hurt she felt over Maggie's thoughtless comments and the pain she feels over not being able to converse.

Natalie's driving forced seemed to be her need to feel connected to those around her despite her inability to talk. Her ability to talk with Denbury inside of the painting had less to do with her insecurities and frustrations and more to do with how she perceived herself. She perceived herself being in this magical world--outside of reality, with a companion who felt larger then life to her and immediately connected to and thus the problems she had in the real world couldn't touch her (at least, this is how it felt to me).

Even more than the Guard books, Darker is driven by the characters. Their motivations, interactions and how they affect Natalie. As this is meant to be Natalie's journal (and later it makes sense why she goes into so much minutiae) we get a lot of day-to-day things that have everything to do with her and less to do with the mystery plot line. This is a tense book, because you can feel that Natalie is building to something though not necessarily what. This is not necessarily an action-packed one however. There are action scenes, especially at the end, but the book doesn't focus on that.

In all this is a thoughtful, mystery laced book with a heroine who isn't super-powered or mystical or perfect. She's flawed, she makes mistakes and she recovers from them--a much more relatable and admirable heroine any day of the week.
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Have you ever seen a painting so beautiful it looked real? What if a portrait was “occupied” on cursed? Would you want to enter into another world if you could?

Natalie, mute since the death of her mother, is drawn to the portrait of Lord Denbury, a young man dead before his life’s dream could be accomplished. He is beautiful and many people want this portrait; some for a museum, some for a personal collection and others for perhaps nefarious reasons. Set in Victorian New York, there are nods to the middle class and spiritualist practices of the time. Written in diary form it is fairly easy to follow with the story only coming from Natalie’s point of view. Her sense of propriety was a refreshing change for a YA novel.

If you like paranormal romance this would be a nice change from vampires, werewolves, and fallen angels.
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Okay, well, first thing, this book was written like a journal/diary. Anyone who read my review of Beka Copper knows I don't like that style.
Why? Well, when one is writing in ones journal or diary, one rarely refers to oneself by name. that makes it hard to learn to the main characters name, which makes it hard for me to connect with the character, which makes it hard for me to feel connected to the story.
nonetheless, I soldiered on through this book, undeterred. And, I must say, was very glad to have done so, as this book was TOTALLY worth reading.
It's based in 1880, New York. the main character is mute. and there's a painting of a dude. this painting is 'haunted' by said dudes ghost. predictably, the girl falls in love with the dude in the painting. they mange to un-curse the painting, the dudes 'soul' is set free and he and she run away together.
very fascinating. good book. should read. ( )

Egalley thanks to Sourcebooks Fire
As I was reading this book I couldn't shake off the feeling of familiarity. The voice very much reminds me of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Beautiful Gothic novel, full of charm and eery events. Natalie's descriptions of what's happening around her create a unique atmosphere....

A beautiful young man trapped in a portrait, an evil demon stalking the darkest alleys of New York and killing prostitutes, empty corridors of the Metropolitan Museum, secret societies, arcane knowledge and a sense of urgency in deciphering a puzzle of Jonathan Denbury's curse, - Leanna has certainly written one of a kind YA novel.

Jonathan and Natalie are very sweet together, and Natalie is definitely not your average girl. She is brave, smart and very resourceful.

Because of the nature of the book, it's a slow read. I kept putting it away to read something different, but in the end I was enormously glad I didn't give up on this book. It's well worth it. ( )

I have long been in love with Ms. Hieber's work, ever since I got to pet the ARC of her first novel. I have also gotten to meet this wonderful author in person a few times and Ms. Heiber is nothing less than sparkling. Sorry, I just really heart her. Anyway, on with the book.




The Goodreads synopsis says "The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." I read Pride and Prejudice; I have long been in love with the debauched Dorian Gray, and the only contact I have had with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are the Beth Fantasky books and the movie The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.




I can see the pieces of each novel in her work and even in some areas Ms. Hieber's novel feels like a tribute to these great classics, most especially Dorian Gray (who is one of my all time favorite characters). I loved the tribute factor in this book most of all. It felt a lot like the tribute factor in Northanger Abbey, not as clumbsy but still heartbreakingly beautiful.



Let's get into the characters. I adored Lord Denbury. He has a major role but he doesn't get a lot of action in terms of how much action Natalie gets throughout the book. I know it was hard for him to watch her be in harm's way but I loved that she is the front runner to saving HIM. Nice mix-up. I also adore Natalie she is a strong young women and a perfect role model to every young women who needs the strength to figure out who they are.



Some of the best parts of the book were the fact that it is written in journal style (there is word for it, I will look it up when I have access to a proper working computer). I felt a more intimate connection with Natalie through her journal. I loved the fact that Ms. Hieber gives us plenty for a sequel but doesn't leave us on a cliffhanger. I adored every bit of this novel and can't wait for the next one.

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