Natalie Stewart is dealing with a lot of issues, not least of which is Jonathan, they have some clues about the secretive group that put Jonathan in the painting and they're trying to find out more, but this requires that Jonathan plays the part of the other who invaded his life, which makes Natalie suspicious. Add in a jealous friend and another friend who is troubled by what she is being asked to do and you get a melange of issues and stories and a bridging novel.

It just didn't seem to take long enough for things to develop and the father's reaction seemed a little off, they would have been married off much earlier than that after the (rail)road trip and she probably would have been ostracised from society if not. Marriage wasn't always because of love in the period and they could have kept the illusion of him being evil going and it would have helped them with their mission. Add to this the fact that it wouldn't have been strange for her to keep living at her father's house until Jonathan had them "settled" and you get something that jarred a little.

It's a somewhat minor thing but it is how the society of the time worked and while they might rail against it, it would have been how it would have been rescued, also there would have been pressure put to bear from not only her father but also some friends.

Not a bad read, just doesn't feel like early 20th century period. ( )

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.

Quick & Dirty: Natalie Stewart could not speak until she saved the man she loved from an evil curse. Now she must work together with him and other friends to continue the fight between good and evil and get to the bottom of what is going on. This book is full of supernatural beings, brave heroines and mystery.

Opening Sentence: I tried not to let my face betray the panic flooding through my body.

The Review:

Natalie Stewart is the daughter of a museum curator and she was once mute. That was until she saved Jonathon Whitby, Lord Denbury from a curse put on him by a demon. You would think that after that they would live happily ever after. Unfortunately, in this second book in the Magic Most Foul Series that is not the case. Jonathon must still play the part of the demon to uncover what is going on and why people are doing experiments that should never be done. I really enjoyed reading this book and would like to read the book before this one. Although this kept my interest as a stand-alone read.

I truly enjoyed Hieber’s portrayal of the main characters and their relationship. Natalie Stewart is the main heroine. She has to be one of the bravest women I have read about in a while. She takes on demons, dead bodies that come alive and a society of people who want to use evil to take over the world without much problem. She knows that she must help stop the evil that is spreading and she does it with a brave face and a strong heart. Jonathon, her beau, is a high class lord who was trapped by a curse until he was rescued by Natalie. Now he is playing the double-agent. In public he has to pretend to still be the demon that possessed his body to find out what evil is trying to conquer the world. It takes its toll on him and Natalie and strains their relationship. Jonathon is a sweetheart and would give his life for Natalie and he has saved her as much as she has saved him. Together they can triumph over evil as long as Natalie does not let the darkness around them ruin the relationship she has with Jonathon.

I really liked the time period this book was set in. I have always been a big fan of the Victorian era and you see its presence in the carriages they drive and the oil lamps in their homes. It is also present in the way they dress and the activities they take part in, such as attending the theater. I felt like I could actually see the era that Natalie and Jonathon lived in by the way they talked and by their surroundings.

I recommend this book to those who love the supernatural mixed with some mystery and romance. If you plan on reading this you don’t have to read the first book but I wish I had read them in order. Now that I have read this one I am very eager to read the first one and any others that may follow in this series.

Notable Scene:

A jolt of pain ripped through my body and I screamed. It felt like someone was peeling my skin from my arms. I dropped to my knees as everyone stared at me in horror. No one else was affected. I saw Jonathon dive for me, and that’s the last thing I could remember.

FTC Advisory: Sourcebooks Fire provided me with a copy of The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )

This novel picks up right where Darker Still left off. Natalie and Lord Denbury are well developed and likable. I would recommend this book. ( )

The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart is the second book to the Magic Most Foul series. This book picks up literally where the last one left off. Natalie and Jonathan are on a train trying to escape the demons that plague them. However in running away they come face to face with what they were trying to escape in the first place. Natalie and Jonathan are torn into two different directions, and must learn to trust each other.
This is a good book, but I didn't like it as much as Darker Still. Natalie and Jonathan have come a long way since the beginning, I like the chemistry between the two characters. I also like how the relationship between Natalie and her father is evolving. Hieber brings back the creepy and demonic atmosphere that Darker Still possessed, and manages to explore the mysterious attributes of people with a 'gift'. This is definitely an intriguing series that will keep you interested from beginning to end.
Read more at http://www.2readornot2read.com/2013/01/review-twisted-tragedy-of-miss-natalie.ht... ( )

Leanna Renee Hieber has done it again!
This time, she re-imagines the classic Frankenstein by Mary Shelley -
with her own gasping twists and turns!

The Twisted Tragedy of Natalie Stewart immediately picks up where Darker Still left off, not a moment or minute was spared in between these two books! Right from the beginning we're on another journey with Natalie and Lord Denbury, leaving New York City to try to leave behind the nightmare and dark magic that had tried to kill them both. But as soon as they get to their destination they learn of more gruesome things that are at play due to the demons they thought they had destroyed and Natalie must return to New York as soon as possible while Lord Denbury returns to England to further investigate what had happen to him, his family and their estate and who is responsible for all of their misfortunes.
Leanna Renee Hieber's storytelling is impeccable! This story is just as eerie, dark and mysterious as the first - and the Frankenstein references had me at the edge of my seat!
If I say anymore, I will truly be spoiling it for you!
All fans of classic gothic-type horrors will truly appreciate this book, this series! ( )