Scan barcode
batbaby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Self harm
miblette's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gore
abby_can_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had high hopes for this book. I think this lived up to my hopes. I liked the worldbuilding and the lore and the magic systems. I liked the relationship between Liska and The Leszy.
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
erwikka's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
skyecharmel's review against another edition
Graphic: Animal death
lkristin2018's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
mzquirk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
katievallin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I didn't like the body horror
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content
attolis's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
babblingandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I haven't felt this way about a book in such a long time. Despite its premise reminding me of quite a few other stories I have read (and enjoyed), Poranek succeeds in making it feel new and fresh and unique.
I know that some readers struggle to connect with a culture that isn't their own; constantly Googling words and phrases can be laborious to some. I however absolutely adored learning Polish phrases and customs and feelings the author's clear adoration for her heritage throughout the book.
The cast of characters is so charming and loveable and they feel very distinct. The banter between our empathetic and caring female MC and the charming yet emotionally wrought male MC had me giggling and kicking my feet, and their companions had me laughing and weeping simultaneously.
This novel gave me vibes of beauty and the beast, howl's moving castle, princess mononoke, dare I even mention acotar...?
And yet this book stands solidly on its own two feet.
The themes of religion, grief, and trauma are all beautifully dealt with, and made it easier to read certain tropes and themes that I'm not the biggest fan of
It's not a perfect story by any means; I wish certain plot points and elements were expanded upon more as they felt a little convenient - but this doesn't deter my love for this book.
Where The Dark Stands Still has single-handedly brought the joy of reading back to me.
Minor: Animal death