bookishnicole's review against another edition
4.0
So I think I enjoyed this book more than I did the first one. Not only did I find this one to be a quicker read, but I found that I enjoyed the story line a little bit better and Natalie and Jonathan fought to break free from this twisted plot that they got dragged into. I felt a little jarred as to how long the events of this book too place over, but I assume it was an extended amount of time.
I like that Natalie stuck by her guns in this book when it came to standing by Denbury. No matter how much she was afraid that the demon took him over again, she still stood by him, showing that trust that is so important in relationships. Especially ones that require running into danger. I also loved how there was this added element of a real relationship that wasn't in the first book. In this one you have Natalie and Denbury traveling and having to pretend to be related because of the inappropriateness of a female traveling alone.
I also adored how true to the period this book stayed. Between the carriages, and the need to court a lady and how the social hierarchy worked, I completely appreciated it. The same with the first book too, I loved all the occult details and facts that found their way into the book especially dealing with the priest came on board.
I do wish that this book had followed the same format of the first book in the sense that it was Natalie's journal, especially since she explains that she does have a new one. This new cast of characters in this book were all really fun and helped keep the plot moving along smoothly. All in all...WHEN CAN I GET THE NEXT BOOK!? 'Nuff said.
I like that Natalie stuck by her guns in this book when it came to standing by Denbury. No matter how much she was afraid that the demon took him over again, she still stood by him, showing that trust that is so important in relationships. Especially ones that require running into danger. I also loved how there was this added element of a real relationship that wasn't in the first book. In this one you have Natalie and Denbury traveling and having to pretend to be related because of the inappropriateness of a female traveling alone.
I also adored how true to the period this book stayed. Between the carriages, and the need to court a lady and how the social hierarchy worked, I completely appreciated it. The same with the first book too, I loved all the occult details and facts that found their way into the book especially dealing with the priest came on board.
I do wish that this book had followed the same format of the first book in the sense that it was Natalie's journal, especially since she explains that she does have a new one. This new cast of characters in this book were all really fun and helped keep the plot moving along smoothly. All in all...WHEN CAN I GET THE NEXT BOOK!? 'Nuff said.
ladyhighwayman's review against another edition
4.0
A really good sequel to Darker Still.
The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart picks up right where Darker Still left off. And due to possible spoilers, I will refrain from saying exactly what that is. I was wondering how the series would continue after Darker Still; I couldn't see what could possibly happen next.
I will say that the beginning of the book was slow going and I was a bit fearful that the whole book would be like this. Thankfully, once the story settled, it took off and I was engrossed. There was just the right amount of supernatural for me, and I was able to follow all of it. And the spooky moments even went up a notch from the last book. Reading this at night was not a good idea.
This installment of the series introduced some new enjoyable characters that I hope to see more of. And based on how the book ended, there will definitely be a third book, and I can't wait.
The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart picks up right where Darker Still left off. And due to possible spoilers, I will refrain from saying exactly what that is. I was wondering how the series would continue after Darker Still; I couldn't see what could possibly happen next.
I will say that the beginning of the book was slow going and I was a bit fearful that the whole book would be like this. Thankfully, once the story settled, it took off and I was engrossed. There was just the right amount of supernatural for me, and I was able to follow all of it. And the spooky moments even went up a notch from the last book. Reading this at night was not a good idea.
This installment of the series introduced some new enjoyable characters that I hope to see more of. And based on how the book ended, there will definitely be a third book, and I can't wait.
drey72's review against another edition
3.0
Natalie Stewart did the impossible, and managed to rescue Jonathon from his portrait, in Darker Still. You’d think she would be able to look forward to her happily ever after now. But no… Ms. Hieber has more trials and travails for these two lovebirds.
Needing to get away from the evil that’s tainted their lives so far, Jonathon and Natalie hop on a train headed west, and stop in on one of Jonathon’s friends – only to find the same taint there. So they head back to the city, where Jonathon decides he has to pretend to be one of the dark, to find out what they’re really planning.
There’s familiar faces – if you’ve read Darker Still – including Mrs. Northe (who’s still fabulous), her niece Maggie (who’s still nuts), and Natalie’s father (who now knows the story). There are new characters, including a man of the cloth, a childhood friend of Natalie’s, and a doctor who’s aiming to reanimate the dead. Ick, yeah?
The story is more frenetic than Darker Still, as Natalie and Jonathon run all over trying to solve this mystery. The plot contains a much higher ick-factor, and you’ll see why when you get around to reading this. And it ends with a bang! Makes me wonder if there’s more to come?
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
Needing to get away from the evil that’s tainted their lives so far, Jonathon and Natalie hop on a train headed west, and stop in on one of Jonathon’s friends – only to find the same taint there. So they head back to the city, where Jonathon decides he has to pretend to be one of the dark, to find out what they’re really planning.
There’s familiar faces – if you’ve read Darker Still – including Mrs. Northe (who’s still fabulous), her niece Maggie (who’s still nuts), and Natalie’s father (who now knows the story). There are new characters, including a man of the cloth, a childhood friend of Natalie’s, and a doctor who’s aiming to reanimate the dead. Ick, yeah?
The story is more frenetic than Darker Still, as Natalie and Jonathon run all over trying to solve this mystery. The plot contains a much higher ick-factor, and you’ll see why when you get around to reading this. And it ends with a bang! Makes me wonder if there’s more to come?
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
larksinger's review against another edition
1.0
Real rating - 0 starts. UGGHHH. This series started off great. It had a fun romantic/gothic edge by retelling and elaborating on some of the classics - Poe's work, Dorian Gray, Frankenstein etc. But, the middle to the end, really really got to me and I couldn't enjoy the rest of the book. I scanned through to the end because the subject matter was so terrifying I couldn't make myself actually read. Perhaps it was because I chose to finish this book at night, while I was alone, but I'm also not much for demons and horror flicks either. If you are able to read stephen king like books and watch scary movies, then this book is right up your alley. There was some terrible reanimation scenes which I couldn't even get through because it was so scary and some demon scenes that did not need to be there. From page 230 on, I was done. The concepts in the last half of this book are really too awful for YA and really should be in a different category. There is enough crazy people who really do suffer from mental instability and serious torments from satan that I didn't need to read a bit on how those things effect the human body or mind.
cocktailsandbooks1's review against another edition
3.0
Natalie Stewart was hoping that she would be able to lead a somewhat normal life, now that her beloved Jonathan Whitby, Lord Denbury is freed from his prison. But they soon realize that Jonathan is wanted for murder and he must return to his native England to try and figure out what happened to his parents and exactly why he was imprisioned. But the Majesty Society is spreading and Jonathan is forced to play the double agent while trying to determine exactly what it is they plan to do.
I didn't read the first book in this series (Darker Still), but it didn't matter as I found myself instantly pulled into a wonderfully crafted world where paranormal elements mixed with historical turn of the century America (or close to it). Even more, I loved that an eighteen year old girl (mute for most of her life) was given such a strong character to not only save her Prince Charming once before, but to delve into the world of magic and demons to prevent worse things from happening.
And while there was all sorts of bad and weird things happening around Jonathan and Natalie, they managed to keep each other grounded and knew when levity needed to be added to the situation. They didn't have much time for romance or wooing, but when they did get those moments, it was clear that these two were meant for each other.
I look forward to more in this series (which includes reading the first book). I must know who is after Natalie and what's in store next from the Majesty.
I didn't read the first book in this series (Darker Still), but it didn't matter as I found myself instantly pulled into a wonderfully crafted world where paranormal elements mixed with historical turn of the century America (or close to it). Even more, I loved that an eighteen year old girl (mute for most of her life) was given such a strong character to not only save her Prince Charming once before, but to delve into the world of magic and demons to prevent worse things from happening.
And while there was all sorts of bad and weird things happening around Jonathan and Natalie, they managed to keep each other grounded and knew when levity needed to be added to the situation. They didn't have much time for romance or wooing, but when they did get those moments, it was clear that these two were meant for each other.
I look forward to more in this series (which includes reading the first book). I must know who is after Natalie and what's in store next from the Majesty.