Book Review: Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek

 

I waited so patiently for my library to get this one... and then devoured it in three days!

 

Everyone who lives at the edge of the woods knows that it's home to demons, magic, and other horrible things, but for Liska Radost, it's her only hope. So when her magic becomes too much to bear, she delves into the woods, where she hopes to wish it all away. But instead she finds the Leszy, demon guardian of the woods, who promises to remove her powers in exchange for one year of servitude. Now she's stuck in the haunted forest, with only the inscrutable Leszy and her own monstrous magic for company.

 

This was such a charming and smooth read. Maybe because it follows a well-worn path of authors like Naomi Novik or because fairy tales of girls locked into indentured servitude have survived hundreds of years, but regardless, A.B. Poranek has added another classic to that canon. As a Polish-Canadian myself, it was also really exciting to see my own culture and language reflected in the kinds of stories I've read since I was a kid. Mostly because I never realized I say 'oj' just as often as the characters do! Also it helped me learn some words I've never heard before.

 

Again, while I can't say the story felt fresh, I can say it felt warm, cozy, and familiar. Like a warm blanket on a cold night. Liska Radost, as a character, hit all the beats I was hoping for and was well fleshed-out in her desires, emotions and arc. Her romance with Leszy was believable and warm, and I thought they suited each other pretty well. Each plot twist developed the world of the book as it happened, including some I hadn't even thought of until they were revealed. And best of all: the end arrives satisfyingly. If the book is a warm blanket, the ending is someone bringing you a hot mug of tea. It wraps up all the loose threads, leaving just enough space for readers to imagine what might happen next without feeling left on the cliffside.

 

Altogether, since September is coming up, I think this book is the perfect transitional read from summer romances to autumn witch fantasies (if you're anything like me, at least)

 

Hope to see you soon,

Aleks <3 

 

 

Book Information

Title: Where the Dark Stands Still

Author: A.B. Poranek

Published: 27 February, 2025

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Format: Hardcover, borrowed from library

Pages: 368