Wow 5 stars! This book will stay with me for a while! I was hesitant going into this story as I felt it made a lot of promises and let me tell you, it delivers on every single one! A.B Poranek paints a beautiful and rich world full of magical surprises. I found it very easy to immerse myself in The House Under The Rowan Tree and The Woods. The vibes are honestly immaculate with this book, Liska holds my heart and I cant wait to re-read!!!

The whole is predictable from the start, especially the romance thread and the developing relationship between the two main characters, but it is well-written in gothic tradition and the strong sense of Polish folklore shines through. There is dramatic tension in the plot and Liska is a strong if unoriginal character. Overall a promising debut for those that like a good "soul-mates" love story

This book was so good! It was intriguing and really drawed me in. I'll be reading more of this authors work.

A refreshingly original YA fantasy steeped in Slavic folklore

I was born in Poland and was absolutely over the moon to have been approved for an ARC of this book. There aren’t many fantasy books based on Slavic folklore which makes the novel very original.

The story is well-conceived, but I found it unnecessary that so many polish words were used, most of them didn't enhance the story's magical atmosphere and, in my view, made it cumbersome. I can imagine that people with no knowledge of polish language might find it tricky to read. The first third of the book would have benefited from more careful editing as the writing seemed somewhat disjointed and lacked a smooth flow. I had to force myself to keep going, but I am glad I did. About 100 pages into the book the writing becomes beautifully lyrical and the story starts moving smoothly.

I thoroughly enjoyed the nuanced character development of Liska and the rich backstory of Leszy. The narrative exudes a delightful cottagecore, fairytale ambiance that is irresistibly wholesome. The found family theme, along with vivid depictions of cozy baking, nature, and the comforting embrace of warm tea mugs, adds to the charm. The slow-burn romance is a captivating element. The overall plot is brilliant, and I genuinely hope A. Poranek considers crafting a sequel.

Featuring an enthralling plot and a compelling pace that captivates until the final pages, I highly recommend this tale to enthusiasts of the fantasy genre. Eagerly anticipating more from this author in the future.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC copy of ‘Where the dark stands still’, to be published on 29th February 2024

Tags: YA, fantasy, fantasy romance, polish folklore, Slavic folklore, cottagecore

A strong 4.5 stars 🌟

What a beautiful atmospheric fantasy. This book is a gothic fairytale sent in an enchanted whimsical forest with a touch of darkness and romance at its heart.


This wasn't quite a 5 star for me as I found the start a little jarring. The book gets straight into it and I prefer a more gentle start especially when being introduced to a new world. There were also quite a few new terms for me to get my head around that I was unfamiliar with. However once I got in to this, it was truly beautifully crafted story. I felt fully immersed in the world and I enjoyed the pace of the writing and how the story unfold. While there was a romance at the core of this story, it was so much more than just a romance and I wouldn't advise anyone against writing this off as just another romantasy book. The story is driven by more than just the romance element. The way the romance is done is gentle and heart warming as we see the characters develop with one another. This book also has a found family element which is one of my favourite troupes and I really felt the connection between the characters.

Well written characters, a dark atmospheric world and a story that kept me interested until the end. Definitely a must read if you enjoy a dark gothic world and a touch of romance.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I love Russian mythology/folklore but this was a chance to branch out into wider Slavic folklore. I recognised some familiar ‘characters’ that permeate across the various elements of Slavic lore but enjoyed their Polish narrative.
I found the book to be quite similar to The Bear and the Nightingale and Uprooted, which I would expect of anything rooted in folklore.
I wasn't sure with how the relationships between the characters was progressing initially. However I was surprised and impressed with how the book ended.
If you are a fan of Katherine Arden, Naomi Novik etc then I think you’ll definitely enjoy this debut novel. Looking forward to what else the author writes in future.

I started this book, and I really wasn’t sure I was going to like it. It’s very heavy but beautiful in how it describes the world, textures, emotions etc. i worried that I would be so lost in the descriptive paragraphs that I would lose the story. But my GOSH what a story it is. I realised early on that i imagined it to be a beauty and the beast retelling. And although there are elements of the classic tale laced through it, the story that was told was instead an original, twisted, cleverly written tale that I will likely re read. I laughed, I yearned, I cried.

The relationships among the characters progress in a healthy and natural pace, they each have their own quirks and are written about enough that you feel invested in all of them.

I really hope there is a second book- I would read it in a heartbeat

Wow! This utterly brilliant YA fantasy story captivated me from start to finish. It's steeped in folklore, magic and romance, with plenty of mysteries to uncover throughout. I loved it!

THE ENDING OMG… I really enjoyed this!!! I really loved Liska and her optimism I love me a witch who has been told to repress her powers by her family/religion/superstition and so struggles with her sense of self and belonging and i rlly loved Liska and the Leszy’s relationship and the found family in this. I thought it was a little too fast paced at the start, but then we get more in flashbacks later on so I guess it makes sense why it was done that way, I just think it would’ve benefitted from a couple chaps at the start with Liska and her family, especially since home is such an important topic to Liska.

This book was an interesting one. I have not delved into something that is Slavic-inspired and it was both interesting and enjoyable, with a solid plot and some excellent characters.

I have to admit, I struggled with a lot of the names throughout, all of them being more than a little foreign to my eyes, it made it hard for me to read, process, and remember what word referred to what thing. As a result, I felt like there could have been more world building to help with explanations. I understand the choice to do this, but it made it challenging for me to follow every piece of the action as well as remember what was what and who was who. This is my logic for my choice to give this book 4 stars.

Characterisation was excellent. Liska and the Lezley really spring out from the page. I was enthralled by their budding relationship, all of which felt like it really developed organically and at no point felt rushed. They were sweet together and I was secretly hoping for many joys in their future together.

The plot was interesting. Kept me in my toes with enough of a mystery and thriller aspect to keep those pages turning in a desperate urge to find out what happened next. This was a solid read, overall. I would definitely recommend it.

I've come to treasure the little cast of this Polish-inspired, gothic fantasy: Liska, the Leszy, Maksio, and a few others. The woods/Driada, which is a character itself, are simply enchanting with fantastic imagery and atmosphere. The story, per gothic fiction, leans heavily into ghosts, arcane magic, and death. I love grandiose stories that can be distilled into intimate moments that allow you to appreciate the worldbuilding and the characters at once. This story satisfies that element for me. The ending, while predictable if one is well-versed with character arcs and twists, is well-deserved but certainly bittersweet. But the epilogue is the thing that took me out and left me still aching in a good way.

Shoutout to Holly Ovenden for illustrating the UK book cover, which perfectly captures the whimsy and darkness of the Driada.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House (UK) for providing me with the e-ARC/DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[ARC provided by NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK Children's, Penguin. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Where the Dark Stands Still.]

Rating: 5/5

When I heard that Where the Dark Stands Still was a romantic fantasy based on Polish folklore, I was certain that there would be a high chance I’d love it, and I wasn’t wrong. This is the kind of beautifully written fairytale that sweeps you off your feet and transports you to a magical world, a world deep in the darkest part of the woods where strange creatures dwell and no one can be trusted. This fantastic gothic tale filled with romantic yearning is perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig, Ava Reid and Margaret Rogerson, and if you love Beauty and the Beast then even better. I’ve no doubt that this will be a new favourite for a lot of the dark fantasy readers out there.

Where the Dark Stands Still follows Liska Radost, a young woman who will do anything to rid herself of the forbidden magic that she possesses. When her powers are unleashed resulting in devastating consequences, Liska visits the dark woods near her home hoping to find a solution to her magical problem. When she is found by the demon warden of the wood – the Leszy – he offers a wish in exchange for a year of servitude. As she grows closer to the demonic warden and unveils troubling truths from his past as she also overcomes the horrors in her own, Liska must unravel the secrets that surround them both or else she may not make it out of the woods alive.

I’ve been completely bewitched by this amazing story. From the first chapter I could tell that this would be THE dark fairytale book that I’ve been looking for since falling in love with this genre. Liska is a fantastic FMC, soft but firm and achingly empathetic. Her past is wrought with hardships and her experiences of isolation were heightened further when she enters the dark world of the woods as she searches for answers. She is always looking for that kernel of light, always trying to remain hopeful no matter the odds, and I truly loved that about her character. Having her paired with the Leszy reminded me of so many of my favourite pairings (such as Howl and Sophie), and my heart ached for him as he grappled with the weight of his duty. They complimented each other so well and every scene showing them growing closer to each other was genuinely beautiful.

There’s a lot of other elements of this story that I adored such as the sentient manor and a certain sassy demonic companion. It’s easy to fall in love with everything when the prose is so lovely but my favourite element was the exploration of grief, how we hold onto those feelings, and how freeing it can be to accept what has passed so that you can finally move on. Liska and the Leszy both have their own hurdles to deal with and although incredibly strong separately, it’s when they come together that you see how good they are for each other. Their romance is one I will remember for a long time and one you won’t want to say goodbye to when you reach the last page.

If you’re looking for an immersive and atmospheric gothic fantasy that is hard to put down then look no further. Where the Dark Stands Still will deliver on everything you’re looking for from this kind of read and it will stay with you long after you have read the final sentence.

2,5
I'm afraid this one wasn't for me. I could not get into the writing style and ended up dnf-ing it. I'd still like to thank the editor and author for the copy

Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for letting me read an ARC of this title. An exquisitely written tale of dark magic and romance, this story is imbued with the wonder and self-discovery residing within all good fairytales and folklore.

With an addictive plot and pacing that keeps you gripped until the very end, I recommend this story to any fans of the fairytale genre. I definitely look forward to reading more of this author's work in the future.

"Where the Dark Stands Still" by A. B. Poranek takes readers into a fascinating world of magic, secrets, and dark beauty. Raised in a small village near the spirit-wood, protagonist Liska Radost knows that Magic is monstrous, and its practitioners, monsters.

The story gains momentum as Liska, in an act of desperation, unleashes her own magical powers, resulting in devastating consequences. Caught by the demon warden of the wood, the Leszy, she is offered a Faustian bargain: one year of servitude in exchange for a wish. This decision leads Liska to a crumbling manor, where she makes a disturbing discovery—she is not the first person to strike such a bargain. To survive the year and return home, she must unravel her host's spool of secrets and confront the ghosts of his past.

A. B. Poranek creates an intense and dark atmosphere, with the spirit-wood serving as a captivating backdrop for the narrative. The concept of magic as something monstrous and the associated consequences add a profound and emotional dimension to the story. The tension rises as Liska faces the challenge not only of overcoming the dangers of the wood but also unraveling the dark secrets surrounding the decaying manor.

The narrative pulls readers into a whirlwind of magic, adventure, and personal growth. Liska's character development, as she confronts challenges and mysteries, is captivating and establishes her as a strong protagonist. The ominous hints that not everyone who enters the wood returns create lasting suspense and curiosity.

"Where the Dark Stands Still" is a masterfully written tale that will enchant lovers of Dark Fantasy and magical worlds. A. B. Poranek leads readers into a captivating adventure that unfolds with mysterious elements and profound emotions, revealing a dark beauty in a world full of secrets.

A dark yet charming fairytale takes root in A.B. Poranek's novel Where the Dark Stands Still.
Trapped in a bargain, Liska must spend a year in the ancient Driada forest with the Leszy before she can finally be free of her own magic.
But as time passes and she learns more about the Driada, its warden, and herself, he conflicted feelings lead her on an unexpected path.
Dark, lovely, and witty, Where the Dark Stands Still is reminiscent of Margaret Rogerson's Enchantment of Ravens in all the best ways and will leave readers charmed by A.B. Poranek's elegant prose and endearing characters.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read Where the Dark Stands Still, in exchange for an honest review. I loved it, it is a dark, spine tingling, heart beating through your chest fantasy. Liska, is badass, fearless, affected by all she goes through. This is a great read, I’d give it ten stars if I could.

Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I definitely haven't expect that! I've read this book in less the 12 hours. It hooked me from the very first page. I'm from Poland, so I'm was so happy when I've read that the book is inspired by Slavic culture and mythology.
The story of Leszy and Liska is dark, mysterious and captivating. The writing is really good. I' m not sure I will be able to stop thinking about this book.
Ans the ending? It suprised and destroyed me at the same time.
WHAT A BOOK!

I adored this book! It has strong roots in the story of The Beauty & the Beast and reminded me more than once of Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones but these are excellent stories to be akin to- it's a powerful archetypal base to grow a story from. Where The Dark Stands Still uses rich world building drawn from Polish folktales. The evil spirits haunting the forest were all new to me and I loved discovering them. <Spoiler> having both of the main characters as murderers in one way or another was an unexpected twist in what was otherwise a comfortingly predictable romance- I liked this a lot! The story was exciting, the descriptions were rich and vibrant and the world building unique. Fabulous!

Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I haven’t cried from a book in a very long time but let me tell you, I was sobbing.

This book is full of magic and whimsy, it was dark and menacing as well as romantic and heartbreaking.
Following Liska along her journey of hating her magic and making a bargain with a being in a demonic wood had me excited to be reading this from the get-go. This book is fast-paced, gets straight into the action and hooks you in. I read this book in 2 sittings, finding it extremely hard to put down.

I loved the found family and everything else about this book. It was so enchanting learning about Polish mythology and the way it was woven into the story felt so natural!

This book broke me, it ripped my heart out and I SOBBED, and books that make me feel that way always get 5 stars. I’ll be sitting here, sobbing, waiting for the sequel to come out