Early Review – The Deepest Night (The Sweetest Dark, Book 2) by Shane Abe’ (4.5/5 stars)
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Size: 320 pages
Publisher: Bantam
Release Date: August 13, 2013
ISBN: 978-0345531735
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Sweetest Dark series
Source: eGalley from NetGalley.com
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
This is the second book in The Sweetest Dark series by Abe’. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was looking forward to this one. There will be a third book in this series as well. This was an excellent continuation of this series; full of dragons and war and love. Warning there are spoilers ahead from the first book in this series.
Eleanor is still grieving over the death of Jesse in the first book, but Armand is determined to help her through her grief and keep her company. The school year is ending and now Eleanor must figure out where she will spend her summer, so far another orphanage looks like the only option. Then Armand finds out his brother Aubrey is actually not dead, but captured and it looks like Eleanor might spend the summer rescuing Aubrey instead.
I really enjoyed this second book in the Sweetest Dark series. These books are beautifully written, very sweet, and full of adventure. I love how this paranormal story is blended with a wartime story as well.
Eleanor is an excellent heroine. She is ladylike and sweet, but fierce and determined when she has to be. She is so grateful for her current situation at the Academy yet so balanced on the edge; she could end up in such a horrible situation so easily. In her dragon form Eleanor is a force to be reckoned with, yet at times still vulnerable.
Armard is an excellent male lead as well. He loves Eleanor blindly and is determined to help her see her worth. His relationship with Eleanor is very sweet and I enjoyed him as a character. I loved watching him come into his own Drakan powers.
Armand and Eleanor must journey to save Armand’s brother through war fronts while hiding their draconian nature. It makes for quite the adventure and there are a number of well done battle scenes with our characters dodging bullets and with Eleanor fighting as a dragon.
This story wraps up well, with the main part of the storyline resolved. There are still some questions to be answered in the next book in this series too. This book was a pleasure to read, it’s just so beautifully written.
Overall I really enjoyed this second book in the Sweetest Dark series. I love how beautifully written these books are and enjoyed the blend of paranormal and wartime historical elements. Eleanor and Armand are both excellent characters, each struggling with numerous issues. I loved watching them both grow into their Drakon powers. This series is definitely recommend to those who enjoy young adult paranormal stories with a historical flare to them.
This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge
– 150+ Reading Challenge
– Paranormal Reading Challenge
– Young Adult Reading Challenge
