3.5

I enjoyed this tale and I thought the writing was pretty good. I know it’s based off folklore but I did find the characters lacked some depth and the romance again felt a little surface level.

It was however entertaining and I would recommend for anyone who likes a beauty and the beast esque tale.

I would say, let's start from the reason this book doesn't have a full five stars. That reason is the ending.
In hindsight, after the few days I took to calm myself down, I think it might not be the perfect way to end it, but the way it might need to be ended. Still, I didn't quite like it and wanted to throw my phone across the room and out of a closed window, but at least it wasn't the worst of all outcomes, one that I actually feared at one point. I'm honestly glad it wasn't that, but that still doesn't mean I don't want more, that I don't need more. Because I do, and I could very well pray on my knees, I don't even care.
So now, let's move on to the book.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
Listen.
LISTEN!!!
Polish folklore? Check.
Amazing world building AND word building? Check and check.
Fantastic cast of characters? Heck check.
All. The. Feels? Hell to the bells yes.
Really, I went into this book blind and came out obsessed. This is what a good book does to you. And there's very little to be said, because I can go all mushy feels all over the main characters and their story, and it wouldn't be enough, because this book deserves to be experienced first hand.
There's growth in this book, it's actually one of those rare books that both character and plot driven at the same time. You have Lisa, who is kinda like an early-on Alina Starkov meets Sophie and a Leszy who is your Howl meets a young Aleksander, I'd say, when there was both thirst for power but also a need to protect. It's not a mix, both are very much their own characters, that's just the closest I can get to describe them without spoilers.
Both grow, both have secrets and both are alone in the world, lonely, too, and their story is one that would make the perfect ballad.
(Possibly, with one extra epilogue, thank you very much.)

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book. From the blurb, it sounded intriguing and had all the elements I tend to enjoy in a fantasy novel, but may not always love. However, this book had a magical combination of those elements that just worked for me.

This is also a book that you want to go into blind, do not look at any reviews or even read much of a blurb before you go into this! All you need to know is that the story follows Liska, a seventeen-year-old girl with magical powers that have destroyed her past. She embarks on a treacherous journey into the dangerous forest near her hometown in search of a flower that grants wishes. Her wish is to remove her magic. In the forest, she encounters the Leszy, a demon who makes her a deal: if she becomes his servant for a year, he will remove her powers.

The world in which the story is set is filled with rich folklore and magic, and the spirits and demons within the story are unique and captivating (could be based on Polish folklore). The pace of the story is well-crafted, with plenty of twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. The writing style, although it took me a few chapters to get used to, is descriptive and well-suited to the gothic, fairytale aspects of the story.

Liska was an incredible main character. Bubbly, and friendly, but with a dark past, it was easy to enjoy reading from her perspective and gratifying to watch her grow and become more confident. The Leszy too was a fascinating character and I found myself drawn to his story and his motivations. The mystery elements behind both characters kept me intrigued and wanting to know more.

The relationship within the story took me a while to warm to, however, I loved it by the end. Additionally, the found family elements of the story made it all the more heartwarming, and I was rooting for all the characters.

The writing style took me a few chapters to get used to, as is usually the case for me when starting a new book. But by the end, I found it well-written, descriptive and felt it suited the gothic, fairytale aspects of the story. The only downside was some of the chapters were quite long, but the story was so engaging that it was never really an annoyance.

Overall, I loved this book. It is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy and fairytales. It is a well-crafted and engaging story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

If you want to read a wonderful book this year brimming with Polish folklore, found family and beautiful, charming characters you MUST add this to your list!!

The comparisons have already been made but the plot and vibes are so much like a Ghibli movie and the Leszy is so Howl-coded that I visualised the entire novel like an animated movie and it made me so giddy with joy! It's like a delightful mix of Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke and Beauty and the Beast.

The found family and introduction to so many creatures are the best parts of this story. Liska bringing together such a funny little group of misfits was so heart warming, I could read about their interactions for days.
And the themes of healing from trauma was done so well.

I must add that there's a lot of similarity between Polish and Irish folklore and I felt right at home in this world.

I loved this alot - such a well rounded story full of love and magic.

THIS.
THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book saved me from a book hangover after reading the OUABH trilogy in 2 days....and then subsequently has now put me in a book hangover now that I've finished it. But hey, if you still have a hole in your heart after "A Curse for True Love", WTDSS will fill it...and then become your next obsession.

This story is almost seductive with how it draws you in. It's like the Driada is trying to lure you into its clutches. Liska is such a strong character that brings love to everyone she meets. Even the sullen Leszy. Their banter and quips are hilarious and break the tense atmosphere the author builds in the background. I have so many favourite lines and quotes.

It has the cutest found family trope and the trope where one of them is injured so the other has to take care of them 😭❤️ I loved learning about the Polish lore and how the author incorporates Polish words into the story. The culture and setting feels very authentic.

The ending nearly broke me though. Just a small warning....

A beautiful folklore dark fairytale, Where The Dark Stands Still is a truly enchanting take. The author skillfully weaves together magic and gothic in a sweeping fantasy.

Liska is a villager of Stodola who possesses magic. She had always had to hide it as her people shun magic and consider it evil. She doesn't want to live in hiding anymore—there must be a way to lose her magic! So Liska goes to the Driada, the magical forest where spirits and demons live. Here she hopes to find a magical flower that will banish her magic, but instead she bumps into the Leszy, the demon guarding the Driada. To survive Liska makes a pact with the Leszy, but the demon is hiding dark secrets which will impact Liska's future.

I debated many times giving up this book. I wasn't enjoying it until I reached the halfway point, where things started to happen and finally make sense. I found Liska's too naive and impulsive, while the Lesly turned from a monster to a victim. I couldn't see the sparks between them, and the ending is quite bittersweet.

What I appreciated about this story was the Polish folklore, which is not common in young adult fiction.

"She wants to cut his throat. She wants to kiss him. But most of all, she wants him to feel how she feels, if only for a moment."

Liska Radost knows her magic is bad. After all, it's hurt other people and she's had to hide her secret from her religious village, in case her neighbours brand her a witch.

So, one night she flees into the nearby magical forest. There, she makes a bargain with a powerful demon, the Leszy: one year of servitude in exchange for her wish, to remove her magic completely. But first, he wants her to learn to use it.

The Leszy has many secrets, though. There is his manor, which Liska is sure could be a living thing. There is the hound that keeps warning her to leave. And the secret library, where she finds a letter, one that begins to lay bare the Leszy's dark past.

As Liska learns more about controlling her magic, she starts to change the world around her, breathing life into the manor and its surrounds, enchanting even the arrogant and aloof Leszy. But the past has a way of catching up to even the most powerful.

Steeped in Polish folklore, 'Where the Dark Stands Still' bewitched me. I loved the mythology about different spirits, demons and old gods. The Leszy is a dark, brooding creature you can't help but be intrigued by. Liska shows great character development: from a simpering village girl into someone powerful and gutsy. The world-building is amazing: arcane and mysterious. The pace felt a little slow in the first half of the book but picked up as Liska grows into her powers.

A charming fantasy.

Liska has grown up in a small village where magic brands you a witch, so when an accident happens with her hidden magic, she leaves her village in an attempt to hunt down a way to get rid of it.

Little does she know what she will find in the woods, and entering a bargain with the Demon Warden of the woods, the Leszy, wasn't what she expected at all. But if he can help rid her of her magic, what's in a year

However, the Leszys Manor holds darks secrets over his 700 year stay and Liska must uncover these and survive the year to get her wish.... but at what cost...

Listen. The hold this book had on me. I loved it so much and will now be recommending it to anyone who will listen. Steeped in Polsh folklore with Howls Moving Castle, Beauty and the Beast and gothic vibes that put me in mind of Bitterthorn... I just can't!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the review copy... out Thursday 29 February in the UK and out in the US today I believe.... why are you still reading this... go order now!

4.5/5 Stars - rounded up because I started crying right when the epilogue started.

Look, I went into this thinking it would be a nice folklore-y gothic romance story. And what did I get? A Polish gothic fairytale that talks about guilt, sacrifices, loss, and what it means to give yourself up. AND I got an amazing romance even though there is a 700 year age difference. For the sake of Fantasy romance, I decided to ignore this and let's just say this story made it more believable than a lot of other Fantasy romance I have stumbled upon in the past.

The reason why this book had me tearing up was the raw nature with which the narration described all these terrible feelings of guilt and loss. The role of women also plays a big part in the narration, and it is handled beautifully. Liska, our protagonist, is fiercely protective and caring, yet is so much more than the simple "doting wife/mother". The end of the book was perfect for that and, even though it was bittersweet and hurt like hell to read, it was exactly what this story needed.

Please do pick this one up, even if you're only curious about the Polish folklore. It's worth it.

Where the dark stands still is a slavic mythology fantasy. While I enjoyed some aspects and the idea is interesting, I just never got fully invested in any of the characters or anything going on. That's why I've rated this 3 stars because while it has a great atmospheric setting, I just wasn't really excited about anything happening. The enjoyable moments were between Lisa and Leszy and their romance and the setting of the woods.

That's not to say this wouldn't be fun for other readers who would enjoy the magic system. I'd say it's similar in writing style, plot and vibes to A Sorcery of Thorns and Before the Devil Knows You're Here.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I completely adored this debut gothic YA fantasy from A.B. Poranek. This book has been on my radar for awhile and I felt so grateful to be granted access to an early copy in exchange for a review. This book was stunningly written, I loved the prose and some of the descriptions were so lush I felt like I was in this magical, demon forest along with our protagonist, Liska.

The world was immersive, the magic was interesting, and the story was as heartbreaking as it was heartwarming. Loved the question it raises- good people can do monstrous things, but does that make them evil?

The story proceeds quickly and briskly, without moments of boredom or heaviness, taking its time to develop events. I loved the way the more sinister moments alternate with the more cozy ones, creating a perfect balance! Yes, there are some more sinister scenes in the story, but I admit I still felt cuddled while reading, held in a warm embrace. Each chapter has its own title and I enjoyed this so much.

I absolutely adored the relationship between Liska and the Leszy and how their bond evolved throughout the story. Liska was a fantastic FMC, tough, ready to work for what she wants yet maintaining a kindheartedness. It was remarkable watching her heal her relationship with magic and grow beyond the constraints of her village. Lesky is everything you want from a fantasy love interest—a angst-ridden boy with a cantankerous personality that hides a gentle heart. I just love a tortured MMC that looks so unsympathetic from the outside but hides so much inside. Liska and Lesky’s relationship was adorable and heart-wrenching. The way they wanted to hate each other but couldn't help caring about the other was perfect.

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me a lot of the Winternight Trilogy, a series I love, but with a stronger romance. And the romance was delicious. I loved the way the author built up the relationship between the Leszy and Liska. It didn’t feel rushed like a lot of books these days seem to do.

I really liked the world a lot. A world where there’s a shapeshifting house spirit waiting for you when you get home who will treat you kindly if you give it a little bread and honey. Jaga was definitely one of my favourite characters, but I loved how everyone in this book was something different. No one was quite human.

And the ending was perfect. It’s hard to end a book, especially a standalone, which I think this is. But this was just perfection. The last line especially.

Thank you to Penguin, A.B Poranek and Netgalley for the opportunity to read Where the Dark Stands Still.

Where the Dark Stands Still was a story concept that was both as unique as it tropes was right up my street, however what came from it was a beautiful Beauty and the Beast-esque story with a Slavic mythology inspiration that felt in parts magical without straying from it's Dark Fantasy path.

Lisa is a troubled main character who is able to use magic despite it considered as a sin by her village peers. In desperate need to remove it once and for all, she goes to the Driada, a spirit forest that is said that anyone who goes in never returns, in the search of a rare flower that could grant a single wish. However, the forest is protected by the Leszy, a warden that starts off as a cold and cynical being under his enchanting features. As the novel proceeds, you see how both characters become stronger together.

The banter between the characters, both main and supporting, is witty and enjoyable, and brings some needed humour to bring life into the characters, which I believe is one of the stronger points of the novel.

The last number of chapters can come off as cheesy, but I definitely smell a potential sequel that I'd absolutely love to read.

But above all else, the work that Poranek poured into this novel and the emotion it brings is far from the quality of an expected first time publishing author, and as far as things go, I can tell that as an author, Pornek will go far with her writing skill.

A good romantic fantasy with a Slavish background and gothic vibes. Excellent world building, good storytelling and character development
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Wow just wow, I couldnt put this down! It was magical and dark, filled with mythical creatures and bargains with dire consequences,

My heart absolutely breaks for the ending, but it came full circle as though it was meant to be.

I was sold on this book as soon as I saw it compare to howls moving castle. I’m after reading I can definitely see the comparison. But I’m a much more gothic, haunting forest setting. Beautifully written and I loved the slowness of the romance building from fear/hate to true love. The ended was just… I don’t want to spoil it. Bitter sweet maybe.
I would love to read more from this author in the future!

A story that gently pulled me in with its basis in European folklore and delicious shades of Beauty and the Beast. Fear not there’s no singing teapots and chipped cups here though as the author takes both her readers and indeed her characters on a journey. Liska is desperate to be what she thinks is normal and makes a deal with the Lesky to serve him for one year but whilst living in his home she makes all kinds of wondrous discoveries not least that whilst the Lesky has a wooden heart it’s one that still beats nevertheless !
This was quite a slow build up in many ways but it meant we got to know and understand these fabulous characters. For most of the tale it’s primarily three characters who we read about but I think the author saved the best for last as younger (? well maybe not! ) participants join the household. This is a romance yes but it’s also a story of prejudice and rising above it to accept just who you are. I loved it so much I actually went back to read the final few chapters again and put it down finally with hope in my old romantic heart.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Think of a book that evokes the dark gothic aspects of Beauty and the Beast, the forest from Red Riding Hood, the strange peculiarities of Alice in Wonderland, the fairytale whimsy of Howl’s Moving Castle and the lush, magical out of Belladonna. Now add to this Polish/Slavic myths, magic and legends and you have an inkling about Where the Dark Stands Still.

This book brings to life all that is myth, magic and monstrous from the perspective of Liska Radost, a young woman raised in a small village near the dark spirit-woods who has been taught to hide her magic, that it’s something to fear and be ashamed of, that she will be ostracised by her community for.

After a terrible event Liska feels she has no choice but to go to the woods and beg help to rid herself of this magic but, in doing so is trapped into a bargain with the Demon Warden of the Woods, the Leszy. He will free her from her magic if she becomes his servant for a year. Thus begins this truly beautiful, slow burn, mystery laced, dark, gothic magical story that will stay with you.

Poranek delivers a wonderfully crafted world that is imbued with magic, mystery and so many elements of Polish folklore that is truly entrancing. This is complimented by a quite simple but effective magic system and a beautifully crafted arc for the protagonist Liska.

I was blown away by the flow of this story, it’s not fast or rapid by any means, the acceleration is very gradual but, it doesn’t need to be. It’s pace develops the anticipation and atmosphere that compliment the story until its finale that truly hit me in the heart.

Really enjoyed reading this book. Loved the gothic elements of this story, and enjoyed the romance too. It’s definitely a book I’ll reread, and recommend to friends. Certainly worth reading if you’re looking for a gothicesque story.