Liska has always been taught that magic is evil and she has done her best to suppress it, but when that proves impossible she leaves her home and ends up making a deal with the demon warden of the spirit woods to help take care of his home. As she learns more about the manor she's moved into, she realizes there were others before her and she must figure out how to survive the deal she made. She's able to learn more about her magic and discovers it might not be what she thought. Overall, a gothic fairy tale based on Polish folklore and mythology with characters that slowly reveal their pasts. The manor was like a character to itself and provided a great setting to tell the stories of its occupants. The pace was on the slower side, but that was part of its charm and lets the reader immerse themselves in the world.

I liked the use of polish folklore and history. It was a nice addition to the fairytale aspect of it all. The story itself gave off a mix of Beauty and the Beast and Howls Moving Castle vibes. I had been really excited to read this book based on the premise and the cover.

It was a nice read. Entertaining if not a little bit cliche. I liked that there wasn't really a happily ever after for the Leszy and Liska. Though I felt that she deserved some sort of HEA, I do believe she got the best life she could out of it all: she got to keep her magic, she got to stay in the Driad in a house that felt like home, and she got to stay with her found family. The fact that she didn't end up with Leszy was more to do with his life decisions and what he deserved after everything than what she did. And there was still a glimpse of hope at the end.

Poranek does an amazing job at winding fairytale and myth into a beautiful coming of age story that has elements of characters building a home for themselves, growing into their own, and discovering that the ties you make can often be stronger than the ties that are made for you. Overall a beautiful fun read that I would recommend to other readers looking for a bit of fairytale fantasy.

Absolutely captivating! This book exceeded all my expectations. From the gripping plot to the well-developed characters, every page had me hooked. A definite must-read for anyone looking for an immersive literary experience. 5 stars!

"Liska finds she is less afraid than she should be. Perhaps it is because this wood, just like her, is something unnatural, something other."

Experiencing Liska’s journey to acceptance of herself and healing what she’d inadvertently done to her magic throughout the book was a beautiful transformation. Her decision on her place towards the middle of the book felt slightly anticlimactic for the apparent gravity of that choice. The Leszy is a morally grey character lover’s dream, I understand his choices and how gutting they must have been. Liska and the Leszy’s relationship definitely qualifies for enemies to lovers and forced proximity – even if she made that bargain. I wasn’t expecting the twist regarding the demons at the close of the book but I loved it – I loved the Driada forest and the sentient mansion built by the Leszy. The concept of souls was also one that I had not encountered before but to me, it makes sense – especially in this magical setting.

Aside from the two main characters we have in the book, the author has some outstanding supporting characters which formed one of my favorite tropes in fantasy books – found family. I loved House Under the Rowan Tree, Jaga, Maksio, Kazimiera and heck – even Mrok. They all had their own way of supporting the main characters but mostly Liska.

If you are a fan of the Winternight trilogy by Katharine Arden, I highly recommend reading this book. It isn’t quite as dark (specifically the treatment of the FMC by the characters in the book) but you’ll find a host of familiar creatures & the FMC’s rejection by society for being “different”. If a sequel or series happened to follow this book I would absolutely read them & I will be following A.B. Poranek to see what she comes up with next. Thank you to TBR & Beyond Tours for choosing me to be a part of this tour – you all have picked me for tours that turned me onto so many of my favorite books over the years. Thank you to McElderry Books and A.B. Poranek for the early copy to read for this tour. Rounded from 4.5 stars.

🌲Inspired by Polish folklore, get ready to be swept away with this new fantasy romance. Reminiscent of Howl’s Moving Castle, I found this both magical and whimsical while keeping up with the mystery and heart-wrenching action.

🌲Lisa has always been shunned for her magic, so she keeps it locked away and hidden. As a last-ditch effort, she enters the haunted woods that surround her town (known as Driada) to try and find the magical flower that will grant her a wish…a wish that will take away her magic for good. Instead of this going down, she stumbles upon the Lezey, the demon of the woods. In offering to spend the year with him, he would grant her wish at the year end. With her own town not wanting her back, she takes his offer and embarks on the journey of a lifetime

🌲this will have you both amazing with the lush and magical storytelling, yet truly terrified of what lies in the woods that are being protected by the Lezey. The character will have you truly rooting for everyone, and the nickname s(y’all, I DIED because they are the best) -> Liska Radost (my clever fox) the Leszy (my demon boy) Jaga, (my silly little not-quite cat), and Maksio, (my strange boy)

🌲 Overall, I absolutely loved reading this and I can’t wait to see what the author comes out with next. These fairytales vibes are perfect to sweep you away into a cozy (and dangerous?) land 💕

I, overall, really enjoyed this novel. I really liked the fantasy elements and folklore. The characters were likable as well and I felt the romance was well paced. My only real issue with the novel was the ending. I just personally prefer my endings to be more concrete and wrapped up in a nice, pretty bow. This ending was left open ended which just is not really for me. I really enjoyed everything else, though, and am interested in reading more from this author!

I’m not going to lie this book was definitely outside of my comfort zone at first but as the story started to progress. I found myself enjoying it a lot. I thought the way that religion and society viewed those who are different as well as magic was very well done. Liska was a really sweet character to take this journey with and I’m happy that she did not give up whenever she was faced with a challenge or the way that people would treat her. Overall, I think this was a really well written story.

From the moment I first heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. Polish folklore? A magical wood? A crumbling manor and a handsome host with dangerous secrets? Yes to all of these!

And from the first pages of the book, I was hooked on the story. It’s got some Beauty and the Beast or Hades and Persephone vibes to it, but I wouldn’t describe it as a retelling. This is a new and different story and so much more than a romantic fairytale. (Though there’s nothing wrong with those– I love them, too.)

I loved Liska’s journey. She spends her whole childhood and adolescence believing that her magic is a bad part of her, that it makes her evil. That it’s something she must never stop resisting. As she gets to know the Leszy and the creatures in and around his manor, she learns that her magic may be what saves her. In fact, it may save everyone she loves.

There are so many brilliant side characters in this book, too. Jaga, the cat who is not a cat, tells Liska things she needs to hear, but sometimes isn’t ready for. The hound who haunts her. The boy who doesn’t speak. The wise village leader. All of them bring so much to the scenes. The teasing moments and the snarky banter between Liska and the Leszy are so great. I loved both of them so much.

I can definitely see readers who loved HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS by Erin Craig or GILDED by Marissa Meyer loving this book.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

This story was absolutely magical— literally— and I’m so sad it’s over, especially after that ending. It’s vague but hopeful enough. The story has Beauty and the Beast elements but really is its own. It was written so beautifully and the story had me completely enraptured in what would happen next, especially as Liska came into her own, and the layers of the Leszy started unfurling. There was an element of found family in this too that ultimately led to the success of breaking the curse. I won’t say more than that, but I’ll just say that it all is heartbreakingly beautiful.

Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours and the author for this book!

If you're as obsessed with Miyazaki as I am, then this is the book for you. Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.

This is my kind of fantasy. Good writing. Good plot. Good characters. And it definitely felt like I was watching a version of Howl's Moving Castle, but entirely different at the same time. That's my favorite part about retellings; retell the story but make it your own. Many authors try and fail (IMHO), but Poranek is able to capture the essence of Miyazaki while putting her own spin on the world.

Using the Polish woods as her background, Poranek creates a world that anyone with an imagination and love for the beauty of the earth can get lost in. I feel entranced by this story and the characters within it. From the not-cat to the boy who couldn't speak to the various monsters and magical elements, this is a book to get lost in and I was happy to roam the woods of Driada even with the worry that something could possibly kill me. The mysterious trees with eyes. The monsters who will lull you into a false sense of security. And the demon who lives in a manor in the middle of the forest protecting the humans from all forms of magical beings.

Similarly to Howl's Moving Castle, the characters felt lifted right from that story. Liska is a magical girl who sets off into the woods to find a cure for her magic. Leszy is a demon who gave his heart to an old god and now must guard the Driada until he dies. And through their incongruent chemistry, they become the kinds of characters you root for and hope for the best. Liska is docile, but carries more magic in her finger than any other person. I loved the moral struggle she had with it. Being told her whole life that she's a witch and that nothing good can come from her magic, you see Liska open up a lot throughout the story finding that her magic is a blessing and not a curse. Leszy, on the other hand was a more elusive character. I really wanted to understand him a bit more, but Poranek kept him close to the chest and we only get glimpses until the very end.

Overall, a stunning a debut beautifully written even with some great quotes to walk away with. I will definitely be reading more from this author!

Where the Dark Stands Still by A B Poranek is out in stores now. It’s a story inspired by Polish folklores and is about a girl who makes a deal with the demon in the woods to get rid of her magic and in the process falls for him and uncovers truths he hid from her.

During the course of the book, they battle many demons that until now Liska (Female Main Character) thought only existed in stories. It was riveting to see them encounter new demons in every step of their way.

Our two main characters also share a bond with two side characters (along with the house) who make the story more fun and interesting.

If you like the sound of it, do check it out.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of the book:)

Where the Dark Stands Still is a dark fantasy debut with inspiration from Slavic folklore and it reminded me of a mix between Uprooted and Howl’s Moving Castle (Gothic Version)

Liska grew up in a small town where magic is considered evil, she has a secret, she has magic and cannot control it, if the town finds out, there will be consequences, on the summer solstice she goes into the forbidden forest, she has a purpose, she is searching a way to end her magic, but she meets the Leszy, the demon warden of the wood, they make a deal, she will live with him for a year and will be her servant, or is that what he believes at first...

I loved it! It is a debut that has all the elements that I love: Folklore (in this case, Slavic), A wood (dangerous) powerful magic, spirits, demons, and other dangerous creatures, a house that feels like another character, brave characters, tormented with secrets, mystery, and an atmosphere that feels gothic. It's set in summer, but the setting makes it feel like a more autumnal read. There is always an air of mystery.

Liska is brave and smart and she wants to belong, Leszy is not the evil demon that everyone believes. They have more in common than they first think. It is easy to empathize with them, you are going to suffer with both and wish them the best. They are a romance, is a slow burn, it's the primary element of the book, but it's lovely, at the beginning it's her call her silly fox, little by little I will call her my clever fox. Cuties.

The magic is simple and interesting, its layers and secrets that Leszy and Liska have to learn. The monsters are inspired by folklore and a little creepy, you don't need to know much about mythology to understand it. There are evil monsters that want to harm humans and there are others that coexist with them, the house spirit was grumpy and cute at the same time.

It feels like a dark fairytale, the writing style is beautiful and witty, it's atmospheric, and the pacing makes you enter the story and hooks you, at the beginning it is slow, you accompany Liska to discover the cottage, find hidden rooms and investigate the secrets by Leszy but as it progresses and the danger increases, there is more action, the end is a 360-degree turn of emotions, it’s a story where the use of magic does have its consequences and one must take risks.

PS: The cover is a chef's kiss, beautiful, and haunting, and captures the story perfectly.

Read it if you want:
• Slavic Folklore
• Creepy Forest and Magical Cottages
• Gothic Fairytale Vibes
• Dark Cottage-core

In true me form, I started the e-book when I received it, but was forced to take a break *damn you adulting tasks* but in also true me form, once I was able to get in some reading, I found I could not put this story down. It had several amazing things I love in it, a mystery, lots of magic, found family, some beautiful imaginative scenes and I was lost in those Driada woods with fondness in my heart ❤️
I loved all the elements of the story, the folklore, and the way the author weaved the scenes together, giving us glimpses of the past that influenced the decisions of the present. The little twists and turns near the end kept me guessing and the characters were as whimsical as I expected, yet with human flaws and questionable morals *that curse!!!* 😱 and oh, how I suffered at the end, but that last line, I gasped! 😭
I wish you could give this book a try, prepare some tea, rent a cottage near the woods, make a fire in the stove, and open your heart for it. On my way to get a physical copy to annotate it 🥹

I received an ARC of Where the Dark Stands Still from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Where the Dark Stands Still is my first five-star read of the year, and it was terrific. I loved every minute of it. From the gothic setting to the vibrant characters, this book was perfect for someone who loves fairytale vibes.

The character development in this book was phenomenal. Liska, the Leszy, and all of the side characters were fully fleshed out, and all made some progress toward the end to better themselves, which I loved to see. Too often, we get characters that are important to the story but hold no other significance than to help the plot along. But in Where the Dark Stands Still, every character had their purpose and also their own growth.

The setting was beautifully described, and the world-building left only the tiniest bits to be desired. Though some of my questions weren't answered, they weren't particularly crucial to the story and, in the long run, didn't really matter, so I was okay with some mysteries.

I really don't know what else to say other than you should read this book. The vibes are gothic yet cozy and are perfect for any reader looking for a fairytale-like story. Where the Dark Stands Still checks all those boxes and more. I am looking forward to more stories from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4.5/5 stars.

Okay, so, this would've been a 5 star read but the ending was MEAN and CRUEL and I SHOULD NOT CRY DURING AN EPILOGUE OR THE LAST LINE?!?!?! Okay, anyways, the rest of this....(all of it) was phenomenal. It sucks you in with luscious writing and a fantasy world of a forest with a demon warden and a girl with magic. I also loved the underlying theme of religion controlling women and assuming any "weirdness" or "differences" were bad (and also how women are "more inclined to evil tendencies").

I loved the relationship between Liska and Leszy and the sentient manor. The mysteries kept building and just the development? LOVED IT. This is a fantastic standalone novel (minus the ending, still upset about it).

I loved this beautifully written story! Steeped in Polish folklore and mythology with some Beauty and the Beast vibes, it's dark and immersive and so atmospheric. I couldn't get enough of the rich setting and the characters. And the romance! Soooo good!

The story follows Liska, who is a bit of an outcast in her village because she has to hide her magic from the witch-fearing villagers. She longs to belong and hates her magic, which propels her to find a way to rid herself of it. When she goes into the woods to find a way to take away her magic, Liska ends up making a deal with the Leszy - if she serves him for one year, he will grant her wish.

If you like Gothic romances, I would definitely recommend checking this one out! The setting and plot are as intricately woven as the characters, and the found family aspect is wonderful. The "House Under the Rowan Tree" takes on a life of its own and feels like a character in its own right. I also love the mystery of Leszy and how his story unfolds. And Liska's journey toward self-acceptance as she learns more about her ability and faces a dangerous god and other obstacles stands out as one of the highlights of the story. This and many other themes resonated with me long after I finished the book.

Liska and Leszy's individual stories are fascinating, and their love story is EVERYTHING I love in a romantasy. It's heart-warming and funny, and it ripped my heart out and put it back together, and I'm not upset about it. lol They have such great banter, and the push and pull between them is delicious. My word, they make slow-burning romance look good, and I so wanted them to find happiness together.

Special thanks to NetGalley and TBR & Beyond Books for providing me with a copy of the book and having me on the tour. All thoughts are my own.

I devoured this book; was hooked from the beginning hanging onto every word wanting to understand the Leszy and his forest. But that ending, did I like it? Am I sad? All the feelings honestly.

This honestly gave me such cozy fantasy vibes that it was a joy to read. It was descriptive and whimsical-- very Studio Ghibli-esque, which I really appreciated.

*thank you netgalley for the arc!*

I ended up rating this book 3.7 I know someone will love this book and I might be an exception. This book was very cozy fantasy with some creepy elements. The writing was overly descriptive (for me) and I found myself skimming quite a bit of the book but ,again, I know someone will love this book so I will still recommend it !

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.

Liska is my favorite type of main character. A touch naive but very stubborn and resourceful. The book starts with Liska running into the dangerous, demon-inhabited spirit wood in order to steal a magical flower that she can use to wish away her powers that are causing trouble in her small village where is is being labeled a witch. She is caught by the warden of the forest, the Leszy who says he will grant her in wish in exchange for a year of servitude to him.

Gradually Liska and the Leszy learn to live together with Liska realizing her magic isn't something she needs to wish away but instead is an integral and special part of her. The relationship between the two becomes a sort of Beauty and the Beat meets Howl's Moving Castle vibe and they were so very charming together. Leszy is a 700 year old demon in the shape of a handsome boy so...you do the math.

This book really felt like the Polish folk stories that inspired it. The book also gave me For the Wolf vibes and Uprooted. Thre's a magical sentient house, a lovely romance and friends we meet along the way. I will say that the third act is sort of rushed and there's some stuff with the church I didn't love but the ending made me cry so do with that what you will. Overall this was a tremendous debut from Poranek and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.