Liska has magic - a magic that was once common, but is now rare, and, being rare, is feared. Sometimes her magic gets away from her, with unintended and sometimes dangerous consequences. Because of this, Liska leaves her home one night, to seek the flower of the fern that grants wishes, so she can wish for her magic to be gone. When she find the flower, she also finds the Leszy, the spirit of the forest - and instead of granting her wish immediately, he offers her a deal: stay with him for a year, learn to use her magic properly, and if, at the end of the year, she still wants her magic removed, he will.

This story is somewhere between a myth and a fairy tale, and follows similar lines: a girl who doesn’t fit in, a boy on the outside fighting a curse, and events that bring them together. Despite the similarities to other stories, this novel has some unique twists that make it an interesting read; like many fairy tales, it’s a bit dark in places. Recommended for teens and adults.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Liska's village is frightened of her, and even what remains of her own family doesn't know what to do with her. Cursed with dangerous magic, she realizes she has only one choice: find a way to rid herself of it. But when she goes into the forest to seek out a magic flower that will grant her wish, she meets the forest's guardian: the ancient Leszy, said to be a demon. He offers her a deal: serve him for a year, and she may have the flower.

But it's not a simple year of cleaning the House Under the Rowan Tree and making preserves for winter. The Leszy wants Liska to hone her magic. Meanwhile, she begins unearthing the House's ghosts — figurative and literal. The Leszy's 700-year history isn't a pleasant one; but there's also more to this strange figure than even he is at first willing to reveal. As Liska learns more about her own magic and the Leszy's tragic past, she begins to get in touch with her own powers. And, against her better judgment, she begins to fall in love.

Where the Dark Stands Still is steeped in Slavic folklore, but you don't need to understand the references to appreciate the story. For as dark as the story gets, there are touches of humor and romance throughout that keep it balanced — making it feel more like a classic fairy tale than anything else. The ending is a tearjerker, but also strangely hopeful. It's a must read for lovers of paranormal romance who are looking for their heroes to be both equal in the relationship and mutually able to grow and change.

Wow this was amazing! I love like dark folklore fairy tale type stories and this so delivered. The kind of Beauty and the Beast retelling but so vibrant in Polish folklore had me gripped right away. The writing is so atmosphere and totally transports you. I have to read more of this authors work now - some of the best descriptive prose with out being overdone! The romance is actually amazing as well so beautifully done and it isn’t often I read a book and like every character. I couldn’t recommend this enough and we are for sure purchasing for our library!

Where The Dark Stands Still is a stunning, bittersweet story steeped in Polish folklore. The prose is simply gorgeous and breathes so much life and atmosphere into the story. This book is full of loveable characters and a beautiful romance. I also loved how enchanting The House Under the Rowan Tree and the Driada were. The author genuinely transports you into another world. I am so sad that it's over.

gorgeous slavic folklore romantasty and the take on the leshy was fantastic and incredibly well done. thanks for the arc.

Full of stunning prose, haunting mysteries, and an amazing found family. Where the Dark Stands Still is eerie and beautifully bittersweet.

I absolutely loved this book. It is right on when it says Beauty and the Beast with Polish folklore. Being of mainly Polish descent, I found myself extremely interested in the creatures and even did some side searching of my own for the stories on them. This one had me on the edge of my seat and super emotional throughout the reading. That ending -- tears! I wish it wasn't a stand-alone, I would gladly read a series based in this world with Liska and her new family.

I love dark fantasy stories and fairy tale/legend/folklore retellings; this book does those aspects great justice. Prior to reading it, I was unfamiliar with Slavic tales aside from Baba Yaga, about who I recently checked out a modernized retelling. The gods of Leszy and Veles (spelled Weles in the book) feature prominently, and the protagonist's name, Liska (Czech or Slavic for "fox") epitomizes her character and physical traits. Throughout my reading, I found myself looking up concepts like Kupala Night and those various Slavic names to better understand the foundation of the novel, but knowing the background is not necessary to enjoying the narrative. I do think that the book could be enhanced with a little information at the end about the Slavic culture and how it relates to the plot and characters. For those who want to discover more about the originating culture, having that resources handy would be super convenient.

Liska's motivations entirely understandable, even if she diverts almost immediately off the forest path, a foreboding act in any dark fantasy or fairy tale, going back to "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Hansel and Gretel". The Leszy is harsh but mysterious and kind enough that I kept wanting to discover more about him and the house with Liska. Actions are committed rashly at times, but that is to be expected for a teenager and by superstitious villagers that run high on emotions regarding magic and witchcraft. The ending left me wanting more, wishing for one more page, but the note it dropped on provides hope. I loved how well multiple pieces of Slavic culture were woven into the book without my feeling lost or overwhelmed. I definitely recommend. This could be a wonderful book for spooky fall vibes.

First off: Before I even got halfway through the book I had already pre-ordered it, and already told quite a few people how beautiful of a book it had been so far.

"Where the Dark Stands Still" is the tale of a contract between the warden of the woods and a czarownik, and magic that has been locked away.

The development of the relationship between Leszy and Liska, and the truths they uncover about themselves... combined with a skrzat named Jaga, a sentient house, and a foundling... and you have an absolutely gorgeous, heartbreaking, and breathtaking fairytale.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the digital ARC of "Where the Dark Stands Still" by A.B Poranek.
5/5

THOUGHTS

I think this book wanted to be darker than it was. In some ways, it feels a little bit fairytale bland. But even though it doesn't reach its ultimate dark potential, it has a lot of strong points. This spirit forest is brimming with dark malevolence, and I adore that. No traveler is passing through unscathed.


PROS
World of Demons: There's little I like more than a creepy forest, and this forest is full of all kinds of wandering spirits. Floating lights that lure travelers from the path. Water demons waiting to pull you to a murky demise. Swamp beings with grasping hands. Antlered wardens who need offerings to pave your way to safe passage. This book is full of demonic energy, in the best way possible.

Patriarchal Pushback: This book isn't necessarily concerned with the subjugation of women... but it definitely doesn't ignore the ways the powers that be have kept women "in their place." This is a world that was once full of magic. In the present age, magic has, outside of the spirit woods, fallen mostly out of sight. The Church has come in to take the place of ancient magics, and all magic is forbidden--especially when exhibited by women, since women are, supposedly, less able to control their magic. These particularly sexed ideas ring true to history, and I appreciate that nod, even in a world that is very much fantasy. Especially because the strongest characters in this book are women, in their various shapes and sizes and forms.

Insidious Twist: No spoilers! I'm not like that. But this book has such a well-timed and horrific twist in it that I can't help but compliment it. I didn't see it coming, but it makes perfectly horrible sense. And I really, really appreciate the dark turn this somewhat-fairytale-esque story takes with it.


CONS
Bland Liska: I didn't hate Liska... but she is a little bit bland. There's nothing that really makes her stand out. She's not quite an archetype, and she's not exactly flat. She's just not particularly interesting, in the way that a fairytale heroine might not be particularly interesting. She's just going about her life, doing things, and that's that. If you're looking for a passionate, hot-headed, particularly driven character, Liska really isn't it!

Slow Pacing: This book isn't exactly a cozy fantasy, but it sure does have the pacing of one! That is to say, it's kind of slow and meandering. I really like lingering in this spirit woods full of demons, so I didn't exactly mind it. But somebody looking for that spirit woods to be full of action and gore won't find that.

Plotlessness: There is ultimately a plot to this book... but boy does it take a long time to get there. For a lot of the book, it feels aimless in the way that a fairytale is. Things are happening. There are some character goals and motivations, but nobody seems too particularly bothered about getting things done quickly. And in this case, there actually is something pressing about to take place. I just wish some tension had been brought up earlier, to give this book a bit more in the stakes department. There are ultimately high (incredibly high!) stakes... but it sure does take a long time to find out what they are.


Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7/10

Fans of Martine Leavitt's Keturah and Lord Death will like this new world of bargains and counter-bargains. Those who loved Rosamund Hodge's Cruel Beauty will like this rotting mansion in forbidden territory.

Where the Dark Stands Still is an impressive debut by A.B. Poranek. If you loved Naomi Novik's Uprooted or Katherine Arden's Winternight (or are a Howl's Moving Castle girlie), you would definitely enjoy this. My one gripe is about the pacing. The first part built slowly and took time to give the characters depth, and then the second half felt rushed, not giving the characters time to linger over discoveries. I found myself wishing the book had moved at the same as the beginning and built more towards the ending. Besides that, I was so happy to lose myself in this book during a five-hour flight! I will be getting a copy of this for my personal shelves upon publication day.

This book was simply STUNNING! I was not expecting to fall in love with the characters the way I did.

Where the Dark Stands Still is stand alone YA fantasy with strong involvements of folklore and character development. I recommend this book to teens looking for a stand alone fantasy book with romance and a hint of magic.

I was very intrigued by this one due to the cover. I am a sucker for a beautiful cover and this just spoke to me! I also enjoyed what the blurb had to offer as well.

The book is written to be prosy and although I tend to enjoy this style the writing for this was a bit jarring when it came to the characters talking. It felt different than the other sentences and when The Leszy spoke it felt very monotone and matter-of-fact. I didn’t really like him as a character and Liska was alright but definitely was more promising when it came to character development.

The pacing was another big issue for me and it required me to buckle down a lot more to actually get through the book.

Overall, this wasn’t for me but I can see others enjoying it.

The pacing was an issue for me, it felt positively glacial at times. The characters were interesting, but needed to be fleshed out more. Ruby's internal monologue felt very repetitive at times. The idea was great, I just wish execution was a bit better.

I enjoyed this novel quite a lot! It is based in Polish folklore, set in an atmospheric manor and surrounding dark woods, and presents a heart wrenching love story.

What more can you need?

This book made me so excited! My heart pounded through every chapter which made me fly through this book. The plot was exciting and fast paced and the characters were interesting but relatable. I highly recommend this book and will be telling all of my family and friends to read it!

I was utterly captivated and felt every word of the story. It grabbed a hold of my heart and didn’t let go even for a moment. I think it’s truly the sign how gifted Poranek is to make one feel completely connected to the characters from the very beginning, even before you’ve gotten to really know them or their story. Utterly incredible.

In Where the Dark Stands Still is a multi-faceted story about re-claiming our own power and being vulnerable and opening our heart up again. It balances charm, dangerous magic, and tension all at once. Scared to become a 'monster' Liska is determined to make a bargain to remove her magic. Her entire village and her family has viewed her magic as dangerous and something to not practice, to keep a secret, and now something she wants to ride herself of. But when Liska enters the woods, and a bargain, she finds that her magic has a few more secrets its sleeve.

Thank you Netgalley and McElderry Books for the ARC!

A.B. Poranek's "Where the Dark Stands Still" invites readers into an enchanting world steeped in Polish folklore, weaving a darkly atmospheric tale that captures the imagination. The book is a delightful mix of rich storytelling, captivating characters, and a magical setting that immerses you in Liska’s world.

The writing is nothing short of gorgeous, effortlessly drawing you into the haunting beauty of the wood and its spirits. Poranek's ability to create vivid imagery makes the journey alongside the protagonist, Liska, all the more immersive. The lyrical prose paints a vivid picture of terror and beauty that comes with encountering the spirits of the forest.

Liska, the fierce and strong protagonist, is a standout character who fearlessly faces a centuries-old wood demon, Leszy. The slow-build romance between Liska and Leszy is brilliantly executed, filled with banter, tension, and a satisfying sense of longing. While not exactly enemies-to-lovers (more dislike-to-lovers), the relationship between the two was very engaging and made me wanting more, especially with the banter throughout.

The plot is intricately woven, striking a perfect balance between action and narrative building. The pacing is well-executed, allowing the story to unfold organically without resorting to aggressive plot dumping. The incorporation of Polish folklore is a highlight, introducing readers to a world of myths and legends that add depth to the narrative. I don’t think I’ve read a YA book focusing on Polish folklore, so that definitely intrigued me. I love learning more about different cultures and their folklore, so I consider that a strong point for this novel. However, I can’t say too much about the accuracy of the Polish folklore/language used in the novel due to my lack of knowledge.

Poranek's ability to infuse the story with enchantment and magic is reminiscent of classic fairy tales. The book explores themes of found family, self-acceptance, and loveable characters.
I did find the middle section of the book to be a bit slow, but the story picks up in the latter half, delivering twists and turns that keep you guessing until the final pages.

Whether you are familiar with Slavic mythology or not, Poranek's storytelling will leave you eager to explore more. "Where the Dark Stands Still" is a promising debut, and I am definitely looking forward to more captivating tales from A.B. Poranek in the future.

Third Person Present Tense is really hard for me because I feel like “who is the creepy narrator just watching at every moment?” I stopped after chapter 1 (3%). No idea how it will go over with the target audience, specifically due to tense. Are kids not bothered by it? If so, probably three to four stars for target readers, as it totally has the vibes and tension going on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC.