Where the Dark Stands Still - Outside of a Dog

English language

Published Sept. 10, 2024 by Penguin Books, Limited.

ISBN:: 9780241622155

(1 review)

Raised in a small village near the spirit-wood, Liska Radost knows that Magic is monstrous, and its practitioners, monsters. After Liska unleashes her own powers with devastating consequences, she is caught by the demon warden of the wood – the Leszy – who offers her a bargain: one year of servitude in exchange for a wish.

Whisked away to his crumbling manor, Liska soon discovers the sinister roots of their bargain. And if she wants to survive the year and return home, she must unravel her host’s spool of secrets and face the ghosts of his past.

Those who enter the wood do not always return…

2 editions

Utena reviewed Where the Dark Stands Still by A. B. Poranek

Howl's Moving Castle vibes

5 stars

When I saw reviews stating this book had a "Howl's Moving Castle" vibe, I excitedly awaited the book's release. I have always been a fan of the whimsical and magical world created by Diana Wynne Jones in "Howl's Moving Castle," and I was eager to see how this new book would capture that enchanting feeling.

Liske hails from a small farming village named Stodola. On the day of the festival of Kupala Night, she leaves her village behind determined to find a flower said to grant a wish. You see, Liske carries within her magic. Magic is forbidden and Liske knows that the Church frowns upon such things. Plus Liske has come to see her magic as a burden and thus needs to be rid of it. Unfortunately, Liske meets the Leszy, who offers to help her with the condition she stays with him for a year.

But while there …

When I saw reviews stating this book had a "Howl's Moving Castle" vibe, I excitedly awaited the book's release. I have always been a fan of the whimsical and magical world created by Diana Wynne Jones in "Howl's Moving Castle," and I was eager to see how this new book would capture that enchanting feeling.

Liske hails from a small farming village named Stodola. On the day of the festival of Kupala Night, she leaves her village behind determined to find a flower said to grant a wish. You see, Liske carries within her magic. Magic is forbidden and Liske knows that the Church frowns upon such things. Plus Liske has come to see her magic as a burden and thus needs to be rid of it. Unfortunately, Liske meets the Leszy, who offers to help her with the condition she stays with him for a year.

But while there seemed to be inspiration from "Howl's Moving Castle", it also had the originality that set it far apart from the magical world of Howl, Sophie, and their whimsical journey. This book held its uniqueness with its characters and the storyline, steeping it from Slavic mythology. The characters and storyline draw you into the pages of the book, hold you captivated, and keep you hooked until the end.

This book was not a disappointment. Rather, it was the complete opposite. Even now, I still find myself going back to parts of the novel that I rather enjoyed. With a mixture of "Howl's Moving Castle", Beauty and the Beast, and Hades and Persephone, this book can stand on its whimsical charm and magical storyline. I would highly recommend this fantasy romance to anyone who is looking for a way to begin their journey into the fantasy romance genre. Its Slavic mythology will entice you to divulge within its pages and keep you glued to beautiful characters, a whimsical world, and a fantasy storyline you will enjoy.