I’ve just finished the final book in Alison Goodman’s ‘The Dark Days’ book trilogy. These books follow the adventures of Lady Helen Wrexhall and her initiation into The Dark Days Club – an agency designed to control a daemonic infiltration of Society, and in these novel’s the focus is upon England. Set in the regency period these novels are described by Goodman as a mix of Jane Austen and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or similar to the style of  The Infernal Devices books from the Shadowhunters series.

Goodman’s writing is very detailed and I like this, others have commented it slows the pace; I think it builds the world she creates and the characters really well so the reader can truly invest in the supernatural themes. It’s clear Goodman loves historical detail and we really get a sense of life during the early 1800s. Despite the fantastical element of daemon’s body snatching members of Georgian society this novel is so well written it’s easy to invest in the world alien battles and alchemist defence rituals.

I really enjoyed Goodman’s band of characters lead by the dominant Lord Carlston. The interplay between Lady Helen and Lord Carlston helps drive the narrative forward and the interjection of arrogant government officials and mysterious side-kicks is entertaining.

In the third book the emotions between Carlston and Helen have reached a turmoil; both are trapped into responsibilities towards others that force them to deny their true feelings. The Dark Days Club is tested to their limits as the battle to stop the demonic threat from invading the world becomes a true challenge, one that is on the cusp of failure.

I thoroughly recommend these books to people who like an Austen style world but enjoy the creativity of a sci-fi fantasy twist.

I hope Goodman decides to turn this trilogy into a quartet as the end of the book feels like a pause rather than a solid ending. I think we need to travel with our characters to Russia! Pretty please!!!