*REVIEW* Innocent Darkness

Synopsis:

Wish. Love. Desire. Live.

Sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her and brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed, otherwise, the entire Otherworld civilization will perish.

Ohmygoodness... I LOVED this book!!! *squee* That's not to say that it's perfect because it is FAR from it, but I loved the story so much and cannot wait to see what happens next. And at the end of the day, for me at least, my feelings after putting the book down are way more important than anything else. I will caution readers who are looking for more of a steampunk book because to me, this was a tale about the fey with just a few small steampunk elements thrown in. But since I happen to ADORE faerie stories, it totally worked for me.

Innocent Darkness introduces us to Noli, a teenage girl growing up in an oppressive environment. See, Noli doesn't desire to be a "lady", she wants to study, learn, WORK, all manners of inappropriate behavior for a woman of her social class. Noli's adventures land her in a reform school for girls, a school that believes harsh discipline and punishment will mold girls into proper young women. When Noli can take no more abuse, she finds herself making a wish that changes everything...

Noli ends up in the Otherworld with Kevighn, a mysterious and handsome faery who seems to be stalling in his promises to help Noli get home to Los Angeles. Noli soon learns of his deception and is taken to the palace of the High Queen. Meanwhile, Steven, her best friend from the mortal plane, is desperately seeking a way to find Noli and rescue her from the High Queen's clutches. Will he make it in time? And will Noli be able to forgive him when she realizes how much he's kept from her all these years?

I really don't want to spoiler this story for anyone because there were some definite twists and turns! I really, really enjoyed the story. For those who have read the Wicked Lovely Series by Melissa Marr, you will definitely see some similarities. While I didn't like this book as much as that series, it really has a TON of potential. Yes, some of the writing seemed a little unpolished at times and a few transitions were a little jarring, but the story itself was good. And who knows, I read an ARC, some of my minor complaints may have been worked out before the book went to print.

Would I recommend this book? Definitely. ESPECIALLY for fans of faerie books. I really can't speak to the steampunk thing because I haven't read any before this but it didn't seem to focus on that part of it much at all. This is a GOOD story though... there's romance, love, friendship, duty, pain, betrayal, shocking revelations, and sacrifice. It really has something for everyone. Make sure to grab a copy when it releases in August. Enjoy! *XOXO*

Expected publication date: August 8, 2012 by Flux