What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Hidden in the dark heart of Victorian London, the Romanesque school was dreadfully imposing, a veritable fortress, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met its powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadows, of the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She saw simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gift. This arched stone doorway was a portal to a new life, to an education far from what could be had at a convent - and it was an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death...
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"I loved this strangely beautiful tale from the start. The combination of gothic ghost story, paranormal thriller, re-worked Greek mythology, and heart-wrenching love story was wonderfully woven together and kept me engaged throughout the story. Miss Persephone Parker is a very unusual woman with her incredibly pale and ghostly looks as well as her peculiar gifts for seeing and hearing ghosts as well as her visions. Though I have to say what struck me most about her was not her ghastly looks but her tenacity. She believes that a fate awaits her and believes beyond what people snicker about her behind her back that she deserves love as well. When Percy first lays eyes on Alexi Rychman, her mathematics and alchemy professor, she hopes that one of her wishes has been answered. Unfortunately for Percy, mathematics is her worst subject so instead of catching the professor's eye with her mathematical genius, she is forced to get remedial math lessons from him instead. Though since it means spending time alone with him in his office every week, perhaps it is not so ghastly. Professor Rychman and the school Headmistress hide a secret life from their students as well, they are part of The Guard that has been charged by a mysterious goddess to protect the mortals from ghosts that are still trapped in the mortal realm. The Guard has six members that come from all walks of life and serve a unique purpose within the Guard. Each member as well houses a spirit that gives them special abilities to fight the ghouls they face. When each member was given a power they were also given a prophecy to wait for a seventh to join their ranks as well to stop the Darkness from overwhelming the world. Alexi was given a personal prophecy that the seventh would be his true love and that he must wait for her and have faith. Several years later with no direction from their silent goddess, The Guard is on edge and questioning their reasons for following a prophecy that they have seen no signs of happening yet. My favorite part of this book was reading the interactions between Percy and Alexi. Percy's desire for her intimidating and aloof Professor was sweet and her responses when he was close, even when it was to ridicule her math ability, had my heart going pitter-patter along with hers. Alexi was a great foreboding presence as well, though as you begin to learn more about him between the pages of the book you learn that he is vulnerable and has very human weaknesses as well. Although Alexi always puts up his emotional armor in the presence of The Guard, you begin to see the cracks as he spends more time with Percy. And their story was both tantalizing and heart-rending as well. I loved to read their forbidden romance budding as they discussed mathematical theorems and he gave her private dance lessons. After I finished this book I went back to re-read all the sections of the book that they were together in since I loved their story so much. Overall this was a 4.5 out of 5 stars for me, a well-woven gothic tale with a tender romance that gets me all worked up - and the yummy tortured Alexi Rychman - le sigh..." — Heather (5 out of 5 stars)
"I loved this strangely beautiful tale from the start. The combination of gothic ghost story, paranormal thriller, re-worked Greek mythology, and heart-wrenching love story was wonderfully woven together and kept me engaged throughout the story. Miss Persephone Parker is a very unusual woman with her incredibly pale and ghostly looks as well as her peculiar gifts for seeing and hearing ghosts as well as her visions. Though I have to say what struck me most about her was not her ghastly looks but her tenacity. She believes that a fate awaits her and believes beyond what people snicker about her behind her back that she deserves love as well. When Percy first lays eyes on Alexi Rychman, her mathematics and alchemy professor, she hopes that one of her wishes has been answered. Unfortunately for Percy, mathematics is her worst subject so instead of catching the professor's eye with her mathematical genius, she is forced to get remedial math lessons from him instead. Though since it means spending time alone with him in his office every week, perhaps it is not so ghastly. Professor Rychman and the school Headmistress hide a secret life from their students as well, they are part of The Guard that has been charged by a mysterious goddess to protect the mortals from ghosts that are still trapped in the mortal realm. The Guard has six members that come from all walks of life and serve a unique purpose within the Guard. Each member as well houses a spirit that gives them special abilities to fight the ghouls they face. When each member was given a power they were also given a prophecy to wait for a seventh to join their ranks as well to stop the Darkness from overwhelming the world. Alexi was given a personal prophecy that the seventh would be his true love and that he must wait for her and have faith. Several years later with no direction from their silent goddess, The Guard is on edge and questioning their reasons for following a prophecy that they have seen no signs of happening yet. My favorite part of this book was reading the interactions between Percy and Alexi. Percy's desire for her intimidating and aloof Professor was sweet and her responses when he was close, even when it was to ridicule her math ability, had my heart going pitter-patter along with hers. Alexi was a great foreboding presence as well, though as you begin to learn more about him between the pages of the book you learn that he is vulnerable and has very human weaknesses as well. Although Alexi always puts up his emotional armor in the presence of The Guard, you begin to see the cracks as he spends more time with Percy. And their story was both tantalizing and heart-rending as well. I loved to read their forbidden romance budding as they discussed mathematical theorems and he gave her private dance lessons. After I finished this book I went back to re-read all the sections of the book that they were together in since I loved their story so much. Overall this was a 4.5 out of 5 stars for me, a well-woven gothic tale with a tender romance that gets me all worked up - and the yummy tortured Alexi Rychman - le sigh..."
" It's really more of a 3.5 star book. It's quite fun for a quick read and it is what it is...alternate history gothic romance. Ghosts, romance, evil, alt-history...and fun for two whirlwind reading sessions. I plan to read the next ones as well. "
" Wow! I had to stay up late to finish this one, but it was worth it. I think this book could easily be a part of a YA collection. "
" This was a quite nice story but at times I found it a bit of a slog. I also didn't rush to pick it up when I'd put it down. I'm not sure why. There's nothing glaringly wrong with it but it just didn't grab me. I will read the next one but I'm in no hurry. Sorry "
" Entirely a personal opinion, but I felt that the main characters were much too interested in being martyrs to try and work/talk/think through the problems of the book. "
" Love this book. Got it for free and I was seriously hooked. Now that I know it is a series I need MORE. "
" This book started out a bit ... weird for me. I didn't have a clear understanding of what was going on, but then maybe the author wanted it that way. But in the end it was a pretty good story. The writing was very well done. "
" I just loved this book! There were moments when I felt like I was present within the story, experiencing each emotion Percy displayed. Powerful. "
" Could. Not. Put. Down. So ridiculously dramatic, melodrama extreme....loved it. "
" It was a fun quick read. Just happened upon it and decided to try it. Something fun for a change. "
" This was a fun story. It had an amazing lead male (I might be in Love),a beautiful but strange lead female. Ghosts,demons,raging gorgons,a mystery what is there not to like? A strange mix of religions going on too. Now I am going to take a nap,I stayed up all night to finish it! "
" Easy read. Nothing complex for plot or character, but there is somethign simply beautiful about it. I really liked these characters and found the story interesting. Found it as a freebie on B&N and so glad I did. "
" Yuck! That's all I have to say! "
" An enchanting read! There was a great blend of mystery, fantasy, romance, humor, and more! Alan Rickman, I mean Alexi Rychman, makes for a good love interest, and the banter between the Guard was a sheer joy to read. "
" Based on the PR, I was surprised how boring this book was. I was frustrated with the story line - too much detail on some characters, major holes in the storyline of others. Even more frustrated that I stayed up late reading it. "
" very heartwarming and endearing! I enjoyed and will continue with the series. "
" I find myself wanting this book to move along a little quicker. I'm only on page 184, but that is over half way through the book. The book ended quite well and I'm looking forward to reading the next two that follow this one. "
" This is the only book of mine I'll ever rate, and while it won't be the best book I ever write, I'll remain particularly partial to it. After a decade-long journey to publication, my debut remains the book of my heart. "
" Lame. not my cup o' tea "
" I thought the premise of the book was awesome. I loved the middle...but thought the beginning and the end were...meh. I sort of wanted to slap Alexi (the hero). "
" I very much enjoyed Leanna's book and her writing! This is a must-read for those who like eerie characters, love and romance! "
" Very interesting story line. A little slow in the beginning, but picked up the pace in the middle through the end. "
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