​Where the Dark Stands Still

Written by A.B. Poranek

Review by Anna Tyl

This book has been an interesting read since I first started it. Since the first words, I was hooked. With its details in Polish culture, folklore, and tradition paired with superstitions and magic, it makes a wonderful story I haven't seen in other books. I really enjoyed it and found that the whole story and plot were executed very nicely, and the author even put in some romance into it too that had a very deep meaning behind it. The beginning made me curious, and the plot twists had me wondering what I would read on the next page. Even as Liska unfortunately realizes the hard truth, the author still manages to create sympathy for the Leszy. The way the author incorporates Liska's flashbacks is also nicely done and doesn't confuse the pace as I’ve seen in other stories. The romance between the two may be slightly cliché, and the nickname ‘not-so-clever-fox’ has gotten a little old, but it showed how the Leszy truly felt and his softness for Liska. Of course, I won't tell you everything that happens, as you ought to read it yourself.

If you're interested in a fantasy that focuses a lot on plot and has a little bit of romance as an extra treat, I would recommend this book. You can learn a lot as well from the folklore and traditions.

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow, written by Zoulda Katouh, covers the journey of Salama Kassab and the difficult experiences she encounters in the perseverance of a better life. Salama is an observant and benevolent protagonist who faces many hardships throughout her journey. Salama faces many conflicts from different aspects of her life such as being, as a volunteer at a Siberian hospital or her role as a protector of her remaining family and facing tremorous grief. The theme of moving on and persevering through different tasks by placing selfless roles enforced in her life despite a lack of control over the circumstances going on is the most redeeming part of the novel. The conflict in decision making intercedes with the life of Salama leaving her in constant stress of her remaining family and the people in need.  In a year her goal of creating a new life for her family outside of the country is the only thing she strives for. The moral dilemma the protagonist faces is both captivating and thrilling for readers. The devastating attacks, based on real-life events, serve as the foundation of the story, grounding it in reality and leaving a profound impact on the narrative. While the novel boasts well-developed characters, there are instances where certain secondary characters overstay their welcome, detracting from the tone and impact of key events essential to the narrative. The journey of Salama is an excellent showcase of the devastating effects of war and the conflicts that come with it affecting all aspects of a person’s life and truly entrances the reader in fear of what comes next. Alas ‘As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a well-written novel with a historic emphasis that is compelling and a lesson that’s worth the read. ​