I was given a copy of this book for review through GoodReads First Reads. This in no way influenced my review/rating. 5 stars. 
 I absolutely LOVED this book. I thought it sounded good, but lately the YA genre has left me wanting. Am I ever glad to find the exception! I've told all my friends to read it, and I'm telling you to READ THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW!!!! It's that good. And I've been trying for over a year to get my review posted (as you can see, it wouldn't post), so now I'm trying on my phone. *fingers crossed* 
 Lora Jones is an odd orphan. Found wandering the streets of London at 10, she has no memories of her past. Stone and metal sing to her (which has the unfortunate side affect of her being institutionalized for Feminine Hytsteria. Not a pretty treatment). By the age of sixteen, WWI has started and she is sent to the country-side, to The Iverson School for Girls. Which is the stage for the rest of the book. I would like to point out that what Lora has gone through at the orphanage and asylum was not nice. And that carriers over into how she interacts with other people and why she acts out the way she does. Shana Abe does a wonderful job keeping Lora in character and not having her lose some of that bite as things are revealed. 
 Armand and Thomas are our two heroes and love interests. Each have their own secrets and connections to Lora that will impact her life. Armand is the local duke's son, and he seems to flaunt it at every chance. Thomas is one of the groundskeepers/jack-of-all-trades for the school. Personally, I fell in love with Thomas at the get go. And just fell harder as the plot progressed. Armand has abilities that he isn't completely aware of, and Thomas just rocks. 
 Once Lora arrives at the school, strange things start happening to her. She dreams of turning to smoke and floating away, the music in her head seems to be getting stronger, and there's something about the two boys that pulls her in different directions. And then the war hits close to home and things start changing. 
 And I can't say much else without spoiling major things, or rambling about little unimportant things. Even things happening at the school have a wider impact as the story progressed. The Sweetest Dark has been my favorite YA novel read to date. And will be for some time. I know my review doesn't do this any justice, but you won't be disappointed if you go on a limb & give Shana Abe and her books a try.