Book Review | THE AWAKENING by Amanda Stevens

     

March 28th, 2017, Mira

My name is Amelia Gray, and I'm a cemetery restorer who lives with the dead. An anonymous donor has hired me to restore Woodbine Cemetery, a place where the rich and powerful bury their secrets. Forty years ago, a child disappeared without a trace and now her ghost has awakened, demanding that I find out the truth about her death. Only I know that she was murdered. Only I can bring her killer to justice. But the clues that I follow—a haunting melody and an unnamed baby's grave—lead me to a series of disturbing suspects. 

I have been a fan of this series ever since I requested for the 1^st book via NetGalley. I highly recommend that you pick a copy now if you haven’t already. The Restorer completely hooked me and left me in agony for the next book, then the next, and then, the next.  Amelia Gray, the protagonist, was a huge curiosity for me.  I never imagined a cemetery restorer was an actual career until I met her. I’ve watched her evolve from book to book. Having her powers never excused her from being vulnerable, but her resilience is palpable and very admirable. And I have always rooted for her.

Ms. Amanda created a vivid atmosphere for this series. She captured Charleston for the readers and projected it into something we could actually breathe in and consume. Every book contains an escalating plot that would eventually boil into an eerie, yet satisfying read.

Again, THE AWAKENING is no exception. Amelia knew from the beginning that restoring Woodbine Cemetery would mean uncovering a secret. It may be a secret far darker from anything she had encountered before. And being in proximity with John Devlin and the Conge will not make anything easier for her. Death may even be inevitable this time.

Shush… lest she awakens…

Saying goodbye to this series is like saying goodbye to an old friend. Of course, mine is a mixed feeling of both happiness and sadness. I am still reeling from the ending, but I couldn’t see a more fulfilling way to end it. Years from now, I would look back and be reminded that The Graveyard Queen was the series that kept me from sleeping, made me stare at my window more than I should, check my walls and ceiling, and literally duck under the covers in hunt of that elusive sleep.

Congratulations, Ms. Amanda!

Book details:

Title:  The Awakening

Series:  The Graveyard Queen #6

Author:  Amanda Stevens

Publication:  March 28th, 2017 by Mira

Genre:  Fiction / Paranormal

Rating: ★★★★★

*Graveyard Queen Series:

• The Abandoned
• The Restorer
• The Kingdom
• The Prophet
• The Visitor
• The Sinner

*Egalley was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for this honest review. 

This review contains a quote from an uncorrected copy.

Read more →

Book Review | THE SINNER by Amanda Stevens

     

September 27, 2016;
MIRA

I am a living ghost, a wanderer in search of my purpose and place… 

I'm a cemetery restorer by trade, but my calling has evolved from that of ghost seer to death walker to detective of lost souls. I solve the riddles of the dead so the dead will leave me alone. 

Earlier this year, I’ve read and reviewed THE VISITOR, saying that it is the creepiest book in the series. I guess I talked too soon, because, lo and behold, THE SINNER is here and it gave me some really sleepless nights.

For our Graveyard Queen, it has been a year since she (Amanda) and Devlin had a divisive comprehension -recognizing each other’s unnatural endowment- moving them at opposite poles. It’s helplessly sad because it is like witnessing something truly beautiful cracking in the middle. And in spite of the horrifying events at the Kroll Cemetery, Amanda still finds cemetery restoration her firm ground in mending her broken heart and refurbishing her balance. Now, Amanda has been called to Seven Gates Cemetery to solve the riddle of the twelve mortsafes and the body of a girl buried with her hands grasping the iron grate.

The Graveyard Queen became one of my most favorite series. And now that we are down to the penultimate installment, I have these mixed feelings. I am absolutely excited to read the last book soon, but I am also torn by the fact that I don’t want to let this series end. Although, Ms. Stevens did promise an ebook that will feature Amanda and Devlin to introduce the new cast for her new series.

For now, though, I’d like you to grab a copy of The Sinner, on September 27, and share my excitement; because I don’t think Amanda is the only one growing in power here, not anymore.

Book details:

Title:  The Sinner
Series:  The Graveyard Queen #5 

Author:  Amanda Stevens

Publication:  September 27, 2016; MIRA

Genre:  Fiction, Paranormal

Rating:  ★★★★★




*Thank you MIRA and Netgalley for the DRC.

Read more →

Book Review | THE VISITOR by Amanda Stevens

September 27, 2016;
MIRA

My name is Amelia Gray. I'm the Graveyard Queen.

Restoring lost and abandoned cemeteries is my profession, but I'm starting to believe that my true calling is deciphering the riddles of the dead. Legend has it that Kroll Cemetery is a puzzle no one has ever been able to solve. For over half a century, the answer has remained hidden within the strange headstone inscriptions and intricate engravings. Because uncovering the mystery of that tiny, remote graveyard may come at a terrible price. 

THE VISITOR is the 4th installment of the Graveyard Queen series, and it has been four years since The Prophet (#3). If you have not started on this series yet or need to brush up on the info, I do suggest you pick up the previous 3 books before starting on this one. Our protagonist, Amalia Gray, basically outgrew her own self since the beginning.

Decades ago, Kroll Cemetery was a refuge, a walled sanctuary that protected its inhabitants from the outside world. Now, it calls to Amalia to uncover the mystery that shrouded the death of many. After finding a stereoscopic image, mirroring her own, from her basement, she knew that the summon is personal. And this time, it's not only the dead who are haunting her. 

"What you are, I once was. What I am, you will someday become."

For the record, this is the creepiest installment in this series. I literally checked my walls at night, while reading this. "Why in the world would a sane person read this at bedtime?", you asked. Well, because I couldn't put it down. Duh!

Seriously, though, Ms. Stevens outdid herself in this installment. It is so worth the wait. The Visitor is filled with new threats, revelations, and more secrets. I really don't know how Amalia can handle all these on her plate, especially, when John Devlin is keeping secrets of his own. So, there are even more reasons to look forward to book #5.

Book details:

Title:  The Visitor

Series:  The Graveyard Queen #4 
Author:  Amanda Stevens
Publication:  September 27, 2016; MIRA
Genre:  Fiction, Paranormal
Rating: ★★★★★

*Thank you MIRA and Netgalley for the DRC.

Read more →