The Graveyard Queen Series:
Book 1: The Restorer (May 2011)
Book 2: The Kingdom (April 2012)
Book 3: The Prophet (May 2012)
Published by Harlequin MIRA on March 27th 2012
Book kindly offered for review by publisher via NetGalley
Book kindly offered for review by publisher via NetGalley
Pages - 376
The breeze off the water carried a slight chill even though the sun had barely begun its western slide. It was still hours until twilight. Hours until the veil between our world and the next would thin but already I could feel the ripple of goose bumps at the back of my neck, a sensation that almost always signalled an unnatural presence.
Goodreads Summary
My name is Amelia Gray. They call me The Graveyard Queen. I've been commissioned to restore an old cemetery in Asher Falls, South Carolina, but I'm coming to think I have another purpose here.
Why is there a cemetery at the bottom of Bell Lake? Why am I drawn time and again to a hidden grave I've discovered in the woods? Something is eating away at the soul of this town—this withering kingdom—and it will only be restored if I can uncover the truth.
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I have one complaint about this series! There aren't enough books in it!
Seriously I cannot get enough of Amanda Steven's Graveyard Queen series. If you
haven't read the first book in the series called The Restorer, then you
honestly need to read it. I have been told by a little birdy that it will be
available in the UK from tomorrow, so don't just take my word for it, go buy it.
There may be spoilers in this review, but I will try my hardest not to
reveal too many secrets. After the events of The Restorer, Amelia is desperate
for the chance to get away from Devlin and everything that occurred in
Charleston; so desperate is she to go that she readily accepts a commission to
restore an old cemetery in Asher Falls. As soon as Amelia arrives, you can feel
that something isn't quite right about the place and strange and frightening events begin to occur, revolving around Amelia.
There is a connection between Amelia and Asher Falls, she just can't put
her finger on what it might be, but the longer she stays the more danger she
comes under. I swear I had goose bumps erupting all over me as I bit my nails
down to the quick, desperately hoping that Amelia and Angus would be safe. Angus
especially - never have I loved a dog quicker in a book; this poor
deformed beast was used as a bait dog and all I wanted to do was hug him. I
cursed the author every time he appeared to be in danger!
As the book progressed I was overwhelmed by what I discovered. How can I
put this in words - gigantic can of worms, spilling out faster than a tidal wave! I was completely gob smacked by what I discovered, so how on earth Amelia dealt
with it so well, I shall never know.
It was like The Witches of Eastwick meets The Ghost Whisper! Thrilling and tense from beginning to end, keeping you perched on the edge of your seat.
Amanda Stevens has a way of sucking you in and binding you tightly into
the story, so that you cannot stop reading until the end. With its deep South
flavour and Gothic charm, the book was definitely one of the strongest second
books in a series I have ever read. I shall be devouring The Prophet very soon!
*******
Amanda Stevens' Website : click here |
The Graveyard Queen Series Website : click here |
Dear God - you've made me want another series
ReplyDeleteYou will want this one. Trust me. I can't get enough of these books!
DeleteHow have I not heard of this series before? It sounds awesome! And I used to love The Ghost Whisperer, so the fact you've compared it to that intrigues me. Fab review, I'll have to look into this! :)
ReplyDeleteI think this is my favorite in the series so far :) But I read The Prophet only in small doses here and there so I might have liked it even better if I read it in just a few sittings :)
ReplyDeleteKeeping my fingers crossed that ABC will turn this into a TV-series. Would love to see Amelia and Devlin on the screen as well.