Book Review: The Prophet

The Prophet (Graveyard Queen #3)

By: Amanda Stevens

Published By: Mira

Publication Date: April 24, 2012

Page Count: 352

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher via NetGalley

Audience: Adult - Mystery, Paranormal
Review of Book One, The Restorer
Review of Book Two, The Kingdom

Amanda Stevens has done it again! The Graveyard Queen series is quickly becoming one of my favorites and I can only hope that this reading deliciousness will continue in future books. (Yes - according to the author's website we will get more Graveyard Queen books *happy dance*) There is so much left of Amelia's story - I can feel it. This installment is full of the things I have grown to love from these books - danger, intrigue, ghosts, and an addicting plot. Also, Amelia and Devlin are some of my favorite fictional characters of all time. I can't get enough time in their world.

The Prophet picks up where The Kingdom left off and returns readers to the original feel and mood of the series. I loved The Kingdom, but it had a totally different aura about it since it was not set in Charleston. I found that I missed all those quirky lowcountry elements in book two and I was excited to have them back in this one. Charleston is such a charming, haunting city that it makes a perfect locale for ghosts and those practicing the mystical arts. This book certainly has no shortage of either element. Amelia has returned to her home in the city only to be haunted by two ghosts she encounters in book one. Each of them seeks her help - even as she tries desperately to follow the rules her father gave her for interactions with ghosts. Amelia knows to acknowledge their presence will change her life in drastic and horrifying ways.

The mystery element in this one is strong. There are so many loose ends from the previous books that finally get resolved. I loved getting to know more about Fremont's murder, Mariama, Shani, and Devlin. There were some twists and turns that I never saw coming. Stevens certainly knows how to keep readers on their toes. Clues littered the previous books, but didn't stick out to me until everything came together in this one. 

Furthermore, I loved getting to see more of Amelia and Devlin's relationship. The complexity of their relationship keeps things intriguing. It was nice to finally see some emotion on Devlin's part - he wasn't the same man we saw in book one. We even get quite a few romantic scenes from the pair in this one. I also didn't realize quite how much I missed Devlin in The Kingdom until he reappeared in this one. However,  now I'm longing to see Thane again. I don't want him with Amelia, but he is quite the alluring character.

Stevens' writing has such a strong sense of place that you can't help but feel the warm Carolina breeze and smell the marsh and saltwater. I love the way she can transport me from the gloomy Pacific Northwest into the Deep South. The cultural elements in her novels always fascinate me. The Prophet discusses root work and the Gullah culture quite a bit. Southerners are known to be a superstitious lot and this novel certainly plays upon that mentality. Reading this book made me flat out homesick. I may be out of the South at the moment, but it still thrives within my Soul calling me back to its Spanish moss laden trees and humidity. The Graveyard Queen series will have you pouring yourself a glass of sweet tea, curling up on the porch swing, and reading away the hours on a weekend afternoon.

There was one thing I was disappointed about in this one. Stevens' writing has been so solid in all the previous books and the flow has been spot on. However, in this one, I felt like that didn't happen with the ending. I still enjoyed the book, but the ending felt rushed. There were so many elements coming at me at once during the final chapters that it was slightly overwhelming. I wish that the book had been a little longer and all of these items had been given time to play out gradually in the same fashion as previous books. The ending just fell flat for me. Overall, I don't think it was enough for me to dislike the book - there are so many other awesome attributes - but it did prevent me from giving it a 5 birdie rating. The Prophet provides integral information about many characters and moves the series along - while its not my favorite book in the series so far - it was still a great read and was instrumental in answering some of my lingering questions. 

One Last Gripe: I felt like the whole Dr. Shaw plot strand was too rushed and didn't flow as well as the rest of the book.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: The root work lore

First Sentence: Something had been following me for days.

Favorite Character: Amelia

Least Favorite Character: Mariama

Summary:

My name is Amelia Gray.I am the Graveyard Queen, a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. My father passed down four rules to keep me safe and I've broken every last one. A door has opened and evil wants me back.In order to protect myself, I've vowed to return to those rules. But the ghost of a murdered cop needs my help to find his killer. The clues lead me to the dark side of Charleston—where witchcraft, root doctors and black magic still flourish—and back to John Devlin, a haunted police detective I should only love from afar.Now I'm faced with a terrible choice: follow the rules or follow my heart.

Book Review: The Kingdom

The Kingdom (The Graveyard Queen #2)

By: Amanda Stevens

Published By: Mira

Publication Date: March 27, 2012

Page Count: 400

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Provided by Publisher via NetGalley

Audience: Adult - Paranormal Mystery

You can also check out my review of book #1, The Restorer.

I need to start by saying I LOVE this series. I have tried to keep my inner fangirl at bay while I write this review, but there may be a few moments where she makes an appearance. 

Since the moment I finished The Restorer, I craved more time in Amelia Gray's world. Amelia is a cemetery restorer. She spends her days researching the original layout and decoration of historical graveyards so she can restore them to their former glory when they fall into disrepair. I have to admit that part of the appeal of this series is I want Amelia's job. As a history nut, I love the mystery surrounding old cemeteries. However, I think that's where I stop coveting Amelia's life. Would you want to have to be inside your home on hallowed ground every night before dusk to avoid ghosts? I didn't think so. 

The Kingdom is the second installment in this series and I have to admit that I think its even better than the first book. Amanda Stevens has delivered another story that will have your heart pumping, your blood racing, and your mind trying to piece together all the clues. I love that The Graveyard Queen books combine paranormal aspects and mystery elements. Each book has left me anxious for more. 

In this installment, Amelia heads to Asher Falls, South Carolina – a dying town located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. For anyone who has family in this region or has ever visited, you are well aware that mountain folk are a superstitious lot. My family has so many stories, sayings, and odd beliefs. It didn't surprise me at all that Amelia ran into these things at every turn in Asher Falls. Also, southerners can often be mistrustful of newcomers. Amelia must seek to gain the favor of the town's residents as she seeks to restore the local cemetery, Thorngate. However, Amelia soon learns that the mountains hide sinister secrets and they just might hold the key to her birth parents. Can she solve the mystery in time or will a killer find her before she gains the answers she seeks? 

Amelia Gray is quickly becoming one of my favorite heroines. She is smart, nerdy, loyal, tenacious and courageous (even though she is a self proclaimed chicken). I can't imagine going through some of the things she experiences. She is also so real and down to earth; Amelia is the type of woman who would make a great friend. I would love to sit down and pick her brain about history and cemetery restoration. She is truly a girl after my own heart. 

I also love the way Stevens writes these stories. She places the reader right in the midst of the action alongside Amelia. I have to admit that I found myself freaked out several times while reading this the past two days. We were without power due to a winter storm and I saw all kinds of odd things lurking in the dark. This book is creepy and so darkly delicious. If you haven't started this series, what are you waiting for? 

The Kingdom is a must for mystery lovers and paranormal junkies. There is also a bit of romance in every book. I never imagined a graveyard could be a romantic location, but there is one scene in this book that will have me looking at statues in cemeteries and blushing. I do, however, love that while there is always a bit of romance in these books that there is more to the story than just that. The stories are driven more by the mystery than the hookups.

One Last Gripe: Why can't Amanda Stevens write faster? I need the next book NOW.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: Everything - I loved the setting, plot, characters!

First Sentence: The breeze off the water carried a slight chill even though the sun had barely begun its western slide.

Favorite Character: Amelia

Least Favorite Character: Hugh

Summary:

Deep in the shadowy foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies a dying town... 

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.

Book Review: Touch of Power

Touch of Power (Healer #1)

By: Maria V. Snyder

Published By: Mira

Publication Date: December 20, 2011

Page Count: 394

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Amazon Vine UK Review Program

Audience: YA - Fantasy

Touch of Power is Poison Study good!!! *HUGE CHEER* I haven't enjoyed a book by Maria V Snyder so much in a long time (even though they are usually great); I stayed up reading til all hours and was even late to work because I couldn't put it down! I really hope you agree with me when you get a chance to read it. I would definitely recommend this as required reading for Maria fans ASAP!! I think anyone who loved Graceling by Kristin Cashore would also love this. 

I really liked Maria's new heroine, Avry. She is fierce and stubborn, but also kind and brave. I liked her so much more than Opal from the Glass trilogy. She is as engaging as Yelena from Poison Study without being too much like her... both characters share similarities, but they are not one and the same. Avry is a healer, who can take peoples' illnesses from them as a cure, but she must suffer the illness herself. Fortunately she has an advanced speed of healing, or she'd never get anything done! 

The story picks up in the aftermath of a devastating plague, which the healers guild were unable to cure without dying themselves. As a result, healers are not revered by society, but rather they are hunted drifters. Avry finds herself incarcerated, awaiting death, but then is rescued by a motley crew who want her to heal their leader, Ryne, who lies in suspended animation in a magical coma in a distant land. He has a bad reputation, and he has the plague; healing him would kill Avry. 

The gang (Kerrick, Belen, Vinn, Quain and Flea) do their best to convince Avry, through any method possible, that she should heal Ryne as they believe he is the only person who can bring all the shreds of their plague-ridden kingdom together and restore order. There are several other potential leaders who disagree though, and they all make a play for Avry to varying success. One develops into a wonderful villain, who just made my skin crawl! (Excellent work Maria!!) 

Avry travels with the gang for most of the book, and there is a really beautiful camaraderie which grows between them, after some testing times... of course there is a love interest, and the development of that aspect was simply delicious to read. When there was finally some kissing, I was in seventh heaven!! 

What I really enjoy about Maria's writing, as a whole, is that she creates characters with believable skills. I know she often learns these skills herself, and this time I really enjoyed reading about juggling and knife throwing! Magic is also woven very carefully through the seams of the book; no one is all powerful, but some people have really interesting talents. I also love how rich her characters are; I really feel like I know Avry, Belen, Kerrick, and Flea. 

I was initially completely baffled by the bizarre mention of the peace and death lilies, giant plants which can consume a man whole, but actually it all made sense in the end, and I am totally gutted that I have to wait for the story to continue!! This has all the makings of a really wonderful fantasy trilogy... now... how long do I have to wait for the next one?! 

Summary:

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos. 

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life....