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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I finished this book in two days, which is both a good and bad thing. It’s good, in that it was a fun story that moved quickly and kept me so entertained I couldn’t put it down. It’s bad, in that now it’s over and I have to wait for the next one to come out. No good deed goes unpunished, Kalayna!
This book continues the story of Alex Craft, a witch who can raise shades of the dead, as well as weave planes of existence and other things. Each book has added to her repertoire, and also to her weaknesses in a way that keeps her human even though she might not actually BE full human. I love Alex as a protagonist. She’s not a fighter, but she’s smart, learns from her mistakes, and has a moral code. She means well, even when she messes up. In other words, she’s an everyday woman just trying to make a living in a world that mixes magic with our own. With a little romance on the side. Did I mention she has the hots for Death? I would too, he is, for lack of a better word…hot.
I love the world building. Every book in the series shows a little more of it. The way the faerie courts interact, the fae in general, the prejudice that some display toward anything different…it all feels so vibrant and real that I swear if I walk out my front door right now I’ll see a vendor selling magic charms.
I also love the way the mystery unfolds in this story. It starts out as a “is it really murder” to a “yes, but who is doing it” to a “what the heck?”. I was fascinated and hooked all the way to the end. I just love when mystery is blended with magic. It makes my day.
First line: “What do you think?” I asked, as I fumbled for the light switch. An incandescent bulb flickered on, and then continued flickering. I frowned at it, but the late-afternoon sunlight streaming through the grimy picture window prevented the gloom from devouring the room.”
As opening lines go, I’ve seen stronger. However, as this is a series and it’s not the first book in the series, it worked for me. I know who is speaking because I’ve read the other books in the series. I didn’t know where she was or why she needed an opinion, but that was enough for me to keep reading. As a hook, it worked. I was in the same place as her friend, wondering why we were looking at this grimy run down space.
Fast paced story telling, fun world building, believable characters and one very steamy, very hot love scene. Sounds like a recipe for a great read to me!
If you haven’t read the other books in the series, start with book one: Grave Witch. There’s only three out so far, but the fourth is coming. Now’s a great time to catch up!
This book continues the story of Alex Craft, a witch who can raise shades of the dead, as well as weave planes of existence and other things. Each book has added to her repertoire, and also to her weaknesses in a way that keeps her human even though she might not actually BE full human. I love Alex as a protagonist. She’s not a fighter, but she’s smart, learns from her mistakes, and has a moral code. She means well, even when she messes up. In other words, she’s an everyday woman just trying to make a living in a world that mixes magic with our own. With a little romance on the side. Did I mention she has the hots for Death? I would too, he is, for lack of a better word…hot.
I love the world building. Every book in the series shows a little more of it. The way the faerie courts interact, the fae in general, the prejudice that some display toward anything different…it all feels so vibrant and real that I swear if I walk out my front door right now I’ll see a vendor selling magic charms.
I also love the way the mystery unfolds in this story. It starts out as a “is it really murder” to a “yes, but who is doing it” to a “what the heck?”. I was fascinated and hooked all the way to the end. I just love when mystery is blended with magic. It makes my day.
First line: “What do you think?” I asked, as I fumbled for the light switch. An incandescent bulb flickered on, and then continued flickering. I frowned at it, but the late-afternoon sunlight streaming through the grimy picture window prevented the gloom from devouring the room.”
As opening lines go, I’ve seen stronger. However, as this is a series and it’s not the first book in the series, it worked for me. I know who is speaking because I’ve read the other books in the series. I didn’t know where she was or why she needed an opinion, but that was enough for me to keep reading. As a hook, it worked. I was in the same place as her friend, wondering why we were looking at this grimy run down space.
Fast paced story telling, fun world building, believable characters and one very steamy, very hot love scene. Sounds like a recipe for a great read to me!
If you haven’t read the other books in the series, start with book one: Grave Witch. There’s only three out so far, but the fourth is coming. Now’s a great time to catch up!
Oh, Alex! How I missed you and what a crazy mess you are! Kalayna Price has continued Alex’s story with a wonderful Grave Memory. This is a good ole murder mystery with a serious supernatural twist. She has now opened a private investigation agency called Tongues to the Grave with her BFF Rianna. But instead of just solving the murders, Alex makes things so much worse by trying to help.
What I loved most about Grave Memory is that Death finally takes center stage. I like him so much better than Falin. To me, Death seems to be Alex’s soul mate (no pun intended. Well, maybe). Their love story is so bittersweet and forbidden. Death is the mysterious hero who sweeps in at the most perfect time to save the heroine. He is a very romantic character.
Because Death is more prominent in this book, we get a better understanding of Soul Collectors. They are so mysterious and Kalayna allows us a quick peek inside their world. One big question…Who is the Mender? He’s a very intriguing new character. You know he is very powerful but who or what is he?
Alex continues to struggle with who she is. She is having a difficult time accepting her Fae heritage even when that heritage is drawing her closer and closer to Fairy. She has to make choice on which Fairy Court to join and her friends keep pushing her to make that choice. Her denial and conflict is so apparent for all to see and, also, affects her closest friends.
The end has a HUGE cliffhanger and I’m not a huge fan of cliffhangers. Grave Visions doesn’t come out until 2013 and the wait will drive me insane. The insanity is the biggest reason I’m not a fan of cliffhangers. But, of course, I will get it the minute it comes out!
What I loved most about Grave Memory is that Death finally takes center stage. I like him so much better than Falin. To me, Death seems to be Alex’s soul mate (no pun intended. Well, maybe). Their love story is so bittersweet and forbidden. Death is the mysterious hero who sweeps in at the most perfect time to save the heroine. He is a very romantic character.
Because Death is more prominent in this book, we get a better understanding of Soul Collectors. They are so mysterious and Kalayna allows us a quick peek inside their world. One big question…Who is the Mender? He’s a very intriguing new character. You know he is very powerful but who or what is he?
Alex continues to struggle with who she is. She is having a difficult time accepting her Fae heritage even when that heritage is drawing her closer and closer to Fairy. She has to make choice on which Fairy Court to join and her friends keep pushing her to make that choice. Her denial and conflict is so apparent for all to see and, also, affects her closest friends.
The end has a HUGE cliffhanger and I’m not a huge fan of cliffhangers. Grave Visions doesn’t come out until 2013 and the wait will drive me insane. The insanity is the biggest reason I’m not a fan of cliffhangers. But, of course, I will get it the minute it comes out!
I really like alex craft. she is flawed, and has issues, just like a normal person. the story line is fairly involved though, so it's not a light read. i found myself re-reading things to make sure i understood what was going on. enjoy, you probably won't be disappointed.
Fun and fast-paced, as always. These books don't have much of an emotional impact (which is fine for the genre IMO) - Alex is strangely incurious, so she's always learning tidbits of new and important information and then just kind of shrugging and ignoring them until they once again get forcibly brought to her attention. Her BFFs are really going through the wringer in this one, but Price views the "happy ending" as rescuing not only Alex but her entire "team" which makes things pleasant, but again blunts serious emotional impact. I really am losing patience with the love triangle, though. I don't really understand why Alex's romantic choices are limited to two guys She Cannot Have For Different Angsty Reasons, save maybe that they're the hottest guys who have appeared on-page - the emotional/romantic connection seems to be authorially-assigned rather than organically-evolved. I spent a significant portion of this book muttering "And you can't just choose to be single for a while why?" It's not like she doesn't have enough going on!
Just because I have a crush on Death this is how I am gonna start:
'O, Death. O, Death.
Won't you spare me over 'til another year?
Well, what is this that I can't see
With ice cold hands takin' hold of me
Well I am death, none can excel
I'll open the door to heaven or hell'
-traditional
Yes he is one of those bog crushes cos is always just there, staring. While Falin, eh stupid pretty boy Fae. I am team Death in this one.
Anyway, Alex has a new case. The ghosts are being all weird. So she is investigating. Trying to keep a check on Faerie, and spending some time with her friends. Oh and then there is the whole Falin and Death thing.
I do wonder what she will do about her Fae heritage, which court she will choose, will she find happiness? All questions I really want answers too. But the author is not making it easy for her. Not at all.
As the next book is not out yet I will sit here waiting cos I want more.
'O, Death. O, Death.
Won't you spare me over 'til another year?
Well, what is this that I can't see
With ice cold hands takin' hold of me
Well I am death, none can excel
I'll open the door to heaven or hell'
-traditional
Yes he is one of those bog crushes cos is always just there, staring. While Falin, eh stupid pretty boy Fae. I am team Death in this one.
Anyway, Alex has a new case. The ghosts are being all weird. So she is investigating. Trying to keep a check on Faerie, and spending some time with her friends. Oh and then there is the whole Falin and Death thing.
I do wonder what she will do about her Fae heritage, which court she will choose, will she find happiness? All questions I really want answers too. But the author is not making it easy for her. Not at all.
As the next book is not out yet I will sit here waiting cos I want more.
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death
Up to about 80% of the book I thought it was best yet in the series.
And then came the last 20% of the book and it turned to total mess...
And then came the last 20% of the book and it turned to total mess...
ARG what a cliffhanger!! I tried to make this read last as long as possible because the next installment isn't due out for a while. I enjoyed this one as much as the others - if not more, because of the continuing character development and mysteries being unraveled...and some not. Will be ordering book 4 as soon as its available!!
I still enjoy the first Alex Craft book the best. But this book had enough of the fun that had made me want to devour the series after the first one. More insight into faerie was welcome, and the concept of the big bad in this book was interesting.
I was terrified it was going to be another book of longing and no consummation, with pining for not just one but two boys for another 400 pages. I was pleasantly surprised, and then there was a twist. Of course. To hook you in for book four whenever it happens to be released.
Will I read it? Oh probably. The series is still fun enough but just missing a bit of something... maybe she'll find it again in the fourth one.
I was terrified it was going to be another book of longing and no consummation, with pining for not just one but two boys for another 400 pages. I was pleasantly surprised, and then there was a twist. Of course. To hook you in for book four whenever it happens to be released.
Will I read it? Oh probably. The series is still fun enough but just missing a bit of something... maybe she'll find it again in the fourth one.
Last page thoughts: "You always get left with a no more than a kiss, eh, Alex?" shortly followed by a laughing "This is golden!"
What to say about Grave Memory other than the fact that it followed in the footsteps of the first two magnificent installments in the series which kept me on the edge of my seat, laughing out loud and cussing at a nasty Winter Queen? I don't really know, it leaves you speechless, really, cause it's that good a book.
As far as characters are concerned, Alex lived up to my expectations as ever. She makes mistakes, she's still like the rest of us, but she not only owns up to them, she also learns from her mistakes. And that makes her a very full, very likable character.
On the opposite side of the spectrum of my liking, as ever, stands Her Royal Highness "wish-she-would-drop-dead-already" the Winter Queen with her pet dog Reese. It's not that the Queen isn't a well developed character, Kalayna is a brilliant writer, but you can't help hating her when you love Alex so much. Falin is a close second to the Queen in that he's only ever willing to bend orders from the shrew, even as he claims he'd do anything for Alex. But then I might be biased because I really loved the scenes with Death in this book.
See, Death, he was amazing. He was understanding, he was compassionate, caring, THERE for Alex and willing to trade his life for her more than once. If she asked him for the Moon, I bet that he would have found a way to give it to her. And that made him a whole lot better than Falin in my view. Not that I've yet expressed that I wish Falin would crawl under a rock with his Queen and all and die already or something like that. Oh, wait, I just did. No, but seriously, Death and Falin cannot be compared in terms of dedication to their love and while I do see Alex MAYBE remaining a friend with Falin, I'd wish she'd stay with Death. I'll probably cry if she doesn't, I love them too much together.
Another character that made a bit of a guest appearance - hardly enough, in my view - was the good governor, Alex's dad. I think I grew slightly frustrated with Alex in the beginning because she wouldn't go to him for help on her fae issues but that remains, since she doesn't seem eager to run off to him anytime soon. Maybe it's just me but there could definitely be a bit more father-daughter interaction. It irks me to no end that Alex won't ask her father to tell her which Court is preferable to join in order to be protected from HRH Winter Queen! Ugh. On the other hand, daddy dearest could be a bit more... direct with his kid and explain more things to her. What's aggravating, though, is that he's so cold to Alex yet warm to Casey, only to say that Casey isn't of his. Which obviously makes things ridiculously confusing! Explanations there...?
But overall, I really liked the book and series (as proven by my finishing 3 books in just as many days) and I'm quite eager to see what's coming up next. Hope Alex gives Falin what he deserves (the print of her boot on his rear as she kicks him out of her life) and maybe there will be some more father-daughter and Alex-Death stuff. I can but hope.
What to say about Grave Memory other than the fact that it followed in the footsteps of the first two magnificent installments in the series which kept me on the edge of my seat, laughing out loud and cussing at a nasty Winter Queen? I don't really know, it leaves you speechless, really, cause it's that good a book.
As far as characters are concerned, Alex lived up to my expectations as ever. She makes mistakes, she's still like the rest of us, but she not only owns up to them, she also learns from her mistakes. And that makes her a very full, very likable character.
On the opposite side of the spectrum of my liking, as ever, stands Her Royal Highness "wish-she-would-drop-dead-already" the Winter Queen with her pet dog Reese. It's not that the Queen isn't a well developed character, Kalayna is a brilliant writer, but you can't help hating her when you love Alex so much. Falin is a close second to the Queen in that he's only ever willing to bend orders from the shrew, even as he claims he'd do anything for Alex. But then I might be biased because I really loved the scenes with Death in this book.
See, Death, he was amazing. He was understanding, he was compassionate, caring, THERE for Alex and willing to trade his life for her more than once. If she asked him for the Moon, I bet that he would have found a way to give it to her. And that made him a whole lot better than Falin in my view. Not that I've yet expressed that I wish Falin would crawl under a rock with his Queen and all and die already or something like that. Oh, wait, I just did. No, but seriously, Death and Falin cannot be compared in terms of dedication to their love and while I do see Alex MAYBE remaining a friend with Falin, I'd wish she'd stay with Death. I'll probably cry if she doesn't, I love them too much together.
Another character that made a bit of a guest appearance - hardly enough, in my view - was the good governor, Alex's dad. I think I grew slightly frustrated with Alex in the beginning because she wouldn't go to him for help on her fae issues but that remains, since she doesn't seem eager to run off to him anytime soon. Maybe it's just me but there could definitely be a bit more father-daughter interaction. It irks me to no end that Alex won't ask her father to tell her which Court is preferable to join in order to be protected from HRH Winter Queen! Ugh. On the other hand, daddy dearest could be a bit more... direct with his kid and explain more things to her. What's aggravating, though, is that he's so cold to Alex yet warm to Casey, only to say that Casey isn't of his. Which obviously makes things ridiculously confusing! Explanations there...?
But overall, I really liked the book and series (as proven by my finishing 3 books in just as many days) and I'm quite eager to see what's coming up next. Hope Alex gives Falin what he deserves (the print of her boot on his rear as she kicks him out of her life) and maybe there will be some more father-daughter and Alex-Death stuff. I can but hope.