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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Fourth in the Alex Craft urban fantasy series and revolving around a grave witch living in Nekros City, Texas.
My Take
Geez, Alex's life is beyond complicated. Using her grave witch powers too often will result in her going blind before 30. Worse, she's in love with Falin. He loves her. And he's compelled to obey his queen, who hath no love for Alex. You can imagine how often Alex has been at the point of death at Falin's unwilling hands!
While there are several events in Grave Visions that will have long-term effects (and introduces a new problem that affects Alex personally — and does lead to a new playhouse in Caleb's backyard, lol), this seems to be more of a bridge novel between really major issues.
It's one thing to repeat "facts" to ensure the reader understands. And then there's repeating to the point of too much. Price also drives me a bit nuts with the trope in which the protagonist knows she needs to learn how to use her magic, and refuses to.
Iron isn't the only danger for the fae. Being severed for a lengthy period of time, not being attached to a court, can cause a fae to fade into death. And drain anyone to whom she's attached. Belief is a big part of Grave Visions. Primarily in the need the fae have for humans to believe in them.
The Winter Queen has ordered Falin to keep watch on Alex 24/7. That means living with and sleeping with…Alex. Detective Jenson is in a bind with a series of deaths that make no sense. And Alex discovers she has a life-threatening condition. Two of them, actually.
The Characters
Alexis "Lexi" Craft is a grave witch who can communicate with the dead and a planeweaver, a very rare skill. She's also half fae of the Sleagh Maith ruling line. The knife she carries is fae-wrought and expects to be fed when pulled. PC is her Chinese crested dog. Caleb is a Green man, fae, and Alex's landlord. He's also heavily involved with Holly, a human assistant DA and best friend to Alex. Death, a grim reaper, is Alex's forbidden lover and best friend since childhood. Roy Pearson, a computer programmer when he was alive, is the ghost who works as Alex's self-appointed sidekick.
Tongues for the Dead is…
…Alex and Rianna McBride's business. She's also Alex's once-lost-now-found best friend, a grave witch, a changeling, and fellow private detective. And she has to live in Alex's enchanted castle in Faerie. Desmond is a barghest and Rianna's constant companion. Ms. B is a brownie who has been housekeeper at the castle forever, now she's acting as receptionist for the girls' business.
Her fae father, George Caine, plays the long game. He'd been Nekros' first governor, and 50 years later, he's governor again. Part of that long game is joining the Humans First party. Casey had been Alex's sister.
The fae
Falin Andrews is the Winter Queen's knight, her Bloody Hands, lover and the head of the mortal realm-based local FIB office. The Winter Queen is determined to add Alex (and her skills) to her court. Her council includes Ryese, the queen's nasty nephew, angry at Alex's constant rejection; Maeve; Lysell; and, Blayne. Icelyne, a frost fae, and Snowlilly were two of the queen's handmaidens. Rath is what the queen's dungeons are called.
The Shadow King, Nandin, is scary and Alex's great-grand uncle. Dugan is a prince of the shadow court…and Alex's betrothed. Kyran is the usurper kingling of the nightmare realm. The Queen of Light is sister to the Winter Queen.
Tommy Rawhead, a red cap hobgoblin, and Jenny Greentheeth, a hag, crash Tamara's wedding. Malik Shellycoat and, I think, Peg Powler, who likes to hunt in dank, putrid bogs, are both independents. Nixies are harmless, childlike water spirits.
Nekros City Law Enforcement
The pregnant Tamara Greene is the lead medical examiner, a witch and scientist, and one of Alex's closest friends. She and Ethan are getting married; Alex and Holly are her bridesmaids. Mrs. Greene is a major bridezilla. Too bad she's the mother. Donella is Tamara's sister. Detective John Matthews used to be friendly with Alex, hiring her as a consultant. Not anymore. Detective Jenson is John's partner and doesn't like Alex. Partly because he's a glamourized fae.
The Eternal Bloom is…
…a fae bar built around an amaranthine tree. All fae are required to frequent the bar. It attracts human attention and increases their belief which makes the fae stronger. It's also a portal into Faerie. Do not, however, do any dancing. One of the bartenders is a satyr.
Lusa Duncan is the star reporter for the city's witchy news station; Todd is a fellow anchorman. The Mender is Death's boss. The Reaper is a fellow soul collector who has also been hiding things from the Mender.
The victims include…
…Emma Langley was giving herself a pedicure. Jeremy Watts was her boyfriend. Gavin Murphy was riding a unicorn. Bruce Martain and Shannon were about to enjoy their after-prom. Little Sam with his teddy bear, Lancelot, and Molly are trapped in a burning house. Maryanne Johnson is a very miserable client.
Glitter is a drug that causes hallucinations. Humans First is an antiwitch, antifae organization. Only the seasons have direct doors to the mortal realm, so only the seasons have independent fae.
The Cover and Title
The cover is primarily blues in the night with a city skyline lit up in the background and an arch of stone and wrought iron in the foreground. Alex is front (and slightly off-center) in a royal blue support tank and jeans with a wide belt holding that fae-wrought knife at her hip. The author's name and most information is in white while the title is in orange.
The title could be applied in one of two ways: the Grave Visions that push the victims over the edge or Alex's visions of the souls trapped within.
My Take
Geez, Alex's life is beyond complicated. Using her grave witch powers too often will result in her going blind before 30. Worse, she's in love with Falin. He loves her. And he's compelled to obey his queen, who hath no love for Alex. You can imagine how often Alex has been at the point of death at Falin's unwilling hands!
While there are several events in Grave Visions that will have long-term effects (and introduces a new problem that affects Alex personally — and does lead to a new playhouse in Caleb's backyard, lol), this seems to be more of a bridge novel between really major issues.
It's one thing to repeat "facts" to ensure the reader understands. And then there's repeating to the point of too much. Price also drives me a bit nuts with the trope in which the protagonist knows she needs to learn how to use her magic, and refuses to.
Iron isn't the only danger for the fae. Being severed for a lengthy period of time, not being attached to a court, can cause a fae to fade into death. And drain anyone to whom she's attached. Belief is a big part of Grave Visions. Primarily in the need the fae have for humans to believe in them.
"Belief magic really was the damnedest thing. It could enact a glamour that killed, but it could also guard a small boy who believed in the protection of a teddy bear."The Story
The Winter Queen has ordered Falin to keep watch on Alex 24/7. That means living with and sleeping with…Alex. Detective Jenson is in a bind with a series of deaths that make no sense. And Alex discovers she has a life-threatening condition. Two of them, actually.
The Characters
Alexis "Lexi" Craft is a grave witch who can communicate with the dead and a planeweaver, a very rare skill. She's also half fae of the Sleagh Maith ruling line. The knife she carries is fae-wrought and expects to be fed when pulled. PC is her Chinese crested dog. Caleb is a Green man, fae, and Alex's landlord. He's also heavily involved with Holly, a human assistant DA and best friend to Alex. Death, a grim reaper, is Alex's forbidden lover and best friend since childhood. Roy Pearson, a computer programmer when he was alive, is the ghost who works as Alex's self-appointed sidekick.
Tongues for the Dead is…
…Alex and Rianna McBride's business. She's also Alex's once-lost-now-found best friend, a grave witch, a changeling, and fellow private detective. And she has to live in Alex's enchanted castle in Faerie. Desmond is a barghest and Rianna's constant companion. Ms. B is a brownie who has been housekeeper at the castle forever, now she's acting as receptionist for the girls' business.
Her fae father, George Caine, plays the long game. He'd been Nekros' first governor, and 50 years later, he's governor again. Part of that long game is joining the Humans First party. Casey had been Alex's sister.
The fae
Falin Andrews is the Winter Queen's knight, her Bloody Hands, lover and the head of the mortal realm-based local FIB office. The Winter Queen is determined to add Alex (and her skills) to her court. Her council includes Ryese, the queen's nasty nephew, angry at Alex's constant rejection; Maeve; Lysell; and, Blayne. Icelyne, a frost fae, and Snowlilly were two of the queen's handmaidens. Rath is what the queen's dungeons are called.
The Shadow King, Nandin, is scary and Alex's great-grand uncle. Dugan is a prince of the shadow court…and Alex's betrothed. Kyran is the usurper kingling of the nightmare realm. The Queen of Light is sister to the Winter Queen.
Tommy Rawhead, a red cap hobgoblin, and Jenny Greentheeth, a hag, crash Tamara's wedding. Malik Shellycoat and, I think, Peg Powler, who likes to hunt in dank, putrid bogs, are both independents. Nixies are harmless, childlike water spirits.
Nekros City Law Enforcement
The pregnant Tamara Greene is the lead medical examiner, a witch and scientist, and one of Alex's closest friends. She and Ethan are getting married; Alex and Holly are her bridesmaids. Mrs. Greene is a major bridezilla. Too bad she's the mother. Donella is Tamara's sister. Detective John Matthews used to be friendly with Alex, hiring her as a consultant. Not anymore. Detective Jenson is John's partner and doesn't like Alex. Partly because he's a glamourized fae.
The Eternal Bloom is…
…a fae bar built around an amaranthine tree. All fae are required to frequent the bar. It attracts human attention and increases their belief which makes the fae stronger. It's also a portal into Faerie. Do not, however, do any dancing. One of the bartenders is a satyr.
Lusa Duncan is the star reporter for the city's witchy news station; Todd is a fellow anchorman. The Mender is Death's boss. The Reaper is a fellow soul collector who has also been hiding things from the Mender.
The victims include…
…Emma Langley was giving herself a pedicure. Jeremy Watts was her boyfriend. Gavin Murphy was riding a unicorn. Bruce Martain and Shannon were about to enjoy their after-prom. Little Sam with his teddy bear, Lancelot, and Molly are trapped in a burning house. Maryanne Johnson is a very miserable client.
Glitter is a drug that causes hallucinations. Humans First is an antiwitch, antifae organization. Only the seasons have direct doors to the mortal realm, so only the seasons have independent fae.
The Cover and Title
The cover is primarily blues in the night with a city skyline lit up in the background and an arch of stone and wrought iron in the foreground. Alex is front (and slightly off-center) in a royal blue support tank and jeans with a wide belt holding that fae-wrought knife at her hip. The author's name and most information is in white while the title is in orange.
The title could be applied in one of two ways: the Grave Visions that push the victims over the edge or Alex's visions of the souls trapped within.
unicorn's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
karenreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
⭐️ horrible, ⭐️ ⭐️mediocre, ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ entertaining, ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ great, ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ excellent
[***The following rambling notes are for me. They may contain spoilers or no information at all.***]
Silly, but fun series.
dajoyofit's review against another edition
4.0
Having more or less settled into a relationship, the story now focuses on what Alex does best: grave magic. There isn't any romance with this book, so don't get your hopes up. Now with Alex's love life more or less settled, the series seems to be settling into reading about Alex's next adventure/case. In this book Alex takes on a job for the Winter Queen and her life (quite literally) depends on solving the case. Its a race against time. There are a series of death-by-glamour victims, and its up to Alex with some help from her friends and not so friends to figure it out.
kk7's review against another edition
5.0
Fun read and interesting storyline. I usually dislike the whole "love triangle" mess but with this one, I truly love and feel for both men and I can't decide who I want her to end up with.
lee25's review against another edition
4.0
This series definitely gets better with each book. I am really enjoying Alex's struggles with her relationship with faerie and the fae. But what I really want is more of Death....
Can't wait to start Book 5.
Can't wait to start Book 5.
belanna2's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
witchylevy's review against another edition
5.0
I waited forever for this book! It was worth the wait though :) I hope the personal things in Ms. Price's life are a bit better now.
I honestly expected the person who turned out to be the antagonist. Well the main antagonist. I don't think the punishment fits the crime, nor do I feel this has resolved anything. Alex didn't really do anything too much relationship in this book, but maybe next book there will be more. And of course daddy has a plan and it probably will not make Alex happy. I feel bad for the Shadow prince.
Maybe it is just me but what Glitter did and what it was seemed pretty apparent from the hints at the beginning. I think that if Alex hadn't been fading she would have caught on to things a lot quicker. I love the message that Caleb sent to Alex right at the end of the book!! I look forward to seeing how she explains that not only to Caleb but to the authorities.
I really really really REALLY hope that the next book does come out on time, but that said dear publishers and dearest author I will wait if that is what must be. I've already bought indie books for another author who had to leave her publisher and this is a series I love so I would follow it that direction if need be. (No I haven't heard or read anything, it's just been a huge gap between books and my faith in publishers isn't all that great.)
I honestly expected the person who turned out to be the antagonist. Well the main antagonist. I don't think the punishment fits the crime, nor do I feel this has resolved anything. Alex didn't really do anything too much relationship in this book, but maybe next book there will be more. And of course daddy has a plan and it probably will not make Alex happy. I feel bad for the Shadow prince.
Maybe it is just me but what Glitter did and what it was seemed pretty apparent from the hints at the beginning. I think that if Alex hadn't been fading she would have caught on to things a lot quicker. I love the message that Caleb sent to Alex right at the end of the book!! I look forward to seeing how she explains that not only to Caleb but to the authorities.
I really really really REALLY hope that the next book does come out on time, but that said dear publishers and dearest author I will wait if that is what must be. I've already bought indie books for another author who had to leave her publisher and this is a series I love so I would follow it that direction if need be. (No I haven't heard or read anything, it's just been a huge gap between books and my faith in publishers isn't all that great.)