A review by judeinthestars
Consecrated Ground by Virginia Black

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I loved this book so much when I first read it last year that I was super excited to get to listen to it. All the more so as Trei Taylor is a new narrator to me. Despite the voices being rather indistinguishable in dialogues, which required me to focus even harder than usual, I enjoyed the narration a lot. It was more like being read a story than a performance. Trei Taylor nails the mood, the darkness lighted by bursts of energy, the timid sliver of hope that won’t be shut down. The pacing is perfect, and there are loads of energy and drama in all the right places.

I didn’t remember the ending—I wrote in my original review that it’s “satisfying, leaving no loose ends while keeping the door open for a sequel if the author wants one”—so it surprised me anew. I’ve been hoping for that sequel since I finished listening.

I started this audiobook on the plane to Saint Paul, MN, where the 2024 GCLS conference was taking place and I couldn’t be happier that Virginia Black received two extremely deserved Goldie Awards—in the Debut Novel and Paranormal/Occult/Horror categories. Having the privilege of being in the audience on July 13th was the cherry on the cake.

If you need more than this review and the one I posted in February 2023, you can witness all my enthusiasm in the video review below!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C97Zbl...