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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
First in the Alex Craft urban fantasy series about a witch who communicates with the dead. Based in Nekros City.
My Take
A fascinating start in this complex-seeming series. Price twists the concept of witches and then twists family end over end. The surprises just don't stop.
Mostly, the story raises lots and lots of questions as Price very busily introduced the characters whom, I assume, will be regulars in this series. A family that refuses to acknowledge her when they're all hiding their own secrets. Friends who take the place of family and provide the necessary warmth and love. Coming to the attention of more powerful beings than Alex ever considered. New lovers, none of whom are human.
All sorts of truths being revealed. Some welcome, but most not much better than a sharp stick in the eye. Price certainly left us hanging and wondering what will happen next. I'm certainly anxious to get on to Grave Dance and get those questions answered.
The Story
It's a big deal. Alex is the first witch who will raise a witness from the dead to testify at her murderer's trial and it can only help her business' bottom line.
The last thing Alex expects is to be hired by her sister. When Alex's abilities couldn't be kept hidden, her family made Alexis Caine disappear. They wanted nothing to do with her.
Now, Casey needs her to investigate the death of her fiancé, Teddy Coleman, and almost immediately the assassination attempts begin, missing Alex---thanks to Death—, but taking down John. The police think it relates to the upcoming Amanda Holliday trial and insist on her accepting police protection. The surprise is who that protection turns out to be.
A more successful attempt is after the trial. After she tips the police to the invisible (to everyone else) tattoos on the governor's body.
The question that arises, however, is how the ritual killings could possibly tie in with a body whose real owner is ticked off, no end!
The Characters
Alex Craft is in need of money. Her company is Tongues for the Dead and her abilities as a grave witch enable her "to bridge the gap between the world of the living and whatever plane Death existed on". Fred is the resident gargoyle on Caleb's property where Alex lives above the garage; PC is her dog. Caleb is fae; Holly is an assistant DA and a fellow housemate. Tamara is a charm witch who works at the morgue. Roy Pearson is a ghost who started following Alex from the morgue and has he ever got a complaint! I suspect he's going to become a partner in her work.
The jeans-wearing Death is Alex's friend. And he's in love with her.
Detective John Matthews is with homicide and Alex's friend; Detective Jenson is his partner and not one of Alex's fans. Detective Falin Andrews just transferred in through Chief Reynolds' influence and he doesn't want Alex anywhere around his body. He's with FIB and he's the Winter Queen's lover and assassin.
Governor Theodore Coleman is a vice-presidential hopeful and Casey Caine, Alex's little sister, is in love with him. She's also flying under the radar. Lieutenant Governor George Caine is their father and a member of the HumansFirst Party. Rodger is the family butler. "Aunt" Margie has been her father's personal assistant for practically ever. Tolver Graham is his new chief of staff. Pratt Bartholomew is the new lieutenant governor.
Rosa Hanks was the first. A norm. Bethany Lane is a wyrd witch; Helena Brothers is another wyrd witch; Sally; Michelle Ford was a telekinetic wyrd; Emily Green; Caitlin Sikes; and, Julie. Rianna McBride, another grave witch, was Alex's roommate before she disappeared and became Coleman's Shadow Girl. When Coleman dies and frees her, it turns out that Rianna is a changeling and must be in Faerie before the moon sets. Ashen Hughes is another grave witch and the first of three to confirm Alex's findings.
Amanda Holliday is a victim. A five-year-old girl who was murdered. The police know who did it but lack the proof. It's Alex's job to bring her back as a witness. Lusa Duncan is the star reporter for Witch Watch. Tommy Stewart is the medical examiner's intern and used to be friendlier to Alex.
It's been seventy years since Magical Awakening, "the day the fae...announced to the world...that…[they]...existed". The fae's announcement was followed by the witches. FIB is short for Fae Investigation Bureau.
The Cover
The cover is shades of medium gray with Alex the focal point in her hip-hugger blue jeans and deep red cropped and fitted tank top. She's outside in a graveyard surrounded by tombstones and encircled by lit candles as a mist rolls in.
The title is more of an introduction to what Alex Craft is, a Grave Witch.
My Take
A fascinating start in this complex-seeming series. Price twists the concept of witches and then twists family end over end. The surprises just don't stop.
Mostly, the story raises lots and lots of questions as Price very busily introduced the characters whom, I assume, will be regulars in this series. A family that refuses to acknowledge her when they're all hiding their own secrets. Friends who take the place of family and provide the necessary warmth and love. Coming to the attention of more powerful beings than Alex ever considered. New lovers, none of whom are human.
All sorts of truths being revealed. Some welcome, but most not much better than a sharp stick in the eye. Price certainly left us hanging and wondering what will happen next. I'm certainly anxious to get on to Grave Dance and get those questions answered.
The Story
It's a big deal. Alex is the first witch who will raise a witness from the dead to testify at her murderer's trial and it can only help her business' bottom line.
The last thing Alex expects is to be hired by her sister. When Alex's abilities couldn't be kept hidden, her family made Alexis Caine disappear. They wanted nothing to do with her.
Now, Casey needs her to investigate the death of her fiancé, Teddy Coleman, and almost immediately the assassination attempts begin, missing Alex---thanks to Death—, but taking down John. The police think it relates to the upcoming Amanda Holliday trial and insist on her accepting police protection. The surprise is who that protection turns out to be.
A more successful attempt is after the trial. After she tips the police to the invisible (to everyone else) tattoos on the governor's body.
The question that arises, however, is how the ritual killings could possibly tie in with a body whose real owner is ticked off, no end!
The Characters
Alex Craft is in need of money. Her company is Tongues for the Dead and her abilities as a grave witch enable her "to bridge the gap between the world of the living and whatever plane Death existed on". Fred is the resident gargoyle on Caleb's property where Alex lives above the garage; PC is her dog. Caleb is fae; Holly is an assistant DA and a fellow housemate. Tamara is a charm witch who works at the morgue. Roy Pearson is a ghost who started following Alex from the morgue and has he ever got a complaint! I suspect he's going to become a partner in her work.
The jeans-wearing Death is Alex's friend. And he's in love with her.
Detective John Matthews is with homicide and Alex's friend; Detective Jenson is his partner and not one of Alex's fans. Detective Falin Andrews just transferred in through Chief Reynolds' influence and he doesn't want Alex anywhere around his body. He's with FIB and he's the Winter Queen's lover and assassin.
Governor Theodore Coleman is a vice-presidential hopeful and Casey Caine, Alex's little sister, is in love with him. She's also flying under the radar. Lieutenant Governor George Caine is their father and a member of the HumansFirst Party. Rodger is the family butler. "Aunt" Margie has been her father's personal assistant for practically ever. Tolver Graham is his new chief of staff. Pratt Bartholomew is the new lieutenant governor.
Rosa Hanks was the first. A norm. Bethany Lane is a wyrd witch; Helena Brothers is another wyrd witch; Sally; Michelle Ford was a telekinetic wyrd; Emily Green; Caitlin Sikes; and, Julie. Rianna McBride, another grave witch, was Alex's roommate before she disappeared and became Coleman's Shadow Girl. When Coleman dies and frees her, it turns out that Rianna is a changeling and must be in Faerie before the moon sets. Ashen Hughes is another grave witch and the first of three to confirm Alex's findings.
Amanda Holliday is a victim. A five-year-old girl who was murdered. The police know who did it but lack the proof. It's Alex's job to bring her back as a witness. Lusa Duncan is the star reporter for Witch Watch. Tommy Stewart is the medical examiner's intern and used to be friendlier to Alex.
It's been seventy years since Magical Awakening, "the day the fae...announced to the world...that…[they]...existed". The fae's announcement was followed by the witches. FIB is short for Fae Investigation Bureau.
The Cover
The cover is shades of medium gray with Alex the focal point in her hip-hugger blue jeans and deep red cropped and fitted tank top. She's outside in a graveyard surrounded by tombstones and encircled by lit candles as a mist rolls in.
The title is more of an introduction to what Alex Craft is, a Grave Witch.
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
4.0
Nice one, no vampires, no werewolves and while there is a love triangle, it is handled in a good, non-disturbing way.
World is not too overloaded (one of peeves in some other books) and world-building well done-with a lot not known even in the world itself, so it is the MC learning with the reader. Well written suspense, and although the end is obvious, the baddie is not known for sure until some 2/3 in the book. One nice, necessary, steamy but rather clean sex-scene (straight) at about 80%.
Some torture, but not too detailed.
More for 15 and above, not totally YA.
Highly recommended and will certainly read the next one(s) in the series.
World is not too overloaded (one of peeves in some other books) and world-building well done-with a lot not known even in the world itself, so it is the MC learning with the reader. Well written suspense, and although the end is obvious, the baddie is not known for sure until some 2/3 in the book. One nice, necessary, steamy but rather clean sex-scene (straight) at about 80%.
Some torture, but not too detailed.
More for 15 and above, not totally YA.
Highly recommended and will certainly read the next one(s) in the series.
laureenreads's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly had no idea what to expect when I started this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed reading it, and by the time I was getting near to the end I was shocked--I hadn't expected to be that far into it. In my opinion a good story is one that ensnares you and drags you along on the ride from start to end and is so well-written that you don't know time has passed. This book does that.
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
A fun and totally engrossing story with a strong interesting protagonist. Alex, she's a grave witch and can pull shades, memories out of dead bodies. She is paid little and respected less. She has real problems, bills, dog care, rent, lack of food...and yet we don't hear her whining. Her dog PC, adorable.
Life takes a hard twist when bodies start showing up with marks she is only seeing. She takes on a tint of something wrong when a shade goes wild. She must work with Death and the arrogant detective to try to find a solution. But there is magic and it's not what she is used to.Time is ticking.
There are two men in her life Falin, a sultry sexy detective with an attitude. Then there is Death... I am team Death, he's mysterious and sultry, sexy and loves Alex. I wanted more of this character. Perhaps there is more in the second book ? This trio is complicated.
My favorite part of the book, a kiss before disappearing. Simple and satisfying.
Life takes a hard twist when bodies start showing up with marks she is only seeing. She takes on a tint of something wrong when a shade goes wild. She must work with Death and the arrogant detective to try to find a solution. But there is magic and it's not what she is used to.Time is ticking.
There are two men in her life Falin, a sultry sexy detective with an attitude. Then there is Death... I am team Death, he's mysterious and sultry, sexy and loves Alex. I wanted more of this character. Perhaps there is more in the second book ? This trio is complicated.
My favorite part of the book, a kiss before disappearing. Simple and satisfying.
naturally's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
selenajean's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this one, no annoying insta love, I liked the world building, interesting magic. I actually finished it. I thought I loved urban fantasy years ago but quickly realized most were not that great and ended up being paranormal romance or just silly/not well written. So I was pleasantly surprised.
unicorn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sinful88's review against another edition
5.0
I highly recommend "Grave Witch" by Kalayna Price. The urban fantasy novel introduces us to grave witch and private investigator Alex Craft, who can speak to the dead. The well-developed characters, fast-paced plot, and intricate paranormal world make for a compelling read. The dynamic between Alex and Death adds a unique layer to the story, and the mystery will keep readers guessing until the end. I highly recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
dajoyofit's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this. Yes, it shares some striking similarities with some other urban fantasies out there. Yes, they jump off the page and smack you in the face at times. Yes, I'll admit that when I got to the hunky blonde hotty who drives a red corvette (Southern Vampire Mysteries), my eyes were rolling, and I about pitched the book across the room, but I resisted the urge, persevered, and it paid off. Despite there being some elements in this story that have been done in more recent years, I did thoroughly enjoy KP's twist on these elements. She hooked me in and made me care about Alex, Death and a few other characters. I'm intrigued and want to read more of the world KP has created, as well as, to see how her characters evolve.
katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun start to a new series. A lot of the world-building elements felt familiar (the world reminded me very much of the Rachel Morgan series, the heroine's abilities were very early-Anita Blake), but it didn't really diminish my fun. It was a really fast read, and I will definitely be grabbing the next book to see where we go.