Scan barcode
charlenedotexe's review
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
raesock's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love this book. The blurb sounded right up my alley, and a story I haven't heard before. But it was too predictable, and I kept waiting for the book to surprise me. I would read something and think, "Well, it can't be THAT obvious, this is a misdirect." But it WAS that obvious. Disappointing.
nicjmorrow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The main character in this book is so frustrating. So many problems in this book could have been helped if not solved by her talking to someone she loved or asking for help. So many people love and care for her and she lies to them and ignores them to make her life harder for herself and it is frustrating. I was so bummed out about it too because the world around her and the other characters are great. This book is a bummer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Blood, Vomit, and Sexism
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
4.0
I've been looking forward to this book for a while, and this was definitely a strong debut. The world and concept are fantastically realized, and the writing style is lovely. I had no trouble falling into the world and its lore. The backstory for the main characters led to the main plot of the story, which I truly adored. For the main story however, I picked out the twist fairly early and it was a little obvious.
As far as the characters, I found many of them to be complex and layered. They seemed like "real" people. I have soft spots in my heart for Nasu and Nin Amira, and Dagan is one of the sweetest book boyfriends I've ever encountered. However, I had a couple gripes with the main ladies. I found Nanaea to be quite selfish (her motives are later revealed and understood, however), Ilanti to be far too abrasive and reckless, then passing it off as no big deal when it was a storyline that REALLY needed to be explored and not forgiven. As for Kammani... I'm a little torn. When she wasn't speaking, I found her thoughts to be compelling. But whenever she spoke, I found her to be cold and cruel and aggressive against her friends. I also was not a fan of how she treated Dagan, who adores her. Still, there is a chance for a great arc, and I hope her behaviour is rectified in the second book. Also, as with her sister, her motives stem from pain and inner turmoil, but it was too much for me.
Gripes aside, I truly did enjoy this story and world, and would love to see it continued. With its beautiful writing, this is a stellar debut that promises a fantastic career.
As far as the characters, I found many of them to be complex and layered. They seemed like "real" people. I have soft spots in my heart for Nasu and Nin Amira, and Dagan is one of the sweetest book boyfriends I've ever encountered. However, I had a couple gripes with the main ladies. I found Nanaea to be quite selfish (her motives are later revealed and understood, however), Ilanti to be far too abrasive and reckless, then passing it off as no big deal when it was a storyline that REALLY needed to be explored and not forgiven. As for Kammani... I'm a little torn. When she wasn't speaking, I found her thoughts to be compelling. But whenever she spoke, I found her to be cold and cruel and aggressive against her friends. I also was not a fan of how she treated Dagan, who adores her. Still, there is a chance for a great arc, and I hope her behaviour is rectified in the second book. Also, as with her sister, her motives stem from pain and inner turmoil, but it was too much for me.
Gripes aside, I truly did enjoy this story and world, and would love to see it continued. With its beautiful writing, this is a stellar debut that promises a fantastic career.
kleonard's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great read. In a society where leaders who die are entombed with three young women as sacrifices, a young healer is trying to hold her father together after the death of her mother in childbirth. When her sister is chose to accompany the dying leader to the grave, the healer knows she has to cure him to keep her sister from dying as well. But the palace is full of intrigue and plots, and it takes skill, cunning, and a group of excellent friends to put together a plan to save all of the women. The world-building is good, the characters are strong and real, and the novel is filled with glittering details and bits of lore I found fascinating.
flora96351's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
This was a good story, however very predictable. I didn't like how self-righteous Kammani was and how it was basically her way or no way. She's very stubborn as well, which ended up being both beneficial and detrimental to her story. I did really like the inspiration taken from ancient cultures such as Egyptian and Sumarian history. I would say definitely give this book a try if you like historically inspired stories with a strong heroine. Just be prepared to be annoyed at her.
sabrimata's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
hiveretcafe's review against another edition
3.0
FINALLY!!! A book that involves ancient history that's not Greek, Roman or Egyptian!!!
Gravemaidens is a book that is centred on ancient Sumerian history and belief and y'all, there is a bibliography my dudes!!!!! Of course this is historical fiction and it is simply inspired by the history and the characters of Gravemaidens take their own turn.
Ancient Sumerian history is not something i'm very familiar with and I'm sure not a lot of people are familiar with either and so while I was reading it, some of the terms with nobility had me confused for some time until I finally managed to interpret them.
There's a little bit of political intrigue in this as Kammani tries to figure out what's wrong with the Lugal (king) and rescue her sister from being sacrificed as one of the maidens to serve him in the afterlife. Admittedly, it wasn't as complex as I would have wanted but also I watch a lot of crime dramas so it might just be easier for me to predict things.
In any case, it was really refreshing to read a book that's inspired by ancient Sumer despite its predictability. I would definitely recommend this book to people like me, who are interested in ancient history in fiction novels, but are kind of tired of reading about ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.
Gravemaidens is a book that is centred on ancient Sumerian history and belief and y'all, there is a bibliography my dudes!!!!! Of course this is historical fiction and it is simply inspired by the history and the characters of Gravemaidens take their own turn.
Ancient Sumerian history is not something i'm very familiar with and I'm sure not a lot of people are familiar with either and so while I was reading it, some of the terms with nobility had me confused for some time until I finally managed to interpret them.
There's a little bit of political intrigue in this as Kammani tries to figure out what's wrong with the Lugal (king) and rescue her sister from being sacrificed as one of the maidens to serve him in the afterlife. Admittedly, it wasn't as complex as I would have wanted but also I watch a lot of crime dramas so it might just be easier for me to predict things.
In any case, it was really refreshing to read a book that's inspired by ancient Sumer despite its predictability. I would definitely recommend this book to people like me, who are interested in ancient history in fiction novels, but are kind of tired of reading about ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Gravemaidens definitely started off with a bang..but like small one. It sucked me in and kind of reminded me of Hunger Games a bit. Mostly because of the whole saving her younger sister from being sacrificed. Again, this was definitely a page turner in my opinion because HG was a bit boring to me (the first 500 times I tried to read the first book).
In it, you will meet Kammani, Dagan, and Iltani. There are a bunch of other characters that I could name off but those are kind of the main three in my eyes. I loved everything about Dagan and Iltani. They gave this book life and I probably would've DNF'd this bad boy if they weren't in it. Speaking of DNFing, ugh - Kammani. It's not like I plotting her death or anything the entire book but she was beyond stubborn and frustrating. If I could reach into any book and bitch slap a character - it would be her hands down. Her little sister was no angel either - kind of a twat really. A dumb twat, which is probably worse. Together they were annoying as hell.. and if I was Kammani I would've said good riddance to Nanaea (little sister) the day she was chosen. Enjoy hell brat.
Other than that, I loved loved LOVED Dagan and Iltani. Those two deserve a better best friend. Also Dagan deserves to be treated a lot better than he was. Here's hoping that the next book will bring these two justice!
Gravemaidens definitely started off with a bang..but like small one. It sucked me in and kind of reminded me of Hunger Games a bit. Mostly because of the whole saving her younger sister from being sacrificed. Again, this was definitely a page turner in my opinion because HG was a bit boring to me (the first 500 times I tried to read the first book).
In it, you will meet Kammani, Dagan, and Iltani. There are a bunch of other characters that I could name off but those are kind of the main three in my eyes. I loved everything about Dagan and Iltani. They gave this book life and I probably would've DNF'd this bad boy if they weren't in it. Speaking of DNFing, ugh - Kammani. It's not like I plotting her death or anything the entire book but she was beyond stubborn and frustrating. If I could reach into any book and bitch slap a character - it would be her hands down. Her little sister was no angel either - kind of a twat really. A dumb twat, which is probably worse. Together they were annoying as hell.. and if I was Kammani I would've said good riddance to Nanaea (little sister) the day she was chosen. Enjoy hell brat.
Other than that, I loved loved LOVED Dagan and Iltani. Those two deserve a better best friend. Also Dagan deserves to be treated a lot better than he was. Here's hoping that the next book will bring these two justice!