laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
The Prophet
4.5 Stars
The Prophet is book #3 but it continues from where book #1, The Restorer, left off in terms of Amelia's relationship with Devlin and the issues surrounding the deaths of his wife and daughter.
Although Amelia is an engaging heroine, she has an annoying tendency toward TSTL behavior, particularly in this book. She constantly ignores her instincts and finds herself in precarious situations and the only explanation is that her actions are necessary for the story to progress as they ultimately lead to a revelation of some kind.
Devlin is as dark and tortured as ever. The fact that he is not in book two (although there are many references to him and Amelia's feelings for him), only enhances the anticipation and makes his return all the more worthwhile. The connection between Amelia and Devlin is breathtaking in its intensity and despite some questionable moments, the reader's patience is rewarded once they take it to the next level.
The story involving Amelia's investigation into the death of a murdered cop and her attempts to help Devlin's daughter is absorbing, and Stevens is very skilled at concealing the clues to unraveling the mystery within the seemingly mundane. As a result, a character that aroused my suspicions in book #1 (and turned out not to be the killer) ended up being the culprit in this book. It is rewarding to know that my suspicions were justified even if it was not in the right book.
The references to voodoo, black magic and the menacing villain all add an additional sinister layer to the creepy tone and eerie atmosphere of the Southern gothic setting. Nevertheless, the ending is a bit rushed although the mystery is neatly solved and well explained. Some tantalizing questions remain unanswered such as
In sum, an exciting addition and I look forward to finding out where Amelia's abilities take her.
4.5 Stars
The Prophet is book #3 but it continues from where book #1, The Restorer, left off in terms of Amelia's relationship with Devlin and the issues surrounding the deaths of his wife and daughter.
Although Amelia is an engaging heroine, she has an annoying tendency toward TSTL behavior, particularly in this book. She constantly ignores her instincts and finds herself in precarious situations and the only explanation is that her actions are necessary for the story to progress as they ultimately lead to a revelation of some kind.
Devlin is as dark and tortured as ever. The fact that he is not in book two (although there are many references to him and Amelia's feelings for him), only enhances the anticipation and makes his return all the more worthwhile. The connection between Amelia and Devlin is breathtaking in its intensity and despite some questionable moments, the reader's patience is rewarded once they take it to the next level.
The story involving Amelia's investigation into the death of a murdered cop and her attempts to help Devlin's daughter is absorbing, and Stevens is very skilled at concealing the clues to unraveling the mystery within the seemingly mundane. As a result, a character that aroused my suspicions in book #1 (and turned out not to be the killer) ended up being the culprit in this book. It is rewarding to know that my suspicions were justified even if it was not in the right book.
The references to voodoo, black magic and the menacing villain all add an additional sinister layer to the creepy tone and eerie atmosphere of the Southern gothic setting. Nevertheless, the ending is a bit rushed although the mystery is neatly solved and well explained. Some tantalizing questions remain unanswered such as
Spoiler
is Mariama truly gone? Will Devlin learn of her treachery? Did Amelia or Devlin bring something back with them from the other side? What is Darius Goodwin's endgame?In sum, an exciting addition and I look forward to finding out where Amelia's abilities take her.
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Book three in this beautiful, Gothic Paranormal Mystery series sees much more emphasis on character relationships this time around, and also on providing answers to the many questions raised in book one.
As you'll recall from The Restorer, the Prophet is actually a man named Robert Fremont. A police detective and former friend of John Devlin who was murdered on the same night John's wife and child died in a car accident. This story unravels the events of that night with some startling outcomes. Amanda Stevens is the queen of red herrings. She even made me doubt characters I totally trusted for a few seconds here and there. The way the story was told was both gripping and emotionally charged.
I felt there was a definite shift in our main character Amelia's opinion of herself and her role as well. She mentions often a need to fulfil some kind of higher calling. That perhaps her father's rules regarding the ghosts- which are basically to pretend like heck you can't see them so they don't haunt you for eternity- might not actually be the answer. Maybe she should be doing something else, like helping them move on. I hope this is something she continues to explore as the series goes on.
And go on it will. After the way this book ended I have no doubt that the next book will be equally full of revelations and shocks. Not all of them good. I can't wait!
4 Stars! ★★★★
Review Copy: Received from the publisher for an honest review
As you'll recall from The Restorer, the Prophet is actually a man named Robert Fremont. A police detective and former friend of John Devlin who was murdered on the same night John's wife and child died in a car accident. This story unravels the events of that night with some startling outcomes. Amanda Stevens is the queen of red herrings. She even made me doubt characters I totally trusted for a few seconds here and there. The way the story was told was both gripping and emotionally charged.
I felt there was a definite shift in our main character Amelia's opinion of herself and her role as well. She mentions often a need to fulfil some kind of higher calling. That perhaps her father's rules regarding the ghosts- which are basically to pretend like heck you can't see them so they don't haunt you for eternity- might not actually be the answer. Maybe she should be doing something else, like helping them move on. I hope this is something she continues to explore as the series goes on.
And go on it will. After the way this book ended I have no doubt that the next book will be equally full of revelations and shocks. Not all of them good. I can't wait!
4 Stars! ★★★★
Review Copy: Received from the publisher for an honest review
valeehill's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
molexreads's review against another edition
5.0
I read this one in two days, at first i was stuck on the characters from the previous book, but her writing brought back the characters from the first book and i couldn't put it down. I can't wait for another one!
downtown_kb's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Back in Charleston, Amelia is being visited by a ghost insisting that she help to solve his murder. It doesn’t take long to discover that all the major players of the story might be tangled up in the mystery surrounding his death.
This book was frustrating in that it was missing all the spooky atmosphere of the prior two books. Amelia is suddenly an amateur sleuth who keeps finding herself overhearing conversations she shouldn’t. The inner monologue becomes extremely repetitive and nothing really happens until the last 20% of this book. What does happen was a pretty great reveal. But Amelia has changed from being clever to a bit TSTL to prolong the mystery. Finally there is some advancement with the romance but I don’t think I’ll continue this series. I spoiled the ending with some goodreads reviews and while it looks like the spooky returns, the things I read about the romance plot are enough to make me quit. I might pull my hair out if I have to deal with this particular method of push and pull for 3 more books and seemingly ongoing OW drama. So I think the spooky atmosphere won’t be worth my suffering. This ends them in a vague HFN and I think I’ll leave them here.
mallorykjorgensen's review against another edition
5.0
First Read: June 6, 2012
Second Read: April 16, 2016
Second Read: April 16, 2016
elliefufu's review against another edition
4.0
The Prophet, Graveyard Queen #3, by Amanda Stevens
Grade: B-
“Which only served to remind me of how little I knew of the real John Devlin. In so many ways, he was still a stranger to me, but rather than discouraging my affection, his secrecy only intensified my unrealistic fantasies.”
The Graveyard Queen series is by far one of the best and most original series out there and I’m addicted to them. With that being said The Prophet was my least favorite book so far and I struggled through it. I found the beginning very hard to connect with and I actually put the book down twice to read other things. These books are usually very creepy to the point that I’ve turned all the lights on in my house while reading at night. I didn’t have any moment like that with The Prophet and I was a little disappointed as a result.
Now don’t get me wrong this is a great book and I really enjoyed it but it took me a bit to get into it. Once I did I found that I couldn’t put it down and I was so surprised and delighted with everything that happens. In this book Mrs. Stevens takes us into the Gullah culture of the lowlands in the South. I was very unfamiliar with gullah culture but it is fascinating, scary and tied in great with the world Mrs. Stevens has created.
This book is very different from the previous two and bring Amelia back to Charleston and her relationship with John Devlin. I usually love Amelia but I found her a little annoying in the beginning and coincidental that she was always in the right spot and the right time to hear a conversation that she shouldn’t be listening to while hiding in someone’s bushes. I felt that John made Amelia less of the strong woman that she normally is and made her into a very needy, lost soul. I am happy with how everything turned out and by the end I was back to liking both characters.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book that readers love and expect from Amanda Stevens. You never know where this brilliant author is going to take you or what she is going to throw at you next. Mrs. Stevens keeps you on your toes the entire book and never gives you a clue of how things will turn out which I love. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in this series and I can’t wait to see what happens to Amelia next.
Grade: B-
“Which only served to remind me of how little I knew of the real John Devlin. In so many ways, he was still a stranger to me, but rather than discouraging my affection, his secrecy only intensified my unrealistic fantasies.”
The Graveyard Queen series is by far one of the best and most original series out there and I’m addicted to them. With that being said The Prophet was my least favorite book so far and I struggled through it. I found the beginning very hard to connect with and I actually put the book down twice to read other things. These books are usually very creepy to the point that I’ve turned all the lights on in my house while reading at night. I didn’t have any moment like that with The Prophet and I was a little disappointed as a result.
Now don’t get me wrong this is a great book and I really enjoyed it but it took me a bit to get into it. Once I did I found that I couldn’t put it down and I was so surprised and delighted with everything that happens. In this book Mrs. Stevens takes us into the Gullah culture of the lowlands in the South. I was very unfamiliar with gullah culture but it is fascinating, scary and tied in great with the world Mrs. Stevens has created.
This book is very different from the previous two and bring Amelia back to Charleston and her relationship with John Devlin. I usually love Amelia but I found her a little annoying in the beginning and coincidental that she was always in the right spot and the right time to hear a conversation that she shouldn’t be listening to while hiding in someone’s bushes. I felt that John made Amelia less of the strong woman that she normally is and made her into a very needy, lost soul. I am happy with how everything turned out and by the end I was back to liking both characters.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book that readers love and expect from Amanda Stevens. You never know where this brilliant author is going to take you or what she is going to throw at you next. Mrs. Stevens keeps you on your toes the entire book and never gives you a clue of how things will turn out which I love. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in this series and I can’t wait to see what happens to Amelia next.
spiringvenus's review against another edition
4.0
Creepy fun! I'm excited for the next book to come out! Amelia is so wonderful to watch as she grows into awareness of what she can do.
anzuk's review against another edition
2.0
Uuuugh frustration dump
Why did all of this happen? Why??
Lemme tell you my problem. My problems, since I have more than one. I was not happy with starting The Prophet because the previous book, The Kingdom, sucked ass. So I was afraid that The Prophet will suck ass as well. Guess what? It did! Even though Amelia was back in Charleston, even though Devlin’s there, nothing worked the way I wanted it to. Too much whining, too few creepy.
A good quote of what the book is really about would be the following:
Yeah, so The Prophet ended up being an angsty love story. No proper ghosts, no good mystery, no nothing. Just Amelia obsessing after Devlin’s ass, Amelia hiding in the bushes, Amelia being jealous, Amelia making idiotic mistakes and Amelia getting herself into trouble. Ugh.
I guess I like Angus the most. For all you new people, he’s a dog. Yes, the dog is my favorite character in the book. I guess you can tell just how the rest of the characters are behaving.
In the end all I can say is that The Prophet is an extremely boring book. I’m very disappointed in where the series is going. I swear that I’m going to give the next book a try, and if nothing good happens in it, I’m giving up this worthless series.
I was going to give this 3 stars. However, after thinking about all my wasted expectations I decided to take one star away.
2 stars
Review also posted on
Why did all of this happen? Why??
Lemme tell you my problem. My problems, since I have more than one. I was not happy with starting The Prophet because the previous book, The Kingdom, sucked ass. So I was afraid that The Prophet will suck ass as well. Guess what? It did! Even though Amelia was back in Charleston, even though Devlin’s there, nothing worked the way I wanted it to. Too much whining, too few creepy.
A good quote of what the book is really about would be the following:
Devlin was my destiny. The one man I wanted above all others was the one man I could never have.
Yeah, so The Prophet ended up being an angsty love story. No proper ghosts, no good mystery, no nothing. Just Amelia obsessing after Devlin’s ass, Amelia hiding in the bushes, Amelia being jealous, Amelia making idiotic mistakes and Amelia getting herself into trouble. Ugh.
I guess I like Angus the most. For all you new people, he’s a dog. Yes, the dog is my favorite character in the book. I guess you can tell just how the rest of the characters are behaving.
In the end all I can say is that The Prophet is an extremely boring book. I’m very disappointed in where the series is going. I swear that I’m going to give the next book a try, and if nothing good happens in it, I’m giving up this worthless series.
I was going to give this 3 stars. However, after thinking about all my wasted expectations I decided to take one star away.
2 stars
Review also posted on