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llk's review
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
4.0
Grave Secrets // by Alice James
I won a giveaway for a signed copy of this book right after buying it. And then it sat on my shelf for who knows how long. Reader, don't make the same mistake I did and sleep on this book. I'm so glad I finally picked it up to read. I won't go into a ton of detail but if you're looking for something light-hearted and funny to break up the monotony of serious, epic fantasy (a genre I obviously love but still), then this is what you need to read. I laughed out loud multiple times and despite not everything always making 100% sense, I honestly didn't really mind that here. I'm generally not a fan of (pretty much) insta-love but this book has an interesting take on the usual relationship we expect. There are some other instances that were probably handled more easily than expected. But overall, this is a book that doesn't take itself too seriously and that's what made it so fun and what made it easy to overlook some of those faults that would usually bother me a lot more. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one when it comes out!
I won a giveaway for a signed copy of this book right after buying it. And then it sat on my shelf for who knows how long. Reader, don't make the same mistake I did and sleep on this book. I'm so glad I finally picked it up to read. I won't go into a ton of detail but if you're looking for something light-hearted and funny to break up the monotony of serious, epic fantasy (a genre I obviously love but still), then this is what you need to read. I laughed out loud multiple times and despite not everything always making 100% sense, I honestly didn't really mind that here. I'm generally not a fan of (pretty much) insta-love but this book has an interesting take on the usual relationship we expect. There are some other instances that were probably handled more easily than expected. But overall, this is a book that doesn't take itself too seriously and that's what made it so fun and what made it easy to overlook some of those faults that would usually bother me a lot more. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one when it comes out!
emintobooks's review against another edition
I was expecting this to be a mystery as it's #1 in the Lavington Windsor *mystery* series. 70 pages in and It's actually a comedic supernatural romance, which was a disappointment. Where and what is the mystery? But even as a romance novel it flops because the things I love about romance aren't there. No tension, no development. I figured this one wouldn't be for me when the 1700s history referenced in the first couple of pages was shody at best and Ill informed at worst. But then we see our main character, a necromancer, think about how flat a 17 year old corpse's chest is and I knew I was in for a bumpy ride. The author also constantly reminds us the characters are English but in weirdly hamfisted ways, like having the main character talk about the rounding of another English person's accent (who notices that about the accents of people from where you are from?), or restating the fact that they are English ("still we were both English"). Also her mentions of Lavington taking a brush to her curly hair to tame it, and even her boss bringing it up had me cringing as a curly haired person, but thats a nitpick. There were lots of little things that just felt off about the characters and how they spoke and took me out of the story. On page 6 and again on page 7 two different things are described as mouldering. Honestly it felt like the author was trying to recreate the vibe of something I haven't read or seen. Maybe the Charlain Harris books the blurb compares it to? Also, I could tell this was trying to be humorous in a kooky way, and I like kooky humor as much as the next, but this didn't hit the mark for me.
(I want to note as well the main character brushes off sexual assault way too easily. The writing glosses over it and tries to make it funny but it isn't.)
(I want to note as well the main character brushes off sexual assault way too easily. The writing glosses over it and tries to make it funny but it isn't.)
neighbor_reads's review against another edition
1.0
I think this book is a victim of the wrong marketing. The cover and back cover seem to promise a fun mystery with an intelligent necromancer protagonist. It is not.
This book starts off well, but then takes an unexpected turn that needs some content warnings. The reader is asked to accept some things in the story, but the novel makes little attempt to support those asks.
I have no idea why the protagonist Toni is with, or even likes, the romantic male lead Oscar. They never have a real conversation or a pleasant interaction. He is described as impulsive, selfish, and hot. That’s really it. But we are asked to believe that Toni is very experienced and loves him. And their first intimate encounter is described as feeling like an “assault”. Not ok!
And everyone wants to assault Toni. It’s really uncomfortable. A character is a known harasser and groper, but that’s not a big deal for any character. The book treats assault too casually, where at night she is attacked and threatened with torn clothes and by day buying new handbags.
We are also asked to see this as a mystery. The whodunnit is pushed so far to the side that when the killer is revealed, I had forgotten who they were or why they mattered to the story. And at the end, Toni is asked to give up the male lead for a safer life, and she says no. Why?!
I’m sad that this marketing and concept was used for this book. It’s very misleading.
This book starts off well, but then takes an unexpected turn that needs some content warnings. The reader is asked to accept some things in the story, but the novel makes little attempt to support those asks.
I have no idea why the protagonist Toni is with, or even likes, the romantic male lead Oscar. They never have a real conversation or a pleasant interaction. He is described as impulsive, selfish, and hot. That’s really it. But we are asked to believe that Toni is very experienced and loves him. And their first intimate encounter is described as feeling like an “assault”. Not ok!
And everyone wants to assault Toni. It’s really uncomfortable. A character is a known harasser and groper, but that’s not a big deal for any character. The book treats assault too casually, where at night she is attacked and threatened with torn clothes and by day buying new handbags.
We are also asked to see this as a mystery. The whodunnit is pushed so far to the side that when the killer is revealed, I had forgotten who they were or why they mattered to the story. And at the end, Toni is asked to give up the male lead for a safer life, and she says no. Why?!
I’m sad that this marketing and concept was used for this book. It’s very misleading.
thestainlesssteelrat's review against another edition
5.0
This is a delightful read. Delightful if you like ravenous zombies; murderous but undoubtedly sexy vampires; a scattering of limbs punctuated by regular decapitations, then you are in for a treat!
The writing is witty, knowing and moves briskly. I fair whizzed through this hugely enjoyable book .
Bravo more please!
The writing is witty, knowing and moves briskly. I fair whizzed through this hugely enjoyable book .
Bravo more please!
dogearedandfurry's review
4.0
A delicious level of snark, humour and creativity - I’m so sorry this day on my TBR pile for so long, as it was fabulous to read once I started. Characters felt like I’d known them for ages, and I’m already looking forward to book 2. More please!
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Apologies for the delay!
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Apologies for the delay!
nica00's review against another edition
4.0
Grave Secrets is ultimately a paranormal romance, but it also gives fabulous cozy mystery vibes & the atmosphere is painted with the humour and campiness of a small English village. The extremely clever dialogue and ridiculous foibles made me laugh out loud every other page. Hijinks abound, an unsolved murder pull you in, and there’s even some very steamy romance in this very funny book. Problematic issues of fuzzy consent as in many dark romances will ward off some readers. Unlike other cozy mysteries there is a surprising bit of violence, a real gore-fest. These horrors are simply one thread of the story and are written with a casual air but not quite glib. It added to the humour in my opinion. “Oh just another day at the office...”
katgent's review
lighthearted
mysterious
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
2.5