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malus23's review against another edition
4.0
Finally got around to this one, and liked it very much. Still hate that the cover model has had her skeletal system airbrushed away, but the actual story inside was very fun.
veronica87's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was somewhat reminiscent of Kim Harrison's The Hollows series so that may have allowed me to settle into this world quicker than usual but that's not a bad thing. In fact, I think Alex Craft, the heroine in Kalayna Price's Grave Witch would get along splendidly with Rachel Morgan.
Grave Witch takes place in a world that is 70 years out from the Magical Awakening, when the Fae announced their existence to the world. And there are all manner of fae, from the unbelievably beautiful to the grotesque, but appearances don't always indicate heart. Shortly after the fae came out, the witches followed. As a result of the Magical Awakening, the physical world expanded as land that had previously been hidden by magic from mortal human eyes - folded spaces - is suddenly visible. Grave Witch takes place in a metropolis called Nekros City and it is located in one of these previously folded spaces.
Our heroine is one Alex (short for Alexis) Craft, a witch with the ability to see and call forth the dead, or at least their shades. Shades being more or less the genetic memory of who a person was when they were alive, differing from ghosts in that shades are not sentient.
I really liked Alex as a character and was surprised to find that she didn't do anything to annoy me once during the whole book. I'm not sure that has ever happened to me before, at least not with most UF heroines. We get to see Alex really think through her choices before making decisions, weighing the pros and cons, so when she does settle on a course of action it makes sense. That was refreshing.
Also refreshing is the fact that, her grave witch abilities aside, Alex is an everyday gal. She rents an efficiency garage apartment, owns a dog named PC, and lives pretty much job to job. At one point she only had one hot dog and some pickles in her refridgerator, lol. She has no training to be a fighter so she has to be smarter. But she is in no way alone. She has a great support system in her friends, which includes her housemates Caleb (a fae), Holly (another witch and also an Assistant DA), her other bestie Tamara (the Medical Examiner), and John (an older NCPD homicide detective).
This book, which is the first of at least three in the Alex Craft series, finds Alex drawn into solving some very gruesome ritualistic murders. Early on she steps on the toes of Falin Andrews, the lead detective on the murders, and the two clash heads frequently. The two eventually figure out that they can each do better in meeting their own goals by working together. The relationship is fun to read about and the verbal jabs they take often mirror my own sense of humor. Needless to say that by the end of the book we and Alex find out that there is more to Falin than what meets the eye.
Then there are the soul collectors, because what would a book that deals with magic involving dead people be without them? As it turns out, one of these soul collectors, whom Alex has nicknamed Death since she doesn't know his real name or even if he has one, has been periodically visiting Alex since she was five years old and he came to take her mother's soul when she died. I'm not sure what to think about Death yet. He helps Alex when he can but he's still very much a one dimensional character by the end of the book and despite the fact that he's known Alex longer than any of the other characters there just doesn't seem to be much depth to their relationship/friendship. We'll see if that changes with subsequent books.
I was hopeful that this would be one series where the author veered away from the overly worn and tired cliche that is the romantic triangle but, given a last minute declaration from Death, I don't think I'll be holding my breath. And let me just be clear...I HATE romantic triangles. It's beyond me why so many writers in the UF genre seem to use it a crutch to genrate angst for whoever the ultimate HEA is supposed to be. I really, really hope that Ms Price decides to be more bold and avoid this tired writing trope but my excitement over reading the second book is diminished by the fact that I don't this will be the case.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what Alex does next.
Grave Witch takes place in a world that is 70 years out from the Magical Awakening, when the Fae announced their existence to the world. And there are all manner of fae, from the unbelievably beautiful to the grotesque, but appearances don't always indicate heart. Shortly after the fae came out, the witches followed. As a result of the Magical Awakening, the physical world expanded as land that had previously been hidden by magic from mortal human eyes - folded spaces - is suddenly visible. Grave Witch takes place in a metropolis called Nekros City and it is located in one of these previously folded spaces.
Our heroine is one Alex (short for Alexis) Craft, a witch with the ability to see and call forth the dead, or at least their shades. Shades being more or less the genetic memory of who a person was when they were alive, differing from ghosts in that shades are not sentient.
I really liked Alex as a character and was surprised to find that she didn't do anything to annoy me once during the whole book. I'm not sure that has ever happened to me before, at least not with most UF heroines. We get to see Alex really think through her choices before making decisions, weighing the pros and cons, so when she does settle on a course of action it makes sense. That was refreshing.
Also refreshing is the fact that, her grave witch abilities aside, Alex is an everyday gal. She rents an efficiency garage apartment, owns a dog named PC, and lives pretty much job to job. At one point she only had one hot dog and some pickles in her refridgerator, lol. She has no training to be a fighter so she has to be smarter. But she is in no way alone. She has a great support system in her friends, which includes her housemates Caleb (a fae), Holly (another witch and also an Assistant DA), her other bestie Tamara (the Medical Examiner), and John (an older NCPD homicide detective).
This book, which is the first of at least three in the Alex Craft series, finds Alex drawn into solving some very gruesome ritualistic murders. Early on she steps on the toes of Falin Andrews, the lead detective on the murders, and the two clash heads frequently. The two eventually figure out that they can each do better in meeting their own goals by working together. The relationship is fun to read about and the verbal jabs they take often mirror my own sense of humor. Needless to say that by the end of the book we and Alex find out that there is more to Falin than what meets the eye.
Then there are the soul collectors, because what would a book that deals with magic involving dead people be without them? As it turns out, one of these soul collectors, whom Alex has nicknamed Death since she doesn't know his real name or even if he has one, has been periodically visiting Alex since she was five years old and he came to take her mother's soul when she died. I'm not sure what to think about Death yet. He helps Alex when he can but he's still very much a one dimensional character by the end of the book and despite the fact that he's known Alex longer than any of the other characters there just doesn't seem to be much depth to their relationship/friendship. We'll see if that changes with subsequent books.
I was hopeful that this would be one series where the author veered away from the overly worn and tired cliche that is the romantic triangle but, given a last minute declaration from Death, I don't think I'll be holding my breath. And let me just be clear...I HATE romantic triangles. It's beyond me why so many writers in the UF genre seem to use it a crutch to genrate angst for whoever the ultimate HEA is supposed to be. I really, really hope that Ms Price decides to be more bold and avoid this tired writing trope but my excitement over reading the second book is diminished by the fact that I don't this will be the case.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what Alex does next.
veronica87's review against another edition
3.0
Reread March 2021 via audiobook. The magic system seems a little more nebulous than I remembered but Alex is still a likable protagonist. Plus, this is one of the few UF series that I've read that doesn't center around vampires, werewolves, or other shifters. Death is still an annoying creepster who is lusting after someone he's known since she was FIVE years old. Grooming her, maybe? I know he has his fans but I'm definitely not one of them. On to a reread of book two! *which is where I stalled with the series the first time due to the impending love triangle - but since I know how that turns out now I can finish out the series with only mildly major annoyance at the third wheel*
:-P
:-P
amalthea44's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I could give half stars... this book is better than a 3 but not quite a 4. A fun enjoyable read (and I will pick up the others of the series) however some of the writing style and plot outlines were very reminiscent of other writers in the fantasy genre.
nturner2810's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this book, it has a tough heroine and a nice level of romance without becoming gushy. The mystery is well written and although I found Deaths 'confession' to be super sudden and a little predictable, I can't wait to pick up the next in the series to see what happens between Alex and *them*. Who will she choose?! What adventure is she in for next?
I'm going to buy it now.
I'm going to buy it now.
paradoxically's review against another edition
3.0
Decent enough for the genre. It does strike one as rather formulaic--except for the extra bits it is very much like a lot of other urban fantasy books out there. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing if the author can pull it off differently, interestingly enough, but Price doesn't quite manage to do that for me. The main character, Alex, is tough and pretty kick ass, and I like how her weakness plays into her strengths, but she doesn't stand out to me like some other heroines might. I have very little interest in Falin, who's pretty much the hot man who tries to order Alex around and ultimately fails and then they fall into bed--yeahhh.
I did like Death, but we saw very little of him and his colleagues. Perhaps in the subsequent books there will be more character depth to him (and everyone else).
What did irritate me was how cavalier Alex seemed to be about her own life. People have been gunning for her, the fae keep trying to kidnap her or kill her, and what does she do? A series of actions that almost makes me believe that she's suicidal. Exercise some caution at least. Use your head a bit more.
In any case, very much a middling sort of book for me. Average in pretty much every way. Decent enough read, but nothing wow about it.
I did like Death, but we saw very little of him and his colleagues. Perhaps in the subsequent books there will be more character depth to him (and everyone else).
What did irritate me was how cavalier Alex seemed to be about her own life. People have been gunning for her, the fae keep trying to kidnap her or kill her, and what does she do? A series of actions that almost makes me believe that she's suicidal. Exercise some caution at least. Use your head a bit more.
In any case, very much a middling sort of book for me. Average in pretty much every way. Decent enough read, but nothing wow about it.
maladaptivebookdreaming's review against another edition
5.0
I am admittedly very picky when it comes to urban fantasy because it is one of my favorite genres to read. I was very surprised when I got a recommendation to read this series and realized it was a little older and I had never heard of it, but I gave it a go! I absolutely loved this book and that is saying a lot because I loathe even the slightest hint of love triangles.
The storyline and world building was well developed, as well as the characterization of Alex. The depth that the author explored with magic and Alex's ability to use it was so descriptive and as someone who has to picture the scene fully in my mind to be enraptured with fantasy novels, I found myself engaged until the end. At times I did became frustrated with Alex but I thoroughly enjoyed her as a character. I even enjoyed the tension between her and the two male leads, Falin and Death.
A side note: the revelations about her father and sister during the course of the book enraged me in ways I HOPE are touched on later in the series. Despite the lack of love her family displays for her, I did appreciate the authors ability to instill a found family trope and love the fact that she continuously has support from her friends throughout the novel.
Would definitely recommend to my fellow urban fantasy lovers looking for a new series to binge!
The storyline and world building was well developed, as well as the characterization of Alex. The depth that the author explored with magic and Alex's ability to use it was so descriptive and as someone who has to picture the scene fully in my mind to be enraptured with fantasy novels, I found myself engaged until the end. At times I did became frustrated with Alex but I thoroughly enjoyed her as a character. I even enjoyed the tension between her and the two male leads, Falin and Death.
A side note: the revelations about her father and sister during the course of the book enraged me in ways I HOPE are touched on later in the series. Despite the lack of love her family displays for her, I did appreciate the authors ability to instill a found family trope and love the fact that she continuously has support from her friends throughout the novel.
Would definitely recommend to my fellow urban fantasy lovers looking for a new series to binge!
little_caprice's review against another edition
5.0
Unique and engaging
The Grave witch starts with unique plot and interesting mystery. This is one of those books with great world and characters. It's an UF and romance is very slow burn developing though the series.
P.S. there is also a little bit like a love triangle, but not exactly a love triangle.
The Grave witch starts with unique plot and interesting mystery. This is one of those books with great world and characters. It's an UF and romance is very slow burn developing though the series.
P.S. there is also a little bit like a love triangle, but not exactly a love triangle.