little_caprice's review against another edition
5.0
Chilling
It’s not the first time I’m amazed by the writing style of Amanda Stevens that can create an atmospheric setting with chilling undertones that keeps the heart pounding and the sweet love story at the same time.
The Graveyard Queen has it all. I’m surprised it’s not a well known series because they are definitely great!
It’s not the first time I’m amazed by the writing style of Amanda Stevens that can create an atmospheric setting with chilling undertones that keeps the heart pounding and the sweet love story at the same time.
The Graveyard Queen has it all. I’m surprised it’s not a well known series because they are definitely great!
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
The Visitor
4 Stars
While it has been a while since reading the previous book, Stevens seamlessly incorporates the important points from the earlier books within the narrative, and makes it easy for the reader to re-acquaint themselves with Amelia's world of restless ghosts and gothic romance.
In this installment, Amelia is drawn into the sad and distressing tale of those interred in Kroll Cemetery who may or may not have committed mass suicide. Following a number of clues apparently provided by an unidentified spirit, Amelia soon learns of her personal connection to the Kroll family and to the events leading to the destruction of an entire community. While the ultimate revelation of the culprit and their motivation is not all that surprising, accompanying Amelia on her quest is entertaining nonetheless.
Amelia's relationship with John Devlin is also at the forefront of this book as the two struggle with their opposing views of the supernatural. Both Amelia and Devlin keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves, and their lack of communication is one of the most disappointing aspects of the story. That said, their incredible chemistry still sizzles the pages despite Stevens' disturbing tendency toward cutting their intimate moments short, or undermining them with the somewhat grotesque descriptions of malevolent entities.
Khristine Hvam's narration of the audiobook is fantastic as always. Her soft southern drawl really adds to the spine-tingling creepiness of the atmosphere and the setting.
In sum, The Visitor is a solid addition to the series and the unanswered questions regarding Devlin's family and whether he and Amelia have a future together make me eager to continue on to the next book.
4 Stars
While it has been a while since reading the previous book, Stevens seamlessly incorporates the important points from the earlier books within the narrative, and makes it easy for the reader to re-acquaint themselves with Amelia's world of restless ghosts and gothic romance.
In this installment, Amelia is drawn into the sad and distressing tale of those interred in Kroll Cemetery who may or may not have committed mass suicide. Following a number of clues apparently provided by an unidentified spirit, Amelia soon learns of her personal connection to the Kroll family and to the events leading to the destruction of an entire community. While the ultimate revelation of the culprit and their motivation is not all that surprising, accompanying Amelia on her quest is entertaining nonetheless.
Amelia's relationship with John Devlin is also at the forefront of this book as the two struggle with their opposing views of the supernatural. Both Amelia and Devlin keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves, and their lack of communication is one of the most disappointing aspects of the story. That said, their incredible chemistry still sizzles the pages despite Stevens' disturbing tendency toward cutting their intimate moments short, or undermining them with the somewhat grotesque descriptions of malevolent entities.
Khristine Hvam's narration of the audiobook is fantastic as always. Her soft southern drawl really adds to the spine-tingling creepiness of the atmosphere and the setting.
In sum, The Visitor is a solid addition to the series and the unanswered questions regarding Devlin's family and whether he and Amelia have a future together make me eager to continue on to the next book.
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
5.0
Amelia Gray is a graveyard restorer, and as such has spent her entire career (and much of her childhood) in old, neglected graveyards. It just so happens, she can also see and comunicate with the dead, and here in The Visitor, that gift(?) leads her to Kroll Cemetery, which has a tragic story to tell, as tragic as Amelia's own...
I've been in love with these stories since book one. The atmosphere and setting is unlike anything else on my shelf. Each one has been so absorbing. The author's ability to deeply unnerve her readers whilst also entralling them with her lush descriptions of the deep south are second to none. Of course, I'm also eagerly following the developing romance between Amelia and her detective John Devlin, as frustrating a pastime as that can be.
If you're relatively new to this series, then lucky you; you didn't have to wait fora million four years between this book and the one previous. As it had been a while for me, I decided to re-read the 1st and 3rd books just before starting The Visitor. Why skip the 2nd book I hear you ask? Because although we learned a lot about Amelia's birth in it (which I'd managed to retain anway) it was really the relationship between John and Amelia that I wanted to be fresh on, and he's not really in [b:The Kingdom|11162228|The Kingdom (Graveyard Queen, #2)|Amanda Stevens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1324584432s/11162228.jpg|16086233] at all.
Speaking of Devlin, we made such progress with him in [b:The Prophet|13024331|The Prophet (Graveyard Queen, #3)|Amanda Stevens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1322258553s/13024331.jpg|18187177] so it was slightly annoying that he can't remember any of it! Or can he? These two seriously need to comunicate more. I want them to get to the point where it can all finally be out there in the open and they can work together. There's still a lot of mystery where Devlin in concerned, which I suppose it no bad thing, actually. Nothing worth having comes easy, and all that. I've just purchased the next two books, The Sinner and The Awakening so hopefully I'll get what I'm waiting for there.
5 Stars ★★★★★ A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I've been in love with these stories since book one. The atmosphere and setting is unlike anything else on my shelf. Each one has been so absorbing. The author's ability to deeply unnerve her readers whilst also entralling them with her lush descriptions of the deep south are second to none. Of course, I'm also eagerly following the developing romance between Amelia and her detective John Devlin, as frustrating a pastime as that can be.
If you're relatively new to this series, then lucky you; you didn't have to wait for
Speaking of Devlin, we made such progress with him in [b:The Prophet|13024331|The Prophet (Graveyard Queen, #3)|Amanda Stevens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1322258553s/13024331.jpg|18187177] so it was slightly annoying that he can't remember any of it! Or can he? These two seriously need to comunicate more. I want them to get to the point where it can all finally be out there in the open and they can work together. There's still a lot of mystery where Devlin in concerned, which I suppose it no bad thing, actually. Nothing worth having comes easy, and all that. I've just purchased the next two books, The Sinner and The Awakening so hopefully I'll get what I'm waiting for there.
5 Stars ★★★★★ A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
lindaluzarizasarmiento's review against another edition
3.0
Le perdí el interés porque sigue la misma metodología, al inicio nadie le dice nada y a la ultimo todo el mundo le dice todo sin mayor inconveniente, la relación amorosa no avanza, el adelanto del libro anterior se truncó en este, no sentí mucho avance en los personajes ni en sus historias individuales, lo que menos me gusto fue que el perrito Angus no estaba presente.
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
molexreads's review against another edition
5.0
I read the first books prior to this one back in 2012 but I was so surprise how fast the characters and story came flowing back to me. what a way to end the book though. I'm glad that September is next month because I can't wait to see where the characters go next!
runningoncoffee's review against another edition
5.0
As always, Amanda Stevens has kept me at the edge of my seat. The Visitor is the best so far in the Graveyard Queen series. I can't wait for The Sinnner.
spiringvenus's review against another edition
4.0
Fast paced and spooky! There are so many unknowns so you never know what's going to happen next.
tacuazin's review against another edition
3.0
I´m all for atmospheric but, is it possible it's too atmospheric? It was also slow as molasses.
andimontgomery's review against another edition
4.0
This one doesn't cover as much of Amelia's latest cemetery restoration as it does her family history and ability to communicate with ghosts. And maybe that's why I enjoyed this one so much.
I had forgotten how much I liked Amanda Stevens' writing until I started reading this one - I just couldn't put it down!
I had forgotten how much I liked Amanda Stevens' writing until I started reading this one - I just couldn't put it down!