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Graveyard Queen #4
La visitante
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Horror (2016)«Algún día te convertirás en lo que soy.» Así habla el espíritu de la bisabuela de Amelia Gray, Rose Gray, una mujer tan atormentada por su don y por su conexión con el otro lado que decidió quedarse ciega para así evitar ver fantasmas.
Amelia está aterrorizada con la posibilidad de que la profecía se convierta en realidad y le suceda lo mismo que a su bisabuela. Ella solo quiere pasar el resto de su vida con John Devlin, el detective del que se ha enamorado.
Con el fin de evitar la profecía, Amelia deberá descubrir cómo murió realmente Rose y qué sucedió con el legado de la familia Gray. Después de tropezar con un viejo estereoscopio en el sótano de su casa en Charleston, el viaje de Amelia hacia el autodescubrimiento pronto se convierte en una investigación sobre un asesinato.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2016
253 people are currently reading
5461 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Stevens
262 books2,228 followersAmanda Stevens is the award-winning author of over fifty novels, including the modern gothic series, The Graveyard Queen. Her books have been described as eerie and atmospheric, “a new take on the classic ghost story.” Born and raised in the rural south, she now resides in Houston, Texas, where she enjoys binge-watching, bike riding and the occasional Horror Night with friends.
The Graveyard Queen trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrCf_e...
http://twitter.com/AmandaStevensTX
http://facebook.com/amandastevensbooks
amandastevensbooks@gmail.com
The Graveyard Queen trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrCf_e...
http://twitter.com/AmandaStevensTX
http://facebook.com/amandastevensbooks
amandastevensbooks@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 526 reviews
June 26, 2018
2.5 stars.
Never acknowledge the dead. Never stray far from hallowed ground. Never associate with the haunted. And never, ever tempt fate.
How many times have I read this throughout this series? And yet, they mean nothing.
To continue, or to not continue with this series? That is the question.
The only reason I ask this, is because I’m bored of this series.
Bored of Amelia playing detective. Bored of the relationship between her and Devlin, but most of all, I’m bored of this dragging of the story. Nothing really happens. No revelations, no developments, no new powers, just more questions popping up with every book, and no answers to them.
I don’t see a direction with this series. Four books, and I know nothing about Amelia other than her birth. She just keeps asking herself what’s her higher purpose, reciting her “Papa’s” rules, and then completely ignoring them. Having a sixth sense that something is lurking around her, and going back and forth with her divine smelling Devlin.
The rest is just speculations and titles that have no explanation attached to them to understand what they mean.
“You saw it, didn’t you?” I asked on a shaky breath. He shot me a glance that I couldn’t decipher as he opened the front door and scanned the porch. “I saw something,” he admitted. “Wait here while I take a look outside.”
It got to a point where all this secrecy is just stupid. They both see the supernatural, and they both know about each other. How much longer do we have to wait until they will (if they will), join hands and solve these “mysteries”?
Dragging something that should have been revealed two books ago, won’t make a story more interesting, it just manages to piss me off to the point of almost throwing my kindle against the wall in frustration. Having this intense anger, is a sign that something is going terribly wrong between me and these series.
I really, really wanted to like this one, but is dragging everything so much and its pointless. Sometimes is good to take things slowly and keep the readers in the dark to make the suspense and mystery more gripping, but if the story invokes just impatience, it’s not good.
Two more books to go. Do I really want to do this?
That is the question...
*****EDIT*****
Nope, I won’t continue with this series.
Amelia is a weak heroine, compared to Charley from First Grave on the Right she’s very weak.
I even liked Perry from Darkhouse better. In this series the heroine becomes more awesome as the story progresses.
Maybe I’ll go and re-read Experiment in Terror, just to forget about this one.
Never acknowledge the dead. Never stray far from hallowed ground. Never associate with the haunted. And never, ever tempt fate.
How many times have I read this throughout this series? And yet, they mean nothing.
To continue, or to not continue with this series? That is the question.
The only reason I ask this, is because I’m bored of this series.
Bored of Amelia playing detective. Bored of the relationship between her and Devlin, but most of all, I’m bored of this dragging of the story. Nothing really happens. No revelations, no developments, no new powers, just more questions popping up with every book, and no answers to them.
I don’t see a direction with this series. Four books, and I know nothing about Amelia other than her birth. She just keeps asking herself what’s her higher purpose, reciting her “Papa’s” rules, and then completely ignoring them. Having a sixth sense that something is lurking around her, and going back and forth with her divine smelling Devlin.
The rest is just speculations and titles that have no explanation attached to them to understand what they mean.
“You saw it, didn’t you?” I asked on a shaky breath. He shot me a glance that I couldn’t decipher as he opened the front door and scanned the porch. “I saw something,” he admitted. “Wait here while I take a look outside.”
It got to a point where all this secrecy is just stupid. They both see the supernatural, and they both know about each other. How much longer do we have to wait until they will (if they will), join hands and solve these “mysteries”?
Dragging something that should have been revealed two books ago, won’t make a story more interesting, it just manages to piss me off to the point of almost throwing my kindle against the wall in frustration. Having this intense anger, is a sign that something is going terribly wrong between me and these series.
I really, really wanted to like this one, but is dragging everything so much and its pointless. Sometimes is good to take things slowly and keep the readers in the dark to make the suspense and mystery more gripping, but if the story invokes just impatience, it’s not good.
Two more books to go. Do I really want to do this?
That is the question...
*****EDIT*****
Nope, I won’t continue with this series.
Amelia is a weak heroine, compared to Charley from First Grave on the Right she’s very weak.
I even liked Perry from Darkhouse better. In this series the heroine becomes more awesome as the story progresses.
Maybe I’ll go and re-read Experiment in Terror, just to forget about this one.
March 8, 2017
En una palabra: decepcionada. En serio, ¿dónde ha quedado el ambiente tan mágico que hay en sus otras novelas? Y ¿qué le ha pasado a su narración? ya no es la misma. Y por último ¿cómo puede haber escrito ese final tan abrupto, así, de golpe? Y ¿Devlin????
April 23, 2020
I have a strange relationship with this series. There are quite a few things about it that I do not like yet I keep coming back to it!
I think my main peeve is that in a series I like the characters to develop and the story to progress. I guess these two things are happening but so painfully slowly. The relationship between our two main characters is actually taking giant leaps backwards.
However I love the setting and the atmosphere of the books and the spookiness. I am still intrigued by the idea of a graveyard restorer and wish we could spend a few more pages engaged in that! And I am only two books away from finding out how the author is going to explain away Devlin's awful behaviour. Please don't tell me anyone. I want to be surprised.
I think my main peeve is that in a series I like the characters to develop and the story to progress. I guess these two things are happening but so painfully slowly. The relationship between our two main characters is actually taking giant leaps backwards.
However I love the setting and the atmosphere of the books and the spookiness. I am still intrigued by the idea of a graveyard restorer and wish we could spend a few more pages engaged in that! And I am only two books away from finding out how the author is going to explain away Devlin's awful behaviour. Please don't tell me anyone. I want to be surprised.
September 26, 2020
No sé si se debe a que dejé pasar tanto tiempo entre esta entrega y las tres primeras de la serie o si, por el contrario, ya estoy tan habituada al entorno paranormal de la historia, pero La visitante no logró causarme esa sensación de desasosiego o esos escalofríos que sentía, sobre todo con el primer libro, cada vez que Amelia percibía una presencia fantasmal.
Sin embargo, el argumento está muy bien armado y el misterio central te mantiene expectante respecto de cómo se resolverá y qué papel juega su bisabuela. El haber dejado de lado todas las normas que desde pequeña le inculcó su padre para protegerse, la ha dejado expuesta y también ha intensificado sus habilidades para percibir no sólo fantasmas, sino presencias de otros tipos, incluso en personas vivas. Lo anterior hizo que prácticamente toda la novela Amelia estuviera muerta de miedo y, la verdad, me terminó cansando un poco tanta reiteración de sus temores.
Respecto de su relación con John Devlin, se respira desde el inicio que está destinada al fracaso; es que es imposible pensar que puedan construir algo sólido manteniendo tantos secretos entre ellos. Además, el libro termina con Devlin alejándose de Amelia por… vaya uno a saber por qué… ninguna explicación.
Entiendo que quedan dos libros más para terminar la serie (y saber qué diablos le pasó a Devlin), pero lamentablemente no están traducidos al español.
De todas maneras es una buena historia de nuestra querida Reina del Cementerio.
Sin embargo, el argumento está muy bien armado y el misterio central te mantiene expectante respecto de cómo se resolverá y qué papel juega su bisabuela. El haber dejado de lado todas las normas que desde pequeña le inculcó su padre para protegerse, la ha dejado expuesta y también ha intensificado sus habilidades para percibir no sólo fantasmas, sino presencias de otros tipos, incluso en personas vivas. Lo anterior hizo que prácticamente toda la novela Amelia estuviera muerta de miedo y, la verdad, me terminó cansando un poco tanta reiteración de sus temores.
Respecto de su relación con John Devlin, se respira desde el inicio que está destinada al fracaso; es que es imposible pensar que puedan construir algo sólido manteniendo tantos secretos entre ellos. Además, el libro termina con Devlin alejándose de Amelia por… vaya uno a saber por qué… ninguna explicación.
Entiendo que quedan dos libros más para terminar la serie (y saber qué diablos le pasó a Devlin), pero lamentablemente no están traducidos al español.
De todas maneras es una buena historia de nuestra querida Reina del Cementerio.
March 9, 2016
Five Top Reason the Graveyard Queen Series and The Visitor is For You:
You love a rich atmospheric setting with all things that go bump in the night.
You love a hair raising, goosebump inducing ghost story that will have you looking over your shoulder and turning lights on in the middle of the day.
You love a good spell binding, hauntingly addictive mystery that will keep you on your toes and eagerly turning the pages.
A swoon worthy romance that will simultaneously melt you into a pile of goo and break your heart.
Outstanding, beautiful writing that will suck you in and refuse to let you go.
*ARC copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
You love a rich atmospheric setting with all things that go bump in the night.
You love a hair raising, goosebump inducing ghost story that will have you looking over your shoulder and turning lights on in the middle of the day.
You love a good spell binding, hauntingly addictive mystery that will keep you on your toes and eagerly turning the pages.
A swoon worthy romance that will simultaneously melt you into a pile of goo and break your heart.
Outstanding, beautiful writing that will suck you in and refuse to let you go.
*ARC copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
August 10, 2019
The Visitor
Graveyard Queen, Book 4
By: Amanda Stevens
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
This book has plenty of intrigue, suspense, and secrets from the pasts. There are many levels of mysteries, creepiness, and trust Amelia should have with the characters in this book.
Great narration! Enjoyed this book.
Graveyard Queen, Book 4
By: Amanda Stevens
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
This book has plenty of intrigue, suspense, and secrets from the pasts. There are many levels of mysteries, creepiness, and trust Amelia should have with the characters in this book.
Great narration! Enjoyed this book.
March 29, 2016
"Watch Your Back Graveyard Queen"
Amelia, is chased, frightened, hurt, tricked, and lied to. Her history is catching up to her faster than she is ready to for, and she is evolving. Everything she thought she knew is about to change forever. Amelia's road is full of darkness and death.
Cleaning out the storage under her house an item is found that sets her on a journey to find the truth behind an image that looks like her. Her restoration business gives her an in to help solve the mystery of a cult mass suicide and her own history. The family that owns the graveyard are something to see, freaky, creepy and dangerous. One of them has a deep relationship with bees, one with cloves, and the other is just creepy by association. I will never enjoy cloves scented things again, thanks Ms. Stevens.
There are bugs, nasty ones, mazes, rusted gates, creaking floor boards, tinkling keys and did I tell you about the bugs ? EEEEKKKK ! Okay I have a bit of an exoskeleton phobia and there are plenty in these pages. Wait till you get to the book marker switch !
Devlin, her man is not the same. If you read the last book you know he had a major event happen, well he's not okay. That isn't all that is up with him, he has a Grandfather who is demanding something of him. Big change here folks, BIG.
I loved this fourth book in the series, they just get better and better. Instead of following along the same road it had been traveling this one took a wild left snap to the left then spun around and wiggled a bit more. The southern gothic style was amazing as always, the pacing just right with not a dull page in the book. One complaint, I don't have the next book, yet.
Provided by Netgalley for an honest review
Amelia, is chased, frightened, hurt, tricked, and lied to. Her history is catching up to her faster than she is ready to for, and she is evolving. Everything she thought she knew is about to change forever. Amelia's road is full of darkness and death.
Cleaning out the storage under her house an item is found that sets her on a journey to find the truth behind an image that looks like her. Her restoration business gives her an in to help solve the mystery of a cult mass suicide and her own history. The family that owns the graveyard are something to see, freaky, creepy and dangerous. One of them has a deep relationship with bees, one with cloves, and the other is just creepy by association. I will never enjoy cloves scented things again, thanks Ms. Stevens.
There are bugs, nasty ones, mazes, rusted gates, creaking floor boards, tinkling keys and did I tell you about the bugs ? EEEEKKKK ! Okay I have a bit of an exoskeleton phobia and there are plenty in these pages. Wait till you get to the book marker switch !
Devlin, her man is not the same. If you read the last book you know he had a major event happen, well he's not okay. That isn't all that is up with him, he has a Grandfather who is demanding something of him. Big change here folks, BIG.
I loved this fourth book in the series, they just get better and better. Instead of following along the same road it had been traveling this one took a wild left snap to the left then spun around and wiggled a bit more. The southern gothic style was amazing as always, the pacing just right with not a dull page in the book. One complaint, I don't have the next book, yet.
Provided by Netgalley for an honest review
June 17, 2017
Si tuviera que puntuar este libro por la parte de misterio le daría un 10, porque sigue poniéndome la piel de gallina y consigue tenerme pegada a sus páginas. Peeeero, sigo sin ver por ningún lado la magia y ese romance apasionado entre Amelia y Devlin que mil lectoras ven.
El romance flojea tanto que me río cuando tienen escenas juntos.
Veo un enamoramiento infantil por parte de ella, y él está en escena porque la autora quiso dar romance a la historia.
¿No habría sido mejor una historia de misterio sin ninguna trama amorosa? Pregunto.
PD: ¿Y ese final? Amanda hija, querías dar un cliffhanger y te ha salido mal. Dame una pista, o algo que me diga a donde se va Devlin. Porque por esa conversación final, puedo llegar a pensar que él se va a por tabaco...
El romance flojea tanto que me río cuando tienen escenas juntos.
Veo un enamoramiento infantil por parte de ella, y él está en escena porque la autora quiso dar romance a la historia.
¿No habría sido mejor una historia de misterio sin ninguna trama amorosa? Pregunto.
PD: ¿Y ese final? Amanda hija, querías dar un cliffhanger y te ha salido mal. Dame una pista, o algo que me diga a donde se va Devlin. Porque por esa conversación final, puedo llegar a pensar que él se va a por tabaco...
March 5, 2016
***There will be spoilers for the previous books***
I waited years for this book to finally be released. It was definitely a wise decision to reread the other books first since the overarching storylines were central to the plot in this. It took a while for the story to get going. The beginning explored Amelia and Devlin’s relationship since he was no longer haunted. While Devlin was off dealing with some personal issues, Amelia found an old stereoscope in her house, which eventually led to a creepy, demented mystery involving a bizarre family. That family had an old, unique cemetery on their property, and they wanted Amelia to restore it. The history surrounding the cemetery was very dark, which resulted in some evil entities. The mystery wound up being very personal to Amelia, but I won’t reveal how.
After Amelia and Devlin survived the grey at the end of the last book, things were definitely changing. Devlin was finally free from his ghosts, but was he really the same as he had been before? He was more secretive than ever. Amelia’s abilities were changing and drawing more attention from the supernatural world.
The tone was different than in the other books, and it was hard to get into at first. Amelia and Devlin were finally free to be together, but things were not as simple as they seemed. In some ways they were closer than ever, but in others they were more distant than ever before. Devlin’s ties to the Coffin and the Claw along with his denial of all things supernatural were slowly driving them apart. I still like them together, but they didn’t seem as connected as before.
The supernatural aspects were much creepier, and those were my favorite parts of the book. There was such an eerie vibe associated with everything and everyone involved in the mystery. By the end I was completely sucked in. I think this is the best book in the series so far. More was revealed about the characters, but there is a lot more to learn. I can’t wait to get the next book, and the wait won’t be long since it comes out in the fall.
Thanks so very much to Netgalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
***Earlier reviews***
March 1st:
Best book in the series yet! Creepier than the others too. RTC.
Jan 16th:
Netgalley approved me for an ARC!!!
I waited years for this book to finally be released. It was definitely a wise decision to reread the other books first since the overarching storylines were central to the plot in this. It took a while for the story to get going. The beginning explored Amelia and Devlin’s relationship since he was no longer haunted. While Devlin was off dealing with some personal issues, Amelia found an old stereoscope in her house, which eventually led to a creepy, demented mystery involving a bizarre family. That family had an old, unique cemetery on their property, and they wanted Amelia to restore it. The history surrounding the cemetery was very dark, which resulted in some evil entities. The mystery wound up being very personal to Amelia, but I won’t reveal how.
After Amelia and Devlin survived the grey at the end of the last book, things were definitely changing. Devlin was finally free from his ghosts, but was he really the same as he had been before? He was more secretive than ever. Amelia’s abilities were changing and drawing more attention from the supernatural world.
The tone was different than in the other books, and it was hard to get into at first. Amelia and Devlin were finally free to be together, but things were not as simple as they seemed. In some ways they were closer than ever, but in others they were more distant than ever before. Devlin’s ties to the Coffin and the Claw along with his denial of all things supernatural were slowly driving them apart. I still like them together, but they didn’t seem as connected as before.
The supernatural aspects were much creepier, and those were my favorite parts of the book. There was such an eerie vibe associated with everything and everyone involved in the mystery. By the end I was completely sucked in. I think this is the best book in the series so far. More was revealed about the characters, but there is a lot more to learn. I can’t wait to get the next book, and the wait won’t be long since it comes out in the fall.
Thanks so very much to Netgalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
***Earlier reviews***
March 1st:
Best book in the series yet! Creepier than the others too. RTC.
Jan 16th:
Netgalley approved me for an ARC!!!
March 23, 2016
3.5 Spooky Stars
Like most of the people who have read the first three books of this series I was waiting and anticipating the release of this one. Due to personal reasons Amanda Stevens wasn't able to release the fourth installment of the Graveyard Queen sooner so 4 years went down between the last one and the fourth book. Unfortunately this was not in favor of the story. I totally should have re-read the other ones first. However, the key points came back to me while reading.
Ms. Stevens has yet again created an atmospheric story, set in the lush South of the US, Charleston, SC. The descriptions of landscape and situations are full of the beautiful mood and gloom you can find only there. The story itself is as always focused on the mystery and on Amelia's gift. It is creepier than the last ones and it spooked me quite a bit - for all those factors it receives high marks in my book.
Unfortunately Amelia's relationship with Devlin fell flat for me. After the build up in the prior stories I expected that they'd grow together...all I found though were insecurities and distrust on both accounts, which went so far that I was starting to ask myself what they saw in each other? Why were they together? Did they even have good times during which they'd bond? I don't think there was any situation in which they weren't dead serious and actually laughing about a joke. Yes, their relationship is highly complicated but even then...there was nothing tangible that made me root for them.
Amelia with her inner monologue kept saying how they were close one moment and then distanced the next. I didn't feel the closeness...to me those were two strangers trying at something they couldn't grasp because they didn't bond and connect on an emotional level.
While I said that the focus was on the mystery I still expected some romance which was simply lacking. Finally Ms. Amanda Stevens left us hanging with somewhat of a cliffy. I hope that she can resolve it in the next book which of course I'll definitely read again!
Review @ Coffee, Cookies & Books
ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Like most of the people who have read the first three books of this series I was waiting and anticipating the release of this one. Due to personal reasons Amanda Stevens wasn't able to release the fourth installment of the Graveyard Queen sooner so 4 years went down between the last one and the fourth book. Unfortunately this was not in favor of the story. I totally should have re-read the other ones first. However, the key points came back to me while reading.
Ms. Stevens has yet again created an atmospheric story, set in the lush South of the US, Charleston, SC. The descriptions of landscape and situations are full of the beautiful mood and gloom you can find only there. The story itself is as always focused on the mystery and on Amelia's gift. It is creepier than the last ones and it spooked me quite a bit - for all those factors it receives high marks in my book.
Unfortunately Amelia's relationship with Devlin fell flat for me. After the build up in the prior stories I expected that they'd grow together...all I found though were insecurities and distrust on both accounts, which went so far that I was starting to ask myself what they saw in each other? Why were they together? Did they even have good times during which they'd bond? I don't think there was any situation in which they weren't dead serious and actually laughing about a joke. Yes, their relationship is highly complicated but even then...there was nothing tangible that made me root for them.
Amelia with her inner monologue kept saying how they were close one moment and then distanced the next. I didn't feel the closeness...to me those were two strangers trying at something they couldn't grasp because they didn't bond and connect on an emotional level.
While I said that the focus was on the mystery I still expected some romance which was simply lacking. Finally Ms. Amanda Stevens left us hanging with somewhat of a cliffy. I hope that she can resolve it in the next book which of course I'll definitely read again!
Review @ Coffee, Cookies & Books
ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2016
I love ghost stories and find old cemeteries beautiful, creepy, and fascinating so it is easy to see what drew me to the Graveyard Queen series. If you have not yet tried them, I recommend you begin with book one The Restorer. While each book has a case to solve the overall arc, character growth and romance make them best read in order.
The Visitor begins with a female entity haunting Amelia. This spirit both fascinates and terrifies her. I was completely hooked and slipped right back into her world. Amelia soon finds herself entwined in a puzzle involving the Kroll Cemetery. The graveyard is over half a century old and her scariest graveyard to date! The tale was spine-chilling with odd, quirky characters, entities, and other forces that delivered a deliciously dark tale.
If you have read the series then you know Amelia has some unique gifts. She has carefully guarded her secret. She even has a set of rules given to her by her father. She has begun to break those rules and forge her own path. In doing so, she has begun to awaken her powers. We see real development in what Amelia is and receive information about her heritage. Stevens’ wove these tidbits into the case revealing information about her power, of darkness to come and information about her parents.
The Kroll Cemetery is home to Ezra Kroll and his disciples. There is a shroud of mystery surrounding their deaths and something is at unrest within the walls of this unusual cemetery. Turn on the lights when reading this folks. Steven’s created some of the most chilling entities. Her writing was so vivid that I could see them, hear their unearthly noises and feel the temperature plummeting. It all gave me chills. As Amelia researches, we see old friends and meet ancestors of Kroll. What a strange family. Some were overly sweet and others well let us just say you will feel the need to cross the street if you see them heading your way. Ever see those old creepy black and white historical photos ..yep that kind of creepy!
The cemetery itself and old artifacts aided Amelia in her research. Stevens’ gives us a quest filled with danger and eerie discovers. I love piecing together this tightly woven mystery. We discover things as Amelia does and I have learned to pay attention and file tidbit as Amelia uncovers them. It is such an exciting game.
The romance between Amelia and Devlin gets plenty of page time. Devlin is annoying me a little, not that I doubt his feelings towards Amelia, but his lack of faith in her grates at me. However, Amelia learns some things that raised questions about their future. It was accidental and left me screaming for more information. Devlin is indeed important to the overall plot but …well spoilers darling.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
The Visitor begins with a female entity haunting Amelia. This spirit both fascinates and terrifies her. I was completely hooked and slipped right back into her world. Amelia soon finds herself entwined in a puzzle involving the Kroll Cemetery. The graveyard is over half a century old and her scariest graveyard to date! The tale was spine-chilling with odd, quirky characters, entities, and other forces that delivered a deliciously dark tale.
If you have read the series then you know Amelia has some unique gifts. She has carefully guarded her secret. She even has a set of rules given to her by her father. She has begun to break those rules and forge her own path. In doing so, she has begun to awaken her powers. We see real development in what Amelia is and receive information about her heritage. Stevens’ wove these tidbits into the case revealing information about her power, of darkness to come and information about her parents.
The Kroll Cemetery is home to Ezra Kroll and his disciples. There is a shroud of mystery surrounding their deaths and something is at unrest within the walls of this unusual cemetery. Turn on the lights when reading this folks. Steven’s created some of the most chilling entities. Her writing was so vivid that I could see them, hear their unearthly noises and feel the temperature plummeting. It all gave me chills. As Amelia researches, we see old friends and meet ancestors of Kroll. What a strange family. Some were overly sweet and others well let us just say you will feel the need to cross the street if you see them heading your way. Ever see those old creepy black and white historical photos ..yep that kind of creepy!
The cemetery itself and old artifacts aided Amelia in her research. Stevens’ gives us a quest filled with danger and eerie discovers. I love piecing together this tightly woven mystery. We discover things as Amelia does and I have learned to pay attention and file tidbit as Amelia uncovers them. It is such an exciting game.
The romance between Amelia and Devlin gets plenty of page time. Devlin is annoying me a little, not that I doubt his feelings towards Amelia, but his lack of faith in her grates at me. However, Amelia learns some things that raised questions about their future. It was accidental and left me screaming for more information. Devlin is indeed important to the overall plot but …well spoilers darling.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
June 19, 2016
RESEŇA -> http://thewordsofbooks.blogspot.com.e...
En realidad 4,5*
Lo que yo era ahora, ella lo había sido en otro momento. Y, algún día, me convertiría en lo que ella era ahora.
En realidad 4,5*
Lo que yo era ahora, ella lo había sido en otro momento. Y, algún día, me convertiría en lo que ella era ahora.
October 18, 2016
With this book, I'm happy to say that the Graveyard Queen series is back on track with me. The previous book was ho-hum, but THE VISITOR captures the intrigue and creepy goodness of the first two books in the series. Yay!
This time around, Amelia is hired to restore the puzzling Kroll Cemetery. Hidden away on private property for decades, the dilapidated old graveyard is full of headstones with strange inscriptions. What do they mean, and how do they relate to the tragic history of those buried there?
Amelia is honing her special gifts in this book and learning more about her family history, thanks to a new ghostly presence who's haunting her. Alas, Devlin (Amelia's love interest) continued to annoy me, but he didn't have as big of a presence in this book. Clearly, he has issues that run deep. What is he hiding?
THE VISITOR is an enjoyable Southern Gothic/spooky mystery. Looking forward to the next book!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This time around, Amelia is hired to restore the puzzling Kroll Cemetery. Hidden away on private property for decades, the dilapidated old graveyard is full of headstones with strange inscriptions. What do they mean, and how do they relate to the tragic history of those buried there?
Amelia is honing her special gifts in this book and learning more about her family history, thanks to a new ghostly presence who's haunting her. Alas, Devlin (Amelia's love interest) continued to annoy me, but he didn't have as big of a presence in this book. Clearly, he has issues that run deep. What is he hiding?
THE VISITOR is an enjoyable Southern Gothic/spooky mystery. Looking forward to the next book!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2020
It is good to be back with the Graveyard Queen. Amanda Stevens’ The Visitor (Graveyard Queen #4) takes the reader on more than one ‘trip’ in this installment #4 to her series, The Graveyard Queen. Outside Charleston, NC, there is a small forgotten cemetery, Kroll Cemetery, which is summoning Amelia Gray, the Graveyard Queen, to ‘solve’ the puzzle so the these ‘tormented souls’ may go to their eternal rest. Every death date in Kroll Cemetery is the same date. These disciples of Ezra Kroll died in a ‘mass death’. Why? Was Ezra Kroll culpable? His sisters wish the truth known. John Devlin, the Charleston police detective who cares a great deal for Amelia, is willing to help her. Of what is Amelia frightened? The author weaves an intriguing story while Amelia attempts to understand her ‘complete’ gift as the Graveyard Queen. 4.25 stars.
July 26, 2016
Buen libro, realmente muy buen libro. "La Visitante" tiene un ritmo desbordante prácticamente desde que empieza, es de esos libros que te enganchan desde la primera página, y con unos capítulos tan cortitos que empiezas "uno más... sólo uno más", y te lees medio libro en un rato. Los anteriores libros tenían algunos lapsus más aburridos, pero éste no es el caso. "La Visitante" simplemente, engancha.
El libro empieza seis meses después de donde terminó "El Profeta". Amelia y Devlin están llevando una vida "normal", dentro de lo normal que pueden ser sus vidas. Pero Amelia está inquieta, está descubriendo nuevos poderes, está viendo otros seres. Y entre ellos se encuentra el fantasma de su bisabuela Rose, que le irá dejando pistas durante el libro para descubrir un misterio, un extraño suceso que acabó con casi una población entera.
Como libro me ha gustado mucho, y he disfrutado cada página y capítulo que he devorado. Ha tenido una trama interesante e intrigante, creo que éste libro hará las delicias de las personas a las que les guste desentrañar misterios familiares o del pasado. Pero el final me ha dejado fría, muy fría, no es justo decir que no me ha gustado, pero más bien diría que no me esperaba algo así, aunque entiendo que la escritora lo ha hecho para tener a los lectores enganchados hasta que salga el quinto libro.
El libro empieza seis meses después de donde terminó "El Profeta". Amelia y Devlin están llevando una vida "normal", dentro de lo normal que pueden ser sus vidas. Pero Amelia está inquieta, está descubriendo nuevos poderes, está viendo otros seres. Y entre ellos se encuentra el fantasma de su bisabuela Rose, que le irá dejando pistas durante el libro para descubrir un misterio, un extraño suceso que acabó con casi una población entera.
Como libro me ha gustado mucho, y he disfrutado cada página y capítulo que he devorado. Ha tenido una trama interesante e intrigante, creo que éste libro hará las delicias de las personas a las que les guste desentrañar misterios familiares o del pasado. Pero el final me ha dejado fría, muy fría, no es justo decir que no me ha gustado, pero más bien diría que no me esperaba algo así, aunque entiendo que la escritora lo ha hecho para tener a los lectores enganchados hasta que salga el quinto libro.
April 26, 2025
Rereading by audio - April 2025
Like many other fans, I have waited a long time for the next installment in the Graveyard Queen series. The creepy, surreal world created by author Amanda Stevens has both fascinated and spooked me since I read the first book in the series, The Restorer. As the story of Amelia Gray evolved over the next couple of books, I continued to be drawn to this mysterious cemetery restorer like a moth to a flame - even as her story gave me goosebumps and sent chills down my spine. Stevens has a beautiful, almost lyrical, way of writing that is both hypnotic and haunting. It was with much anticipation that I opened The Visitor and stepped back into her world.
As I began reading, I was ecstatic to find Amelia and John Devlin together. John appears to be free of the ghosts of his wife and daughter as he seems to be moving forward in a relationship with Amelia. But it's soon obvious that something is seriously wrong. John is withdrawn, moody, secretive, and Amelia is harboring some big secrets of her own. The distance between them grows. While the sexual chemistry between them is explosive, the emotional connection is fading . . . something is coming between them. What is it? Will they stand together to figure things out or allow it to tear them apart?
Since breaking her father's rules, Amelia's life has spiraled out of control. Her powers are evolving, drawing unwanted attention from the dark, supernatural beings that reside in the Underworld. As she works to find answers, she learns some shocking things about her past, things about who/what she really is and what her true destiny may be . . . while also discovering the answer to an old mystery/murder that puts her life in danger. Is Amelia's fate sealed? Does she have the power to overcome and trap the evil entity that stalks her? I won't say more as I don't want to let any spoilers slip . . . but I will say this story is intense, twisted, and extremely ominous. While the story does take a bit of a turn from the first three, after finishing and reflecting on it, I realized that it actually made sense for it to play out this way - in a very spooky, twisted kind of way.
While The Visitor started out just a bit slow for me - mostly as I found my way back into this complicated, haunted world, I was soon hooked - my heart racing as I burned through the pages to get answers. An ominous feeling of impending doom blanketed this story and me throughout - one I could not shake off as I read late into the night. Once again, I found myself hesitant to turn off the lights, jumping at every little sound of the night. Stevens is pure magic with setting tone, mood, and pace and sustaining it throughout a story. While some things may not have played out exactly the way I had hoped, I could not put this book down. The ending sets up the next book perfectly . . . as in Give it to me NOW! A Page Burner! A Must Read!!
Many thanks to Netgally for an ARC of The Visitor for review.
Full review at Cross My Heart Writings & Reviews.
Like many other fans, I have waited a long time for the next installment in the Graveyard Queen series. The creepy, surreal world created by author Amanda Stevens has both fascinated and spooked me since I read the first book in the series, The Restorer. As the story of Amelia Gray evolved over the next couple of books, I continued to be drawn to this mysterious cemetery restorer like a moth to a flame - even as her story gave me goosebumps and sent chills down my spine. Stevens has a beautiful, almost lyrical, way of writing that is both hypnotic and haunting. It was with much anticipation that I opened The Visitor and stepped back into her world.
As I began reading, I was ecstatic to find Amelia and John Devlin together. John appears to be free of the ghosts of his wife and daughter as he seems to be moving forward in a relationship with Amelia. But it's soon obvious that something is seriously wrong. John is withdrawn, moody, secretive, and Amelia is harboring some big secrets of her own. The distance between them grows. While the sexual chemistry between them is explosive, the emotional connection is fading . . . something is coming between them. What is it? Will they stand together to figure things out or allow it to tear them apart?
Since breaking her father's rules, Amelia's life has spiraled out of control. Her powers are evolving, drawing unwanted attention from the dark, supernatural beings that reside in the Underworld. As she works to find answers, she learns some shocking things about her past, things about who/what she really is and what her true destiny may be . . . while also discovering the answer to an old mystery/murder that puts her life in danger. Is Amelia's fate sealed? Does she have the power to overcome and trap the evil entity that stalks her? I won't say more as I don't want to let any spoilers slip . . . but I will say this story is intense, twisted, and extremely ominous. While the story does take a bit of a turn from the first three, after finishing and reflecting on it, I realized that it actually made sense for it to play out this way - in a very spooky, twisted kind of way.
While The Visitor started out just a bit slow for me - mostly as I found my way back into this complicated, haunted world, I was soon hooked - my heart racing as I burned through the pages to get answers. An ominous feeling of impending doom blanketed this story and me throughout - one I could not shake off as I read late into the night. Once again, I found myself hesitant to turn off the lights, jumping at every little sound of the night. Stevens is pure magic with setting tone, mood, and pace and sustaining it throughout a story. While some things may not have played out exactly the way I had hoped, I could not put this book down. The ending sets up the next book perfectly . . . as in Give it to me NOW! A Page Burner! A Must Read!!
Many thanks to Netgally for an ARC of The Visitor for review.
Full review at Cross My Heart Writings & Reviews.
July 27, 2016
With close to four years between The Prophet and The Visitor, books 3 and 4 in Amanda Stevens’ Graveyard Queen series, the fans welcomed the new installment with joy and a tiny bit of trepidation. Can it possibly be as good as the previous books? And will we remember the pertinent details after all this time? As it turns out, we needn’t have feared. Stevens leads us back into Amelia’s world almost effortlessly, making it seem like the long break wasn’t even real.
Stevens doesn’t allow herself many recaps. Instead she reminds us only of what we really need to know in any given moment. The Visitor gives us another compelling paranormal mystery that seems to be connected to Amelia’s past. Once again she has to explore the hidden and forgotten parts of her background, her ancestors and the unusual circumstances of her birth.
As always, Stevens’ prose is gorgeous and deeply atmospheric. The rich sounds of Deep South give this story a quality that simply cannot be found elsewhere. I listened to a part of it and really enjoyed the narrator’s accent, which made the story so much better. Amelia is a true lady of the South, dignified and elegant, firm and resourceful. Most fans will realize how much they’ve missed her the second they slide back into her thoughts.
If there’s one downside to this book (and there really is only one), it has to be the romance. We’ve watched Amelia and Devlin go through so much together, witnessed him letting go of his dead wife and child – at least as much as one can – and followed with bated breath as the two finally fell in love. But Amelia is fully aware that a lot is missing between them, that there’s a certain lack of trust and they don’t communicate nearly as much as they should. Amelia herself keeps many secrets from Devlin, and he seems more withdrawn and mysterious than ever. He keeps Amelia away from his family and she keeps him away from hers. All this takes up a large portion of the book and makes us think, on more than one occasion, that the two really would be better off apart.
Stevens builds tension slowly and masterfully to almost unbearable levels. Amelia has long since abandoned her father’s rules that kept her safe. She is truly immersed into the other side, with all the dangers and potential heartbreak that brings. The Visitor is a worthy fourth installment that gives us much hope and faith for the next book, and all those that might come later.
Stevens doesn’t allow herself many recaps. Instead she reminds us only of what we really need to know in any given moment. The Visitor gives us another compelling paranormal mystery that seems to be connected to Amelia’s past. Once again she has to explore the hidden and forgotten parts of her background, her ancestors and the unusual circumstances of her birth.
As always, Stevens’ prose is gorgeous and deeply atmospheric. The rich sounds of Deep South give this story a quality that simply cannot be found elsewhere. I listened to a part of it and really enjoyed the narrator’s accent, which made the story so much better. Amelia is a true lady of the South, dignified and elegant, firm and resourceful. Most fans will realize how much they’ve missed her the second they slide back into her thoughts.
If there’s one downside to this book (and there really is only one), it has to be the romance. We’ve watched Amelia and Devlin go through so much together, witnessed him letting go of his dead wife and child – at least as much as one can – and followed with bated breath as the two finally fell in love. But Amelia is fully aware that a lot is missing between them, that there’s a certain lack of trust and they don’t communicate nearly as much as they should. Amelia herself keeps many secrets from Devlin, and he seems more withdrawn and mysterious than ever. He keeps Amelia away from his family and she keeps him away from hers. All this takes up a large portion of the book and makes us think, on more than one occasion, that the two really would be better off apart.
Stevens builds tension slowly and masterfully to almost unbearable levels. Amelia has long since abandoned her father’s rules that kept her safe. She is truly immersed into the other side, with all the dangers and potential heartbreak that brings. The Visitor is a worthy fourth installment that gives us much hope and faith for the next book, and all those that might come later.
April 7, 2018
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.
December 4, 2016
“Spirits can’t step over or navigate crooked pathways. A superstitious community would have been especially cautious with suicides. The ghosts of those who take their own lives are considered notorious wanderers. That probably explains the high walls that surround the cemetery. In the old days, they would have buried the bodies facedown to disorient them.”
“The things you know.”
Overall I like this series. It has this eerie quality to it and I really enjoy the southern drawl of a book, I’m pretty sure a book can have a southern drawl. It is this slow and easy almost swaying in the wind kind of vibe sometimes.
I probably should have reread the other books going into this one though. I had forgotten a lot of things about the secret order of the Coffin and the Claw and how Devlin was involved with them in the first place. I just felt like I was playing catch up a little too much. So if you can reread at least the last book going into this one.
I was really hoping that after the events of the last book that Devlin would be a believer of at least some things supernatural but he is still forever the skeptic and the fist half of the story I felt like Amelia told me a million times how they were drifting apart. I mean a small part was shown but overall it was just her telling the reader that things weren’t perfect between them. Which was sometimes strange as you could tell how much Devlin cared about her but it is a weird relationship where both parties seemed to be keeping all kinds of secrets from the other and you knew some big thing would have to happen for them to either start really trusting each other with everything in their lives or that a split would happen.
I have read the other books for the ghost stories but also for the forbidden romance of Amelia and Devlin so I really hope they work that out. But because of the slow paced nature of the book it seemed to take a long time for things to really get going.
But there are ghosts and a mystery to solve. We also have Amelia who has not let the other side know she can see them and that comes with a whole new bag of troubles as the spiritual realm keeps trying to contact her and she isn’t she if they are friend or foe. Still that whole story was extremely interesting and I loved learning more about her special powers and what they are evolving into.
In Short - I really liked the ghost storyline of this but the relationship aspect left me wanting a lot more. I know the next book is out but I think I’ll wait until #6 is also done so I can read them back to back. I think that one is supposed to close out this storyline.
The 2 star deduction is for the meandering that we have to endure and repetition of the relationship angst.
January 16, 2016
3.5 Stars. The Visitor is the long, long awaited continuation in Amanda Steven’s “Graveyard Queen” series. It’s been almost three years since the release of the last book ‘The Prophet’. So long a wait, that many details of the series and storyline had grown hazy in my mind. There was enough catch-up to get me going, and what I couldn’t quite remember from the previous books I just had to let go and keep going. Here, Amanda is being drawn to a creepy long ago mass suicide where the involved are all buried in the same cemetery. She is being called by an entity to find out what really happened.
One thing is for sure; this is not at all the same tone of the previous books. The series is definitely moving in a different direction from where it started. No longer is Amelia Gray just a cemetery restorer who sees and interacts with ghosts; the new Amelia is being turned into some sort of supernatural supersleuth, a conduit between the living and the dead. The story itself was solid and enjoyable, as well as appropriately creepy. It was also a little on the slow side. Not much here for fans of high action and kick-ass babes.
The main problem with the read came with Amelia herself. Her character has always been underdeveloped by Amanda Stevens; and that lack of characterization is even more noticeable here, where she is being made out to be more than an average woman. Amanda is still uncertain and wishy-washy at times, given to bouts of fixation over various aspects of her life. This shows up most noticeably in her relationship with John Devlin, which is more obsession on her part than anything else. Amanda's repeated waxing poetic about him and his sexual abilities quickly became tiresome. His limited role in the storyline is more of a distraction to what she needs to get done than anything else. (He pretty much only shows up for sex, or when Amelia needs brawn or saving. The rest of the time, he's just enigmatic and secretive). Despite these niggles, I'm invested enough to continue the series.
The story ends mildly cliffhangerish; but the next book ‘The Sinner’, is supposed to be out later this year. After the bombshell Devlin dropped on Amelia here, I would imagine his secretive activities would take on a greater role. If you've been keeping up with the series to date, this is an enjoyable addition.
October 31, 2020
While cleaning out the basement of her home, Amelia Gray finds an old stereoscope with a picture. The picture shows a man and two young girls standing in front of a house. Amelia notices a woman in the window of that house...a woman that looks exactly like her. Doing some research into the stereoscope, Amelia learns the story of Kroll Cemetery, a place where bodies from a mass suicide are buried. Some members of the Kroll family have seen Amelia's work and want her to help restore their cemetery. Amelia wants to find out more about the woman in the picture.
This is the fourth book in the Graveyard Queen series. Amanda Steven's descriptions of Charleston and the local cemeteries sets the mood for her dark, creepy stories. I felt the pace of the first half of the book was a bit slow. We kept going over the same things. The story did get very interesting in the second half when Amelia finally visited the cemetery. At that point, the book became hard to put down.
I was disappointed in Amelia and John Devlin's relationship. In the last book the problem with the ghosts that had attached themselves to John was finally resolved. Now we find that John and Amelia are both keeping secrets. I can't help but think that it certainly would be a step in the right direction if they actually talked about these secrets. But, it sounds like this will be carried over into the next book in the series. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This is the fourth book in the Graveyard Queen series. Amanda Steven's descriptions of Charleston and the local cemeteries sets the mood for her dark, creepy stories. I felt the pace of the first half of the book was a bit slow. We kept going over the same things. The story did get very interesting in the second half when Amelia finally visited the cemetery. At that point, the book became hard to put down.
I was disappointed in Amelia and John Devlin's relationship. In the last book the problem with the ghosts that had attached themselves to John was finally resolved. Now we find that John and Amelia are both keeping secrets. I can't help but think that it certainly would be a step in the right direction if they actually talked about these secrets. But, it sounds like this will be carried over into the next book in the series. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
March 8, 2016
If I had to choose a few words to describe this book they would be: dark, ethereal, almost gothic, eerie.
The Visitor is book 4 in Amanda Stevens' Graveyard Queen series. I would recommend that you start with the first book in the series The Restorer in order to fully enjoy this series.
The Visitor continues the story of Amelia Gray as she learns a bit more about her background and why she seems to attract unwanted attention from the other side. It's an atmospheric book, set in the area surrounding Charleston, South Carolina. Amelia is a cemetery restorer, a creepy job if there ever was one. She restores old and overgrown cemeteries and while she works, she often encounters some spectral entities. The work is slow and tedious, the locales are downright creepy and overgrown. The people are often hiding secrets about their past. All these elements combine to create an enthralling story that kept me glued to the book.
As for the Devlin fans - I like him more and more with each subsequent book.
I'm very excited to hear that the next book in the series The Sinner is due out in September.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin MIRA for a review copy of this book.
The Visitor is book 4 in Amanda Stevens' Graveyard Queen series. I would recommend that you start with the first book in the series The Restorer in order to fully enjoy this series.
The Visitor continues the story of Amelia Gray as she learns a bit more about her background and why she seems to attract unwanted attention from the other side. It's an atmospheric book, set in the area surrounding Charleston, South Carolina. Amelia is a cemetery restorer, a creepy job if there ever was one. She restores old and overgrown cemeteries and while she works, she often encounters some spectral entities. The work is slow and tedious, the locales are downright creepy and overgrown. The people are often hiding secrets about their past. All these elements combine to create an enthralling story that kept me glued to the book.
As for the Devlin fans - I like him more and more with each subsequent book.
I'm very excited to hear that the next book in the series The Sinner is due out in September.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin MIRA for a review copy of this book.
March 29, 2016
Rating : 5/5 stars
Recommendation : If you love paranormal, especially those who have the second sight, this series is for you.
"I couldn't help but obsess over my visitor's ominous prophecy. What you are, I once was. What I am, you will someday become."
The Visitor begins with just that, a visit from the other side. Ms. Stevens does not allow you, dear reader, to settle into that lovely southern comfort. Amelia is being summoned. She is about to find out just how much she still has to learn about her heritage.
"One by one, the pieces of my life had fallen into place with that journey to Asher Falls. But there were still blank spaces, still too many secrets that had yet to be revealed. How it would all come together and where it would end remained a terrifying mystery."
The unknown can most definitely be unnerving. I love how Ms. Stevens knows how to bring to life the surreal and creep me out. Every time I thought that it couldn't get any more creepy, it did. (shudders) I loved every minute of it.
Recommendation : If you love paranormal, especially those who have the second sight, this series is for you.
"I couldn't help but obsess over my visitor's ominous prophecy. What you are, I once was. What I am, you will someday become."
The Visitor begins with just that, a visit from the other side. Ms. Stevens does not allow you, dear reader, to settle into that lovely southern comfort. Amelia is being summoned. She is about to find out just how much she still has to learn about her heritage.
"One by one, the pieces of my life had fallen into place with that journey to Asher Falls. But there were still blank spaces, still too many secrets that had yet to be revealed. How it would all come together and where it would end remained a terrifying mystery."
The unknown can most definitely be unnerving. I love how Ms. Stevens knows how to bring to life the surreal and creep me out. Every time I thought that it couldn't get any more creepy, it did. (shudders) I loved every minute of it.
abierto-y-cerrado
July 15, 2016Mi error ha sido no leer la serie de continúo, el parón entre el libro 3 y éste, me ha matado, no entro en la historia, Amelia me parece tonta y no me puede importar menos lo que les pase a ella y a Devlin..
April 1, 2016
It felt SO good to be back in the world of Amelia the Graveyard Queen. I'm so glad Amanda Stevens is back in all her creepy glory.
The bad:
I had a few issues that are keeping me from giving this 5 stars. I was really disappointed that the book does not center on a restoration of a graveyard. Most of the book took place in Charleston and involved Amelia puzzling over mysteries and considering the possibility of taking on a new graveyard job. All three of the previous books focused on a job site so I'm hoping the next book will to.
While I loved the very descriptive writing there was a lot of repeated phrases that got on my nerves. Amelia says something along the lines of "I feel like something is pushing me towards this destiny" blah blah blah.
The good:
This was the creepiest of the 4 books so far. There were multiple lines that made me crinnnnnge in horror. Most of my reading took place during the day and even then I was spooked by some of the scenes. Amanda uses your sense of smell in the best and worst ways.
The love story was excellent. I'm so glad it's evolved to the point it has. Even with the doom & gloom foreshadowing issues that may pop up between these two I'm still HOPING that everything will turn out ok.
Amanda Steven's writing is SO evocative and rich. I don't know what it is about her but every single time I read one of her books I end up becoming mildly obsessed with buying new fragrant night blooming plants for my southern garden. Two summers ago after reading the first Graveyard Queen I ran out and bought a butt load of Queen of the Night (Night blooming cereus). My plant is now humongous and I'm still patiently waiting for the damn thing to bloom. Her vivid descriptions of overgrown cemeteries and historic streets make me fall back in love with the south every time.
Looking forward to the next book in this series!
The bad:
I had a few issues that are keeping me from giving this 5 stars. I was really disappointed that the book does not center on a restoration of a graveyard. Most of the book took place in Charleston and involved Amelia puzzling over mysteries and considering the possibility of taking on a new graveyard job. All three of the previous books focused on a job site so I'm hoping the next book will to.
While I loved the very descriptive writing there was a lot of repeated phrases that got on my nerves. Amelia says something along the lines of "I feel like something is pushing me towards this destiny" blah blah blah.
The good:
This was the creepiest of the 4 books so far. There were multiple lines that made me crinnnnnge in horror. Most of my reading took place during the day and even then I was spooked by some of the scenes. Amanda uses your sense of smell in the best and worst ways.
The love story was excellent. I'm so glad it's evolved to the point it has. Even with the doom & gloom foreshadowing issues that may pop up between these two I'm still HOPING that everything will turn out ok.
Amanda Steven's writing is SO evocative and rich. I don't know what it is about her but every single time I read one of her books I end up becoming mildly obsessed with buying new fragrant night blooming plants for my southern garden. Two summers ago after reading the first Graveyard Queen I ran out and bought a butt load of Queen of the Night (Night blooming cereus). My plant is now humongous and I'm still patiently waiting for the damn thing to bloom. Her vivid descriptions of overgrown cemeteries and historic streets make me fall back in love with the south every time.
Looking forward to the next book in this series!
March 8, 2016
2.5 stars
This was one of my most anticipated releases this year and sadly it was a big let down. We've waited so long for this book (almost 4 years) that I was expecting to be wow'd. I wasn't. This picks up shortly after the last one ended and Amelia is still seeing the ghost that looks like her. She and Devlin are still seeing each other but that is tenuous at best. Amelia's apparently going to be some kind of death walker now instead of a girl who restores cemeteries. The plot line got more outrageous and over the top as the book went on. I might have been ok with that but I don't know who this Amelia was. She was whiny, she was afraid of her own shadow and she couldn't make a decision if her life depended on it (literally). The relationship between her and Devlin has been a big draw and I thought after three previous books of drama we would finally get them together. They're like a firework that just fizzled out. They're barely together and when the are it's only for sex or for him to stare broodily out windows while she thinks about how far they're growing apart. Or when he pops up out of nowhere to save her TSTL butt. (this happens more than once). I could see the end coming a mile away and I was super annoyed with it. There were a few genuinely creepy moments but overall this was a big let down and I honestly don't know if I'll read the next one. Right now it's not looking good.
This was one of my most anticipated releases this year and sadly it was a big let down. We've waited so long for this book (almost 4 years) that I was expecting to be wow'd. I wasn't. This picks up shortly after the last one ended and Amelia is still seeing the ghost that looks like her. She and Devlin are still seeing each other but that is tenuous at best. Amelia's apparently going to be some kind of death walker now instead of a girl who restores cemeteries. The plot line got more outrageous and over the top as the book went on. I might have been ok with that but I don't know who this Amelia was. She was whiny, she was afraid of her own shadow and she couldn't make a decision if her life depended on it (literally). The relationship between her and Devlin has been a big draw and I thought after three previous books of drama we would finally get them together. They're like a firework that just fizzled out. They're barely together and when the are it's only for sex or for him to stare broodily out windows while she thinks about how far they're growing apart. Or when he pops up out of nowhere to save her TSTL butt. (this happens more than once). I could see the end coming a mile away and I was super annoyed with it. There were a few genuinely creepy moments but overall this was a big let down and I honestly don't know if I'll read the next one. Right now it's not looking good.
March 17, 2016
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Urban Fantasy, Ghosts
*Rating* 3.5-4
*My Thoughts*
The Visitor is the FOURTH installment in Amanda Stevens Graveyard Queen series. Since it has been FOUR years since The Prophet (Graveyard Queen, # 3) released, I would suggest that you brush up on your knowledge of this series and the series protagonist Amelia Gray before diving into this book. Trust me folks, I am not just this to bust your chops or make work for you. At the beginning of this story, the author does a brief summary of certain events that happened in the last book. Events that have changed Amelia's life perhaps not for the better.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews 03/17/2016*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Expected publication: April 1st 2016 by MIRA (first published March 29th 2016)
lication: TBD 2014
*Genre* Urban Fantasy, Ghosts
*Rating* 3.5-4
*My Thoughts*
The Visitor is the FOURTH installment in Amanda Stevens Graveyard Queen series. Since it has been FOUR years since The Prophet (Graveyard Queen, # 3) released, I would suggest that you brush up on your knowledge of this series and the series protagonist Amelia Gray before diving into this book. Trust me folks, I am not just this to bust your chops or make work for you. At the beginning of this story, the author does a brief summary of certain events that happened in the last book. Events that have changed Amelia's life perhaps not for the better.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews 03/17/2016*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Expected publication: April 1st 2016 by MIRA (first published March 29th 2016)
lication: TBD 2014
July 18, 2016
I have loved this series but not this book. The romance between Amelia and John took this weird cryptic turn where Amelia would say she felt a closeness and then in practically the same paragraph talk about how she could feel a distance developing. Then John would give her extremely cryptic reasons why he couldn't be with her at a certain time and she wouldn't follow-up with "Please explain" but have a long, internal dialogue about what she thinks is happening to their relationship. The ending was extremely unsatisfying.
I have not given up on this series because I'm hoping this is only a hiccup. 3 out of 5 stars.
I have not given up on this series because I'm hoping this is only a hiccup. 3 out of 5 stars.
August 21, 2016
They say good things come to those who wait. Well, it feels like I’ve been waiting forever for this fourth installment of the Graveyard Queen series. But it was worth it. This book was deliciously creepy. It had the same dark tone as the first three stories, but it felt like a new beginning. The characters I know and love are back, but their lives are turning a corner as a new series arc begins.
The mystery of Devlin’s haunting is put to bed, but only to make room for Amelia to become haunted herself. This ghost –who looks just like her– opens the door for Amelia to delve into her own past and family history. It uncovers more questions with every new answer she finds. And while this is a very Amelia-centric book, the drama with Devlin isn’t over. Only now, instead of the threat coming from his dead wife, it’s about his very-much alive grandfather and family legacy.
These books are such a departure from what I usually read. The ghosts and supernatural world are far less urban fantasy than horror. But that’s not quite right either. It’s dark and lush and definitely disturbing. Some readers might even find it downright scary. It’s not gory or gratuitous, but definitely spine-tingling.
The characters make me want to read more, Amelia especially. She struggles so much with her gift. There is so much she doesn’t know. And her Papa, who was her only guide, has really hidden more than he has every shared. She’s so easy to empathize with, as we watch her struggle with these horrors that sit on the edge of her life every day… some that creep even closer… and she has no one to reach out to. She can only guess as to what they want — what she should do — how to keep herself safe from the death that creeps into her room at night.
We are getting some answers. At least about what Amelia is; about her legacy. And with that, we’re learning that she is likely part of a bigger picture. One that might end up putting her on a different side than the man she loves, which really stinks since they have come so far to be together.
And side note on Devlin… I’ve always liked him and wanted him as an HEA for Amelia. But one of my only complaints about this book is the secretive dynamic between them. With all they have been through, they still keep each other in the dark. They stubbornly ignore the elephant in the room and it makes me want to shake them both. I hate a lack of communication as a romantic foil –and while that is not their only problem, it’s a big one.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to slide right back into this world and into the lives of these characters. And I’m already itching to go back. I’m looking forward to The Sinner later this year.
Rating: B/B+
*ARC provided by publisher
The mystery of Devlin’s haunting is put to bed, but only to make room for Amelia to become haunted herself. This ghost –who looks just like her– opens the door for Amelia to delve into her own past and family history. It uncovers more questions with every new answer she finds. And while this is a very Amelia-centric book, the drama with Devlin isn’t over. Only now, instead of the threat coming from his dead wife, it’s about his very-much alive grandfather and family legacy.
These books are such a departure from what I usually read. The ghosts and supernatural world are far less urban fantasy than horror. But that’s not quite right either. It’s dark and lush and definitely disturbing. Some readers might even find it downright scary. It’s not gory or gratuitous, but definitely spine-tingling.
The characters make me want to read more, Amelia especially. She struggles so much with her gift. There is so much she doesn’t know. And her Papa, who was her only guide, has really hidden more than he has every shared. She’s so easy to empathize with, as we watch her struggle with these horrors that sit on the edge of her life every day… some that creep even closer… and she has no one to reach out to. She can only guess as to what they want — what she should do — how to keep herself safe from the death that creeps into her room at night.
We are getting some answers. At least about what Amelia is; about her legacy. And with that, we’re learning that she is likely part of a bigger picture. One that might end up putting her on a different side than the man she loves, which really stinks since they have come so far to be together.
And side note on Devlin… I’ve always liked him and wanted him as an HEA for Amelia. But one of my only complaints about this book is the secretive dynamic between them. With all they have been through, they still keep each other in the dark. They stubbornly ignore the elephant in the room and it makes me want to shake them both. I hate a lack of communication as a romantic foil –and while that is not their only problem, it’s a big one.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to slide right back into this world and into the lives of these characters. And I’m already itching to go back. I’m looking forward to The Sinner later this year.
Rating: B/B+
*ARC provided by publisher
November 15, 2016
Fabulosa!!!! Desde que Amelia abrió la puerta prohibida al enamorarse de Devlin su don ha ido evolucionando... En esta historia nos encontramos con nuevos misterios y secretos sobre su familia y un nuevo cementerio, mucho más aterrador que esconde un oscuro secreto. Me ha resultado absorbente de principio a fin, con unos momentazos muy buenos, en los que sentía que se me erizaba hasta el vello de la nuca... Si os gustan las historias paranormales os encantará... Ya estoy deseando que salga el siguiente libro, porque me ha dejado con muchísima intriga... 100% Recomendable!!!
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