Monday, March 20, 2017

The Awakening by Amanda Stevens

Title: The Awakening
Author: Amanda Stevens
Series: Book Six in the Graveyard Queen Series
Published By: Mira (March 28, 2017)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
Shush…lest she awaken… 

My name is Amelia Gray, a cemetery restorer who lives with the dead. An anonymous donor has hired me to restore Woodbine Cemetery, a place where the rich and powerful bury their secrets. Forty years ago, a child disappeared without a trace and now her ghost has awakened, demanding that I find out the truth about her death. Only I know that she was murdered. Only I can bring her killer to justice. But the clues that I follow—a haunting melody and an unnamed baby's grave—lead me to a series of disturbing suspects. 


For generations, The Devlins have been members of Charleston's elite. John Devlin once turned his back on the traditions and expectations that came with his birthright, but now he has seemingly accepted his rightful place. His family's secrets make him a questionable ally. When my investigation brings me to the gates of his family's palatial home, I have to wonder if he is about to become my mortal enemy.








The Graveyard Queen series has been a favorite since the very first book. With Stevens mesmerizing writing skills and her stories that are every bit as addicting as they are chilling, it is a series that fans and newcomers alike will instantly adore.

Saying goodbye to a beloved series, is never ever easy. In most cases it is bittersweet and almost always heartbreaking and turning the last page in The Awakening was both of those things.

This is a book that you simultaneously both want to devour and make it last forever. You will speed through the pages only to make yourself slow down as you realize that it is almost over... and this time, forever.

Steven's writing puts you right there with Amelia, until you feel like you are right there along with her. Through all of her struggles and growth and change. We saw her come into her own in every way imaginable and this last book brings everything, every secret, ever lie, every misconception into light. Everything is exposed and no one will be the same because of it. 

I absolutely loved this and my only complaint is that there wasn't more. I don't want this series to be over. I don't want it to be the end and I certainly wanted more of a happily ever after, but then again, do we ever want it to be the end when it is something we have come to love?

All I can say is that while I am sad this was the end, I'm also happy with how it all came together even if I do wish there had been just a bit more. Just a bit more romance, just a bit more happily ever after and just a bit more of a conclusion. I would have loved an epilogue but I can see why, if the author ever has any chance of writing a spin off or more books down the road, that she didn't. 




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

38 comments:

  1. Ireally enjoyed this one as well. The author told me that we will surely have a novella with the characters! yay!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This looks like an excellent series thanks Kindlemom!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I know how much you've loved this series, so I'm really happy that this was a good end for you. It's a bummer that it doesn't have a full HEA though? I feel like I would find that very upsetting!
    Great review, Ali!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It did have a HEA but I just wish there would have been more, if that makes sense.

      Delete
  4. It is so hard to let go of a series you love!! Glad you enjoyed it even if you wanted more!! Great review!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Happy reading, Ali!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I keep getting further and further behind on this series. I've got to grab this one very soon.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am looking forward to reading this and not because like you I don't the series to be over. I have loved this series.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's always a good sign when your complaint about a series ending is that you wanted more. Glad to hear that you like the way the author wrapped everything up. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I loved this one too, Stevens did say on her Facebook, this is the last one for now...which I hope means more later.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melliane said the author said there will be novellas with these characters so that is awesome.

      Delete
  10. I am a little sad that this is the last one, as I did not find out until after I read the book. I felt like there was too much unanswered questions.
    1. There still seems to be some loss ends with her father - I always felt like he was hiding a lot more.
    2. What happened to that monster thing from the mountains of her hometown? In the last book it followed her, but it never really wrapped up after that. It's still there and it seemed crucial to their story.
    3. What about that key that she was looking for?
    4. I never felt like we knew enough about the order and they are out there now trying to kill her..

    I see that she will have a novella for these characters.. but I don't feel like that makes me happy since I am not a fan of novellas. Why not just write another book? ;/ you know?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah it did feel a little undone still didn't it? Maybe the novella will answer some of those things, I'm really hoping it does.

      Delete
  11. I have the first book in this series in audio, but I haven't had a chance to read it. Glad to see you didn't want it to end. That's promising to someone who hasn't started it yet. :)

    Nice review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really hope you end up loving the series as well. :D

      Delete
  12. I'm reading it now! I hope there is more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm keeping my fingers crossed there will be. Hope you love it!

      Delete
  13. I'm glad it ended the way you'd hoped it would. Nothing worst than being disappointed with a series ender!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You're right! So hard to say goodbye to a beloved series! I still have book one in my tbr pile. I so need to find the time to read it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you pick them up soon and that you fall in love with them as well. :D

      Delete
  15. Oh gosh! This one totally got my full attention. I'll be checking all the books in this series and hopefully I could get a copy. Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So happy to hear that, I hope you end up liking them!

      Delete
  16. Never read this before but now I'm interested. Yes it's sad to say goodbye to a beloved series but I also see it as an ending to a wonderful story. Hope you enjoy what this author does next.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is and I'm really hoping whatever she comes out with next will be just as fabulous. :D

      Delete
  17. Aw sad it's over for ya but how awesome for it to go out on such a strong note.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is on my nightstand waiting to be read, but I bummed Mercy at the top. ;) I hope I will like this series finale.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh another one of my favorites, definitely a worthy one to this. ;) I hope you love them both!

      Delete
  19. I'm going to be so sad to read the last book in this series. I'm so happy Stevens came back to it though after so long and expanded it. Gorgeous review (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really am too Kim, I just hope we will get those novellas, it's so hard to say goodbye.

      Delete