Grave Witch by Kalayna Price
Series:Alex Craft, #1
Publication Date:October 5th 2010
Publisher:Roc
Grave Witch is so great a book, that I can't help but wonder what was I thinking not picking up this series sooner. Why did I have to wait for almost all my book friends to read it and be amazed by it to be finally convinced, is beyond me.
Grave Witch is an amazing introduction to a series that just promises to get better. And I'm sure it will. Not because the first book wasn't good enough, but because I see that there's so much more that can be added to this story and make it even better. And Death's presence is among those things.
But let's take things from the start.
Kalayna Price does an incredible work with her world building. The way she practically takes her readers by the hand and shows them how her world functions rather than just tell them. At first I was a little bit lost, but as the story progressed everything fell into place. Because, Price, isn't explaining beforehand how things work in Nekros City, she just let the characters and the situations explain things when the right time comes. When it's needed. It was brilliant! And even though her world is intricate and complicated you don't feel lost, not for a single minute, or bored with unnecessary details.
The story is full of twists and action, there's not a single moment you are able to feel bored. Things are happening the whole time, details are added every now and then, so even when nothing happens, you get to know new and interesting things about the characters or the world. The writing style is straight to the point and efficient, humorous and enjoyable in overall.
Alex is a really interesting character and her ability to raise shades and communicate with the world of dead is described in an amazing way. The fact that she's left blind the more she uses her grave sight, just reminded me that everything comes with a cost, something that in many cases, authors choose to forget. Falin, the detective with the arrogant attitude who seems to be hiding things was a pure delight. I know most readers are fans of Death, but since I didn't get to see much of him in this novel, I'm sticking with Falin. Although Death, will just make things all the more interesting and that's why I expect that the next books in the series will be better. Because if Death managed to get my attention while appearing a handful of times, imagine what he can do later, when operating in full mode!
All in all, Grave Witch is an amazing first book, in a series that is a must for all UF lovers! Can't wait to get my hands on the next books :)
Mass Market Paperback, 325 pages
Useful Info: Goodreads, Author's Website, Book Depository
Grave witch Alex Craft can speak to the dead, but that doesn’t mean she likes what they have to say.
As a private investigator and consultant for the police, Alex Craft has seen a lot of dark magic. But even though she’s on good terms with Death himself—who happens to look fantastic in a pair of jeans—nothing has prepared her for her latest case. Alex is investigating a high profile murder when she’s attacked by the ‘shade’ she’s raising, which should be impossible. To top off her day, someone makes a serious attempt on her life, but Death saves her. Guess he likes having her around...
To solve this case Alex will have to team up with tough homicide detective Falin Andrews. Falin seems to be hiding something—though it’s certainly not his dislike of Alex—but Alex knows she needs his help to navigate the tangled webs of mortal and paranormal politics, and to track down a killer wielding a magic so malevolent, it may cost Alex her life...and her soul.
Grave Witch is so great a book, that I can't help but wonder what was I thinking not picking up this series sooner. Why did I have to wait for almost all my book friends to read it and be amazed by it to be finally convinced, is beyond me.
Grave Witch is an amazing introduction to a series that just promises to get better. And I'm sure it will. Not because the first book wasn't good enough, but because I see that there's so much more that can be added to this story and make it even better. And Death's presence is among those things.
But let's take things from the start.
Kalayna Price does an incredible work with her world building. The way she practically takes her readers by the hand and shows them how her world functions rather than just tell them. At first I was a little bit lost, but as the story progressed everything fell into place. Because, Price, isn't explaining beforehand how things work in Nekros City, she just let the characters and the situations explain things when the right time comes. When it's needed. It was brilliant! And even though her world is intricate and complicated you don't feel lost, not for a single minute, or bored with unnecessary details.
The story is full of twists and action, there's not a single moment you are able to feel bored. Things are happening the whole time, details are added every now and then, so even when nothing happens, you get to know new and interesting things about the characters or the world. The writing style is straight to the point and efficient, humorous and enjoyable in overall.
Alex is a really interesting character and her ability to raise shades and communicate with the world of dead is described in an amazing way. The fact that she's left blind the more she uses her grave sight, just reminded me that everything comes with a cost, something that in many cases, authors choose to forget. Falin, the detective with the arrogant attitude who seems to be hiding things was a pure delight. I know most readers are fans of Death, but since I didn't get to see much of him in this novel, I'm sticking with Falin. Although Death, will just make things all the more interesting and that's why I expect that the next books in the series will be better. Because if Death managed to get my attention while appearing a handful of times, imagine what he can do later, when operating in full mode!
All in all, Grave Witch is an amazing first book, in a series that is a must for all UF lovers! Can't wait to get my hands on the next books :)
I am a total Death fangirl here, Falin not so much, as he belongs (literally) to his Queen.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, this is a great series, and totally readable back to back.