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The Restorer (Graveyard Queen #1)

by Amanda Stevens (Goodreads Author)

3.96 of 5 stars 3.96 · rating details · 4,511 ratings · 862 reviews

My name is Amelia Gray. I'm a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I've always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.It started with the discovery of a young woman'...more

Paperback, 376 pages

Published April 19th 2011 by Mira

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First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

2011 Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Debuts

14th out of 101 books — 533 voters

Best Cover Art 2011 (Non-YA)

48th out of 265 books — 1,349 voters

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Apr 04, 2011 Rane rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Rane by: Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker

Shelves: first-reads-arcs-netgallery, cozies-mystery-suspense, keeper, urban-fantasy, true-gem-keepers

Like the sultry afternoon, the jasmine gently floating on the breeze, the cool sweat dripping from a glass. Just when sun bids farewell and the moon says hello, between day and night- twilight- a veil is lifted, the unrest sprits rise to roam the land of the living once more…

Amanda Stevens writes poetic and downright spooky novel in The Restorer, set in the old south city in Charleston. Amelia Gray is a cemetery restorer, and can see ghosts, but unlike the ghost whisperer, Amelia has been rais...more

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Jan 24, 2012 MISS VAIN rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Spooky Ghost Story Lovers with Romance

Recommended to MISS VAIN by: Cat Russell (Addicted2Heroines)

There was no mistaking her intent.
She knew I was there.
She knew I could see her.
And she was letting me know that she knew.

Lock your doors, check your windows, plug in your night lights, and prepare to be frightened!

This book chilled me to the bone, and I adored every minute of it. I stayed up all night to finish this not just because it was sooooo good (it was) but I was too much of a scardy cat to sleep. Amanda Stevens has made spooky graveyard stories my newest obsession. A woman's body...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Maja rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-a-dtb, 2012-favorites, all-the-right-choices, creepy-love-triangle, favorites, i-see-dead-people, just-another-book-crush, open-ending, role-models, urban-fantasy, reviewed-in-2012

So beautiful and chilling.
The Restorer was recommended to me by someone I trust implicitly when it comes to books (that someone being my favorite author, Ann Aguirre) so it’s no wonder I didn’t hesitate to pick it up as soon as I found it in my mailbox. My intention was to read a chapter or two to get a feel of the story and then leave it for the night, but I ended up reading it all in one sitting. Let me tell you, reading this book at night, in a dark and silent house wasn’t the smartest move...more So beautiful and chilling.
The Restorer was recommended to me by someone I trust implicitly when it comes to books (that someone being my favorite author, Ann Aguirre) so it’s no wonder I didn’t hesitate to pick it up as soon as I found it in my mailbox. My intention was to read a chapter or two to get a feel of the story and then leave it for the night, but I ended up reading it all in one sitting. Let me tell you, reading this book at night, in a dark and silent house wasn’t the smartest move I ever made… but it was definitely exciting.

First and foremost, I need to point out that Amanda Stevens is an excellent writer. She has a tremendous talent for creating the right atmosphere, a very good sense of pacing, and a way to evoke very strong emotions at exactly the right time. Her detailed descriptions never failed to send chills down my spine. Even though The Restorer is marketed as paranormal romance, it is, in fact, urban fantasy in all its glory. For one, it is written in first person and told from a single point of view, whereas paranormal romance is usually told in third person, from alternating POVs. Romance (or lack thereof) makes a big part of the story, but it’s certainly not the main motivator as it always is with PNR. Besides, as someone who gets a strong allergic reaction whenever I come within a hundred yards of a paranormal romance novel, I can tell you with absolute certainty that this is not it. From what I understand, detective John Devlin is not even present in book two, The Kingdom, which I suppose proves my point.

The worldbuilding is fairly simplistic: the presence of ghosts is all that is unusual. Amelia Gray can see them, but she’s learned through life-long instructions by her father, not to acknowledge them in any way. She restores graveyards for a living and is very good at hiding her reactions and emotions from the occasional spirit. One of her father’s rules is never to get involved with someone who is haunted, which is why Amelia is less than thrilled when an obviously haunted (and devastatingly handsome) police detective comes asking for her help.

Amelia is the type of delicate, quiet and restrained heroine that you grow attached to in time. She’s spent her entire life on cemeteries, following strict rules imposed by her father. She has a very lonely way of life and very few personal connections.
John Devlin… *fans self* Amanda Stevens knows how to write a gorgeous and wounded romantic interest that makes you want to murder the heroine and take her place... except, in this case, it would be pretty pointless. The one Devlin wants is already dead.
He said my name then. Just that. Amelia. But in the slow, proper drawl of the Charleston aristocrat, stringing out the syllables with an elegant, imperious cadence that was tinged with decadence, indulgence and the kind of secrets that can only fester in the deepest shadows of the South.

I absolutely adored the Southern setting. Not many urban fantasy books take place in Charleston, and I relished the opportunity to learn about the city through Amelia’s eyes. Amanda Stevens and I share a fascination with Southern accents and the fact that she kept mentioning the famous Southern drawl never failed to make me smile.

I didn’t even wait to finish this book before I ordered book two, The Kingdom, from The Book Depository. I’ll make sure to find a sunny and bright place to read it, though. I bet it will be just as creepy as the first one.

Also posted at The Nocturnal Library (less)

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Sep 25, 2012 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1st-pov, challenge-2012, cops-fbi-dea-cia-etc, fantasy-paranormal, ghosts, rs-mystery-thriller, 1st-in-series, my-4-star-romances

The first book in the Graveyard Queen series by Amanda Stevens. Amelia Gray sees ghosts but that's a secret. The only other person who knows is her father. Her father gives her a set of rules that she must never break. Then one day a police detective comes into her life, wanting her help on a murder that was committed in the graveyard that she is restoring. Suddenly, Amelia finds herself breaking the rules...

As far as ghosts stories go this certainly deserves 5 stars but the romance was lacking...more

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Apr 30, 2013 Susana rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: amanda-stevens, graveyard-queen-series, 2012

2,5 stars

THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN EDITED:(30/04/13)

Having already read the second one, i can definitely say that i won't be reading any other books of this series.
I've also removed a star, since on further consideration i've decided that this was an okay reading. Yes, there were some aspects that i liked, but in the end, the negative parts surpass the positives.

Former Review:

It's impossible for me to say that i didn't "like" the book.

I did, it was completely original regarding everything i've read...more

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Sep 21, 2012 JennyJen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: creepy, ghosts, group-read, read-2012

LOVE. SO LOVE. SO glad all 3 books are out, because I want more. I must know moar.. Right now.

Edit: The series is 6 books long. =/

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Oct 15, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Sarah by: Alkyoni

Shelves: dark-side-group-read, books-i-own-print, read-in-2012

Dark Side Group Read: Alky's birthday book

Amelia Gray is a cemetery restorer and an expert at her job, with a lot of time and patience she is able to restore even the most run down graveyards and bring them back to their former glory. Amelia also has a secret though - she can see ghosts. To avoid unwanted attention from the ghosts she has a set of rules that she lives by, first and foremost is to never, ever acknowledge a ghost but also high on the list is to avoid anyone who is being haunted. T...more Dark Side Group Read: Alky's birthday book

Amelia Gray is a cemetery restorer and an expert at her job, with a lot of time and patience she is able to restore even the most run down graveyards and bring them back to their former glory. Amelia also has a secret though - she can see ghosts. To avoid unwanted attention from the ghosts she has a set of rules that she lives by, first and foremost is to never, ever acknowledge a ghost but also high on the list is to avoid anyone who is being haunted. That makes things rather difficult when Detective John Devlin, who is haunted by the ghosts of a woman and child, asks her to help him track down a brutal murderer. The bodies are being left in a cemetery that Amelia has been employed to restore and he believes that she may be able to find clues in the symbols around them. Amelia is reluctant to get involved but how can she refuse when a killer is on the loose?

Amelia is a solitary character, her ability hasn't made it easy for her to have a normal life and she spends much of her time alone. It's a fairly lonely life but she doesn't sit around feeling sorry for herself and instead immerses herself in her work and in her blog. She has very strict rules that she knows she must live by if she doesn't want the ghosts to pay any attention to her. These aren't your harmless ghosts who just float around looking scary - they are actually more like parasites and will latch on to people to siphon off their life energy so it is very important not to be noticed by them. When Devlin appears on the scene she is immediately drawn to him but she knows she should avoid him and the two ghosts who are never far away from him. In fact her life could depend on keeping away from him but that is easier than it seems when she is drawn deeper and deeper into the murder investigation.

Devlin is an interesting hero to the story, he is very secretive and we only learn a limited amount about what happened in his past so I don't feel like I know him well enough to be attracted to him. However, I do find him intriguing and am curious to find out more about him as the series continues. I'm glad that the story wasn't overtaken by romance, there are plenty of hints at a possible future entanglement between Amelia and Devlin and at one point I was sure things were going to get serious already but we have been left hanging which I have to admit is something I liked. I love a bit of will they / won't they potential in my urban fantasy series!

The Restorer is both a murder mystery and a chilling ghost story and the graveyard setting just adds to the creepy gothic atmosphere. I loved Amanda Stevens writing style, her descriptions are fantastic and I was able to picture the graveyard and headstones perfectly. She has obviously done her research and I found the information about symbols used around cemeteries was fascinating. We are left with a lot of unanswered questions but this was still a fantastic start to the Graveyard Queen series and I can't wait to read the next book!(less)

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Dec 02, 2011 Linda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ghost-story, psychological-suspense, mystery, gothic-fiction

This is a ghost-story about a cemetery restorer who's inherited the ability to see ghosts. When a dead body is found she gets involved in a murder mystery and things get complicated. Stevens is no doubt a talented writer. She uses paranormal elements without overdoing it. I liked the gothic influences. Brontë obviously worked as a great inspiration, I guess, and was mentioned several times in the book, and the writing is mostly rather good, though some of the characters were hard to get to know....more

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Aug 26, 2011 Sarah ~Slow reader, or slowly reading? ;) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, top-notch, shameless-fangirl, favorites, ghosties, horror-and-or-thriller, gothic

The writing in this book is so full of imagery and beautiful descriptions that I felt like I was actually in the story. It's just so beautiful. I ended up highlighting multiple lines in the book that stuck out to me because of their beauty.

Usually, I don't get creeped out by books, but this one gave me goosebumps and slight paranoia. I loved it. Especially the part where (view spoiler) Can you say creepy?!

This book was a grea...more

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Apr 23, 2011 Stacey (prettybooks) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-after-university, read-in-my-twenties, adult-fiction

What better way to start off an early English summer than by reading a ghostly adult thriller. No? That's what I thought, but the novel quickly draws you in to its captivating story. Think: Welcome to Dead House (Goosebumps #1) by R.L. Stine for adults. I had originally thought that this would be a young adult paranormal novel, as that's what it is shelved as on Goodreads, but it became clear early on that it was a mistake. This lead me to completely suspend my judgement about the book and take...more

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Oct 27, 2012 The Holy Terror rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of the Harper Connelly series

Shelves: ebook, ghosts, color-black, color-blue, mystery, paranormal, paranormal-mystery, adult

Can't give this quite 4 stars, though it's a very high 3. The ghosts were creepy and the setting was appropriately atmospheric and I rarely think books are scary and there were some definitely freaky parts so I have to give it points for that. Amelia is a bit bland (though not as bad as some of the plain in YA I've read) but she's your typical cozy mystery heroine. Devlin was hot though.

Longer review to come, possibly.

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May 06, 2013 Ctanner rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-12, rom-suspense, mystery

I read this as part of a Secret Santa December Challenge and I am happy that I did. This book was not what I was expecting. It is a slow-building Southern Ghost Story. I liked the protagonist a lot and the love interest is great, although don't expect to be satisfied by the end of the book. I cannot wait to read the next one.

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Dec 30, 2012 Renu rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Restorer is a dark and thrilling read that will hook you in from page one!

Amanda Stevens has a way with words. Her writing style is beautiful and captivating, she does a brilliant job of creating an spooky and eerie atmosphere - "I shudder. Dozens of them. Pale and grasping. I knew that if they managed to grab me, they would pull me down into some dark place far more terrifying than what awaited me at either end of the tunnel. So I would start walking gain. A few steps toward the light. Turn...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Shabby Girl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Going to put this one off till all three come out. Read review on Amazon and it appears lots of loose end from book to book. Would rather read all three back to back as I can't stand loose ends and having to wait

**********************

Okay decided to get stuck into this series now there are three books to read - although I must admit for some reason I thought this was only going to be a trilogy, but of course I was wrong.

Anyway, glad I did wait as I really, really enjoyed this book. It was a bit...more

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Apr 12, 2011 Kt from A Book Obsession.. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: received-for-review, covers-to-buy

Ever since the day she saw her first ghost at the age of nine, Amelia has lived by a very strict set of rules. Never look at them, stay away from the haunted, the list goes on. However all her rules and walls come crashing down when she crosses paths with the sexy police detective Devlin, as he is one of the haunted. He needs her help to solve a case about bodies turning up in the cemetery she was hired to restore. She wants to warn him of the ghosts that are leeching away his life, but to do so...more Ever since the day she saw her first ghost at the age of nine, Amelia has lived by a very strict set of rules. Never look at them, stay away from the haunted, the list goes on. However all her rules and walls come crashing down when she crosses paths with the sexy police detective Devlin, as he is one of the haunted. He needs her help to solve a case about bodies turning up in the cemetery she was hired to restore. She wants to warn him of the ghosts that are leeching away his life, but to do so would only transfer them to her. She knows she should stay away, but finds her inexplicably drawn to him, pulling her further down the rabbit hole than she ever wanted to be.

This book caught me off guard as I was expecting an urban fantasy that involved ghosts. It actually turned out to be a very chilling mystery full of creepiness and that "something is behind you" feeling. The descriptions are so vivid that you literally feel everything that is happening to Amelia and you continually count your lucky stars that while it may feel realistic, it isn't actually happening to you. It amazes me the self discipline Amelia must have had in order to train herself not to react to such terrifying presences. Of all the supernatural abilities to have, I think I would least like to have her's as I would have long crumbled under the pressure of my life always being at stake. Her nerves must be made of steel. Sure she gets scared plenty, but what is important is that she never once crumbles under the pressure.

There is some major mojo going on between Devlin and Amelia. For someone as sensible as Amelia, it should seem odd that she should be so "foolish" when it came to decisions involving him. However, you can really feel the magnetism that seems to pull them together, and as she has never felt so drawn to anyone it is no wonder she can't stay away. While it wasn't specifically stated in the book, part of me wonders if the ghost of his wife is somehow largely responsible for this pull. I sense somehow in the future more will come about in just how much she is able to influence Amelia, and what she actually wants. To be honest, the wife's ghost creeped me out more than anything else that happened, as I got the sense that whatever her end game was, it would be all consuming.

I am not usually a big fan of horror books, or well anything scary for that matter. However, that being said this book was the perfect blend of suspense and creepiness to keep me utterly enthralled without wanting to run for the hills. It never once stepped over that edge of biting my nails to something too overwhelmingly scary. Granted I did read this in the middle of the day, so I can't say I would have fared so well at night while home alone. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good suspense that will suck you in and and not let go until the very end. Definitely a compelling and chilling read that you will not want to miss.(less)

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Jul 16, 2011 Alisha rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Urban Fantasy fans who like a good ghost story

Shelves: ac-g, favorites

Rating: 4.5 (After some more thought: A five, really.)
Quick Take: Loved it. Loved. It. Steven's writing style is so easy to get into. To say that I look forward to more of this series is a serious understatement. Highly recommended to all of my ghost-story-friendly urban fantasy peeps. It might give you a fright, but it's well worth the thrill.

Review:
Freaking A, man. What an awesome book this is!
I must confess that, as a scaredy cat and ghost-story wimp, I was hesitant at first to read Amanda St...more Rating: 4.5 (After some more thought: A five, really.)
Quick Take: Loved it. Loved. It. Steven's writing style is so easy to get into. To say that I look forward to more of this series is a serious understatement. Highly recommended to all of my ghost-story-friendly urban fantasy peeps. It might give you a fright, but it's well worth the thrill.

Review:
Freaking A, man. What an awesome book this is!
I must confess that, as a scaredy cat and ghost-story wimp, I was hesitant at first to read Amanda Stevens's trilogy opener. The book description sounded very intriguing, but it was obviously meant to give the potential reader a taste of the eerie setting and chilling theme of the full novel. Boy, am I glad I got past that hesitancy. I was thoroughly creeped out whilst reading this tale, but more importantly, I was exhilarated.

So let's start with that emotion. Yes, this book is creepy; the author is quite skilled at creating atmosphere. Stevens's writing style is resonant, engaging, and very easy to fall into. The language is crisp and easily accessible--not simplistic--and yet descriptions are vivid, crafting a clear visual and understanding of both the characters and the settings. I'd imagine that's precisely what one would want when attempting to scare the pants off of someone. ^_^

It's perhaps good that the mechanics of the language used does not confound, because this is indeed a dense book. There are numerous details that are integral to the storyline, and the main mystery is quite multilayered. In fact, there are elements in play that suggest the author is focused on the bigger, series-wide picture at all times. In that regard, this story's events solve mysteries, but titillate even more. The narrative barely scratches the surface of the main characters' struggles and inner scars. Protagonist Amelia Gray is one complex individual; amiable as far as protagonists go, but clearly haunted (literally and figuratively). That she finds herself drawn to an equally haunted man will provide a lot of arresting emotional material in upcoming installments.

If you can manage a highly atmospheric, spooky and complex book that absolutely must be read as part of a series arc, you need to pick up The Restorer. This will be a standout series, just you wait n see! ^_^(less)

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Nov 29, 2012 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobooks, ghosts, paranormal-mystery, serial-killers, tortured-heros

The Restorer
4.5 Stars

Narration: Khristine Hvam's soft southern accent is perfect for conveying the haunting atmosphere of the story.

The characters, both primary and secondary, are well developed and interesting. Amelia is intelligent and inquisitive but lonely and somewhat emotionally and socially inept due to her "gift" and her upbringing. It is endearing to see her experience new things and slowly come out of her shell with Devlin, who is oh-so sexy and honorable but also dark, haunted and tor...more

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Jun 18, 2012 JenJenBoBin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

****4 Stars****

First sentence really grabbed me!

"I was nine when I saw my first ghost."

Then there are the rules given to her by her beloved Papa.

"1. Never acknowledge the dead
2. Never stray far from hallowed ground
3. Never associate with those who are haunted
4. Never, ever tempt fate."

I am all about ghosts, paranormal anything like that is right up my ally so her seeing ghosts is fantastic! Things take place in the beautiful low country of Charleston, SC lots of history there not to mention the...more ****4 Stars****

First sentence really grabbed me!

"I was nine when I saw my first ghost."

Then there are the rules given to her by her beloved Papa.

"1. Never acknowledge the dead
2. Never stray far from hallowed ground
3. Never associate with those who are haunted
4. Never, ever tempt fate."

I am all about ghosts, paranormal anything like that is right up my ally so her seeing ghosts is fantastic! Things take place in the beautiful low country of Charleston, SC lots of history there not to mention the Gullah traditions and beliefs that still run thick in that area (full of black magic, witchcraft, voodoo... you name it all kinds of fun folklore there). I have been to the low country many times and the book is true with it's descriptions of various places in the area. The Spanish moss that hangs all around is simply beautiful and natures shade. The story had me wanting to go back again ... only there would be a few places i'd stay away from or heck maybe i'd check out ;)

That said the book was creepy good... Amelia aka The Graveyard Queen is a Graveyard Restorer and one cemetery she is contracted to Restore "Oak Grove" gave me a big time freak out since the old family cemetery next to my house is named the same - talk about freaky. I know I know ... like every city in the US has an Oak Grove but this is like 5ft from my driveway!

I don't want to give away too much I always try to keep things spoiler free as much as possible. I have to say as much as it was creepy I still considered it a light read since there weren't tons of story lines all going at the same time it was pretty straight forward it was 1 story line and was a real "who done it" in the end it will surprise you for sure. Oh and do not fear the gore factor is way low... not to say I didn't jump a few times it was more of a thriller rather than horror!

My only wish is that we could have understood Devlin (the male love interest)and his ghosts a bit more but perhaps in the next book.

Looking forward to starting it :)(less)

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Apr 19, 2011 Leigh Hunt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-thriller, five-star-review

Synopsis:

My name is Amelia Gray. I’m a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I’ve always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman’s brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I’ve been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his othe...more Synopsis:

My name is Amelia Gray. I’m a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I’ve always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman’s brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I’ve been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims—lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

My thoughts:

Wow. It has been a really long time since I have read a book that is so gripping, creepy, and enthralling. Amanda Stevens did an incredible job at melding all these different aspects together into a well-rounded novel. The main character, Amelia Gray, has a bit of an issue with seeing ghosts, but there are four rules surrounding this ability that she abides by to live a peaceful life.

I absolutely loved Amelia’s character. She knows right from wrong, she trusts her instincts, and she knows her limits. I could really relate to this character, because she is so passionate about what she does, almost to the point that it’s solely for the sheer love of it. I never would have thought that restoring cemetery’s as a fascinating career path, but I can honestly see how at peace she feels when she is in amongst the graves. She also develops a connection to Devlin, the cop investigating the murders that Amelia is advising on. The majority of women can definitely relate to how it feels when you meet someone new, and wanting to know everything about them. The fact that Devlin is haunted, should slap a big ‘DANGER’ sticker across him, but as Amelia becomes even more involved with him, that warning starts to seriously fade away, despite the rules that she lives by.

Each character in this book has their own secrets and stories to tell, and I loved the way that Amanda Stevens interrelated and weaved everything seamlessly together. The romantic notions could have been seriously banked on throughout this book, but I was more than impressed that the author didn’t do that. She stuck to the script, and fulfilled my expectations of a wonderful story. But, there is much more to this story, and to be honest – I did not want this to end. You can only imagine my delight when I found out that there are more books to this series The Graveyard Queen to come.

I would seriously recommend this book, whether you like thrillers, ghost stories, or even romance. Personally, I can’t wait to buy a hard copy, and place it proudly on my bookshelf.(less)

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Dec 28, 2012 BamaGal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, paranormal-elements

EDIT: CBS is planning to make a weekly series based on the Graveyard Queen books. Won't that be fun??

Very satisfying read, much more so than the prequel novella that preceded this first book of a new series. I'm very glad I read this, it was quite different from the usual paranormal read.

Amelia Gray is a cemetery restorer, an occupation that I previously had no clue about. Not only that, as with her father before her; she can see ghosts of the dead who have not crossed over. Amelia is currently...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobook, audiobook-review

I really enjoyed this modern-day twisty paranormal tale of a southern young woman, Amelia Gray, who "sees dead bodies." Yes, she sees ghosts, a trait she has inherited from her father. Since the age of nine, she's had to keep this secret from everyone but her father. But, the hardest part is she cannot let the ghosts know she can see them or they will never leave her and try and suck her life force from her - haunt her. As an adult, Amelia is a graveyard restorer, an expert on cemetery restorati...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Amy or "Ames" rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of Michelle Zink

Shelves: 1st-in-series, urban-fantasy, kindle, bought-in-2012, read-in-2012, death-reapers-zombies, paranormal, series-abandoned

Unfortunately The Restorer reminded me of Prophecy of the Sisters due to the dreadfully slow pace and verbose prose reminiscent of 19th century literature but without the flair and beauty of the prominent writers of the time who could effortlessly produce graceful descriptions of a haunting nature, Victorian gothic-style. Edgar Allan Poe, for example. The dialogue, also, had an oddly formal quality to it that most modern English speakers don't use anymore. This made the book seem unnecessarily l...more Unfortunately The Restorer reminded me of Prophecy of the Sisters due to the dreadfully slow pace and verbose prose reminiscent of 19th century literature but without the flair and beauty of the prominent writers of the time who could effortlessly produce graceful descriptions of a haunting nature, Victorian gothic-style. Edgar Allan Poe, for example. The dialogue, also, had an oddly formal quality to it that most modern English speakers don't use anymore. This made the book seem unnecessarily long-winded like an incessantly chatty person who goes on and on about nothing in particular.

Very little happened in the first half, it was painfully boring and repetitive (her father's damn rules), and the second was almost as bad. The scenes down in the well and it's tunnels were the most fascinating sections in the book but they only constitute perhaps 50 pages in total. Within those pages we get a glimpse at Amelia and Devlin's psyches as they explored those ancient and neglected passageways, trying to find a way out, hoping they wouldn't stumble upon the murderer in the dark shadows where he would have the upper hand.

Amelia is hollow. Devoid of meaningful experiences. Virginal. Naive. She's an eternal good girl with a lifeless but practical life, a perfectionist. Almost robotic. Constrained by her father's rules and her own fear that she'll attract the attention of a ghost which could attach itself to her and psychically drain her energy, she's never thought to break them even once to see what would happen. Until now, sort of. Passively. She doesn't actively break them, she just lets things naturally progress instead of stepping back as she was told to by her father. This makes her both an uninteresting and irksome heroine who's only appearance of growth is the emergence of curiosity as she turns amateur detective. What is there to like about that?

Devlin, the homicide detective, is almost the opposite. He has spirit (dulled somewhat by his guilt and grief over the loss of his wife and child, whose ghosts are sucking the life out of him), and from what others have said; he once was a very passionate man. But still, we don't really get to know him past his strong sense of honor, justice and nobility.

The romance aspect isn't one I cared for. Stevens appears to snap her fingers, forcing their chemistry, their kiss. The tug of war: Devlin's unconscious succubus-like siphoning of Amelia's strength when they're physically close, her father's warnings telling her to walk away, together with Devlin's reluctance to let his dead wife and daughter go so he can move on plus the ever-presence of their ghosts, against their mutual attraction, was tiresome and in no way was that war resolved here.

Pushed into the background was the mystery. Everything was concentrated on the deaths and burials but not the hunt for the killer. Also, too many other things were going on, too many unrevealed secrets and answers to questions Amelia's never been brave enough to ask her parents about. Ones that aren't unveiled in this book. My mind didn't try to solve the mystery of the murderer, I think, because I didn't care.

I didn't care. I wasn't invested in the outcome, the characters or the writing. I wasn't enchanted by the imagery or chilled by the ghosts. I felt the book was unfocused and aimless, unproductive. It needed tightening up, to be whipped into shape for a faster pace and a clearer message would've made Amelia's first journey out into the real world far more enjoyable.(less)

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Mar 06, 2011 Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker rated it 4 of 5 stars

Can you say creepy?

Can you say wonderful?

If you love spooky, creepy, darn right oh-my-god-I-just-saw-something-in-the-corner-of-my-room scary type books, this is your book. If you want to be frustrated by a blossoming relationship between two main characters, this is also your book. Let me explain.

I love to be scared. While this book IS scary, it is not the blatant in your face, gory, axe murdering serial killer type of scary.

Instead, it is the hair rising, I cannot see him, but I knew he is be...more Can you say creepy?

Can you say wonderful?

If you love spooky, creepy, darn right oh-my-god-I-just-saw-something-in-the-corner-of-my-room scary type books, this is your book. If you want to be frustrated by a blossoming relationship between two main characters, this is also your book. Let me explain.

I love to be scared. While this book IS scary, it is not the blatant in your face, gory, axe murdering serial killer type of scary.

Instead, it is the hair rising, I cannot see him, but I knew he is behind me type of scary. I loved it. The author is a master at making you “feel” her descriptions. There are scenes where ghosts touch people and the way the author described the touch, made me think someone was brushing their hand along my neck (and the hubby was nowhere in sight).

Now onto the relationship. There is a "non-relationship" relationship in this book. Amelia, the main character, is seriously lusting after John Devlin. Throughout the book, the reader is unsure how Devlin feels about Amelia but on the contrary, Amelia’s feelings are pretty darn clear. Too clear! Over and over again, we get Amelia’s internal dialogue on how she lusts for Devlin but she is unsure of how he feels and how she doesn’t want to break the unwritten rules regarding messing with people who are clearly haunted. This internal dialogue goes on and on and becomes tedious at times. I kept wanting Amelia to jump Devlin’s bones and get on with it. It NEVER happens. Why am I telling you this? Because there is so much good about this book, if you get caught up in the relationship or lack thereof, you will be disappointed in the story. However, if you move on from the relationship, you will enjoy the story.

The story-

It is complex, and full of mystery. I really had to pay attention because there was a lot of story and side story here. However, once you get the logistics down, the story flowed. Oh and the last few chapters seriously stumped me. I did not expect it and frankly, it saved the book from a 3 star rating (I hated how the non-relationship was going throughout the book between Devlin and Amelia).

Overall-

I seriously enjoyed the book. Take out the disappointment regarding Amelia’s lusting after Devlin and receiving no satisfaction in that department, you then have a very good book.
(less)

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Oct 26, 2012 AngelLeah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I'm so glad that I finally took this off my "to be read" shelf!
This is a story of Amelia Gray, who works restoring old cemeteries in the south. Since the age of 9, Amelia has been seeing ghosts. Her father taught her strict rules about avoiding ghosts because they will suck the energy from you. She has spent her whole life distancing herself from everyone, but especially anyone who has a ghost attached to them.

The ghost scenes in this book are fantasticly creepy! This book gave me goose bumps...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Paris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, mystery-thriller-suspense, must-read-series, books-i-own, kindle, horror, 2012, read-twice, rereadable

2012 UPDATE:My initial review I gave this book 4 stars, but now after my re-read of this in 2012 I'm bumping that up into 5 stars. So good. I can't wait to read The Kingdom. Re-read 9/25/12 - 9/28/12

This is the kind of book I’ve been searching for; dark, creepy with a hint of a gritty romance. I would have given this book 5 out of 5, but it was a little slow to start and I nearly put it down. The only reason I didn’t is because I had heard such great things about it, so I trudged along and boy w...more

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Mar 23, 2013 Christina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal

I loved this book. It was intelligent and complex enough to keep me involved and guessing until the last minute. I also had to create a diagram with all the characters. Skillfully done and a great read!

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May 02, 2013 Life Between Coffee Spoons rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amelia Gray, the Graveyard Queen, finds herself in the middle of a chilling, intriguing, and addictive Southern mystery. My pursuit of a cemetery-themed series has been going on for years and the answer (finally) couldn't have been better!

Amelia is a cemetery restorer who finds herself caught up in a murder investigation when a body appears in the graveyard she is cleaning. Enter Devlin, a suave police detective Amelia feels immediate attraction to. There's just one problem: seeing ghosts runs i...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Majanka rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews-march-2013, fantasy, ghosts, supernatural, paranormal-mystery, thriller

Actual rating: 4,5 stars. Review first appeared on my blog: http://www.iheartreading.net/book/boo...

The Restorer is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Since I average 150 books a year, that’s saying something. I bought the first book in the series, was thoroughly impressed, and immediately went out to hunt for book two and three. This week I will review all three books, and give you my honest opinion about what I consider one of the best series ever. The only downside? I find it remarkably to...more Actual rating: 4,5 stars. Review first appeared on my blog: http://www.iheartreading.net/book/boo...

The Restorer is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Since I average 150 books a year, that’s saying something. I bought the first book in the series, was thoroughly impressed, and immediately went out to hunt for book two and three. This week I will review all three books, and give you my honest opinion about what I consider one of the best series ever. The only downside? I find it remarkably tough to write reviews about books I enjoyed immensely. Anyway, on we go.

Amelia Gray, main character, restores old graveyards, which instantly gives her one of the coolest professions ever. I’ve always been fascinated with ancient Victorian graveyards, and so is Amelia, which instantly made me bond with her. The second quirky thing about Amelia is that she sees ghosts. She’s seen them ever since she was a little kid. She tried to stay away from them and ignore them because her father told her to, but that doesn’t always work out. When the dead see you, they grow attached to you, they feed on your energy, and Amelia tries to avoid that. She spends most of her time on hallowed ground, such as graveyards, to avoid seeing the dead. If she’s not safe on hallowed ground come nightfall, things might get ugly.

Her ability to see the dead has made it difficult for Amelia to make friends and to date guys, so she’s a twenty-seven year old single woman who easily reminded me of “Bones” from the TV series. Intelligent, brave and actually a nice person, but someone who has trouble befriending people or dating people. I liked her personality, her attitude, her spark. She doesn’t see her ability as much of a gift, and to be honest, it isn’t really, at least not for her. It hinders her in everything she does or tries to do, sometimes even putting her on harm’s way. She’s the opposite of a superhero, her powers a true curse for her. I liked that. The tragic hero thing, a person who genuinely is hindered by her abilities, even though others might find them awesome.

At the beginning of the book, she’s working to restore Oak Grove Cemetery when a bound is recovered on the cemetery. This could be no news at all, if the body didn’t belong to a missing person and was quite recent. The detective on the case, John Devlin, is the kind of man Amelia could fall for. Southern charm, handsome, strong, intelligent, he’s practically every girl’s dream. But Devlin has his own ghosts to deal with, and Amelia has learned the hard way not to get close to people who are haunted by their past, sometimes quite literary. As a male lead, John Devlin doesn’t do that much though. I wanted to see more of him. The entire story is told from Amelia’s POV, which is great, but I would’ve liked a few more scenes with Devlin so I could have a better idea of his motives and what drives him.

When another body turns up at the cemetery and Amelia finds out the body the police found isn’t the first body to be discovered there, those are the first clues for one of the best mystery novels I’ve ever read. There’s an evil force at work in Oak Grove Cemetery, and Amelia may have to use her ability to communicate with ghosts if she wants to find the culprit before he finds her. Her safe harbor, the hallowed ground of cemeteries, suddenly isn’t so safe anymore.

The plot itself was pretty much kick-ass awesome all the way. The mystery was amazing, and I could barely keep up with the rapid pace, luckily interrupted with moments of self-reflection from the main character. Toward the end though, those moments started to annoy me. I was in the middle of the plot and boom, suddenly, Amelia started her self-reflection habits up again. Ugh. So not the moment. Luckily this was a small hindrance and not enough to make me dislike the book or something.

What I also liked is how this book mixes all sorts of genres. There’s romance, there’s a paranormal mystery, but there’s also a suspense novel, a thriller, and even a bit of horror here and there. I like books that break the genre boundaries, and in that aspect, The Restorer definitely succeeds.

I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys reading books with a paranormal element. Even if you’re not generally a fan of romance, the romance subplot is small enough here not to distract you from the main plot. If you dislike thrillers or suspense novels, the romance and ghosts may be enough to lure you in. And if you’re a fan of horror, then this book has something for you as well.(less)

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Feb 16, 2013 Khanh rated it 5 of 5 stars

I abandon most paranormal series because they're rather annoying. Most of the ones I've tried to read have contained vampires, werewolves, etc., and a variation of otherworldly politics and conspiracies, one would have to use a great deal of suspension of disbelief to really get into those stories. This series is believable, it's not too out there as far as paranormal activities go. One can be induced to believe that ghosts do exist, and aren't visible to everyone. This book sticks to ghosts, th...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Lexie Robinson Austin rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a good solid start for a series debut. I liked the heroine Amelia Gray. I liked the concept (how cool would it be to have a job as a cemetery restorer???). I loved the setting, and the plot. It felt kind of like Charlaine Harris' Harper Connelly series, but more fun and less depressing.

Here's the summary: "My name is Amelia Gray. I'm a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I've always held fast to these rules passed down fr...more

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About Amanda Stevens

Amanda Stevens was born and raised in the foothills of the Ozarks, an area known for its folklore and superstition. She learned from an early age to fear black cats, ladders, and broken mirrors. A risk taker, she now resides with all three. She is also the mother of twins, a wannabe taphophile, and a collector of all things Alfred Hitchcock. When she’s not writing from her home in Houston, she lik...more

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“There was something so primal and hungry about the way he stared down at her..the way their bodies unconsciously strained toward one another as if nothing - not even time, not distance, not even death- could ever keep them apart.” — 16 people liked it

“It's hotter than a two-peckered alley cat up in here. Humidity must be close to a hundred.” — 15 people liked it

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