Sign in with FacebookFelicia's Reviews > Grave Witch
Grave Witch (Alex Craft, #1)
by Kalayna Price (Goodreads Author)
by Kalayna Price (Goodreads Author)
Felicia's review
bookshelves: vaginal-urban-fantasy, urban-paranormal
Oct 03, 11
bookshelves: vaginal-urban-fantasy, urban-paranormal
Read in October, 2011
VERY rarely do I pick up a book and stay up until 2am reading so that I feel gross and tired all day the next day and I don't regret it one bit. This book did that to me last night, so yay I think? :)
I pick up EVERY urban fantasy novel lately with huge skepticism, because it's like someone wrote a how-to book everyone uses called "how to mix vampires and werewolves and sassy heroines together! Watch them make out too!" I mean, SO formulaic. That's why it's really tough for me to buy into a world that mixes paranormal and reality in that perfect escapist way we all crave, but for some reason this did it for me!
I really enjoyed the world and the plot and the characters. That's all. First, NO VAMPS! It's all faerie and witches. The witch magic was really interesting and has the potential to be filled out in interesting ways. Second, the main character is NOT really mouthy and wounded, she has a relatable POV without being boring, which is super hard to do, she has functional friend relationships...yay. The secondary characters are slow-played, added to the main character's life in a believable way, just a nice mixture that was fun. And then THIRD, the love interests were...REALLY HUNKY IN A NOT GROSS ALPHA WAY AND I LOVE THEM! Yay!
I mean, let's be clear, this book doesn't re-invent the wheel of urban fantasy, but it does what we expect well and that's all I wanted! So immediately reading the next one. Hope I don't stay up too late and feel icky again like I do today. It will probably happen.
I pick up EVERY urban fantasy novel lately with huge skepticism, because it's like someone wrote a how-to book everyone uses called "how to mix vampires and werewolves and sassy heroines together! Watch them make out too!" I mean, SO formulaic. That's why it's really tough for me to buy into a world that mixes paranormal and reality in that perfect escapist way we all crave, but for some reason this did it for me!
I really enjoyed the world and the plot and the characters. That's all. First, NO VAMPS! It's all faerie and witches. The witch magic was really interesting and has the potential to be filled out in interesting ways. Second, the main character is NOT really mouthy and wounded, she has a relatable POV without being boring, which is super hard to do, she has functional friend relationships...yay. The secondary characters are slow-played, added to the main character's life in a believable way, just a nice mixture that was fun. And then THIRD, the love interests were...REALLY HUNKY IN A NOT GROSS ALPHA WAY AND I LOVE THEM! Yay!
I mean, let's be clear, this book doesn't re-invent the wheel of urban fantasy, but it does what we expect well and that's all I wanted! So immediately reading the next one. Hope I don't stay up too late and feel icky again like I do today. It will probably happen.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read Grave Witch.
sign in »
Comments (showing 1-22 of 22) (22 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Nancy
(new)
-
rated it 2 stars
Oct 03, 2011 06:04pm
You've convinced me! I will be checking this out.
reply
|
flag
*
On that review I'll be checking it out. Normally the term "grave witch" would make me wary (thinking a close copy of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake character), but you've convinced me!
Felicia, you've nailed the genera that I myself have been tired of too. If it's as refreshing as u say it is I'm excited to read it!
I love this one too. The sequel isn't quite as great, in my opinion, but I'm still excited about the series over all. Can't wait for #3!
I have added this to my list of books to read. Have you read The Dresden Files? Easily the best urban fantasy I have ever read!
I liked this book a lot, but I'll second Elena with the feeling that the 2nd book in the series wasn't as good. Liked the ending on book 2. Definitely looking forward to the third.
I am currently reading this...though I have to wait to keep going till I get a few grad papers out. Good to know you rated it so highly!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, too! You might want to check out KINDLING THE MOON by Jenn Bennett. That's another non-vamp urban fantasy that has a relatable heroine and a great non-chest beating hero. In fact, the guy is one of my favorite UF heroes. Very well developed and pretty unique in the genre.
Sandy wrote: "I thoroughly enjoyed this book, too! You might want to check out KINDLING THE MOON by Jenn Bennett. That's another non-vamp urban fantasy that has a relatable heroine and a great non-chest beating ..."Thanks for the recc, I'll definitely get it!
Edward wrote: "Do you think this would be a good book to listen to?"I've litereally never listened to an audio book so I'm sorry I can't say! I'm a more visual person than anything.
I do a lot of audio books because I can listen to them at work, and honestly I think the reader didn't have an understanding of the main character. I have had books come alive to me in ways I never thought they could because a reader was so good, but in this case I think I would have actually liked Alex better if I had read her and come up with her attitude and personality in my own mind. The voice of Alex Craft just wasn't right and sounded immature and not so intelligent when read aloud by this particular reader. It really made what sounded like a good book, based on Felicia Day's review, end up not living up to what I had expected. I'm going to have to give it some time and actually read it with my eyes in a few months.
Tiff wrote: "I do a lot of audio books because I can listen to them at work, and honestly I think the reader didn't have an understanding of the main character. I have had books come alive to me in ways I neve..."Oooh sorry about that Tiff, yeah I don't do a lot of audio books so I can't tell about that. I'm a much more visual person so audio books can't keep up with how fast I read for sure!
Ordered this one today. Thanks for the great reviews - I've never me you, of course, but I trust you to help pick my next reads :-) Isn't the Internet a wonderful place - how it's changed life and reduced the distances/barriers!
I should have listened when you said it was a stay-up-way-too-late read. Too good to stop! It was worth the jaw cracking yawns, although I hold you partially responsible for recommending it in the first place ;)
I read this book to be part of your super cool book club (no sarcasm, I swear!) and really really enjoyed it. I read the next in the series already and can't wait for the next one! Like you said, this book is not reinventing the wheel, but the glimpses into faerie were pretty cool and i liked the characters. The fact that Alex maintains intimate friendships is quite refreshing, as is her humor.... plus I cant wait for more Falin. :)) Thanks for recommending it!
Will wrote: "I have added this to my list of books to read. Have you read The Dresden Files? Easily the best urban fantasy I have ever read!"Ooh, Dresden Files! Love that series!
I started reading this a couple of days ago after reading your review of it and I have to say I'm enjoying it so much! Looking forward to reading the rest of them once I've finished.
