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The Restorer

(Graveyard Queen #1)

Amanda Stevens (Goodreads Author)

3.93 · Rating details · 13,325 ratings · 1,869 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

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Paperback, 376 pages

Published April 19th 2011 by Mira

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Best ADULT Urban Fantasy, Fantasy and Paranormal Romance

3,634 books — 8,596 voters

Best Urban Fantasy SERIES

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· 13,325 ratings · 1,869 reviews

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Mar 23, 2011 Rane rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Rane by: Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker Queen of the Undead

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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Sep 03, 2015 Beatriz rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Me encantó. Hace tiempo que no leía una novela que durante toda su lectura me mantuviera con el vello erizado. Y es que además de un ritmo muy ágil y un estilo que traspasa la ansiedad de una seguidilla de acontecimientos que te mantienen pendiente del libro en todo momento, la autora logra una historia muy original, combinando en forma muy equilibrada la condición paranormal de la protagonista con el misterio asociado a una serie de asesinatos.

Giros en la trama, más de una sorpresa y unas ganas ...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies rated it it was amazing

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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May 18, 2012 Maja (The Nocturnal Library) rated it really liked it

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

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 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 ...more

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Jun 09, 2012 ♥Rachel♥ rated it it was ok

Shelves: audio-book, urban-fantasy, paranormal-romance

2.5 Stars
The Restorer was a mixed bag for me. Let’s start with what I enjoyed:

The creepy vibe. I do love the thrill of wondering what darkness lurks in the shadows. I can’t think of a place I’d feel more tension and an undercurrent of fear than an old cemetery in the South. Ms. Stevens made the setting sound beautiful, but haunting, just the way I love a spooky story! The ghosts were a believable presence upping the scare factor big time.

The mystery unfolding, although it’s one of my complaints ...more

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Feb 04, 2019 Sh3lly (GrumpyBookGrrrl.com) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: buddy-read, mystery, paranormal, read-2019, romance, 4-stars

Buddy read with the MacHalos.

Here is a book I have been meaning to read for years and can finally remove from my TBR shelf! Amelia sees ghosts, like her father. They both restore graveyards. Amelia is adopted. There are rules with ghosts: don't let them know you can see them, don't be around anyone who is haunted, don't tempt fate.

Amelia gets caught up in a murder mystery at the cemetery for a college she is restoring. She meets a mysterious police officer who has a kind of dark past. They dig e ...more

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Nov 10, 2017 Phrynne rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4000-books

Repeat to myself - I do not need another series, I do not need another series.......oh well, I guess I have found another series. I read The Restorer for a challenge (read a book with a grave on the cover - for Hallowe'en). Damn these challenges:)

Anyhow it was a great book. Nice and creepy without being too scary, lovely Southern atmosphere and two very attractive main characters. Amelia can see dead people, which is always good for a start, and Devlin is like a sexy vampire without actually bei ...more

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Jan 04, 2014 Robin (Bridge Four) rated it liked it

Recommends it for: Fans of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Recommended to Robin by: Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies

Shelves: fantastic-fantasy, ghosts, uf-pnr

Sale Alert: 14Mar18 not sure how long it will hold but right now this is $0.99 on Amazon

3.5 Stars

Forbidden love stories always hook me hard. Add ghosts, murder and a creepy cemetery into the mix and you have my attention.

Amelie sees dead people, she always has as long as she can remember. Rule #1 don’t let them know you see them, Rule #2 never stray to far from hallowed ground and Rule #3 avoid people who have ghosts attached to them never invite them into your life. Rules are made to be broken ...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Jonetta rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, paranormal-romance

Amelia Gray restores graveyards, having spent her whole life in cemeteries as her father is a caretaker of them. And, she sees ghosts and has since she was nine-years old. Her father sees them, too, and he's taught her the rules to follow to protect herself, one of them being to never let ghosts know she can see them. Amelia has also never told anyone else about her gift.

Amelia is on an assignment in Charleston, restoring an old cemetery associated with a university and gets embroiled in a murd ...more

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Nov 17, 2010 Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker Queen of the Undead rated it really liked it

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 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.
...more

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Sep 20, 2014 Mary Beth *Traveling Sister* rated it it was amazing

I gave this book 5 stars because some day I would love to reread it.
Amelia saw ghosts from the age of Nine. Her father have her rules to follow and she was never to acknowledge a haunted man and to stay far away from one. There were Three rules that she needed to live by and she had broken every rule!

This is a great spooky Gothic mystery. There are several Murders, where keeps you guessing till the end on who was doing it. I love this Game. Ghosts were everywhere. If you love to read paranormal ...more

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May 25, 2018 Mada Linx rated it it was amazing

It’s 1:35AM, I’m going to sleep...

*****

Okay, it’s 8:30AM.

This book has everything I ever wanted.

Mystery.
Romance.
Ghosts.

Since I picked this book up, I ignored everything else around me and I couldn’t put it down. I was looking at the time and knew I have to go to work the next day, but still I read one more chapter....one more....one more....till I finished it.

Devlin and Amelia are both great and can’t wait to read more about them.

I’m continuing with the series.

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Nov 22, 2015 Maria Clara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Uf! No me lo esperaba, de verdad. En ningún sentido me lo esperaba. La historia es fascinante, única, original. Y sus personajes... ¿qué se puede decir de ellos: de Amelia y Delvin? Solo que muy pocas veces uno tiene el placer de leer una historia de amor tan intensa y prohibida. Desde luego, un estupendo libro con que empezar el año.

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Jul 06, 2016 Pepa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: amanda-stevens, paranormal, suspense

Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com.es/20...

Le daría 3.75
Enganchar engancha y está bien escrita.
No creo que se trate de una novela romántica, sino (dado que esa parte no me ha gustado) bajaría de puntuación.
En mi opinión, es un thriller o suspense, o como se llame, pero no romántico y solo por el hecho de no haber averiguado al culpable ya se ha ganado otra estrella.
Por lo demás, muy entretenida y muy visual. Aunque hay muchos momentos repetitivos. Resulta algo cansina cada vez qu ...more

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Jan 13, 2012 Lisa Kay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommended to Lisa Kay by: Carolyn F.

Shelves: genre-mystery, character-ghosts, genre-paranormal, setting-usa-south-carolina, authors-a, authors-s, 2012-in-2012-group-challenge, xyzcover-graveyard, m-audible-dot-com, all-time-favorites

Pictures of Oak Grove Cemetary, from Amanda Stevens’s website: www.thegraveyardqueen.com

Book Quote:

An old live oak guarded the darkest corner of the garden, and a swing hung like a childhood memory from one of the gnarled branches.

★★★★ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Oh, this one is excellent! The first thrilling mystery in the Graveyard Queen series is narrated by the wonderful Khristine Hvam , who is perfect for this first person POV telling of a Southern gothic. She doesn’t miss a be ...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Susana rated it it was ok

Shelves: amanda-stevens, graveyard-queen-series, 2012, series-i-ve-given-up, paranormal-romance, tstlc

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 just an okay reading.
Yes, there were some aspects that I liked, but in the end, the negative parts surpassed the positives.

Former Review:

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

I did, it was completely different from what I've been rea ...more

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Apr 04, 2011 Fani *loves angst* rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-netgalley, paranormal, mystery-suspense, keepers-non-romance, romantic-suspense, heroine-i-loved, agent-cop-sheriff-detective, tortured-hero, 6-stars, not-for-the-faint-of-heart

6 stars

Well, I'm dazzled, stunned, shocked and yes haunted. This is an amazing book, the best I've read so far in 2011. I don't feel like picking another book right now, my mind's stuck there with Amelia, Devlin and their ghosts. And for a book that does not belong in the romance genre, the attraction between them was a very powerful and vivid thing.

Many people have described the plot, but I find it difficult to explain to someone who hasn't read the book. In short, there are some gruesome murde 6 stars

Well, I'm dazzled, stunned, shocked and yes haunted. This is an amazing book, the best I've read so far in 2011. I don't feel like picking another book right now, my mind's stuck there with Amelia, Devlin and their ghosts. And for a book that does not belong in the romance genre, the attraction between them was a very powerful and vivid thing.

Many people have described the plot, but I find it difficult to explain to someone who hasn't read the book. In short, there are some gruesome murders, John Devlin is the detective in the case and Amelia is the restorer of the graveyard where the bodies are turning up. It would be a typical mystery book if Amelia wasn't able to see ghosts but tried to ignore them following her father's advice, Devlin didn't have two of his own following him around and an old fraternity who likes to delve in the occult wasn't involved. As it is, this is one complicated and highly addictive mystery that I couldn't put down until the final page. The fact that it's spiced with a lot of PNR elements and some romance doesn't hurt at all!

The writing was superb. There is no other way to put it. I've never been to Charleston or anywhere near the South, but I felt I was there, smelled the jasmines, the honeysuckle, the shrimps and even the dampness in the hot air. I just loved the way Ms Stevens pulled me in her world. And I loved how she had me sitting in the edge of my seat the whole time while Amelia went looking for clues in the graveyard and met with people who I couldn't tell if they were friends or psychopaths. Finally, I loved the palpable attraction between her and Devlin, the sizzle of electricity between them and also her fear whenever he came too near; I just couldn't get enough of their scenes together. These are two lonely and haunted people that definitely belong together, if only Devlin could escape his past.

I feel like I'm rambling instead of writing a review, so I'll just wrap it up. I loved the book (obviously) and can't wait to read the next one to find out more about Amelia, her father, Tom Garrick and of course Devlin and his ghosts. Not everything is answered by the end of the book, but at least the who-dunnit is fully explained and resolved. If you like mystery & suspense stories, this is a book you absolutely must read!

ARC Provided by NetGalley ...more

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Feb 22, 2014 Inés Izal rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: grupo-lc, 2016

Sencillamente brillante.

La Restauradora es la primera parte de una serie que realmente deja el listón muy alto para sus siguientes continuaciones.
Me ha encantado la trama, el ritmo y sus personajes.
Amelia es una mujer solitaria que dan ganas de achucharla. Y Devlin tiene tanto misterio a su alrededor, que no puedo evitar desconfiar de él.
Amanda Stevens crea una atmósfera espeluznante con la que consigue ponerte los pelos de punta a lo largo de todo el libro.
La parte del misterio junto con los as ...more

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Feb 23, 2011 Alisha rated it it was amazing

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 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! ^_^ ...more

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May 13, 2011 MISS VAIN rated it it was amazing · 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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Sep 16, 2012 Anzu The Great Destroyer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: creepy crawlers

Shelves: casper-ate-my-sandwich, buddy-or-group-read, suburban-fantasy-so-edgy, to-the-mystery-machine, a-bit-of-mush, must-reads, me-likes-them-creepies, reviewed-2012, something-different

Keep your distance from those who are haunted.

Long story short
Amelia Gray, a cemetery restorer who can see ghosts, is forced into a police investigation when a body is found in the cemetery she is restoring.

My thoughts
The first thing that made me check out The Restorer was the cover. I absolutely love that sad angel statue. It makes me think of an extremely gloomy story. Which is exactly what The Restorer is. Amanda Stevens nailed the cover, it's perfect for the story. The second thing that ...more

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May 03, 2016 C. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: riedel-titles-2016

On the quest for adult ghost novels, I have become an Amanda Stevens fan! Despite a skewed portrayal of spirituality, I enjoyed her story immensely. The whole atmosphere of “The Restorer” was exciting and suspenseful. It transferred the riveting, taut exhilaration of a movie; captivating our attention in a way that authors accomplish rarely. I genuinely felt reeled into the momentum and emotions of this mystery and could visualize it like a film. It is unfinished and dependent upon this series. ...more

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Mar 07, 2011 AH rated it really liked it

Recommended to AH by: Michelle r

Shelves: ghosts, zzread-august-2011, paranormal, own, babr-reviews

4.5 stars

Eerie, haunting, and definitely spooky, The Restorer is unlike any ghost story I’ve read before. The Restorer is part ghost story, part murder mystery. There’s a touch of voodoo and witchcraft in it along with a mysterious secret order. Add in a pretty eccentric cast of characters and there you have it – a compelling read.

Amelia Gray sees dead people. She’s seen them for most of her life. Amelia follows a strict set of rules to help her cope with her ability so that no ghost will attach ...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Yodamom rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite

4.5
Finally, a great ghost story ! I had good old fashioned goose bumps while reading this wonderful tale. It was scary with a subtle touch, slowly unraveling. I was enchanted, by the characters, the mystery, and the hint of a romance.
The Amelia Grey, a cemetery restorer, loves her job, repairing the forgotten treasures of our ancestors. She is a southern girl, her father a cemetery grounds keeper. She see’s her first ghost at nine years old. Her father warns her and gives her a set or rules sh ...more

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May 29, 2018 Jeanny rated it did not like it · review of another edition

This book counts towards CG Book Challange June: Read a scary (horror, psychological thriller, ghost story) Book
Audible version.

Just not for me prepare for my rant...

An excruciatingly slow read. The verbose prose was tiresome. The dialogue & its southern formality isn’t to my taste. I wasn’t a fan of the h or the H & felt the author forced the “chemistry” between them. It was very much one-sided for a good portion of the book & when he finally shows interest it doesn’t feel genuine. ...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Sunny rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: a-1-favorite-series, reviews

Amelia Gray
John Devlin

Several years ago I visited Charleston, South Carolina in the middle of summer. The weather was hot, the humidity was oppressive and the pace, well, people took their time. I signed up for a graveyard ghost tour, not my normal vacation time activity. But it was Charleston, and being a Southern history fan, I couldn’t resist. This was the center of antebellum South, where the cruelty of slavery and the genteel manners of Southern folks co-existed. I loved my tour and I loved ...more

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Jan 11, 2018 Theresa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018-books, 5-star-reads-of-2018, amanda-stevens-books, library-books-2018

5 Superbly Creepy Stars... Fantastic writing, unique premise, strong historical context, captivating characters, and a terrifying but fascinating supernatural element all dominate this phenomenal read... I was enthralled from the very first page and could not be pulled away until the final page turned; if you love a psychological thriller wrapped in a supernatural blanket that keeps you guessing and your heart racing until the end then you need to pick up this book up, take a deep breath, and ho ...more

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Jan 26, 2017 Elena rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017

Me ha gustado, pero quizá esperaba más debido a todas las buenas opiniones o puede que no fuera el momento de leerlo. Le tenía ganas a esta serie desde hace tiempo, quería leer algo distinto pero a lo mejor no es para mí, así que de momento no voy a seguir con La reina del cementerio (aunque puede ser que un día me pique la curiosidad por saber como sigue).

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Feb 17, 2013 Masako Lin rated it it was ok

Touted as a fresh new entry into the paranormal romance, The Restorer is am ambitious work at trying to break stereotypes within the genre. However despite it's awesome paranormal component, interesting back stories for it's characters; the restorer really fell flat in the character department and the almost unrealistic romantic portion which kind of ruined the reading experience for me. Fans of paranormal will enjoy this if you can get through the cringe worth romantic parts.

The romance portion Touted as a fresh new entry into the paranormal romance, The Restorer is am ambitious work at trying to break stereotypes within the genre. However despite it's awesome paranormal component, interesting back stories for it's characters; the restorer really fell flat in the character department and the almost unrealistic romantic portion which kind of ruined the reading experience for me. Fans of paranormal will enjoy this if you can get through the cringe worth romantic parts.

The romance portion of this book really really bugged me. First of all, I am not a huge fan of insta-romance. I don't need to read how sensual, luscious (insert any sexy adjective) the main love interest is and how she feels a 'connection' with him in their first meeting. Attraction is ok, but falling head over heels doesn't make any sense. Sorry I don't subscribe to the love at first site club and these things make me cringe. I need a reason for my romance to happen and instant attraction that came out of nowhere doesn't cut it for me.

So after the inst-love part, Amelia does some really silly things because she seems to think that she's so in love with a dark brooding sexy character. It's a bit disappointing because she seems like a pretty grounded character. She than proceeds to exhibit stalker almost creepy like tendencies when it comes to Devlin almost to the point that it makes her look silly (yes visiting graves of XXXXX doesn't make any sense, that's just creepy stalkery). Visiting Estie (which to me is a HUGE violation of Devlin's personal life) also contributes to the whole stalkery thing and so is camping outside his house and letting herself in. Yes putting effort into chasing a man is sweet, being a stalker really isn't. I'm surprised that she hadn't chased Devlin away yet because any sane guy I know would run away from a woman like Amelia ages ago.

The Paranormal aspect is pretty awesome I have to admit. I love murder mysteries and the ghost portion is kinda fresh and new in the genre (please no more vampires or werewolves thanks very much...). The writing is pretty rock solid for the paranormal case and the atmosphere is an A+.

I also love the backstory of Devlin. He has some awesome baggage that would make some great fodder for future books if the stalkery romance doesn't continue -_-.

I think I would have probably rate this a lot higher if there wasn't any romance, or some very very subtle romance insinuations rather than this ridiculous stalkery behaviour. But hey I heard Devlin's hardly in the 2nd book so I may continue on.

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Jun 09, 2017 D.G. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, own-audio, reviewed, paranormal, mystery

The Restorer has the worst interrupted love scene I've ever seen in a book. YIKES!

But I'm getting ahead of myself. This book was simply marvelous, specially if you are more into Gothic books than Horror (as I am.) The atmosphere was magnificent - I simply love Charleston - the language was luscious and very Southern, the love interest and sexual tension were hot as hell, the narration was perfect, and the plot/pacing were extremely well done. If it weren't for Amelia's tendency to shiver every ...more

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What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Fantasy/Mystery - Book about crime investigator/historian who can see dead? [s]	5	31	Jan 07, 2018 07:25AM
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About Amanda Stevens

Amanda Stevens

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Amanda 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.

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