The Kingdom (Graveyard Queen, #2) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Sep 05, 2011 The Flooze rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, urban-fantasy-paranormal, vanquished_2013

Written in somber first-person prose, The Kingdom is compelling reading.

This second installment fosters a stronger connection between Amelia and the reader. Though still reserved and practical, Amelia is plagued with curiosity about her gift and by her lingering feelings towards Devlin. The detective may have forced her to let the ghosts in, but their time together has also made her more emotionally accessible.

Amelia's longing for some restoration of self leads her to a new project. But her hop ...more

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Mar 18, 2016 Delitealex rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own, paranormal, ghosts

I really enjoyed the writing it was definitely creepy. Loved when Amelia researched and mentioned differences in meanings of gravestone markings and other things about graveyards. It was also great to find out more of Amelia's past and the circumstances of her birth. There was alot of action and things to figure out that kept my interest. I can't wait to continue on with the series. ...more

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Jan 12, 2012 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley-reviews, arc-are

I didn't love the first book in this series (The Restorer) though it had elements I found very appealing but when The Kingdom was made available I couldn't resist. While not strictly necessary, it is advisable for readers to be familiar with the story of The Restorer before beginning The Kingdom, it provides background about Amelia Gray, a cemetery restorer, who is the protagonist for the Graveyard Queen series.
In The Kingdom, Amelia has taken a commission in the small town of Asher Falls, partl I didn't love the first book in this series (The Restorer) though it had elements I found very appealing but when The Kingdom was made available I couldn't resist. While not strictly necessary, it is advisable for readers to be familiar with the story of The Restorer before beginning The Kingdom, it provides background about Amelia Gray, a cemetery restorer, who is the protagonist for the Graveyard Queen series.
In The Kingdom, Amelia has taken a commission in the small town of Asher Falls, partly to escape her dangerous attraction to Devlin and the hostile ghost of his dead wife. Amelia has been hired to restore the burial ground owned by the Ashers', once a family grave yard, that was opened to public burial after the town cemetery was flooded. The necropolis still lurks beneath the water at Asher Falls and Amelia's arrival seems to have disturbed the spirits that rest there. While ghostly bells ring from the depths of the lake, in the mountains that crowd the town something evil is lurking, corrupting susceptible townsfolk. When Amelia stumbles upon an isolated grave she discovers a terrible secret that has been kept from her for twenty seven years and there are people in Asher Falls that will kill to keep it.

The Kingdom has all of the elements of a gothic ghost story, a sinister family legacy, a small town full of strange folk, murder, romance and shocking secrets. I thought the plot was interesting, revealing as it does Amelia's history which was hinted at in The Restorer. There are twin threats in this story - from the living and the dead- and Amelia has no idea who she can trust. She knows she should leave Asher Falls and return to Charleston but her desire to confront the secrets the town holds overrides her good sense. The pacing is almost perfect as Stevens builds the tension, I couldn't stop turning the pages.
The main reason I am rating The Kingdom five stars though is because I was completely sucked in by the stunningly creepy atmosphere Stevens creates. Despite the ordinary suburban view outside my window, when I lifted my head from the page I was expecting to see thick whorls of mist creeping through a forest clearing so immersed was I in the authors lyrical descriptions. When my neighbour's cat ran along the deck railing, the bell at her collar jangling, I froze, afraid to look up in case a diaphanous spirit lurked outside the open door (after which I promptly got up to close and lock it, drawing the blinds against the dark).

I enjoyed The Kingdom so much that I have dived straight into the ARC of the third book The Prophet which is due for release in May. A mix of gothic ghost story and urban fantasy, I have no hesitation in recommending that you give The Graveyard Queen series a chance. ...more

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May 09, 2011 Alisha rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, z-archive-bli-rev

(Review originally posted at Book Lovers Inc)

Bottom Line: All in all, The Kingdom has boatloads of lush atmosphere (I’m sure you’ll hear that whenever someone describes this book), with several moments of creepiness and excitement. If you scare easily, I would suggest not reading this book alone in the dead of night. ^_^ But I’d certainly recommend the book and series to any and all fans of UF, especially those looking for something different from the usual.

Review:
Atmospheric. Intense. Those are (Review originally posted at Book Lovers Inc)

Bottom Line: All in all, The Kingdom has boatloads of lush atmosphere (I’m sure you’ll hear that whenever someone describes this book), with several moments of creepiness and excitement. If you scare easily, I would suggest not reading this book alone in the dead of night. ^_^ But I’d certainly recommend the book and series to any and all fans of UF, especially those looking for something different from the usual.

Review:
Atmospheric. Intense. Those are two words that keep coming to mind when I think about this book, a combination of quiet horror and lingering suspense. The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens has expanded on the strengths of its predecessor, The Restorer, while focusing on a different set of characters and locations. The beautifully written prose also brings to mind a third word: Creeptastic. ^_^

I’ve said it before, and it bears saying again: Amanda Stevens has a knack for setting up atmosphere. It’s one of the most enjoyable aspects of reading her books, in my opinion. The settings described just come alive with the language she employs. Since many of these settings involve spirits and the paranormal (remote towns and abandoned cemeteries in the deep South), the book takes on a gray, spooky feel…and the author hits the appropriate note with prose that feels effortless.

There’s quite a bit of entanglement as far as how the characters fit together, how bits of information are relevant to later developments. Some may not love that degree of complexity, nor the seemingly random, odd occurrences; heck, at times even I was a bit exasperated at feeling so unsure of what was going on—who was friend or foe, how to process certain events. But since that’s often part of the deal when reading a plot that revolves around a deep mystery, some of that is to be rightfully expected. ^_^

There’s a lot more revealed about protagonist Amelia Gray, which is a welcome direction given that much of the first book focused outwardly to other characters’ situations and backgrounds. Amelia is extremely nuanced, and the mystery surrounding her very existence is juicy enough to fill a whole string of tales. I like that she’s strong and brave, yet not impervious to fear and vulnerability.

As in book one, there was a shade of romantic intrigue, enough to satisfy the readers who love that element, but not so much as to overshadow the main plot thread and mystery. It provided enough zip to keep the story thrilling and full of life.

A bit of truth telling here: I actually enjoyed the first book more than this second one. But considering this installment does not have the benefit of “newness” that The Restorer did, I have to account for the heightened expectations (I can definitely say that The Restorer was one of my favorite books of 2011; top 3, easily. That’s a tough act to follow). Furthermore, this book has even more of an unfinished feel than the last book, insofar as many plot threads from the first and second book will feed directly into the next. Thank goodness for the fact that book three will be released in only a couple more weeks! ...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Patricia rated it it was amazing

After reading the Restorer, I immediately jumped in to read the Kingdom. This book was just as good as the first if not better. The first book was more of a mystery with ghosts thrown in, but this was definitely more creepy, and bordering on horror with all the evil in Asher Falls. There is a definite Gothic feel to this story, and the ghosts in this story are even more prevalent. Amelia begins to discover her past in this creepy place and she can't seem to get away from relentless spirits and e ...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Marsha rated it it was amazing

I am so glad that I came back to this series. I enjoyed the first book so much and this one didn't disappoint me either.

Amelia has so many questions running through her head after the first book, mostly about her past, her parents, where she came from, what she should do about Devlin or her not following Papa's rules. All of these issues could wait though, thought Amelia, as she took a restoration job in Asher Falls. But what she found was so very far from that. She would not only come face to ...more

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Nov 10, 2012 Angi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

A new favorite series. Again, I couldn't put this book down. It's captivating, mysterious and always scares the heck out of me! ...more

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May 18, 2018 Thenia rated it liked it

Shelves: contemporary, magic, mystery, to-review, r-ab, paranormal, series, 2023

The Kingdom on Books On Track

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Previous book reviews:
✦ The Restorer (Graveyard Queen #1) ...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Arlene rated it liked it

Shelves: series, ghosts

As usual, i had goosebumps while reading this. The word building was so dramatic, suspenseful and creepy. But I kinda guessed from the very start that how Amelia is connected to that ghost town. I was just waiting for the reveal and got a bit impatient.

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