Deep in the shadowy foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies a dying town…
My name is Amelia Gray. They call me The Graveyard Queen. I’ve been commissioned to restore an old cemetery in Asher Falls, South Carolina, but I’m coming to think I have another purpose here.
Why is there a cemetery at the bottom of Bell Lake? Why am I drawn time and again to a hidden grave I’ve discovered in the woods? Something is eating away at the soul of this town—this withering kingdom—and it will only be restored if I can uncover the truth.
Not gonna lie, I really thought I was going to dislike this book. I started it as soon as I finished “The Restorer,” but quickly made myself stop. I ended up writing my review for “The Restorer” before I read anymore because I was honestly worried my anger at “The Kingdom” would sway my rating. I could not have been more wrong.
Within the first chapter she tells you Devlin ain’t gonna be here… which pissed me off and I went to bed. When I woke up to remember that Devlin wasn’t there, I also remembered that Robert wouldn’t be hanging around either. What the fuck! All those loose ends (or spare assembly required pieces) are just left there hanging around? Someone could trip over those you know…
What was worse was when I realized that even though Devlin wasn’t about, Amelia was constantly talking about him. CONSTANTLY. Every freaking paragraph mentioned Devlin. Ok, not every paragraph, but like at least every third. It was like a Devlin was a wound and she kept picking at scab so it would never heal.
Until you meet Thane. Who’s Thane? Well I’m glad you asked. If Devlin is a wound that won’t heal, Thad was the topically anesthetic with that made you go “Devlin who?” The heir apparent to the town of Asher Falls and the man who’s currently making love eyes Amelia with little cupids circling around his head. I should be shocked and outraged that again there’s a female protagonist who’s milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, but Thane and Devlin are so… and Amelia is so… Well it just seems to fit.
The mystery was OH.MY.GOD good. Ok, so you’ll probably figure out what’s up, but still, it’s suspenseful and thrilling. Some of those loose ends are finally tied off. Or at least given more of an explination so they don’t feel quite so frayed. I will warn you though, that the truths you uncover are heart wrenching. I was also left with an understanding that this book had to happen before Robert and Devlin could come back into the fold.
Those other writing quirks I complained about in volume 1? I am happy to say there were blissfully absent in the second volume. There was some foreshadowing, but it wasn’t nearly as prevalent.
I really wish I could say more, but I feel like saying anything at all would ruin at least one of the very many surprises you’re in store for. It’s like Christmas and your birthday all at once. Well, if your gifts were startling revelations and not so happy memories and futures. If that is like your normal Christmas and birthday… you should probably just stop celebrating.
Another 4 spook romp in the entrancing world of Southern cemeteries.
Now to go and read “The Prophet” which I also have an ARC for… it’s ok, you can admit it, you’re jealous.
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