The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens Series: Graveyard Queen #2
Published by Mira on March 27th 2012
Genres: Ghosts, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 376
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
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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.
Amelia has been commissioned to restore an old cemetery at Asher Falls, South Carolina. When she arrives things take a strange turn and she begins to wonder the real reason she was bought summoned to Asher Falls and why she feels like she is there for a greater purpose. With the way the residents of Asher Fall’s act around her has Amelia wonders that maybe she wasn’t chosen by random to restore to Asher Falls Cemetery. The land is cursed, Amelia can feel it in her bones as if she is also a part of it. There is a great evil that lurks in the darkness of the mountain and a woman who keeps showing up always in time to save Amelia from trouble.
Wow! If I thought book one was dark and creepy, it doesn’t begin to hold a candle to The Kingdom. It was creepy, with a gothic undertone and it was tenfold more atmospherical. The book also takes on a more evil and paranormal tone over book one and makes it reading late at night that much more chilling. Don’t make that mistake, I did and found that I lost a bit of sleep because of that, hah.
I loved it. I loved everything about this book. Steven’s writing is enthralling and so good. I was so focused on the mystery, so eager to uncover the secrets of Asher Falls, the secrets of the unmarked grave that Amelia stumbled upon and why Amelia is so drawn to this place.
Thought by the end things unraveled rapidly, I was a bit surprised by the amount that was left unsaid. It might be the reason I did not give the book 5 stars and held back. I felt there was quite a bit answers left for the dead along with Asher Falls. I really hope that sometime in the future things will come to light, but I am a bit doubtful. I wanted to know more about the Asher history, their sins, why almost no one bore an heir yet and how the old cemetery ended up under the water.
I do love how the story progressed and we learned a lot about Amelia. Even if Devlin was absent in this book, his present was still strong through Amelia’s inner battle. There was a brief romance between Amelia and Thane Asher, I wanted to feel angry about it because of Devlin, but I knew there was a reason and in the end it was all going to work itself out.
I cannot wait for book 3, I feel like I should take a break and maybe read something else, but I have been so drawn to this series it is really hard to put down. Especially with the mood setting weather that we are currently experiencing.
So glad you are loving this series, and you are so lucky to read it back to back to back. This is the book where she finds Angus, I love Angus!
gah I knew I forgot to mention something! I love Angus as well 😀
Yay for you loving this one as well Lily, so excited!
It’s great! I wish I read them sooner
I really have to read this series now. BTW love the halloween theme you got going on.
thank you Leona!
Oh don’t doubt. I think she does a good job putting things together. This will be a series I will reread one day. Brilly review and I’m glad you are enjoying it!
that’s awesome to hear Melissa, I am so looking forward to catch up on the rest of it, I have not been able to unglue myself
oh I just love gothic themes and I haven’t read enough of them to satisfy!!! this book just seems right for this time of year….I am always looking to read a solid spooky read!!!
me too, I have a hard time finding gothic themed books but this one def has a feel to it.
*happy dance* Yes…I love all the elements in these stories and the little tidbits we picked up about the graveyards.
haha Kim I wish I read this sooner, but the recent reviews of the Sinner from you guys I was HOOKED
Good to know that it gets even better. 🙂
oh it does and I am on book3 and it’s just better and better
I like dark and creepy, and this sounds like it would be perfect to read this month! Great review!
It is and its so well done, hard to put down!
This sounds so good, Lily! I haven’t heard of this series before, but I think it needs to be added to my shelves, I love that there’s a good mystery here 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend and happy reading!
oh it’s fantastic, I am usually shy when it comes to spooky but I have been loving good writing lately
Awesome that book two was great. Hope book 3 is just as good!! Great review!!
oh it was, it really was
yay I’m so glad you had a great time with this one again!
Hmmm, the Gothic part sounds great, though I admit, I don’t do well with creepy. The mystery sounds intriguing! But hopefully book three answers all of your questions and ties everything together.
Great review, Lily! =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
honestly Alyssa I am a chicken when it comes to books like this, I was hesitant because of it but I am glad I gave it a shot. I don’t watch horror movies or anything >.<
This series is SOO awesome
I know totally lovin it
This one is on my radar big time after your reviews. I can’t shake the thought of someone restoring cemeteries!
Oh I really prefer this book over the first one. I think I just loved the change of scenery and how we learned more about her background. 🙂
Oooh… Love it when a follow up book blows you away more than the first book! I can see why you’re eager for the third one!