I envy anyone who is just starting the series because they will have the joy of reading all 6 books one right after the other!

"Shush…lest she awaken...

My name is Amelia Gray, and I'm a cemetery restorer who lives with the dead. An anonymous donor has hired me to restore Woodbine Cemetery, a place where the rich and powerful bury their secrets. Forty years ago, a child disappeared without a trace and now her ghost has awakened, demanding that I find out the truth about her death. Only I know that she was murdered. Only I can bring her killer to justice. But the clues that I follow—a haunting melody and an unnamed baby's grave—lead me to a series of disturbing suspects.

For generations, The Devlins have been members of Charleston's elite. John Devlin once turned his back on the traditions and expectations that came with his birthright, but now he has seemingly accepted his rightful place. His family's secrets make him a questionable ally. When my investigation brings me to the gates of his family's palatial home, I have to wonder if he is about to become my mortal enemy."

I mean, the blurb alone sends shivers up my spine!

While I wanted so desperately to love this final installment, I thought the conclusion felt so rushed. The emotional factor makes me want to give it five resounding stars, but I can't ignore some holes in the plot and the way the major moments we'd all been waiting for felt rushed and underdeveloped. I still have so many unanswered questions, and I'm still a little confused as to what ultimately happened in the final pages. It actually felt like enough had been left open or unexplained to warrant another book. I wanted more out of Amelia and Devlin's reunion. I wanted more out of the hints that had been dropped about his own supernatural experiences in the previous books. I just wanted more overall, and maybe a few more pages could have allowed for the time to fully develop the ending to be truly satisfying. Unless there could be another book one day...(pretty please?)...

This series is on my "must buy" list and one I recommend often to friends. Happily, this installment is just as mysterious and enthralling as the others in The Graveyard Queen books.

First, I want to say that I really love the cover for this book. Amelia, our protagonist, is a graveyard restorer with a unique gift. She can see and communicate with the dead. Some say, there is a bright light within her that draws them. Stevens creates these atmospheric scenes that are deliciously terrifying. She visually pulls the reader right into the story. I could see and sense our ghostly apparition and the darker entities that pursue Amelia. It was creeptastic.

Late to the party! I had no idea that this was the end of a series, so I had mixed emotions about reading it. But what a wonderful adventure. I am absolutely going back to the beginning, Amelia and all the characters of The Graveyard Queen series were so well crafted, you really fell like you are right there with them.

While not my favorite in the Graveyard Queen series, The Awakening is a satisfying conclusion. It has been a pleasure watching Amelia grow as a character. She is much more self assured and owns her connection to the undead though she wants more than anything is to be left alone. Heartbroken over her relationship with the hot and cold John Devlin, a cop who has mesmerized her since the first book, Amelia has tried to move on but fate has other things in mind as they are thrust back together to solve a mystery of a murdered young girl. Like the other mysteries in this series it is developed quite well. There are plenty of clues sprinkled throughout the story and a good handful amount of red herrings. Of course it wouldn't be a Graveyard Queen novel without moments that would give you goosebumps or cause you to jump at the slightest noise while reading it.
While I enjoyed the mystery and finally getting answers behind Devlin's strange behavior, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. I solved the mystery early on as big clues to the puzzles aligned themselves a bit too quickly in my mind. I was hoping for the romantic tension to build up between Amelia and Devlin, which the author has done tremendously in the last books, but this time it work for me. Amelia and Devlin's time together felt rushed especially with the info dumping in the last few chapters. Regardless of these flaws, I really enjoyed my time reading this series that I had once picked up on a whim. It has been a great journey and while the overall story arc has come to a close there is a small door open should the author decide to continue to write more from this world.

Amanda Stevens definitely knows how to draw readers into a story. Her writing creates such a sensory experience that I always feel like I am there, living the events with her characters.

This is the final book in her Graveyard Queen series, and it definitely feels like a finale. We are back home in Charleston with Amelia, where she is working on a grave restoration which introduces her to another dark mystery involving a ghost. This one is a child and somehow Amelia feels a personal connection to the little girl. Her new mission is to figure out how the child died and how to help her find peace.

Like all the books in the series, this is so very dark. It is gothic. It’s ghostly horror. You can feel the fear, the chill, the evil of the dark forces surrounding the heroine. There’s so much tension and suspense. There is also heartache and yearning… and I felt that too.

Thank goodness, the author finally addresses John Devlin and what happened to make him leave Amelia’s life. The romance lover in me has long been frustrated by this thread. I wanted these two together, but his behavior made it hard to keep rooting for them. The good news is, it’s finally resolved and in a way I’m satisfied with. Unfortunately it felt a little rushed at the end and I really would have enjoyed reveling in this storyline’s resolution just a little bit.

It’s not just the resolution with Dublin that is a little rushed. This whole book is build, build, build, and then the climax happens super fast and then it’s over in a heartbeat. I like where Stevens went, I just wish the pacing was a little bit more even. And again, I wish there was maybe even just one more chapter at the end.

But it was a very good book. I did not want to put it down. The mysteries were a little predictable, but the book was less about the secrets of the dead and more about the journey. I would definitely recommend this entire series 2 fans of gothic ghost stories. But don’t start with this book. Go back to the beginning so you can enjoy the whole series.

A great atmosphere coupled with a good mystery! I wouldn't start the series here, but it's a great end to the current line-up.

It has been an extremely long time since I have read anything from this author. I have seen this series around but never had the chance to check it out yet. I can still remember the first book from this author, The Dollmaker. It is once that I could not stop reading. Thus the reason when I saw this book I wanted to check it out. Although, I did not know it was the last book in this series.

The beginning was slow reading for me. I kept hoping it would pick up. There was nothing really happening in the beginning that grabbed me. I was expecting the book to be more gothic like. Yet, I did not get any shivers or moments like what just happened. What was worse was none of the characters were appealing. Sadly, after a third of the way into the book, I could not continue on. Yet, I hope one day again to read another book from this author and that it is just as good as The Dollmaker.

This is definitely a book for anyone who likes books whose characters deal with signs, omens, and creatures from the nether world. It also has multiple mysteries that engage the reader's desire to find the solution on her or his own or - failing that - keep reading until the author provides one. I live near Charleston and have read a lot of mysteries set in that beautiful city. After reading this book, I won't explore any of its cemeteries except in broad daylight. However, the exciting conclusion made all the scary parts worth reading!

Four and a half stars: An exciting and satisfying conclusion to a favorite series.

Amelia is glad to be back home in Charleston. She has taken on a new restoration job, restoring the Woodbine Cemetery. A place where the rich and powerful buried their dead and their secrets. On her first day, Amelia stumbles across a haunting grave for a two year old girl. Something draws her to the grave, and she begins seeing a ten year old ghost girl who resembles the picture on the grave. Who is this girl? As Amelia tries to solve the haunting, she finds herself facing John Devlin and the powerful Conge, who might be out to harm her. Can Amelia unbury the secrets of the past and save herself?
What I Liked:
*The Awakening is the supposed final installment of The Graveyard Queen Series. I loved this final book, and this series as a whole. I am happy to say that I was, for the most part, pleased and satisfied with this final book. I am hoping that somehow there will be more, but if this is the end, I will be content.
*I have loved watching Amelia grow and evolve throughout the series. In the beginning, she hid from her gifts and shunned the ghosts. Now she has accepted her abilities, and she no longer hides in fear. Instead, she is taking on the ghosts and those who mean to do her harm. She has metamorphosed into a strong woman. I like her so much more.
*The romance finally settles out, and though I wish it could have been a bit stronger, I was pleased the way it worked out. The romance throughout the book has been one of heat, passion and turbulence as the couple refused to be open and honest. I was relieved to see that these two finally decided to be completely open up. In the end, I was happy where they ended up.
*This book is all about long buried secrets. It was interesting to uncover the truth behind the haunting. It was nice to also unearth some other secrets that affected Amelia. There are finally a lot of answers in this one.
*As always, I love the writing. Ms. Stevens does creepy and atmospheric like no other. She draws you in with rich, detailed descriptions that play on all your senses. I love her writing style.
*I also appreciated that this book wasn't as dark or scary as its predecessor. The last book was almost too dark and disturbing. This one was much easier to read.
*The ending was stunning and revelatory, and for the most part, tied off the story lines, and yet the door was left open. There was a big reveal in the last paragraph that made me not want this series to be over. I am hoping that perhaps a spin off is in the works as I am not quite ready to let this series go.
And The Not So Much:
*I was bothered that a couple of the story threads were left unfinished. I especially didn't like that the murder was left unsolved. I wanted to know who killed that person and why? I was also left with many questions regarding the two people who were out to harm Amelia.
The ending was fast and it almost felt chaotic. There is so much that happens in that final few pages, and the reader gets a huge information dump. I wish that it had taken its time.
*I was left uncertain about the creatures that where haunting Amelia. What were they? What did they want?
*Proper Lamb, the cemetery caretaker, was a fascinating character, and I wished that he had a larger role. I wanted to understand him better.

The Awakening was a thrilling and satisfying finale to a favorite series. Even though I am sad to see this tremendous series come to an end, I was, for the most part, happy with the way things ended. I was a bit bothered that not everything was finished, and I am hoping that with the way it ended that perhaps the author will consider a spin off series. Nevertheless, The Graveyard Queen Series is a an excellent series, I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

The Awakening is the sixth and final installment in author Amanda Stevens Graveyard Queen. It has been a rather long road for protagonist Amelia Gray since she first appeared in The Restorer. She has gone from having a list of things not to do while in a cemetery, to accepting that there is more to her than meets the eye test. In this story, Amelia finds herself once again deep in suspicion, intrigue, the paranormal, while also facing a secretive sect she learned about in The Sinner.

They may have finally caught up to what she is capable of. But, what part in all of this does her former beau John Devlin play & why did he really leave Amelia behind? How will Stevens sort out the relationship between Amelia and Devlin who has his own baggage and family history to figure out? Let's start with Amelia taking a restoration job at Woodbine Cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina where she discovers a children's section. Eerie? Hell yes.

Readers of this series already know that Amelia is a very unique & special individual. We know that she has pretty much ignored all of the warnings her father told her while growing up. We know that because of how she came into this world. We know this because she is a ghost seer, a Death Walker, and a detective for the unquiet. She also has a light inside of her that attracts earthbound entities. We also know that there are malevolent entities who have not only invaded her world, but set their sights on bringing Amelia back to the other side.

I am going to say this to readers who have not yet read this book. Be prepared for anything. I was literally flipping the pages as quickly as I could to find out what happens next. I found myself getting goosebumps and my heart was racing because Stevens doesn't hold back on the horror, or the malevolence that Amelia is forced to encounter throughout this story. I must say that I have always been a fan of this series setting. While I have not been to Charleston since I was in college, I have always wanted to learn more about the historical background of the city, its people, and the paranormal aspects that have long been sought out by ghost hunters, and historians alike.

When all is said and done, and the final page is turned, I am kind of sad that the series is over, but understanding that all good things must eventually come to an end. Stevens is a bloody fantastic writer who will always be on my top # 10 list of authors to follow. Amelia's story may be over, for now, but that ending leaves me with a whole lot of curiosity. I mean really Amanda! How could you leave us like that?!?! I have read that Stevens may have plans to spin-off this series, or come back to Amelia sometime in the future. If I am alive, and God is wiling, I will definitely add it to my collection.

The Awakening: A Paranormal Romance Novel (The Graveyard Queen) (Kindle Edition)
The Awakening brings an end to The Graveyard Queen series. While paranormal Southern Gothic is not my usual reading choice, the imaginative and atmospheric writing of Amanda Stevens sucked me in from the first novel in the series, The Restorer. Amelia Gray is a restorer of forgotten and often historic graveyards throughout the South, and she has been able to see ghosts since she was a small child. Her father also had that ability and warned her to never let a ghost know that she sees it. Amelia began breaking that rule in The Restorer and has been led into many life and soul threatening situations since, as well as learning more about her ability, her family history and perhaps her destiny. She has been hired to restore Woodbine Cemetery, just outside her home base of Charleston. She is happy to be working close to home but unhappy to be so near to John Devlin, scion of an aristocratic Charleston family. The two were lovers, and it was to save John Devlin that she first broke her father's rule. It has been about a year since John broke with her abruptly and returned to his family. His engagement to a Charleston beauty has made her lose hope of a reconciliation.

On her first day at Woodbine, Amelia discovers that the site is the burial ground for the secrets of Charleston society. She is drawn to one monument, in particular, that of a child with the inscription, "Shush...lest she awaken...". Something wakes up for sure, the ghost of an angry little girl who follows Amelia home and shows her visions of the girl's murder. Who is the child and can she have a connection to the Devlin family? Amelia's suspicions only increase when she discovers that she got the job through the machinations of John Devlin's grandfather.

The Awakening conjures all the ominous and foreboding atmosphere of the previous books and brings to a satisfactory close the story of the Graveyard Queen and John Devlin. I have to say that following The Graveyard Queen has been an uneven experience for me. There have been many times that I thought Amelia was walking into danger even when it was clearly the wrong move. Each of the preceding books seemed to end with more questions than answers. But still, I kept reading to see where Stevens was going with the story. These are definitely not books to be read in the dead of night! I recommend it for fans of the occult and all around spooky events. Thanks to MIRA and NetGalley for an advance digital copy. The opinions above are my own.

Loved it, Love the series, love the world and characters.
Hauntingly told this last tale of Amelia the Graveyard Queen was a bitter sweet treat. I savored each beautifully laid out scene, each twist and turn. There were some serious goose-bump moments and a couple where I may have even turned on a few extra lights while curling up next to my dogs. You know just to stay warm, LOL. It didn't help that we had a severe storm things blowing against the roof. while an intense scene with wicked things landing on Amelia's roof. Double scare time, and I loved it. Ms. Stevens rocked out a BOOM BOOM ending that fit well with this reader. I want more, but I appreciate more an author that know when the end has come.
I am not going to tell you what happens. If you have been reading along with this series you should have a lot of unanswered questions. I know I did, and I wanted answers. Oh boy did Ms. Stevens answer them. Sit down and grab some calming tea ladies and gentlemen, you are in for a bumpy ride, please keep to the light. The ending was perfect.

Favorite Quote: “Shush…lest she awaken…”

Amelia Grey, a professional cemetery restorer know as The Graveyard Queen, has been awarded the bid to restore the Woodbine Cemetery. Woodbine has long been considered the final resting place for the mistakes and indiscretions of the elite and wealthy Charleston families. When Amelia encounters an elaborate child’s gravestone that is nameless, she is accosted by an angry ghost whom she believes is the child buried there and who is looking to Amelia for justice. Amelia’s investigation leads her through a web of lies and deceit that takes her all the way to the front door of her ex-lover, John Devlin.

John Devlin’s family has been a part of the Charleston elite for as long as anyone can remember. Devlin had previously ignored his family’s legacy, choosing to go his own path, but circumstances have led him back into the fold and out of Amelia’s life. Can Amelia trust the man she once gave her body, heart, and soul to? Or will the family that Devlin swore he never wanted a part of put them on opposite sides of the battlefield?

The Awakening is the sixth and final installment in Amanda Stevens’s Graveyard Queen series. Steven’s has assured readers on her blog that this isn’t goodbye and she has ideas for a spin-off that will allow us to revisit this world and hopefully bump into Amelia again. I myself am going to miss this series with its dark southern gothic feel, suspenseful mysteries, and spine-tingling supernatural elements. Stevens’s compelling voice wraps a spell around the reader as she guides us back into her world of malevolent spirits and age-old superstitions with vibrant descriptions and rich prose. Outstanding characterization, intriguing narrative, and a smooth delivery add to the appeal of a reluctant heroine and the path she has unwillingly being drawn down.

“I wouldn’t wish my life on anyone.”

In the 5th book, The Sinner, Amelia Gray accepted a restoration job out of Charleston which put her in the direct path of two groups who seek to do her harm. An old murder mystery sheds light on the many secrets Amelia’s and Devlin’s family have held tight to for too long and forces a reckoning a long time in coming. Barely surviving being murdered herself, Amelia is now back in Charleston to stay though she is having a hard time letting go of Devlin and her memories of their time together. Especially when she feels him all the time-whether he’s physically there or not.

“There’s still a connection […] So strong that at times I can feel your presence before you enter a room. I hear your voice in my ear when I know you’re miles away.”

Interestingly enough, Amelia’s knowledge has expanded considerably though her world itself has contracted. Everything that has happened since the beginning has led back to her’s and Devlin’s families. The various loose ties and threads we have been combing through all make sense now and the picture they have been trying to form is becoming visible. Amelia has steadily gained strength and hope throughout this series, learning more about her family’s heritage and it’s bloody history. Previous events are alluded to with viable explanations, letting us know that Stevens hasn’t lost her way through Amelia’s life.

“I’d grown up with so many secrets, apparently in all branches of my family…”

The main conflict is an emotional complexity with a strong shroud of secrecy and shame. Though centralized in manner and deed, there are long reaching implications that affect a variety of people. Effectively scary and chill-inducing as Stevens’ no doubt intended, there is a vein of sorrow that grows stronger as Amelia digs deeper into her investigation and begins to unbury all the facts.

“She wants my attention. And like all the others, she needs my help.”

“Will you help her?”

“Do I ever have a choice?”

The relationship between Amelia and Devlin has been a huge point of interest in the series; having both thrilled and exasperated fans since the beginning. The push and pull of the romance, coupled with intense chemistry and multiple secrets, has kept readers riding the edge with Stevens’ continuing to play her hand close to the vest. Amelia’s love for Devlin had driven her to the point where she ignored her own safety. I was happy to see that her cavalier attitude is gone. His leaving her and fast engagement to another woman was a blow that shook Amelia far deeper than suspected. Devlin is a steady influence in this installment. We finally get his POV which is something I have really been waiting for in this series. Amelia’s self esteem has always been a bit low, especially where Devlin concerned, and I was ready to hear something that contradicted her dark thoughts.

“Since that first night in the Battery, there’s never been anyone but you. I can’t imagine where there ever would be.”

A steady influx of new and old faces mix and mingle, some as allies others as enemies, as Amelia unknowingly prepares for her final battle. They maintain the same intense and reticent nature; adding the intrigue and horror of the story. Stevens firmly wraps up the mystery and a large part of the overreaching arc with a large dose of excitement and suspense. I did feel Stevens’ rushed the ending and choose to take an easy way out when it came to Amelia and Devlin. I wish it could have been more of a choice on Devlin’s part then a happy coincidence.

I will repeat that I am sorry to see this series end and I hope *crosses fingers and toes* that Stevens’ does choose to spin off in the future. Once again, I can’t recommend this series enough. Fans of southern gothic horror stories that speak of the darkness that exists in the shadows between the living and dead should pick up Amanda Stevens’ The Graveyard Queen series ASAP.

Grade: B+

Damn. I hate to see this series come to an end. At least we got an ending though. There were a few years there after the 3rd book that gave me serious doubts that we would. Not only did we get an ending with The Awakening, it what a satisfying one at that.

I’ve always appreciated how practical and steady Amelia is. She often finds herself in creepy and at times horrific situations, but she uses her head instead of turning into a TSTL character.

The mystery in this book and how it brought everything from the beginning of the series together is done really well. There were a lot of questions surrounding Amelia and her … gift? … curse? … ability … that all come to a head, and thankfully they’re answered. The suspense, twists, and danger mixed with the eerie atmosphere kept me completely captivated and on the edge of my seat. There’s a lot of potential for stories like this to feel cheesy, but that is so not the case here.

The Awakening really is a worthy series finale, despite wishing there were a little more to the ending. I highly recommend this series, but it definitely needs to be read in order.

I have always loved the books of this series and I was looking forward to read this sixth volume. It must be said that I am always curious to be able to discover the next adventures of Amelia Gray and especially her discoveries regarding her family or Devlin’s.

By an anonymous donor, our heroine finds herself with a new restoration: the Woodbine cemetery. But this place is very special because it contains the tombs of bastard children, mistresses and other close relatives of rich families. But there is a stele that attracts Amelia without knowing why… the grave of a two-year-old girl who only records the dates of birth and death … no name, no trace. But when a 10-year old girl appears in front of Amelia and follows her everywhere trying to ask for help, our heroine can not let it pass. Yet, embarking on this quest might will cause her more trouble than she would have thought. Indeed, the group, which seems to be tracking people like her, is getting closer and closer and her research will put her on their way. However, she will also learn a little more about Devlin and her father, Shaw and even from her past by discovering the secrets of her aunt.

I really had a great time with this novel and I had a hard time letting it go before the end of the story. I was carried away by the author’s revelations. Even though I knew very quickly the secret of Amelia’s aunt, I was eager to understand what was really going either with Devlin, with her fiancée or even his father. We learn a lot and Amanda perfectly conclude her story. Besides, the story of this ghost was very sad and I’m glad that the truth was revealed. It was a bit difficult to know what she really wanted and whether she wanted to hurt around her or if she just wanted to attract attention. It is the last novel and I loved to follow through these two trilogies of our dear Amelia. She doesn’t have an easy life and she must face death closely. I’m not going to say more but it was a very good reading that took me completely away and I can only advise you to get into the series!

I really enjoyed discovering this last volume and I think it will really please the fans of the series.

The Graveyard Queen series by Amanda Stevens hasn’t really garnered the attention it deserves over the years. I think her books sail a little under the radar.

It is a solid paranormal urban fantasy series. Stevens delivers strong characters and an interesting plot.

Amelia seems a little more susceptible to the ghosts and the evil spirits this time. Her heartbreak might be weakening her high wall of protection. She also appears to be more afraid in general. Her tough exterior is crumbling slowly like a wall of sand.

She is haunted by a young ghost and the signs of impending doom. Someone close to her is in danger, someone is going to die.

I do think The Awakening is one of the weaker books of the series. Perhaps weak is the wrong word. Hmm, the author, or rather Amelia, does a lot of contemplating in this book, so it’s a slower and less eventful, as opposed to the usual action packed read.

Unfortunately it’s the last in the series, which might explain the nostalgic air about it. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye, which is probably the real reason I found this slightly underwhelming. It just feels a little premature, but I can understand wanting to end on a high note.

I would recommend reading from the start of the series to get the full flavour and the complete back-story, although this can be read as a standalone novel.
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of The Awakening.*

Holy cannoli you guys the new Graveyard Queen is here!

I love this series, and it’s so creepy, and good, and interesting! In this book, we’re taken back to Amelia Gray’s Charleston, and so many secrets are coming to light. (speaking of light, read this one with the lights on! *shudder*)

Amelia’s family is close-knit, her mother, her father, and her mother’s sister, they’re a loving family. But she begins to realize that she doesn’t know them at all. Some not-so-ancient family history is showing itself and she doesn’t know what to do about it.

It all begins when she starts her latest job restoring an old cemetery near Charleston. She’s drawn to a certain headstone, a crib for a two year old baby. But for some reason a ten year old girl is attached to the grave. She not only can’t get the girl out of her head, but the girl keeps calling for “mercy.” And while Amelia’s home is built on hallowed ground, this girl is able to follow her home.

***small spoiler from the last book***

She’s at the point in her life where she’s got a good grip on her newer powers, she thinks she’s gotten over the love of her life John Devlin (he left in the last book, she thought for her own good, but maybe not…) and she’s okay being alone. But now each night while she’s alone, something bangs on her door. It wants in. It might be the presence from the last book has followed her home. And she is still connecting the dots from her family, to this new cemetery, to the Devlin family.

There’s a lot going on with John Devlin and his family. The Devlin family traces back to early settlers of Charleston, and his grandfather still has high standing in the area, but with that elite social status comes a lot of secrets. When his grandfather asks to meet with Amelia, she isn’t sure whether it’s a trap, or not. And if it is a trap, should she still go?

Amelia’s family isn’t the only one withholding the truth from her, and by the time she’s connected all the dots, she’s starting to see connections she’d never dreamed of. With the ghost girl’s identity uncovered, things become all the more dangerous for Amelia. Of course that doesn’t stop her investigating. She doesn’t know if Devlin will be on her side, or if he’s now the enemy, but she’s still in love with him, and decides to take her chances. But even if he is on her side, will it be enough?

This author’s style resonates with me. I don’t know what it is about her voice and her tone, but it works for me. It’s haunting, eerily beautiful, and lingers long after you’ve put the book down.

***ARC courtesy of MIRA