Thank you Netgalley for gifting me this first installment in a new YA duology!

I want to say 3.5 stars. Really. This book left me with some very interesting emotions.

Everything I hated about the book kept me interested, if that makes sense. Like for instance I hated the main characters decision making, and I wanted to see how everything would come back to bite her in the ass—which it did. I hated the supporting characters; her love interest, her sibling, they all pissed me off, but of course I wanted to see if Kammani would finally tell them off—which she did.

Overall, despite it only being a 3.5, I will be reading the next one.

—spoilers from this point on, I warned ya—

So first of all, we must discuss Kammani.

Just a little run down of her situation; Kammani is to heal the dying Lugal (similar to a King?) and if she doesn’t, three maidens called Gravemaidens (hence the title) have to follow him into the after life where the people believe they will live happy lives. Kammani shockingly doesn’t buy that shit, and she is motivated to keep the Lugal alive because her sister has become one and obviously she doesn’t want her sister to die though her sister wanted to go—we will get to that later. On top of that, someone is trying to kill the Lugal, and Kammani tires to figure out who’s responsible.

Dear Satan, I wanted to kick her in the face almost this entire book. Let’s just call this book The Book of Mistakes, because that’s all she did was make mistake after mistake after mistake, after misjudgment after misjudgment after misjudgment...and she NEVER learned.

Not until Dagan talked some sense into her, finally rousing her from her blindness to the OBVIOUS. Like when her father was miraculously killed. Just suddenly dead, and the SUS ass Nin is like “oh yea... he never made it here, he died before he could arrive, but ignore my dying father who needs tending to because we have a festival to enjoy.” Mine you, she is the heir to the Lugal, so if he dies she succeeds him. I will say that after a good talking to by Dagan who made her realize how much sense it would make for the Nin to kill him, she got her freaking crap together for all of two seconds. But for most of the book, Kammani was ready to run to the SUS ass Nin and tell her everything.
Absolutely not Kammani! You don’t tell the SUS characters your suspicions! No!

What really solidified my irritation with Kammani though was her relationship with her sister Nanaea who I also disliked until the VERY end when she finally turned it around. Kammani was so dead set on saving Nanaea, even though Nanaea bought the bullshit of the afterlife being a wealthy paradise, and being a Gravemaiden an honor. And the author made her so unlikeable to he honest, I couldn’t have cared less if she died, and so I hated that Kammani dropped all things to try to save her sister who hated her guts, even fucking off Dayan who cared a lot for her and only wanted to help. Naena was like a bitchier Taryn from the Cruel Prince, in my opinion.

I laughed when the truth came out, when Kammani finally enacted her plan, and it backfired on her. When the Nin ended up NOT being the killer and it ended up being Ensi and his maid friend—Two people who BARELY have any presence by the way. But I just thought it funny that she had once again, messed up. And she KNEW it halfway through her accusations, but because she had gotten too far deep into her plans, she couldn’t go back. Way to realize your mistake at the WORST POSSIBLE TIME.

As far as the plot goes I thought with a couple of changes, it could have been great. Like it’s enjoyable, but it could be even better. Some of the conversations were weirdly written. Like when Kammani and a Nasu were in the tomb half arguing and half about to kiss and she was trying to poison him and he was trying to slit her throat? That was just WEIRD, it was written weird, and the scene itself was just weird. Like the purpose of the scene was greats but the execution was odd.

Overall though I did enjoy this read. It has potential, and I was intrigued enough to finish it in a day and a half. I am intrigued for book 2.

Buuuut I am hoping the second book will be called The Book of Amelioration in the hopes that Kammani fixes her aaaaaaaaall of her mistakes from this book.

What attracted me to this book was the title and its cover. And I liked the story at the onset. The setting was different, though in my mind it was reading as Ancient Greece and I almost imagined at first it was a retelling of the myth of the minotaur, but the author explained at the end that it was actually based on Sumer. Still, it was a unique setting and that was by far the best thing about the book. But for me it fell apart after the first chapter. There were too many inconsistencies to enjoy the story.

First off, the whole point of the book is that one sister is trying to save the other from becoming a religious sacrifice, because she seems to believe, as a woman of science and medicine, that the afterlife is hokey and that her sister will be dying for no real reason. This is problematic because, in contrast to her goal, she often prays to the gods and contemplates meeting her dead relatives in the afterlife. Also confusing is the fact that she insists on "saving" her sister from her fate, when her sister considers it the greatest honor and does not want her help. If they were in a close, loving relationship, I can see where the main character would try to explain her side to her sister, but that's not how it is. They fight constantly and brutally. If a sibling of mine treated me the way hers does, I would actually probably hate them and be glad to see them die. Their fights were that malicious. For example, knowing her sister holds one belonging from their deceased mother dear, but hoarding it selfishly. And knowing her sister is exhausted from tending to the sick, and singing "LALALA" to keep her awake and exhausted. I don't understand why the main character would even want to save her when they act like they hate each other.

The main character was not good for me for many other reasons. The biggest problem I had with her was that she was supposed to be an incredible healer, second only to her father, who was once called to heal the prince himself. And yet...and yet she knows nothing about medicine, actually? She goes to the palace to heal the king so her sister will not be slain at his funeral as an honorary sacrifice. But she can't even recognize that he is very obviously being poisoned? I found that very difficult to believe. But even more far-fetched was that she went to a farm to ask the lady of the estate (who is also...a veterinarian? Why doesn't she have servants for that purpose?) for her "expert" opinion. And the woman not only knows immediately that the king is being poisoned, but exactly what kind of poison is being used, AND she conveniently has the antidote...which is literally labeled "wolfsbane antidote." All this made me lose faith in the main character, who is clearly inept, but also made me feel doubtful the author could remedy a quickly unraveling plot.

So eventually the main character, Kammani, concocts a plan to save her sister and ensnare the king's assassin at once. But this plan makes absolutely no sense because the author decided to first cripple her character. Kammani's big plan is secretly switch places with one of the three sacrificial maidens, who are performing a talent show in front of the entire city. She will be dressed like a sacrifice and wearing a veil, so she'll be in disguise and no one will think to stop her. Except...everyone knows Kammani has broken her leg and is on crutches, and her plan is to join the sacrificial maidens on stage...on her crutches. Like...everyone can see plain as day that is her, but they still pretend to be confused to cover this gaping plot hole.

The climax should have been the most exciting and surprising part, as the true assassin is revealed. But it ruined the effect because everything finally clicks into for Kammani when she sees the killer and their accomplice poking each other and giggling. There is no big reveal or mystery solved. It comes across as if the author didn't know how to actually create a mystery but tried to make it look like there was one, when the killer was the only obvious "bad guy" throughout the entire book!

I did not like the resolution, either. A guard is trying to murder five women in a small, enclosed space in absolute darkness. FIVE. And somehow he manages to subdue them all, his only effort being in finding them in the dark. Why don't they fight back? They could have easily followed the sound of his voice and overpowered him. He might be a beefcake, but it's five against one! Come on.

And then the story concludes with all the main characters fleeing the city before anyone discovers they're still alive. Oh, but first they have to tell all their friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. So, um... Good luck staying alive, now that literally everyone knows you are escaping the city.

Not only did I find the story silly, but the writing also irritated me. The first half the book used the phrase "turn of the dial" as a time-telling device like three times a chapter. That is completely unnecessary. In contemporary English we don't say "in an hour/half-hour/fifteen minutes" that frequently, so to repeat "turn of the dial/half a turn of the dial/a quarter turn of the dial" over and over just sounded pretentious. Then in the second half of the book, instead of that phrase, the author had the main character chewing her thumbnail just as frequently. I understand a time or two in the course of the book, but in the second half of the story she really sounded like she had developed OCD because she chewed her thumbnail at least once a chapter. How does she have any thumbnails left? And why only the nail of her thumb?

I was really looking forward to this one, but it let me down bigtime. I think it would need a major overhaul before it would be ready for release, because there are lot of contradictions as it stands.

Gravemaidens was a fast, intriguing read with a unique world. Highly recommend to fantasy readers looking for something different!

This book has one of the most beautiful covers this year but it felt so slow and drawn out. Then the MC was kind of douche to the romantic interest, so maybe it would have been better with no romance or her not being ridiculous. However, the writing was well done and the world building lovely!

I can most certainly get behind a fantasy where our main character is a healer. You don't see that kind of character dynamic often and it was such a fun element.

Kelly Coon demonstrates amazing world-building skills. I loved the character development and the storyline. The relationships were believable. The author does a nice job of transporting the reader to this ancient Arabic inspired magical world.

Now why did I give it 3 stars? I didn't connect to this book a whole lot emotionally. A lot of the scenes that has strong emotions running through them fell flat for me. Stakes didn't feel as high as they were and I just couldn't feel the tension in some of them. When something dramatic happened, I would almost miss it because I couldn't quite connect to the feelings the scene was trying to provoke. This again, is just a problem I was personally having.

Despite the issues I had with this book, I really enjoyed the overall story and I'm looking forward to where it goes in the next book. I think it has a lot of potential. I can't wait to see where the romance goes, how the magic develops, and the path that Kammani decides to take. There's still so many secrets in this world and I can't wait to find them out.

Kammani is a healer, a skill she learned from her father who was banished into a life of poverty after failing to save the son of a ruler. Now the ruler is dying and, according to tradition, the three most beautiful girls have been chosen for the ultimate honor of accompanying him in the tomb—and the afterlife. One of the girls is Kammani’s sister.
Now Kammani will be challenged at every turn as she desperately tries to challenge tradition and her own skills to save her sister.

Gravemaidens is a dark, intense, pulse-pounding story. The supporting characters are well-developed, the setting is vibrant and rich. There were a few plot developments that I found to be a bit convenient, but it didn’t really distract me from the pace and enjoyment of the story. I’m looking forward to the next book!
*I received a copy of Gravemaidens from NetGalley and Random House Children’s in exchange for an honest review

Fantastic YA fantasy that focuses on inner strength, family love, and the lengths one will go to to protect the ones they love. The worldbuilding and character development are fantastic and I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! This was a really interesting book and different from a lot of the fantasy books being published right now. So I really enjoyed its uniqueness. The main character is strong and determined and meddles a lot and I really enjoyed her character. The writing in this book is easily read and intriguing and will keep readers on their toes! The world building is also unique and I enjoyed the tradition aspect of the maidens and how horrific it was. There were secrets and twists and turns at every corner of this book and I loved that! The ending was one of the best I've read in a book in a long time and I can't wait to see what's in store for these characters next!

Gravemaidens

Part sister story, part fierce fantasy, and fully captivating, Gravemaidens is the start of a darkly enchanting duology, this ARC was given to me by NetGalley and the Publisher for my early copy.

The start of a fierce fantasy duology about three maidens who are chosen for their land's greatest honor...and one girl determined to save her sister from the grave.

In the walled city-state of Alu, Kammani wants nothing more than to become the accomplished healer her father used to be before her family was cast out of their privileged life in shame.

When Alu's ruler falls deathly ill, Kammani’s beautiful little sister, Nanaea, is chosen as one of three sacred maidens to join him in the afterlife. It’s an honor. A tradition. And Nanaea believes it is her chance to live an even grander life than the one that was stolen from her.

But Kammani sees the selection for what it really is—a death sentence.

Desperate to save her sister, Kammani schemes her way into the palace to heal the ruler. There she discovers more danger lurking in the sand-stone corridors than she could have ever imagined and that her own life—and heart—are at stake. But Kammani will stop at nothing to dig up the palace’s buried secrets even if it means sacrificing everything…including herself.

Kammani was an amazing female MC, with smarts, looks, and bravery!! I loved the brooding banter with her and Nasu!! I liked the relationships the author built between characters as well. Detailed world building, and character backstory. The narrative was very easy to follow, although I would have liked to have seen a multiple pov in this story, as I think it could have made it a richer story for the reader. The adventure, romance, and politics made for a pretty great quick read!!

I could not put this book down it was that compelling. I couldn’t wait to see how Kummani and her family’s story unraveled and the end gave me just enough to feel satisfied but also I can’t wait to read the next one. I appreciated that the society was based on ancient Sumer, which gave the world building an extra layer.

At first the books name peeked my interest, the beautiful cover with the name Grave definitely held my curiosity. I have to say when I found the time to sit and read this book for the first time I was so involved with the story that before I knew it I was about 25% through the book. I really liked how the author took her time to set the story up
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This story is about love, family, friendship, and tragedy, a tale that is so involved you will not be able to put the book down. We learn about a girl who has apprenticed under her father for many years to learn medicine. Her father has been denounced because of a mistake her father made with the King's son. He was unable to cure the Kings son from a fall he took as a child. So living in poverty and trying to make ends meet Kammani, starts helping with the the healing.

After many twists and turns, Kammani has to flee the city with the princess to start something new before the princess can take back her throne.

I am looking forward to the second book in the series to follow the story of Kammani and her friends.

** spoiler alert ** I read most of this book in one sitting on a plane. I loved the beautiful cover and the book description. There was an interesting premise with a world where death was welcomed and it was an honor to be chosen as one of three gravemaidens, escorting the dead ruler into the second after world. I wish there was more world building to provide a deeper understanding of this world.

I liked the main character, she exhibited many common traits, with a vain and bubble headed younger sister, who was honored to be chosen as a gravemaiden. Why did no other healers not realize the truth of what happens to the gravemaidens? Ancient Egyptians and other people have had living sacrifices in their burial tomb. I thought multiple scenes were too violent for a Grade 7-9 audience, but that it wasn't strong enough to warrant Grade 10+ rating.
The plot was a bit slow to get going and once all the characters were introduced and Kammani was established in the palace. It bothered me that she was allowed to stay with her sister, and how little she, 'the healer,' was given access to heal the ruler, and other plot issues. I saw the villains and twists coming.
The actual final climax was interesting in the cave.

So this book started off really slow for me but towards the middle of the book is when it started to pick up. I adored these characters and this world and I'm very happy that Dagan and Kammani finally got together at the end.

Fantastic book. I read this in one day and found it to be so enjoyable. Longer review to come closer to release date.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This one was so good! A bit of fantasy and mystery wrapped into one old world setting. Slightly reminiscent of Hunger Games, but a debut that will stand all on its own, this will most likely be the most popular YA fantasy of the season. Many twists and turns to keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat, wonderful characters, and a lesson on what it means to truly grieve and heal. Can’t wait for more from this series and author.

To be selected as sacred maiden is the ultimate honor. You accompany Alu’s ruler into the afterlife. Kammani, a healer, sees the ceremony for exactly what it is. Death. When he sister is selected as a sacred maiden she will do anything to keep her from the grave. She must find a way to heal the ruler and to stop the ceremony from proceeding, but there is someone in the castle who wants him dead as much as she wants him alive.

Gravemaiden’s is elegantly written and a world of darkness unfolds with each page you read. Kammani is the protagonist every girl needs to be able to read about. She is strong, intelligent, focused, and willing to do what it takes to save those she cares about. Kammani was 100% real. Her partner in crime Iltani had me cracking up with her quick, dark wit.

It was a bit of a slow start, but overall, I enjoyed the novel. It brought me into a completely different world and culture.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

a new take on the fantasy trope of young adults/teens. the world-building in this book was incredible, and that really helped me enjoy this book.
i will definitely read more by this author!!

2.5 stars

This is the most predictable book I've read in a long time.

I started this book expecting to be swept away to a new fantasy world with rich world-building and an even richer plot. However, while I don't have anything to say about the world in itself, the story in general felt lacking. The romance seemed to be there just because it's what YA Fantasy books do and I did not care for it at all. Some of the dialogues felt a bit weird at times.

The characters were immature, dumb and just not very memorable. I never connected to any of them (I liked the best friend Iltani, though). I was annoyed by the main character's younger sister right from the beginning, therefore I didn't even mind that she's been selected to be a "Sacred Maiden"/"Gravemaiden". The FMC and her sister kept arguing and reading about whiny teenagers just isn't my idea of a good time. Also, I would have thought the FMC to be a lot smarter than she actually was...

If I didn't have an ARC of this, I would have stopped early on when I'd already guessed the reveal. I don't think I'll be reading the sequel. Unfortunately, I'm just not invested or interested enough.

Overall, this was an average YA Fantasy that I'll probably forget by the time of its release (October 29th). I know I may be harsh but I'm always looking for the next best thing, and a favorite book to add to my shelves and this wasn't it. I'm a bit tired and bored with unmemorable books. Even though I expected more from that interesting premise, I'm sure lots of readers will enjoy it. I wish I was one of them but it just wasn't for me. Gravemaidens was a quick read, at least.


(Thank you to the publisher for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

Gravemaidens was an interesting and and fresh YA fantasy read. The mythology behind the world was built so well, that I had no trouble understanding them. There were a few things that fell flat for me. I thought that Nananea's character was spoiled and selfish - it made it very hard for me to understand why Kammani was doing ANYTHING for her, much less trying to save her life. The romance didn't do it for me either. I also wish that we had seen more of the world outside of Alu - but I guess that will be for the next book.

To start, I’ll say that the world-building in this book is some of the best I’ve seen. The reader is immediately immersed in a world steeped in superstition and ancient tradition, and the city of Alu feels incredibly real. The premise here is a great one because we feel frustrated (right along with the main character) by the bizarre and barbaric tradition of burying young women, ripe with life, along with their ruler—then calling it an honor.

However, where I found the world-building so well done, the characters and plot were less impressive. Kammani is a very typical YA heroine—headstrong, stubborn, bent on a mission that inevitably brings her into constant conflict with those around her. There weren’t enough layers to her character to really engage me, and I found myself somewhat disinterested in her evolution throughout the book. She became more interesting for me toward the end once she started examining her own flaws and the reasons behind them. Had she acknowledged her own limitations early on, I think this story could have been much grabber from the start. Instead, though, we spend much of the book watching her struggle to figure out the ruler’s “mysterious” illness while she also congratulates herself on what a great healer she is. As a result, she comes across as far less intelligent than she believes she is, which I didn’t find terribly compelling.

I also found the romance lackluster. Kammani shows little interest in a man who, while not terribly interesting himself (beyond being super gorgeous), is dedicated and affectionate. At one point, she says that she “can’t explain” why she won’t allow herself to care for him, and as a result, the distance just feels inexplicable and contrived. I wish I had cared more about their relationship.

That said, the author rendered some characters brilliantly. I found Nanaea, the beautifully shallow sister who turned out to be deep, a wonderful addition to the story, along with the spunky and comedic best friend Iltani. My favorite was Nasu, the guardsman, simply because his inner conflict was incredibly done—he ended up committing terrible transgressions against the MC because his sense of duty and loyalty was even stronger than his sturdy sense of morals. Wow! Talk about interesting. I would have liked to see more of him.

All in all, while I’m not sure there’s enough substance here to genuinely make this book stand out in an already crowded market. I found this to be a solid debut. I’m interested to see what this author does next.