Review of Grave Witch by Kalayna Price

Five + Fangs for Grave Witch by Kalayna Price

Grave Witch is the best book I've read in awhile. It's a fresh new spin into the realms of Urban Fantasy. I was instantly sucked into the characters and the story- so much so that I read the entire book in less than 24 hours.

My husband came home from work and found me reading- this was the exchange:

"That book must be good," he said as he walked by me.

"It is. Why?" I asked without looking away from the page.

"Because I never see you reading at this time of day."

I made some indistinguishable sound but didn't say anything else. He left me alone to read.

Grave Witch is that good.

The best way I can describe Grave Witch and the main character Alex Craft is to take a pinch of Anita Blake's necromancy, a twist of Rachel Morgan's witchy uniqueness, then blend with author Kalayna Price's awesome style and toss everything into a world where humans know about the fae and witches- then you get Alex Craft and her world.

Alex Craft is a Grave Witch. She can raise the shades of the dead and communicate with ghosts (shades and ghosts are two separate things as explained in the book). Her grave sight allows her to see the world of the dead- including Death himself when he comes to collect souls.

As a grave witch Alex is a private investigator for hire and a consultant to the police. She helps solves crimes, especially murders and she helps families have closure with their dead.

But her newest case drops more into her lap than she bargained for. First she receives a call from her estranged sister Casey to check things out with a recent death, then once at the morgue the police want her to take a look at another body- the third body dump in what could be a serial killer case.

Alex has never encountered anything like this before- with either body. One body doesn't even seem human and the other has left a screaming insane ghost in the place of what should have been a shade- and the ghost scratches Alex. Something that shouldn't have been possible. To make matters worse the whole debacle is interrupted by a new detective on the force- Falin Andrews. Who happens to be completely gorgeous and entirely insufferable. And he's the lead detective on the case- which makes everything his business.

Just what Alex needs, a sexy pain in her butt.

But that's the least of worries after she realizes someone is gunning for her. She just can't figure out why.

The whole book is filled with twists turns and a well thought out tangled plot that leaves the reader guessing and turning pages. Family drama, skeletons in the genetic closet, and enough fae glamour to always leave you wondering if things are really what they appear to be.

Oh, and how could I forget one of the best parts of the book- the romantic tension and drama- two sexy men that are vying for Alex's attention- the gorgeous Detective Falin Andrews and Death, who looks delicious in jeans.

Kalayna Price has a winner on her hands with this new series.

The main character is believable and well rounded with enough quirks and mystery that there is a lot of territory left for character growth.

The world is well developed with enough explanation that readers are satisfied but not overloaded. This will let the world unfold more in upcoming books. And the romance- a good foundation is laid out but left entirely open for a "who knows what" development in future books.

Excellent, fabulous, awesome, amazing - I can't praise this book enough.

I love books- I love this genre. Too many times though the world has holes, the characters don't click with me, I can't get into the story or I predict everything in the book and I am left disappointed.

Not this time. I was absolutely hooked right from the beginning. And at the end...I was left wanting more. I couldn't wait to find out what was happening, who was behind everything and how it was going to end.

Grave Witch was an absolutely fabulous read. Well worth your time. If you are a fan of witches and fae with a touch of the dead mixed in- this book is for you.

I am really looking forward to future books in this series.