Thank you Delacorte Press and Netgalley for this E-ARC in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was really hyped up for this book, I loved the concept of it, and felt like it was something new and fresh. I adored the cover, and the Author, Kelly Coon is incredibly nice. So when I was approved on Netgalley, I was stoked.

Shortly into the book, there is this intense scene that includes a brick, and while it was pretty graphic, it also set an ominous tone to the book. I don’t want to get too detailed with my review, because I am afraid to spoil anything about this book. But, what I will say is this, this book is about way more than what the synopsis leads on to. It’s about love, family, friendship, and the distances we will go to protect the ones we love.

I loved that Coon wrote such a strong, fierce, female lead. She was a pillar of strength, and she knew she didn’t need anyone but herself to do what she needed to do. I was however a little thrown off at the end, kind of mad actually, and even more mad because I have so LONG to wait for book #2.

I really wanted to like this book. The premise was intriguing and the cover is beautiful. (I am a sucker for a great cover.) But I was sadly disappointed by the story.

As I have mentioned in my reviews a time or twelve, I am a hugely character driven reader and I just couldn't connect with any of the characters in this book. (Except for maybe Dagan who was nicer than anyone deserved.) All of the other characters were petty and immature and so prone to hyperbolic comments and actions that they sometimes seemed almost caricatures instead of actual people.

The world building showed promise and while I probably won't pick up the second one, I would cautiously recommend this for people who are interested in unique worlds.

So I fully started this expecting to DNF it. I woke up late on Monday because I could not put it down (and stayed up a bit too late). I finished it last night, and now want to read it again to see if I can see more clues to the ending. Great writing, enjoyed the voice of Kammani and the way each chapter starts where it almost seems like an out of body experience but then brings you back to the character. Loved this one!

A unique and darkly gripping tale of family, fantasy, and secrets. A debut author that has a great plot with lots of twists.

i loved this book. I loved the writing and the storyline. Both the plot and characters were interesting and entertaining. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

An intricately crafted world with several twists and fascinating characters!

What I loved 🖤🖤🖤:
1. Kammani is a fierce female protagonist who is a healer. She will do anything to save her sister, Nanaea from being sacrificed as a Gravenmaiden (three women killed to be queens of the underworld with a dead male leader).
2. Dagan is in love with Kammani and he is wonderful. Respectful, supportive, and understanding. I’m totally Team Dagan.
3. Kammani must save the Lugal’s life (male leader) to save her sister, but she doesn’t know why he is sick. And she doesn’t know who to trust. The mystery is very twisty.
4. Kammani’s best friend Iltani provides strong female friendship and comic relief.
5. Kelly Coon creates an unforgettable world that captures the reader and immerses them entirely.

Gravenmaidens is a must read! I can’t wait for the sequel.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for this eARC! I was first caught by this gorgeous cover, and then pushed over the edge by the premise. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. The world that Kelly created was so rich and intricate, and the power system that was used was so effective. Our protagonist is Kammani, a girl ahead of her time. Her father is a healer who, because of a failure to save the life of a prominent person, was cast out of the privileged life he and his family had led into the life of a pauper. In spite of this, he continued to use his gifts for the greater good until his wife was taken from him.

This one act set things into motion for many of these characters. Kammani's father fell into despair; soothing his grief with drink. Kammani, who had studied for years under her father, devoted her life to saving others. Kammani's sister, Nanaea, was the closest one to their mother, and as such began to harbor a secret wish to find her again. Their brother, Kasha, was taken from his mother's arms to replace the life that their father had failed to save, and so he was bound to be a servant in the palace for the rest of his days. Life went on, the way it inevitably will, until it was announced that the country's leader (called a Lugal) was dying.

The Lugal must have three Sacred Maidens to follow him into the afterlife, and being chosen is supposed to be the ultimate honor. When Nanaea is chosen, Kammani is horrified. She knows what this really means. Her sister's life will be ended far sooner than it should be, and she knows that she has to do something to stop it. What follows is an inspiring tale of the bonds of family and the absolute power of women. A mystery unfolds itself before Kammani, and even at the risk of a budding love with her childhood friend Dagan in addition to the threat that her sister might never forgive her, Kammani defies all the odds to get to the bottom of it.

Kammani is a character far beyond her time and her years. She is educated in a way that no other girl we meet in this world is; and even better than some of the men as well, as is demonstrated by a pair of the palace's guards. She has incredible inner strength. She stares death in the face and demands it to bend to her will. She is a hero with the most tortured soul, and it prevents her from seeing how amazing she truly is. I loved her, and I loved experiencing her tale. I am so excited that this is going to be a series, because I can't wait to see what she will do now that her potential has been realized.

All in all, this was a captivating novel that I could not put down. I'm head over heels for the lore; the Sacred Maidens, the Boatman, all of it. The cast of characters were so well rounded and fleshed out, and I fell in love with all of them, including the villains. I think Kelly Coon is going to do amazing things in the book community! She has made one hell of a debut!

• Title: Gravemaidens
• Author: Kelly Coon
• Series: Gravemaidens Book 1
• Pages: 416
• Genre: YA Fantasy
• Rating Out of 5 Stars: 4

My Thoughts:

Ever start reading a book and get so caught up in it that you’re turning the final page and can’t believe its over? That’s Gravemaidens in a nutshell. I read half in one sitting, half in another and was left wanting more.

Darkly engaging, fast paced, with brilliant writing and a well rounded cast of characters. I couldn’t stop myself from devouring this title!

Kammani is a healer in training under her father who hasn’t quite been himself since the family’s fall from society. All she wants is to be successful and restore the family name to the renown it once held. Oh, and if her friend Dagan would realize she’s really not marriage material, that would be great too.

However a wrench gets thrown into her plans when the city’s Ruler becomes gravely ill. With her father being murdered on the way to tend to his ailment it seems hope for a cure is lost. As it’s believed he will pass on soon, an ancient tradition has come into play: That three maiden’s will accompany him to the After-world, her sister being one of them.

With her only surviving family member heading for certain death, Kammani schemes her way into the palace in hopes of curing the Ruler.

Those gilded halls hold more for her than expected. Dark secrets, danger, a hunt for the truth may cost Kammani more then she expects. It could cost her her life as well. If only she could figure out who she can trust.

I do wish the world building was a little more in depth. Certain points in the story come across a little off kilter but doesn’t pull away enough from the story to really be a problem. The romance felt underwhelming with the constant “friend-zoning”. The scenes worked well within the story but it frustrated me as a reader. I felt so bad for Dagan through most of this. However, that is a me problem not a book problem. There were a few times that it seemed Kammani should have been a little less dense when it came to what was before her. On the flip side, the story kept me so engrossed that it wasn’t until I was reflecting on it that I really noticed it.

This book doesn’t really pull punches when it comes to the ugly. There’s a fair bit of violence and some sexual assault. Along with the general plot of the story, there are some downright nasty antagonists waltzing through this story. If any of these subjects bother you...keep that in mind.

This is supposed to be a duology with the prospect of more if the interest is there. Personally I would love to see this stay as a duology. I could see maybe a couple companion novels or better yet a novella bind up to help link together the couple story line gaps (if they aren’t fully resolved in the sequel.) I would hate to see this story fall flat by trying to stretch it out if it really isn’t needed.

EARC kindly provided by Netgalley, Delacorte Press and the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gravemaidens was a very unique book and for the most part I enjoyed it. Kammani (I love her name!) was a little bit dense in certain aspects, which I didn’t like. She seemed initially to trust people she shouldn’t and push away those she should. Kammani wasn’t the best at solving the book’s mystery either. Her primary suspect and the most obvious person to be committing the crime wasn’t even someone she thought of. The suspect was suggested to Kammani by her boyfriend. I figured out who the real villain was at about 60% of the book, and it was really hard for me to read about how she was going to convict a totally innocent person. Other than that, I highly enjoyed this book. It seemed to be based loosely in the Mesopotamia region, and it was fun to read about their customs and religion. Other than Kammani and her empty headed sister, the characters were great. Iltani and Dagan especially were well developed and likable. The plot moved quickly and was well thought out. If asked, I would recommend it.

Not knowing what exactly comes after you die, being prepared with wealth and companions surrounding you seems like a sound plan but the reality as it's enacted in Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon seems more of a dire consequence than a great honor. 

Kammani is a determined young woman and hard worker, trying to become as skilled a healer as her father. After being cast out of a life of privileged status within the palace for not being able to save gravely injured son of the lugal, Kammani's family has fallen on difficult times, compounded by her father's wallowing in grief and his cups. When the lugal becomes deathly ill, the three sacred maidens to accompany him to the Netherworld when he dies are selected, one of whom is Kammani's sister Nanaea. Driven by a desire to prevent her sister's death, Kammani schemes to get into the palace to try to heal the ailing lugal. In treating the lugal, Kammani uncovers some startling secrets of those close to him and the throne, placing herself in grave danger while she's prepared to sacrifice everything to reveal the truth. 

A dark story of human sacrifice cloaked in the guise of tradition and honor, the narrative was compelling, easy to read despite the violence, and well-written with distinct characters, making it an immersive experience. Kammani's character was quickly established, highlighting her determination to solve problems regardless of societal norms and she isn't without flaws, which makes her more realistic; however, her single-mindedness is an incredibly frustrating flaw when contrasted with her otherwise learned and logical behavior as her conviction leads her, and others, into greater danger (because the true villain was rather obvious). Though I'm generally wary of most romances with respect to their believability and development, the relationship between Kammani and Dagan worked well and showed their growth from a childhood friendship to a young adult romantic partnership without overshadowing the primary plot.

Overall, I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you so much for an early review copy!
I enjoyed the beginning of this book a lot. The whole premise had me hooked. Unfortunately though towards the middle it just didn't stack up for me and the end just felt so muddled.
I found myself not connecting with any of the characters.

Gravemaidens is a wonderful, dark and incredibly rich dystopian/fantasy novel, so well built and fast paced that I wasn't able to put it down till I reached the end. I was absolutely captivated by the atmosphere, the characters and yes, even the slow-burn romance 🔥 ...

This novel submerges the reader in a landscape so imaginative and detailed that the information of the world building, as complex as it is, never feels forced, and is never difficult to understand or picture in one's mind. Fantastic book!

(4.5) A unique, hard hitting young adult fantasy, this book was dark and satisfying. Outside of some sprinkling of (cheesy) unbelievable dialogue, this knocked it out of the park.

*Spoiler free, 3.75 stars*

This book sounded haunting and brutal and maybe a little terrifying. It's about girls who given the "honor" of being buried alive with their ruler and a palace with secrets lurking around every corner. Kammani, the main character is a healer and wants to save her sister from a death sentence, while her sister wants the honor. I really enjoy sister stories and I was looking forward to seeing how this one would unfold! Trigger warnings: gore, violence, mention of rape, sexual assault (groping), grief

The writing was really spectacular. It feels sweet, easy to read, and flowy, but it was paired with a harsh world and violent scenes. I doesn't seem like they would work together, though I found the mix to something that really worked in favor of the book. There are also adorable nicknames and sweet scenes in between ones about sickness and violence and talking about dying. I don't how they went together so well!
I really liked Kammani. She's confused and struggling, but she is determined to get her job done and do what she feels she needs to do. I loved that she was so adept at being a healer. I thought it was really interesting to learn about the medical side of this world. Her emotions are muddled, and she's stubborn on a lot of things. I related a lot of something of the emotional turmoil she went through and how she thought she just didn't know and how she just couldn't explain sometimes. It can be frustrating from an outside perspective, since I saw things she didn't, but it was like she was trying to make sure her and the people she loves world's are still spinning.

Though the romantic pairing was more of a side plot, I thought it was adorable. It could have been developed more and I would have liked if Kammani looked at her feelings a bit more closely, so I could see how she really felt. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to where this relationship could go.

Reading it, I really enjoyed the plot. I really enjoyed the mystery and everything that happened. It was full of fancy parties, healing, and sneaking around the palace. Though, once everything came to light, it felt kind of lackluster. I feel like there could have been more to it. It felt kind of easy and I honestly wasn't shocked by the reveal. Though, I think there could be more to it and more could be revealed in the second book!
I was expecting for more focus to be on the relationship between Kammani and Nanaea, but they don't interact too much. Though, I think it's cool that their so solid about where they stand with each other. They love each other no matter what. If they fight, they'll fight, but they'll work things out. They love each other.

There are also a few things that just didn't tie together for me. I couldn't get a solid grasp of the geography of the palace, how it connected with the city, and who was allowed where. Certain people showed up in places I didn't think would be possible. This could just be me missing small details that would tie things together though! There were also a few times I didn't feel as tense as I think the situation required. I thought some things would be more dramatic than they were, so I think that's why they fell flat for me.

I also thought some dialogue, some conversations, and how some scenes played out were kind of cheesy. I personally don't mind that at all, I think it just made the book sweeter. When people read this a see all the harsh scenes, they're going to think I'm nuts for calling this book sweet haha. The characters are adorable, that's why it's sweet!

Despite the few issues that I had, I really did love this book, this world, and the characters. I can't wait to see the story expanded upon in the second book and see where the plot heads!

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book! It has a mix of the Hunger Games and The Selection. The book starts off when Kammani's little sister is chosen to be one of the three maidens to join Alu's ruler in the afterlife. Kammani is determined to save her sister from certain death and schemes her way into the palace to save the ruler. Then she discovers that she's getting herself into more trouble than she realized and her own life is at stake.

Kammani is a great protagonist. She's learning to become a healer like her father, even though girls aren't even supposed to be able to read. I loved how courageous and determined she was. She's heroic and valiant but is also willing to sacrifice for her sister. She's perfectly flawed and you can't help but root for her.

The pacing was slow at some parts but the action does pick up later in the book. There was some information that I wished was given sooner but you catch on soon enough. I also wished that there was more world building but other than that, this is a good read with an interesting premise and compelling characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! There were some evil bastards in this book with some graphic violence! But all is well my peeps, you can skim over those little portions! I, myself would like to set fire to those evil beings but that is neither here nor there.

I love this freaking book and can we take a moment to love that cover?! I can't wait to have the finished copy in my hands! Anywayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy......

At times you do want to smack some people, including the main character, but that happens.

Kammani is the MC in this book and she's a healer. K has studied under her father who is said to be the best healer in the whole place. But things happened and he isn't any more.

Kammani's best friend is Iltani and I loved her so much. She's fun, spunky and does whatever she has to help her friends. We also have Dagan, well I fell right in love with him. I wanted to smack Kammani for putting him off so much. He's a big love muffin and I ... well.. anyway, moving away from there.

They have this creepy arse ceremony that they put three beautiful girls in with some royal jerk when he dies. Yeah, I know right?! I won't say anything else about that because of spoilers.

Kammni's sister is chosen to be one of the maidens. Her sister is thrilled because she is dumb. Kammni on the other hand tries to find a way to get her sister out of this horrible fate. K ends up trying to save the king dude so that she can save her sister. K finds out all kinds of evil things are going on and thus chaos ensues.

I thought the book was well written, had a great cast, and I'm looking forward to the second book. Gravemaidens is said to be a duology so it won't have that second book syndrome and will hopefully end well for all of those involved!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy of this book for review.

Happy Reading!

Mel ♥

This book was received as an ARC from Random House Children's - Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was very surprised in a tremendous way how dark this book got in many areas. I love the concept of this book. It had a mix of Hunger Games, Divergent, and the Selection. Every page was a new plot twist that made the book even more interesting and how Kammani had the determination to be the healer and save her sister from being the chosen one in the selection and rescue her from the grave. This book was so intriguing to read and I know a lot of our teen readers will have their eyes glued to this book for sure.

We will definitely consider adding this book to our YFantasy collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

**Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Title Gravemaidens

Author Kelly Coon

Description from Amazon

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.

Initial Thoughts

Please see my hype post for my full initial thoughts, but I was very excited to be chosen on NetGalley for this book.  The setting sounded different than anything else I was currently reading and I was immeidately captivated by the idea of the sacred maidens chosen to accompany their ruler into death.

Favorite Character

Iltani - I want more of Iltani's sass in the next book.  As Kammani's best friend, she is the perfect minor character.  She know's she's "too much" but yet she does what she wants anyway.  I loved her dialogue and her rationale for her actions.  I would read a standalone story about Iltani any day.

Cover Art

Also previously covered in my hype post, I think this cover is eerie and interesting.  I can confirm that after reading this book, the cover makes complete sense to me now.  Before I had read the book, I liked it, but now, I love it.

Series Value

I'm very curious about reading the second book in this series.  Since this one won't hit shelves until October 2019, I think I'll have to wait for a while.  However, this series has my attention and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.

One Thing I Wasn't Crazy About

The romance - I thought it was lacking.  I could easily see Dagan and Kammani together but I can also see Nasu with Kammani.  It was kind of a love triangle but not really.  I'm not sure how to describe it.  Overall, it was just lacking in the romance department and I would have liked to see more.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book.  I thought the concepts were different from anything else I had read.  Negative points for the underdeveloped romance but in general, quite a good read.  I will definitely read the next book in this series.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommendations for Further Reading

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - both of these stories are that of older sisters protecting their younger sisters from something their societies deem to be a great honor.
Descendant of the Crane by Joan He - I think the characters of Nin Awria and Yan Hesina in both of these stories are very similar.  Although Descendant of the Crane is centered around Hesina's father's murder (and Nin Awria's father is still alive, but dying), I think there are strong parallels in the way the stories develop.
Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne - this is another story of a healer who values her life less than those she heals.  There are definite parallels between Zivah and Kammani as well as Dineas and Nasu.

An enjoyable read filled with likable characters and a world hanging in the balance. The writing was sometimes dry, the pacing at times uneven.

This is a book that is painfully slow and while it speaks to an interesting premise it offers nothing new to a story we’ve read before.

“Gravemaidens” follows a family cast out of their wealthy society who have suffered loss after loss when the ceremony for the Sacred Maidens, three young women who will accompany the Lugal in death, threatens to take the only sister Kammani has left. Determined to keep her sister alive, she heads off to the palace ready to heal the Lugal by any means necessary but not before uncovering a murderous plot to steal the thrown and if she’s not careful she will find herself at the wrong end of a blade.

We’ve all read some version of this book before and unlike those there is not one aspect of this story that I will remember by this time next week. We have a younger sister who is portrayed as vain and naive as she happily walks to her death, an older sister who has fought to keep her family together regardless of what life throws their way, a flirty gal pal and a cardboard cut out love interest who can bore even the strongest woman to tears.

The plot is basic and one you can figure out the second the characters are introduced. The attempt at a twist is so obvious that when the characters go out of their way to prove it I sat there willing myself not to roll my eyes fearful that they would get stuck.

It’s hard for me to even say there is romance in this because it is so one sided which I actually enjoyed because I thought maybe we’d be getting a pay off with someone else or better yet nothing at all and having this be centered around family and the bonds they share but instead we get unrequited pining up until the final two chapters when things needed to be tied up.

The reaction to death was the only interesting component of this story and it never went there to explain the weight of the sacrifice that is seen by all except our lead as this great honor. If we had gotten any sort of back story or some depth to this practice other than having it serve as a backdrop would have helped when characters were so eager to join the other side and in contrast it would have added weight to the moment when they are confronted with death when the cheering audience and jewels disappeared.

I don’t know what I expected from this book but this level of disappointment was not it.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**