Grave Secrets

Book One - Prophecies of Angels and Demons

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date May 05 2023 | Archive Date Sep 09 2023

Talking about this book? Use #GraveSecrets #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

What would you sacrifice for the truth?

Life feels infinite when you're young, but Allie Graves knows all too well that she's living on borrowed time. Six years ago, she made a deal to save her life in exchange for service to the angels. It seemed like a sweet bargain when she made it, but what do seventeen-year-olds know about making life choices?

Now her six years of service are up and returning to her mortal life comes with some serious consequences.

To top it off, a mystery man has come into her life, but the angels aren't fond of his brand of magic, so they've made it their mission to end him. How's a girl supposed to get a date when the guy might not survive the week?

Allie has less than a month to uncover a family secret, save the hottie, and plan for life after angel duty. It's a tall order.

Fans of J Bree and Patricia Briggs will be swept away by this urban fantasy romance full of dark magic, family secrets, and gut-wrenching twists. From the first page to the last, you won't want to put it down. This book is recommended for 18+ due to mature content.

What would you sacrifice for the truth?

Life feels infinite when you're young, but Allie Graves knows all too well that she's living on borrowed time. Six years ago, she made a deal to save her life...


A Note From the Publisher

Grave Secrets is now available in ebook, print, and audio. Links to each can be found under the Amazon link below.

Grave Secrets is now available in ebook, print, and audio. Links to each can be found under the Amazon link below.


Advance Praise

5 Star Review on - OnlineBookClub.org

Grave Secrets by Cassandra Aston was an exciting story that followed the adventure of a young woman, Allie Graves. Her journey was scintillating and engrossing, and there were no dull moments. The author's storytelling was riveting; she brought the story to life with the imagery she created with her words. Despite the complex nature of the plot, following the story was easy because of the author's simple and easy-to-understand language.

There were many suspenseful and intriguing moments in this book. Cassandra commenced the story from the beginning pages with a scene that captured my interest. Commendably, the author did not break pace; she delivered the suspense throughout the book until the end. Readers should prepare to be surprised many times throughout the story.

Characterwise, the story had familiar characters — demons, angels, witches — in a somewhat familiar plot. However, these characters were not touched by the cloying effects of clichés. Each of the characters fully embodied their roles naturally. No part of their expression felt forced, as the author succeeded in blending them in smoothly. One of the favorites would be Allie Graves. Her character blended in with the other characters, especially with Simon Carey, the attorney for her estate. The dialogue between the two characters was filled with exciting jabs and hilarious comments that would leave readers chuckling. It added to the book's easy reading, making the long pages feel like a quick dash.

Grave Secrets came through with a lovely romantic aspect, bringing further excitement as I followed the teasing love game between the characters. The book was entertaining, featuring magic and otherworldly figures. It was a fun read, and readers would find it hard to drop until the end.


Read the full review at: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=298634



5 Star Review on - OnlineBookClub.org

Grave Secrets by Cassandra Aston was an exciting story that followed the adventure of a young woman, Allie Graves. Her journey was scintillating and engrossing...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9798391561088
PRICE $4.99 (USD)
PAGES 548

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB)
Send to Kindle (EPUB)
Download (EPUB)

Average rating from 61 members


Featured Reviews

A great read with lots of suspense filled moments to keep you hooked.
This book has the right blend of fantasy, drama, suspense and romance- Allie is a great MC, she's thrust out of a life she's known for the past 6 years and as the future looks uncertain something happens to draw her attention to her family's past and a mysterious locket.
Allie meets her love interest in an unlikely way, the banter between them will keep you invested as they progress through the story.
I really enjoyed the story and would love to see more of Allie.

Was this review helpful?

I liked this book. The main character was relatable. Some parts of the plot were confusing and twisted but overall a good story. I liked how it ultimately ended up much better than how it seemed like it was going to end.

Was this review helpful?

This is a slow build fantasy story, with a romantic streak and a dash of horror. I enjoyed the read. Questions from the start brought me into the story. What happened to make Allie a Reash? What are the Angels doing? Then many other questions as Allie discovers things about herself. Answers? The first question is really only skimmed over, but answer’s about Allie and her family history more than makes up for that. There are more books to come in the series; will they answer my initial question or just pose more? I look forward to finding out. Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Was this review helpful?

Book Review 📚
Grave Secrets by Cassandra Aston - 4/5 ⭐

Fantasy with romance and even a little bit of horror? That is such a peculiar mix but it worked so well together. It was a slow paced book but in a good way. There was so much you want answers to and to have them all at once would of made the story finish within the first chapter!

There is some drama, suspense, romance and fantasy. Allie is our MC and she was amazing. There was so much about her that is likable and her character had so much depth. She seems so straightforward but then things start to change very quickly! I think it was Allie that actually had me hooked to the book.

Grave Secrets is a page turner! There's so much happening and not enough time to get all the answers you want. I was thrilled when I found out there was gonna be more then one book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dialogue Books for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Grave Secrets by @cassandra.aston.author

Well I must say this book has definitely caught my attention, I just knew from the the first chapter that I was going to love it.
Allie is a baddass #girlpower demon hunter, with a tragic back story (love it😍)
And Simon is just yummy 😋

It's portrayal of vampires, demons and angels etc, has you feeling the comfort of your usual fantasy stories but it's unique elements makes it much more exciting and unpredictable.

This book is rather chunky - reading the eBook I didn't realise🤣 - it has so many twists and turns, I was certainly kept on my toes.

Can't wait to read more...

Was this review helpful?

First, I would like to thank the author & NetGalley for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest

A true page Turner 🥰

This book was unlike anything I've read, it had me on edge the whole way through, it was an mysterious thriller with slice of romance 😉😉
The twists that are delivered throughout will keep you on your toes! 

I loved that I couldn't figure out the main plot until it was revealed.

The tension between Allie and Simon was incredible, it was truly will they won't they..

"Across from her was the same broken sort of creature that she was. One that was fractured, splintered, and destroyed and then put back together again..."

I wasn't a huge fun of Rebecca, I preferred Allie, but Simon was a total sweetheart. 😘

You've got:
Dark Fantasy
Angels and demons
Magic
Family secrets
Reincarnation
Walking dead
Slow burn romance
Murder
Plot twists
Mystery
Thriller

It was slow placed but fitting for the story line, the world and character building were excellent.
I still have questions in my head and I look forward to figuring them out in book 2

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this arc.

4 stars / 5 stars

Things I loved:
Loved the paranormal fantasy aspect
Glad it didn’t end on a cliffhanger
Very descriptive
Loved the plot
Things I didn’t love:
Pov was a bit confusing and a little hard to follow
Didn’t love Simon filling in the back story for 2/3 of the book

Was this review helpful?

<b>A Promising Start to an Intriguing Series</b>

Grave Secrets by Cassandra Aston is a great introduction to a new fantasy series with a distinctive twist. The story's unique universe is filled with hidden secrets that captivate you from the start! Although it is set in a fantasy world, the world itself seems pretty easy to understand and I really enjoyed the eeriness the book conveyed.

Aston weaves mystery, suspense, and magic all into one and I must admit it made this book a quick page turner. The compelling plot and captivating characters really kept me fully invested in the story.

Though there are some small issues with dialogue clarity, <spoiler>particularly when Simon is recounting his story which got a bit confusing,</spoiler> the characters' depth shines through, leaving a lasting impression in my opinion.

The pacing strikes a good balance between action and introspection and the book leaves threads unresolved which seemed like the perfect way to set the stage for the next installment in the series.

In conclusion, Grave Secrets is a strong debut novel and an excellent starting point for a fantasy series. Fantasy enthusiasts seeking a fresh take on the genre will be entertained.

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Great fantasy read that kept you hooked till the very end. Great writing style and storyline. Would read more from this author in the future

Was this review helpful?

3.5

This book has romance, action, mystery, and supernatural goodies. Aston does a great job of pacing during suspenseful moments. I found my heart racing during those scenes in anticipation. However, the greatest asset of this book is the supernatural world and plot. The angel and demon lore along with the introduction of magic was so well thought-out and interesting. There were many conscientious hints that kept you trying to fit pieces of the puzzle together and when each plot twist came it still had you reeling. It was precisely what kept me reading.

The biggest fault and most difficult thing to get past was unnecessary descriptions of mundane tasks. I understand authors are encouraged to show rather than tell the reader what is going on but in this instance, I think it'd be safe to just state or omit every time Allie brushes her teeth, changes her clothes, or decides what to eat. Ironically, Allie would scold Simon for adding superfluous details to his stories and I would feel the same when reading about Allie's daily routine.

Despite all this, the epilogue will definitely keep you wanting more. My heart skipped a beat when I read the last line. So, will I be reading the next book? Yeah... yeah, probably.

I received this title as an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Cassandra Aston for the opportunity to read this treasure!

Was this review helpful?

This was a great story and had some unique characters created. I have to admit at first I didn’t know if I really cared for it at least halfway through I didn’t know. But the ending made up for it all. I really enjoyed the twists and turns though some left me confused where others had me thinking no way, I will definitely recommend this to any one who like a good angels and demon story.

Was this review helpful?

Sweet mother of coffee lovers. I ask that you send me the biggest cup ASAP.
I have the worst book hangover ever. This book was downloaded yesterday morning, I stayed up all night to finish it.
Going into the story, I wasn't sure what to expect. This generally is a genre I stay clear of. The whole angels, demons and Witches thing was becoming boring. But boy, oh boy! Was I glad i took the time to pick this up and give it a read.
From the 1st page you are dragged so deep in the story you forget that it is exactly that. A story. My heart strings were yanked and pulled in so many directions. I did find the whole 'Alaxia' concept was annoying and all I could think about was LAXATIVES, any time I read the word.
The twisted storyline with the slow burning love was enough to keep you engaged. It was refreshing to read the different take on the world the author tried to build. The writing was at times blocky and pulled me out of the story. Almost stilted and fillers added to give it a larger word count. While these were annoying at times and had me rereading the paragraph to understand what was trying to be said. I did enjoy the book. It was read overnight. I would recommend this story to anyone is like myself, is over the age-old demons and angels concept.

Was this review helpful?

Allie made a deal with the angels after her death--they let her live, she serves them for 6 years as a demon hunter. Approaching the end of her service, Allie remembers she was left a house in the south by her grandfather and decides to take a look at her new home. The problem? It's currently inhabited by a demon, and she's learning her grandfather may not be the man she thought he was. In fact, SHE may not be who she thought she was. Working against a deadline set by her handler, Gabriel, Allie must work to discover the mysteries surrounding her house, her family, and herself.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It's such an interesting take on the angels/demons trope with a touch of magic and vampires. I loved the depictions of the angels--Gabriel being an absolute tool really worked for me. There were areas I thought needed a tad bit more editing, and moments where Allie's behavior seemed weird and didn't exactly fit. Even after the plot twist, I couldn't really understand some of her behavior in a few moments. Sometimes it felt as though a scene had been edited down and we're just left with her reaction, but because we missed some extra dialogue or action, it didn't really make sense. I really would have loved to see more conflict with Gabriel as well,but given the progression of the story it makes sense it wasn't there--I hope that comes into play for the next book! Overall, it was an enjoyable read with some very interesting takes that I haven't seen before. I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series! Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

Was this review helpful?

This book ended up being pretty interesting. It starts off with a woman named Allie who is a demon hunter. We follow her as she returns to her family estate, which is her inheritance, and the chaos ensues. She meets a man named Simon and they are the two main characters from there on out.
There is so much going on in this book. There are humans, angels, demons, and something that doesn't fit any of those categories.
I really enjoyed the premise of this story and I thought the second half was action packed! The story really picked up pace and had some nice spice and some crazy drama!
What I wasn't crazy about was the character of Simon telling Allie so much of the story. Maybe if he had told it in a different way, but going from present time story telling to hearing it as if we were in his memory didn't seem to flow as well as I'd like.
There is a lot of focus on mundane activities, such as eating, showering, getting dressed and I felt like some of that could have been skipped.
Allie is such a badas$ in parts of the book, but other parts she acts much younger than she is and I would have loved to see her be a more dominant FMC the entire time.
I think this author has an amazing imagination and I love that she was able to turn her ideas into a book! I'm glad I read it and if I know anyone looking for a good paranormal read I'll recommend this one.
A big thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the chance to read this book. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Holy cow this one took me on an emotional roller coaster. Pissed off, scared, happy, depressed, happy again. The Graves family is confusing but you understand it in the end! I definitely loved this book and did not expect the ending in the epilogue (although I was hoping something good happened)! I can't say much without spoiling but Grave Secrets was so good and kept me so interested that I flew through it!

Was this review helpful?

Grave Secrets is a fantasy mystery all wrapped in a delicious bow of suspense, intrigue, and romance. Allie was killed at 17 and given a second chance at life. The catch, she would come back as a reash and be in-service to the angels for six years killing demons. Then, one night she encounters a creature in her apartment she has never met before. This fateful meeting sparks the journey to the house left to her by her by a deceased relative where she learns that she really doesn't know who she is or who her parents were. Facing supernatural creatures, a faulty memory, and a looming deadline from the angels, Allie is determined to unravel the secrets of her past, but she will start events that will change the course of her life forever.


I loved this book and the double meaning of the title is not lost on me. At first, it was a little slow to start. But then it picked up and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the twists that kept being thrown at me and subtle clues foreshadowing important information. My only complaint (other than the slow start) is the lack of explanation of her life that lead to her becoming a reash. I wish the author had delved a little more into this as i wad left with pieces of the puzzle, guesses, and questions.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely devoured this! This is an urban fantasy full of angels and demons and spice. It was so perfectly wonderful. I cannot wait for the next book in this dark urban fantasy series. I have to say that Allie has become one character that I just can't seem to get out of my head. Loved this!!
I just reviewed Grave Secrets by Cassandra Aston. #GraveSecrets #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Was this review helpful?

Grave Secrets is Book One in the Prophecies of Angels and Demons series by Cassandra Aston.
Can I have book two please?
I enjoyed this story so much. Because this is the type of fantasy/romance I love to devour.
The suspense and characters hooked me immediately and Aston’s writing was gripping.
Allie and Simon I couldn’t get enough of these two.
This book was well paced, solidly built and highly entertaining.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Victory Editing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! I loved it and how it was an urban fantasy full of intrigue and demons and angels. I loved Allie so much she’s got so much spunk and character. A good easy read I can’t wait for book 2!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book! It's the perfect read for spooky season. Creepy house, demons, dead people that aren't dead, mystery and a love story. The story is complex without being confusing and dramatic without being soul crushing. This is a GREAT read and I need the second book yesterday.

Was this review helpful?

Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy/Fantasy Romance
RATING: 5/5
Tropes: Forced proximity, Dark secrets, Hidden powers, Love that transcends time, Strong FMC
Trigger / Content Warnings: Violence, animal death, descriptions of death, and torture are included in this book, but not in much graphic detail.

This was a fast-paced Urban Fantasy that focuses on our FMC, Allie Graves. I usually am weary of Urban Fantasy but I really enjoyed the way the world in this book was built! I thought it was easy to comprehend and was very imaginative.
Allie is given a second chance after she dies by the angels - however they give her the responsibility of being a demon hunter. Allie fulfills her duties for 6 years until she encounters a strange being in her apartment.

This story within a story will have you turning pages to uncover more details on Allie, her family, and everything that brought her to this moment in her life.

Secrets, so many secrets.


I definitely recommend this amazing book for anyone who loves fantasy romance with a dash of mystery sprinkled in it!

Was this review helpful?

Hidden powers
Family secrets
Love through the ages
Angels and Demons


Allie has been working with angels for the last 6 years getting rid of demons. On the night of her birthday she’s told the deal with them will be ending soon and that means some serious changing will be happening.

Allie ends up going to family’s home which was left to her when her grandfather had died.
Who’s been taking care of this house while she was away? Simon. Simon has looked over her family for year and helps Allie uncover her family secrets.

I loved this so much. I was instantly hooked just from the prologue with questions that I needed answers too. The way the story and plot twisted and turned was done beautifully and it kept reading it all day.
I was emotional with the ending, but I’m excited to see what happens next.

Thank you NetGalley & Cassandra Aston for the arc!

Was this review helpful?

"Grave's Secrets" by Cassandra Aston is a rollercoaster of a read that had me laughing, crying, and questioning my life choices in equal measure. Let's dive into this captivating tale:

First and foremost, our fearless female protagonist, Ali, is the kind of gal you want by your side when things go bump in the night. She's fierce, determined, and has more secrets than a magician at a surprise party.

Now, let's talk about Simon. Oh, Simon, you egomaniacal, alluring rascal. I'm pretty sure he could charm the pants off a mannequin. But beneath that charming exterior lies a mystery wrapped in an enigma, stuffed inside a riddle. I've got more questions about Simon than I have about my own life choices.

Speaking of mysteries, this story is like a never-ending puzzle. It's so captivating that I almost forgot to breathe. It follows the females in Ali's family line, and trust me, they've got more powers than a charging station. But here's the kicker: we have no clue about Ali's family and their powers are! It's like a supernatural guessing game, and I'm here for it.

Simon's love for Rebecca is enough to make your heart hurt. Seriously, I need a moment to recover from all the feels. And speaking of feels, every woman in Ali's family has a heartbreaking story that somehow manages to captivate you and shatter your heart simultaneously.

Now, Alexander, he's something else. I don't know whether to call him a dark and messed-up man or an evil genius. Either way, I hate him.

But let's not forget Simon—he's got moves! I mean, the man is a sweet talker, a panty dropper, and an all-around smooth operator. Kudos to him for keeping the romance alive amidst all the chaos.

As for the powers, yes, they're witches, but how did they get these powers, and what was Alexander trying to do all these years? Is Alexander is gone for good. That guy's like a cockroach—impossible to get rid of.

I appreciate the consent talk in the story, but knowing that Alexander violated Claire, and the others. I hate Alexander even more now. I think I would have liked to see abit more of his machination but the twist your hit with doesn’t leave you wanting more but more jaw dropping wholly mother above vibes.

But let's not dwell on the dark stuff. The twists and turns in this book are like navigating a maze blindfolded. I swear, Cassandra Aston has a Ph.D. in plot twists.

And then there's the ending! I was crying enough tears to fill a lake until that epilogue saved me from drowning in my own despair. Phew!

Shoutout to Jo 🪽for her wholesome grandma vibes. You're the real MVP.

In conclusion, "Grave's Secrets" is a great storyline that's intriguing, unique, and filled with enough mystery, supernatural powers, angels vs. demons, steamy moments, dark twists, and found powers to keep you on the edge of your seat. Thanks, NetGalley and Cassandra Aston, for this wild ride.

Review has been added to Amazon it’s currently processing.

Was this review helpful?

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Was this review helpful?

Allies almost done with her obligation to the angels. Just one more month until she can go back to being a regular human, only she has no plans on what that looks like. In the midst of her dread, a peculiar demon enters her apartment and gives her the slip, but not before leaving a trail of breadcrumbs. When she begins investigating, she finds more than just her usual demon she’s tasked to hunt. She finds her own family’s deepest, darkest secrets.

I couldn’t put this down, the layers of mystery, magic, and mayhem were too good to resist. Plenty of twists, a slow burn romance, lovers that transcend time, a well thought out magic system, witches, demons, angels, all wrapped together with a load of family trauma. It’s hard not to get immersed and be on the edge of your seat eager to find out what is going on.

Reviewed on Amazon & Goodreads. Will be included in future posts on Instagram & TikTok @cursebreakerbooks

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Cassandra Aston for giving me an eARC of this book. This review is completely voluntary.

I absolutely loved this book. It had such depth and amazing character development throughout the entire story. It was constantly throwing twists and turns at me. It felt like I was watching an episode of Supernatural to be completely honest and I was living for it. I want so much more of Aston's writing. She wrote this book beautifully and she had me captivated the entire time. I don't think I have ever read a book like this before and I'm so glad I came upon this one.

Was this review helpful?

This story follows the classic ya urban fantasy plot line, where Allie is a demon slayer, who works for angels. She meets the adorable Simon at her family estate, and the romance is just swoon worthy. The pacing was a little off in the beginning and the writing was starting to lull. Even though the plot is not anything unique, the ending seriously surprised me and I need book 2 ASAP. Overall, I think this is a great read and highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: