megs_bookrack's Reviews > Gravemaidens

**3.5-stars rounded up**

In the fantastical city of Alu, before the Ruler dies, three maidens are chosen to accompany him into the Underworld. This tradition is deeply ingrained within the society.

Essentially a death sentence for the young women, being chosen is nonetheless viewed as a great honor. When our story begins, the current Ruler lies on the brink of death.



Kammani's Father is a great healer. Although previously disgraced after a royal patient's death, he gets summoned to the kingdom to attend to the sickly Ruler.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the way he mysteriously disappears, never getting to tend to the ailing man.



Kammani has been training under her Father's tutelage for many years.

She dreams of one day being the best healer in all the land and restoring respect to her family name.



When her sister gets chosen to be one of the Ruler's death maidens, and her father cannot be found, Kammani takes it upon herself to get into the kingdom and prevent the Ruler from passing on.

If she doesn't, she will lose her sister; the only family she has left.



Once in the kingdom, Kammani feels like something sinister is going on.

After a botched attempt on her life, she knows she must be closing in on the truth.



I enjoyed this world; it was rich and well built. In my head I was picturing Astapor, 'the red city', from Game of Thrones.

A world sharply divided between haves and have-nots. It was brutal and dangerous, with a healthy dose of palace intrigue.



I really enjoyed the characters as well. There is a lot of beautiful writing in here on grief and sacrifice.

The love of family is a strong theme throughout and some of the dialogue between Kammani and her slightly pouty younger sister, Nanaea, had me in tears.



I did get frustrated with Kammani now and again over some of her choices, but overall I understood her motivations and felt attached to her as a character.

I think it left off at a perfect spot for a continuation and I look forward to the battle that I know will be taking place. It's bound to be epic!



Thank you so much to the publisher, Delacorte Press and Random House Children's, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review.

This is an impressive debut with a lush, dangerous world, one I am looking forward to returning to!