Once Bitten & Twice Dead by Kalayna Price

One of the great joys of book blogging is the discovery of a new authorial talent. I recently had the distinct pleasure of reading two books — Once Bitten and Twice Dead — by new author Kalayna Price. Both novels had edge-of-your seat plots as well as a surprisingly vulnerable heroine surrounded by a strong supporting cast. Once Bitten and Twice Dead were so well balanced and finely crafted that I am bereft of weaknesses to carp on… Read the rest.

Grave Witch by Kalayna Price

In a crowded genre like urban fantasy, authors have to strike a difficult balance. They need to adhere to the genre’s tropes and formulas closely enough that readers feel like they’re getting what they were looking for. On the other hand, there needs to be enough innovation that readers have a reason to read this book, this series, rather than one of the many others on the shelf. In a nutshell, the trouble with Grave Witch is that it doesn’t stand out. I enjoyed reading it, but the spark that would distinguish it just isn’t there. Kalayna Price utilizes all the well-loved elements of urban fantasy, and Grave Witch hews closer to the influential early books of Laurell K. Hamilton than any other UF I’ve read… I’m interested in seeing where this series goes; I’d like to see it branch out a little more from its influences. Read the rest.

Grave Dance by Kalayna Price

Grave Dance is the follow-up to Kalayna Price’s first Alex Craft novel, Grave Witch. I had mixed emotions about Grave Witch, but I’m happy to report that Grave Dance is stronger and more original. It’s a month since we last saw Alex Craft. She’s angry with Falin for vanishing from her life, conflicted about Death’s interest in her, and reeling from the new knowledge that she’s part fae. Her new case is a baffling one… Grave Dance got off to a bit of a slow start with me, but by the end of the book, Price had me compulsively turning pages as she revealed more and more of the fae realm — a great mix of beauty and creepiness — and as Alex raced to get to the bottom of the crimes and protect her loved ones… Grave Dance is a good second installment in the series and has put Price on my mental list of “authors who write cool fae realms.” Check this one out for some spooky fun. Read the rest.