Review ~ The Grave Winner by Lindsey R. Loucks

NAIL BITING, CAPTIVATING,

EXTREMELY GOOD READ!

 

 

Leigh Baxton is terrified her mom will come back from the dead -- just like the prom queen did.

While the town goes beehive over the news, Leigh bikes to the local cemetery and buries some of her mom’s things in her grave to keep her there. When the hot and mysterious caretaker warns her not to give gifts to the dead, Leigh cranks up her punk music and keeps digging.

She should have listened.

Two dead sorceresses evicted the prom queen from her grave to bury someone who offered certain gifts. Bury them alive, that is, then resurrect them to create a trio of undead powerful enough to free the darkest sorceress ever from her prison inside the earth.

With help from the caretaker and the dead prom queen, Leigh must find out what’s so special about the gifts she gave, and why the sorceresses are stalking her and her little sister. If she doesn’t, she’ll either lose another loved one or have to give the ultimate gift to the dead – herself





I was captivated from the get go with this book.

I started reading it as a very sleepy girl and had to know what happened next! I powered through 39% before sleep won me over and I delved into dreams about being in Leigh's world and three was everywhere!
When my reading infiltrates my dreams I call that impact. The Grave Winner definitely impacted me in many ways.
Leigh is sixteen and just lost her mom we come into her life at the funeral. I love this part, and it's not for a morbid reason I just love how you can almost taste the emotions pouring out of the pages. You understand the loss an devastation for Leigh and her family. Tears welled up in my eyes on more than one occasion here.
I think the authors definition of the people and places made Krapper Kansas (LOL) come to life!
I like the use of the words dead Sarah as Dead Sara is one of my favorite bands and I think Leigh would approve. :)
I love dad he is such a believable guy and he is so raw from the loss of his other half, most of my tears were for him and Darby.
Darby is a cute character with crazy dark secrets. Leigh had amazing ways of dealing with her mom's death and a lot more added drama with Lazy Russ Syndrome LOL or Lazarus Syndrome in her town.
And yes parts of this book are a bit cliché but bobble headed mini minded cheer chics are kind of a fact of life. Though not all cheerleaders fit the stereotypical connotation.
The best friend, Jo is great with her nun chuck wielding, brass knuckle carrying, crazy leg hair finally shaved self. She's a very believable no nonsense kinda girl and I like that. Leigh and Jo totally have each other's backs.
Callum was a great character too. Sensitive and caring yet vulnerable and jealousy that's perfectly done! He kept me guessing.
Tram is mysterious and goes MIA after telling Leigh she could call anytime. But he disappears and she's left to figure things out on her own. That definitely doesn't turn out well.
Time is ticking for Leigh will she and Tram find a way to stop Ica from helping One, Two and Gretchen? Or will Leigh become the next Three? You have to read to find out.

Holy Trammelers and stinky One and Two. I want to read this book again and my daughter wants it too.

I recommend it. A very very good read. I most definitely need more...]

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Lindsey R. Loucks works as a school librarian in rural Kansas. When she's not discussing books with anyone who will listen, she's dreaming up her own stories. Eventually her brain gives out, and she'll play hide and seek with her cat, put herself in a chocolate induced coma, or watch scary movies alone in the dark to reenergize.

She's been with her significant other for almost two decades.

Check out her website for more information and to contact her. She would love to hear from you! http://www.lindseyrloucks.com

 

 

 

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