Review: Beyond The Grave

Aug •  31 •  2011
Review: Beyond The GraveBeyond The Grave by Mara Purnhagen
Published by Harlequin Teen on August 30th 2011
Genres: Young Adult- Fantasy/ Paranormal
Source: FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Netgalley
Goodreads

"I can’t move forward with my life until I know my demons are confined to the past... 

Being Charlotte Silver, the daughter of famous paranormal investigators, means my life isn’t like that of other teenage girls. Especially after what happened to my parents. Things changed. I missed prom and deferred my big college plans. But I still have my boyfriend, Noah. He’s everything I could want—if I can figure out what’s up with him. Suddenly Noah is secretive. 

I fear it has something to do with what happened to us three months ago. The bruise Noah suffered during a paranormal attack has never completely faded. Now I’ve learned Noah is researching demons. And when he disappears, it’s up to me to find him—before something else does."

 

I wish I can say that I liked this book more, but I didn’t. I have been following this series from the very beginning. And while the first two books I enjoyed immensely, I felt like this book did nothing but repeat itself. Another haunting, more dealing with drama with friends, and boyfriend drama. I was hoping that I get more different element in this book. I still love the paranormal aspect to it but of course wanted something new added as well.

What I liked most about this book are the characters. The main character, Charlotte has come a long way from where she started. She is much more confident in herself and her abilities. She no longer hides in the shadow of her sister. I loved how strong she is and does not give up. She knows what she wants and goes for it. Though you do see her slide a bit, but it makes her characters much more approachable.

The plot of this book is my only gripe. I do like how the reader got to see more of the Watcher and great paranormal aspect. I was just tired of seeing the same fight. You know what I mean? I hoped for a bigger or better fight. Something different in it. I also enjoyed the great family dynamic in it. This family has been through it all. They manged to stick together and not give up.

A great paranormal book with great characters, you want to read this book! If have started this series or have followed it from the beginning, you see the growth of Charlotte and who she is meant to be. Ms. Purnhagen did a good job on closing all the lose ends, and giving the reader a very satisfying ending!

I give it 4 BITES!

Happy Reading!

FTC

4 Comments

  1. Great review Savy. This sounds like an interesting series that is worth a read 🙂

  2. Alison Can Read
    Aug 31, 2011

    Too bad this didn’t totally work. It’s hard to get both plot and characters right. It’s frustrating when the action doesn’t change throughout a series.

  3. Jenny
    Aug 31, 2011

    Having a book follow in the same footsteps as the two before it would get to be a bit much. Series should progress and change and keep things interesting, but sometimes they just get stuck in the same formula. Thanks for the review Savy!

  4. Even though the plot wasn’t all it… I really like the sound of the family! Oh I think I need to pick up this series. You have me salivating over so many series I have yet to read!