Friday, June 24, 2016

Grave Phantoms by Jenn Bennett

Series: Roaring Twenties #3
320 p.
Published: 5/5/15
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Source: Library
Feisty flapper Astrid Magnusson is home from college and yearning for the one thing that’s always been off limits: Bo Yeung, her notorious bootlegging brother’s second-in-command. Unfortunately her dream of an easy reunion proves difficult after a violent storm sends a mysterious yacht crashing into the Magnussons’ docks. What’s worse, the boat disappeared a year ago, and the survivors are acting strangely… 
Bo has worked with the Magnusson family for years, doing whatever is needed, including keeping his boss’s younger sister out of trouble—and his hands to himself. Of course, that isn’t so easy after Astrid has a haunting vision about the yacht’s disappearance, plunging them into an underground world of old money and dark magic. Danger will drive them closer together, but surviving their own forbidden feelings could be the bigger risk.
My thoughts:

Sad to see that this is the last book in the series, but glad that it is Bo and Astrid's love story. I kept hearing about the fact that it dealt with an interracial relationship which peaked my attention. It was illegal to marry at that time and I think as a nation we have grown to think that this was irrational (yes, there are still people and areas that think this way, but mostly we think these laws now were stupid). I think this is a timely message in light of marriage equality. What we once thought was stupid we will think again in the future. I also like that one of their champions was another couple who could not marry. I also love that Bo especially gave a lot of thought of what obstacles would be placed in their way and also that he loved Astrid enough to let her chose her own destiny.

Aside from the political nature of the book, I found the mystery to be interesting but it also didn't seem to flow as well as the other mysteries. Perhaps it is because there was SO much to deal with in their personal life, it competed with the paranormal. Still, while that may be a very slight problem it really wasn't much of one and I was swept up in all of it.

I think my biggest disappointment with this book is that it is the last one. Seriously, so many good secondary characters could have a book in this world. *HINT to author* ;) I would love another book and my only other complaint is that it took me too long to get to all of these. I highly recommend these books to those that enjoy PNR with a big dose of paranormal mystery and a side of history. I give this book 4 stars.

35 comments:

  1. I read the first book and loved it, I really need to finish the others. So glad this was so good.

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  2. I really should read more of Jenn Bennet's books. I like the time period this book is set in. I hope she gave it justice.

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    1. She did give it justice. It was well written and you will love her work!

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  3. I need to read this one. I keep forgetting lol

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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  4. I love interesting mystery done well! Glad you're having so much fun with this series :D Hope you find another series like this one in the future!

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  5. YES, I wanted so much more from this series too! I hope Bennett returns to this world because I love these historical romances with a healthy dose of the paranormal thrown in. I agree that this wasn't my favorite of the trilogy but I still enjoyed it, regardless, and would read anything Bennett writes. I feel like it's been awhile since I read a novel by her so I hope she has a new release out soon! *fingers crossed*

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  6. I was so sad when this ended. I too want more!!

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  7. I love when an author decides to tackle something like marriage equality in their stories. I love that they are bringing up issues that need to be addressed. It gets people talking about them. I can't imagine being in an interracial relationship back in those days. It would've been so hard on the couple. I wonder why the author stopped this series. It could have been the publisher. Who knows. Glad you enjoyed them.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. I think it was meant to be a trilogy... I'm just greedy for more. :)

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  8. yes it's too bad that it's the end of the series but like you I had a nice time

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  9. Me too, why does this have to be just a trilogy?!? I love the setting, 20's SF and Chinese ghost myth is such an amazing combo, she could've written more books if she chose to from the looks of it

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  10. Not much on the history side of things but glad to hear they got their love story

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    1. I think she did a good job combining the history with the paranormal. :) Good love story.

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  11. I'm pretty sure this isn't a series I would really enjoy, but I have to admit that I'm fascinated by the concept of urban fantasy set in the 1920s.

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    1. If you like UF, you might try her. She writes relationships well. Her Arcadia Bell series is so good!

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  12. Sounds like a fun series Melissa. It is disappointing reading a book knowing it's the last in the series!

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  13. It is always sad to see the last one end. I have the first two on my tbr pile for the blog but yeah blogger shame and all that. lol Ergs on the political. That has me a little nervous.

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    1. I agree. Oh I'd love to know what quotes you would pull out of these books! :D Btw, the political side was necessary because they couldn't intermarry and other things Bo went through, but it was really just a part of it, not the whole of the book.

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  14. I really want to get into this series. I think I would really enjoy the setting and stories. :)

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    1. I think you'd have a lot of fun with these... and it is just a trilogy! :)

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  15. I don't know how I missed this review, but I'm so glad that you enjoyed the last book in this series. I was disappointed with the second book, but I'm really curious how Bennett handles the political stuff with this couple. Plus I just really them and wanted to know more about them. I will definitely pick this one up soon!

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