ARC Review: The Gravewood (Gravewood #1) by Kelly Andrew

 

Shea Parker has lived her entire life in the shadow of the Gravewood – a deadly forest that’s cut her town off from the world. With resources dwindling, she’s forced to ration her hearing aid batteries. When her stash runs out, she’ll be left in silence.

Her only hope is Oliver Lysander, the volatile leader of the vampires who rule the Gravewood. Their deal is simple: she gives him her blood, he brings her batteries. No lines crossed. Nothing personal.

Until Shea’s best friend is lured into the Gravewood, and her brother Asher Thorley returns from the frontlines, willing to expose Shea’s darkest secrets to get his sister back.

Ever the opportunist, Lysander offers a new bargain: if Asher kills his vampire rival, he’ll help find the missing girl. And if Shea agrees to Turn, he’ll cure her ailing mother.

But every deal pulls her closer to Lysander – and to becoming a monster herself.

Title: The Gravewood (Gravewood #1)

Author: Kelly Andrew

Publisher: Scholastic

Expected Publication Date: April 7, 2026

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I had the pleasure of reading a Kelly Andrew book early last year and I adored it. Her writing is so good. I love how she can easily tell a story that draws the reader in and keeps them hooked on the plot. This one did that and more. I loved the themes: paranormal, dystopian, a little bit of romance. And I loved the plot. This book has cemented that I will read anything Andrew chooses to write.

I haven't read a vampire like book in a long time. At least not one that drew me in so well and keep me wondering what would happen next. Andrew managed that and more. While the characters are not strictly what I normally think of as vampires, that theme is definitely there. But Andrew puts a bit of a twist on how they come about being the blood sucking creatures we know from history. Not only does she include paranormal creatures in her story, but she managed to make it dystopian, as well. A world where a "rot" has taken over and killed off more people than not. A "rot" that transforms people, but not always. It's such an interesting and unique concept.

I love a book with dual POV and Andrew chose to incorporate that here. The FMC, Shea, and MMC, Lysander, were well developed and relatable. The idea of Shea making a deal with the "devil" really pushed the plot forward. Everyone in the story had something to gain (or lose) from the deals that are made. While Shea is a sweet and a bit naive, Lysander is a great morally gray character who exerts his influence over her. Their dynamic really seeps off the page. You feel the pull they have for one another through the bond that forms given their deal (I don't want to spoil it so I'll leave it at that). 

Andrew chose to include a disability in this book: the FMC has hearing loss and wears hearing aids. I knew she had done this and love that she was able to include what she has personally experienced in her life in this book. It was authentic and real. I've seen Andrew's posts on IG about her hearing loss and use of hearing aids; I've even asked her questions because I needed to understand it more. This book truly shows how such hearing loss affects people. What they go through as the hearing aids bring the world's sounds into more focus. Andrew shows how overwhelming this can be for the individual. It was so well done!

The politics in this one really form the overall theme. The "vampires" are in charge, whether the characters believe it or not. There are deals being made left and right. Areas that are off limits to others. Places where people should not go. Andrew really builds the world out well. Especially with the introductory chapter that gives some back story. Much of the book focuses on the survival of the characters and how they manage to do that. The overall feel reminded me of Alexandra Bracken's The Darkest Mind series, though the theme is totally different. But I could see the influence of many books during this story: Twilight, Divergent, The Darkest Minds, The Vampire Diaries, and many others. But Andrew makes this one all her own with it's uniqueness.

The romantic theme is another part of the story I enjoyed. There's a push and pull between the two main characters that you're not quite sure is an attraction or something that is happening relate to their deal. I'm happy Andrew did not make it the central theme but it is underlying throughout. I felt the push and pull between the FMC and MMC as well as the side character that creates almost a love triangle (though not quite). I had the feeling the romance was headed into a throuple, but it didn't go there and I was honestly happy as I recently read a YA book where that happened and it was not done as I would have liked for YA.

Finally, I loved the found family aspect of this book. The main characters parents are not quite present so they are forced to become more adult and be on their own. It was easy to see how they characters, including the side characters, would form a bond. All had distinct personalities, and motives. Some made me more mad than others. Plus there is diverse representation in the book which I always appreciate to help me expand my mind.

If you're looking for a unique twist on vampires and a book that draws you in from the very start and keeps you turning pages, Andrew is one to make sure you read. I am excited to see where she takes the rest of this series!

Author:

Kelly Andrew lost her hearing when she was four years old and she’s been dreaming up stories in the silence ever since.

Andrew lives in New England with her husband and their two daughters (and a very grouchy Boston Terrier). She has a BSW, but received her Masters in English & Creative Writing. When she’s not writing, she enjoys obsessing over a good book, scouring flea markets for treasure, and getting intentionally lost in the woods.

Andrew is represented by Josh Adams at Adams Literary.