Graveminder

I really enjoyed the first half, three quarters of the book — nice character development and world-building, a tantalizing mystery. Then the last quarter or so of the book ramped up to a breakneck pace that completely took me out of the story. All this time spent building a world and a mystery, and then it's solved in the blink of an eye, the villain a cardboard caricature with nonsensical motivations. There are lingering mysteries, undoubtedly intended as a set-up for subsequent books, but the resolution of the main mystery was so unsatisfying that I resent the unanswered questions more than anything else. Also, an interesting love triangle devolved into some destined romance bullshit.

Frustrations with the ending aside, it was an show more enjoyable read ... but because of that ending, I doubt I'll be picking up the next book. show less

Melissa Marr’s first adult novel is exactly what one would expect from this beloved author. Graveminder is filled with fully-realized characters, an intriguing, otherworldly premise, strong execution and plenty of human drama. Rebekkah, Byron, and even Mr. D are fascinating characters brought together by an even more interesting contract. In Graveminder, Ms. Marr takes the idea of free will and turns it on its head.

Small towns are known for being unusual, but the minute the reader is introduced to Claysville, one knows that this particular town takes quirky to an entirely new level. Hinted at with a word or two, a description or, later, an entire scene, Ms. Marr builds the suspense by slowly exposing the mystery behind Claysville’s show more unique approach to burials and the dead. On the surface, it seems charming and utterly respectful to take care of all of the graves, to stay home after dark, to treat the dead as well as the living. Yet, the reader is in no doubt that some other force, creepy and mysterious, is behind the traditions, no matter how well-meaning they are.

Rebekkah and Byron are two characters forced to deal with something that neither one is quite prepared to handle. The tension that exists between the two creates great drama and does an excellent job of drawing the reader’s attention away from the true mystery. In addition, their story is rather tragic, as both are forced into roles that neither one expects or truly wants. They truly have no choice in anything, including with whom they fall in love. It is an interesting take on the idea of fate and destiny.

Never one to shy away from darker elements of human and non-human nature, Ms. Marr plays to her strengths in Graveminder. Told with her characteristic simple but vivid and very effective narration, Graveminder is as spooky and dark as one would expect. Her unusual take on death makes for an interesting story that does not follow any particular myth. Adult fans of the Wicked Lovely series will not be disappointed.

Thank you to Chelsey Emmelhainz from HarperCollins for my review copy! show less

I'd like to say that I've read everything by Melissa Marr. I'd like to say that. However the truth is that until Graveminder showed up at my door, and drew me in with it's Southern Gothic cover and blurb, I hadn't realized Melissa Marr's books were out there. Shame on me, I know. Let's just say that I've remedied that now, and if Graveminder is any indication of Marr's shining talent, then I'm 100% in. Call me a fangirl.

Graveminder is deep, gritty and filled with the type of tension that you only see in really good, old, horror movies. You know, the ones where the town seems peaceful and quiet at first glance, but deep down you know there's something brewing under the surface. The small town feel allows the reader to watch characters show more interact who know one another so intimately that it is captivating. I believe it's on the front cover that Charlaine Harris mentions Melissa Marr's stunning world building abilities. I second that, third it, and go back to read this book another time through. Claysville is not only a town populated by some of the most intriguing characters I've ever met. It's not just a town that buries secrets. No, Claysville literally breathes. It's alive.

If the town itself is alive, the characters are even more so. Their lives bleed off the page, intermingling into a group of people you might just meet some day. I fell in step with Rebekkah and Byron almost instantly, watching as their paths widened, met, and finally tangled into a messy heap. Each of them was believable, and I enjoyed that Marr didn't try make them perfect. Rebekkah and Byron each have their own demons that they are fighting, even as they are trying to keep one another from drowning. The tension between them, both in terms of anger and sexual interest, is palpable. I couldn't get over the fact that they were thrown together so unceremoniously. Following them as they tried to sort things out, and learned to rely on one another, was definitely a big part of what kept me reading on.

There's not really too much I can share with you in terms of the story line, without spoiling things. I am enamored with how little the synopsis gives the reader in terms of back story. To be honest, the less you know going in the more you'll be open to falling in love with the concept. This isn't your typical zombie book my friends. I'm honestly not even sure it should be compared to that. What Marr has created in Graveminder is something new, fresh and beautifully original. Her characters, her setting, the gorgeously woven story, it all comes together to create one heck of a book. Grab a copy and dive into Claysville. You might find that you just can't leave. show less

This is a departure from Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series (which I could never get into) and I wish she'd write more like this!

The Graveminder starts with a fairly simple, yet interesting premise and the mystery of the world that the heroine is thrust into is slowly revealed to us. It's got the flavor of southern Gothic to it, with just the right touch of creepiness and a taste of decaying southern grace.

There's nothing earth-shattering in this book, and you can pretty much guess where it is going, but the writing and characters are engrossing enough that you don't mind going on the journey with them.

I've never read any Melissa Marr's YA books, but I will now. I was attracted to Graveminder because of the fabulous cover (weathered building - check, sepia tones - check, nice done edge blur - check, cool font - check). I love it when books get the cover they deserve.

I didn't expect to be all that into this book, but once I started reading, I couldn't stop. The plot is engrossing, the paranormal aspect is not cliched, the romance part of it wasn't irritating, and I wanted to know what happened next. I was totally engrossed in this story and am looking forward to the next one.

As any of you who read me regularly know, I am super snotty about most paranormal writing in YA and Romance because most of it is just dreadful. Zombies and Jane show more Austen? Immortal vampires who want to go back to high school and date cheerleaders? Werewolves with six-packs and relationships that are at the very least emotionally abusive? Really?! That's the best we can do with such a fertile playing field?

Melissa Marr takes a fertile playing field and plays with it to her and my heart's content. These aren't particularly simple outlines of romanticized predators, but rather are full of nuance and worlds and agendas of their own. And no, they're not vampires. And I'm not telling anymore because you're just going to have to go read for yourself. show less

Synopsis

Rebekkah Barrow has always been close to her grandmother Maylene. Bek's incurable wanderlust has kept them apart for years but time has only strengthened their shared connection. Maylene Barrow never leaves Claysville; Bek would rather be anywhere else. Despite her aversion to home, Bek respects her grandmother's reverence for the place and for its dead. Maylene attends every funeral, tends to every gravesite, keeping the town's strange traditions. Only the brutal murder of Maylene can finally bring Bek home. But even Bek's strong feelings for the son of Claysville's undertaker isn't enough to make her stay there very long. Until she learns that the town has a secret.

My Take

I was very excited to read this book and, show more unfortunately, was very disappointed. The first 100 pages or so are spent detailing Bek's confusing need for (and aversion to) Byron, the undertaker's son. It was enough come hither/no go away to make me dizzy. And while they're doing this odd dance that was supposed to be building romantic tension but wasn't there's a zombie on the loose eating people. Once the story got going after page 120ish it was more engaging. I wish those first 100 pages had been spent building up the characters of Alicia and Charlie, now THEY were interesting. But other than learning that Alicia was once a graveminder and was in some sort of eternal struggle with the charming face of death that was Charlie, not much more happened. And the sudden realization that Bek's step-aunt, Cissy, is a crazy murdering, dead torturing psychopath just came out of left field.

I really do hate to give bad reviews. Part of the issue may be that this novel has for some reason been branded as a fantasy. So a fantasy fan like myself is picking it up with a completely different set of expectations than would, say, a fan of horror. Someone else may read this book and think it's the best thing ever, but I've got to call it how I see it. This book let me down. show less

Caring for the dead has always been a specialized occupation, and cultures all over the world have their own unique burial practices, but in Claysville the positions of Undertaker and Graveminder are so important they are handed down contractually within family lines. Raised in the business, Byron Montgomery and Rebekkah Barrow have fought their destinies, and their feelings for each other, all of their lives. They flee to opposite parts of the country but as long as their feet are away from home soil, a niggling restlessness prevents them from having any kind of peace. When the current Graveminder is savagely killed, Byron and Bek must work together to keep the dead from walking Claysville, the only place either of them can truly call show more home.

I’m sure I just lost half of you with mention of ‘walking’ and ‘dead’ and ‘destiny’. I don’t go for many paranormal romances these days but the blurb for Graveminder caught my eye. I enjoy angsty, small-town tales but blurbs will only get you so far and the story has to carry the rest. I was really impressed with Marr’s creative take on zombies. It’s very different and I enjoyed having some fresh meat, if you will. I’ll also admit that I have a huge weak spot for troubled soulmates (Buffy + Angel 4ever!) and Byron and Bek deliver on that front too.

Graveminder is billed as Marr’s ‘first adult novel’ but honestly, it feels YA to me. Even though Byron and Bek are adults, the fluctuation of their relationship and inheriting the responsibility for the town gives the whole story a ‘growing up’ vibe. That’s not in any way a problem for me, I enjoy YA books, but I thought I would mention it. show less