Graveminder by Melissa Marr
Paranormal Romance
May 17, 2011
Hardback
William Morrow
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “I won’t break the rules. I wouldn’t do it for you, and I won’t do it for them either.”
The line between the dead and the living is blurred in Claysville. Because of this, two families- the Barrow’s and the Montgomery’s are charged with making sure the dead stay buried. Called the Graveminder and the Undertaker, these two chosen lay to rest and carry over the dead of Claysville.
Rebekkah (Bek) Barrow has spent her whole life running from her past but when she receives news her grandmother has died, Rebekkah wearily heads back the Claysville to accept a legacy she knew nothing about and see the man she tried to forget-Byron Montgomery. When Rebekkah finds out about her role as the new Graveminder, she is understandably shocked and disbelieving. Especially when she realizes that her ‘partner’ will be Byron Montgomery, the man she ran from so many years ago.
As Bek and Bryon try to understand the roles that have been cast upon them, they are also trying to understand what is stalking the residents of Clayville. A breach has occurred between the land of the living and the dead, and unless Bek and Byron can find the cause and lay them to rest for good, the dead will rise and Claysville is doomed.
Graveminder is Melissa Marr’s debut adult paranormal novel. A talented YA paranormal author, Ms. Marr’s mesmerizing voice is clearly audible here as she pens a gothic horror built around the mythos of Hades and Persephone. Lyrical prose accented with multiple POVs give us a delicious tale of a cursed town’s secret and the ties that bind two families together for eternity. Somewhat dark, we learn the consequences of life, death, and what’s happens in between.
Comfortable pacing combined with an interesting storyline creates an engaging world as we step into the town of Claysville. We learn what’s behind the roles of the Graveminder, her Undertaker, how this town came to be in existence, and the deep bonds that holds it hostage to a centuries old deal. Ms. Marr also pays special attention to her dead and integrates them into the story as active, intelligent participants. There are multiple storylines in here that run parallel together, intersecting at certain points to tie it together. We switch between the living and the dead with an ease that belies the complexity of the story. Vibrant characters add life and realism to this fanciful tale.
I enjoyed meeting and watching the story unfold through our protagonists Bek and Bryon, but I wasn’t impressed by the romantic aspects of their relationship. These particular scenes bogged the story down as we suffer through their conflicts. Their repertoire, when dealing with their relationship, becomes monotonous as they repeat the same lines over and over without making any advancements until the end. It felt forced; as though they weren’t only trying to convince themselves but also us. I found Bek to be frustrating with her lack of courage when facing difficult subject matter. Bryon comes across more realistic in his thoughts and actions yet I didn’t get an believable connection between them.
An integral part of the storyline is Mr. D (Charles). An elusive character who rules the land of the dead and the Graveminder. I found him entertaining with his easy manner and clever quips yet Ms. Marr’s does a wonderful job of making sure we don’t like him to much. He has an agenda that has yet to be revealed and he is not the benevolent ruler he’d like us to believe. I hope to see more of Alice who lives with the dead and has a very interesting history with Mr. D.
The ending is satisfying as the main conflict is solved in an appropriate manner, leaving enough loose ties to ensure we will be visiting Claysville again. While I wasn’t enthralled with Bek and Byron’s romance, I was quite taken with Ms. Marr’s world and it’s other inhabitants-both living and dead. At this time Ms. Marr is said to be currently working on a sequel; title and release date to be announced later. Graveminder has also been optioned for a TV series.
Rating: C+
Recent Reviews:
The Optimistic Pessimist – 5/5
All Things Urban Fantasy– 3/5
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oooh..this one looks kinda cool..I do like her YA series..will have to give this one a try!
I love her Wicked Lovely series. This was good. I’m looking forward to sequel.
I agree with your thoughts! I loved the plot pace, the setting, the overall idea…I just couldn’t ever muster up any feeling for Bek. I thought her character was a constant irritant that kept me from liking the story as much as I want to.
I actually didn’t realize there was going to be a sequel either, haha. I was happy enough with the way things ended – I might just leave it at that unless someone tells me Bek finds a different personality :)
LOL I’m not a fan of passive aggressive heroines. *sigh*
I’ve been meaning to read this author. Great review Tori.
Her Wicked Lovely series is fabulous. This one is good. I really want to see how she broadens the world keeps it going.
Never got to read her Wicked Lovely series, although it is somewhere on my shelves. And not really sure I like the blurb of this new series, especially as you all seem to dislike the heroine. That would be my biggest hang-up too.