jeannamichel
Written on Feb 7, 2019
When Rebekkah returns to her small-town home for her beloved Grandmother’s funeral, she little suspects that she is about to inherit a darkly dangerous family duty on behalf of Claysville’s most demanding residents – the dead.
Everyone in Claysville knows that the Barrows are no ordinary family, but no one can really explain why. When respected matriarch Maylene Barrow dies suddenly her granddaughter Rebekkah returns to the small town she grew up in, where she must face the demons of her past – the suicide of her half-sister Ella, the person she was closest to in the world, and the subsequent break-up of her parents marriage. And she also re-encounters Byron, Ella’s old boyfriend, someone to whom she has always felt a deep and mysterious connection.
But the demons of the past are nothing compared with what the future has in store for Rebekkah. Her grandmother has left her an inheritance both wonderful and terrible. An onerous responsibility now rests on her shoulders – one for which she is ill-prepared to say the least.
For behind Claysville’s community-spirited, small-town facade lies a dark secret. One that ties Rebekkah and Byron together in an inextricable bond, and that will require them both to sacrifice everything to keep their friends and neighbours from harm.
- ISBN13 9780007349234
- Publish Date 2 February 2012 (first published 17 May 2011)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Inc
- Imprint HarperCollins
- Format Paperback
- Pages 336
- Language English
- URL http://harpercollins.co.uk
Reviews
BookeryBliss
Written on Jun 6, 2014
Although I didn't find it very suspenseful, I still wanted to know the ending. The plot of a Graveminder/Undertaker is unique enough to keep your interest, but less emotional drama between the main characters would have made this book a little better.
This is the first book in the "Graveminder" series, but I don't think I will continue it any further.
lizarodz
Written on Apr 7, 2012
Hmm… I’m not quite sure how to explain this book, but I will try my best. It was different in an interestingly-creepy sort of way.
Probably my biggest ‘issue’ is that I didn’t care much for Rebekkah. She is supposed to be mature adult (she’s about 28) and most of the time acted like an insecure teenager, for some reason this bugged me. I know that at some degree, the graveminder heritage was of a ‘paranormal’ nature, but she was skeptical and actually acting quite dumb about it and the next minute she was acting like she was born to be the graveminder. I did like Byron, he seemed more realistic about things and tried to do his duty to the best of his ability. I also enjoyed Amity’s character and other minor characters in the story. Daisha was another interesting case; because she is essentially a ‘bad’ character turned ‘good’ (I’m using very relative terms here).
The plot was interesting and intriguing, but it felt a little fragmented to me. Let me explain, I did like the overall story, but I don’t think we have all the background information we need to really understand and also it seems like different stories running parallel to the main one. The story is told in the third person from different points of view, which is very refreshing after reading so much YA lately. The writing is lyrical and well-paced. This book was written as a stand-alone, but it seems like there is potential for series since there are a few loose ends at the end.
Overall Graveminder is a good try for the author of the Wicked Lovely series into the realm of adult novels. If you like mystery / paranormal you will enjoy Graveminder.
About the cover: I don’t think the cover has anything to do with the story, but it is creepy though.
Leah
Written on Jun 13, 2011
Graveminder is one of the most unique novels I think I’ve ever read. I’ve never read a novel about someone who has to ‘mind’ the dead’s graves and I found it fascinating. I found the whole concept fascinating, that the dead have a contract with Claysville that means that should any of the dead not be properly minded, they can awaken and the Graveminder and the Undertaker have to stop them before they cause irreparable damage. It’s an easy enough novel to follow and everything’s explained really well, so that I was never confused over what was happening. The whole concept of the novel was brilliant, and I enjoyed every single page!
The way in which Byron and Rebekkah become the Undertaker and Graveminder was well thought out and I thought, as characters, they were great. Although Rebekkah’s inability to be honest with Byron about her feelings was a bit annoying, I could also see why she felt that way despite the fact I was desperate to hear them tell each other they loved each other. Their relationship, despite Rebekkah’s hesitancy, was so easy and I just lost myself in both of them, in the way they interacted and the way they talked to each other so easily.
I thoroughly enjoyed being introduced to the new world Melissa Marr has created and I found the land of the dead to be fascinating. Although the novel ended well enough, Melissa could write a sequel if she was that way inclined (personally, I’d vouch for a sequel, because I loved Byron and Rebekkah). I loved Graveminder – it was everything I wanted, it was an easy read, it had wonderful characters and a brilliant concept and I thought Marr executed it all brilliantly and I look forward to her next novel.
Linda
Written on May 26, 2011
What a very interesting story Ms. Marr has shared with us here! The place, the premise, the characters it was all so very captivating! Rebekkah and Byron both struggled with their duty, but still felt good about doing what had to be done.
I was completely shocked about Cissy, but in a way, I guess I really shouldn't have been, there was foreshadowing from the very beginning.
Melissa Marr is very good at writing stories for adults as well, this one made me want to read more, see more about Rebekkah and Byron, and see what Charles and Alicia might be up to next.