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karrama's review against another edition
2.0
Well written, but with so much angsty back story that i don't care for any character because it took too long to explain why i should care for a character. I didn't bother to look up if this wasn't the first book in a series because, frankly, if I had to re-read the backstory in this book I'd be just as upset. cool idea, but as the bare naked ladies told us, "It's all been done before."
mellomorissa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kdawn999's review against another edition
2.0
Lackluster characters and romance. The glimpse of the other world is interesting, but there was not near enough of it in the book.
emrodav's review against another edition
4.0
I've never really read a zombie book before. That being said, Graveminder isn't extremely focused on being a 'zombie book.' There's no apocalypse, few mentions of flesh-eating, etc. Instead, these zombies--or the Hungry Dead--are simply people from Claysville who haven't been properly 'minded' (taken care of after their death.) I really enjoyed this take on the undead and thought Melissa Marr's world-building was very well done, especially during the passages where she describes the place most dead go to. The descriptions are amazing (even if the phrases "land of the living" and "land of the dead" are overused).
As for the plot, there isn't much of one. It's mostly Rebekkah coming to terms with the idea of being a graveminder and taking care of a problem that has arisen--the living-dead girl Daisha. The plot twist (I don't know if it's a twist really, but let's just say it is) felt overwrought and cliche, but it was resolved quickly enough that I didn't mind it too terribly much.
The characters were okay. Rebekkah gets very tedious at times, lamenting about how she can't be with Byron because of something that I suppose is a spoiler. Byron's extreme devotion and the nature of their Graveminder/Undertaker relationship was also sometimes cloyingly romantic and over-done, but it was certainly original.
So, I give Graveminder probably something more like 3.75 stars (but I'll round up because 3 stars just seems too low) because of the fresh take on the undead and the beautiful descriptions of the 'land of the dead,' but some points have to be taken away for the sloppy plot and my dislike for Rebekkah.
As for the plot, there isn't much of one. It's mostly Rebekkah coming to terms with the idea of being a graveminder and taking care of a problem that has arisen--the living-dead girl Daisha. The plot twist (I don't know if it's a twist really, but let's just say it is) felt overwrought and cliche, but it was resolved quickly enough that I didn't mind it too terribly much.
The characters were okay. Rebekkah gets very tedious at times, lamenting about how she can't be with Byron because of something that I suppose is a spoiler. Byron's extreme devotion and the nature of their Graveminder/Undertaker relationship was also sometimes cloyingly romantic and over-done, but it was certainly original.
So, I give Graveminder probably something more like 3.75 stars (but I'll round up because 3 stars just seems too low) because of the fresh take on the undead and the beautiful descriptions of the 'land of the dead,' but some points have to be taken away for the sloppy plot and my dislike for Rebekkah.
brianne_k's review against another edition
4.0
Intriguing concept…
I enjoyed how Melissa Marr world builds. Very thorough and I was hooked by the plot of this book. I can’t say I really loved Rebbekah.. she annoyed me most the time.. pushing Byron away. Byron was sweet and just wanted her. Her flaws and all.
Some people said they say the “twist” coming.. but frankly I didn’t. I forgot about Cissy after the funeral.
I ended up really liking Daisha – such a sweet, dead, killing machine in the beginning.
Mr.D a.k.a. Charlie was an extremely interesting character.
I can’t see there being a sequel to this book because everything tied up nicely at the end.
I read this book pretty fast.. in just over 1 day.. I loved how the point of view changed from character to character each chapter, it was fresh. I didn't like how short some of the chapters were though.
All in all, I enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed how Melissa Marr world builds. Very thorough and I was hooked by the plot of this book. I can’t say I really loved Rebbekah.. she annoyed me most the time.. pushing Byron away. Byron was sweet and just wanted her. Her flaws and all.
Some people said they say the “twist” coming.. but frankly I didn’t. I forgot about Cissy after the funeral.
I ended up really liking Daisha – such a sweet, dead, killing machine in the beginning.
Mr.D a.k.a. Charlie was an extremely interesting character.
I can’t see there being a sequel to this book because everything tied up nicely at the end.
I read this book pretty fast.. in just over 1 day.. I loved how the point of view changed from character to character each chapter, it was fresh. I didn't like how short some of the chapters were though.
All in all, I enjoyed this book.
taliesin_hastings's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
redshoeson's review against another edition
4.0
I actually quite enjoyed this book, but, as a fan of Marr's Wicked Lovely series, I may be a bit biased. One review I read put it nicely - not all the strands of the plot are tied up, but it's still a worthwhile read. My only quibble with it is a very minor one: occasionally it feels like Marr is really trying to show how "adult" her writing is (this is her first novel for adults), but it's not so off-putting as to prevent the book from being a good one. Recommended if you like Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle series and things that go bump in the night. Readers of Sarah Addison Allen may enjoy the book's central romance as well.
hane_'s review against another edition
3.0
"Sleep well, and stay where I put you."
This novel follows Rebekkah Barrow as she returns to her hometown after her grandmother dies. It would seem however there is a lot more to getting her affairs in order than just a funeral service...and Rebekkah may never leave Claysville again.
This book has such an interesting world, and I was so excited to learn more about the dead world and follow Rebekka and Byron to navigate their newfound, unwanted, roles in it. The book falls short for me, however, with the tedious nature of Rebekkah rejecting Byron even though she loves him. There are only so many times I can hear her say she wants him but can't have him because xyz before it is too much, especially when there is a seeming lack of tension keeping them apart in the first place. The actual storyline is exciting to me and I wish the "romance" had been a bit more nuanced for the reader to dissect instead of so in your face.
This novel follows Rebekkah Barrow as she returns to her hometown after her grandmother dies. It would seem however there is a lot more to getting her affairs in order than just a funeral service...and Rebekkah may never leave Claysville again.