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Note: Following the review, we’re giving away two hardback copies of Melissa Marr’s Graveminder. One more reason to read to the end, no?
Graveminder
Melissa Marr
Published: May 17, 2011 (William Morrow & Company/Harper)
Purchase at: Book Depository, Barnes & Noble or Amazon
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
There is something to be said for a purposeful slow build, and Melissa Marr does it masterfully in Graveminder.
The small town of Claysville has special rules and almost all of them involve the dead. Everyone born in Claysville is required to be buried within the city. No one is to be embalmed and must be interred within 48 hours of death. And one woman, Maylene Barrow, attends every funeral. She’s the last to leave the graveyard, always whispering and pouring drink over the fresh grave.
But that’s not the only thing different about Claysville. The citizens have accepted they can’t ever leave. Those born within its limits who attempt to move elsewhere will fall ill, and even those who only lived in the town for a short time are stricken with a wanderlust that leaves them never feeling at home anywhere but Claysville. Rebekkah falls into that latter category. She’s always run from commitment. She ran from the boy she loved back in Claysville, she ran from her crazy mom and each new city still doesn’t feel right. When her grandmother Maylene dies, she has to rush back to Claysville. The moment she crosses the town border, she feels home. And she doesn’t like it.
To make matters more complicated, Byron is back, too. She ran from him years ago, but as one of the undertakers, he’s there to help her though it all. Plus, he’s still in love with her. She wants to run, but being near him makes the whole ordeal of her grandmother’s death more manageable. Unfortunately with Maylene gone, there is no one to mind the graves in Claysville. Rebekkah knows the basics without realizing it’s to keep the dead in the ground, but no one told her she was tapped as the new Graveminder. They didn’t tell her it’s now her job to make sure the dead stay that way, and to lead the Hungry Dead to the land of the dead.
And no one told Byron it was his job to protect her, to save her. He just did it on instinct. Quickly these two try to learn their new roles, but with everyone else forbidden from knowing the details of the pact that keeps Claysville free of disease and death, they’re on their own.
And that’s what makes the slow build work in Graveminder. We know a bit more about what’s going on in Claysville than either Byron or Rebekkah do, because we get peeks into other points-of-view. However, for the most part, we’re learning along with them. We’re along for the journey as they stumble onto the reasons why the dead rise, why people are tied to the town and just how the Graveminder and Undertaker are expected to interact with the dead. Additionally, the two main characters are struggling with their feelings for one another, which can only become more complicated as they discover their new role as a team ushering the dead.
Marr created rich characters and a fascinating mythology in Graveminder. There’s a bit of dealing with the past to accept your future happening, and you’ll be happy to watch as Rebekkah and Byron come to accept their roles. (Though, Byron is of the mind his job as always been to protect Rebekkah, now it just includes keeping her from becoming too enamored with the dead.) The novel is a beautiful blend of self-discovery, family drama, light romance and the supernatural.
Sexual content: Kissing, references to sex
We are lucky to have two hardcover copies of Melissa Marr’s Graveminder to give to Vampire Book Club readers. To enter simply leave a comment on this post, letting me know you’d like to read Graveminder. (Please note while Marr’s Wicked Lovely series is for young adults, Graveminder is an adult novel.) Contest is open to U.S. and Canadian addresses only and ends on July 18.
CONTEST DETAILS AND RULES
1. To enter, you must leave a comment on this post.
2. You do not need to follow Vampire Book Club to be entered, but we sure do like it.
3. This contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.
4. Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. CST on Monday, July 18.
5. The winners will be selected using Random.org. Then each will be contacted via email and given 48 hours to claim prizes. If we do not hear from the winner(s) within that time, a new winner will be selected.
6. Entrants must be at least 18 years old or have their parent’s permission to enter. Please review our privacy policy, if you have any questions as to how Vampire Book Club uses your information. (Short version: we’ll only use it to contact you for this contest.)
7. Though unlikely, Vampire Book Club has the right to change or cancel any giveaway at any time without prior notice.
8. Vampire Book Club is not responsible for prizes lost or damage in transit.
9. Thanks to Harper Collins for providing the books!
I’ve been wanting to read this since it came out so having a chance to win it is even better!!! <3
I can’t wait to read this book!
Looks interesting.
I can’t wait to read this book! I love the Wicked Lovely series, and I’m eager to see how Marr conquers the adult fiction world.
This looks fantastic! I haven’t read any of her material and now I need to go look her up and see what else she had to offer.
LOVE TO READ THIS
BLACKROZE37@YAHOO.COM
LOVE TO READ
I’m so excited to read this book – Melissa Marr’s YA is good, and I bet her adult lit will be even better.
can’t wait. I loved her other books!
Sounds very interesting. Off to add it on my to read list.
Cool, would love to win/read this book. 🙂
geckyboz[at]gmail[dot]com
Sounds like a great read, would love to check it out.
I have really wanted to read to Graveminder 🙂
Hello! Im from Spain this book haven’t come here yet. I can’t wait to read it!
Sounds awesome! Thanks for the giveaway 😀
Can’t wait to read this book! Really enjoy Melissa’s stuff!
Love Melissa Marr!! I enjoy her Wicked Lovely series and would love to read this.
WOW! I really loved Wicked Lovely Series – definitely will love this book by her and an adult novel, yay! :]
raspberrylush@gmail.com
Awesome, count me in thanks!!
I LOVED her YA books, and look forward to the excting adult lit venture!
I love Melissa Marr’s books! I’ve been wanting to read this! Great giveaway!
Abgafford@crimson.ua.edu
I’ve read the opening pages of this and can’t wait to read the rest!
Have enjoyed all of the other books that you have written. Look forward to this book.
I love Melissa Marr’s books and I can’t wait to read this one!
Looks like a good book. 😀
I can’t wait to read this book.
This sounds sooo good..can’t wait to read it!
Looks like a great read!
I can’t wait to read this book… Anything by Melissa Marr is amazing!
I am such a huge fan of Melissa Marr. She simply is one of the great writer’s of this era. I cannot wait to read Graveminder!
Oh this sounds good!
Sounds like a great book and I would love to read it. Please enter me in your giveaway and thanks.
I can’t wait to read this. Hope I win!!! 🙂
Thanks to HC for the giveaway.
I really love Melissa Marr’s works, and I can’t wait to read Graveminder! thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
maidenveil(at)gmail(dot)com
I cant wait to get my hands on this book! Thanks for the chance!
Love the contest! I’m excited for this! Thanks so much for inviting me!
Sounds like an interesting novel. Thanks for the invite:)
Would really love to read this book!
Wonderful review! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for this wonderful opportunity!
Graveminder sounds like the perfect blend of supernatural suspense, peppered with family connections, and all sprinkled with a little romance. Melissa Marr creates the best characters, and I can’t wait to read about Rebekkah and Byron’s existence in Claysville!
ReneeRearden(at)yahoo(dot)com
Graveminder looks like a great read!
Yes please, I want to be one of the winners. I want that book.
Looks like an amazing read, definitely can’t wait to be part of this small town!
Thanks!
Lindsay
http://everydayadventure11.blogspot.com
horne.lindsay@gmail.com
awesome! i loved the book! jennscl@ gmail dot com
I’ve had my eye on this one for a long time now. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy!
Lisapottswriter at gmail dot com
Wow! Great giveaway. I’ve had my eye on Graveminder for a while and it sounds amazing. 🙂 I’m your newest follower.
chrystal(dot)mclean@yahoo(dot)ca
I would love to win this book!
Great review, it makes me want to read it even more!! Ever since I first started seeing adverts for Graveminder, I have wanted it!! I adore Melissa Marr’s way of storytelling and her characters are always so good. I would love to have this book!
I’ve heard great things about this book. I’d love to win! juliecookies(at)gmail.com
Thank you for this awesome giveaway!
I would sooo love to read it! It sounds very intriguing.