Graveminder
Melissa Marr
May 2011
336 pages (in the hardcover edition)
Published by William Morrow, and purchased on my nook app
And I’m totally in love with the cover because I love crumbley old buildings
********************
Part of me wants to read Melissa Marr’s final faery (or however it’s spelled…I swear there are 20 different variations) tale, but I’ve forgotten most of the story (and I also never read #4, although from what I understand it’s more of a stand alone) that was laid out in books 1 and 3 (’cause #2 was pretty much a stand alone, too). And when you’ve forgotten who most of the characters are (not to mention the titles of all of the damn books), reading the last story in a series is a bit unappealing.
So I consoled myself (because part of me still wants to read about those sexy faeries that I barely remember) by reading her new adult novel, instead. And dudes. It was way better than those dark, angst-ridden fairies. Because this one has ZOMBIES. Okay, not really. But there is (are? were?) dead people. And people that aren’t entirely on the up and up that you can’t help but liking, anyways. Kind of like the damn faeries. And some nebulous moral issues that kinda make you go hmmm. Marr is creative with her story lines, and she comes up with some thought-provoking stuff, so I hope she keeps writing her adult novels (which oddly, don’t seem to be quite as dark as her YA novels).
In the end, it’s not going to be a book that sticks with me for very long, or a book that appeals to everyone, but it was an entertaining diversion that came along at a time when I really, really needed entertainment. And it was different enough from all the other zombies that aren’t really zombies books floating around. Also, it’s a hell of a lot shorter than The Passage, which I also just bought, but which scares me (it’s the length, not the subject matter striking terror into my heart).
And if you’re wondering what it’s about, well…the people living in Claysville don’t even know what’s going on in their town. Why should you get to know more than they do? 
I really want to read this one, though I have a feeling it won’t stick with me either. Still, I’ve got it on order at my library for whenever their copies come in.
Can’t wait to see what you think!
I just saw (and was tempted by) this book yesterday, and here you are with a review! Cool.
I’ll look for it at the library.
Don’t let “The Passage” scare you. It’s completely engrossing, with well defined characters, a challenging plot, and tons of suspense. I couldn’t read it at night because I’d have anxiety dreams. LOL You’ve probably heard that it’s book one of a trilogy, and the next book (“The Twelve”) isn’t due until 2012 and book three expected in 2014. (2014!!)
Nancy Pearl did a good interview with Justin Cronin last summer on Book Lust.
Yeah, that whole trilogy thing gets to me. By the time the last book comes out I’ve usually forgotten the first!
I keep looking at the cover of this one with every review I read. That is a seriously creepy cover – that house looks like zombies or dead people or whatnot could be inside. I love being scared!!
Kay´s last [type] ..Still missing you- Moma letter
I still can’t connect the cover to the story, but I still love it.
I enjoyed Wicked Lovely and plan to read the rest of the the fairy series. This one sounds good also! I’m an Anita Blake fan so zombies are old hat for me
Patti Smith´s last [type] ..Memorial Day – Freedom is not free
You won’t have any trouble with the not-really-zombies in this book, then!
Oooooh, I want to read this one now! And The Passage is so good. Don’t be scared of the size.
Chrisbookarama´s last [type] ..Essex County by Jeff Lemire- Review
Easy for you to say…you’ve already read it! ;-D
You’ve teased me just enough to pique my interest.
Hah…mission accomplished.
I read this one and will be reviewing tomorrow. I thought it was hugely entertaining in a super mind candy kinda way. I haven’t read her other books, but now I want to go find them.
Caitlin´s last [type] ..Teaser Tuesdays
The other ones are pretty entertaining, too!
I just downloaded a sample of this for my kindle! I am unsure of whether I will like it because it is not my usual fare but it seems like a nice change of pace.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Book Review- When Will There be Good News
You should give it a try! It’s definitely not a formulaic zombie story.
love, love, love the cover! i’ve heard of MM and maybe even read one of her other novels, but have had my fill of zombie/apocalypse/faerie/garden gnome/nymph/dystopian novels for a while. i just finished LISTENING to the passage–37.5 hours of vampire torture!–made easy by my favorite narrator’s melodious voice. i heart scott brick. if ant ever ditches me, i’m moving to cali to stalk scott. good luck with the passage, by the way. i just learned it’s a TRILOGY. argh.
nat @book, line, and sinker´s last [type] ..Weekend Cooking-Eating- ChikaLicious
37 hours?? Holy crap.
I definitely recommend The Passage; although the size did give me the twitches before I started reading.
I have Graveminder on the wish list – but I thought I should read the Marr I already have on the TBR shelves first.
Trisha´s last [type] ..May Wishlist
But this Marr is way different than that other Marr! You should read them both! Now!!
I’d read this book for the cover alone, because like you, I too like old crumbly buildings!
Amused´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday- May 30th- 2011
I especially like the old falling down barn look.
I loved the faery books so I now I have to read this. I adore the cover but I’m a bit worried it might be too scary for me.
Beth F´s last [type] ..BEA- Hot Book Club Titles Panel
I don’t think it’s that scary. The tattoo fairy book was way creepier, in my opinion.
I have been wanting to read this book ever since first hearing about it, and since I am getting more comfortable with zombies and monsters of all ilk, I think this one sounds like something I need to read. I also love it that you were purposely a little vague about the storyline. I love going into books like this blind. Great review, Jill!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Coffins of Little Hope by Timothy Schaffert — 272 pgs
You should read it pretty soon, since more reviews are starting to pop up! I think it’ll be hard to avoid hearing what this one is about.
“And if you’re wondering what it’s about, well…the people living in Claysville don’t even know what’s going on in their town. Why should you get to know more than they do?”
This made me giggle. So true! They seriously have no clue and I would find that so irritating! I guess I’d be like Amity Blue, taking notes despite the headaches, just so I could remember things. I really enjoyed this one, and you really should go back and finish the FAERIE series.
Or was it FAERY? Hmm….
Heather´s last [type] ..It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week
I liked Amity! She was one of the few townspeople with a brain. I wonder if we’ll hear more about her?
I really enjoyed this book as well. I’ve read the 1st book in Marr’s YA series but it has been so long now that I’m thinking about rereading it before I continue on. Great review!
Samantha´s last [type] ..Spotlight Review- Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler thoughts
So so so so so want to read this one. I’ve been thinking about buying and then I look at my bank account and chicken out, so on and so forth. Gonna have to cave, I do believe!
Andi´s last [type] ..Book-in-ProgressC!
This sounds like a good summer read. And I’ll be curious to see what you think of The Passage! I read it last summer. It goes by pretty quick.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Writer’s Workshop- Six Word Memoirs
I like the cover too. I have The Passage and its sheer size is stopping me from starting it.
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..15 Free Books for June
I don’t know what it is that’s so appealing about crumbling old buildings, but I like them, too. As to Melissa Marr’s books being forgettable . . . kinda, yeah. I only remember bits and pieces of the one I read. And, what did I do but go and order the following two from PBS, then put them on a shelf for 2 years. That’s not going to help.
The Passage is a surprisingly quick read if you become as obsessed with it as I did. However, I still remember the nightmares as vividly as the storyline. Not to scare you from it. I’m just nightmare-prone.