Review: These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly

October 15, 2015 Review 41 ★★½

Review: These Shallow Graves by Jennifer DonnellyThese Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly
Series: Stand-Alone
Published by Random House Delacorte on October 27th 2015
Genres: Young Adult Historical Fiction, YA Thriller
Pages: 496
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Heat Rating:half-flame

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Set in gilded age New York, These Shallow Graves follows the story of Josephine Montfort, an American aristocrat. Jo lives a life of old-money ease. Not much is expected of her other than to look good and marry well. But when her father dies due to an accidental gunshot, the gilding on Jo’s world starts to tarnish. With the help of a handsome and brash reporter, and a young medical student who moonlights in the city morgue, Jo uncovers the truth behind her father’s death and learns that if you’re going to bury the past, you’d better bury it deep.

 

I don’t exactly know where this book and I went wrong. I really wanted to like it, and in a sense there were parts in the book that I did enjoy, but overall this was a big disappointment with me. Which sadness me because so many of my friends loved it, and I was so eager to read it myself, that it just turned into an absolute failure.

First, when I read the opening chapter I was excited. Grave digging, my imagination ran wild, I had all kinds of hopes for this book that ended up not only disappointing me but it fell completely flat.

Where do I start?

Jo. I honestly kind of hate her. She is a 17-year old that acts like she is younger, much, much, younger. Not only does she appear obtuse sometimes, but she is also naive, childish, melodramatic, too trusting, and overall not the smartest crayon in the box. Like in one scene while she is in Brooklyn, after facing so much danger already and learning the dark side of New York City, she goes ahead and thrusts some out of the mill older woman who offers her a ride back home, not even contemplating what kind of danger might be facing her trusting this woman and her husband. Now let me tell you something. I was raised in NYC and if some random older woman and her husband offered me a ride home while I was alone in a neighborhood I am not familiar with, I would run the other direction screaming fire. I guess it might just be me, but as an ex-New Yorker, I actually learned how to not trust people - an issue my husband and I choose to agree and disagree on.

Conveniently for Jo though there is always someone there to rescue her from her bad decisions, most notably Fay.

The romance was lame and honestly felt a little forced and fake. There were a few scenes that left me questioning if Eddie was actually using her for a story like her uncle has mentioned. Which in itself was never explained. When Eddie was confronted about it, he denied ever saying it, but the author never explained how Jo’s uncle pulled that one out of thin air. There wasn’t any tension and felt kind of instant.

I don’t understand why the book was over 400 pages long. It dragged a bit at times. I found myself wanting to finish it in hopes of a better ending, but everything I predicted at the beginning of the story came true, which actually only disappointed me more because it was that damn predictable. There had been parts that also felt a bit rushed and not only that but oddly written. In example, this scene, just found weird the way it was written:

“Oh, look!” Jo said. “The man sitting next to her just stood up. He knocked her gloves off the counter. Go return them to her, Oscar!”
“He’s crazy about her,” Eddie said as he watched his friend go.
Jo smiled. “I never would have guessed. Is she really a medical student?”

Maybe I would have to backtrack a little more for it to make sense on here, but stuff happened conveniently and the actions kind of felt odd?

There was mostly just the bad side of NYC at that time and good part. Not much in between.

I wanted to know more about the Tailor, he seemed kind of creepy.

I only really liked Fay in this book.

And the prologue or whatever it was that gave us a glimpse into what is happening later in the book, did not really reflect what happened later. It didn’t match. I can’t go too much into it, but the feelings and actions of the moment just did not match.

I also thought this would be more creepy due to the cover, but it really wasn’t. I was surprised Jo could not see the answers in front of her as the evidence continued to pile on, since I myself already figured who done it right after it happened.

Also, in one chapter her mother sucks.

41 Responses to “Review: These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly”

  1. Naomi Hop

    :( A shame you couldn’t get into this one, especially when it had a promising start. And the relationship aspects need to be believeable. Thanks for sharing Lily!

    Reply

  5. Melliane

    Oh sorry to see it wasn’t like you expected for this one and that in the end you’re a bit disappointed… I hope your next read is better !

    Reply

  8. Tracy Terry

    This didn’t appeal until I read the word ‘morgue’. However having read your review I’m back to thinking this probably isn’t one for me.

    Reply

  9. Ksenia @ Ksenia's Book Blog

    Hi, Lily! I love your blog design! These cats and bats are so cute! I’ve heard a lot about this book and looking forward to read it myself. Sorry to hear it didn’t work for you though. I totally get you, it always makes me sad too when I don’t enjoy a book that all of my friends love. I agree the cover has this creepy vibe and at first I was unsure about this book because creepy is not actually my thing. Great honest review! I hope you next read will be a winner!
    Ksenia @ Ksenia’s Book Blog recently posted…Audiobook review: Confess by Colleen HooverMy Profile

    Reply

    • Lily B

      Thank you Ksenia. I know it didn’t work for me, but that’s just me. I hope that when you do read it, it is more enjoyable for you!

      Reply

    • Lily B

      There had been some good parts of the book, I just didn’t clip with the main character. Fay, a supporting character was great

      Reply

  12. kimbacaffeinate

    I am listening to this one now. I am about 85% and I am enjoying the mystery. Girls at this age really were sheltered from the real world so her nativity didn’t bother me. Sorry this one didn’t work for you.

    Reply

    • Lily B

      The last 80% was probably the most exciting part of this book, too bad Jo was too far in my unlike territory. I know she was sheltered, but they keep treating her like an adult and calling her mature and I did not find that to be the case at all.

      Reply

  13. Kelly

    I’ve actually seen a few reviews for this one lately Lily who have really enjoyed it, so I’m always excited to see a review from an awesome reviewer who didn’t, as odd as that sounds. That snippet sounds really odd, just poorly worded I think and a little bit random. I assumed this was a thriller but it sounds a bit too stupid damsel in distress. I’ll still give it a read, but might push it further down my list. Great review Lily, well balanced and really enjoyed it <3
    Kelly recently posted…Sleeping Giants by Sylvain NeuvelMy Profile

    Reply

  17. Lola

    That’s the worst when you really want to like a book and it just doesn’t work. Jo doesn’t sound like a likable character and that would bother me too when a main character is too trusting. And it sounds like the book could’ve been better with less pages so it would drag less. I really want to feel the romance as else it just feels flat and that’s a shame.

    btw I love your halloween design!
    Lola recently posted…Lola’s Ramblings: What do you like to see in stories?My Profile

    Reply

  18. Renee (Lover of Romance)

    It’s really awful when a story turns out this way. Especially when its 400 pages, you don’t want it to be a disappointment. Hope your current read is a good one for ya. And love your Halloween theme you have….so adorable. I love the kitties with the pumpkin. Makes me want to be over here all the time hehe

    Reply

  22. Ramona Wray

    Well, you can’t love them all, Lily… And opinions on this one seemed equally as strong as they are conflicting. It’s either love or hate, with not a whole lot of middle ground. I really don’t know if I should give it a try at this point… Happy weekend!
    Ramona Wray recently posted…New & Noteworthy Books October 2015My Profile

    Reply

  24. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Actually my biggest worry about this one is that I didn’t think it would be dark enough. Now that I know, perhaps it won’t bother me as much, but I do worry about the dragging storyline. I guess I will see if I thought it missed the mark as you did. Wish me luck. :)
    Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Ice Like Fire by Sara RaaschMy Profile

    Reply

  26. Magen Corrie

    The romance feeling forced and fake is a turn off for me as well. Sad to read you didn’t enjoy this one as much as you were hoping. But I still enjoyed your honest review!

    Reply

  29. Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight

    Aww, I am sorry that this didn’t work for you :( I have heard mixed reviews, so I don’t know if I will read this. I probably won’t be in a hurry, that is for sure. I also really can’t stand super immature protagonists, so that is another big turnoff. Thanks for the great review though!

    Reply

  31. Sophia Rose

    It does look like it should be super-creepy. I’m not sure I’d like this one either if its predictable and the girl pulls stubborn-stupid stunts.

    Reply

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