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Five Stars for "These Shallow Graves" by Jennifer Donnelly

I originally bought this book for its exquisite cover and title. It looks so interesting, morbid, and beautiful at the same time which fits perfectly into "my type".


The slow-witted person that I am did not recognize the name of one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Donnelly. Her Tea Rose trilogy also comes highly recommended by me.

Now, why does this book warrant five stars?

First, the female lead is perfectly human, but still spunky and a strong feminist. Jo is the only child born to wealthy blue-blooded parents in the middle of the most fashionable part of New York. From the beginning you can see that she knows there needs to be a change. She was not meant for the life of leisure and breeding that the other girls her age are so eager for. Soon she is faced with the mysterious death of her father,
confused by the differing accounts of his past, Jo begins to dig. Donnelly loves portraying strong females with ambition and passion. However, Jo is a bit different from the other leading ladies that have been birthed by Donnelly's pen. She does not have a skill that outshines every other person, she is not cynical or toughened by the events, and most of all, she gives up.

I'm not saying she plops down halfway through the book and we see her frozen by her unwillingness to risk more *cough Twilight cough*, but that she is practical. She can actually weight the consequences of her actions with the emotions that she is feeling at the time. She is wise as well as smart and headstrong.

Eddie, her accomplice on her journey, is also believable. He tries to protect, to guard her from what he knows does not belong in "her world" without undermining his respect for her abilities. Of course there are spats here and there as the two struggle to take command of the situation, but the turbulence in the relationship only leads to more respect and accomplishment.

I don't like giving anything away so I will finish by encouraging (threatening with a gun and the life of your first born child) you to read this wonderful tale of mystery and discovery.

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