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Speak with the Dead
Speak with the Dead is a dark, funny, epic fantasy that focuses on grief, trust, and heroism.
578 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2025
5 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 22, 2025
Tags: Fantasy/Adventure, Magic usage, Found Family, Military Mission, Boarder skirmishes, Wilderness/Survival skills, Linear Plotline, LGBTQ+ side character, Disabled side character (she fought a bear and won), Death of a parent(s), Cinderella moments, slight will they/wont they angst
Potential trigger warnings: substance/alcohol use, depictions of violence
This is a fantasy adventure story following a small town MFC, Anna, on her journey to paying off her family’s debt via joining the military. For fans of DnD or quest-based storylines, E. C. Taylor has crafted a wonderfully paced plot, and a beautifully descriptive, easily understandable, fantasy world. I was a bit worried I would lose track of the characters as so many were introduced and joined the team’s mission party. However, the subtle repetitions of backgrounds really solidified who each individual character is, and it became easy to stay invested in their journeys alongside Anna. While there is a slight will they/wont they angst tag, I think it is important to note this book is tailored to a general Fantasy/Adventure audience and not designed to be a Romantasy (unless you are a glutton for the slowest of burns with zero smut).
I am so excited for book 2 (assuming there is a book 2 in the works!), I highlighted several little quips that I hope are foreshadowing to a storyline continuation. Maybe Anna will get a catsuit/spy moment under her next military ball gown?
Quote out of context to convince you to read the book:
"I swear to the Well, if you die... I will learn necromancy, bring you back, and then kill you again!"
Potential trigger warnings: substance/alcohol use, depictions of violence
This is a fantasy adventure story following a small town MFC, Anna, on her journey to paying off her family’s debt via joining the military. For fans of DnD or quest-based storylines, E. C. Taylor has crafted a wonderfully paced plot, and a beautifully descriptive, easily understandable, fantasy world. I was a bit worried I would lose track of the characters as so many were introduced and joined the team’s mission party. However, the subtle repetitions of backgrounds really solidified who each individual character is, and it became easy to stay invested in their journeys alongside Anna. While there is a slight will they/wont they angst tag, I think it is important to note this book is tailored to a general Fantasy/Adventure audience and not designed to be a Romantasy (unless you are a glutton for the slowest of burns with zero smut).
I am so excited for book 2 (assuming there is a book 2 in the works!), I highlighted several little quips that I hope are foreshadowing to a storyline continuation. Maybe Anna will get a catsuit/spy moment under her next military ball gown?
Quote out of context to convince you to read the book:
"I swear to the Well, if you die... I will learn necromancy, bring you back, and then kill you again!"
November 15, 2025
Woah! I’m friends with the author! How cool is that?
Taylor’s knowledge of D&D comes through in the page quite clearly, as does the fact that she was raised on a solid diet of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Eragon, etc.
Where this book really shines is in its descriptions (in a classic Tolkien or Robert Jordan sense). I loved reading about the feasts and the royal balls and the equipment. I think my favorite single chapter is early on when Anna learns to play a game that’s deffffinitely not Euchre.
The narrative is a somewhat straightforward one, but you can tell that Taylor has an entire world of backstory planned out. This is a realm in which she spends a lot of time, and I for one look forward to the next installment!
I think this is an incredible achievement for a first novel, and while I may be biased, I do sense the potential for Taylor to become one of the great fantasy writers of the current era.
Taylor’s knowledge of D&D comes through in the page quite clearly, as does the fact that she was raised on a solid diet of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Eragon, etc.
Where this book really shines is in its descriptions (in a classic Tolkien or Robert Jordan sense). I loved reading about the feasts and the royal balls and the equipment. I think my favorite single chapter is early on when Anna learns to play a game that’s deffffinitely not Euchre.
The narrative is a somewhat straightforward one, but you can tell that Taylor has an entire world of backstory planned out. This is a realm in which she spends a lot of time, and I for one look forward to the next installment!
I think this is an incredible achievement for a first novel, and while I may be biased, I do sense the potential for Taylor to become one of the great fantasy writers of the current era.
November 4, 2025
I devoured this book. I wanted to cancel all my plans to keep reading this book. I brought this book everywhere I went in case I’d have an unexpected five minutes to read a few pages.
Anna is a refreshingly not-annoying fantasy FMC who embarks on an epic fantasy journey with a band of diverse strangers turned underdog friends, all with distinct personalities and skills. Anna’s growing platonic kinships were just as endearing as the love interest.
I savored the slow burn frenemies to lovers trope - their interactions felt more honest and relatable than most books I’ve read.
And now, I have the post book blues, a true book hangover. It feels like saying goodbye to really special friends that you’re not going to see for a long time.
I sincerely hope this is not the last time I get to visit Telluth.
Anna is a refreshingly not-annoying fantasy FMC who embarks on an epic fantasy journey with a band of diverse strangers turned underdog friends, all with distinct personalities and skills. Anna’s growing platonic kinships were just as endearing as the love interest.
I savored the slow burn frenemies to lovers trope - their interactions felt more honest and relatable than most books I’ve read.
And now, I have the post book blues, a true book hangover. It feels like saying goodbye to really special friends that you’re not going to see for a long time.
I sincerely hope this is not the last time I get to visit Telluth.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews