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A Necromancer’s Guide to Grave Mistakes
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26
A new fairytale inspired romantic fantasy standalone from author Melissa Wright.
Ellenora Morgrave has a problem letting go. When her emotions grow unruly, so does her magic, and the creatures she accidentally raises from the dead refuse to return to the grave. In a kingdom where necromancy exists solely to investigate crimes against the crown, Ella’s undead family could spell her end. But when her father is murdered and her stepfamily stands to inherit not just his estate but his post as head necromancer, Ella must turn to investigations of her own.
Prince Silas has a problem hanging on. Over the years, he’s gained a bit of a reputation. But as sole heir, he’s used to the things he cares about being torn away, including the wild and slightly terrifying girl with a penchant for collecting wounded creatures he fell for in his youth. When his valet dies under suspicious circumstances and the palace guard can’t be trusted, he knows just who to turn to.
Together, Ella and Silas dig up a conspiracy, old wounds, and the dead. But setting things right will test the walls they’ve built to protect themselves, and as Prince Silas realizes he’s found something worth holding onto, Ella may be forced to finally let go.
This light, fun standalone fantasy with humor, heart, and a whole lot of dark whimsy is the first book in the Grave Magic and Other Forms of Courtship series. Perfect for fans of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and Nettle & Bone.
Prince Silas has a problem hanging on. Over the years, he’s gained a bit of a reputation. But as sole heir, he’s used to the things he cares about being torn away, including the wild and slightly terrifying girl with a penchant for collecting wounded creatures he fell for in his youth. When his valet dies under suspicious circumstances and the palace guard can’t be trusted, he knows just who to turn to.
Together, Ella and Silas dig up a conspiracy, old wounds, and the dead. But setting things right will test the walls they’ve built to protect themselves, and as Prince Silas realizes he’s found something worth holding onto, Ella may be forced to finally let go.
This light, fun standalone fantasy with humor, heart, and a whole lot of dark whimsy is the first book in the Grave Magic and Other Forms of Courtship series. Perfect for fans of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and Nettle & Bone.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 7, 2026
5 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Wright
55 books1,527 followersMelissa is the author of more than a dozen YA and fantasy novels including The Frey Saga and Between Ink and Shadows. When not writing she can generally be found talking with an author friend about a book, painting something from a book, or tucked between headphones listening to a book. It’s kind of a theme. She loves reasonable heroines in unreasonable situations, noble--if brooding--heroes, slow burn and sweet kisses, a lot of havoc, and a little magic. Stay updated on works in progress at Instagram. Contact her through the web at www.melissa-wright.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 25, 2026
This read was super cute! Warm, cozy fantasy!
Love the little animal sidekicks, those were my favorite!
Super quick read, finished it in a day!
Love the little animal sidekicks, those were my favorite!
Super quick read, finished it in a day!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
I love! LOVE! LOVE! This book! This slightly dark…completely cozy…whimsical tale was everything I had hoped for and everything I hadn’t even realized I needed to read during this dreary February! And my heart sang and my soul danced with every turn of the page!
Ella can’t believe the terrible luck she is having. Not only has her father died, but her step mother has kicked her out of their estate. Lucky for her she has found lodging and a job at The Spinster Inn. But Ella isn’t about to give up her dream of becoming a Cinder—hopefully High Cinder like her father before her. But with a missing will, a roguish prince, secrets upon secrets upon…even more secret, and a whole menagerie of undead creatures and beings that refuse to return to the grave, Ella may just have her work cut out for her.
This story was simply…PERFECTION! Like I seriously couldn’t have loved it any more.
The characters were unique and delightful (or delightfully fiendish)! From Prince Silas—whom was PERFECTION and ROGUISH CHAOS at its absolute swoonworthiness—to Magnes and his undead, crazy badger antics, this story had ALL the hilarious, dark, and unexpectedly heartwarming moments.
Then there was the world building! The world building was fantastic! I loved that the necromancers were called Cinders and that played so well into the Cinder-Ella niche and I loved how Ella’s magic worked and how she influenced it. I loved the darkness and the necromancy atmosphere and how it contrasted so beautifully with the sweet, swoony, romantic soul of the tale. I loved that on one hand it was super cozy and on the other I found myself tearing up on an occasion or two.
Speaking of soul of the tale…Then there is the fact that this story was in a way a Cinderella Retelling…and yet…it wasn’t. I mean…it was…there was all the important details—a prince, a ball, mice…etc…but Wright created this amazing tale that truly took on a whole life of its own. It was just just “chef’s kiss” and Wright couldn’t have written a more complete yet delightfully twisted version.
Seriously! I’ve read A LOT of Cinderella retellings and A Necromancer’s Guide to Grave Mistakes is by far my absolute favorite of them all! But more than that…because this story is so much more than a simple retelling…this story has quickly become one of my favorite escapes of ALL TIME!
So yep…I could absolutely write another several hundred words about this stories delightfully dark and wonderful nature…but instead let me leave you with one of my favorite passages…
“Everyone thinks you’re a rake.” He hummed agreeably. “Think of how much more they’ll allow me to get away with, then. We might be able to brush shoulders. Sit too closely and touch thighs.”
Ella can’t believe the terrible luck she is having. Not only has her father died, but her step mother has kicked her out of their estate. Lucky for her she has found lodging and a job at The Spinster Inn. But Ella isn’t about to give up her dream of becoming a Cinder—hopefully High Cinder like her father before her. But with a missing will, a roguish prince, secrets upon secrets upon…even more secret, and a whole menagerie of undead creatures and beings that refuse to return to the grave, Ella may just have her work cut out for her.
This story was simply…PERFECTION! Like I seriously couldn’t have loved it any more.
The characters were unique and delightful (or delightfully fiendish)! From Prince Silas—whom was PERFECTION and ROGUISH CHAOS at its absolute swoonworthiness—to Magnes and his undead, crazy badger antics, this story had ALL the hilarious, dark, and unexpectedly heartwarming moments.
Then there was the world building! The world building was fantastic! I loved that the necromancers were called Cinders and that played so well into the Cinder-Ella niche and I loved how Ella’s magic worked and how she influenced it. I loved the darkness and the necromancy atmosphere and how it contrasted so beautifully with the sweet, swoony, romantic soul of the tale. I loved that on one hand it was super cozy and on the other I found myself tearing up on an occasion or two.
Speaking of soul of the tale…Then there is the fact that this story was in a way a Cinderella Retelling…and yet…it wasn’t. I mean…it was…there was all the important details—a prince, a ball, mice…etc…but Wright created this amazing tale that truly took on a whole life of its own. It was just just “chef’s kiss” and Wright couldn’t have written a more complete yet delightfully twisted version.
Seriously! I’ve read A LOT of Cinderella retellings and A Necromancer’s Guide to Grave Mistakes is by far my absolute favorite of them all! But more than that…because this story is so much more than a simple retelling…this story has quickly become one of my favorite escapes of ALL TIME!
So yep…I could absolutely write another several hundred words about this stories delightfully dark and wonderful nature…but instead let me leave you with one of my favorite passages…
“Everyone thinks you’re a rake.” He hummed agreeably. “Think of how much more they’ll allow me to get away with, then. We might be able to brush shoulders. Sit too closely and touch thighs.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an absolute delight!
This is the perfect blend of cozy but dark fantasy and emotional storytelling, with strong T. Kingfisher vibes. Ella is messy, desperate, and incredibly charming in the way she clings to both grief and responsibility, while Silas is the kind of charming disaster prince I will always fall for. Their dynamic is hilarious and heartfelt in equal measure, full of banter, bad decisions, and genuinely sweet moments.
The humor lands beautifully without undercutting the emotional stakes, and the mystery gives the plot a spine. I loved how the story treats death, love, and loyalty with equal weight; sometimes funny, sometimes painful, always sincere. This book completely won me over with its warmth, wit, and undead chaos, and I count it among my favorite reads this year.
HIGHLY recommend, fans of T. Kingfisher!
Thanks to Storygram and the author for the complimentary copy. I hugged it more than once. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This is the perfect blend of cozy but dark fantasy and emotional storytelling, with strong T. Kingfisher vibes. Ella is messy, desperate, and incredibly charming in the way she clings to both grief and responsibility, while Silas is the kind of charming disaster prince I will always fall for. Their dynamic is hilarious and heartfelt in equal measure, full of banter, bad decisions, and genuinely sweet moments.
The humor lands beautifully without undercutting the emotional stakes, and the mystery gives the plot a spine. I loved how the story treats death, love, and loyalty with equal weight; sometimes funny, sometimes painful, always sincere. This book completely won me over with its warmth, wit, and undead chaos, and I count it among my favorite reads this year.
HIGHLY recommend, fans of T. Kingfisher!
Thanks to Storygram and the author for the complimentary copy. I hugged it more than once. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Delightfully odd and entirely romantic somehow, even with all the bodies roaming about. Gobbled this one up in less than a day! Wholeheartedly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Actual rating is 3.5 stars*
A Necromancer’s Guide to Grave Mistakes is a Cinderella retelling that adds reanimated corpses, animal companions and a necromancer with less control over her abilities than she would have liked. There’s also a prince that is the living embodiment of a charming disaster. Que a series of unexpected and unfortunate events, but in a darkly fun way.
There’s emotional stakes, warmth and a healthy dose of undead chaos. The reason the rating isn’t higher is that I had high hopes for this odd cozy fantasy and it just didn’t hit the spot for me, despite a promising premise, fun vibes and a cute romance. I don’t know what it was that made me not love this book, because it has many positive points and I have a hard time pinpointing the bad ones. All I know is that it didn’t end up keeping my attention, despite enjoying the overall story and characters.
If you’re the kind of reader who enjoys sweet, cozy and romantic retellings or fantasy with a healthy dose of fun undead - then I recommend you give this one a go!
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Thank you to the author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
A Necromancer’s Guide to Grave Mistakes is a Cinderella retelling that adds reanimated corpses, animal companions and a necromancer with less control over her abilities than she would have liked. There’s also a prince that is the living embodiment of a charming disaster. Que a series of unexpected and unfortunate events, but in a darkly fun way.
There’s emotional stakes, warmth and a healthy dose of undead chaos. The reason the rating isn’t higher is that I had high hopes for this odd cozy fantasy and it just didn’t hit the spot for me, despite a promising premise, fun vibes and a cute romance. I don’t know what it was that made me not love this book, because it has many positive points and I have a hard time pinpointing the bad ones. All I know is that it didn’t end up keeping my attention, despite enjoying the overall story and characters.
If you’re the kind of reader who enjoys sweet, cozy and romantic retellings or fantasy with a healthy dose of fun undead - then I recommend you give this one a go!
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Thank you to the author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews