The Unblessed Dead

The Hidden Necromancer #1

by Rhiannon Frater

A previous cover edition for this ASIN can be found here

When I younger, my mother saved my settlement from the Unblessed Dead that would have killed us all. It cost her everything to reveal her necromancy and sent shockwaves through our stringent religious settlement. Convicted of heresy against our sacred Lost Texts, she died soon after.
Since then, I have worked hard to maintain my Pious Standing so that when I turn eighteen I will be selected by a suitable husband at the Bridal Auction.
As the large clock in town square ticks down to my eighteenth birthday, the dead have been appearing in my garden. If I’m discovered, I’ll face the Necromancer Trial just as my mother, oldest sister, and I did all those years ago. This time I fear I will not survive it.
To add to my worries, an enigmatic handsome young man has arrived in the settlement. Around him swirls a green aura only I can see. Is he here to help me? Or does he have more nefarious plans?
My name is Ilyse Nott, and I fear I am a necromancer.
If I am, my life is over.

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Dystopia, Dark Fantasy, Young Adult, Fantasy, Apocalyptic

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2018

About the author

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor) as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog).

She was born and raised in Texas where she currently resides with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets).

She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.

Reviews

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this in all it's backwater-ness. Looking forward to book two!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a dystopian world, where religion has been bastardized, men dominate unfettered and women are property, forced to live by oppressive rules, Ilyse Nott struggles with remaining “plain and pious” in a world who has judged her for supposed the sins of her mother. She must live with the knowledge that her mother a secret necromancer, saved her village from certain zombie death only to be tried, convicted and put to death for her efforts for heresy.

Ilyse is guilty by association and possible heredity, yet has passed the “test” that “proves” she does not consort with the dead. Still, she is a pariah, and now the walking dead are showing up in her garden and she has no idea what that means… With the Bridal Auction coming, no one will offer for her, no matter how desperately she adheres to the twisted religious tenets of her village, until a stranger comes to town and she may finally have an ally, or does this man also have an agenda regarding Ilyse?

Rhiannon Frater’s THE UNBLESSED DEAD is a tale of zombies, necromancy, innocence and the corruption of a world where oppression begets fear and no one can be trusted. Seeing her world through Ilyse’s eyes and heart will cause any free-thinking human to cringe. Yes there are zombies, sure they can rend flesh from bone, but that is not the main thrust of the story here. It is a story of manipulation and repression, and the soul-deep turmoil of one teen searching for acceptance and happiness.

Not a fast-paced read, there is so much to absorb, take the time to leave reality behind and imagine yourself living in this world…definitely cringe worthy, and I am NOT talking about the zombies!

I received a complimentary copy from Rhiannon Frater!

Series: The Hidden Necromancer - Book 1
Publication Date: April 10, 2018
Publisher: Rhiannon Frater
Genre: Dystopian Fantasy
Print Length: 267 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world was overrun by zombies, and vast areas of the continent remain infested. Walled settlements have developed, some modernized and all connected by railway.  Some groups seeking solace made drastic changes to avoid past mistakes. Frater takes us into a religious settlement with an Anabaptist feel. They follow the Lost Texts. These texts have a familiar vibe; men rule and handle business while women marry and must be modest etc. They also believe necromancers caused the zombie outbreak and that only females can become necromancers since they are the weaker sex and most likely to sin. Worlds like this fascinate me, and I was excited to dive in.

From the first sentence,  "I awoke to discover a dead man standing in my garden." I was all in. Our protagonist, Ilyse is the one who woke to find the dead man in her garden. She and her younger sister quickly returned the familiar zombie to the sacred graveyard. Oh yeah... I need to know more.

The story that unfolds was refreshingly original and exactly what I have come to expect when I read Frater's work.  She fleshed out the world providing us with suspenseful threads, secrets, history and nail-biting scenes. Her ease of storytelling allowed the outside world to slip away. She gave us strong, intriguing and fleshed out characters but also allowed the settlement and its oppressive rules to speak for itself creating tension and unease.  Ilyse is trying very hard to remain pious in preparation for her Bridal Auction but fears she might be calling the dead to her front yard.

If stories like the Salem Witch trials, The Forest of Hands and Teeth or Dearly, Departed excite you, then I think you'll love the world Frater has created. Magic, necromancy, oppression, fear, and zombies without gore made the story a page-turner. While I don't think this is intended to be Young Adult, the main characters are youths making it perfect for anyone.

The Unblessed Dead, first in the Hidden Necromancer series brought one suspenseful thread of this story to a close, but Ilyse's fate is very much left up in the air along with other threads. I had to wait a few weeks to get some answers, but for those picking this up today, book two, The Accused Dead,  is also available.  Do not read the synopsis to book two before reading book one. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Carolyn F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is different than the other books I've read by this author but then most of her series are completely different so what I am talking about. A little slow moving at first but once the action starts, it's riveting. I didn't like the cliffhanger.

[Alexia Purdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting tale of a life gone wrong when everything Ilyse has grown up to believe is ultimately and fatally flawed. Beautifully written, The Unblessed Dead takes us on Ilyse's journey who has fought for the life she believed she wanted only to have it derailed when she discovers she might possibly be behind the cause of what's unsettling the living dead surrounding her settlement. Ilyse's mother was a necromancer, maybe she could be too. If this is true, her entire world has just been uprooted and her life is in real danger.

The world Rhiannon Frater has created leaves one with an eerie sense of shock and dread. The horror surrounding the settlement is almost greater within its walls than outside them. Told through the eyes of Ilyse, the world she lives in is painted delicately through disturbing observations of what it means to believe what a person has been taught is true all their lives and then find it turn terribly wrong. Zombies and horror aplenty, this is a tale that will certainly remain with you long after you finish the story.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Author
*Genre* Science Fiction / Dystopia
*Rating* 3.5-4

*Thoughts*

The Unblessed Dead is the first installment in Rhiannon Frater's The Unblessed Dead series. 17-year old Ilyse Nott is the protagonist of a series that is a cross between The Walking Dead and The Handmaid's Tale. It is a series that is set way off into the distant future. So far into the future, that they are now calling the time frame Anno Apocalypse. In this world, the dead have risen, America has fallen, & women can control the dead and are called Necromancers. In this world, necromancers are burned at the stake just like witches during the Salem Witches trial.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and every spare moment I had was spent reading this story.The author is incredibly talented at creating a unique world with well developed characters.The book has a beautiful flow and the world building is fantastic.I found myself engrossed in the story from the first paragraph and have preordered book two.I'm currently experiencing a book hangover and am anxiously awaiting book two's release in May.

[Shannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! Loved it! It reminds me of The Handmaids Tale with a dash of zombies lol I’ve missed your books Rhiannon!

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the zombie apocalypse and zombies have been roaming the earth for many, many years or they do in Ilyse’s world. In Ilyse’s world they call the zombies The Unblessed Dead or The Blessed Dead. Ilyse lives inside a walled city that keeps the zombies out but they do wonder inside the walls sometimes but not to worry everyone has a safe place to go where the dead can’t get them. They stay in their safe place until the zombies are taken care of and they are given the all clear.

A few years ago the Unblessed Dead got inside the walls and would have killed everyone if it had not been for Ilyse’s mother who saved them all. Afterwards she was accused of being a necromancer ever since Ilyse has tried to be the best that she can be by following all the rules and not going against the teachings of the Lost Texts. She is afraid that one day she will be accused of being a necromancer like her mother.

Only women can be a necromancer as they are weaker than men. Men are the head of the family and takes care of all the business where as women either get married or become one of the unclaimed and must go to work.

When Ilyse turns eighteen she will attend the Bridal Action. A Bridal Action is just like it sounds. Women are married off to the highest bidder. Ilyse has worked hard her whole life to hopefully she will picked at the Bridal Action.

I love this new twist on zombies. I love that the author has mixed zombies and necromancers together in one story. When I picked up The Unblessed Dead and started reading I was hooked from the first word and I couldn't put it down until I read the last word. While I do love all the blood and gore that usually goes with zombies I loved the change with the Unblessed Dead. The necromancy was a wonderful addition to the zombie apocalypse world. I got so lost in Ilyse’s world and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in the next book The Accused Dead. This is one book that is going to stay with me for a long time to come.

The Unblessed Dead is a cross between The Walking Dead and that movie Salem Witch Trials staring Kristie Alley in 2002. If you like the undead and witches then you are going to love The Unblessed Dead. I highly recommend The Unblessed Dead to everyone who likes witches or zombies.

[Christoffer Lernö · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had an interesting premise: a post zombie-apocalyptic world where necromancers were able to control the dead. The story takes place in a settlement that has rejected technology, making me associate things to The Forest of Hands and Teeth.

All in all a good story as usual from Frater. The only complaint I have is that I wished it was longer!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an advance beta copy of this book and will be downloading the finished novel .It is the first in a new trilogy set in an undead world but very different to her ‘As the world dies’ trilogy , the enclave featured blames technology for the rise of the undead and spurns all forms in their little world forming an entirely different existence . I went into the story blind not knowing anything about it so found myself eagerly turning pages trying to learn more and more about these people . The opening pages are intriguing very different to anything I expected as two young ladies are trying to return an animated body of their schoolmaster to a graveyard without being discovered ... then mentions of necromancer activity piqued my interest further along with the contrast of a sleek modern high tech train arriving and an intriguing stranger departing from it ... an exciting character with a magical green glow only one can see .. What does this all mean ? An exciting read full of discovery, deception , vividly described and zombie action . I loved this world but not all the characters in it.. who wants to be Pious anyway????
Thankyou Rhiannon I’m eagerly awaiting the next exciting instalment!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been in a bit of a reading slump these past few months. I've been reading, but nothing has really tickled my fancy, nor made me want to jump up and yell to everyone, "You need to read this like now." So I pick up the latest from Rhiannon Frater because well...she NEVER disappoints. The very first sentence grabbed me and I was hooked. How could you not be intrigued when the very first sentence of the book starts out with, "I awoke to discover a dead man standing in my garden."

Once again, Rhiannon's amazing talent shines through in her creative world building scenarios and characters that are well developed and thought out from beginning to end. I was a bit mad when I came to the end and found that I had to wait until May for more of the story. I can't wait to see what happens with Ilyse and the rest of the characters.

[Christine Rains · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ilyse Nott is a young woman approaching her bridal auction and a citizen of Pious Standing, and she's also a necromancer. Her mother had once saved their village from the Unblessed Dead and was tried and convicted by the Crats for it. Ilyse fears she will be discovers as her powers manifest, but help comes from a strange source. A handsome young man by the name of Quade who is new in town and doesn't follow the Lost Texts. He has power of his own, but will he be able to help her escape before she faces the same fate as her mother?

This is a great first book in the YA post-apocalyptic fantasy series, The Hidden Necromancer. There is wonderful world building with the strict settlement and their adherence to the Three Gods and the Lost Texts. It is not a good life for women, and many of the men ruling the place are loathsome. After her mother's death, Ilyse has tried very hard to be the most humble of women and stay in Pious Standing. Yet as she nears her 18th birthday, the world as she knew it starts to unravel, and not only because she is developing necromantic powers. Ilyse is shy and afraid at first, but her anger and courage builds as the plot progresses. I loved seeing her growth and getting a peek at her potential. Quade is fascinating, and I think he's the perfect complement to Ilyse. The cast of characters is many layered, and I particularly enjoyed Carrie, Rennon, and the schoolmistress as well. Be forewarned, there's no ending to the book. It's like a chapter ends and that's it.

[Mv · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would jump at the chance to listen to another.
I didn’t want the story to be over. I’ve listened to a lot of zombie stories and this is a very original one. I love the addition of the special abilities (necromancy) and their religious beliefs surrounding them. The social structure is interesting- religious based beliefs dictate life, girls can’t speak to men outside their family circle, girls are auctioned off once of age, education is limited, they’re aware of other social structures and technology but theirs is limited.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Laura Bannister) and I would gladly listen to another. She has great character voices. Her soft voice gives an appropriately ominous feel to story. I hope she reads the rest of this series. Her narration helped me get immersed in the story because I was able to forget I was being read to.

There are no explicit sex scenes, or excessive violence. There is the very occasional swearing but it is integral to certain scenarios.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Story 5/5
Narration 5/5

[Jenny From The Bog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the advance review copy and, being a Frater fan, I was expecting a great read and was still surprised at how much I loved this book.

The world Frater has built for The Hidden Necromancer series is so original. It's different and dark and unsettling, but also contains a certain beautiful familiarity. It embraces a simpler life, putting me in mind of the Amish or the Simple Folk from Anne Bishop's The Others series. But while the simple life would appear to be separate from the undead and wicked world beyond the gates, you start to see the darkness rooted in the politics and beliefs of these quiet people. Things are not as pure and good as they first appear.

The main character, Ilyse, beautifully illustrates that jarring point in coming of age when a child still loves their parents, but is suddenly aware of how flawed and human they are. The anxiety, fear and turbulent, confused emotions that the journey from childhood brings.

This was a smoothly written book, clearly painting scenes while cleverly keeping its secrets. Because the characters were a very realistic mix of attributes and flaws, their motives and next moves could not be easily guessed.

[Ozsaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Endings, what are they? Authors, please give me a solid ending. I don't care if the book is part of a series, just tie up as many loose ends as possible.

This one doesn't exactly end on a cliffhanger, but it certainly doesn't resolve the main plot lines.

Any book that brings tears to my eyes usually gets four stars, but the vague ending brought this down to three. There were some vivid scenes that really grabbed me, and a heartbreaking moment that made me tear up.

It's not a bad book. I liked the main character, and she grows from a shy, obedient daughter who does everything right, to an angry young woman who begins to see what her world is really about. I was right alongside her as her eyes were opened, and I was appalled right along with her.

I loved her younger sister, and her young cousin is smarter than anyone gives him credit. The world building was excellent - I was intrigued by Ilyse's world, how zombies were treated, how society began to sort itself out after a devastating apocalypse.

I'll definitely read the second book. I want to know what happens next - but I didn't need an open end to this book to tease me into buying the next.

[C. Mercie M Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new way to make others beholden to others for their lives.

The old world is gone, replaced by one where people who think for themselves are suspect, women and technology are the ones who brought bout the end of the world, and if you cannot be plain, quiet, and pious, you will be punished. When Ilyse finds herself stuck in a never ending, new and scary place even though she's followed all of thr rules, she realizes how everything she has been taught to do has not prepared her for this. The characters are well played, the storyline a new twist, and the plot engaging. I'm looking for thr next one already.

[M. Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded of the compound scenes from Big Love which grounded the story, all those religious fanatics and the chains they place on women made it more "real". Rhiannon Frater has a way with zombies and the way this book presents them makes them fresh, I loved Ilyse and her siblings, Quade is quite likeable, there are a lot of good characters besides them which surprised me given the type of society the story depicts.
I have a theory on who the mysterious necromancer may be...

[Shanna Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhiannon is one of my favorite authors. I’m so happy she gave me the opportunity to listen to and review her his series.
The characters are written so well and I love them.
Think handmaids tale but throw some supernatural powers in there with the threat of zombies.
I can’t wait for the next book!
Narration was excellent as well.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really interesting right from the beginning which is nice. If a book doesn’t grab me right away, I’m very likely to give up on it. I like the world this is set in. And while the narrator’s voice kind of annoyed me, it fit the main character so it works. Certain aspects were repeated but it didn’t detract from the story.

[David J. Breeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a chance wondering if I would like this. I did! I’ve listened to her Vampire Bride series and thoroughly enjoyed them. This is an interesting Dystopian, Post- Apocalyptic, Misogyny, and Supernatural tale. Oh, and I forgot, Zombies. Ilyse has to be the perfect pious young lady, but she has a secret and it runs in the family. The troubles begin.

[Mike Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story

A unique dystopian twist on the zombie apocalypse. Very interesting cast of characters in a very futuristic antiquated world. Mini years after the world has fallen The dead still rise and cause havoc in May him. Worth the read check it out

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing start to a young woman's journey in a zombie filled world.

Read my full take here: The Unblessed Dead

[BookLoversLife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Robbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

THANKS FOR DE AUDIO BOOKS VERY NICE

[Lulu Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love loved!!!! This book was fantastic. I was gifted the audio book and devoured it ! Once it started I couldn’t stop! Can’t wait to get my hands on the next book!

[mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the first book I've read by Rhiannon Frater but not the last, I loved it!

[Darlene Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been in a reading slump but this book brought it back to life. I finished this book in a week. The next book arrives tomorrow. Very excited to see what happens next

[Chastity Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! Couldn’t put it down!

I loved this story and now I’m on to the next book in the series! I don’t want this one to end! Lol

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting concept

I really liked this book. The characters are interesting, as is the plot and setting. It's definitely a unique twist on zombies.