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The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy #1
How to Save an Undead Life
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
Grier Woolworth spends her nights weaving spooky tales of lost souls and tragedies for tourists on the streets of downtown Savannah. Hoop skirt and parasol aside, it’s not a bad gig. The pay is crap, but the tips keep the lights on in her personal haunted mansion and her pantry stocked with ramen.
Life is about as normal as it gets for an ex-necromancer hiding among humans. Until the society that excommunicated Grier offers her a second chance at being more than ordinary. Too bad no one warned her the trouble with being extraordinary is it can get you killed.
Warning: This book contains one ex-con/ex-heiress with a pet zombie parakeet who lives next door to her ex-army/ex-crush. Brace yourself, we’re talking more exes than a pirate treasure map here.
Grier Woolworth spends her nights weaving spooky tales of lost souls and tragedies for tourists on the streets of downtown Savannah. Hoop skirt and parasol aside, it’s not a bad gig. The pay is crap, but the tips keep the lights on in her personal haunted mansion and her pantry stocked with ramen.
Life is about as normal as it gets for an ex-necromancer hiding among humans. Until the society that excommunicated Grier offers her a second chance at being more than ordinary. Too bad no one warned her the trouble with being extraordinary is it can get you killed.
Warning: This book contains one ex-con/ex-heiress with a pet zombie parakeet who lives next door to her ex-army/ex-crush. Brace yourself, we’re talking more exes than a pirate treasure map here.
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First published August 19, 2017
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About the author
Hailey Edwards
101 books2,816 followersHailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy.
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https://haileyedwards.net/contact-form/
Hailey isn't on Goodreads.
Please email her via her website:
https://haileyedwards.net/contact-form/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 802 reviews
April 9, 2020
Social distancing has turned my brains to mush. I don't know what other excuse I can find for sucking down this book/series about a twenty-one year-old necromancer like ice water on a summer day. She's recently been released from Azkaban magic prison and has returned to her semi-sentient house to nurse her wounds and try to make a living as a haunted locations tour guide. Her bestie lives next door and works with her, and no one told her that best's brother--and third in their triplet of trouble--is home on leave from the military. A vampire is sniffing around the edges of her house, working at her wards, while another has come courting.
Seriously, a description like that usually gives me the hives. I dunno; I blame kindle unlimited, which is letting me do the equivalent of check books out from the library, and return if I don't like it. (I never would have spent actual money on a description like that. Please.) But once you get past the first couple chapters, and Edwards' typical homage to the UF/beginning writer's love of adverbs and metaphors, it gets much better. The plot moves quickly, and despite what seemed to be the set-up for a love triangle, proved to be unpredictable.
The main character, Grier, feels very young, which is only fair. Although twenty-one, she went to prison at sixteen, accused of murder, and the isolation and PTSD seems to have stunted her emotional growth. While believable, it isn't always fun to be with first person. The supporting cast, however, is intriguing. The house, Woolworth ('Wooly' to her friends), was a fun character with an interesting range of emotional expression. The smart remarks from the besties and next-door neighbors help provide some appropriately-timed humor.
The world-building is a little anemic, but I would expect it will be fleshed out (ha-ha). I like the necromancer angle, although there wasn't much to it this book, which seems to be more vampire and necromancer Society angle.
Altogether unexpected. Honestly, I think it'd play pretty well to fans of Sookie Sackhouse. It's not quite that good yet (but was Sookie really that good?), but I see the potential, and since there are eight books to date, something tells me it got there.
Seriously, a description like that usually gives me the hives. I dunno; I blame kindle unlimited, which is letting me do the equivalent of check books out from the library, and return if I don't like it. (I never would have spent actual money on a description like that. Please.) But once you get past the first couple chapters, and Edwards' typical homage to the UF/beginning writer's love of adverbs and metaphors, it gets much better. The plot moves quickly, and despite what seemed to be the set-up for a love triangle, proved to be unpredictable.
The main character, Grier, feels very young, which is only fair. Although twenty-one, she went to prison at sixteen, accused of murder, and the isolation and PTSD seems to have stunted her emotional growth. While believable, it isn't always fun to be with first person. The supporting cast, however, is intriguing. The house, Woolworth ('Wooly' to her friends), was a fun character with an interesting range of emotional expression. The smart remarks from the besties and next-door neighbors help provide some appropriately-timed humor.
The world-building is a little anemic, but I would expect it will be fleshed out (ha-ha). I like the necromancer angle, although there wasn't much to it this book, which seems to be more vampire and necromancer Society angle.
Altogether unexpected. Honestly, I think it'd play pretty well to fans of Sookie Sackhouse. It's not quite that good yet (but was Sookie really that good?), but I see the potential, and since there are eight books to date, something tells me it got there.
February 29, 2020
Cool! I got to use my "zombies" bookshelf for a change. Even better? That zombie is a parakeet. I think I'm in love with a bird.
"I came to retrieve Keet."
"Your zombie parakeet?"
A bird pecks at one brain and people start throwing around derogatory terms.
Nice birdy. Step away from the brains.
This book is one of those urban fantasies that has some new ideas on vampires and necromancy and all of that kind of thing. I thought it was kind of fun and it is definitely setting up for a cool series.
The heroine in the book is Grier, a girl who spent years in a magical prison for a crime she didn't commit. She has some major PTSD, but a cool job giving haunted tours in Atlanta. Even her house is awesome because it is haunted in a way. It's sentient. I kind of wish my house was sentient now. Except it might nag me to clean it more often. With my luck I'd get some sort of OCD house that makes me alphabetize my groceries and throws my food out of the pantry if I don't do it right. I mean, that would be a hassle, right? Should soup going under "S" for soup, or "C" for Campbells? Don't even get me started on Alphabet soup. My house would probably have some sort of panic attack about that. I just don't need that kind of pressure in my life.
What was I talking about?
No, I got this. Really.
Oh yeah. The book. So, Grier has a cool bird, cool job, cool house, and a raging case of PTSD. She's also got a bunch of vampires who are fangily chomping at the bit to get close to her for some reason. And, she's so poor that she can't even afford soup. It's all ramen all the time.
Right. Because money tastes so good. We've all tasted a penny. Ramen is slightly better than that.
There is plenty of humor, a tiny dash of romance - or the possibility of it - and action. I really enjoyed the start of something new and will definitely continue this series.
"I came to retrieve Keet."
"Your zombie parakeet?"
A bird pecks at one brain and people start throwing around derogatory terms.
Nice birdy. Step away from the brains.
This book is one of those urban fantasies that has some new ideas on vampires and necromancy and all of that kind of thing. I thought it was kind of fun and it is definitely setting up for a cool series.
The heroine in the book is Grier, a girl who spent years in a magical prison for a crime she didn't commit. She has some major PTSD, but a cool job giving haunted tours in Atlanta. Even her house is awesome because it is haunted in a way. It's sentient. I kind of wish my house was sentient now. Except it might nag me to clean it more often. With my luck I'd get some sort of OCD house that makes me alphabetize my groceries and throws my food out of the pantry if I don't do it right. I mean, that would be a hassle, right? Should soup going under "S" for soup, or "C" for Campbells? Don't even get me started on Alphabet soup. My house would probably have some sort of panic attack about that. I just don't need that kind of pressure in my life.
What was I talking about?
No, I got this. Really.
Oh yeah. The book. So, Grier has a cool bird, cool job, cool house, and a raging case of PTSD. She's also got a bunch of vampires who are fangily chomping at the bit to get close to her for some reason. And, she's so poor that she can't even afford soup. It's all ramen all the time.
Right. Because money tastes so good. We've all tasted a penny. Ramen is slightly better than that.
There is plenty of humor, a tiny dash of romance - or the possibility of it - and action. I really enjoyed the start of something new and will definitely continue this series.
April 26, 2020
Tsk.
I can't seem to get my UF mojo back and I can't stress enough how miserable that makes me. But there is only so much alpha-male posturing, stalking, manhandling and general dude-bullshitting sold as sexy courtship I can suffer through these days before my skull threatens to split open from extreme eye-rolling.
The exaggerated emphasis on Grier's (WHY) testosterone-supercharged social life at the expense of every other aspect of the story is a choice I find hard to understand, considering that this is the first entry in the series and the author spent no time at all establishing the worldbuilding and the characters themselves, so I'm not sure why she'd figured we should care who this girl ends up with - we know nothing about any of these people beside the color of their eyes (improbable shades of "swirling" caramel and blue-silver) - nor, indeed, why this sub-par romance plot should be the primary focus of the narrative at all, to be honest, especially when the book features a zombie parakeet and a sentient haunted house. What a waste!
I'm not gonna lie though, the last straw wasn't the scene where one of her suitors intrudes into her home and goes through her stuff, or when the other male specimen installs a couple of bodyguards outside her door: I called it quits when she has one of her dudes apply lipgloss on her, because she doesn't know how to do it by herself. There's too much to unpack here and I'm, like, really... NO.
Oh, and I almost forgot! The Black Old Wisewoman and The Make Up-Savvy Gay Friend make a special appearance, like this is the '90s all over again! (There's also a clumsy conversation between Grier and Make Up Guy in which the author seemed to be slightly self-conscious about her own casting choice - one that I'd argue could have easily been a tad less cringey if the one gay male character had been extremely good at, say, chess, or painting, or math, rather than apt at applying eye shadow and dispensing unrequest love advice, but... 'mkay).
To steal a memorable line from Grier (no seriously, WHY) herself: buh-bye.
I can't seem to get my UF mojo back and I can't stress enough how miserable that makes me. But there is only so much alpha-male posturing, stalking, manhandling and general dude-bullshitting sold as sexy courtship I can suffer through these days before my skull threatens to split open from extreme eye-rolling.
The exaggerated emphasis on Grier's (WHY) testosterone-supercharged social life at the expense of every other aspect of the story is a choice I find hard to understand, considering that this is the first entry in the series and the author spent no time at all establishing the worldbuilding and the characters themselves, so I'm not sure why she'd figured we should care who this girl ends up with - we know nothing about any of these people beside the color of their eyes (improbable shades of "swirling" caramel and blue-silver) - nor, indeed, why this sub-par romance plot should be the primary focus of the narrative at all, to be honest, especially when the book features a zombie parakeet and a sentient haunted house. What a waste!
I'm not gonna lie though, the last straw wasn't the scene where one of her suitors intrudes into her home and goes through her stuff, or when the other male specimen installs a couple of bodyguards outside her door: I called it quits when she has one of her dudes apply lipgloss on her, because she doesn't know how to do it by herself. There's too much to unpack here and I'm, like, really... NO.
Oh, and I almost forgot! The Black Old Wisewoman and The Make Up-Savvy Gay Friend make a special appearance, like this is the '90s all over again! (There's also a clumsy conversation between Grier and Make Up Guy in which the author seemed to be slightly self-conscious about her own casting choice - one that I'd argue could have easily been a tad less cringey if the one gay male character had been extremely good at, say, chess, or painting, or math, rather than apt at applying eye shadow and dispensing unrequest love advice, but... 'mkay).
To steal a memorable line from Grier (no seriously, WHY) herself: buh-bye.
January 13, 2018
This is great paranormal fun!
A necromancer that is jailed for a crime she didn't commit, now is released...but why now? By who? What happened to cause the release? Now a powerful vampire clan wants her before others find out about her. Oh, and the house she grew up in has a mind of its own, people would call it haunted. This is a fresh fantasy that is interesting, exciting, and full of great characters. Really liked it. Would've given it 5 stars but it just kinda stopped. But I liked it enough I will be getting the next book!
A necromancer that is jailed for a crime she didn't commit, now is released...but why now? By who? What happened to cause the release? Now a powerful vampire clan wants her before others find out about her. Oh, and the house she grew up in has a mind of its own, people would call it haunted. This is a fresh fantasy that is interesting, exciting, and full of great characters. Really liked it. Would've given it 5 stars but it just kinda stopped. But I liked it enough I will be getting the next book!
June 12, 2022
How to Save an Undead Life by Hailey Edwards
The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy series book 1. Urban fantasy.
Grier is an ex-necromancer hiding out in Savannah giving ghost tours. Her current issues include a sentient house and a vampire calling to her.
Squirt - favorite pet name.
Slammed doors, lights going on and off, locks opening or locking - a sentient house that expresses an opinion. Daily and often.
Sigils - a form of magic.
Reads a bit like New Adult - Greer is 21 and has spent years in a magical prison of sorts so is just learning her abilities and world.
And world building - lacking initially but gets easier to understand as the book progresses and gets more interesting.
Cliff hanger. Definitely the beginning of a series with lots of potential
The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy series book 1. Urban fantasy.
Grier is an ex-necromancer hiding out in Savannah giving ghost tours. Her current issues include a sentient house and a vampire calling to her.
Squirt - favorite pet name.
Slammed doors, lights going on and off, locks opening or locking - a sentient house that expresses an opinion. Daily and often.
Sigils - a form of magic.
Reads a bit like New Adult - Greer is 21 and has spent years in a magical prison of sorts so is just learning her abilities and world.
And world building - lacking initially but gets easier to understand as the book progresses and gets more interesting.
Cliff hanger. Definitely the beginning of a series with lots of potential
September 10, 2017
I would have given a higher rating to this book if not for the very confusing beginning (the book starts in media res and it's not big on world building) and an irritating, irking secondary character. I didn't find him funny, and after 5 years in hell, drugged, abandoned, tortured, I thought she should have been well over a childhood crush. He seems stupid, beside a dog, and insensitive to boot. But then it might be me.
The book skirts too much the NA edge, and again giving the backstory, it shouldn't. But it's a nice read, and I'm going to read the sequel.
The book skirts too much the NA edge, and again giving the backstory, it shouldn't. But it's a nice read, and I'm going to read the sequel.
January 6, 2021
I'm glad I took a chance on this because it's a fascinating take on an Urban Fantasy, with the heroine starting deep in maintenance mode and trying to keep herself together and the home she loves intact. Indeed, her house is possibly the most engaging secondary character of the book with both strengths and weaknesses.
And I liked Grier for herself, too. Her history is a bit ambiguous for a while, but the more I learned the depths of her personal horror, the more admiration I had for her determination to pull things together and get back to a sense of normalcy.
The biggest weakness of the story is that background, though. In many ways, it has all the weight it should have and Edwards does very well letting that be felt. In Grier's internal landscape in particular. But in some ways, it's a bit of a stretch and I wasn't sure it had been completely thought through. I mean, five years is a lot of cultural and social developments that she completely missed out on. This is something that should have been felt in her relationship with Amelie beyond merely that they didn't get to do things together like they had planned. Amelie has a whole host of experiences, relationships, passions, disappointments, and just life that the two missed out on sharing. Indeed, they should have spent as much time getting to know each other as they did participating in their old patterns of behavior and that just wasn't felt.
I'm impressed with how well the pace was kept up because a good bit of the story includes bits that should have slowed the pace to zero. But Grier never stops or gives in despite being in overwhelming circumstances. I loved her spirit and ability to keep going and turning even little things to her advantage when that was all she had.
So I'm going to give this a solid four stars with the final note that I'm most uneasy at the developing relationship with her longtime crush, Boaz. A reformed player can be quite engaging, but this guy is a little too . . . I dunno. Something. On the one hand, I get him not entering into her crush when they were 15 and 18. So I'll give him a pass on not falling at her feet in the past. But his attentions at this point are a little too focused, a little too intent. And the social setup that sets up the Romantic Tragedy (ala Romeo and Juliet) doesn't seem like something he's prepared to buck, even though Grier cannot care less about the divide.
A note about Chaste: Grier hasn't ever had sex, but still has a bit of a crush on Boaz. But she isn't stupid and she's in no hurry to have her heart broken and is pretty clear-eyed about his past and proclivities. So there's no sex in the story, explicit or otherwise. So this is pretty chaste.
And I liked Grier for herself, too. Her history is a bit ambiguous for a while, but the more I learned the depths of her personal horror, the more admiration I had for her determination to pull things together and get back to a sense of normalcy.
The biggest weakness of the story is that background, though. In many ways, it has all the weight it should have and Edwards does very well letting that be felt. In Grier's internal landscape in particular. But in some ways, it's a bit of a stretch and I wasn't sure it had been completely thought through. I mean, five years is a lot of cultural and social developments that she completely missed out on. This is something that should have been felt in her relationship with Amelie beyond merely that they didn't get to do things together like they had planned. Amelie has a whole host of experiences, relationships, passions, disappointments, and just life that the two missed out on sharing. Indeed, they should have spent as much time getting to know each other as they did participating in their old patterns of behavior and that just wasn't felt.
I'm impressed with how well the pace was kept up because a good bit of the story includes bits that should have slowed the pace to zero. But Grier never stops or gives in despite being in overwhelming circumstances. I loved her spirit and ability to keep going and turning even little things to her advantage when that was all she had.
So I'm going to give this a solid four stars with the final note that I'm most uneasy at the developing relationship with her longtime crush, Boaz. A reformed player can be quite engaging, but this guy is a little too . . . I dunno. Something. On the one hand, I get him not entering into her crush when they were 15 and 18. So I'll give him a pass on not falling at her feet in the past. But his attentions at this point are a little too focused, a little too intent. And the social setup that sets up the Romantic Tragedy (ala Romeo and Juliet) doesn't seem like something he's prepared to buck, even though Grier cannot care less about the divide.
A note about Chaste: Grier hasn't ever had sex, but still has a bit of a crush on Boaz. But she isn't stupid and she's in no hurry to have her heart broken and is pretty clear-eyed about his past and proclivities. So there's no sex in the story, explicit or otherwise. So this is pretty chaste.
September 9, 2017
Well done urban fantasy - the heroine is a necromancer and there is a nice take on vampires. She lives in a haunted house - and the house itself kind of talks to her. Well-paced with a great heroine. The world building is well done - twists and turns. I laughed, but there are also darker moments.
I really enjoyed this one. First time I've read this author. Ready for book two.
I really enjoyed this one. First time I've read this author. Ready for book two.
March 12, 2020
Not a bad start to a series at all. Rating this one 3-3.5 stars and I will definitely not hesitate to pick up book two and see where it goes from here.
August 31, 2017
How to Save an Undead Life is a brand new series by Hailey Edwards. I fell into the mystery and dramatic adventure of who and what Grier Woolworth is.
WOW I’m not sure where to start. This book is setting us up for one amazing adventure. Grier is thrown into the deep end and is not prepared for it. I felt for her. She’s one hot mess with some serious PTSD. You might wonder what happened, well lets just say her past is a tragic one and she didn’t have a chance. She also doesn’t know her background, has gifts she doesn’t know about, and everyone wants a piece of her. It’s a emotional roller coaster ride for the reader and Grier.
I liked the characters introduced and found them intriguing. The few friends Grier has are solid. I think she’s going to need those friends in the future. I absolutely loved her house, Woolly. Most think the house is haunted, but I think it’s more. The house is the only thing she has left of the caregiver she adored. We also meet Boaz, the neighbor boy and her long time crush. I’m not sure what is going on with these two. They where/are friends and may have been more if the events from her past hadn't happened and now who knows where things will go.
This one is field with question's, answer’s, mystery's, more question's, and some nasty stuff that Grier isn’t prepared for. I couldn’t put How to Save an Undead Life down and I’m excited to see what happens next.
Rated: 4 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Hailey Edwards with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
WOW I’m not sure where to start. This book is setting us up for one amazing adventure. Grier is thrown into the deep end and is not prepared for it. I felt for her. She’s one hot mess with some serious PTSD. You might wonder what happened, well lets just say her past is a tragic one and she didn’t have a chance. She also doesn’t know her background, has gifts she doesn’t know about, and everyone wants a piece of her. It’s a emotional roller coaster ride for the reader and Grier.
I liked the characters introduced and found them intriguing. The few friends Grier has are solid. I think she’s going to need those friends in the future. I absolutely loved her house, Woolly. Most think the house is haunted, but I think it’s more. The house is the only thing she has left of the caregiver she adored. We also meet Boaz, the neighbor boy and her long time crush. I’m not sure what is going on with these two. They where/are friends and may have been more if the events from her past hadn't happened and now who knows where things will go.
This one is field with question's, answer’s, mystery's, more question's, and some nasty stuff that Grier isn’t prepared for. I couldn’t put How to Save an Undead Life down and I’m excited to see what happens next.
Rated: 4 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Hailey Edwards with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
September 8, 2018
This did not Wow me as I expected after having read the reviews. It seemed like a lot of things were happening and most of them don't even add to the story, it just dragged it out. Secondly, the heroine already has a love interest and the pairing happened off scene, this doesn't exactly make me any invested in reading about them.
The different caste of vampires was pretty unique and I might continue on with the series. Maybe.
The different caste of vampires was pretty unique and I might continue on with the series. Maybe.
November 8, 2019
3.5
Ohh, look, a new series! And I smell potential!
I have to admit, there are some things that annoy me at the main character.
But it's fun and interesting and it could be something that will get better the more I read.
For now, I'm keeping my opinion neutral (mostly), but I feel like it could become a good one.
Ohh, look, a new series! And I smell potential!
I have to admit, there are some things that annoy me at the main character.
But it's fun and interesting and it could be something that will get better the more I read.
For now, I'm keeping my opinion neutral (mostly), but I feel like it could become a good one.
March 21, 2021
The voice is good but I have many Complicated Thoughts and Opinions. Too lazy to type them out so I guess they’ll stay in my head.
October 3, 2018
Pretty good start to a series. I discovered this author through her current series The Foundling- Bayou Born- and as a first instalment, promises that the series will be at least as good. This UF has vampires, necromancers, wraiths and plenty of secrets for the MC to uncover in future books. There must be thousands of Urban fantasy series out there, but this appears to be one of the better ones!
October 28, 2018
This book has great reviews and I can't help wondering: But why.
Nothing ever happens in the book. The characters were very bland and not remotely interesting. The sentient manor and undead parakeet were mostly gimmicks (as cool as they sound as a premise) and generally the whole book felt like reading a prologue. The story went from nowhere to nowhere and we didn't learn any of the mysteries that were obliquely hinted at. I mean, it's great you want to build suspension and a longer story arc (I assume that's what the author was going for) but the book itself needs to have a plot too. Just saying.
Nothing ever happens in the book. The characters were very bland and not remotely interesting. The sentient manor and undead parakeet were mostly gimmicks (as cool as they sound as a premise) and generally the whole book felt like reading a prologue. The story went from nowhere to nowhere and we didn't learn any of the mysteries that were obliquely hinted at. I mean, it's great you want to build suspension and a longer story arc (I assume that's what the author was going for) but the book itself needs to have a plot too. Just saying.
January 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this both the charaters and the story and I want a woolly of my own. Can't wait for book 2!😃
June 4, 2022
Captivating and confusing at the same time. Things do become clearer between the halfway point and the end, so let's say 3.5 stars automatically rounded up.
Neither the book title nor the series title relate to the actual story, except that it contains both undead characters and necromancy--none of the undead get their life saved, nor do you find out how to do it, and the necromantic scenes and comments don't begin to provide a guide, especially for beginners. Grier Woolworth, the first-person narrator, is the closest to a beginner and she's already had eleven years of admittedly low-level training to be a necromancer's assistant (and very little of her training is shared with us readers).
I'll venture that this story works best if you ignore both titles and start with the blurb, reprinted at the top of this Goodreads page, because it telegraphs some important parts of the plot that develop slowly in the book. I'll comment cautiously on it to minimize the need for spoiler tags.
Well, the first paragraph of the blurb talks about the early chapters, and it only needs one correction: The Woolworth mansion there in Savannah, Georgia, where Grier is living, isn't actually "haunted"--it's sentient, its nickname is Woolly, and it's perhaps the most delightful character in the book. It expresses itself richly, locking and unlocking its doors to admit the people it approves of and keep others out, brightening and dimming its lights and even doing "haunted house" things to join in conversations. (But compared with Dina DeMille's sentient hotel in Ilona Andrews's Innkeeper Chromnicles, Woolly is traditional and very local.)
Right on page one, Woolly helps Grier out of a nasty PTSD episode, and Grier shares with us that Woolly's the only family she has left since her legal guardian Maud was murdered and Grier, age 16 at the time, was arrested and sentenced to life without parole in the horrible Atramentous prison, details of which are scattered throughout the book. By chapter two, we learn in dialogue that Grier was pardoned and released only a few weeks ago. Penniless, she was allowed to reunite with Woolly and her close childhood friends Amelie and Boaz Pritchard, who live next door. Amelie gets her that job (see blurb), and they work together as tour guides to Savannah's haunted houses.
Maud was a necromancer in the upper level of the Society for Post-Life Management, and Amelie and Boaz are in the lower level of the Society. Grier was Maud's heir until the Society expelled her, and it's the Society that reinstates Grier about halfway through the book (thank you, blurb!). Until then, her life is dark and threatening (in several ways). Afterwards, her life is bright and sunny and, of course, even more threatening, right up to a teamwork climax that brings on a new relationship between Grier and the Society. Hopefully, we'll see how that works out in the sequel.
The world-building is revealed gradually and is never completely clear to me. Necromancers have a lifespan of around 450 years and, as Amelie says, aren't human. Fae are mentioned now and then but don't enter the story. One idea, however, comes through loud and clear. There's a whole new slant on the origin of vampires--they're a creation of necromancers!
Vampires aren't the only undead. "Stashed in the bottom drawer" are (1) ghosts, from violent deaths; (2) ghouls, from resurrections "gone wrong"; and (3) wraiths, from murder by dark magic. Then there's that other source of necromancer wealth, called psychopomps for some reason--they're resurrected pets! And it looks like that's something Grier can do. In an early scene she digs up Keet, her parakeet, and brings him back to life; she says he's her familiar, but we don't see as much of him as I'd like.
There's humor and warmth among the little family of Grier, Woolly, Amelie, Boaz (romance yet to come), and Keet, but bear in mind that Grier is only twenty-one and her five years of major abuse in a hellish prison have had their effect on her personality development. I'd say she's done remarkably well. The necromancer society is almost as repellent as vampire society. My feelings were mixed and remixed as I read this book.
Neither the book title nor the series title relate to the actual story, except that it contains both undead characters and necromancy--none of the undead get their life saved, nor do you find out how to do it, and the necromantic scenes and comments don't begin to provide a guide, especially for beginners. Grier Woolworth, the first-person narrator, is the closest to a beginner and she's already had eleven years of admittedly low-level training to be a necromancer's assistant (and very little of her training is shared with us readers).
I'll venture that this story works best if you ignore both titles and start with the blurb, reprinted at the top of this Goodreads page, because it telegraphs some important parts of the plot that develop slowly in the book. I'll comment cautiously on it to minimize the need for spoiler tags.
Well, the first paragraph of the blurb talks about the early chapters, and it only needs one correction: The Woolworth mansion there in Savannah, Georgia, where Grier is living, isn't actually "haunted"--it's sentient, its nickname is Woolly, and it's perhaps the most delightful character in the book. It expresses itself richly, locking and unlocking its doors to admit the people it approves of and keep others out, brightening and dimming its lights and even doing "haunted house" things to join in conversations. (But compared with Dina DeMille's sentient hotel in Ilona Andrews's Innkeeper Chromnicles, Woolly is traditional and very local.)
Right on page one, Woolly helps Grier out of a nasty PTSD episode, and Grier shares with us that Woolly's the only family she has left since her legal guardian Maud was murdered and Grier, age 16 at the time, was arrested and sentenced to life without parole in the horrible Atramentous prison, details of which are scattered throughout the book. By chapter two, we learn in dialogue that Grier was pardoned and released only a few weeks ago. Penniless, she was allowed to reunite with Woolly and her close childhood friends Amelie and Boaz Pritchard, who live next door. Amelie gets her that job (see blurb), and they work together as tour guides to Savannah's haunted houses.
Maud was a necromancer in the upper level of the Society for Post-Life Management, and Amelie and Boaz are in the lower level of the Society. Grier was Maud's heir until the Society expelled her, and it's the Society that reinstates Grier about halfway through the book (thank you, blurb!). Until then, her life is dark and threatening (in several ways). Afterwards, her life is bright and sunny and, of course, even more threatening, right up to a teamwork climax that brings on a new relationship between Grier and the Society. Hopefully, we'll see how that works out in the sequel.
The world-building is revealed gradually and is never completely clear to me. Necromancers have a lifespan of around 450 years and, as Amelie says, aren't human. Fae are mentioned now and then but don't enter the story. One idea, however, comes through loud and clear. There's a whole new slant on the origin of vampires--they're a creation of necromancers!
Your basic undead are created when a necromancer tethers a human soul with very, very deep pockets to its body after death. Those vampires are classified as resurrections...most go insane and have to be put down before the half-century mark. ... Want to become a vamp? You need a willing necromancer, a signed contract, and a verified money transfer before that happens.And
The Society for Post-Life Management sounds more upscale and corporate than Will Raise the Dead for Cash, Inc.And finally, for a huge fee, a woman can be impregnated with the still living sperm of a freshly resurrected vamp and the resulting child is a Last Seed vamp, immortal from birth. Although the necromancer society puts vampires in its lowest seats, a Last Seed vamp lays claim to Grier, and the adventure is on.
Vampires aren't the only undead. "Stashed in the bottom drawer" are (1) ghosts, from violent deaths; (2) ghouls, from resurrections "gone wrong"; and (3) wraiths, from murder by dark magic. Then there's that other source of necromancer wealth, called psychopomps for some reason--they're resurrected pets! And it looks like that's something Grier can do. In an early scene she digs up Keet, her parakeet, and brings him back to life; she says he's her familiar, but we don't see as much of him as I'd like.
There's humor and warmth among the little family of Grier, Woolly, Amelie, Boaz (romance yet to come), and Keet, but bear in mind that Grier is only twenty-one and her five years of major abuse in a hellish prison have had their effect on her personality development. I'd say she's done remarkably well. The necromancer society is almost as repellent as vampire society. My feelings were mixed and remixed as I read this book.
December 8, 2019
Because I'm horrible at writing reviews quickly, this is a quick little bit for the series as a whole.
The first book didn't totally buy me in, but enough that I decided to keep reading and I'm so glad I did. The romance was something I was worried about, but it ended up being beautiful! It is so well done and so healthy. I adore how they are there for each other and work to help each other and are willing to work on their relationship issues together and do better in the future. They are such goals and oh so adorable.
There is so much real life in these books-- things change, we all grow up differently or have to change our thinking.
I adored all the characters here and I'm so, so glad fun side characters weren't completely left behind. Grier is amazing. I love how she slowly works through her trauma and it doesn't just magically go away. Her fears are real, trauma happened, that kind of stuff doesn't just go away!
I will say I wish the process for throwing Grier into prison was expanded on more, I feel like that is the only loose end.
I'm so glad I gave this series a try after not liking one of her other ones. This is so worth the read and I'll be trying more books by this author in the future.
The first book didn't totally buy me in, but enough that I decided to keep reading and I'm so glad I did. The romance was something I was worried about, but it ended up being beautiful! It is so well done and so healthy. I adore how they are there for each other and work to help each other and are willing to work on their relationship issues together and do better in the future. They are such goals and oh so adorable.
There is so much real life in these books-- things change, we all grow up differently or have to change our thinking.
I adored all the characters here and I'm so, so glad fun side characters weren't completely left behind. Grier is amazing. I love how she slowly works through her trauma and it doesn't just magically go away. Her fears are real, trauma happened, that kind of stuff doesn't just go away!
I will say I wish the process for throwing Grier into prison was expanded on more, I feel like that is the only loose end.
I'm so glad I gave this series a try after not liking one of her other ones. This is so worth the read and I'll be trying more books by this author in the future.
September 2, 2022
Actual Rating: 2.5 stars
It has some good elements in there that I enjoyed, like the sentient haunted house and the zombie bird, but overall, the story and characters didn't grip my interest enough. I often found myself distracted while listening to the audiobook and missed some moments.
I am going to give the second installment a chance and see where I go from there, I am hoping it will improve.
P.S.: I wish I had a house that was sentient too, what a cool relationship, like a pet 2.0.
How to Claim an Undead Soul (The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy, #2) - 2-2.5/5 stars
It has some good elements in there that I enjoyed, like the sentient haunted house and the zombie bird, but overall, the story and characters didn't grip my interest enough. I often found myself distracted while listening to the audiobook and missed some moments.
I am going to give the second installment a chance and see where I go from there, I am hoping it will improve.
P.S.: I wish I had a house that was sentient too, what a cool relationship, like a pet 2.0.
How to Claim an Undead Soul (The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy, #2) - 2-2.5/5 stars
February 9, 2019
4 Stars... Hailey Edwards introduces readers to the interworking's of necromancers with her complex and dynamic character of Grier Woolworth; a young woman wrongfully imprisoned and attempting to find her way back in the world as she suffers loss, necromantic society's rules and expectations, and a new level of power and prestige... Who to trust and where to turn for answers becomes a confusing and terrifying game as she attempts to navigate her new normal... Throw in her life long love and a powerful vampire with his own agenda and her life has become one unknown twist after another... Hailey Edwards has given her readers a feisty, intelligent, charismatic character in this fascinating new world of magic, vampires, and a society bent on seizing power one way or another... Looking forward to continuing with this series and seeing how Grier's new life unfolds:)
March 25, 2025
DNF-ing at 40%.
First of all it took me almost 2 weeks to get there and I just can't any more.
The plot (what plot?) is utterly insipid with nothing happening. The fact that at 40% we are still kept at getting hints that something interesting may eventually happen sometime somewhere is not enough for me.
Also, I don't care about the MC (how-are-you-even-alive, speshul snowflake type) or any other character apart from the house.
Not for me.
First of all it took me almost 2 weeks to get there and I just can't any more.
The plot (what plot?) is utterly insipid with nothing happening. The fact that at 40% we are still kept at getting hints that something interesting may eventually happen sometime somewhere is not enough for me.
Also, I don't care about the MC (how-are-you-even-alive, speshul snowflake type) or any other character apart from the house.
Not for me.
August 17, 2021
I'd like to say that I've developed a bit of a palate when it comes to the urban fantasy and paranormal genres. In fact, you could call me a connoisseur.
...Which is a lot of damn work as those genres are associated with a lot of cringey bullshit. There's a lot of crap to wade through. But alas, I know a good UF when I see one, I've put in the work, and it makes the eventual reading of a quality paranormal/urban fantasy all the sweeter.
So where does this one land, you ask? Well, right in the middle. A 3 star read. Definitely not bad. But nothing I'm rushing to recommend. But I must say the last 10% spiced things up a bit so who knows.
A lot of big UF series feature the same plots: mysteriously badass, snarky heroine who's a bit down and out discovers that she's special. Enter harem of possessive dude-bros who posture and fight each other over said heroine. Various paranormal shenanigans ensue. There's a lot of room for colossal failure, but when it hits it can be pretty dang entertaining.
This was absolutely not a colossal failure and it had some good moments. Grier Woolworth was recently released from this world's equivalent of Azkaban, and she's seen some shit. For the past 5 years during her imprisonment for being falsely (Maybe? Probably?) accused of murdering her guardian, she has been drugged and tortured. But randomly she's released from this prison that literally no one has ever been released from, and she has no idea why. But hey, she's not here to ask questions.
Buttttt things start to get a bit complicated. What really happened to Grier's guardian? Why was she suddenly released, and why was she imprisoned without a trial in the first place? And why are randos entering her life offering her an alliance???
Overall How to Save an Undead Life was a decent set up to a potentially promising paranormal series. There were enough interesting characters to draw me in, I just wish the world-building was a bit better. You were really thrust into it at first so it took a hot sec to catch up.
I really didn't love the (potential) love interest, Boaz. In general I'm not a fan of the "childhood crush" trope and the overuse of his pet name for Grier, "Squirt," was enough for me to dock a star just for that. It kind of sucked because he was a big part of the book + Grier's not really over him. I'm always partial to the more problematic love interests so this mans was just not cutting it. I doubt he's going to be end game though because I feel like authors rarely keep the over-protective, nice guy love interests as the main male character.
I was pretty much feeling 3 stars this entire book, but I must say I'm really intrigued by the character that was introduced in the last 10% and I'm happy where the book left off + excited for the next installment.
This was a fairly short story, and served as a decent introduction to the series. With books like this, it's more about the set up, and not really the book as a fully fleshed out story.
I also want to add that although Grier dealt with some pretty horrific conditions while imprisoned, I liked how a lot of this book was pretty low stakes. Often with UF and paranormal, the stakes are so high. It's like good vs. evil, life or death, the end of the world... but I did appreciate the (somewhat) lower stakes of this book. I don't really think that this series is low stakes and it will probably get more intense as it progresses, but I just wanted to shout that out. Not that I dislike high stakes stories, but sometimes it's refreshing to switch things up, you know?
Anyway, if you're a fan of Kate Daniels, Mercy Thompson, etc. maybe try this out. It's not cringey, is fast paced, and fun. I'm not saying it's as good as those series, but it may be just what you need to fill the void.
...Which is a lot of damn work as those genres are associated with a lot of cringey bullshit. There's a lot of crap to wade through. But alas, I know a good UF when I see one, I've put in the work, and it makes the eventual reading of a quality paranormal/urban fantasy all the sweeter.
So where does this one land, you ask? Well, right in the middle. A 3 star read. Definitely not bad. But nothing I'm rushing to recommend. But I must say the last 10% spiced things up a bit so who knows.
A lot of big UF series feature the same plots: mysteriously badass, snarky heroine who's a bit down and out discovers that she's special. Enter harem of possessive dude-bros who posture and fight each other over said heroine. Various paranormal shenanigans ensue. There's a lot of room for colossal failure, but when it hits it can be pretty dang entertaining.
This was absolutely not a colossal failure and it had some good moments. Grier Woolworth was recently released from this world's equivalent of Azkaban, and she's seen some shit. For the past 5 years during her imprisonment for being falsely (Maybe? Probably?) accused of murdering her guardian, she has been drugged and tortured. But randomly she's released from this prison that literally no one has ever been released from, and she has no idea why. But hey, she's not here to ask questions.
Buttttt things start to get a bit complicated. What really happened to Grier's guardian? Why was she suddenly released, and why was she imprisoned without a trial in the first place? And why are randos entering her life offering her an alliance???
Overall How to Save an Undead Life was a decent set up to a potentially promising paranormal series. There were enough interesting characters to draw me in, I just wish the world-building was a bit better. You were really thrust into it at first so it took a hot sec to catch up.
I really didn't love the (potential) love interest, Boaz. In general I'm not a fan of the "childhood crush" trope and the overuse of his pet name for Grier, "Squirt," was enough for me to dock a star just for that. It kind of sucked because he was a big part of the book + Grier's not really over him. I'm always partial to the more problematic love interests so this mans was just not cutting it. I doubt he's going to be end game though because I feel like authors rarely keep the over-protective, nice guy love interests as the main male character.
I was pretty much feeling 3 stars this entire book, but I must say I'm really intrigued by the character that was introduced in the last 10% and I'm happy where the book left off + excited for the next installment.
This was a fairly short story, and served as a decent introduction to the series. With books like this, it's more about the set up, and not really the book as a fully fleshed out story.
I also want to add that although Grier dealt with some pretty horrific conditions while imprisoned, I liked how a lot of this book was pretty low stakes. Often with UF and paranormal, the stakes are so high. It's like good vs. evil, life or death, the end of the world... but I did appreciate the (somewhat) lower stakes of this book. I don't really think that this series is low stakes and it will probably get more intense as it progresses, but I just wanted to shout that out. Not that I dislike high stakes stories, but sometimes it's refreshing to switch things up, you know?
Anyway, if you're a fan of Kate Daniels, Mercy Thompson, etc. maybe try this out. It's not cringey, is fast paced, and fun. I'm not saying it's as good as those series, but it may be just what you need to fill the void.
April 26, 2021
How to Save an Undead Life, the first book in the Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy took in on an interesting journey into the world of a young necromancer looking to I heard good things about the series and also the synopsis hinted at an exciting adventure, and so I had no qualms in picking up the first book.
The story introduces Grier, a 21-year-old necromancer, newly released from the magic world’s version of prison, where she spent time for the murder of her aunt. Despite gaining her freedom, she suffers from PTSD because of the horrors she experienced during her incarceration. She lost everything when she went to prison. She now works a tour guide for Haint Misbehavin’ Ghost Tours as a means of survival. The only things which remained constant were her friendship with Amelie and her connection with Wooly. Wooly is the sentient house she grew up in with her aunt Maud. However, with the reappearance of her childhood crush and the appearance of the two vampires whose actions reeked of suspicion, her life would take another dramatic turn.
This installment revealed the reason for Grier’s release from the magical prison, the identity of the person behind it, and the reason for her pardon.
It took me sometime to get into the story, but when I did, I could not put it down. It felt as if I skipped the several pages and jumped right into the middle of the story. I had a hard time following, however, after sometime I found it easier to follow.
Grier is one of those heroines: if given the opportunity, I would shake some sense into her. Her indecisiveness frustrated me. However, the thing that had me wanting to shake her was the dumb move she made with the vampires. A move which placed her in danger.
I found the secondary characters interesting, my favourite being Boaz, Grier’s childhood crush. I enjoyed their banter, which was flirty and funny and I loved how he always had her back.
The author gave readers some suspense and action, which added an element of excitement to the story. This thread showcased Grier’s capabilities. I loved the world the author created, and I look forward to returning to it.
Despite my misgivings, How to Save an Undead Life gave me enough to have me wanting to pick up the next book. Fans of Urban Fantasy would delight in this introduction to Grier Woolworth, her sentient house, and her zombie parakeet.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
The story introduces Grier, a 21-year-old necromancer, newly released from the magic world’s version of prison, where she spent time for the murder of her aunt. Despite gaining her freedom, she suffers from PTSD because of the horrors she experienced during her incarceration. She lost everything when she went to prison. She now works a tour guide for Haint Misbehavin’ Ghost Tours as a means of survival. The only things which remained constant were her friendship with Amelie and her connection with Wooly. Wooly is the sentient house she grew up in with her aunt Maud. However, with the reappearance of her childhood crush and the appearance of the two vampires whose actions reeked of suspicion, her life would take another dramatic turn.
This installment revealed the reason for Grier’s release from the magical prison, the identity of the person behind it, and the reason for her pardon.
It took me sometime to get into the story, but when I did, I could not put it down. It felt as if I skipped the several pages and jumped right into the middle of the story. I had a hard time following, however, after sometime I found it easier to follow.
Grier is one of those heroines: if given the opportunity, I would shake some sense into her. Her indecisiveness frustrated me. However, the thing that had me wanting to shake her was the dumb move she made with the vampires. A move which placed her in danger.
I found the secondary characters interesting, my favourite being Boaz, Grier’s childhood crush. I enjoyed their banter, which was flirty and funny and I loved how he always had her back.
The author gave readers some suspense and action, which added an element of excitement to the story. This thread showcased Grier’s capabilities. I loved the world the author created, and I look forward to returning to it.
Despite my misgivings, How to Save an Undead Life gave me enough to have me wanting to pick up the next book. Fans of Urban Fantasy would delight in this introduction to Grier Woolworth, her sentient house, and her zombie parakeet.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
April 22, 2018
How to Save an Undead Life was a surprisingly intriguing read. By that I mean there is so much more to the story than I expected. So much that I'm not sure how to compose a review that won't be either a duplication of the offered blurb or a spoiler. Much is left to either the reader's imagination or to be learned later, which would normally frustrate me however, in this case, it only made me more ravenous for details.
There is so much information dumped in this intro into Edwards' world of necromancers, ghosts and vampires, but in the best way possible. Tidbits dropped here and there like crumbs that I greedily gobble in hunt for the next and the next. I read this book in one sitting and immediately bought books two and three to be read next. This is my first read by Hailey Edwards, but it will not be my last.
I thoroughly enjoyed the world she's created with this series - the different levels of society among necromancers; her take on vampires, their creation and abilities; Grier - this intricate character with a big heart and even bigger hurts; her zombie parakeet and mothering house; and the friendships which help Grier in every way good friends should.
(Full rating: ✮✮✮✮½)
"Make no apologies for surviving."When we meet Grier Woolworth she's screamed herself awake from a bad dream and tries to soothe and reassure her (friendly, protective) haunted house, Woolly (Woolworth House) that she's okay. All we're told about her PTSD-induced nightmares is that they stem from her time in "the black stone prison called Altramentous", from which she was only recently released, for reasons unknown. As a necromancer who is used to being among humans, she gives the nightly tours and revels her victim's (tour attendees) jumps and squeals as she regales the haunted history of locations around her city. She's an employee of Cricket, owner of Haint Misbehavin' Ghost Tours in Savannah, Georgia; she loves her job, she's also very good at it.
There is so much information dumped in this intro into Edwards' world of necromancers, ghosts and vampires, but in the best way possible. Tidbits dropped here and there like crumbs that I greedily gobble in hunt for the next and the next. I read this book in one sitting and immediately bought books two and three to be read next. This is my first read by Hailey Edwards, but it will not be my last.
I thoroughly enjoyed the world she's created with this series - the different levels of society among necromancers; her take on vampires, their creation and abilities; Grier - this intricate character with a big heart and even bigger hurts; her zombie parakeet and mothering house; and the friendships which help Grier in every way good friends should.
(Full rating: ✮✮✮✮½)
March 21, 2019
4.5/5
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Here’s a novel that I was curious to discover! There are not many series featuring necromancers and the only one that comes to mind is Anita Blake, I must say. So how could I resist Grier?
Poor Grier, she really had no luck in life. After her aunt’s death, she was charged with the murder and locked in a terrible place until someone pulled her out without her understanding the reason. And even if she’s lost everything, at least she still has her zombie parakeet and her house. A house that is not ordinary and has its own soul. I loved seeing how Wolly could communicate with our heroine or her guests. It was a very good idea. In any case, our heroine is trying to get by as best she can with her best friend and her brother’s who will do anything for her. But then her life was completely turned upside down when one day a vampire, Volkov, came forward to offer her an alliance with his clan. Why would he care about her while she has nothing?
I really had a great time with this book. If I had a little trouble getting into it and understanding it at the very beginning of the story, I was quickly caught up in the story afterwards. We get carried away by our heroine who will have to face many new problems and several questions now arise. That’s why I’m eager to dive into the rest to discover what the author has in store for us. Grier is a very interesting character to whom we can easily get attached, just like her friends and I must say that the beginning of the problems!
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Here’s a novel that I was curious to discover! There are not many series featuring necromancers and the only one that comes to mind is Anita Blake, I must say. So how could I resist Grier?
Poor Grier, she really had no luck in life. After her aunt’s death, she was charged with the murder and locked in a terrible place until someone pulled her out without her understanding the reason. And even if she’s lost everything, at least she still has her zombie parakeet and her house. A house that is not ordinary and has its own soul. I loved seeing how Wolly could communicate with our heroine or her guests. It was a very good idea. In any case, our heroine is trying to get by as best she can with her best friend and her brother’s who will do anything for her. But then her life was completely turned upside down when one day a vampire, Volkov, came forward to offer her an alliance with his clan. Why would he care about her while she has nothing?
I really had a great time with this book. If I had a little trouble getting into it and understanding it at the very beginning of the story, I was quickly caught up in the story afterwards. We get carried away by our heroine who will have to face many new problems and several questions now arise. That’s why I’m eager to dive into the rest to discover what the author has in store for us. Grier is a very interesting character to whom we can easily get attached, just like her friends and I must say that the beginning of the problems!
February 11, 2020
I was really in the mood for a great Urban Fantasy series and GR recommends suggested this one.
4 reasons I loved this:
1 Grier is such a layered, likeable character. She's a murder suspect, sent to prison without a trial or any evidence. Now she's free physically but emotionally scarred. Grier was strong, smart, resourceful, determined, anxious, vulnerable and very real.
2 The world building is great. You are introduced to a society of necromancers, vampires, ghosts and other mysterious mythological creatures. Give this a try if you want something other than werewolves and vampires.
3 I loved Wooly, the haunted house. She plays an important role in the story. Wooly is like family and an anchor for Grier. She's sentient. I'm not really sure how to explain this but Wooly is wicked cool.
4 The writing style worked for me. You have a complicated lead, a mystery, a fast paced story, uncertain romantic prospects,the perfect amount of description and atmosphere ( tricky territory ). A special mention for the supporting characters. They are all beautifully written.
What didn't work for me :
1 I'm undecided about the Pritchard siblings.
This is the first book I've ever tried by this author and I really enjoyed it. Big win. On to the next one :)
4 reasons I loved this:
1 Grier is such a layered, likeable character. She's a murder suspect, sent to prison without a trial or any evidence. Now she's free physically but emotionally scarred. Grier was strong, smart, resourceful, determined, anxious, vulnerable and very real.
2 The world building is great. You are introduced to a society of necromancers, vampires, ghosts and other mysterious mythological creatures. Give this a try if you want something other than werewolves and vampires.
3 I loved Wooly, the haunted house. She plays an important role in the story. Wooly is like family and an anchor for Grier. She's sentient. I'm not really sure how to explain this but Wooly is wicked cool.
4 The writing style worked for me. You have a complicated lead, a mystery, a fast paced story, uncertain romantic prospects,the perfect amount of description and atmosphere ( tricky territory ). A special mention for the supporting characters. They are all beautifully written.
What didn't work for me :
1 I'm undecided about the Pritchard siblings.
This is the first book I've ever tried by this author and I really enjoyed it. Big win. On to the next one :)
September 21, 2018
It can’t be easy to keep coming up with a fresh new take on urban fantasy. I read a lot in the genre and so many of the books carry similar threads or a common tone. I am finding, though, with Hailey Edwards that each one of her series has a unique flavor. This one is no exception. It is really, really good.
The heroine is Grier, a weak necromancer who has only recently been released from a supernatural prison where she spent the last five years for a crime she did not commit. This is a woman who has endured a lot. She was caged, drugged, and tortured all those years and is suffering now from a mighty case of PTSD. Add to that, she has no idea how or why she was released. She barely has two cents to rub together, but she does have the home where she grew up, a haunted house she calls Woolly, which feels like its own character in the story.
Grier makes ends meet giving haunted tours in Savannah with her best friend and neighbor, Amelie. Things start to unravel as she continues to be approached by vampires who seem to want something from her, and she is eventually summoned by her aunt, the leader of high necromancer society, for reasons unknown.
I’ve read a lot of reviews that say this is essentially a set up book, and it is. But that didn’t bother me one bit. There were so many great threads happening here and underlying it all was this deep wrong done to the main character. She is trying desperately to climb out of the hole she was put in and there are so many forces who are still trying to take advantage of her. But she’s a fighter and I love that about her.
The world building is great. The necromancers and the way vampires operate in this series are different from so many other books, and while things were often dark, they were also very engaging. I cared what happened to Grier. I loved her huge crush on Amelie’s brother, Boaz. I wasn’t 100% on board with the approach he took to winning her, but I couldn’t help but root for him when he was so firmly in her corner.
There are great secondary characters, not only those who I have already mentioned, but also Neely, the sweet friend who does her make up. And the villains who are just so awful, I loved to hate them.
I have so many questions. Like what really happened to Maud, the guardian Grier is accused of killing? What is the deal with Grier’s father? I assume he was behind the awful events in the last act of the story. What is the Grande Dame’s long-game? Could Grier be more powerful than anyone imagined? (That last question is rhetorical.)
I can’t wait to find out all the answers. I’m jumping in to book two right away.
Rating: A-
The heroine is Grier, a weak necromancer who has only recently been released from a supernatural prison where she spent the last five years for a crime she did not commit. This is a woman who has endured a lot. She was caged, drugged, and tortured all those years and is suffering now from a mighty case of PTSD. Add to that, she has no idea how or why she was released. She barely has two cents to rub together, but she does have the home where she grew up, a haunted house she calls Woolly, which feels like its own character in the story.
Grier makes ends meet giving haunted tours in Savannah with her best friend and neighbor, Amelie. Things start to unravel as she continues to be approached by vampires who seem to want something from her, and she is eventually summoned by her aunt, the leader of high necromancer society, for reasons unknown.
I’ve read a lot of reviews that say this is essentially a set up book, and it is. But that didn’t bother me one bit. There were so many great threads happening here and underlying it all was this deep wrong done to the main character. She is trying desperately to climb out of the hole she was put in and there are so many forces who are still trying to take advantage of her. But she’s a fighter and I love that about her.
The world building is great. The necromancers and the way vampires operate in this series are different from so many other books, and while things were often dark, they were also very engaging. I cared what happened to Grier. I loved her huge crush on Amelie’s brother, Boaz. I wasn’t 100% on board with the approach he took to winning her, but I couldn’t help but root for him when he was so firmly in her corner.
There are great secondary characters, not only those who I have already mentioned, but also Neely, the sweet friend who does her make up. And the villains who are just so awful, I loved to hate them.
I have so many questions. Like what really happened to Maud, the guardian Grier is accused of killing? What is the deal with Grier’s father? I assume he was behind the awful events in the last act of the story. What is the Grande Dame’s long-game? Could Grier be more powerful than anyone imagined? (That last question is rhetorical.)
I can’t wait to find out all the answers. I’m jumping in to book two right away.
Rating: A-
May 25, 2020
After trying and failing to read a PNR, this one actually stuck and I have to say it was quite refreshing from the normal. I read this in 2 days. It's not super long but it definitely piqued and held my curiosity.
It's been 5 years since Grier left Atramaneous, a supernatural prison, to return to her home Woolworth. Woolworth is literally a haunted mansion except she's a nice-to-Grier haunted mansion. Grier was accused of a murder she did not commit and the years in prison haven't left her completely sane. However she's determined to lead as much as a normal life as she can. She has an excellent support system in her best friends next door Amelie and Boaz (brother and sister). Amelie also works with her at a tour guide company where they lead tourists through the neighborhood dressed as Southern Belles telling stories to get good tips.
On one of these tours, Grier encounters Danill Volkhorn, a Last Seed vampire, who has massive interest in her though she cannot fathom why. This leads to Grier discovering things about herself and the people related to her on the supernatural side that she was kept in the dark, or drugged not to know about. However it becomes apparent that she is quite valuable and some people will literally do anything to get their hands (control) on her.
The entire premise of this story is very interesting to me. The politics of the magical world were presented very well. There is a bit of romance between Grier and Boaz but it's definitely complex because Grier is so messed up mentally and rightfully so. At one point I was worried there would be a love triangle but the author definitely took me on a ride I couldn't predict and also left me excited to read more. I absolutely loved all the side characters. Neely, Amelie, Wooly and even Keet were an extremely well fleshed out support system. Boaz was as well even though it's complicated and I'm definitely left with a lot of questions about who the villains of this story actually are because it could quite literally be family.
If you're looking for a PNR urban fantasy that's fresh and different and has romance undertones, definitely give this pilot a go. I'm off to book 2.
It's been 5 years since Grier left Atramaneous, a supernatural prison, to return to her home Woolworth. Woolworth is literally a haunted mansion except she's a nice-to-Grier haunted mansion. Grier was accused of a murder she did not commit and the years in prison haven't left her completely sane. However she's determined to lead as much as a normal life as she can. She has an excellent support system in her best friends next door Amelie and Boaz (brother and sister). Amelie also works with her at a tour guide company where they lead tourists through the neighborhood dressed as Southern Belles telling stories to get good tips.
On one of these tours, Grier encounters Danill Volkhorn, a Last Seed vampire, who has massive interest in her though she cannot fathom why. This leads to Grier discovering things about herself and the people related to her on the supernatural side that she was kept in the dark, or drugged not to know about. However it becomes apparent that she is quite valuable and some people will literally do anything to get their hands (control) on her.
The entire premise of this story is very interesting to me. The politics of the magical world were presented very well. There is a bit of romance between Grier and Boaz but it's definitely complex because Grier is so messed up mentally and rightfully so. At one point I was worried there would be a love triangle but the author definitely took me on a ride I couldn't predict and also left me excited to read more. I absolutely loved all the side characters. Neely, Amelie, Wooly and even Keet were an extremely well fleshed out support system. Boaz was as well even though it's complicated and I'm definitely left with a lot of questions about who the villains of this story actually are because it could quite literally be family.
If you're looking for a PNR urban fantasy that's fresh and different and has romance undertones, definitely give this pilot a go. I'm off to book 2.
July 12, 2018
It's with regret that I couldn't get into this book more - the second half did thankfully capture my interest more than the first, but it was never gripping. Good reviews, idea and characters, but there was a spark missing. The protagonist was likable but she got handed some crappy hands that would have left me angry and kept frustrating me throughout the story. She seemed traumatized but not as upset as she should have been. I would have liked more inner reflection on the mystery of her aunt and not so few clues. It didn't help that the first five chapters or so left me confused part of the time. The author chose to start the first book in the series with the main relationships already established and evolving by page one, particularly with a romantic interest, and thanks to this I couldn't invest or get that excited about it. The zombie parakeet sounds cooler than it was since the bird disappeared after the confusing beginning other than a random scene. Since I am curious about the build-up started here, I will try the second on for size and see if its a better fit.
October 25, 2019
Enjoyed it.
Been nursing another book hangover and I finally finished this one! I liked Grier, and sympathized with her situation. This book felt like a solid introduction to the characters and world Hailey is creating. I'm digging the necromancy, and magic use. The romance is a lot slow-burn. Seems like the childhood crush is trying to get down Grier's pants. Even though I dig how protective Boaz is of Grier, something seems off...
Been nursing another book hangover and I finally finished this one! I liked Grier, and sympathized with her situation. This book felt like a solid introduction to the characters and world Hailey is creating. I'm digging the necromancy, and magic use. The romance is a lot slow-burn. Seems like the childhood crush is trying to get down Grier's pants. Even though I dig how protective Boaz is of Grier, something seems off...
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