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The Necromancer's Daughter
2023 Next Generation Indie Book Award Gold Medalist
2023 RONE Award Gold Medalist
2023 Reader's Favorite Silver Medalist
A healer with the talent to unravel death. A stillborn child brought to life. A father lusting for vengeance. And a son torn between justice, faith, and love. Caught in a chase spanning kingdoms, each must decide the nature of good and evil, the lengths they will go to survive, and what they are willing to lose.
A healer and dabbler in the dark arts of life and death, Barus is as gnarled as an ancient tree. Forgotten in the chaos of the dying queen’s chamber, he spirits away her stillborn infant and in a hovel at the meadow’s edge, breathes life into the wisp of a child. He names her Aster for the lea’s white flowers. Raised as his daughter, she, too, learns to heal death.
Denied a living heir, the widowed king spies from a distance. But he heeds the claims of the fiery Vicar of the Red Order—in the eyes of the Blessed One, Aster is an abomination, and to embrace the evil of resurrection will doom his rule.
As the king’s life nears its end, he defies the vicar’s warning and summons the necromancer’s daughter. For his boldness, he falls to an assassin’s blade. Armed with righteousness and iron-clad conviction, the Order’s brothers ride into the leas to cleanse the land of evil.
To save her father’s life, Aster leads them beyond Verdane’s wall into the Forest of Silvern Cats, a wilderness of dragons and barbarian tribes. Unprepared for a world rife with danger and unchecked power, a world divided by those who practice magic and those who hunt them, she must choose whether to trust the one man offering her aid, the one man most likely to betray her—her enemy’s son.~*~
From best-selling fantasy author D. Wallace Peach comes a retelling of the legend of Kwan-yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. Set in a winter world of dragons, intrigue, and magic, The Necromancer's Daughter is a story about duty, defiance, cruelty, and sacrifice— an epic tale of compassion and deep abiding love where good and evil aren’t what they seem.
2023 RONE Award Gold Medalist
2023 Reader's Favorite Silver Medalist
A healer with the talent to unravel death. A stillborn child brought to life. A father lusting for vengeance. And a son torn between justice, faith, and love. Caught in a chase spanning kingdoms, each must decide the nature of good and evil, the lengths they will go to survive, and what they are willing to lose.
A healer and dabbler in the dark arts of life and death, Barus is as gnarled as an ancient tree. Forgotten in the chaos of the dying queen’s chamber, he spirits away her stillborn infant and in a hovel at the meadow’s edge, breathes life into the wisp of a child. He names her Aster for the lea’s white flowers. Raised as his daughter, she, too, learns to heal death.
Denied a living heir, the widowed king spies from a distance. But he heeds the claims of the fiery Vicar of the Red Order—in the eyes of the Blessed One, Aster is an abomination, and to embrace the evil of resurrection will doom his rule.
As the king’s life nears its end, he defies the vicar’s warning and summons the necromancer’s daughter. For his boldness, he falls to an assassin’s blade. Armed with righteousness and iron-clad conviction, the Order’s brothers ride into the leas to cleanse the land of evil.
To save her father’s life, Aster leads them beyond Verdane’s wall into the Forest of Silvern Cats, a wilderness of dragons and barbarian tribes. Unprepared for a world rife with danger and unchecked power, a world divided by those who practice magic and those who hunt them, she must choose whether to trust the one man offering her aid, the one man most likely to betray her—her enemy’s son.~*~
From best-selling fantasy author D. Wallace Peach comes a retelling of the legend of Kwan-yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. Set in a winter world of dragons, intrigue, and magic, The Necromancer's Daughter is a story about duty, defiance, cruelty, and sacrifice— an epic tale of compassion and deep abiding love where good and evil aren’t what they seem.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2022
6 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
D. Wallace Peach
24 books176 followersI didn’t care for reading as a child – I preferred Bonanza and Beverly Hillbillies reruns, Saturday morning cartoons and the Ed Sullivan show. Then one day, I opened a book titled The Hobbit.
Tolkien … literally changed my life.
I love to write. It’s a luxury I never expected I’d have time for – life got in the way. You know how that goes – kids, work, chores… sleep. I worked for 18 years in business where amassing coin was the all-consuming objective. It required huge amounts of time and mental energy. And for me personally, it was soul-slaying.
Then on September 11, 2001 two planes flew into the World Trade Center. I was working in Connecticut, about 2 hours from ground zero, and remember sitting in a conference room, watching the second tower fall.
That tragedy initiated a process of redefinition for me, an evaluation of what was vital and important. Life felt short and precarious, and I started to wonder if it was time to do something that actually mattered. I began to write.
Tolkien … literally changed my life.
I love to write. It’s a luxury I never expected I’d have time for – life got in the way. You know how that goes – kids, work, chores… sleep. I worked for 18 years in business where amassing coin was the all-consuming objective. It required huge amounts of time and mental energy. And for me personally, it was soul-slaying.
Then on September 11, 2001 two planes flew into the World Trade Center. I was working in Connecticut, about 2 hours from ground zero, and remember sitting in a conference room, watching the second tower fall.
That tragedy initiated a process of redefinition for me, an evaluation of what was vital and important. Life felt short and precarious, and I started to wonder if it was time to do something that actually mattered. I began to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 17, 2022
What an amazing saga of a young girl who is brought back from death and learns to do the same for others. Raised by her Necromancer father, Aster learns to bring others back to life, but her own life is constantly threatened by men who seek power and control. As she flees assassins, her journey through her icy world has only one ultimate goal–peace and safety for her father and herself.
The descriptive ability of this author is impressive. I don’t recall an author ever doing such an amazing job of bringing their characters’ surroundings to life in such an immersive way. I could almost feel the icy wind in my face as I slid down frozen cliffs with Aster. Each character was so fully developed I could see and hear them as I read. I felt more like a part of the story than I ever have. I was captivated by every facet of Aster’s journey. The inclusion of dragons was a joyful addition for me, and I love the way they were portrayed and the way Aster connected to them. This is a remarkable, immersive journey through a frozen and warring land full of fascinating creatures and sometimes treacherous peoples. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, magical stories, and legends.
The descriptive ability of this author is impressive. I don’t recall an author ever doing such an amazing job of bringing their characters’ surroundings to life in such an immersive way. I could almost feel the icy wind in my face as I slid down frozen cliffs with Aster. Each character was so fully developed I could see and hear them as I read. I felt more like a part of the story than I ever have. I was captivated by every facet of Aster’s journey. The inclusion of dragons was a joyful addition for me, and I love the way they were portrayed and the way Aster connected to them. This is a remarkable, immersive journey through a frozen and warring land full of fascinating creatures and sometimes treacherous peoples. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, magical stories, and legends.
August 31, 2022
In D. Wallace Peach's latest fantasy, The Necromancer's Daughter, Aster starts her life dead, taking with her the King of Verdane's beloved Queen. Though a crippled necromancer is available and is the one person one who could turn her death into life, Aster's life is forfeit, a too-painful memory of what it cost the King to have this daughter. But the necromancer has already fallen in love with the beautiful child and hides her body in his robes as he hurries out of the castle and returns to his hovel in the woods. There, he breathes life back into the infant's body and then raises her as his own. For nineteen years, she grows up in his woods and learns to love all life, including the massive dragons who eat apples from her hand. When the King re-appears to ask Aster to return to the castle with him as his only heir, she agrees--for complicated reasons--but on the return journey, the King's entourage is attacked, he is killed, and Aster must flee for her life. Her only hope is to seek out her real father, solicit his help in stopping those who threaten her life and her adopted father's. She carries with her the weight of being the legitimate ruler of the Kingdom of Verdane as well as the taint of the forbidden skill of necromancy. In this bold quest, she finds unlikely assistance from one who should be her enemy and another who is. What she doesn't know until the end is if either will be enough.
Peach is a gifted storyteller skilled at creating believable worlds that readers wish would exist. I've read many of her books, loved them all, but this one, with its rich characters, fast-moving plot, and worthy goals, is my favorite. I highly recommend it to those who love fantasies, love stories with strong people who are tested to their limits, and endings that are supremely satisfying.
Peach is a gifted storyteller skilled at creating believable worlds that readers wish would exist. I've read many of her books, loved them all, but this one, with its rich characters, fast-moving plot, and worthy goals, is my favorite. I highly recommend it to those who love fantasies, love stories with strong people who are tested to their limits, and endings that are supremely satisfying.
June 20, 2023
4.5/5.0
This is actually a really great story! It was recommended by a friend and is an up-an-coming author I had never read before. The story is unique, especially in the world of Necromancer books. Aster (MC) grew up away from the world but with a simple life filled with love. So when evil comes, she is completely unprepared for the larger world, it’s corruption, its biases and tragedies. She firmly believes her gift is one of healing and not death, as the world accuses, and she has a strength of character that carries her through everything that she has to endure.
There are also some super unexpected twists and turns that completely surprise and keep a reader in their seat and turning those pages! Even the end is a bit of a surprise but the perfect way to wrap up such an engaging read!
This is actually a really great story! It was recommended by a friend and is an up-an-coming author I had never read before. The story is unique, especially in the world of Necromancer books. Aster (MC) grew up away from the world but with a simple life filled with love. So when evil comes, she is completely unprepared for the larger world, it’s corruption, its biases and tragedies. She firmly believes her gift is one of healing and not death, as the world accuses, and she has a strength of character that carries her through everything that she has to endure.
There are also some super unexpected twists and turns that completely surprise and keep a reader in their seat and turning those pages! Even the end is a bit of a surprise but the perfect way to wrap up such an engaging read!
August 31, 2022
I’ve been reading this genre since I was a young child. And I have an excellent memory in most every regard. Yet with so many books I’ve read, I can’t recall the names of the characters, the world, the plot thread and such even a year or so later. I see books on my shelf. I remember picking them up. But most are quickly reduced to vague notions at best, awash in a pool of sameness. With some, I even start reading them again—unsure if I ever did read them in the first place—and still can’t remember 50 pages in, only to find later on that I had, in fact, read the entire book previously.
This author’s stories are never derivative of any other writer or even of her own previous work. I have crystal clear visual and visceral memories of each individual world, magic system and character, even many years later. This is why I’ve long considered this author to be among the very best in the genre—above a host of better-known writers.
As such, I’m always excited to find that D. Wallace Peach is releasing another book or series. I pre-ordered “The Necromancer’s Daughter” the day I knew it was available. And from the very first chapter, I once again felt immediately transported from the commercialized same-old into something completely fresh and new. This book gave me that feeling we readers always crave, where we tell ourselves we’ll just read “one more chapter” and then go to sleep. And then it’s morning, and you’re still reading. And it’s totally worth it.
The writing style, creativity, world-building, character development and approach to the storytelling make “The Necromancer’s Daughter” a book unto itself—one that I know will stay with me.
This author’s stories are never derivative of any other writer or even of her own previous work. I have crystal clear visual and visceral memories of each individual world, magic system and character, even many years later. This is why I’ve long considered this author to be among the very best in the genre—above a host of better-known writers.
As such, I’m always excited to find that D. Wallace Peach is releasing another book or series. I pre-ordered “The Necromancer’s Daughter” the day I knew it was available. And from the very first chapter, I once again felt immediately transported from the commercialized same-old into something completely fresh and new. This book gave me that feeling we readers always crave, where we tell ourselves we’ll just read “one more chapter” and then go to sleep. And then it’s morning, and you’re still reading. And it’s totally worth it.
The writing style, creativity, world-building, character development and approach to the storytelling make “The Necromancer’s Daughter” a book unto itself—one that I know will stay with me.
August 31, 2022
In the Acknowledgements at the beginning of this book, the author says this book was written in response to a challenge "to write a book with one beautiful character, not someone physically stunning, but someone with a beautiful heart, a truly good person."
There are two such people in this book--Aster, the necromancer's daughter, and Barus, the necromancer. Their father-daughter relationship is shown beautifully here, along with much else.
As always, Peach's prose is vivid and poetic. Her descriptions of landscapes, skies, and weather are fulsome and gorgeous. Fear and flight from peril are rendered equally well, such that I felt Aster's terror at being pursued, the rough terrain she flees through, and the snow, cold, and mud that hinder her.
The fictional world is realistic, except it includes dragons. Aster has a special relationship with them, but they are also deployed as aerial threats by one group of humans in the story. Another delightful element is the references to plants used by Barus and Aster in preparing both healing medicines and the poisonous substances used in necromancy. Ambivalence about this practice runs throughout the book. Some see it as a natural extension of healing, but others regard it as evil and justification for hanging any who practice it.
This is a dramatic and compelling read, as scenes of narrow escapes and deadly threats follow one another in quick succession. Reminders of the beauties of the world and the sweetness of Aster's life with her father add poignancy and colour the ending of the story. I recommend this book to almost anyone, but especially readers who appreciate thoughtful and dramatic fantasy.
There are two such people in this book--Aster, the necromancer's daughter, and Barus, the necromancer. Their father-daughter relationship is shown beautifully here, along with much else.
As always, Peach's prose is vivid and poetic. Her descriptions of landscapes, skies, and weather are fulsome and gorgeous. Fear and flight from peril are rendered equally well, such that I felt Aster's terror at being pursued, the rough terrain she flees through, and the snow, cold, and mud that hinder her.
The fictional world is realistic, except it includes dragons. Aster has a special relationship with them, but they are also deployed as aerial threats by one group of humans in the story. Another delightful element is the references to plants used by Barus and Aster in preparing both healing medicines and the poisonous substances used in necromancy. Ambivalence about this practice runs throughout the book. Some see it as a natural extension of healing, but others regard it as evil and justification for hanging any who practice it.
This is a dramatic and compelling read, as scenes of narrow escapes and deadly threats follow one another in quick succession. Reminders of the beauties of the world and the sweetness of Aster's life with her father add poignancy and colour the ending of the story. I recommend this book to almost anyone, but especially readers who appreciate thoughtful and dramatic fantasy.
August 28, 2022
What a fantastic book, filled with fantasy, dragons, kingdoms at war, healing magic, necromancy and love!
I'll be the first to put my hand up and say that this isn't my usual genre to read. However, I could not put it down as I got into the book.
Barus is a crippled healer who finds himself in a situation where he is mistaken for his mother, who, along with healing, was able to practice the art of necromancy.
The king has demanded the necromancer's presence to save his queen and unborn heir from certain death, but Barus's mother is no longer alive.
He accompanies the guards to the castle and ends up with the dead baby princess in his possession. What follows is the story of Aster, the princess who was brought back to life by Barus, who she considers her father. As she learns the truth about her origins, it opens up a wormhole of hatred and misunderstandings that force the father and daughter to flee their home.
Aster's journey through different lands to reach her uncle introduces her to new people who find a way into her life and heart. She gains fans and accumulates enemies as she uses her healing powers and, at a push, the art of necromancy.
An intricately woven tale of hope, faith and love.
I'll be the first to put my hand up and say that this isn't my usual genre to read. However, I could not put it down as I got into the book.
Barus is a crippled healer who finds himself in a situation where he is mistaken for his mother, who, along with healing, was able to practice the art of necromancy.
The king has demanded the necromancer's presence to save his queen and unborn heir from certain death, but Barus's mother is no longer alive.
He accompanies the guards to the castle and ends up with the dead baby princess in his possession. What follows is the story of Aster, the princess who was brought back to life by Barus, who she considers her father. As she learns the truth about her origins, it opens up a wormhole of hatred and misunderstandings that force the father and daughter to flee their home.
Aster's journey through different lands to reach her uncle introduces her to new people who find a way into her life and heart. She gains fans and accumulates enemies as she uses her healing powers and, at a push, the art of necromancy.
An intricately woven tale of hope, faith and love.
December 21, 2025
A Masterpiece in Fantasy
Yummy! If you can hear lyrical poetry in a book of prose, you'll adore D. Wallace Peach's The Necromancer's Daughter.
I can't begin to review this piece of a Fantasy Masterpiece. If you loved The Lord of the Rings, you'll thank yourself for buying this book.
Yummy! If you can hear lyrical poetry in a book of prose, you'll adore D. Wallace Peach's The Necromancer's Daughter.
I can't begin to review this piece of a Fantasy Masterpiece. If you loved The Lord of the Rings, you'll thank yourself for buying this book.
March 8, 2023
“The Necromancer’s Daughter” is a wonderful read that will take readers on an adventure without even leaving the house. Absolutely delightful.
Read full review in the 2023 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2023 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 7, 2022
Good and evil aren’t what they seem
Having read this author before, I preordered my copy of The Necromancer’s Daughter as soon as it came on sale. I wasn’t disappointed!
‘Barus wrinkled his nose at the poison’s fetid stench, and his stomach bubbled into the hollow of his throat.’ … from this pungent opening line, which certainly engages the reader’s senses, the reader is—as promised—treated to ‘… an epic tale of compassion and deep abiding love where good and evil aren’t what they seem.’
I fell in love with the characters immediately and felt for them in their ever more desperate plights. The author did a fantastic job of world building, as well as hooking the reader with the people, plot, and pacing. I admire and applaud how the author took attributes usually seen as negative—ugly, deformed appearance and the practice of necromancy—and turned them into something beautiful and worthy. I loathed the hateful characters and believed in this magical world fully with no suspension of disbelief needed, as the writer did such a superb job in presenting this story as real and true to life despite its many differences.
As ever from D Wallace Peach, the narrative and prose is beautifully descriptive and evocative … poetry in sentence form. Here are some lines that stood out for me …
‘Behind the wind, a voice called, a lost sound like the hoot of a faraway owl.’
And …
(A long history in a few, succinct words) ‘… since she’d rescued his malformed and abandoned body from the woods and carried him home.’
And …
‘ … a tragic last step in a journey of blindness, of unforgiving guilt and blame, of a rigid perception of faith.’
I could go on. So difficult to choose from so many wonderful words. This is one of those reads I didn’t ever want to finish because it was so good! As you may have guessed, The Necromancer’s Daughter gets a resounding 5 stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
Having read this author before, I preordered my copy of The Necromancer’s Daughter as soon as it came on sale. I wasn’t disappointed!
‘Barus wrinkled his nose at the poison’s fetid stench, and his stomach bubbled into the hollow of his throat.’ … from this pungent opening line, which certainly engages the reader’s senses, the reader is—as promised—treated to ‘… an epic tale of compassion and deep abiding love where good and evil aren’t what they seem.’
I fell in love with the characters immediately and felt for them in their ever more desperate plights. The author did a fantastic job of world building, as well as hooking the reader with the people, plot, and pacing. I admire and applaud how the author took attributes usually seen as negative—ugly, deformed appearance and the practice of necromancy—and turned them into something beautiful and worthy. I loathed the hateful characters and believed in this magical world fully with no suspension of disbelief needed, as the writer did such a superb job in presenting this story as real and true to life despite its many differences.
As ever from D Wallace Peach, the narrative and prose is beautifully descriptive and evocative … poetry in sentence form. Here are some lines that stood out for me …
‘Behind the wind, a voice called, a lost sound like the hoot of a faraway owl.’
And …
(A long history in a few, succinct words) ‘… since she’d rescued his malformed and abandoned body from the woods and carried him home.’
And …
‘ … a tragic last step in a journey of blindness, of unforgiving guilt and blame, of a rigid perception of faith.’
I could go on. So difficult to choose from so many wonderful words. This is one of those reads I didn’t ever want to finish because it was so good! As you may have guessed, The Necromancer’s Daughter gets a resounding 5 stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
January 2, 2023
Diana Wallace Peach is a master storyteller and this latest book, The Necromancer’s Daughter, showcases her skills.
The tale is classified as fantasy, but it’s a fantasy that resonates with the familiarity couched in human emotions and I could feel the characters’ hatred, love, fear and humour so clearly, it mattered to me what happened to them.
The Queen of Verdane dies giving birth to the main character, Aster, who is lifeless, too. Barus, a cruelly misshapen but kindly man, learned the necromancer’s trade from the woman who rescued him years beforehand, and he decides to save Aster. In giving her life he makes her an abomination in the eyes of the superstitious residents of the area, but she has a happy childhood with him and learns the ways of healing through his instruction.
This happiness turns to danger and heartbreak as the ambitious and vengeful Vicar of the Red Order, plots and schemes to have Aster and Barus killed. His son, Joreh, battles his upbringing and instilled bigoted beliefs as he becomes involved in Aster’s life. The conflict between his growing love for Aster and his horror of necromancy was hauntingly and believably portrayed.
The writing is both lyrical and powerful, driving on the storyline. Here’s an example regarding Joreh’s internal conflict:
‘He leaned on the wall and thumped his head on the black stones, despairing of another problem with rules regarding good and evil. They snagged on the prickly edges of reason, so knotted with nuance he couldn’t untangle them.’
The story was fast paced and laced with fear and danger, but there’s also a delightful seam of humour running through it courtesy of Teko. He might be a minor character but, like the others, he has a personality of his own that brings him vividly to life.
There’s a beauty to the book of The Necromancer’s Daughter that dwells amongst its pages even more vibrantly than that exquisite cover.
This remarkable novel gripped me from its opening and held me spellbound late into the night right through to its conclusion.
A worthy and glowing 5*
The tale is classified as fantasy, but it’s a fantasy that resonates with the familiarity couched in human emotions and I could feel the characters’ hatred, love, fear and humour so clearly, it mattered to me what happened to them.
The Queen of Verdane dies giving birth to the main character, Aster, who is lifeless, too. Barus, a cruelly misshapen but kindly man, learned the necromancer’s trade from the woman who rescued him years beforehand, and he decides to save Aster. In giving her life he makes her an abomination in the eyes of the superstitious residents of the area, but she has a happy childhood with him and learns the ways of healing through his instruction.
This happiness turns to danger and heartbreak as the ambitious and vengeful Vicar of the Red Order, plots and schemes to have Aster and Barus killed. His son, Joreh, battles his upbringing and instilled bigoted beliefs as he becomes involved in Aster’s life. The conflict between his growing love for Aster and his horror of necromancy was hauntingly and believably portrayed.
The writing is both lyrical and powerful, driving on the storyline. Here’s an example regarding Joreh’s internal conflict:
‘He leaned on the wall and thumped his head on the black stones, despairing of another problem with rules regarding good and evil. They snagged on the prickly edges of reason, so knotted with nuance he couldn’t untangle them.’
The story was fast paced and laced with fear and danger, but there’s also a delightful seam of humour running through it courtesy of Teko. He might be a minor character but, like the others, he has a personality of his own that brings him vividly to life.
There’s a beauty to the book of The Necromancer’s Daughter that dwells amongst its pages even more vibrantly than that exquisite cover.
This remarkable novel gripped me from its opening and held me spellbound late into the night right through to its conclusion.
A worthy and glowing 5*
September 1, 2022
This story gripped me from page one. A Necromancer is summoned by the King of Verdane. His beloved wife is dying in childbirth. Barus, with a severely crippled, bent, and gnarled body, is the Necromancer. He overhears the queen begging the king to save the life of the child and let her go. But in his grief, the king cannot make that choice, so both mother and child die. But Barus has already fallen in love with the beautiful child, and in the midst of the chaos surrounding the queen's death, he steals the baby's lifeless body, takes her to his thatched hut, and through the use of his knowledge and abilities, returns the child's life. Never was a little girl loved more than Aster. Barus teaches her the healing art, and she grows into a beautiful and happy young woman who can communicate with dragons. So, when the king eventually comes to claim his only heir, things begin a slippery and deadly downhill slide.
Stephen Spielberg once gave writing advice to authors, telling them to put their characters up a tree and throw rocks at them. This author, D. Wallace Peach, did that in spades in this story. The unimaginable torture and hardships Aster went through were enough to have me biting my fingernails and holding my breath.
Captured and placed in a cage to freeze to death overnight, it appeared all was lost. That is until young Joreh decided to disobey his powerful father and help her escape. The journey that one action took them on was long, cold, and treacherous.
I won't spoil the story by giving away too much. I'll just say I was mesmerized as it all unfolded, leaving me gasping for breath more than once.
If you are a fan of epic fantasy that includes herbal healing, magic, dragons, corruption, and greed, you are sure to love this book! I highly recommend it!
Stephen Spielberg once gave writing advice to authors, telling them to put their characters up a tree and throw rocks at them. This author, D. Wallace Peach, did that in spades in this story. The unimaginable torture and hardships Aster went through were enough to have me biting my fingernails and holding my breath.
Captured and placed in a cage to freeze to death overnight, it appeared all was lost. That is until young Joreh decided to disobey his powerful father and help her escape. The journey that one action took them on was long, cold, and treacherous.
I won't spoil the story by giving away too much. I'll just say I was mesmerized as it all unfolded, leaving me gasping for breath more than once.
If you are a fan of epic fantasy that includes herbal healing, magic, dragons, corruption, and greed, you are sure to love this book! I highly recommend it!
August 29, 2022
Aster is the necromancer’s daughter. She and her queen-mother die when Aster is born. The healer, Barus, sees the baby and steals her away to bring her back to life. The king stays in the background but watches as the healer raises this girl as his own because he knows no one would accept a child brought back to life. When the King finally approaches Aster, his only heir, he triggers his enemies to act, who upends her peaceful life as a healer. Determined to set things right and help Barus, Aster sets off to find help. I love the people she meets along her journey, especially when she crosses the mountain. The son of her enemy is a very complex character. Although he helps her more than once, his upbringing and devotion to the Blessed One aren’t too far behind and weigh him down. Aster shows what genuine goodness is over those who use it to seek power. Even if Aster’s actions aren’t popular, her innocence and ability to do the right thing guide her through some dark times. This is a fantasy filled with magic, danger, love, loyalty, fantastic imagery, and dragons that I can highly recommend.
September 24, 2022
So many great reviews about this amazing fantasy by my favorite fantasy author, D.Wallace Peach, so I'll highlight a few special aspects that have left me thinking of The Necromancer's Daughter days after I finished it. First, the father-daughter bond is stronger than blood and beautifully woven into this tale. This kind of love shows that biology is not what matters between parents and their children. It's compassion, caring, taking the time to share talents and values, and just BEING there for the child. Aster's dad, Baurus, is a broken crippled man and yet one of the most beautiful men in literature. He's an amazing soul in this book, and because of who he is, Aster grows up to be a force of courage, will, love, and a life-force that changes worlds. This page-turning, action-packed book makes the reader think of their own beliefs, where they come from, and perhaps pushing their own boundaries of what is "right" and what is "life."
September 20, 2022
D. Wallace Peach is on my list of auto-buy authors, but I have to admit I wasn’t sure about the premise for her latest creation, The Necromancer’s Daughter, about a healer who can bring people back to life. That is until I opened this immersive fantasy and lost myself in a story filled with dragons, power-hungry zealots, a love worth dying for, and a lovable anti-hero who needs a book of his own (hint, hint).
When the king’s wife is hemorrhaging upon the birth of her stillborn daughter, the healer Barus is brought in to save the child but it’s too late and the king is counseled to let them go.
Barus is enchanted by the ethereal baby and sneaks her out of the castle and back to his dilapidated cabin where he breathes life into her body, naming her Aster for the flowers that cover the fields.
Aster grows up aware of her second chance at life but not who her true parents were until her eighteenth year when everything she’s known changes and her life is thrown into turmoil.
There are layers of betrayal, loyalty, love & war in this story that glued my attention to the pages. The author has a beautiful, lyrical way with words I admire so much. A couple of my favorite lines illustrate this perfectly.
The brisk winter night wrapped around his body as the sky wept frozen tears for the folly of men, covering their blood as it buried their sins.
The Necromancer’s Daughter- D. Wallace Peach.
…deep faith is difficult to teach. It flourishes in the garden of our hearts only when tended by experience.
The Necromancer’s Daughter- D. Wallace Peach.
If you haven’t tried this talented writer’s work yet, I urge you to do so soon- you won’t regret it.
When the king’s wife is hemorrhaging upon the birth of her stillborn daughter, the healer Barus is brought in to save the child but it’s too late and the king is counseled to let them go.
Barus is enchanted by the ethereal baby and sneaks her out of the castle and back to his dilapidated cabin where he breathes life into her body, naming her Aster for the flowers that cover the fields.
Aster grows up aware of her second chance at life but not who her true parents were until her eighteenth year when everything she’s known changes and her life is thrown into turmoil.
There are layers of betrayal, loyalty, love & war in this story that glued my attention to the pages. The author has a beautiful, lyrical way with words I admire so much. A couple of my favorite lines illustrate this perfectly.
The brisk winter night wrapped around his body as the sky wept frozen tears for the folly of men, covering their blood as it buried their sins.
The Necromancer’s Daughter- D. Wallace Peach.
…deep faith is difficult to teach. It flourishes in the garden of our hearts only when tended by experience.
The Necromancer’s Daughter- D. Wallace Peach.
If you haven’t tried this talented writer’s work yet, I urge you to do so soon- you won’t regret it.
September 7, 2022
For those who enjoy an interesting fantasy:
Aster is a royal princess who dies upon birth but is secreted away by an old and gnarled, yet kindly necromancer, who brings her back to life and raises her as his own with deep love. He teaches her the art of necromancy and protects her.
Hidden for years, her biological father, the king, watches from afar as he has been warned by the fiery Vicar of the Red Order that she is an abomination who would doom his reign. Continuing to be heirless, the king in desperation brings her to court to pronounce her his heir. Unfortunately, the red priest who has enjoyed wielding power as the king's advisor wants that honor for himself and proceeds to devise a plan to get rid of both king and his young heir.
Aster flees, followed by the Order's brothers bent on killing her and led by the Victor's own son, Joreh. Convinced she is an abomination, at first, his faith is challenged and loyalty to his father is tested as the more he gets to know her, the more he becomes conflicted in his own feelings for her and the practice of necromancy.
Aster also discovers a link to dragons, and as she flees toward her dead mother's dragon-infested country, this link becomes stronger.
The story is well-paced, with twists and turns as Aster and Joreh run for their lives and fall in love on the journey.
I recommend the book for any fantasy enthusiast.
Aster is a royal princess who dies upon birth but is secreted away by an old and gnarled, yet kindly necromancer, who brings her back to life and raises her as his own with deep love. He teaches her the art of necromancy and protects her.
Hidden for years, her biological father, the king, watches from afar as he has been warned by the fiery Vicar of the Red Order that she is an abomination who would doom his reign. Continuing to be heirless, the king in desperation brings her to court to pronounce her his heir. Unfortunately, the red priest who has enjoyed wielding power as the king's advisor wants that honor for himself and proceeds to devise a plan to get rid of both king and his young heir.
Aster flees, followed by the Order's brothers bent on killing her and led by the Victor's own son, Joreh. Convinced she is an abomination, at first, his faith is challenged and loyalty to his father is tested as the more he gets to know her, the more he becomes conflicted in his own feelings for her and the practice of necromancy.
Aster also discovers a link to dragons, and as she flees toward her dead mother's dragon-infested country, this link becomes stronger.
The story is well-paced, with twists and turns as Aster and Joreh run for their lives and fall in love on the journey.
I recommend the book for any fantasy enthusiast.
September 17, 2022
It will come as no surprise to fans of the books by D.Wallace Peach that this new book is hard to put down once you begin turning the pages.
As expected incredible world building and characters that leap out of the page fully formed in just a couple of chapters. Each compelling and infused with varying degrees of human strengths and frailties from compassion to downright evil.
We travel the road of life with Aster as she encounters obstacles in her quest and many dangers along the way. She does however manage to enchant most of those she meets with her innocence and conviction. This includes dragons who are not immune to her gentle persuasion.
We are witness to the persecution and violence resulting from being outside of the mandated belief system, but also the kindness of strangers often with those with little comfort of their own.
The action is fast paced and dramatic and there is not much time to take a breath between the conflict between good and evil… However, this is infused with romance and growing respect that comes with understanding and acceptance.
I loved the book, can definitely see it as a fantasy film or television series and was sorry to see it finish. As with all the books I have read by this author, that ending comes with a sigh of satisfaction. If you have not read fantasy before then this book is a very good place to start… and I highly recommend this exciting adventure.
As expected incredible world building and characters that leap out of the page fully formed in just a couple of chapters. Each compelling and infused with varying degrees of human strengths and frailties from compassion to downright evil.
We travel the road of life with Aster as she encounters obstacles in her quest and many dangers along the way. She does however manage to enchant most of those she meets with her innocence and conviction. This includes dragons who are not immune to her gentle persuasion.
We are witness to the persecution and violence resulting from being outside of the mandated belief system, but also the kindness of strangers often with those with little comfort of their own.
The action is fast paced and dramatic and there is not much time to take a breath between the conflict between good and evil… However, this is infused with romance and growing respect that comes with understanding and acceptance.
I loved the book, can definitely see it as a fantasy film or television series and was sorry to see it finish. As with all the books I have read by this author, that ending comes with a sigh of satisfaction. If you have not read fantasy before then this book is a very good place to start… and I highly recommend this exciting adventure.
October 30, 2025
This is the first book of Diana's I've read. Fantasy is not usually my favorite genre, but I adored this book. Diana's descriptions put me right in the book, and her fast pace kept me engaged from start to finish. I fell in love with her main characters, and her antagonist was a person who was easy to hate and horrible from start to finish. I could hardly put it down. I look forward to reading the rest of her books.
October 17, 2022
The Necromancer’s Daughter captivated me with its unique storyline. Through the impossible, giving life to the dead, the author exposes the choices we all have. Good and evil come alive in this fantasy. It is a thought-provoking tome written in a style dense with color, texture, emotions – life. It took only a few pages of reading before I found myself walking/struggling with the characters. Remarkable!
January 6, 2023
I have read many great reviews of Wallace Peach’s novels, and although the genre wasn’t one of my favourites, I was intrigued by this one, partly because of the description, and partly because I read an interview with the author where she shared how she came to write this story. She was challenged to write a story where one of the protagonists wasn’t attractive and handsome but was beautiful inside, truly good with a heart of gold. A sample of the book nailed the deal, and I am very happy I decided to read it because this novel is as good as everybody said.
Although I don’t consider myself a fan of fantasy, I have always loved fairy tales, and the story of Aster and Barus has something of the fairy tale, a fairly dark one at times. (We all know some fairy tales are incredibly cruel and dark). Death, necromancy, people coming back from death, poisons, religious fanaticism, wars, destruction, intolerance, lies, threats, betrayals, persecutions... At the end of the book, the author explains how the story relates to the legend of Kwan-yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, and though there are similarities, this is an original revisiting of the legend, with many distinct characteristics.
Both Barus and Aster are fascinating characters. They both have to fight against terrible odds to pursue their calling of being healers, of the living and sometimes even of the dead: Barus, because he is severely handicapped by this poor health and his contorted body; Aster, because she was born a princess but also dead, and she is seen as an abomination by the members of a religious order with plenty of power in her kingdom, the Red Order. She does not want to be queen or to exercise her birthright, but that seems to be the only way she can help her father. If you imagine things won’t go according to plan, you will be right.
Aster isn’t the only one who finds herself in a bind that gets more and more entangled the more she tries to free herself from it. One of the male characters she meets, Joreh, is trapped between his loyalty to his father (the Vicar of the order), his faith in the Goddess, and his strong feelings for Aster. His attitude and beliefs change over time, and he is, perhaps, the character who evolves the most in the story. I liked those characters, and many more, in particular, Teko, who brings a light and fun touch to the novel. That does not mean everybody is good in the novel. The Red Order, and the Vicar in particular, have few redeeming qualities (if any), and there are others who are somewhat ambiguous and that helps to make them more realistic.
Those who, like me, aren’t too fond of lengthy backstories and complex and detailed world-building which slows down the story, don’t need to worry. There are beautiful descriptions of places and beings (yes, dragons among others), but those are always narrated (in the third person) from the point of view of one of the main characters and are relevant to the story. The author is excellent at providing us with information about the world order and the people in it in small doses as the story advances, without overwhelming us or causing confusion.
There are plenty of adventures, and action scenes, alternating with more contemplative moments, and some truly emotional events, and although I was sorry to get to the final page of the story, I found the ending satisfying. In an ideal world, I would love to learn more about Aster’s mother and also about some of the other female characters who only make brief appearances in this novel (much of the story is about Aster’s quest to find her “father”, Barus, and she is mostly surrounded by men), and I would also like to know more about the connection between Aster (and other blood members of her family) and the dragons. I am sure the author has plenty of ideas to work on already, but just in case she is ever stuck, I leave my suggestions there. Perhaps a prequel?
There is violence, death (including the death of children), and some of the content can be disturbing, but if the topic and the description don’t cause concern, I don’t hesitate in recommending the story not only to those who love fantasy, but also to readers of adventure stories who don’t mind a touch of fancy, the supernatural, and who appreciate dark fairy-tales, with psychologically complex characters and superb writing. Another author I will keep a close eye on in the future.
Although I don’t consider myself a fan of fantasy, I have always loved fairy tales, and the story of Aster and Barus has something of the fairy tale, a fairly dark one at times. (We all know some fairy tales are incredibly cruel and dark). Death, necromancy, people coming back from death, poisons, religious fanaticism, wars, destruction, intolerance, lies, threats, betrayals, persecutions... At the end of the book, the author explains how the story relates to the legend of Kwan-yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, and though there are similarities, this is an original revisiting of the legend, with many distinct characteristics.
Both Barus and Aster are fascinating characters. They both have to fight against terrible odds to pursue their calling of being healers, of the living and sometimes even of the dead: Barus, because he is severely handicapped by this poor health and his contorted body; Aster, because she was born a princess but also dead, and she is seen as an abomination by the members of a religious order with plenty of power in her kingdom, the Red Order. She does not want to be queen or to exercise her birthright, but that seems to be the only way she can help her father. If you imagine things won’t go according to plan, you will be right.
Aster isn’t the only one who finds herself in a bind that gets more and more entangled the more she tries to free herself from it. One of the male characters she meets, Joreh, is trapped between his loyalty to his father (the Vicar of the order), his faith in the Goddess, and his strong feelings for Aster. His attitude and beliefs change over time, and he is, perhaps, the character who evolves the most in the story. I liked those characters, and many more, in particular, Teko, who brings a light and fun touch to the novel. That does not mean everybody is good in the novel. The Red Order, and the Vicar in particular, have few redeeming qualities (if any), and there are others who are somewhat ambiguous and that helps to make them more realistic.
Those who, like me, aren’t too fond of lengthy backstories and complex and detailed world-building which slows down the story, don’t need to worry. There are beautiful descriptions of places and beings (yes, dragons among others), but those are always narrated (in the third person) from the point of view of one of the main characters and are relevant to the story. The author is excellent at providing us with information about the world order and the people in it in small doses as the story advances, without overwhelming us or causing confusion.
There are plenty of adventures, and action scenes, alternating with more contemplative moments, and some truly emotional events, and although I was sorry to get to the final page of the story, I found the ending satisfying. In an ideal world, I would love to learn more about Aster’s mother and also about some of the other female characters who only make brief appearances in this novel (much of the story is about Aster’s quest to find her “father”, Barus, and she is mostly surrounded by men), and I would also like to know more about the connection between Aster (and other blood members of her family) and the dragons. I am sure the author has plenty of ideas to work on already, but just in case she is ever stuck, I leave my suggestions there. Perhaps a prequel?
There is violence, death (including the death of children), and some of the content can be disturbing, but if the topic and the description don’t cause concern, I don’t hesitate in recommending the story not only to those who love fantasy, but also to readers of adventure stories who don’t mind a touch of fancy, the supernatural, and who appreciate dark fairy-tales, with psychologically complex characters and superb writing. Another author I will keep a close eye on in the future.
February 25, 2024
I’m a huge fan of Diana Peach’s fantasy books. I admire her poetic writing. Her vivid description of the characters and well-developed world engages my imagination and takes me through an unforgettable journey from the beginning to the end.
The Necromancer’s Daughter is a heart-wrenching yet beautiful story of love, politics, power struggle, and prejudice. The story grabs the reader’s emotions from the beginning. King Aldring loves his wife, the Princess of Blackrock. He summons Barus, the necromancer, to resurrect the queen and the infant should they die. In her last breath, the queen pleas to save the child. When the king learns the queen is dead and the baby is a girl, he sends Barus home. Barus is in love with the infant and hides her under his garment to take her home.
Barus follows the recipe in her adopted mother, Olma’s book, to awaken Aster from the dead and raise her as his own. Aster grows up to be a passionate and gentle soul with silvery flowing hair, practicing herbal medicine and resurrecting animals. She is natural to connect with a dragon emotionally. The king knows she is his daughter and visits her every year on her birthday. As the king’s health declines, he summons her on her nineteenth birthday to return to the palace as his successor.
The vicar Tamus Graeger denies Aster and condemns the resurrection as evil. He orders the soldiers to kill Barus and Aster. Once captured, he wants to hang Aster. Aster helps her crippled father flee when their home is burned to ashes. She ensures Barus's safety at Rebeka’s home and continues to run to get help from her uncle, the Blackrock King. Tamus’s son, Joreh, accompanies Aster’s escape and believes she deserves a fair trial.
The journey of escape through the forest is full of danger from the wild creatures and the tribes’ attacks on each other. After being raised from the dead, the funny character Teko at Cattieut forest, with one green eye and one blue eye, joined in escorting Aster to Blackrock.
To ensure Aster’s claim as his niece, King Atrayal of Blackrock wants her to show her ability to connect with dragons, the trait her mother queen possesses. King Atrayal is pleased with the test. He wants Aster to claim the throne of Verdane and serve as an ambassador for the peace of all the tribes.
I listened to the book with the text-to-speech feature on my iPad. The story was engaging with vivid descriptions of the characters' interactions and scenes. Each chapter's ending hooked me on to the next. I was emotionally connected to the characters and wished for the safety of Aster and Barus. The genuine friendship between Aster and Joreh warmed my heart. Diana Peach created believable characters. Aster and Barus were humans practicing healing. They didn’t possess magic or superpower to defeat their enemies. They went through struggles and suffered ill-treatment from their attackers. All they could do was use their wisdom to survive the adversaries understanding that “every time you choose one path, you must live with the possibilities of the other.”
This is a masterpiece and a wonderful creation. I had my secret wishes for the ending, but it came as a surprise. The book ended, but my emotions linger. I highly recommend you pick up a copy of this beauty.
The Necromancer’s Daughter is a heart-wrenching yet beautiful story of love, politics, power struggle, and prejudice. The story grabs the reader’s emotions from the beginning. King Aldring loves his wife, the Princess of Blackrock. He summons Barus, the necromancer, to resurrect the queen and the infant should they die. In her last breath, the queen pleas to save the child. When the king learns the queen is dead and the baby is a girl, he sends Barus home. Barus is in love with the infant and hides her under his garment to take her home.
Barus follows the recipe in her adopted mother, Olma’s book, to awaken Aster from the dead and raise her as his own. Aster grows up to be a passionate and gentle soul with silvery flowing hair, practicing herbal medicine and resurrecting animals. She is natural to connect with a dragon emotionally. The king knows she is his daughter and visits her every year on her birthday. As the king’s health declines, he summons her on her nineteenth birthday to return to the palace as his successor.
The vicar Tamus Graeger denies Aster and condemns the resurrection as evil. He orders the soldiers to kill Barus and Aster. Once captured, he wants to hang Aster. Aster helps her crippled father flee when their home is burned to ashes. She ensures Barus's safety at Rebeka’s home and continues to run to get help from her uncle, the Blackrock King. Tamus’s son, Joreh, accompanies Aster’s escape and believes she deserves a fair trial.
The journey of escape through the forest is full of danger from the wild creatures and the tribes’ attacks on each other. After being raised from the dead, the funny character Teko at Cattieut forest, with one green eye and one blue eye, joined in escorting Aster to Blackrock.
To ensure Aster’s claim as his niece, King Atrayal of Blackrock wants her to show her ability to connect with dragons, the trait her mother queen possesses. King Atrayal is pleased with the test. He wants Aster to claim the throne of Verdane and serve as an ambassador for the peace of all the tribes.
I listened to the book with the text-to-speech feature on my iPad. The story was engaging with vivid descriptions of the characters' interactions and scenes. Each chapter's ending hooked me on to the next. I was emotionally connected to the characters and wished for the safety of Aster and Barus. The genuine friendship between Aster and Joreh warmed my heart. Diana Peach created believable characters. Aster and Barus were humans practicing healing. They didn’t possess magic or superpower to defeat their enemies. They went through struggles and suffered ill-treatment from their attackers. All they could do was use their wisdom to survive the adversaries understanding that “every time you choose one path, you must live with the possibilities of the other.”
This is a masterpiece and a wonderful creation. I had my secret wishes for the ending, but it came as a surprise. The book ended, but my emotions linger. I highly recommend you pick up a copy of this beauty.
September 28, 2022
Aster starts life amongst the dead, taking her mother, the Queen of Verdane, along with her. The King is bereft. Barus, the necromancer, is a cripple, and he’s forced to attend the birth. He alone is the one person who could save this child, the heir to Verdane.
Yet, the King cannot deal with what it would mean to save his daughter’s life and raise her from the dead. So, he rejects the baby. Meanwhile, the necromancer has fallen in love with the ethereal infant. He hides her tiny body in his robes and escapes to his hut in the woods.
Using his mother Olma’s ancient grimoire, he breathes life back into Aster’s body and calls her his daughter. For the next nineteen years, the girl grows up and lives in the tiny hut with the necromancer.
Barus is patient and kind. He teaches her about the herbs and potions needed for healing. Aster learns to love all life, including the spectacular black and silver dragon who eats apples from her hand.
Each year, on the anniversary of her birth, Aster receives a visit from the King. By now, he knows Aster is his daughter. On her nineteenth birthday, the King finally talks to her, admitting she is his heir. This admission prompts his enemies to act, upending her life with the Necromancer. Can she save the life of the man she calls father?
Peach’s words flow from the page, painting emotional images in my head. Some of the imagery is poetic, which drew me deeper into the story. The characters are all multifaceted, so real, as they struggle to deal with what life tosses their way.
I’m a huge fan of D. Wallace Peach’s fantasy books. But this book touched something deep inside of me. Maybe it was because the protagonist was compassionate and kind. It could have been because I love stories that feature the eternal battle for good over evil, or even that I just connected with the characters on a deeper level. Or, it was the crystal panthers and the dragons that spirited me away to a land of magic and intrigue.
Even with the title of the book, I couldn’t have foreseen the ending. It blew me away! I loved this book so much, I’ll be purchasing the paperback for my collection.
So, here’s where I’m at… I have the worst book hangover I’ve had for a long time. I can’t get the characters out of my head. The fact the story was based on the Chinese myth of Kwan-yin makes this book even more memorable for me. Now where did I put the Tylenol? Maybe I’ll just go read the book again… that will take care of this book hangover!
Yet, the King cannot deal with what it would mean to save his daughter’s life and raise her from the dead. So, he rejects the baby. Meanwhile, the necromancer has fallen in love with the ethereal infant. He hides her tiny body in his robes and escapes to his hut in the woods.
Using his mother Olma’s ancient grimoire, he breathes life back into Aster’s body and calls her his daughter. For the next nineteen years, the girl grows up and lives in the tiny hut with the necromancer.
Barus is patient and kind. He teaches her about the herbs and potions needed for healing. Aster learns to love all life, including the spectacular black and silver dragon who eats apples from her hand.
Each year, on the anniversary of her birth, Aster receives a visit from the King. By now, he knows Aster is his daughter. On her nineteenth birthday, the King finally talks to her, admitting she is his heir. This admission prompts his enemies to act, upending her life with the Necromancer. Can she save the life of the man she calls father?
Peach’s words flow from the page, painting emotional images in my head. Some of the imagery is poetic, which drew me deeper into the story. The characters are all multifaceted, so real, as they struggle to deal with what life tosses their way.
I’m a huge fan of D. Wallace Peach’s fantasy books. But this book touched something deep inside of me. Maybe it was because the protagonist was compassionate and kind. It could have been because I love stories that feature the eternal battle for good over evil, or even that I just connected with the characters on a deeper level. Or, it was the crystal panthers and the dragons that spirited me away to a land of magic and intrigue.
Even with the title of the book, I couldn’t have foreseen the ending. It blew me away! I loved this book so much, I’ll be purchasing the paperback for my collection.
So, here’s where I’m at… I have the worst book hangover I’ve had for a long time. I can’t get the characters out of my head. The fact the story was based on the Chinese myth of Kwan-yin makes this book even more memorable for me. Now where did I put the Tylenol? Maybe I’ll just go read the book again… that will take care of this book hangover!
September 2, 2022
The Necromancer’s Daughter by D. Wallace Peach is a riveting saga of Aster, a still-born royal daughter who was awakened to life by a necromancer and raised with immense love. Peach doesn't let you breathe and savor the beauty of her exquisite style but builds up the tension with each page, compelling you to keep clutching your emotions and watch how Aster escapes The Red Order, which believes healing death is evil and pursues her even after they had shattered her life, burnt her home, and ripped away her father.
The backdrop and the pictureque winter landscape adds a chilly charm to the challenges faced by Aster. The descriptions are vivid, the friendships exceptional and the kindness exemplary. Peach’s characters stay alive long after you’ve read the last page of her book and the characters in this book stay true to this fact. Can you ever forget Barus, an embodiment of kindness, with a pleasant face but a crooked spine and misshapen hands or lose sight of Teko, the loyal protector of Aster?
Oscillating between his beliefs and intense desire to help Aster, Joreh - the reluctant admirer - gets mired in faith, politics and emotion but he would win your heart despite his imperfections. Aster’s mysterious connection to dragons, her will-power and determination to accomplish whatever she thinks is right and her loving heart makes her an endearing protagonist. A female oriented story, it doesn’t forget to give ample attention to its male characters.
If you enjoy fantasy, if you admire vibrant characters that add to the story, if you like a sonorous style, with a rich vocabulary, this is a perfect book for you. Some magnificent quotes: “The sun surrendered to vermillion clouds and the nightlings flickered between evergreen limbs as they bowed beneath winter’s weight.”
“Sky wept frozen tears for the folly of men, covering their blood as it buried their sins.”
“When dawn pried its fingers through the cracks in her walls.”
The backdrop and the pictureque winter landscape adds a chilly charm to the challenges faced by Aster. The descriptions are vivid, the friendships exceptional and the kindness exemplary. Peach’s characters stay alive long after you’ve read the last page of her book and the characters in this book stay true to this fact. Can you ever forget Barus, an embodiment of kindness, with a pleasant face but a crooked spine and misshapen hands or lose sight of Teko, the loyal protector of Aster?
Oscillating between his beliefs and intense desire to help Aster, Joreh - the reluctant admirer - gets mired in faith, politics and emotion but he would win your heart despite his imperfections. Aster’s mysterious connection to dragons, her will-power and determination to accomplish whatever she thinks is right and her loving heart makes her an endearing protagonist. A female oriented story, it doesn’t forget to give ample attention to its male characters.
If you enjoy fantasy, if you admire vibrant characters that add to the story, if you like a sonorous style, with a rich vocabulary, this is a perfect book for you. Some magnificent quotes: “The sun surrendered to vermillion clouds and the nightlings flickered between evergreen limbs as they bowed beneath winter’s weight.”
“Sky wept frozen tears for the folly of men, covering their blood as it buried their sins.”
“When dawn pried its fingers through the cracks in her walls.”
September 5, 2022
Masterful
I have to start by saying I didn’t realize this was a retelling until I saw the author’s note. After reading her synopsis of the original, I think I like her version better.
I KNOW it was masterfully written, retelling or not.
This is a story of a boy orphaned for his disfigurement, so he knows bigotry. The only love he ever received was from his adopted mother, a necromancer. As an adult, he has the opportunity to raise a stillborn child from the dead. He does so out of pity and love, but he condemns her to a life similar to his—to be ostracized from society through no fault of her own. Her path is more difficult than his, however, due to circumstances of her bloodline and enemies her adopted family made.
Once again, D. Wallace Peach has written a fantasy tale where the characters are realistic, the setting is dynamic, the plot is engaging, and the world-building is vivid. Aster, the titular character, is kind, fearless, and loving, although a bit naive at times. Her father is an absolute dear. The villains are despicable, and while I’d never react the way they do, their motivations are understandable. The cast of characters she meets on her journey remind me of Dorothy’s trip down the Yellow Brick Road. Oz provided friends representing wisdom, compassion, and courage. The two companions Aster gathers represent love/faith and loyalty/gregariousness, respectively. She’d never have completed her mission without them, and she learned much from them on the way.
The lands and people the author introduced us to are engaging and rich. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the wintry setting, which took on a life of its own. The plot progresses at a comfortable pace, and everything culminates in the perfect way.
I’ve read this author’s work before, and I’ll definitely read more from her. This one blew me away. Five stars, easily given, for a job well done.
I have to start by saying I didn’t realize this was a retelling until I saw the author’s note. After reading her synopsis of the original, I think I like her version better.
I KNOW it was masterfully written, retelling or not.
This is a story of a boy orphaned for his disfigurement, so he knows bigotry. The only love he ever received was from his adopted mother, a necromancer. As an adult, he has the opportunity to raise a stillborn child from the dead. He does so out of pity and love, but he condemns her to a life similar to his—to be ostracized from society through no fault of her own. Her path is more difficult than his, however, due to circumstances of her bloodline and enemies her adopted family made.
Once again, D. Wallace Peach has written a fantasy tale where the characters are realistic, the setting is dynamic, the plot is engaging, and the world-building is vivid. Aster, the titular character, is kind, fearless, and loving, although a bit naive at times. Her father is an absolute dear. The villains are despicable, and while I’d never react the way they do, their motivations are understandable. The cast of characters she meets on her journey remind me of Dorothy’s trip down the Yellow Brick Road. Oz provided friends representing wisdom, compassion, and courage. The two companions Aster gathers represent love/faith and loyalty/gregariousness, respectively. She’d never have completed her mission without them, and she learned much from them on the way.
The lands and people the author introduced us to are engaging and rich. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the wintry setting, which took on a life of its own. The plot progresses at a comfortable pace, and everything culminates in the perfect way.
I’ve read this author’s work before, and I’ll definitely read more from her. This one blew me away. Five stars, easily given, for a job well done.
September 12, 2022
The Necromancer’s Daughter is one of those novels that grabs your attention right from the get-go and keeps you riveted the whole time.
Barus possesses an unusual and powerful skill in necromancy, the ability to bring dead things back to life if certain conditions happen. Most people in Verdane associate this with witchcraft and are against the practice. The risks are extreme. There is no guarantee his attempt will work, and he could lose his life trying to resurrect someone in the process.
When the Queen’s health suddenly deteriorates, King Aldring commands Barus to come to the palace to try and help save his wife and their child. The Queen realizes she is about to pass, and her only concern becomes the life of her unborn child. After the Queen dies, Barus offers to bring her back to life. King Aldring faces the unenviable choice of whether to go against his convictions to restore the Queen’s life. His religious beliefs win out, and he decides it would be sacrilegious to resurrect her life. He falls into depression upon her passing and learning that his new baby is a girl.
Barus, fearing for the baby’s safety, decides to kidnap her and raise it as his own. He names the baby Aster, and father and daughter maintain a beautiful relationship. As Aster becomes a young adult, she learns about necromancy from her father, though her experiences up to that point are only with animals. She and her father must separate when some of the King’s men come looking for them. The King’s Vicar, Tamus, has a deep hatred for both but follows the King’s orders to find and return them. The Vicar’s son, Joreh, is torn, uncertain how to proceed. He also believes that necromancy is a sin, but he slowly falls in love with Aster. The internal struggle that Joreh goes through is one of the most compelling parts of the plot. Aster and Barus wish to be reunited one day but getting caught in the middle of warring tribes makes this unlikely.
Even though this was not an easy read, author D. Wallace Peach writes numerous engaging scenes, well-crafted characters, and plot twists that kept this reader on the edge of his seat. I recommend this book to anyone who loves good writing, especially those who enjoy epic fantasy tales.
Barus possesses an unusual and powerful skill in necromancy, the ability to bring dead things back to life if certain conditions happen. Most people in Verdane associate this with witchcraft and are against the practice. The risks are extreme. There is no guarantee his attempt will work, and he could lose his life trying to resurrect someone in the process.
When the Queen’s health suddenly deteriorates, King Aldring commands Barus to come to the palace to try and help save his wife and their child. The Queen realizes she is about to pass, and her only concern becomes the life of her unborn child. After the Queen dies, Barus offers to bring her back to life. King Aldring faces the unenviable choice of whether to go against his convictions to restore the Queen’s life. His religious beliefs win out, and he decides it would be sacrilegious to resurrect her life. He falls into depression upon her passing and learning that his new baby is a girl.
Barus, fearing for the baby’s safety, decides to kidnap her and raise it as his own. He names the baby Aster, and father and daughter maintain a beautiful relationship. As Aster becomes a young adult, she learns about necromancy from her father, though her experiences up to that point are only with animals. She and her father must separate when some of the King’s men come looking for them. The King’s Vicar, Tamus, has a deep hatred for both but follows the King’s orders to find and return them. The Vicar’s son, Joreh, is torn, uncertain how to proceed. He also believes that necromancy is a sin, but he slowly falls in love with Aster. The internal struggle that Joreh goes through is one of the most compelling parts of the plot. Aster and Barus wish to be reunited one day but getting caught in the middle of warring tribes makes this unlikely.
Even though this was not an easy read, author D. Wallace Peach writes numerous engaging scenes, well-crafted characters, and plot twists that kept this reader on the edge of his seat. I recommend this book to anyone who loves good writing, especially those who enjoy epic fantasy tales.
August 31, 2022
Necromancy, the art of communicating with the dead and bringing them back to life, seems like a sinister practice, but in Diana W. Peach’s fantasy novel, The Necromancer’s Daughter, it is presented as a good thing—for the most part, that is.
The characters who practice necromancy in the novel are all healers, well-intentioned people who are motivated to help the sick and injured get well—in some cases, even after the patient has died. Nothing sinister about it. We see the good that can come of restoring a life nearly lost forever, but we also see the dark side that lurks behind this skill. Some who are outside the circle of the healers, are convinced that bringing someone back to life is more akin to witchcraft or the black arts.
Aster, the newborn daughter of the king, died at birth, but was secreted away and revived by Barus a poor crippled young man who had learned about medicines and healing … and necromancy.
As Aster grows up in his care, she learns the healing arts, including necromancy, and uses them to do good. When she meets Joreh, about the same time as a struggle develops over the lineage for the throne, sparks fly between them. But when Joreh sees for himself that Aster practices the black arts, he is conflicted and unsure if he can, in good conscience, continue to protect her.
Joreh and Aster are meant for each other, but their beliefs seem to be in constant opposition. Joreh’s father is actively trying to gain control of the kingdom by destroying Aster, her physically disabled “father,” and possibly even his own son.
Beautifully written in rich language, The Necromancer’s Daughter is a “must read.” Not only is a fantasy world created perfectly, but the interpersonal relationships are skillfully crafted within the story. This book easily earns five stars, but only because that is the highest number available to give it. Otherwise I would give it more.
Don’t miss out. You will love this book.
The characters who practice necromancy in the novel are all healers, well-intentioned people who are motivated to help the sick and injured get well—in some cases, even after the patient has died. Nothing sinister about it. We see the good that can come of restoring a life nearly lost forever, but we also see the dark side that lurks behind this skill. Some who are outside the circle of the healers, are convinced that bringing someone back to life is more akin to witchcraft or the black arts.
Aster, the newborn daughter of the king, died at birth, but was secreted away and revived by Barus a poor crippled young man who had learned about medicines and healing … and necromancy.
As Aster grows up in his care, she learns the healing arts, including necromancy, and uses them to do good. When she meets Joreh, about the same time as a struggle develops over the lineage for the throne, sparks fly between them. But when Joreh sees for himself that Aster practices the black arts, he is conflicted and unsure if he can, in good conscience, continue to protect her.
Joreh and Aster are meant for each other, but their beliefs seem to be in constant opposition. Joreh’s father is actively trying to gain control of the kingdom by destroying Aster, her physically disabled “father,” and possibly even his own son.
Beautifully written in rich language, The Necromancer’s Daughter is a “must read.” Not only is a fantasy world created perfectly, but the interpersonal relationships are skillfully crafted within the story. This book easily earns five stars, but only because that is the highest number available to give it. Otherwise I would give it more.
Don’t miss out. You will love this book.
August 31, 2022
What a fabulous multi-layered tapestry of a book! With its richly detailed plot, lush descriptions, and intriguing characters, this story grips the reader right from the start and never lets go. Even after closing my Kindle on the final page, the characters remained alive in my head, their lives so vividly portrayed, I felt I had walked beside them through their journeys.
The story takes Aster from childhood to adulthood in which she becomes a pivotal figure between nations, factions, and even setting a division line between father and son.
If you enjoy epic fantasy—tales set in richly-detailed worlds where good and evil (though not always starkly defined) battle for supremacy… where characters face impossible odds and travels are fraught with both peril and wonder—this exceptional novel is for you.
It has all the ingredients of a wondrous story: a conflicted heroine, flawed hero, a villain set on revenge, royalty and common folk, magic that comes with a cost, and the devotion of family and friends. Best of all—dragons! And not just any dragons, but those that soar so exquisitely in prose you can almost feel the buffet of their wings and catch the glint of sunlight on their scales. I don’t think I will ever look at apples the same way again. If you want to know what that reference is about, READ THE BOOK! I’ve also got to mention Teko, a supporting character who stole my heart (along with Grandfather with Scars).
This is a polished, professional work from an author who excels at her craft. Download your copy, get comfortable, and then be prepared to be swept away in a world of wonder and intrigue. A rousing 5+ star read!
The story takes Aster from childhood to adulthood in which she becomes a pivotal figure between nations, factions, and even setting a division line between father and son.
If you enjoy epic fantasy—tales set in richly-detailed worlds where good and evil (though not always starkly defined) battle for supremacy… where characters face impossible odds and travels are fraught with both peril and wonder—this exceptional novel is for you.
It has all the ingredients of a wondrous story: a conflicted heroine, flawed hero, a villain set on revenge, royalty and common folk, magic that comes with a cost, and the devotion of family and friends. Best of all—dragons! And not just any dragons, but those that soar so exquisitely in prose you can almost feel the buffet of their wings and catch the glint of sunlight on their scales. I don’t think I will ever look at apples the same way again. If you want to know what that reference is about, READ THE BOOK! I’ve also got to mention Teko, a supporting character who stole my heart (along with Grandfather with Scars).
This is a polished, professional work from an author who excels at her craft. Download your copy, get comfortable, and then be prepared to be swept away in a world of wonder and intrigue. A rousing 5+ star read!
October 11, 2022
I’m definitely a D. Wallace Peach fan. I’ve come to expect action-packed plots with plenty of inner conflicts and character dilemmas, as well as nuanced worlds drawn with hard-edged gritty description to achingly beautiful prose. Mostly I know I’ll find complex relationships and a story that will keep me turning pages – fully connected to every one.
The Necromancer’s Daughter was no exception to most of these factors, however the characters are less gritty and complex than, for example, those in The Rose Shield series (Which is superb!) Both the necromancer and his daughter are primary motivated by expansive love and a wish for peace. This somewhat gentle point of view softens the edges of even the most intensely brutal scenes, and their internal stability simplifies the story. It’s quite a different read than the others I’ve read by this author.
Even so, there’s no shortage of action or danger, and the characters we come to love are challenged again and again by the harsh nature of the world and those around them. So while I found the plot twists less intense and the characters less conflicted internally, I still found it satisfying and at several points stayed up way too late reading when I couldn’t put it down.
Recommended for fantasy readers that love beautifully drawn worlds and characters, and prefer happier endings, but are open to a challenging and wild ride along the way. And there are dragons!
The Necromancer’s Daughter was no exception to most of these factors, however the characters are less gritty and complex than, for example, those in The Rose Shield series (Which is superb!) Both the necromancer and his daughter are primary motivated by expansive love and a wish for peace. This somewhat gentle point of view softens the edges of even the most intensely brutal scenes, and their internal stability simplifies the story. It’s quite a different read than the others I’ve read by this author.
Even so, there’s no shortage of action or danger, and the characters we come to love are challenged again and again by the harsh nature of the world and those around them. So while I found the plot twists less intense and the characters less conflicted internally, I still found it satisfying and at several points stayed up way too late reading when I couldn’t put it down.
Recommended for fantasy readers that love beautifully drawn worlds and characters, and prefer happier endings, but are open to a challenging and wild ride along the way. And there are dragons!
October 17, 2022
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, fantasy is not my preferred genre. But a special author and story will always convince me to click ‘buy.’ And D. Wallace Peach is such an author. Her world building –for me a key element in fantasy writing—is second to none. Set against that we have Aster, the stillborn daughter of the King of Verdane. Yes, you may wonder how a stillborn baby can go on to be the heroine in a fantasy novel, but trust me she is because the man tasked with saving her has the gift of bringing the dead back to life. He just doesn’t manage it immediately. The themes are universal. An ageing man suddenly aware he has an heir, an Order that will stop at nothing--not even murder--to thwart this, a perilous journey through lands torn between ,hunted and hunters, in other words, good versus evil at every turn, and a fantastic cast of characters along the way, all in the skilled hands of a writer who knows how to deliver.
September 11, 2022
What a beautifully written fantasy book. Stunning prose, engaging characters and a simple but effective plot weave a rich tale of the love of a daughter for her father, and the concerns and morality of awakening the dead.
I loved it from start to finish. There is conflict, uncertainty and excitement, heartfelt scenes, and tender moments in this story.
Aster is a lovely character who the reader can't help but warm to. The love interest between her and Joreh isn't overstated, neither does it dominate the plot, instead their relationship gently grows as the story unfolds. I also love her father, Barus.
I was so glad how the story conclusion held such a complete awareness and understanding of love and life in such a sweet fulfilling way. I better say no more for fear of spoiling it for you!
I was also interested to read the inspiration behind the story - a retelling of the story of Kwan-yin from Chinese mythology. And the dragons... they were larger than life! And boy did they like their apples!
I loved it from start to finish. There is conflict, uncertainty and excitement, heartfelt scenes, and tender moments in this story.
Aster is a lovely character who the reader can't help but warm to. The love interest between her and Joreh isn't overstated, neither does it dominate the plot, instead their relationship gently grows as the story unfolds. I also love her father, Barus.
I was so glad how the story conclusion held such a complete awareness and understanding of love and life in such a sweet fulfilling way. I better say no more for fear of spoiling it for you!
I was also interested to read the inspiration behind the story - a retelling of the story of Kwan-yin from Chinese mythology. And the dragons... they were larger than life! And boy did they like their apples!
November 5, 2022
This is a beautifully written tale that takes you away to a mystical time and place. Peach excels at world-building, with descriptive prose that evokes all the senses. Aster is a lovely character, and her bond to her father, Barus, makes for a heroine well worth rooting for. A highly enjoyable book.
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