How to Save an Undead Life (Beginner's Guide to Necromancy, #1)

by Hailey Edwards

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.

• ISBN10: 1985855437
• ISBN13: 9781985855434
• Publish Date: 19 August 2017
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 238
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

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

[bookperson]

dnf

[kimbacaffeinate]

The first in the Beginner's Guide to Necromancy series this urban fantasy is set in Savannah, Georgia. I was quickly drawn into the world and magic Hailey Edwards has created.

We meet Grier Woolworth a twenty-something ex-necromancer who owns her childhood home. Wait until you meet her house!  Grier has had quite a complicated life but I admired her spunk. Edwards enlightens us on her troubled past as she shares Grier's struggles and her passionate love of local history. 

Grier works nights as a haunted tour guide. Right away I liked this damaged soul and moved right in. The past five years have been a nightmare and she suffers PTSD but the house and her childhood friends are there for support.

This first book reveals the reasons the society that imprisoned her set her free and sets up the series.  We learn Grier is far from ordinary and I am excited to see her growth as she gains skills. 

Edwards' writing style has an easy, addictive flow as she fleshed out characters, explained the paranormal society and revealed Grier to us. The story has a nice balance of magic and humor.  It delivered a side romance that has me curious. A zombie parakeet, temperamental house and things that bite in the night rounded out the tale.

We see plenty of suspense and danger as news of what Grier is was leaked to the paranormal community. This thread allowed us to see how resourceful and kick-ass Grier can be. Once she comes into her powers and harnesses her magic, I have a feeling she will be unstoppable. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer