How to Save an Undead Life by Hailey Edwards

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.

Reviewed by kimbacaffeinate on

4 of 5 stars

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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

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  • 22 April, 2018: Reviewed