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Title: How to Save an Undead Life
Author(s): Hailey Edwards
Series: The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy #1
Published by Black Dog Books LLC on August 19, 2017
Pages: 240
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Format: eBook 
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
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Series Rating:
Grier Woolworth spends her nights weaving spooky tales of lost souls and tragedies for tourists on the streets of downtown Savannah. Hoop skirt and parasol aside, it’s not a bad gig. The pay is crap, but the tips keep the lights on in her personal haunted mansion and her pantry stocked with ramen.
Life is about as normal as it gets for an ex-necromancer hiding among humans. Until the society that excommunicated Grier offers her a second chance at being more than ordinary. Too bad no one warned her the trouble with being extraordinary is it can get you killed.
Warning: This book contains one ex-con/ex-heiress with a pet zombie parakeet who lives next door to her ex-army/ex-crush. Brace yourself, we’re talking more exes than a pirate treasure map here.
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How to Save an Undead Life, the first book in the Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy took in me on an interesting journey into the world of a young necromancer. 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. It also gave 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. I 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.
I buddy read this with Sophia for COYER Community Buddy Read.
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[bctt tweet=”Join Grier and company as they journey into the magical unknown in the first book in the Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy. #urbanfantasy #magic ” username=”TtlyAdd2Reading”]
About Hailey Edwards
Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy. She lives in Alabama with her husband, their daughter, and a herd of dachshunds.
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I really enjoyed this series and the spinoff. Glad to see you starting it.
I am looking forward to the next book. I am curious to see what will transpire between her and her new and unwelcome house guest. ?
How to Save an Undead Life sounds interesting. I don’t tend to read much urban fantasy though so not sure this is one for me.
That is understandable.
I had a better time with this book because we buddy read it and I could comment as I went. Ugh, her move with the vampires really made me roll my eyes. Boaz was fun. I’m curious to see what comes next and will come back to the series when I get the chance.
I loved Boaz too. Yes the situation with the vampires was totally stupid. I cannot believe she fell for that one.
This is a new to me author Nadene. I often find book 1 in a new series takes a while to get into, I guess because the author has so much to introduce readers too. Great review thanks for sharing
I noticed it too with several of the series I have read especially in the urban fantasy genre.
This sounds great. I have a feeling I might like this book.
I believe you would Mary.
Glad it was still worth the effort.
Yes it was. It had some good parts.
I love the synopsis and that cover. Sorry it didn’t fully work for you. Great review
It did have its good points.
I do enjoy this genre. Great review.
Thanks Tasha.
Ooh, I have a copy of this book on my Kindle. It sounds like it is definitely worth a try. I am definitely curious about that zombie parakeet.
Yes it is. It may have fall short in some areas, but it still turned out to be a good read.
You had me at zombie parakeet.
Yeah it caught my attention too.
It’s a great series, very old school urban fantasy vibe. I binged on the whole lot but I haven’t read the last book and the spin off yet. Lovely review, Nadene!
Thank you. I will picking up the other boos. I am curious to know what next is in store for Grier.