by Hailey Edwards
Series: Beginner's Guide to Necromancy #1
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
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 yourselves, we're talking more exes than a pirate treasure map here.
I have been craving urban fantasy and paranormal stories, so when I scrolled past a Facebook Ad for How to Save an Undead Life by Hailey Edwards, I clicked to learned more. Necromancers, magical houses and more had me one-clicking. How to Save an Undead Life was addictive, entertaining and offered a well-developed world where the paranormal live secretly alongside humans.
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.
How to Save an Undead Life kept me engaged and I quickly downloaded the second book, How to Claim a Dead Soul. I am delighted to report it was even stronger than the first. I will share my thoughts in early May here at Caffeinated.
A magical house, zombie parrot and danger made How to Save an Undead Life by Hailey Edwards an addictive first book in the Beginner's Guide to Necromancy. #urbanfantasy #mustread Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Olivia-Savannah Roach
When I read the title for the book I thought it might be about zombies which always has me wary – I don’t usually read good zombie novels. But this one is about necromancy so I am fairly safe! It sounds like a solid read but I am not sure it is one for me. Great review, nonetheless!
Kimberly
Nope, there is a zombie parakeet. This is a cool series and book two was even better.
MarthaE
The title drew me to check it out…a parrot zombie??? Sounds like a fun book/series I would like. Thanks for sharing.
Kimberly
Hehe, I hope you try them, Martha!
Stefanie
Sounds good; I saw your post in my Bloglovin’ feed and was like ooh, a fantasy. I’m always curious about an underdog.
Kimberly
LOL. It is a fun series, Stefanie.
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight
I love this trend of necromancers having zombie pets lol. This book sounds like fun, and the MC sounds great!
Kimberly
Right. I hope you end up trying it Kristen
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
The blurb really hooked me so as long as you didn’t say you hated it I was already in! This sounds like so much fun and I love the setting.
Kimberly
Haha..yes, that is what happened to me. Good cover too.
Jenea’s Book Onsession
This sounds like a great start to the series!
Kimberly
It really was and book two was even better.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
Grier sounds like such a great character and you have me very curious about her house now, lol. I love that it’s set in Savannah too.
Kimberly
Agree the setting was a plus. Her other series has book one for 99 cents today and I snagged it.
Bookworm Brandee
This sounds fantastic! I’m especially curious about the zombie parakeet and the house as an actual character. No, really I’m curious about Grier and her being a necromancer. I don’t know why that’s always kinda interested me. Hmm… LOL I’m so happy you found a new character/series to whet your appetite for UF/PNR, Kimberly! This is going on my TBR. 🙂
Bookworm Brandee
Oooh, I was just adding it to my TBR and checked out her other work…I’ve read the first in her Daughters of Askara series. I enjoyed it and picked up book #2 but still haven’t read it. *sigh*
Kimberly
I want to try her other series, I have book three in this series queued up and look forward to reading it. I really wish her books were on audio. LOL, we all have that problem Brandee. I still struggle with one-clicking only to find I already own it!
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
This sounds really good, Kimberly! I really like the sound of this one and I have never heard of it before. I will have to keep this one in mind.
Kimberly
I hope you do Carole!
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I like the sound of this one with zombies! I will definitely have to check this one out! I have a few credits on Audible now and lots of time driving to back and forth to school. Great review!
Mary
Kimberly
I was seriously bummed these weren’t on audio, but they are quick reads. Fun listens would be the Iron Druid Chronicles or The Others. Have a great night Mary!
Angela Adams
Thanks for the post.
Kimberly
Happy to share 🙂 We got to spend the day outside today. It was sunny and gorgeous with a high of 75.
sherry fundin
A zombie parrot? Sounds like I need to read this beginners guide. lol
Kimberly
LOl. Indeed.
Melliane
I think I could like this one it looks perfect for me so thanks for sharing!
Kimberly
Yay. Enjoy Melliane!
Tanya @ Rantings of a Reading Addict
I added this one to my tbr earlier today! Sounds so good. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a necromancer that wasn’t Anita Blake! LOL
Kimberly
Right. I am anxious to start the third one.
Lindsi
This sounds lovely! I actually find books with necromancy incredibly interesting. Kelley Armstrong had a series a few years ago that I loved! It’s not a topic you read about too often. I’m adding this my TBR so I can look into it later!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
Kimberly
I love when people tell me they think like me. I too am instantly drawn to books featuring necromancy.
Lindsi
I love them! I actually search them out. Have you read Graveminder by Melissa Marr or Silence by Michelle Sagara? I really enjoyed them both!
Kimberly
Graveminder is in my TBR pile 🙂
Angela @ Angel's Guilty Pleasures
Fabulous review. Edwards fast became a favorite for Urban Fantasy when I read her Black Dog Series. I just love this new series. It’s quit unique and wait until you read book 3. Have tissues ready because it’s going to ruff and emotional. Grier though is one tough cookie and I really like seeing her grow. ^_^
Kimberly
Oh boy. I have it in my queue to read. I need to check out her older series.
Lorna
A zombie bird?? Oh I sure didn’t know I needed that in my life. But I obviously do! I’ve never heard of this book. I need to go looking because the house sounds super interesting!
Kimberly
Hehehe…obviously!
Sophia Rose
Those ads work with me, too. I’ve one-clicked after a few.
Oh, fun and also enough depth to draw me in. The house sounds intriguing. I think I’ll investigate this one further. Thanks for the intro to it, Kimberly!
Kimberly
LOL. I keep thinking you’ve reviewed the same book as me. You are still linked up from last Wednesday. Bwahaha.
Debbie Haupt
Okay book pusher you have once again added to my pile LOL 😉 Can’t wait to read it!
Kimberly
Misson accomplished *winks*
Tracy Terry
Great title. A bit weary of the whole paranormal thing but this sounds like a read that could renew my interest.
Kimberly
Urban Fantasy is one of my favorite genres and slightly different than paranormal.
Ailyn Koay
sounds like something I would like! what does a zombie parakeet eats? bird brains or worm brains =D ?
Kimberly
Spoilers darling, spoilers.
Nick
OK this sounds like a whole lot of fun, Kim! I would want to check this one out just for that zombie parakeet! LOL! But everything else seems interesting too. I’ll add this to my TBR!
Kimberly
It was fun with lots of elements I enjoy.
Nadene
Zombie parrot, quite original. Adding this to my list. Great review
Kimberly
Yep, a zombie parrot 🙂
kindlemom1
Ooo this sounds fun and you know me, I’m always looking for a new UF, especially with so many of my favorites series ending this year. 🙁
Kimberly
Yes, so many are ending which is what I think spurred my current reading mood swing.
Cindy
A Necromancer? Awesome review and another one goes on my wish list!
Kimberly
I love necromancers. Kind of creepy right?
Silvia
This one sounds like an original urban fantasy series that I should read! And yes, even if I’m not into zombies, the idea of a zombie parrot intrigues me 😛 Thanks so much for reviewing this, Kimberly!
Kimberly
Yeah, the parrot zombie got me.