How to Save an Undead Life by Hailey Edwards

April 23rd, 2018 Kimberly Review 55 Comments

23rd Apr
How to Save an Undead Life by Hailey Edwards
How to Save an Undead Life
by Hailey Edwards
Series: Beginner's Guide to Necromancy #1
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne Flame

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.

urban magical Kick Ass Heroine Book Series

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 Click To Tweet
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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. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

55 Responses to “How to Save an Undead Life by Hailey Edwards”

  1. 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!

    Olivia-Savannah Roach recently posted: How to: Maintain a Steady Blog Schedule
    • Kimberly

      Nope, there is a zombie parakeet. This is a cool series and book two was even better.

  2. MarthaE

    The title drew me to check it out…a parrot zombie??? Sounds like a fun book/series I would like. Thanks for sharing.

  3. Stefanie

    Sounds good; I saw your post in my Bloglovin’ feed and was like ooh, a fantasy. I’m always curious about an underdog.

  4. 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!

  5. 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!

    • Kimberly

      Happy to share 🙂 We got to spend the day outside today. It was sunny and gorgeous with a high of 75.

  6. 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?

  7. 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. ^_^

  8. 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!

  9. 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.

  10. Tracy Terry

    Great title. A bit weary of the whole paranormal thing but this sounds like a read that could renew my interest.

  11. 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!

  12. 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. 🙁

  13. 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!