Book 23, 2019

How to Save an Undead Life by Hailey Edwards

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Took me a bit longer than it should have, but I managed to finish How to Save an Undead Life tonight. It's the first book in author Hailey Edwards' "Beginner's Guide to Necromancy" series.

After spending years in the hellish prison reserved for non-humans, framed for a murder she didn't commit, Grier Woolworth is finally free again. Too bad the nightmares followed her home. While trying to live among humans, Grier takes a job leading haunted tours through the streets of Savannah. The pay barely keeps her electricity on and some food in the pantry. The house Grier lives in is sentient, and she calls it "Woolly". She also has a zombie parakeet as a pet. She's managing to get by, but barely. When she is summoned before the cream of the society that shunned and imprisoned her, Grier doesn't dare refuse. At the same time, a vampire begins to court her, leaving Grier bemused. Her neighbor and school girl crush, Boaz, doesn't appreciate someone else sniffing around Grier, now that she's grown and he's learning to see her as more than the skinny girl next door.

When Grier appears in society again, her name and fortune are restored, and she learns she has a rare skill that she manifested while incarcerated--something she has no memory of. Now, Grier is a hot commodity, and someone out there will do anything to gain control of her abilities.

The plot was interesting. I would have liked some more back story. Grier was a sympathetic character, what with all the tragedy befalling her, the nightmares, and the sensation of not being able to trust anyone, least of all herself. Other characters were enjoyable, including Woolly.

Favorite lines:
♦ When the worst had already happened, there wasn't much left to dread.
♦ "There is no dalliance...no one is getting dallied..."
♦ "Honestly, it's like you know nothing about fandom."

Inventive and unusual, and it makes me want to read more in the series.