The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy, Book 2Life was simpler for Grier when she was flat broke and a social pariah. Now she’s carrying the baggage that goes along with the title of Dame Woolworth, and shouldering that weight is giving her a serious crick in the neck. Her work as a Haint is the one thing that makes her feel normal, but even that’s more paranormal than usual.Spirits are vanishing … usual.
Spirits are vanishing from well-known hot spots on the ghost tour circuit, and vampires are turning up as shriveled husks. When Grier stumbles across the menace preying on Savannah’s supernatural community, what she uncovers is bigger than a few flickering lampposts gone dark. It’s a deadly threat unleashed by one of their own, and the cost of saving her city might be her life.more
Loving every minute
I am so glad I found this series. An absolutely fun read with great characters. I am loving what they bring out in each other.
In this, the second installment of the Beginners Guide to Necromancy, Grier is now the Dame of the Woolworth family and her cousin Linus is going to help her with her training. Since her powers aren’t something that’s been seen before in a Necromancer, they need to get her trained up properly. At the same time, she’s given into Boaz, and agreed to a date.
But of course it’s not an easy time for Grier, she’s lost her job, and even though she has money now, she doesn’t want to use it because it’s easily tracked. Taking on a temp job refurnishing a boat that’s haunted, Grier makes friends with the ghost, but only after he injures another worker. Getting to the bottom of the ghost’s mystery isn’t the only thing on her plate either. Grier’s plate is overflowing between Necromancer training, self defense training, and working leaves Grier little time for friends and hanging out. But that’s not all, there’s also something going around Savannah killing vampires and ghosts. I know, you can’t kill those that are undead and already dead, but somethings going on. Ghosts are coming up missing, and they’re finding nothing but the husks of vampires.
Oh what an ending, I never suspected who was actually behind it all. The storyline has kept me intrigued and I’ve already downloaded the next book so that I can see what happens next! I’m loving all the characters, glad to see Wooly is back to full power, I can’t see what’s in store next for Grier and the rest of them. Ms. Edwards is definitely delivering a well crafted series that makes you want to keep reading.
**Read with my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
The second book in the series picks up not too long after the first one ends, and this one improved on the last book by leaps. The world building is better, but still needs tightening up. As for the characters, we learn more about Linus, and Amelie and Boaz, but I still really don’t care that much about either one of them. I’m not enthused about a romance between Boaz and Grier, they completely lack chemistry, but now Linus….here’s hoping.
We get to learn more about Linus and a bit more background on Grier, but there are some twists in this one that may surprise you. The story arc tied up well, and the main series arc continues on. Grier keeps adding more characters to her group, and this time Oscar joins her, and another favorite of mine is now Cletus. 4.5 Stars
This second book has cemented this to my favorite-series shelf. Wow.
Book 1 has flawlessly moved into book 2. Grier has been reinstated as Dame Woolworth, but the five years at Atramentous, the prison she was thrown into when she was just 16 years old, have left deep scars. Waking up from nightmares every night (Necromancers have a different night/day rhythm).
Linus has moved into the carriage house of Woolly (Grier’s sentient house) and has started teaching Grier on her magic and how to restore the wards of Woolly. She has started to trust him, but trust is hard for Grier, especially after all that has happened. I loved how she named Linus’ wraith and her grimoire. Even though she has her fortune back, Grier still wants her job as a Haint back because she needs the normalcy and stability but it is hard getting your job back after you skipped out and can’t explain your human boss it was because of a kidnapping. Her friend Amelie also points out several ‘haunts’ have lost their.. well.. haunt. It sets the stage for a mystery that is solved in this book and brings Grier more hurt and pain.
And what about Boaz, her lifelong crush, who finally asks her out? Grier is careful with her heart, and maybe that is for the best. I was a bit torn between cocky Boaz – who has his soft side for Grier and his sister – and Linus. Linus, who is the son of the Grande Dame and might be her enemy, but who shows signs of being quite taken with Grier. We get to know him a lot better in this book but there are secrets he will not (yet?) reveal.
I enjoyed the careful structured story and can’t wait for the next. Grier is a wonderful heroine. So young, so deeply hurt and lonely. The High Society of the necromancers seems harsh and unescapable. On to the next! (2018)
I am so glad I read this sequel – I almost didn’t and I would have regretted that. I went through several first books of a series before this series and I finally told myself I should give one a chance in case it was an author’s first try or something. Like I said, I’m glad I kept reading. The writing improved, the suspense and interactions have intrigued me further, and I have more respect/awe for the main character than I did before.
The entire series is worth reading.
I’m loving this series – in this one, Grier Woolworth is still getting used to being free and having her life back, while her cousin Linus is filling in some of the gaps in her education. When ghosts begin to disappear and then a few vampires are killed as well, the situation becomes more serious, since it affects the pocketbooks of the necromancer society. Grier is caught up in the search for the perpetrator, at some risk to her safety and well-being. I really like Grier and her determination to protect those under her care, including her sentient house and zombie parakeet. With the relationship with her neighbor Boaz progressing slowly, as they go on their first date, Grier is getting a taste of what being a normal young lady might be like and it helps lighten things up a bit. I wasn’t sure about Linus through much of the story, he’s a bit of an enigma, but it’s been fun getting to know more about him and his motivations. I’m on to the next story in the series, How to Break an Undead Heart.
Grier is still trying to live a normal life after everything she has been through. Amelie and Boaz are trying to be there for her. Boaz wants her but she isn’t sure she is ready, scared of his reputation. Things are escalating and something is getting rid of ghosts and sucking the life out of the vampires. There are some awesome twists in this book and the ending! I can not wait to read How to Break and Undead Heart!
How to Claim and Undead Soul by Hailey Edwards a five-star read you will want to claim form the roof tops. This is the second book in The Beginners Guide to Necromancy and it builds on the first book we watch Grier getting her footing and finding her place in the worlds. Grier will need help to get where she is going, but this story just gets better and better. There are some things cleared up, but more that are not, I can’t wait for the next instalment to find out what will happen next. Well done Hailey Edwards on a great job well done once again.
This entire series is amazing. I want all the books now.
How to Claim an Undead Soul is book two in the Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy by Hailey Edwards.
This series is one you do need to read in order. Each book builds on the previous one.
Grier has been through a lot in her life and theirs still more hardships, trills, and heartache in store for her.
I had to remember a few details about what happened in book one. It took me a moment to get back into the swing and the story, but once I did I enjoyed How to Claim an Undead Soul. We get moment in the story and theirs a mystery to solve in regards to ghosts disappearing and no one knows why. The author gives us more developments; from Grier, from her love interests, from her powers, and more. I enjoyed the twist in the plot and had a delightful time with the story.
As for Grier’s relationships. I’m not a fan of adding in a new man to via for her attentions, but we see a competitor possibly rising up. Grier has the hots for Boaz and I’d like to see the underdog get the girl, but that love angle is still undecided even though Boaz is finally waking up and realizing Grier is what he wants. Then we have Linus who is their to help Grier learn about her powers, but he’s also their for other seasons. Not everything is clear. One thing I did get is that Linus hides who he truly is and I can’t see him every truly opening and being what Grier needs, at least at this stage.
How to Claim an Undead Soul was a satisfying read.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Hailey Edwards with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
Ms. Edwards continues to delight with the second installment of her new Necromancer series. We see Grier moving forward in her new life – New lessons in magic, in self defense, in her completely unique abilities, and in her relationships with the people who have always loved her. Shocking twist at the end shows that Grier was not the only one adversely affected by the horror inflected on her life by false imprisonment. Wonderful story telling, couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next one!