Book Blurb:
Ward de'Ath expected this to be a simple job--bring a nobleman's daughter back from the dead for fifteen minutes, let her family say good-bye, and launch his fledgling career as a necromancer. Goddess knows he can't be a surgeon--the Quayestri already branded him a criminal for trying--so bringing people back from the dead it is.
But when Ward wakes the beautiful Celia Carlyle, he gets more than he bargained for. Insistent that she's been murdered, Celia begs Ward to keep her alive and help her find justice. By the time she drags him out her bedroom window and into the sewers, Ward can't bring himself to break his damned physician's Oath and desert her.
However, nothing is as it seems--including Celia. One second, she's treating Ward like sewage, the next she's kissing him. And for a nobleman's daughter, she sure has a lot of enemies. If he could just convince his heart to give up on the infuriating beauty, he might get out of this alive...
My Review:
3.5 Out of 5 Stars
Genre: Another-World, Mystery, Royal-Court, Supernatural, Survival, Zombies--
Ward has been hired to raise from the dead the daughter of a wealthy lord so that her family has a chance to tell her goodbye. But when the daughter, Celia, awakens, she does not believe that she is dead and tells Ward that someone in her family wants her dead. When she makes a plea for Ward to help her escape and find her murderer, Ward can't resit. But little does Ward know that Celia too has plenty of secrets that paint a different picture. The two set out on a dangerous journey that blurs the lines of life and death.
This book had been sitting on my wishlist for the last year so I jumped when I received the opportunity to read it. To be perfectly honest, I was a little disappointed when I started reading the book because I found myself having a hard time connecting or being interested. I found what I was reading to be tedious, which is not how you are suppose to feel when discovering the depths of a new story. Well, I kept plugging along because I refuse to give up on a book (especially since I had been looking forward to it for so long) and at roughly 30% (as per my ereader) I finally became interested. I think part of the problem is that the characters are not very likable when you first meet them, which is a little off putting. Also the world building at times causes my interest to wan, as well as the incredibly dense nature or the writing. Not that this is a bad thing, but everything was so descriptive at times it was as if I was reading a Charles Dickens novel (which I don't particularly care for) and I was hungry for action or in-depth characterization. I did get sucked into the words after a bit and was glad that I gave the book a shot. I could have done without the verbose details, but I am glad I got to read this book.
The book alternates between Ward and Celia's views, with a random character her and their thrown in along the way. I found it interesting that the ideals of hero and heroine were switched in this story. Celia had traits of the hero, being fierce, brave, strong, talented at fighting/defense and made decisions with her head. Ward on the other hand led with his heart. He was emotional, romantic, loyal to his promise, gangly and awkward and needed to be rescued repeatedly. The two of them had such a strange dynamic, at times partners, other adversaries, and a dash of a romantic connection. At first I did not like either character, but as the book progressed, I found that I liked both of them and loved the two of them together being it fighting or helping. I will admit is was really confusing for me as well as Ward to root for the two of them romantically, since that is umm, a crime(?) after all...right?
The book was an entirely new unique read for me. The world building was spectacular. I felt like it was a historical European city vibe with new professions such as necromancy, and perfectly acceptable skills such as reading thoughts to imprison someone for crimes. Everything was so well detailed it became real to me and I could see it as Ward and Celia experienced it. The plot at first seemed a little intriguing, but in actuality it turned into something full of twists and turns and connections that I never saw coming. By the last 20% of the book I was so wrapped up in this world that I had a hard time putting the book down to do life, because I needed to know how everything would play out.
My biggest complaint was the fact miscommunication was used repeatedly as a plot device. I hate that more than anything else in a book! I understand the circumstances in this situation, where Ward fears imprisonment and Celia keeps secrets as a profession, but Oh My Geez I hate it! I wanted to sit the characters down and have them talk it out so that they could focus on all the other huge problems hunting them down that had nothing to do with each other.
I would call this a fantasy book more than any other genre. I was reading some other reviews and they had it listed as romance and I would never have even thought to classify this as such. There were a few moments of feelings that may have been tender, but at heart this was a fantastical world with some very dangerous people trying to get the two main characters. Maybe the next book in the series plays out into a romance, but this most certainly didn't. The only clear cut element of romance I could spot was the miscommunication angst I previously spoke of because to have a romance novel one must be heavy on the angst. Anyway, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next book to see what mess Ward and Celia find themselves in.
I received this title from the publisher and YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Ward Against Darkness (Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer Book 2)
Book Blurb:
The last thing Ward de’Ath wants is more trouble. On the run from both the law and the criminal underworld, Ward and Celia flee Brawenal City only to stumble into the mansion of a powerful evil necromancer. And when Ward discovers the man possesses a dangerous grimoire, his duty leaves him no choice. He can’t allow the necromancer to keep the grimoire. But the mansion is filled with monsters—human and undead—and Ward has no way of telling who’s friend or foe. The only person he can trust is Celia who dominates more of his thoughts and feelings everyday. But there are still laws in the way of anything but friendship. She’s still dead and he’s still alive… for now.
Ward Against Disaster (Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer Book 3)
Book Blurb:
Ward de'Ath should be dead by now. Instead, he’s chasing after a soul-eating creature—that he unleashed— and is bent on stopping her before she slaughters more innocents. Fortunately, Celia Carlyle remains by his side, a nobleman's gorgeous and deadly daughter, who is…well, dead.
Celia claims she’ll champion Ward wherever he goes, even when she thinks his quest is hopeless. He can only hope her pledge comes from her heart, and not because she’s bound to him through his magic.
When they enter Dulthyne, they stumble upon a dark power that threatens the entire town. Ward, with his unreliable necromancy, is determined to help but finds himself ensnared in the lure of white-hot magic…blood magic he struggles to resist. But if Celia’s love is a lie, it might just doom his soul to the dark arts forever.
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Author Bio:
I have always been drawn to story telling. In fact, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t telling a story in my head or on paper. In grade school, we had journal writing time which I turned into story telling time, weaving tales of magic and adventure that mimicked the fairy tales and myths that I loved to read. It was there, with the help of two very special teachers, that I nurtured this love and started my journey as a writer.
I write fantasy, paranormal romance, and everything in between, seasoned with a good dash of adventure and mystery. Join me on my tales of magic, adventure, and romance.
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Thanks for hosting! I enjoyed reading your take:)
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