Grave Promise

How To Be a Necromancer, Book 1

By: D.D. Miers, Graceley Knox

Narrated by: Krys Janae

Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

Having a magical family secret would be exciting if your hidden gift controlled the elements or summoned dragons...not raised the dead. 

The latest in a long line of powerful necromancers, Vexa is just trying to live a normal life without starting a zombie apocalypse. But after 27 years of suppressing her powers, Vexa's secret catches up to her in the form of a strange candle, a relic of the days when her ancestors had complete power over life and death, and in a gorgeous man with a terrible curse – Ethan. 

As Vexa's life is thrown into chaos, Ethan is the only one who can help her control the candle and introduce her to a paranormal world she never knew existed. But a sinister ancestor and a captivating enemy have other plans for her. She may finally have found a community where she can be herself...if the dark forces pursuing the candle don't destroy her first. 

Grave Promise is the first of five books in a slow-burn reverse harem romance from USA Today best-selling authors, D.D.Miers and Graceley Knox. 

©2019 D.D. Miers and Graceley Knox (P)2020 D.D. Miers and Graceley Knox

A Necromancer Kept in the Dark & a Legacy Stolen

Some families may hand down valuable heirlooms or secret recipes, but for funeral home embalmer Vexatious Tzarnavaras, it's having the power to manipulate the Dead. Obviously, another family tradition is to have a peculiar name. I loved the fondness that Vexa has for her late uncle Ptolemy. Even though she did not know him, from what his sister (her great-aunt) Persephona has told her, she could imagine them getting into all sorts of mischief together. There's even a casual nod to the Addams family with a Morticia reference!

Of course, you can't start the story off with a family death without distant relatives bickering over the estate too. After discovering a Dorian Gray-esque portrait of her ancestor, Vexa stumbles upon a mysterious candle. She's oddly drawn to it, but she soon learns that she's not the only one who's interested. Cue the danger that ensues: a deliberate attack on her life, a home invasion, and an unwanted house guest in the form of an undead mountain lion. Initially, I felt like I was listening to a cozy mystery, but with the introduction of a sexy werewolf EMT, I felt that slow-burn.

It's funny that some one in the book reviews felt mislead that this was not an urban fantasy because of the sex, and someone else stated there wasn't enough of it. I enjoy sexual tension when it's done well, so that bedroom teaser was just enough to get me invested. Another potential love interest is revealed towards the end and I'd like to see where else that will lead to. There's also a sweet, reanimated pet wolfhound that reminds me of Heihei, the pet chicken from Disney's "Moana." :) Vexa is only going to get even more powerful as time goes on and I'm here for it.

I was given a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review. Krys Janae's narration was quite pleasing to listen to and that's all I could ask for really. I've passed on an audio book before because I could not get over the bad voice acting or had to skip within the first couple of seconds. I know I'll definitely give the next book a go. I just wish that this could have been longer, more fleshed out, considering the story takes place within a span of 2 days? I hope the rest of the books are released soon as audio books because I don't like waiting too long in-between.

Necromancy with heat...

Turns out not all necromancers are bad and Vexa is one of the good ones but one of her ancestors might have been and bad one. She learns about him from a photograph during her uncle's funeral. Vexa is sent through the ringer when something from the past sends her power haywire. Seems like everyone is coming after her and she doesn't know who to trust. She meets a guy named Ethan and let's just say he is really really nice distraction. Vexa must push herself to the limits if she is to come out on top with all this mess and she has alot to learn. Great read alot of more questions still to be answered cant wait to read the next.

Enjoyed

Good listen. Narration was well done and story interesting and well written. I would recommend.

Really Liked It!

I really enjoyed this book. The story was good, the writing was good and the narration was good. It had me hooked from the first chapter and I enjoyed every min of it. I thought the narrator did a good job with all the different characters. I can’t wait to see what the next book holds!

Amazing Series!

I really loved this series and will miss the characters now that i have read them all. I was so glad I had the whole series bedore i started because I cant even imagine having to wait for a next book after finishing one. Vexa is a kickass FMC and deals with a lot of issues that can be releated to real life struggles we all face. The narrator was amazing as well and did a great job with matching the voices. This series will definitely be a relisten for me.

A great beginning

I wasn’t sure about this when I started listening but was sucked in quickly. Vexa has just came into her necromancy powers by a single candle.. and from there the story takes off!
The story is great and the narrator brings it all together.

Promising start

This is a promising start to a new series. I really like the concept and can’t wait to see what happens to Vexa and the guys.

Grave Promise

this book was full of surprise, I really enjoyed the story. it was well written. full of action, adventure, a little drama, and of course some romance. I cant wait to start the next book. so looking forward to reading/listening to it. the narrator did a great job also.

Vexa

Vexa is a necromancer that is trying to control her powers, but when she bonds with a strange candle that her shortly resurrected uncle tells her to protect.

Grave Promise

Wonderful read with fantastic characters in this book. Narrator did a fantastic job also on this audiobook.

Excellent start to a new a series

Grave Promise, the first book in How To Be a Necromancer series is a fantastic urban fantasy / PNR with the potential to become reverse harem. I really like the characters; they are well-developed, diverse with appealing personalities. The storyline is well-written, entertaining, and engaging with excellent world-building. Given that it's the first book in the series, it has an introductory feel to it, which sets the foundation for future instalments. Vexa, our heroine is a green necromancer developing and learning her powers. The romance element is light and nothing steamy; however, I have a feeling that might change. That being said, I can't wait to find out what's next.

Outstanding narration by Krys Janae; I thoroughly enjoyed her performance. She emulated the characters' personalities and emotions flawlessly, bringing them to life. Overall, this was a fabulous listen, one I'll highly recommend.

good start

I've listened to the narrator before, she does a good job.

first time I've heard from these authors.The book has definitely hooked me into the series and am looking forward to listening to the second book.

Good

I was given this free review copy at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Good

Promise

Krys Janae, did a wonderful job of narration . Perfect for this great series.

The character of Vexa works in a funeral home and is amazing and strong. She does what she needs to for those she loves and fights for what she wants.
it was non stop action, mystery & danger with a touch of romance.

something different in terms of storyline

necromancy and shifters,an unexpected combination. if the story had a faster pace it would be better

Great world building

This is a whole new world of magic. It’s a well written book with fantastic characters. Looking forward to seeing where this storyline is going. A brilliant performance from Krys.

Wow

There are starts to a series and there is this book which had an absolutely amazing start to a series. I loved the characters that I met and I really loved the way that the drama was set up. I usually read very steamy books but this one is low on the steam and the story is so good that I didn’t even care.

Then there was the narration it was so well done, all the quirks that the narrator gave the characters made it so easy to follow who was speaking and the emotions that were brought out made this a fantastic journey.

Amazing

Amazing can’t wait for more in this series
The latest in a long line of powerful necromancers,

Fab start

Vexa is a necromancy working at a funeral home on the day of her uncles funeral she is given a box. When she opens it she finds a candle and when she touches it her powers are multiplied and she brings everything in the funeral home back to life . On her way home she is involved in a car crash where the candle is stolen and things only get worse from then on.

Interesting start to a series

Fantastic introduction to Vexa (love her full name!) and crew. Be warned now! This is book 1 of 5, therefor the book has a cliffhanger! The story starts at a nice jog then picks up pace to a full run towards the end with unexpected surprises. I like that the narrator does not read the story! (this is really important to me as I can't stand when a narrator just "reads" to me. She tries to change up her voice to signify the different characters and gives a clear performance with good emotional range.