How to Save an Undead Life

Beginner's Guide to Necromancy Series, Book 1

By: Hailey Edwards

Narrated by: Rebecca Mitchell

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.  

Contains mature themes.

©2017 Hailey Edwards (P)2018 Tantor

Waiting

Didn’t like that we are left with nothing at then end. Made me feel cheated. Of course I had to buy the next book to see if it is worth it. Everything is a big secret and there aren’t any foreshadowing of who and what is doing anything. Hope I am not disappointed in the second book.

Kindle’s text-to-speech voice is better narrator!

So disappointed in the narration. Rebecca Mitchell seems to be reading from a dictionary, for all the emotion being evoked. Strange and sometimes inappropriate rise and fall of pitch is especially off-putting. There’s no distinguishable change in tone of voice, tempo, or emotion, when the content itself calls for it. It’s like she walked in the recording studio, was handed a book she’s never read before and just started reading it out loud right away. There’s a big disconnect between narrator and the characters of the book. I paid $13.00 for the audible version, and could’ve just listened to my kindle’s text-to-speech voice read it with the same amount of emotion, for free. Having buyers remorse. I should have read the audible performance reviews before making a purchase.

Okay storyline. Terrible narrator.

The storyline, while dragging and with several irritating and unnecessary loose ends, was overall somewhat interesting. The narrator, however, was flat in tone, forceful in odd places, and overall boring. She was not engaging at all and failed to bring the story to life. I likely will not purchase the next in the series. This is primarily due to the dull narration and dragging/disjointed storyline.

How to save....

So many people highly recommend this series. This being a first book was more emotional then action packed. I took breaks more then a few times. This was not grabbing my attention. Not to say I disliked it. I was very interested in a haunted mansion and was somewhat interested in Grier. In the end the most interesting part of the book to me is the house. There wasn't much to the world building and the Vampires and Necromancer's didn't excite me. I might try the second in the series but not sure.

Good story, textbook reading narrator

The story was very good, and exciting, if a little frustrating with the main character's naivete sometimes. The relationship between Grier and Boaz was seductive and fun.

The narrator, however, sounded like she was reading from a textbook most of the time. The way she finished sentences, enunciated the wrong word in sentences, was a little annoying. Though she did make the different characters sound good and different.

Great story, terrible narrator

This series is a fun read, but the narrator’s weird crescendos and tendency to sound like she’s short of air and forcing words out drives me bonkers. I listen to it in at least 1.25 to be able to get through it. Her “voice talent” is almost non-existent, if you don’t pay careful attention you won’t have a clue which female is speaking.

Just couldn't do it.

The story might be good, but couldn't get past the voice of the narrator. It wasn't a good fit for me.

Good story, narration just ok

Enjoyed the world building and first book in the series. I switched to reading while listening at chapter 2 so I could keep track. I mostly read more the half the book. Listened to the last two chapters. Narrator was fine but for some reason I tuned out when listening early in the book. I enjoyed the book much more switching between.

I don't care for the narrator.

this is a book I have read before and enjoyed the story. not having time to read it I put it on audible hoping for someone else to tell me the story while I was working. it's a very fun story, but I did not like the narrator I will not be able to even finish the first book.

Love this book to bits!

I absolutely love this story, and you will too! I have to say though, I read it prior to listening to it, and the voice didn’t really match the feel of Grier I already had in my head, which was kind of a consistent annoyance. The narrator just seemed like they had a stronger, bolder voice than I would have imagined for Grier, except when she was using her Haint persona. I wouldn’t be surprised if a new reader found it completely fine though.

Loved it

Good main characters and story line. Narration is great. Lol at woolly the house. Draws you in with a will they won't they get together. Kept my interest and finish in 24 hours. Will absolutely purchase next in series