The Unblessed Dead

The Hidden Necromancer Series, Book 1

By: Rhiannon Frater

Narrated by: Laura Bannister

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

When I was younger, my mother saved my settlement from the unblessed dead that would have killed us all. It cost her everything to reveal her necromancy and sent shockwaves through our stringent religious settlement. Convicted of heresy against our sacred lost texts, she died soon after.

Since then, I have worked hard to maintain my pious standing so that when I turn 18 I will be selected by a suitable husband at the bridal auction.

As the large clock in town square ticks down to my 18th birthday, the dead have been appearing in my garden. If I’m discovered, I’ll face the necromancer trial just as my mother, oldest sister, and I did all those years ago. This time I fear I will not survive it.

To add to my worries, an enigmatic handsome young man has arrived in the settlement. Around him swirls a green aura only I can see. Is he here to help me? Or does he have more nefarious plans?

My name is Ilyse Nott, and I fear I am a necromancer.

If I am, my life is over.

©2017 Rhiannon Frater (P)2019 Rhiannon Frater

New to me author

Rhiannon Frater was a new to me author so I wasn't sure what to expect. I really enjoyed this book. She had me very interested in these characters and what would happen to them. I can be tough on narrators. but, I think Laura Bannister did a good job on this book. I look forward to the next book in this series. I will also be checking out more of her work.
I was given this title for an honest review. ( I would have been honest if I didn't like it....but, I really did! :)

The Unblessed Dead

Ilyse is 18 and praying with all her might that she is not a necromancer like her mother. All she wants is to remain pius and get a good husband, but lately the dead have been appearing in her garden and she and her sister hurry and coral them back to their grave so no one will know because if they find out it will be certain death just like her mother.

This book has so much action right from the start and all the way to the end, that I would say you'd be tired after reading/listening to this book except the suspense will keep you pumped, so don't worry. The characters are well rounded and great for their parts, it is hard to explain but if you read or listen to this book you'll understand. I you do get the audio version with Laura Bannister narrating you will find yourself in Ilyse's world and taking sides on the matter at hand, Ms. Bannister and her different voices make every character different and stand out. This is a great book and I hope you all like it as much as I did no matter which form you choose.

Zombie Apocalypsa

Zombies, religious cult and mandatory marriage or indentured servitude. I really do not want to live in this future. Well developed story that leaves you wanting book two. Th narrator did a good job in bringing the characters to life. If you are a fan of either post apocalyptic or anti tech religions I highly recommend this book.
I was given a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

amazing listen!!!!!!

The Narrator really brought this book to life. a post apocalypse world where girls in this settlement have been stripped of rights and become second rate citizens. A religion that rules and governs all those who love within the walls and holds women to a standing of piety. the antagonist is a great threat and girls are auctioned off at 18 in marriage or cast aside as unworthy. The story revolves around a young woman who is about to go to auction yet her whole life is turned upside down a few weeks before. she is faces with horrors most would not survive. she recognizes her own self worth in the process and sees just how restricted and biased her world is. A young woman of faith learns to question everything in the world around her fighting to stay alive. this is an amazing read. I am immediately moving on to the second in the series. it has a total grip on me.

Great new series

Rhiannon is one of my favorite authors. I’m so happy she gave me the opportunity to listen to and review her his series.
The characters are written so well and I love them.
Think handmaids tale but throw some supernatural powers in there with the threat of zombies.
I can’t wait for the next book!
Narration was excellent as well.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.

original zombie story without focus on the zombies

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would jump at the chance to listen to another.
I didn’t want the story to be over. I’ve listened to a lot of zombie stories and this is a very original one. I love the addition of the special abilities (necromancy) and their religious beliefs surrounding them. The social structure is interesting- religious based beliefs dictate life, girls can’t speak to men outside their family circle, girls are auctioned off once of age, education is limited, they’re aware of other social structures and technology but theirs is limited.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Laura Bannister) and I would gladly listen to another. She has great character voices. Her soft voice gives an appropriately ominous feel to story. I hope she reads the rest of this series. Her narration helped me get immersed in the story because I was able to forget I was being read to.

There are no explicit sex scenes, or excessive violence. There is the very occasional swearing but it is integral to certain scenarios.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

The unblessed dead

The beginning of the book was intruging which had me hooked and I kept on listening wondering what was going to happen next.
I thought I knew what to expect but the author really surprised me. The story is original which is one of the things that had me hooked to the book and it had plenty of suspense.
I would highly recommend it. I already have the second book in the series and I can't wait to listen to it.

I will be reading the next one

This was really interesting right from the beginning which is nice. If a book doesn’t grab me right away, I’m very likely to give up on it. I like the world this is set in. And while the narrator’s voice kind of annoyed me, it fit the main character so it works. Certain aspects were repeated but it didn’t detract from the story.

I’m surprised to say I couldn’t stop listening!

I chose this book because the publisher’s summary was quite intriguing. However, after getting the book, it sat in my library for several weeks because I read some of the first reviews about this being a great zombie book. I’m not sure why my brain didn’t register zombie from “The Unblessed Dead” but it didn’t. Regardless of what my brain did or didn’t register, I’m not a zombie fan so I put off listening. BIG MISTAKE! Fortunately for me, Halloween came along and put me in the mood to give it a listen. I was shocked to find that I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in one sitting and, I CAN NOT WAIT to get my little zombie loving ears listening to the next book. So, if you haven’t figured it out, I definitely recommend this book!!! I received a review copy at my request and voluntarily reviewed.

Utterly Fulfilling & Enjoyable!

Wow, just wow. This one grabs your attention from chapter 1 and keeps it, ramping up the tension and anxiety to the end. I freakin' loved this book. The Knott family was so dear to me, a family to love. A family with a hard-working father with such devotion to the Lost Texts that he injures his family. The children are so special. I adored Illyse and the innocent and earnest proclamations of her faith and commitment to the Lost Texts. Though her faith was misguided, it was beautiful to behold that much faithfulness and it was precious to see her eyes open to the grave errors of what she was taught. The danger looming over her had me white-knuckling through so much of this incredible book. Her sister was so bright, so faithful and spunky; I wanted to reach into the book and hug her. Their brother was a hidden gem, full of intelligence and devotion that was underestimated and beautifully revealed as he rose to the challenge to protect his sister. Characters within this book, major and minor, are natural and so believable, protagonists and antagonists, alike. This is not a traditional zombie book, but rather, a book about a town filled with people who cling to their faith and traditions and those who suffer from that misguided faith. Zombies are crucial to the story but this is not a typical zombie book, not in any way.

The excellence of the story is matched by a masterful narration performance. I am so glad that I was given this audiobook upon my request in exchange for a review. I loved it. This one is well worth a credit.

Outstanding!

The Unblessed Dead is an excellent start to an outstanding series. Rhiannon Frater takes an innovative approach to the zombie post-apocalypse by incorporating necromancy. The writing is exceptional with a well-developed plot and captivating characters. Laura Bannister's narration is great, bringing the book life.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Amazing!

this is the first book I've read by Rhiannon Frater but not the last, I loved it!

amazing book

When I was younger, my mother saved my settlement from the unblessed dead that would have killed us all.
amazing book hocked straight away must buy