But death is not the end for Naya. She awakens to realize she's become an abomination--a wraith, a ghostly creature bound by runes to the bones of her former corpse. She's been resurrected in order to become a spy for her country. Reluctantly, she assumes the face and persona of a servant girl named Blue.
She never intended to become embroiled in political plots, kidnapping, and murder. Or to fall in love with the young man and former necromancer she is destined to betray.
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Review:
Twice Dead is Caitlin Seal’s debut novel and is a luscious and delightful fantasy novel perfect for fans of Susan Dennard and Maria V. Snyder!
The daughter of a sea merchant trader, Naya is undertaking her first solo mission in the necromancer friendly country of Ceramor near her homeland when she is struck down on her way to meet an associate. Murdered in an alleyway, death is not the end for Naya as she awakens a wraith--a ghostly creature bound by runes carved into the bones of her former corpse. Brought back by a necromancer, Naya is recruited to be a spy for her native country and assumes the identity of a servant in order to discover political secrets. Becoming involved in kidnapping and murder isn’t what she signed on for and neither is betraying the young man she’s become to care about. Naya is soon struggling to see out with her mission, but with things not what they seem, the danger to those in Ceramor may be bigger than she ever anticipated…..
I was really impressed with Twice Dead, the first novel in what will be The Necromancer’s Song series by Caitlin Seal. Twice Dead was beautifully written and well-paced, introducing readers to a fantastic paranormal fantasy world of magic and resurrection. The world within the novel was well constructed and the concept of necromancy and the way people were resurrected and tied to their bones through runes and bonds were intriguing. It was fresh concept on Seal’s part and I think it was implemented wonderfully.
The heroine of Twice Dead, Naya, comes from a land that considers the undead monsters and those that resurrect them messing with what the Creator intended. It was intriguing to follow her through her transition from an ordinary girl who wakes up as something she has always thought an abomination to being comfortable in who she now is. Loyal to her country to a fault and a product of the society she was raised in, Ceramor and its inhabitants open Naya’s eyes to the true nature of the undead; making for a lot of confliction and inner turmoil as Naya wages a battle against herself and what she has been taught to be believe.
Personally I liked Naya and thought she was easy to follow. Naya wants to do the right thing and make her father proud, however as the novel progresses she learns a lot and begins to question what she has always known. It’s the growth in Naya that I really appreciated. She shows a lot of promise as the protagonist as she begins to master her abilities as a wraith and embrace who she is.
Naya’s lifeline to her new reality as a wraith comes in the form of Corten, a former necromancer and fellow wraith who helps Naya learn how to harness her abilities and how to survive her needs. Corten becomes a friend to Naya and of course romance blossoms between the two. Honestly, I thought Corten and Naya were really sweet as a couple. They connected well and there was as innocence and sweetness to their relationship.
Twice Dead comes to a heartbreaking ending with hard choices made and developments pushing forward the course of the story. I for one cannot wait to see what Caitlin Seal does next and will be eagerly awaiting the release of the next novel to see how Naya helps those she loves!
Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher via Netgalley (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Charlesbridge Teen
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley
Release Date: September 18th 2018
Pre-Order: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: I highly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more!
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