First off, thanks to #NetGalley and Charlesbridge Teen for the opportunity to read this one. That said, this book just was not my thing. I enjoy YA and paranormal, whether YA or adult, but this one did not do it for me. I'm not sure what I expected with this book, but whatever it was, this wasn't it. The wraiths, betrayals, etc....didn't hold my interest for more than a few minutes at a time. I skimmed parts because it just wasn't interesting. Wish I had liked it better, and judging from most of the NetGalley reviews, I am definitely in the minority here.

What makes a person a person? Is it their soul? In a world where necromancers can “sing” a person back to life, Caitlin Seal takes us into the world she has created with TWICE DEAD, a tale of intrigue, betrayal and political machinations as one girl must struggle to discover who she can trust, as well as who can trust her.

Naya thought she was on a merchant’s mission for her father when she is murdered. The land of Ceramor practices necromancy, something abhorred in her land, but Naya awakens to discover she has been brought back to life. Is she now the very monsters her land has feared? Is she a soulless creature of darkness or has she become a pawn in an evil game of deceit and political machinations?

Caitlin Seal has created something different in the young adult fantasy genre with main characters that are likable, relatable, but not as fleshed out as they could have been. I absolutely loved the concept, the twists and how unique this tale is and I see this series becoming something to be sure to follow, even though there were times when I wanted more information, then again, I’m not the target audience.

There is a lot of story between these pages and a lot of movement going on, for sure, enough that I know I’ll be back for more political intrigue, moral dilemmas and a budding romance that may or may not get off the ground as we watch these characters develop more depth and the plot thicken!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Charlesbridge Teen!

Series: The Necromancer's Song - Book 1
Publisher: Charlesbridge Teen (September 18, 2018)
Publication Date: September 18, 2018
Genre: YA fantasy
Hardcover: 336 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

I received in ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Naya the main character goes through a big change in her life where she becomes a wraith. As hard as it is for her to come to terms with what happened to her, with the help of Corten a young man she befriends. She understands what she can do and a special relationship forms. But she has a part to play in the towns politics now that shes a wraith, what will sneaking around and lying cost her?
The description of Twice Dead got my attention and I knew I had to read it. And I was right! It had me captivated from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down. The world building is incredible and I'm looking forward to reading what's next for this wonderful series.
4.5/5 stars

Overall this books was just ok for me. It seemed to be a bit slow for me. I didn't really click with any of the characters.

This was very different from any books I've read before. I liked the main character, and the story was interesting with necromancy and twists. It wasn't fast paced, but I was kept intrigued to the very end. I will probably continue the series to see what happens to the characters. And also, heads up for a huge cliffhanger at the end!

Twice Dead grabbed my attention by that dark cover, the title and the fact that it has necromancy in it. Necromancy is something that very much interests me. Unfortunately this didn’t book quite managed to sell me over.

The book focuses on Naya who is murdered when she is on her way to a meeting in a foreign city. Only to then wake up as the one thing she has always hated. An Undead. A Wraith. As this abomination she tries to find a way to still be useful to her country (who abhor the death). But do they still deserve her loyalty?

Doesn’t that sound delicious? The inner struggle on herself. What is she really? What does a wraith make her now? And then the struggle on where she finds in and all that. Yeah, that was barely in this book. It is there somewhat but so much more could and should have been done with that. It would have in the process deepened out the world building as well. The world building as it stands now is there but it is quite honestly a bit shaky. We get the bare bones on necromancy and the world. A lot of what we see is focused on 3-4 people Naya meets. But that doesn’t make a city or a country come alive. It doesn’t help to show the underlying problems that there might be that would have done the plot a world of good.

And I think deepening is the thing that can be carried towards every other aspect of this book. We are absent or get a summarization of the rising of the dead. Bits and pieces. It is hard to understand Naya’s loyalty to her father, who only took her in when her mother died, when we get so little background on them. We saw them in two scenes and maybe one summarized memory. Naya is a wraith but sometimes I feel like she just has a body like a living person and sometimes it feels like the author forgets this, like with the kiss.

Even so I think the writing in itself is good. The ideas are there but the execution just lacks a lot.
Naya isn’t unlikeable but I did find her frustrating at moments. The only character I truly liked was Corten, another wraith. He was just a very nice, gentle soul who gets dragged into something just because he cares about Naya, cares about his own people. I could root for a character like that.

I literally tried everything to get into this book. Maybe necro isn't for me as this is the second Necro book I've had to DNF but I'm not *quite ready to give up on the genre*. I will probably try one more but choose it really really carefully considering this one had a completely different plot premise to the first one.

I feel guilty about have to DNF an ARC I received in fairness for a review but know that I even tried to put this down (it was one of the first ARCs I received) and went to read another book entirely, reviewed that book and came back to to this book),

I couldn't connect to the main character (which had nothing to do with her being killed and turned into a wraith in the first chapter- that was a given in the summary of the book- and something that intrigued me about it- that and her being wrapped in political subterfuge. I almost read this as a book being Mission Impossible if Ethan Hunt went Necro. It didn't quite turn out that way to the point I had reached.

And I am also not a romance person but am ok with it as a subplot- like I love Six of Crows-- like love to the point that Kaz is the licence plate of my car so I had no issue with that being part of the plot. I'm more taken by the idea of the political maneuvering, spying, ghosts and intrigue. But that all just fell flat.

I felt ... I think cheated is the right word-- like these big moments were built up to but then the big moment never happened and I was just left there like.. wait... shouldn't there have been a climatic point(s)?

The relationship (even if I'm not a romance kind of person should have connected with me more- it involved the political espionage and intrigue... it had all the elements (of what might have been - I don't know because I couldn't drag myself that far into the book- but would've been awesome if maybe it was a double cross of some kind). ... again thinking Mission Impossible does Necro.

But to the point I read because those big breath taking, gut punching moments never happened I couldn't grab on to the characters and beg for them, live for them, make them apart of me the way you need a thriller like this to hold onto you for deal life. Plus the setting/mood itself (especially with wraiths and and mood so integral to the plot) should be well developed into a character and that was disappointing and missing.

Think of Caleb Carr's Alieniest/Angel of Darkness or the book that just came out by Claudia Dey- Heartbreakers-- In the former he makes NYC in the 1800s as much a character as any other character and in the latter she makes "the territory" a character, as well.

Sorry for the DNF. Since I Started it is only my second between NetGalley and Edelweiss.

Thank you and I hope I can give you better /public feedback in the future (I don't publicize DNFs- I don't think it is fair to the author who is still working on editing in the galley part of the process and we all hope this helps with that process. If there are any major changes with the final cut that you would like me to reread and review again, I would be happy to do so. - Susan Crosby @crosbysusana@gmail.com

2.5 Stars

The concept is interesting and the magic system is original and well described but the characters and the world building lack depth.

Sometimes I feel guilty about not finishing a book. Other times, not so much.
And what's so disappointing is that I felt this book had real potential. Necromancy and spying and a touch of romance. But everything felt too forced. Forced to the point you could literally guess the main characters's next move without any sort of trouble.

Naya was a flat, flat, so flat main character. As a bastard child, I expected her to be more likable. But she wasn't. Instead of being a mistreated character we could all root for, she was a completely spoiled brat. She expected people to treat her as their better, and her spying abilities were abysmal. The girl never listened and was just plain stupid. Why choose the worst girl ever as a spy?

Oh, and the way the politics was presented was classically dull. Everything about this world was talked about as some sort of monologue. BORING. I found myself skimming the discussions of kings, and wars, and armies, and who is against who and why we're spying on these people.
And the spying, so dull and tedious and OBVIOUS. Just one look at Naya and a kid could have guessed she was a spy. It was too unbelievable.

So, overall this is a tale of an almost cool plot idea, a special snowflake character, the most tedious dialogue, and predictability. Not recommended reading, at all.

Great start to a series with a very intriguing premise! I loved the world building and rune magic. I hadn’t read a book with runes since Cassandra Clare’s series (although this book takes them in a completely different direction.) I liked Naya and she grew as a character throughout the book but I feel like I still didn’t quite know her well enough. Perhaps this will change in book 2? I really liked Corten. He actually was my favorite character and there’s promise of a romance there which I hope will pick up in the second book. Overall I enjoyed the story but It started to drag a little for me at about 75% and I got anxious to finish it. But it does end with a nice set up for the second book. I’m interested to see what happens.

Overall I enjoyed it (despite any minor annoyances I had) and it has a lot of potential which may be better realized as the series continues. I hope so anyway....Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a very hard time relating to these characters. I usually really enjoy all forms of YA books, this one just wasn’t for me. The world building seemed slow and I never felt any urgency in the storyline.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed Twice Dead! It was imaginative and original and I will definitely checkout the sequels in this series. Naya was raised in a place that strongly believes that necromancy is wrong and evil and so was upset to find out that she was brought back as a wraith.
I definitely enjoyed the magic system and the development of right vs. wrong. The romance was also cute and sweet and enjoyable. This would be a fun and exciting read for a younger age group than I initially thought it would be. So as a Young Adult novel, I did have some issues with it (primarily plot development/world building and character depth. I just felt as though it fell a little short of what I was expecting)… I think it would be a really strong book for the Juvenile Fiction / Middle Grade age group!! Definitely something I would have enjoyed at a younger age and could see my younger relatives really liking!!

Rating: 3.5

This book is only just over 300 pages, which I thought was a good length. I am glad that it wasn't longer because then it definitely would have dragged!

I loved the romance in this book, it was really well done and Corten is my absolute FAVE! It was not super rushed, though I wouldn't call it slow burn either. It found a good middle ground which I thought was really good!

Naya was a character I grew to love more as the book progressed. At the start of the book I was dubious, but having finished I really like her now!

None of the plot really blew my mind. It did feel like a typical YA fantasy. But I was still entertained, so that's something!

The world idea was very clever, but not introduced super well. I had trouble following at the beginning. But it was such a good concept!! If only it'd been executed better!

But I still really enjoyed the writing and the story.

Plus, Corten made the book well worth reading!!

I want to thank NetGalley and Charlesbridge Teen for the digital ARC which was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

In the past year I have read a few books that deal with necromancy, The Bone Witch being the first that comes to mind. It is a relatively new concept in my typical fantasy reads and Twice Dead had some twists to it that I have not yet seen so that was interesting enough to keep me reading and wanting more. There is a lot of plot and world building in the very first part of the book and it hooked me right away.

There was a good mix of political tension, love interest, betrayals, moral disagreements, discussion of sexuality, and other currently common themes that balanced out the more unique concept of necromancy. Some parts of the novel are quite predictable, which isn’t necessarily a negative for me. I often find that predictable storylines with unique world-building can be even more enjoyable than big twists and turns that sometimes feel contrived just for the sake of shock value.

The characters are fairly well-developed. I would like for Naya to be a little stronger of a lead as a female character. However, there is something also to be said for her uncertainty because that is actually a more relatable trait to most readers than a fully confident and self-assured bad*** heroine.

I would recommend this book to lovers of paranormal fiction and fantasy.

I received an eARC of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, this does not influence my thoughts on the book.

I admit, I love anything mysterious and fantastical and spooky, and I felt like this book was going to satisfy those cravings, I mean, within the first chapter our protagonist is killed and then remade into a wraith, like, how wicked is that? I felt like this story had a lot of potential, but throughout as I was reading it, like, I was waiting for something to happen and the constant build up didn't really lead to anything.

Although, in saying that, I was thinking where would the title significance come in? When it did I felt utterly chilled, like WOAH, and I did not see that twist coming! Again, after that, I felt like things would get more exciting and intense but it didn't happen!

In terms of characterization I felt like everyone read as the same? Although I will admit that Naya was the most interesting and did have the most page time, from girl to wraith to everything in between, I felt like she didn't develop that much? And Celia was noble, although I found her grouchy at first. I wish she would have had more page time too, and Corton, well he was sweet but I felt like he was just there.

Whilst I think this was an intriguing premise, I'm not sure that I'll be continuing the series, more detail would have been good, and more action! Throughout, it just felt like a constant build up that left me underwhelmed for most part, though I do wonder how the author will expand out the universe into a series.

Happy reading,

Brooklyn.

The premise of this book sounded intriguing. The cover was beautiful. Everything seemed to be saying this was my type of book. And I was getting into the story at the beginning, but soon I noticed myself getting bored with the storyline. My problem was that whatever was happening in the book didn’t keep me interested enough to keep reading. The main heroine was a bit too boring for my taste. I wasn’t interested in her Tory anymore, even though the wraith mythology had seemed interesting in the beginning. I needed more fun, more adventures, more things going on. I wanted to love this book, I really, really tried to keep reading, but there came a time when I had to stop and move on to something more engaging.
Big thanks for the ARC.
Good luck to the author.

Twice Dead
Caitlin Seal
Oh my goodness this book had me on the edge of my seat. Love that this book worked with necromancy because you don't see that very much and I really liked that she went into that. I seriously need the next book because the way this book freaking ended, such a cliffhanger!! I really enjoyed the characters and the world. The writing was great as well. A very awesome book.

Eh... this book looked so Good in The description and premise That was put in it. But it failed me miserably.
I gave 3 stars as There were things That I liked in The end: using necromancers and wraiths, adding intriguing politic, That characters were not from The nobility and premise That made me so excited to read it...
Unfortunately, this book had not kept my interest as much as I Would Love it. I Don't know if I will grab book 2, but That will be a matter of future.

Title: Twice Dead (The Necromancer’s Song #1)
Author: Caitlin Seal
Pages: 336

Released: September 18, 2018
Publisher: Charlesbridge Teen
Format: Hardcover

Genre: Fantasy
Goodreads Rating: 3.22 (of 82 ratings)

What a cover! What a summary! The moment I saw Seal’s novel floating around NetGalley, I jumped at the chance for an ARC copy. I’m a fanatic for books with magic and fantastic new worlds, and on this Twice Dead did not disappoint.

As the summary states, Naya is murdered and becomes a wraith. Since the reader knows this going into the book, not a lot of time is spent on exploring not-undead Naya. Very quickly she enters the world of necromancy and wraiths and “aether,” the energy-like substance that wraiths live on. Seal is clear in her explanations on the workings of necromancy and does a good job of showing the way magic works in this society, instead of always telling the reader with dragging paragraphs. I was satisfied with her unique construction of Ceramor and the Powers, the necromancy-hating Talmir and the deep history to the last war. My only issue was how many new names/cities were introduced — I wouldn’t have minded a glossary, because I did confuse terms sometimes.

From the beginning Naya is wrapped up in a political plot that is slowly revealed to be full of traitors and liars. I enjoyed the story but for one thing: at times I didn’t know where the story was headed. About fifty percent into the book, I actually thought everything was concluded, and was entirely confused about why there was more to the book. I had no problem continuing on, because I liked Naya’s character, but the plot could drag sometimes. Otherwise, the entire political plot is really well crafted and had me scratching my head trying to see what could be coming up next.

Naya is a fun to read along with. I wouldn’t classify her as one of my favourity badass heroines, but she still kicks butt. I will say I had no interest in the (very minor) identity struggle she had near the end of the book, though. Just because it’s focused on “who am I, the Naya who was alive or the Naya who is undead???” But as a reader I never knew her as alive so… The struggle lacked real power to me. But undead Naya really knows how to play the game! Naya kept things interesting throughout the book, moving pieces together and honestly saving the entire city. Because what can’t girls do.

However, I’m said to say a biiiig down moment for me in the book was the romance. I was nooooot vibing, I’m sorry to say. For me, it was like two platonic friends were kissing from time to time and I was supposed to be cheering and feeling feels? Which is a bummer because I can tell the romance plays a key role in book two. The love interest read like a two dimensional character to me, offering no real interesting qualities or additions to the book.

The book wraps up really well, with a clear set-up for book two. No deadly cliffhangers if you’re not into those!

Three and a half stars for this read, and I would recommend for any fantasy/magic fans. This book loses rating points because the romance fell flat and the love interest even as a character was not interesting. Also, the plot had slower moments that made it just too easy to put the book down … which I did, several times, and I usually finish books in one sitting. But the romance does not make this book, so if you’re still down for an original fantasy read (I l-o-o-o-ve how Seal develped necromancy in this world!) I highly suggest.

Review to be posted on Goodreads Sept. 10 2018 (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/82147023-sha)
Review to be posted on blog Sept. 13 2018 (https://bookprincessreviews.wordpress.com/)

-- I received a free e-review copy of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. --

Sent into a strange city on an errand, Naya wakes up, unexpectedly resurrected. She had never expected to die, and even less to be returning as a wraith. The story tells of a prospective war, complicated romance, and her coming to terms with her new life and existence, against everything she had believed.
I really enjoyed reading this complex tale, despite it falling into known YA-tropes and being predicable at times. While there is a clear 'right' and 'wrong' side in this story, pretty much all of the characters have their detours into morally gray and conflicted territory, which makes for a great read. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in this series and finding out how the story goes on.