Ward Against Darkness by Melanie Card – a Review

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Description:
The last thing Ward de’Ath wants is more trouble. On the run from both the law and the criminal underworld, Ward and Celia flee Brawenal City only to stumble into the mansion of a powerful evil necromancer. And when Ward discovers the man possesses a dangerous grimoire, his duty leaves him no choice. He can’t allow the necromancer to keep the grimoire. But the mansion is filled with monsters–human and undead–and Ward has no way of telling who’s friend or foe. The only person he can trust is Celia who dominates more of his thoughts and feelings everyday. But there are still laws in the way of anything but friendship. She’s still dead and he’s still alive . . . for now.

Review:

“Come with me.  Whatever time you or I have left…spend it with me.” 

Although Ward remains at odds with his feelings for Celia, she is dead after all, staying together makes more sense.  This is where Melanie Card begins Ward Against Darkness in her Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer series.  Ward arrived just in time to spare Celia the “true” death, but they’re trying to outrun trouble (accused of murdering her father!) and functioning on borrowed time. 

The sequel hits the ground running (it’s literally only been a week since they escaped Celia’s home town of Brawenal).  Seeking refuge from “the house hunched like a misshapen monster” should have sounded warning bells, but before Ward is able to detain Celia’s impetuous nature, he’s assumed the role of Quirin Dagenhart…an apprentice-hopeful to serve Macerio Sanz de Cortia, a dark necromancer and current leader of the Innecroestri.  Basically, the exact opposite of everything the long, powerful line of de’ Ath necromancers Ward hails from (clever, Ms. Card!) and taught him since his gift of reanimating the dead began.  Riiiight…Problem is (and there are just SO MANY in this book!), Ward broke his own sacred rule when he “woke” Celia in the debut novel, Ward Against Death:

“Wakes were acceptable.  They were only for a few minutes, and couldn’t upset the balance between life and death.  But any spell that lasted longer, without the proper research, risked throwing everything out of balance.”

Well that’s exactly what Macerio wants in an apprentice and Celia’s “impeccable” unlife (Ward performed a complicated spell) have thrown Ward in the lead.  Yikes!  Problem is (I told you there were many!), Ward, the “reluctant necromancer”, doesn’t think he’s truly gifted; he improvised on the components of Celia’s spell and is frankly shocked it’s held (her vitality and appearance is completely realistic).  But for how long (another one of those pesky problems!)???  Macerio recognizes the flaws in Celia’s spell, but Ward/Quirin has to feign confident genius to earn trust…and ultimately steal three evil grimoires from the proverbial lion’s den.  The action just builds and builds…I’m exhausted!

It’s really quite exciting and interesting.  Ok, the first book threw me for a loop with the multi-layered world building.  I was frankly lost and highlighted my Kindle like mad.  LOTS of unfamiliar history and terminology tends to do that to a reader.  But consider this Ms. Card’s personal invitation to learn about necromancy, the veil, Quayestri, vesperitti, etc…The wonderful writing and engaging story lines, will grip draw your attention.  Stay and enjoy the fruits of her labor!  Do not miss out on this series!

As a lover of romance and HEAs, my only criticism is the lack OF it in the story.  Ward and Celia share two kisses in the introductory novel, but barely spend time together in the sequel.  Like I said, they are surrounded, deep in IT, that they’re off trusting other people; forgetting that this journey began with the “wake” that was only supposed to last 15 minutes, but has indelibly altered their lives.  Sure, they spend a lot of time denying those feelings and having multitudes of inner dialogue that usually end up avoiding resolution, but they never find the right time to make good use of their indefinite period of time.  Ugh.  Even having said that, man did I love this couple!

Ms. Card has done a brilliant job with this series and I strongly recommend it for everyone to read.  I’ve left out a lot purposefully (it’s extraordinarily difficult to read two books and only review one!), but one of the persons Ward trusted…well, let’s say it was an error in judgment of epic proportions and as a necromancer, it’s Ward’s responsibility to track her down and right the wrong.  Ward unintentionally severed a “soul chain”…creating yet another metaphysical anomaly…Good thing badass Celia (I SO omitted how awesome and tough she is; you are going to love her noble background and assassin ways!, WHAT?!), has no plans to leave Ward’s side.  MY plan?  Pre-order Ward Against Disaster and hope Ms. Card keeps me in mind for that review!!!    

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher