The Unblessed Dead

Imagine for a moment that the dead have taken over the world. The survivors have created a new world in which there is a different way of thinking. Everyone has taken on an extreme puritanical sensibility; which seems to boil down to if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's evil and needs to be dealt with.

Nothing is as it seems though. When it comes to the walking dead, there are people who are able to "deal" with them. Necromancers are able to control the undead, but they are not seen as saviors. Only women are necromancers and it's believed they have aligned themselves with dark magic for their powers. So in most settlements, if you're found to be a necromancer, it's just not a good thing. Short sighted people in power is just not a good thing, kids.

Rhiannon Frater introduces us to Ilyse, a young woman living in Atonement Settlement with her family. Ilyse has spent her life trying to live according to the Lost Texts in order to ensure her Pious Standing. In her community, those who fail to maintain Pious Standing are shunted into Unclaimed status. Ilyse is doing everything possible to avoid Unclaimed status because she is the daughter of a confirmed necromancer. Her older sister escaped the settlement because she felt the people in charge were unenlightened twits.

Is Ilyse a hidden necromancer? Well that's not for me to reveal. My educated guess is Ilyse's journey isn't going to be an easy one, but the world will be greater for knowing her.