Book of the Moment: Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

Guardian of the Dead is the DEBUT novel from New Zealand author, Karen Healey.


Seventeen year old Ellie Spencer is definitely just an average girl living in the fogs of New Zealand. Tall, with no amazing skin or body, just average, Ellie isn't the type to get jaw stopping stares. Unless it's when she puts her bad ass Tai Kwan Do skills to test when she decides to help her friend, Kevin, with the fight scenes in the play he is in. But when she starts going to these practices, brooding and quiet Mark Nolan, suddenly has an interest in her. Yet, Ellie feels like he is hiding something big. Something about Ellie, Kevin, and the land they stand on itself.

There have been a string of killings across New Zealand and the culprit is called the Eyeslasher because  the murderer leaves distinguished mark on each of the victims by taking their eyes. When hearing that the Eyeslasher might be heading south where Ellie is, Ellie is basked into strange happenings. An old man thrusts a Bible into her hands saying it will save her soul, an eery red headed woman is all of a sudden interested in Kevin, and Mark Nolan seems to appear everywhere Ellie is. Could the Eyeslasher be linked with all three of these things?
With romance, thrilling action, and lots of deception, Ellie is carried off in a journey that she never thought could be real and discovers that there is more to her homeland of New Zealand than meets the eye.


When I picked up this book, I was a little uneasy about it. I wanted to read a book by a debut author and so I just decided to give it a try. In the beginning everything seems like a just any other girl at a boarding school but when Mr. Mark Nolan enters the picture, everything changes! And I mean EVERYTHING! This book has mythology and a feel of paranormal. It's eery and different and nothing like I've ever read before. I loved all the New Zealand culture that is wrapped in this book. The Maori mythology has tales that I have never heard. And since they are involved in this book, you get a fun little cultural history lesson. There is a glossary in the back if you get confused by some of the Maori terms. I wish I had known before I finished the book, but oh well!

This is a book to watch out for and definitely a good read!

I give it a 4 out of 5 CHEWS!


***This is the second book I'm reading for the Once Upon a Time reading challenge hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings! This book is covering mythology! Go check out Stainless Steel Droppings and check out her challenge. There is a challenge for everyone and it is super fun!***