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The Beautiful Dead #1-3
The Beautiful Dead Trilogy Box Set
There is more than one kind of dying.
There is more than one kind of Dead.
Own all three books in The Beautiful Dead trilogy, which tells the fateful story of a newly-Undead teenage girl named Winter. Armed with her uncanny wit and no memory of her First Life, Winter embarks on a journey of self-discovery where she makes strange new friends, battles dangerous adversaries, and finds love with a man ... whose heart still beats.
*** INCLUDES BONUS CONTENT: The unreleased Beautiful Dead Short Story "Megan's Cage", plus an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming new Beautiful Dead novella.
There is more than one kind of Dead.
Own all three books in The Beautiful Dead trilogy, which tells the fateful story of a newly-Undead teenage girl named Winter. Armed with her uncanny wit and no memory of her First Life, Winter embarks on a journey of self-discovery where she makes strange new friends, battles dangerous adversaries, and finds love with a man ... whose heart still beats.
*** INCLUDES BONUS CONTENT: The unreleased Beautiful Dead Short Story "Megan's Cage", plus an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming new Beautiful Dead novella.
- GenresFantasy
750 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2015
14 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Daryl Banner
96 books1,994 followersDaryl Banner is a USA Today Bestselling author, composer, and performer. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston Honors College with a degree in Theatre and Psychology. He is happily married to his piano. Theory suggests this is why he writes romance.
During Daryl Banner's time in college, he wrote, composed, and produced a musical under Tony Award-winning musical and Theatre producer Stuart Ostrow, as well as two original plays produced under the mentorship of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, who also mentored Daryl through the writing of his very first novel. In addition to new adult and M/M romance, Daryl also writes post-apocalyptic fantasy as well as dystopian.
Join his mailing list here to be the first to hear about his new releases! He awards an Amazon gift card every newsletter:
https://www.darylbanner.com/subscribe...
Follow him on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/author/darylba...
Like him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DarylBannerW...
Connect with fellow readers in Daryl's Doorway:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Daryl...
Fun facts about Daryl Banner:
- He is an obsessive self-taught pianist.
- He is a huge video game enthusiast.
- He left his day job of 10 years to tour with a 2-woman-1-man original musical.
- He's been remixing video game music for over 20 years. One of his remixes is featured in the major motion picture "The Spy Who Dumped Me". Check out his work here: http://www.youtube.com/DarylBanner
- He composes original soundtracks that accompany his books and series, including The Beautiful Dead and OUTLIER. He is also the award-winning composer of the audio drama Janus Descending, as well as several films, games, podcasts, and other media. You can enjoy his music here: http://darylbanner.bandcamp.com
During Daryl Banner's time in college, he wrote, composed, and produced a musical under Tony Award-winning musical and Theatre producer Stuart Ostrow, as well as two original plays produced under the mentorship of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, who also mentored Daryl through the writing of his very first novel. In addition to new adult and M/M romance, Daryl also writes post-apocalyptic fantasy as well as dystopian.
Join his mailing list here to be the first to hear about his new releases! He awards an Amazon gift card every newsletter:
https://www.darylbanner.com/subscribe...
Follow him on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/author/darylba...
Like him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DarylBannerW...
Connect with fellow readers in Daryl's Doorway:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Daryl...
Fun facts about Daryl Banner:
- He is an obsessive self-taught pianist.
- He is a huge video game enthusiast.
- He left his day job of 10 years to tour with a 2-woman-1-man original musical.
- He's been remixing video game music for over 20 years. One of his remixes is featured in the major motion picture "The Spy Who Dumped Me". Check out his work here: http://www.youtube.com/DarylBanner
- He composes original soundtracks that accompany his books and series, including The Beautiful Dead and OUTLIER. He is also the award-winning composer of the audio drama Janus Descending, as well as several films, games, podcasts, and other media. You can enjoy his music here: http://darylbanner.bandcamp.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 25, 2016
The Beautiful Dead is one of my all time favorites. I can't say enough how highly I recommend it. It's YA fantasy, post-apocalyptic and great for male and female ages tween to adult.
I never had any idea what would happen next. If I had 100 guesses to figure out where the plot was headed, in most parts of the story, I would have still gotten it wrong.
This series is entertaining and philosophical at the same time. There are many life-lessons inside its the-adventure-never-stops words.
From all of the varying emotions, I probably looked like someone missing their meds while reading. I was smirking at the smart dark comedy, laughing out loud at the true humor, having creepy cringes, tearing up, wowing in silence, etc.
It's very imaginative and original with plenty of action. There are undead, giant spiders, magical rocks and loads more attention-grabbers. The plot is very steady, no falling off, no getting stagnate. Every character is on a mission.
Matters of the heart are also a part. Friendship, familial love and romance all play roles in the overall storyline. These characters have been through a lot with each other in life and death. It's very touching and tearful. Prepare yourself for some major feels before you get to the end.
The preview of what’s to come really has me spinning with so many questions. Of course, I have no hope of working out how the author is going to blow my mind next, but I’ll be waiting on the edge of my seat for it.
Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents
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December 3, 2015
So excited these books have been released together with the added bonus of a short story that takes place during The Beautiful Dead time frame between Winter and the little girl named Megan. Also is the goosebump inducing prologue to a brand NEW novella that takes place after Almost Alive and is slated for release early 2016!!
Grab it while you can at the unbelievable deal price of 99 cents!
***** 5 ***** "you will get ALL the feels with this series" stars
Grab it while you can at the unbelievable deal price of 99 cents!
***** 5 ***** "you will get ALL the feels with this series" stars
January 5, 2016
Book 1
Winter is trying to adjust to her "second life" but feels so confused about everything. She has so many questions and everyone does their best to avoid answering them. She is brought in to the refinery after her raise to be cleaned up and repaired to shine like a new penny. By the time she gets to her new home, her head is clouded with confusion and anger that push her to the literal edge. She finds herself at a cliff ready to jump when a handsome stranger intervenes.
Her new and pretty much only companion shows her around town and tries to help her adjust to this new life. Upon discovering that Grimsky is her neighbor, they grow even closer. She learns a little about the type of life she now lives. The raised don't need food or drink, they don't breathe or feel pain, and they can't taste or smell and their vision is different so the sky is always grey with no sun. She also discovers that the raised have what is called a waking dream and it gives them back their memories of their first life.
There are still humans, or livings as they are called, but they are forbidden in Winter's new town of Trenton. There also things called the Deathless. It seems with every new thing she learns and new questions arise, no one will give her answers.
As things begin to unravel in Trenton, Winter will have some tough decisions to make. Unlikely alliances happen, betrayal, battles, and a bit of adventure too!
I have to say I wasn't sure if I would like the different take on "zombies" but Daryl has done an incredible job! I love that it's so out of the box in fantasy land and it holds you there. I couldn't get through this book fast enough. It quickly climbed into my top 10 favorite reads for 2015! Definitely recommend!
Book 2
Things in Trenton have changed. No more Mayor, Livings are welcome, and upkeep is no longer mandatory. Some humans and undead become friends but some humans can't accept that not all undead are the same. They have made a living quarter for housing and gardening. But one human can't stand to be that far away his undead friend.
John and Winter are having trouble getting along since the battle of Trenton. Living under the same roof together has proven difficult. Some humans believe Trenton is their city and they let the undead "live" there. They have opened up some of the stores and trade amongst each other. They set store hours so things aren't open all the time. Humans do need sleep.
Even with things going pretty well for them, their food is becoming less and less. The Chief and Helena decide to do a trade with their neighboring city of After's Hold. The Chief selects a small group of humans and undead to make the two day journey and complete the trade. Shortly before it's time to leave for After's Hold, the Chief decides he wants Helena to go in place of Winter. But Winter has a hard time doing what she is told so she takes a friend who is in need of time outside Trenton's walls and heads after the small group. She isn't prepared for what hides in After's Hold.
All hell has broken loose and it's time to escape. Not knowing where their whole group is, they have no choice but to run. They flee the city and start making their way back to Trenton. They left an undead behind since they didn't know where to find her and can only hope she made it out safely as well. When they finally reach the gate of Trenton, it's locked. Humans are refusing to let them in. What happened while they were gone?
This book is in-freakin-credible! There is so much action and adventure and a splash of romance to wash it all down! I can't wait to see what happens next!
Book 3
After the horrific fall of Garden, Winter couldn't handle the loss of John. Burying him in the Whispers, she waits by his side until he is Raised. She takes him to Trenton to have some upkeep done at the refinery. When she gets there, she can't believe what she sees. Trenton is no longer dead and is completely overgrown with green. With no one around and nothing useful in the refinery, she carries John off into the woods. After finding and scaring two living children, Winter chases after then in hopes of finding help. She finds help and more.
Welcome to New Trenton, or what was known before as Necropolis. The first familiar face she finds is Ann. Winter has so many questions about their other friends and who survived Garden but Ann insists on talking about it later and getting John some upkeep. So much has changed. Ann tells her she was at John's side for twelve years. Living things no longer recoil and die from the presence of Undead. The earth is green and thriving once again. But with it comes heavy, frequent rain storms. Also the undead have been turning to dust without reason.
After some settling in and questions had been answered, Winter can't help but feel sad at the years she missed out on. Megan all grown up. Lots of undead friends that met their end. And apparently there is still a Deathless among the city of New Trenton. Winter learns the story of Shee and how she had dug up a very large lock stone and stole it from the city when no one would accept her. The stone is the key. The undead set out to find Shee and her treasure. Will they succeed or will they all turn to dust before they find her?
This is now one if my favorite series ever! Absolutely amazing story and so well written. I hate endings but I was so happy with this one! Can't say enough how much I loved it and how highly I recommend it! Thank you for writing this series and doing it so wonderfully!
Winter is trying to adjust to her "second life" but feels so confused about everything. She has so many questions and everyone does their best to avoid answering them. She is brought in to the refinery after her raise to be cleaned up and repaired to shine like a new penny. By the time she gets to her new home, her head is clouded with confusion and anger that push her to the literal edge. She finds herself at a cliff ready to jump when a handsome stranger intervenes.
Her new and pretty much only companion shows her around town and tries to help her adjust to this new life. Upon discovering that Grimsky is her neighbor, they grow even closer. She learns a little about the type of life she now lives. The raised don't need food or drink, they don't breathe or feel pain, and they can't taste or smell and their vision is different so the sky is always grey with no sun. She also discovers that the raised have what is called a waking dream and it gives them back their memories of their first life.
There are still humans, or livings as they are called, but they are forbidden in Winter's new town of Trenton. There also things called the Deathless. It seems with every new thing she learns and new questions arise, no one will give her answers.
As things begin to unravel in Trenton, Winter will have some tough decisions to make. Unlikely alliances happen, betrayal, battles, and a bit of adventure too!
I have to say I wasn't sure if I would like the different take on "zombies" but Daryl has done an incredible job! I love that it's so out of the box in fantasy land and it holds you there. I couldn't get through this book fast enough. It quickly climbed into my top 10 favorite reads for 2015! Definitely recommend!
Book 2
Things in Trenton have changed. No more Mayor, Livings are welcome, and upkeep is no longer mandatory. Some humans and undead become friends but some humans can't accept that not all undead are the same. They have made a living quarter for housing and gardening. But one human can't stand to be that far away his undead friend.
John and Winter are having trouble getting along since the battle of Trenton. Living under the same roof together has proven difficult. Some humans believe Trenton is their city and they let the undead "live" there. They have opened up some of the stores and trade amongst each other. They set store hours so things aren't open all the time. Humans do need sleep.
Even with things going pretty well for them, their food is becoming less and less. The Chief and Helena decide to do a trade with their neighboring city of After's Hold. The Chief selects a small group of humans and undead to make the two day journey and complete the trade. Shortly before it's time to leave for After's Hold, the Chief decides he wants Helena to go in place of Winter. But Winter has a hard time doing what she is told so she takes a friend who is in need of time outside Trenton's walls and heads after the small group. She isn't prepared for what hides in After's Hold.
All hell has broken loose and it's time to escape. Not knowing where their whole group is, they have no choice but to run. They flee the city and start making their way back to Trenton. They left an undead behind since they didn't know where to find her and can only hope she made it out safely as well. When they finally reach the gate of Trenton, it's locked. Humans are refusing to let them in. What happened while they were gone?
This book is in-freakin-credible! There is so much action and adventure and a splash of romance to wash it all down! I can't wait to see what happens next!
Book 3
After the horrific fall of Garden, Winter couldn't handle the loss of John. Burying him in the Whispers, she waits by his side until he is Raised. She takes him to Trenton to have some upkeep done at the refinery. When she gets there, she can't believe what she sees. Trenton is no longer dead and is completely overgrown with green. With no one around and nothing useful in the refinery, she carries John off into the woods. After finding and scaring two living children, Winter chases after then in hopes of finding help. She finds help and more.
Welcome to New Trenton, or what was known before as Necropolis. The first familiar face she finds is Ann. Winter has so many questions about their other friends and who survived Garden but Ann insists on talking about it later and getting John some upkeep. So much has changed. Ann tells her she was at John's side for twelve years. Living things no longer recoil and die from the presence of Undead. The earth is green and thriving once again. But with it comes heavy, frequent rain storms. Also the undead have been turning to dust without reason.
After some settling in and questions had been answered, Winter can't help but feel sad at the years she missed out on. Megan all grown up. Lots of undead friends that met their end. And apparently there is still a Deathless among the city of New Trenton. Winter learns the story of Shee and how she had dug up a very large lock stone and stole it from the city when no one would accept her. The stone is the key. The undead set out to find Shee and her treasure. Will they succeed or will they all turn to dust before they find her?
This is now one if my favorite series ever! Absolutely amazing story and so well written. I hate endings but I was so happy with this one! Can't say enough how much I loved it and how highly I recommend it! Thank you for writing this series and doing it so wonderfully!
December 27, 2015
Book 1
What would you do if you were given a second chance at life? Well kind of... Winter wakes to a dead world and tries to make sense of what her new unlife is. She wishes desperately to go back to the land of the living but alas she can not. She befriends some interesting characters and when evil comes to find her everything she thought she knew isn't what it seemed after all. The story kept me intrigued and there was some twists I didn't see coming. Take a journey in this great tale and if your like me, you will crave more. Great read!
Book 2:
After finishing book one I had to see what the next story would bring. In this one we find ourselves on another journey. When the humans need help a scouting party is sent to a neighboring city for help. Upon arrival everything seems fine. But can they get the help they need? We get to meet new friends and also some characters that will leave you wondering if they are friends or foes. There is definitely more adventure to be found with in these pages and the end will surprise you. Great addition to this series!!
Book 3:
In this installment we find ourselves facing the biggest battle yet. Times are changing... After facing the dangers in the last book we find the living and dead living together in a place that seems to not want to be forgotten, but when something starts to turn the undead to ashes the unliving face their biggest threat yet. Will they find the cause of their destruction before they all perish? Is this the beginning of the end? People from the past emerge and I wondered how all of that would fall into play. This one has just as much adventure as the rest and was a great continuation. I was sad towards the end but sometimes we have to make decisions for the better of others. I can't wait to see more of this series.
Overall:
This is a great read for anyone whether you believe in the afterlife or not. Each book brings you more depth and the need to keep turning the pages. Beware you may be left craving more at the end!
What would you do if you were given a second chance at life? Well kind of... Winter wakes to a dead world and tries to make sense of what her new unlife is. She wishes desperately to go back to the land of the living but alas she can not. She befriends some interesting characters and when evil comes to find her everything she thought she knew isn't what it seemed after all. The story kept me intrigued and there was some twists I didn't see coming. Take a journey in this great tale and if your like me, you will crave more. Great read!
Book 2:
After finishing book one I had to see what the next story would bring. In this one we find ourselves on another journey. When the humans need help a scouting party is sent to a neighboring city for help. Upon arrival everything seems fine. But can they get the help they need? We get to meet new friends and also some characters that will leave you wondering if they are friends or foes. There is definitely more adventure to be found with in these pages and the end will surprise you. Great addition to this series!!
Book 3:
In this installment we find ourselves facing the biggest battle yet. Times are changing... After facing the dangers in the last book we find the living and dead living together in a place that seems to not want to be forgotten, but when something starts to turn the undead to ashes the unliving face their biggest threat yet. Will they find the cause of their destruction before they all perish? Is this the beginning of the end? People from the past emerge and I wondered how all of that would fall into play. This one has just as much adventure as the rest and was a great continuation. I was sad towards the end but sometimes we have to make decisions for the better of others. I can't wait to see more of this series.
Overall:
This is a great read for anyone whether you believe in the afterlife or not. Each book brings you more depth and the need to keep turning the pages. Beware you may be left craving more at the end!
December 25, 2015
I can't put into words how much I love and cherish this series. I now own these books individually on my kindle, in signed paperback and now in a box set with the awesome bonus sneak peek.
I read this series several months ago and it has stayed with me ever since, it still often crosses my mind and I find myself missing the characters of Winter & John all over again.
This story has so many feels, its creative, inventive, unique, thrilling, emotional and will leave you in awe. Banner weaves a tale that is like nothing you have seen in the zombie/apocalyptic genre. This isn't a gore fest but a story that will grab hold of your heart and leave its mark on you forever.
I'm sooooo excited to see what banner has in store for the novella, cant wait to read more of this world he has so eloquently and masterfully created.
I read this series several months ago and it has stayed with me ever since, it still often crosses my mind and I find myself missing the characters of Winter & John all over again.
This story has so many feels, its creative, inventive, unique, thrilling, emotional and will leave you in awe. Banner weaves a tale that is like nothing you have seen in the zombie/apocalyptic genre. This isn't a gore fest but a story that will grab hold of your heart and leave its mark on you forever.
I'm sooooo excited to see what banner has in store for the novella, cant wait to read more of this world he has so eloquently and masterfully created.
December 21, 2015
A series not to be missed!!
I have read this series many many times and each time I fall in love all over again! Its so hard to tell you just how amazing Winter and her companions are without spoilers and I don't want to ruin this amazing adventure for anyone. I will let you all discover this adventure for yourselves and discover Winter and her friends for yourselves so the only thing left to say is well, what are you waiting for? Go on start the adventure you know you want to!!!
I have read this series many many times and each time I fall in love all over again! Its so hard to tell you just how amazing Winter and her companions are without spoilers and I don't want to ruin this amazing adventure for anyone. I will let you all discover this adventure for yourselves and discover Winter and her friends for yourselves so the only thing left to say is well, what are you waiting for? Go on start the adventure you know you want to!!!
January 1, 2016
This series is incredible and beautifully written. Each book blows the last out of the water and the end is breathtaking. Throughout each book is everything you could want in a series: humor, excitement, love, friendship, betrayal, sorrow, joy, and plenty of lessons to take with you when it's over. I feel it has something for readers of all ages and walks of life. Don't pass it up!
November 24, 2016
Book 1
I loved getting to know Winter and follow her from her rising and trying to find her way in the new world of deathless.
There is so many characters that I loved like Megan, Marigold, Helena, Grim and John. This book surprised me at times and other parts were easy to figure out. The best part was having Daryl read it out loud.
Megans Cage.
I enjoyed this little bit of insight to what Megan went threw that we didn't initially get to read.
Book 2
This book has more humor in it. I loved they laughed at body parts falling off and getting creative with them as well.
With only a few not under the green eye spell it makes survival harder even for the undead. For me this book was really emotional.
Book 3
This book also took me on an emotional ride. We get to know more of Winter aka Clair's first life and we also get to know about Grims first life.
12 years has past and now Megan is an adult and the years have helped form her into woman she is today. But deep down a glimmer of the old Megan is still there. Winter and John break my heart in this one in parts.
This book is about forgiveness and acceptance.
I loved getting to know Winter and follow her from her rising and trying to find her way in the new world of deathless.
There is so many characters that I loved like Megan, Marigold, Helena, Grim and John. This book surprised me at times and other parts were easy to figure out. The best part was having Daryl read it out loud.
Megans Cage.
I enjoyed this little bit of insight to what Megan went threw that we didn't initially get to read.
Book 2
This book has more humor in it. I loved they laughed at body parts falling off and getting creative with them as well.
With only a few not under the green eye spell it makes survival harder even for the undead. For me this book was really emotional.
Book 3
This book also took me on an emotional ride. We get to know more of Winter aka Clair's first life and we also get to know about Grims first life.
12 years has past and now Megan is an adult and the years have helped form her into woman she is today. But deep down a glimmer of the old Megan is still there. Winter and John break my heart in this one in parts.
This book is about forgiveness and acceptance.
October 3, 2016
An Adventure unlike any
This trilogy will grab a hold of you right from the start. You will not want to put it down. When you feel it is going to end, it throws a twist at you and goes in another direction. The more you try to guess what the out come will be it destroys your theory. It is a journey for all ages to take. You have to live in the here and now. If we don't reach for the impossible then we are not living life to the fullest. We have to cherish the small things in life, not just the major accomplishments.
This trilogy will grab a hold of you right from the start. You will not want to put it down. When you feel it is going to end, it throws a twist at you and goes in another direction. The more you try to guess what the out come will be it destroys your theory. It is a journey for all ages to take. You have to live in the here and now. If we don't reach for the impossible then we are not living life to the fullest. We have to cherish the small things in life, not just the major accomplishments.
March 22, 2016
Unexpected
An author I read(Madeline Sheehan) recommended this book I thought it was going to be another Zombie book was I surprised...This book is so not that.
An author I read(Madeline Sheehan) recommended this book I thought it was going to be another Zombie book was I surprised...This book is so not that.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews