Wonderland Reads: Series Review - "Hold Me Closer, Necromancer" + "Necromancing the Stone"

Every year, I set up a reading challenge on Goodreads. It’s a fun way to keep track of what books I’ve read during the years I’ve set these goals, and it’s also a great way to look back on what books I loved (and maybe find similar titles in the future).

This year, I’ve set a goal to read 15 books. And one of those 15 books I’ve had the absolute pleasure and delight of reading is Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride.

Here is a synopsis for the curious:

Sam leads a pretty normal life. He may not have the most exciting job in the world, but he's doing all right—until a fast food prank brings him to the attention of Douglas, a creepy guy with an intense violent streak. 

Turns out Douglas is a necromancer who raises the dead for cash and sees potential in Sam. Then Sam discovers he’s a necromancer too, but with strangely latent powers. And his worst nightmare wants to join forces . . . or else. 

With only a week to figure things out, Sam needs all the help he can get. Luckily he lives in Seattle, which has nearly as many paranormal types as it does coffee places. But even with newfound friends, will Sam be able to save his skin?

Y’all, I. LOVED. This. Book.

The writing style reminded me of another old favorite series of mine, Off to Be the Wizard. It was a riot with great characters and a storyline that kept me gripped from page one. I devoured this book in 24 hours.

I wish I could say the same of its sequel, Necromancing the Stone.

I hate to DNF (did not finish) any book, but after a week and a half of just reading a few pages on and off, I decided to call this one quits halfway through. 

The humor just wasn’t there for me in the sequel…the main character was whinier, and the story took some very, very strange directions that I wasn’t a fan of. The bright side? The gnomes (who had names like “Chuck the Norriser) who would provide comic relief. I guess I was expecting it to be just like the Off to Be the Wizard series I loved (which, I actually liked the second and third books just as much as the first). 

So, at the end of the day, I’d recommend “Hold Me Closer, Necromancer.” It’s definitely one of my new favorite books of all time. Maybe I’ll give the sequel another shot someday, but for now, I think I’ll venture elsewhere.

Final Ratings:

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer - five pandas out of five

Necromancing the Stone - three gnomes out of five

What books have you read lately?

images and synopsis credit: Goodreads