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Apr 18, 2011

Flannery rated it:

I guarantee you, if you read this book: (1) You will laugh; and (2) You will want to eat some waffles. I have eaten three waffles in the past two days just because of this book. (Fine, it was also because someone else made waffle batter and it takes a minute to make once all that work is done:)) But in all seriousness, this book is buckets of awesome. Samhain Corvus LaCroix (Sam) is a Seattle college dropout working at a fast food restaurant with a few of his friends and generally slacking it up More...

94 comments like (55 people liked it)

Apr 21, 2011

Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker rated it:

Updated- I heard from the author, next book is due in ~~Jan/Feb~~ May 2012! Yeah!

Review below!

Poor Sam. You thought you were going to be your average, college dropout, unmotivated, 20-something, fast food working, movie watching, girl craving, young male. Little did you know that you actually are a far from average, mysterious, potentially powerful necromancer.

What is a boy to do?

Well for Sam, first you figure out what the hell you are? Second, you fli More...

44 comments like (33 people liked it)

Aug 30, 2011

Wendy Darling rated it:

Never judge a book by its title. I have to confess it took me awhile to get to this one because I think the title is a little cheesy (and it's now obviously impossible to get Elton John out of my head), but this turned out to be a hilarious book that had me laughing out loud numerous times--not a bad feat when a big part of the book is about raising the dead. All the characters are engaging and likable, especially smart-mouthed Sam, strong and beautiful Brid, Sam's little sisters, the...incapaci More...

34 comments like (34 people liked it)

Apr 22, 2011

Vinaya rated it:

Confession: I am ridiculously addicted to 80s high school movies. In a I've-watched-them-40-million-times kind of way. In a I-own-hideously-expensive-collector's-editions kind of way. In a I-would-love-to-be-Lloyd-Dobler's-honey kind of way. I mean, seriously, who could resist this face?

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Not me!

If someone had plucked Llyod Dobler off the sets of Say Anything, and stuck him in paranormal YA book, he would probably be called Sam LaCroix. Now this is Point 1 in Lish McB More...

24 comments like (30 people liked it)

Jun 09, 2011

Janina rated it:

You are looking for a YA urban fantasy that is a bit outside the norm? You are tired of stories only revolving around a lukewarm love interest? You like it a bit macabre? You’re not looking for anything too serious, but simply want to have a good time? I think I’ve found the book for you …

Simply put, this book was lots of fun! Talking heads, waffle-addicted spirits, double-agent next-door neighbours, were-bears, family secrets, powerful necromancers, resurrected Chinese pandas, talking More...

13 comments like (15 people liked it)

Aug 10, 2011

Anila rated it:

There isn't much that I want to say about this book which hasn't already been said by Vinaya, Flannery, Jillian, or Wendy.

Actually, all I can think of is:

- it was a great audiobook, and those who have trouble with the switches from first to third person narration might benefit from listening to the audio, since there are two different narrators.
- Seattle FTW.
- I would have given it four stars, but the ending was very sweet and poignant and I couldn't do an More...

10 comments like (17 people liked it)

Nov 13, 2011

Laura rated it:

Where is the number one place for finding severed heads? What makes pressed jeans SO creepy? And where can I get homemade waffles right now? These are just a few of the many fun questions that rolled around in my head and made me laugh while reading Lish McBride’s Hold Me Closer, Necromancer.

For me, the star of this show is the playful attitude and tone of the tale. The characters find themselves in some painfully awkward conversations and dangerous situations, but they always se More...

6 comments like (3 people liked it)

Nov 10, 2011

Christine rated it:

Originally reviewed at http://lifeandloveofliterature.com/

I have to admit, the only reasons I bought this book were because the title amused me and, thanks to my Borders going out of business, it was cheap. I took it home, threw it into a pile and more or less forgot about it. Then, this weekend as I was sorting through a random stack of novels, there it was. As my eyes wandered over the cover, I knew it was time. Snuggling down in my nice comfy bed, I began my journey with Sam, More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Apr 23, 2011

Becky rated it:

This book was SO MUCH FUN! I devoured this book, and had to put it down so that I could sleep around 3:30am, but I had a little internal tantrum when I did, because as tired as I was, I was enjoying the book so much that I just did not want to set it down.

I really loved everything about this book. I loved all of the characters, all of them, even the deviously evil ones. But I especially loved The Quad, as I lovingly referred to them in my head: Sam (the main character), Ramon (his b More...

2 comments like (4 people liked it)

Feb 23, 2011

Galla rated it:

Sam is not the most ambitious of urban fantasy heroes. A college dropout who's making ends meet with his job at a fast food restaurant, he's more interested in playing potato hockey in the Plumpy's parking lot than in thinking about his future.

Then a man shows up who recognizes that Sam is actually a necromancer, and Sam is forced to start thinking about his future in a hurry--if he's to have a future at all.

A wide variety of supernatural types are represented here, fro More...

12 comments like (5 people liked it)

Sep 23, 2011

Becca rated it:

I'd like to think that I don't judge books by their cover --- it's beyond clique --- but *gasp* I did on this one. NOTHING about the title or cover grabbed me and pulled me over to this book. It was a Borders bookseller that said I had to give this book a chance. THANK YOU, BRITTANY!!!!

What an original, fresh, fun adventure this book gave me. I read it twice in one-day: once for plot and a second time with the music in mind. You see each chapter has a music title that sets the stage f More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Apr 26, 2011

Jessica rated it:

Awesome, awesome, awesome!

Man, I loved this book so much that I'm facing the usual problem. What to say about it? I think what I liked best about this was the humor. I was killing myself laughing several times while reading.
Though the story is told from multiple POVs, or well, there are some chapters told from a POV other than Sam, our 23-year old college dropout is still our main protagonist. We mostly spend our time in his head and let me tell you, it's awesome there! S More...

10 comments like (10 people liked it)

Jul 07, 2011

Kelly rated it:

I’m like a fountain gushing about with adulation for Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. Does that even make sense? Anyhow, moving on. Let’s see, how can I even begin to describe the awesomeness that is this novel? How’s this? Quirky rollicking good time. Or this? Lighthearted merriment. I have absolutely, positively nothing negative to say, or type, about this novel. It’s pure fun as stated repeatedly within this paragraph.

I’ll spare you a blow-by-blow description of this book. Goodreads More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 25, 2011

Jillian -always aspiring- rated it:

Plain, flat-out honesty: I had never heard of this book, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, until the ALA's 2011 Best Fiction for Young Adults list was released. . .but, even then, I gave the book one glance and thought, "Eh, not interested." It was not until I heard so many gushing things about this book -- particularly through Michelle R.'s review -- that I decided to give it a try.

Verdict?

(drum roll please)

Honestly, this book was just so darn awesome th More...

28 comments like (37 people liked it)

Mar 23, 2011

kari rated it:

Wow. *stands to applaud*
If I could give this more than five stars, I'd do it.
First, I love the title. You had me at that. It's a perfect fit for the book which is a little funny and a lot scary.
I'm going to say something that I never say and, in fact, usually complain about the opposite. This book could definitely be developed into a series and one that I'd be eager to read. Normally I am complaining that an author has so little plot that it should have been contained into a s More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Aug 04, 2011

Eric rated it:

First let me say that I find it a bit weird that I hadn't realized how starved I was for books like this. I know I've always been a fan of the smart, witty, dark humored variety but really it hadn't occurred to me until I picked up the short story Death and Waffles (Necromancer: A Novella). Once I knew what I was getting myself into I pretty much as quickly as time (my bandwidth) would allow Audible to download the book for me started listening this and LOVING EVERY MINUTE!

I really l More...

2 comments like (11 people liked it)

Nov 29, 2011

Becky rated it:

Something to get off my chest: I'm a shallow reader. Or, more accurately, book-chooser. I pick the books based on the pretty covers and catchy titles, and where does it get me? More often than not, I get screwed.

However, for once in my life, my tendency to judge a book by its cover (or in this case, title) did not disappoint. This book is an awesome example of what YA lit can be at its best. Our protagonist, Sam, is flawed but endearing, and his voice is spot-on. Not only does it con More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 30, 2011

Suzanne rated it:

4 stars +.

As Sherman Alexie says on the cover, it’s hard to say if this is a scary, funny book or a funny, scary one, but both elements work. Its comedic aspect is full of the dark humor one might find from Sam’s re-animated gal pal’s decapitated head chattereing away and a fast food worker who discovers he has secret powers to stir the dead to do his bidding. Since the most powerful necromancer in the Northwest finds him and threatens him and all his friends at the same time he is More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Nov 03, 2010

Xxenvyxx rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Jan 10, 2011

elissa rated it:

Before I read it: Still having trouble settling on a book. Maybe this one will hold me captive. Good reviews by friends make me hopeful. I love that the title is a play on Elton John's "Tiny Dancer". :)

After finishing: 4 1/2 stars, and I'm rounding up. With only a few days left of the year, this one makes it on to my 12 favorites of 2010 list, knocking off REVOLUTION. I wouldn't have thought that the words "cute" and "necromancer" could be in the More...

21 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jul 15, 2011

Kaethe rated it:

Total love. Funny more than creepy despite the evil guy. And the chapter titles were mostly song quotes, including "birdhouse in your soul". The anti-Twilight, really, with no icky retro sex roles or endless moping.

Library copy

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Jun 20, 2011

Rhiannon rated it:

To describe a novel teeming with werewolves, shape-shifters, and other supernatural beings lurking in the shadows of our modern cities, playing by their own rules, and heading secret councils... Is to unfortunately describe an overdone trend that is seriously making me YAWN. This genre, in its essence, is supposed to excite and thrill. Fairies and vampires? Hybrid wolf-people? Immortality? Mutant healing abilities? These are elements of the strange and impossible. Instead, this type of story is More...

1 comment like (6 people liked it)

Jul 20, 2011

Trayana rated it:

Сам, въпреки истинското си величествено име – Соуин Корвус ЛаКроа, води най-обикновен живот. Когато си в двайсетте, отпаднал от колежа, и все още работиш в заведение за бързо хранене, нямаш други грижи освен да не те хванат ченгетата, защото караш по тротоарите скейтборд. Така де, поне докато не счупиш предния фар на лъскав автомобил, чиито собственик се оказва силно гаднеещ некромант без никакви скрупули.

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer ми бе пропоръчана като необичайно ърбън фентъзи и се More...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 20, 2011

~Tina~ rated it:

TBR Reduce Challenge #17- 2011 (Stefanie)

Do you know when you look at a book, stalk the reviews and then decide to take a chance and figure, why not? I'll give it a shot.
Well, I figure I'd give this book a chance, but what I didn't expect was that awesomeness actually lives in these pages!

First off, I just gotta mention page 49! The head, butter knife and shampoo bottle? Best.Scene.Evah!!!! I laughed my F'N ass off so hard that it took twenty-five minutes to get t More...

24 comments like (15 people liked it)

Jul 02, 2011

Stacia ~ platonic rated it:

4.5 stars. Being that Hold Me Closer, Necromancer is about a young man practicing the dark art of Necromancy, you'd think the book would be dark. Can I answer yes and no to this one? I'd almost call it a dark comedy of sorts. For a book about such an offbeat and bizarre subject, dare I say this was an enjoyably easy read? Because it really was. Something that I liked about this book was that it felt very gender neutral and could appeal to a multitude of ages. Even though the book is a YA, the ma More...

7 comments like (5 people liked it)

Mar 27, 2011

Crowinator rated it:

I had the hardest time writing this review, and I just decided to go ahead and post it knowing that I would never do the awesomeness of this book justice.

This hysterical, scary, offbeat story about a slacker discovering his necromancer powers feels tailor-made for my tastes. For weird elements, it is a veritable cornucopia. It contains: a talking head, a (benign) zombie panda, a talking cat (who is actually a mini-dragon), homicidal lawn ornaments, sassy ghosts who love waffles, wit More...

0 comments like (11 people liked it)

Feb 25, 2011

Kim rated it:

[Cross posted from Twisted Fates' Cafe Blog (http://twistedfates.livejournal.com/1054...)]

I signed up for this book on a whim, and I wasn’t too sure If I would like it or not. I can now say that signing up for this tour was one of the best decisions I’ve made all month.

When I first saw the title of this book, I busted out laughing. Followed by me saying “Hold me closer, Tony Danza,” because my knowledge of misheard lyrics goes back a few decades.

The second th More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 09, 2012

Jackie "the Librarian" rated it:

Despite this being a paranormal teen novel, there are no vampires in this book, or teens with destiny. Sam is a college dropout working at a burger joint with no direction in life, when a game of potato hockey in the parking lot breaks a car tail light and sets into motion a really bizarre chain of events. The owner of the car is a necromancer named Douglas, and eeeevil.

Sam is a necromancer, too, (but not evil) which he was not aware of, but Douglas doesn't believe him. He sees Sam as More...

2 comments like (4 people liked it)

Dec 19, 2011

Patrick rated it:

Yes, I am embarrassed by the title of this book and made sure it was out-of-sight when we had visitors for the couple days it took to read it. It was decent anyway. And no, I am not haunting the Paranormal Romance section at the nearby Barnes and Noble. It was recommended from some YA lit list.

It's a purposefully campy, over-the-top magicfest, but the characters are actually pretty good. I liked the protagonist despite almost stopping near the beginning because of the cynical, mo More...

0 comments like

Dec 09, 2011

Michelle rated it:

Funny books are something I am always on the lookout for. Call it a quest of sorts. But funny books with true cleverness, real characters and an intriguing story? Well, let's just say that combination is a little harder to find. But once in a while I get lucky and stumble upon a read with all those qualifications. Actually Hold Me Closer, Necromancer has all that and more to tell you the truth. I mean with a cover quote like the one it's gotten from Sherman Alexie you just know it's gonna rock.
More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)