Hold Me Closer, Necromancer (Necromancer, #1) in Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group

Jan 12, 2011 Danielle The Book Huntress rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 2012-sky-s-the-limit-club, library-checkout, the-lost-heir, wizard-warlock-sorcerer, ghost, shapeshifter, family, october-scare-fest-2012, necromancy

This was a breath of fresh air book. I've read some disappointing books lately, and I needed a good one. Plus I was pining for a good UF read. I loved the easy writing flow, the funny dialogue, and the wonderful, self-deprecating hero, Sam. Although this was released as a YA book, I think it easily could have been marketed as an adult UF novel. I believe the older readers will enjoy it as much as teen readers because there is a lot to like in this book.

McBride keeps her world-building simple, bu This was a breath of fresh air book. I've read some disappointing books lately, and I needed a good one. Plus I was pining for a good UF read. I loved the easy writing flow, the funny dialogue, and the wonderful, self-deprecating hero, Sam. Although this was released as a YA book, I think it easily could have been marketed as an adult UF novel. I believe the older readers will enjoy it as much as teen readers because there is a lot to like in this book.

McBride keeps her world-building simple, but simple doesn't mean lacking. She has an interesting reality here, with people born with magical abilities, specifically necromancers. Sam is one, but he doesn't know it, because being one is quite dangerous for him. His normal, rather boring, letdown life explodes into one of extreme danger and dread as he becomes exposed to a very dangerous, cruel, and evil enemy. Along the way, he becomes aware of a supernatural world with its own rules. He finds out that there are a lot of creatures out there that he didn't even know existed. That is one thing I love about UF--the normal is really far from normal when you take a close look around you.

Sam is the everyman that you like and feel protective of. He has a rough journey in this book, but he weathers it all with grace and takes a lot of crazy stuff in stride. I respected him for that. I also liked his friends, specifically Ramon and Brooke. I liked Brid too. She is pretty darn kickbutt. Sam's mom is a sweet lady, and I would like to learn more about Sam's longlost uncle. He seems cool.

I think McBride has all the right ingredients in this story, but it doesn't add up to 'formula', but instead a fun, enthralling, sometimes scary and thrilling, and very enjoyable read. The quote on the cover by Sherman Alexie is so true. This book is both scary and funny, and a good balance of both. I am a big fan of snarky dialogue in books, and she does it well. I loved all the pop culture jokes. They were hilarious! I was quite impressed with how McBride reveals the menace of the villain and his heinous acts without going overboard. Poor Sam and his friends are truly in jeopardy, but you manage to catch your breath with some good laughs along the way.

I was very satisfied with this book, and even if it's a one-shot, I am still happy. If she continues the series, I'd be even happier, because I do see some threads that I would love to be explored further. Although McBride does a good job of making this a self-contained read that stands on its own (cliffhangers are a freaking enormous pet peeve of mine), I could easily see her going back and writing more in this world.

I do recommend Hold Me Closer, Necromancer to UF fans of all ages. I think they'll enjoy it.

Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars. ...more

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Oct 31, 2010 Peep (Pop! Pop!) rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2010, addicted-to-ya, insane, liked

3.5 stars! This was a crazy book. It was funny and had me wanting to finish it without stopping. It was like some crazy weird mishmash of John Green's bromances set in real life, Percy Jackson's crazy days-ness (if he was very grown up and it involved the paranormal rather than mythology) and a bunch of the badness (that's good badness) paranormal romance stuff that I love. What can I say, it was a fun read!

Sam, whose full name is Samhain Corvus LaCroix. (By the way, did you know that Samhain is 3.5 stars! This was a crazy book. It was funny and had me wanting to finish it without stopping. It was like some crazy weird mishmash of John Green's bromances set in real life, Percy Jackson's crazy days-ness (if he was very grown up and it involved the paranormal rather than mythology) and a bunch of the badness (that's good badness) paranormal romance stuff that I love. What can I say, it was a fun read!

Sam, whose full name is Samhain Corvus LaCroix. (By the way, did you know that Samhain is pronounced Sowin I didn't either. But now we both know!) anywho, Sam is a college dropout working at Plumpy's (almost the same as McDonald's. I worked there as a teen, I've seen what they've seen - and it's not pretty), finds out that his life isn't so boring after all. Come to find out ol' Sammy is a Necromancer. I know, I know, how is it possible to not know you're best friends with the dead? Read the book and you'll find out.

I liked Sam. I liked that he was normal (under the circumstances) and that he handled everything like a normal person would. I liked that he didn't find out he was a necromancer and then on the next page he's mastered his powers, he's the best necromancer ever, AND he's got 4 girls vying for his love. Nope, poor Sammy is still normal. In fact, I'm pretty the next thing that happens is that he gets beat up. Poor Sam, you can't help but like the guy. He just wants to do what's right.

I liked his friends, Roman (who I kept calling Ramone no matter how much I trued to tell myself otherwise), Frank, and Brooke. I think it's nice to have friends you could depend on and not have to go through life changing events on your own. They were funny and actually really good friends. It was nice to see that! I also liked his Mom and sister. They were good folks. And wasn't Ms. W, the elderly funny neighbor. I have a healthy respect for elderly but I don't think I've met one as funny as Mrs. W. Really, the lady had no idea what TMI was.

I thought it was weird how so many people just took everything in stride. I think Sam and I (the reader) were the only people shocked by anything that happened. They were like, hey what's that in the pot? Oh that? That's just a talking turkey that I'm boiling for 20 minutes so that i can change his accent. Their Reaction: Oh, that's cool. Can you put on a pot of Chamomile tea as well? Me and Sam's reaction: Argh! What?! Barf. Barf. Barf.

Also, I kept thinking they were in New Orleans or something, rather than Seattle. What a crazy place to put the story. Maybe I had to live there to see why it made a better setting??

Douglass. Douglass had to be the creepiest and psychotic bad guy I've ever come across. Whenever I read that he hit someone without changing his facial expression, that scared me. That takes a lot of work, you know. Seriously, think about it. You're the bad guy. You're trying to appear pleasant. Someone annoys you. You want to hit them. How can you do that without at least a baby grimace? And then how in the world can you just continue to keep a straight face as if nothing happened??? My career as a psychotic crazy bad guy is apparently over before it it even started. :(

And I suppose this one will be a series or at least have a sequel? In all honesty, I would love to read the next book now. Sure, we get answers in this book but there's so much more I wanted to know. I want to know what happens with everyone. How will things turn out? What about Nick? I just want more.

I'd recommend this one to guys who have trouble finding a book that'll keep them interested. I'd recommend it to just about anyone that's an older teen to adult. There's psychotic people, inter-species violence,and some undead coming back to life and giving me the creeps. You know, pretty average stuff.

And don't you just love that title? ...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Darcy rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, audio-book, listened-to-at-work, ya, did-not-finish

I picked up this one because so many of my GR friends have rated it high and raved about it. It looks like I am the odd man out because this one didn't work for me.

I didn't care for Sam or his slacker friends. The action taking place at the restaurant made me roll my eyes. When the talking head showed up, that was it for me. I just couldn't keep reading. In the end this one just wasn't for me. ...more

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