mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
Dumb title. And kind of dumb book. But at least a little bit funny. And readable. Yes having someone who has been gone for 25 years is convenient - though I sold my Commodore 64 in 1987 - I suppose this could have take place in 2010. But that way the author can get in a whole lot of nostalgic shoutouts - though [b:Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One|Ernest Cline|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406383612s/9969571.jpg|14863741] does it better. I really didn't believe the characters, though I kind of liked Mattie - and Sammy had potential. But interesting setup of a fantasy world, and definitely something original. 3.5 of 5.
diddlydoo333's review
Too many stupid pop culture references that nobody could ever care about+it’s literally like reading something written by a 12 year old boy, and i get the guys 15 or whatever sort of age he is at this point but it’s so annoying ALSO I SKIMMED PAST A PART WHERE HE LITERALLY HAS WEIRDLY COERCIVE SEX SO FUCK THAT
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
heatherp23's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
lyndiane's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly entertaining, with a unique take on alternative realms and fey-human interaction. The plot is busy and fairly complex, with loads of action along the lines of Bruce Willis' "I'm getting too old for this.......".
I am eagerly anticipating the rest of the series.
I am eagerly anticipating the rest of the series.
quietjenn's review against another edition
4.0
Super fun and entertaining. Pretty easy to put some of the pieces together way before our hero does, but this is an instant when it didn't really distract (and he's been a floating and tormented soul for twenty-five years, so being slightly obtuse about evil machinations is pretty forgivable). A good dose of appropriate 80s pop culture references and some action-packed climactic scenes that I enjoyed DESPITE being someone who routinely skims the action scenes.
Very recommended.
Very recommended.
scamp1234's review against another edition
3.0
I was so eager to jump right into this story immediately after reading Randy Henderson story that won him the Writers of the Future Grand Prize last year. That entry showed us a glimpse of a world where memories are passed on and can make or break an individuals future. In Finn Fancy Necromancy it seems this world is similar in nature or is in fact a part of that world and really had me at that point.
The problems that bothered me though were the multiple and multiple pop culture references that are trying to make the characters witty, funny, or who knows but if was more irritating after so many were used in the first couple of chapters. Along with that despite the main character all the others were boring or just not developed enough that I could feel anything for them.
Overall a decent first novel, but considering this is the first from a grand prize writers of the future writer I'm hoping that future novels of his get better and better rather quickly.
The problems that bothered me though were the multiple and multiple pop culture references that are trying to make the characters witty, funny, or who knows but if was more irritating after so many were used in the first couple of chapters. Along with that despite the main character all the others were boring or just not developed enough that I could feel anything for them.
Overall a decent first novel, but considering this is the first from a grand prize writers of the future writer I'm hoping that future novels of his get better and better rather quickly.
robertlslater's review against another edition
4.0
Awesome escape from reality into a just as terrifying alternate reality cleverly layered over the Pacific Northwest areas I know and love! Port Townsend, Washinton's ocean beaches, Kingston and the EMP/SFM! Fun magic with enough danger in the magical system to keep me in suspense. And enough pop references from the "present" to the past of 1985ish to keep me smiling.
seak's review against another edition
4.0
Finn Fancy Necromancy is exactly as fun as its title suggests. From the second sentence, "We were like a couple of floating melted gummy bears made of unicorn snot and dreams..." I knew I was in good hands. In fact, even before that, in the acknowledgments when Henderson talks about his "butt-slapping doctor" I knew Henderson's humor was going to click with me, and it did.
Finn Gramaraye is a necromancer who's just come back from exile to the "Other Realm," aka the fairy world. He was sent there in 1986 and spent 25 years as punishment for a crime he didn't commit. Coming back, the problems already begin to add up and he's already to blame for just about everything under the sun.
Told from the first person, we have no reason to disbelieve him, though his memories have been a source of many of the problems he encounters, whether it's the fairies sifting his memories (good and bad) and making him relive them, or the changeling's lack of memories with a botched spirit transfer.
Other than a small overuse of Star Trek references at the beginning, this book hit my funny bone quite nicely. Because Finn has been away since the 80s and this is first person, there are loads of 80s references, including, and I can't say I recognized every single one, all the chapter titles are 80s song titles.
It's definitely urban fantasy, but not your tween, new-age kind what with all its 80s focus. And it's urban fantasy that really worked for me (I'm an on-off fan). The magic was interesting and the different sources make for a well-thought-out world.
The only thing, and I realize I might be the only one on this since I've seen it so much, is the incorporation of famous people (like Elvis, etc.) who were actually magic-users/magic creatures whose mysterious factual stories play well into a story like this. Like I said, I'm probably the only one and it wasn't enough to really throw me out of the story, it was only a couple instances.
One thing I'm torn on is that the "twist" at the end was almost blatantly obvious about midway through the book. I don't know if it was just the audio narration, or maybe on page would have been more obvious. I enjoyed the book regardless, because it wasn't really all that big a deal and the major mysteries still needed solving.
Finn Fancy Necromancy is tons of fun and highly readable. I listened to the audio version and Todd Haberkorn did an excellent job. Just vulnerable enough to pull off Finn and nailing all the jokes and off-hand remarks in between voicing Sasquatches and gnomes.
Which reminds me, I highly enjoyed the magical creatures in this one. Not your typical ones, but they played into the story nicely. Read Finn Fancy Necromancy when you're in the mood for some light-hearted fun with a fast-paced story that will keep you turning pages. Not your typical urban fantasy in the best possible way.
4 out of 5 Stars (highly recommended)
Finn Gramaraye is a necromancer who's just come back from exile to the "Other Realm," aka the fairy world. He was sent there in 1986 and spent 25 years as punishment for a crime he didn't commit. Coming back, the problems already begin to add up and he's already to blame for just about everything under the sun.
Told from the first person, we have no reason to disbelieve him, though his memories have been a source of many of the problems he encounters, whether it's the fairies sifting his memories (good and bad) and making him relive them, or the changeling's lack of memories with a botched spirit transfer.
Other than a small overuse of Star Trek references at the beginning, this book hit my funny bone quite nicely. Because Finn has been away since the 80s and this is first person, there are loads of 80s references, including, and I can't say I recognized every single one, all the chapter titles are 80s song titles.
It's definitely urban fantasy, but not your tween, new-age kind what with all its 80s focus. And it's urban fantasy that really worked for me (I'm an on-off fan). The magic was interesting and the different sources make for a well-thought-out world.
The only thing, and I realize I might be the only one on this since I've seen it so much, is the incorporation of famous people (like Elvis, etc.) who were actually magic-users/magic creatures whose mysterious factual stories play well into a story like this. Like I said, I'm probably the only one and it wasn't enough to really throw me out of the story, it was only a couple instances.
One thing I'm torn on is that the "twist" at the end was almost blatantly obvious about midway through the book. I don't know if it was just the audio narration, or maybe on page would have been more obvious. I enjoyed the book regardless, because it wasn't really all that big a deal and the major mysteries still needed solving.
Finn Fancy Necromancy is tons of fun and highly readable. I listened to the audio version and Todd Haberkorn did an excellent job. Just vulnerable enough to pull off Finn and nailing all the jokes and off-hand remarks in between voicing Sasquatches and gnomes.
Which reminds me, I highly enjoyed the magical creatures in this one. Not your typical ones, but they played into the story nicely. Read Finn Fancy Necromancy when you're in the mood for some light-hearted fun with a fast-paced story that will keep you turning pages. Not your typical urban fantasy in the best possible way.
4 out of 5 Stars (highly recommended)
viiemzee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It took me a while to get into the story but when I did I was hooked. A murder mystery in a very cool low fantasy setting, with an incredibly likeable main character and some very funny lines, as well as some very cool world building. I'm actually really into the way this story went and want to read more of the trilogy now!
Spoiler
Some parts I predicted - Grayson being involved, Grayson being Orion's father, Heather being part of it all and even Dawn being who Finn chooses. Some parts I also saw coming we're Pete actually becoming a waer by the end. But that didn't detract from this being an enjoyable read. Do recommend for fantasy fans!!abetterjulie's review against another edition
3.0
Really, 3.5 stars (why won't Goodreads let us do half stars!?)
Loss of memory, framed for a crime (or two), family messiness, and magic with limits - oh, and girl crushes.
Humor is hard, but Henderson manages to balance it evenly throughout. Writing about a man who's really emotionally 15 is also hard, but that difficulty is subtle, and while Henderson manages this, it still left me feeling itchy in spots. It's important to remember this about Finn when you read, because the story (and the women in it) swirl around this time-warp.
Ultimately, this book was fun. I'm not the target audience, and yet I enjoyed it. There were parts where it read like a (fun, but bizarre) D&D campaign, and other parts where it felt like I was watching a Saturday morning cartoon, but I think that was intentional and added to the 80's vibe.
I think the rest of the series will be even better, and since we own them all...I'll be reading them!
Loss of memory, framed for a crime (or two), family messiness, and magic with limits - oh, and girl crushes.
Humor is hard, but Henderson manages to balance it evenly throughout. Writing about a man who's really emotionally 15 is also hard, but that difficulty is subtle, and while Henderson manages this, it still left me feeling itchy in spots. It's important to remember this about Finn when you read, because the story (and the women in it) swirl around this time-warp.
Ultimately, this book was fun. I'm not the target audience, and yet I enjoyed it. There were parts where it read like a (fun, but bizarre) D&D campaign, and other parts where it felt like I was watching a Saturday morning cartoon, but I think that was intentional and added to the 80's vibe.
I think the rest of the series will be even better, and since we own them all...I'll be reading them!