highonfantasy's review
3.0
Not a bad duology. This second book lacked on a solid plot and I still don't feel like Douglas was a rounded enough character although the author did try.
But the humor was amazing and I overall enjoyed the characters a lot. It was fun and I am happy I found this book.
But the humor was amazing and I overall enjoyed the characters a lot. It was fun and I am happy I found this book.
dlberglund's review against another edition
3.0
This sequel was a really fun read. So much so that I immediately looked on her blog to see if there would be a third book. Alas, not in the immediate future (though she doesn't rule it out for somewhere down the road...).
This book continues the adventures of Sam, who has recently learned of his powers to read the life essence in beings and to raise the dead. It expands upon the supernatural world of the Seattle area, and continues to develop relationships between Sam and those around him. There are a few little plot holes, but the book was fun and worth reading if you read the first.
This book continues the adventures of Sam, who has recently learned of his powers to read the life essence in beings and to raise the dead. It expands upon the supernatural world of the Seattle area, and continues to develop relationships between Sam and those around him. There are a few little plot holes, but the book was fun and worth reading if you read the first.
elusivity's review against another edition
3.0
Spoiler
The dead does not die. The faithful remains faithful, and tears himself apart by attempting to serve two masters at once. Is the protagonist supposed to be the better option? What does he stand for? Entertaining enough, but a wishy-washy series so far, containing bits and pieces of other people's ideas.sandraagee's review against another edition
4.0
Solid sequel. Just as funny and compelling at the first.
bookslikegranola's review against another edition
3.5
A good followup to the first book, though the worldbuilding perhaps feels a bit shakier.
Sam has to find his place in the wider magical Seattle community, but something spooky is lurking in the woods. This was a fine sequel, delivering a lot more of the same. The problem was the slightly sparse worldbuilding of book 1 feels flimsier when Sam is no longer a recent inductee to the magical world. Also, the plot threads feel a bit at odds with each other as the tension of can Sam and friends grow up and find their place in the adult magical world is ultimately supplanted by the fighting evil spirit plot, which kind of subverts the first one. I did appreciate Sam’s struggle with his powers/role and what it means for his pacifism. I thought it was one of the better “hero struggles with killing bad guy even as bad guy kills as lot.”
Recommended if you liked the first one.
the_lady_reads's review against another edition
5.0
ED AND EM'S REVIEWS IS GIVING AWAY THE NECROMANCER SERIES SIGNED BY LISH MCBRIDE UNTIL 10/8/2012.
As seen on Ed and Em's Reviews!
The gang is back for round two in Necromancing the Stone! We meet up with Sam, Ramon, Ashley, Brooke, Frank and the wolf pack six weeks after the end of Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. Now Sam's in charge of Douglas' old possessions, which includes his assistant, James, Douglas' house, his cars and the lawn ornaments that want revenge on Sam for reasons he can't understand. As the novel begins, we see that Sam and Brid's relationship is blooming and while it isn't accepted by all of her pack, they are more serious than ever. Let's all swoon at our sweet Sam being happy. I just dreamy sighed all over you guys.
While book one evoked some emotion, Necromancing the Stone will yank at your heartstrings. Sam just can't seem to catch a break. While going through some issues of his own, he's got to solve a murder, run a household, deal with the aftermath of Douglas' death and try to succeed in love. As if it wasn't rough enough when Douglas was alive.
Sam is just as likable as ever. He's such an easy character to care for. You really see him grow into a strong-willed man throughout these books. It's amazingly fluid. Sam feels like a real person. The reader will want him to succeed and continue to stay strong through all of his troubles. Sam cares for his friends, his family and even wants the best for the people who seem to be out to destroy him. His wit and genuine personality continue to make him a beloved character. As much as I wanted to hate Brid at some points, I found myself unable to. The relationship between Sam and Brid isn't easy and won't ever be, but it's real and impossible not root for.
…Guys, I have a new favorite character in this series, James. James played a minor role in Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, but he is way more involved in this novel, to the point where I'd consider him a MAJOR character. In Necromancing the Stone, we see many sides of James, but by the end, I'm pretty sure I've got him worked out and I adore him. All of his actions are understandable at the end. The audience will be able to feel his anguish and desperation. He's one of several new characters that we are introduced too and they all fit in very well with the story. The cast of this novel is one of the best I've ever read.
Lish McBride is seriously awesome. She writes a plot that could take less than a hundred pages to resolve, but pulls it into an almost four-hundred page novel without making it drag. If anything, I wished there could've been more. It doesn't take long for you to fall in love with the characters and the plot to the point where you are sad when the book is over. That is a true skill that the author has mastered. And fear not! Ms. McBride is writing a third book! It won't be released until she's finished two other books, but hey, we can't wait… Maybe…
If you enjoyed the first book in this series, I definitely recommend you immediately picking up Necromancing the Stone. It's the perfect companion. Where Ms. McBride will take us in the third novel is beyond me, but I'm really looking forward to seeing what trouble Sam will get into next. And of course, I want everyone to get their happy ending! (Especially James.) I know that the author will do it justice and continue to write a strong, humorous, awesome, totally cool series.
As seen on Ed and Em's Reviews!
The gang is back for round two in Necromancing the Stone! We meet up with Sam, Ramon, Ashley, Brooke, Frank and the wolf pack six weeks after the end of Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. Now Sam's in charge of Douglas' old possessions, which includes his assistant, James, Douglas' house, his cars and the lawn ornaments that want revenge on Sam for reasons he can't understand. As the novel begins, we see that Sam and Brid's relationship is blooming and while it isn't accepted by all of her pack, they are more serious than ever. Let's all swoon at our sweet Sam being happy. I just dreamy sighed all over you guys.
While book one evoked some emotion, Necromancing the Stone will yank at your heartstrings. Sam just can't seem to catch a break. While going through some issues of his own, he's got to solve a murder, run a household, deal with the aftermath of Douglas' death and try to succeed in love. As if it wasn't rough enough when Douglas was alive.
Sam is just as likable as ever. He's such an easy character to care for. You really see him grow into a strong-willed man throughout these books. It's amazingly fluid. Sam feels like a real person. The reader will want him to succeed and continue to stay strong through all of his troubles. Sam cares for his friends, his family and even wants the best for the people who seem to be out to destroy him. His wit and genuine personality continue to make him a beloved character. As much as I wanted to hate Brid at some points, I found myself unable to. The relationship between Sam and Brid isn't easy and won't ever be, but it's real and impossible not root for.
…Guys, I have a new favorite character in this series, James. James played a minor role in Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, but he is way more involved in this novel, to the point where I'd consider him a MAJOR character. In Necromancing the Stone, we see many sides of James, but by the end, I'm pretty sure I've got him worked out and I adore him. All of his actions are understandable at the end. The audience will be able to feel his anguish and desperation. He's one of several new characters that we are introduced too and they all fit in very well with the story. The cast of this novel is one of the best I've ever read.
Lish McBride is seriously awesome. She writes a plot that could take less than a hundred pages to resolve, but pulls it into an almost four-hundred page novel without making it drag. If anything, I wished there could've been more. It doesn't take long for you to fall in love with the characters and the plot to the point where you are sad when the book is over. That is a true skill that the author has mastered. And fear not! Ms. McBride is writing a third book! It won't be released until she's finished two other books, but hey, we can't wait… Maybe…
If you enjoyed the first book in this series, I definitely recommend you immediately picking up Necromancing the Stone. It's the perfect companion. Where Ms. McBride will take us in the third novel is beyond me, but I'm really looking forward to seeing what trouble Sam will get into next. And of course, I want everyone to get their happy ending! (Especially James.) I know that the author will do it justice and continue to write a strong, humorous, awesome, totally cool series.
emp1234's review against another edition
4.0
Picked this up right after reading the very enjoyable Hold Me Closer Necromancer(book #1). I think I liked this even better than the first book. Again, McBride does a great job of character development. She also makes the main character really empathetic which (especially for a male character) could come off as weak or unflattering, but it just makes you root for him more. Write faster Lish! I'm ready for book 3!
maeilis's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5