Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Published: October 2010
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
Pages: 352
Copy: My own
Summary: Goodreads


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?

Loved this book.  It was so much fun.  There is so much humour in 'Hold Me Closer, Necromancer', and you never know which character it's going to come from.  Mrs W in particular is an absolute hoot.

'"Sam, Honey, you look filthier than a hot tub in a brothel"' (p35)

' "Meet a nice girl and do some not-so-nice things, ok?" ' (p197)  This is advice from a 70yr old to a 20 yr old. Don't you just love it?

Sam, our main protagonist, is 20 years old and a bit of a loser.  He has the best of intentions, but nothing much ever seems to come of things he tries, and we meet him working in a burger joint.  Somehow though, it is easy to form an attachment to Sam.  His best friend Ramon, who loves to skateboard, is pretty cool, and Frank, who is the newbie at the burger joint, fits in rather nicely as a sidekick, and sleeps on Sam's floor.  I loved the ineraction between these three, especially when Brooke is added in to the mix.

The story is full of surprises, and includes some weird elements, like talking heads, and talking cats!  When Douglas enters the picture, and Sam finds out that he has some Necromancer blood, things start to heat up. Douglas is creepy and seriously nasty.  He is on a mission and nothing is going to stop him.  Things get a little gory, but that thread of humour kind of takes the edge off a little.  Throw in some witches, psychics and other paranormals and the fun is just beginning.

Remember 'White Cat' by Holly Black?  Well 'Hold Me Closer, Necromancer' reminded me a little of that one.  Not so much in the storyline, but in the way it was written.  There's a lot going on under the surface and you just know that Sam is going to luck out in the end.  What I liked was that the story tied up really nicely, but there was enough information that you just know there is going to be a sequel.  No cliffhanger, just lots of anticipation for the next one. Can't wait Ms McBride.  All in all a great read.