Genre: Paranormal, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
An untrained sorcerer and a reclusive necromancer face a ghost-infested town. Darien is free of his dead invaders, and his eyes have opened to a new reality. In a world of sorcerers and necromancers, he’s full of power and potential, but completely ignorant. Necromancer Silas, and Silas’s cat familiar, Grim, are teaching him basic skills, but danger won’t hold off, just because he’s not ready.
Silas never planned to share his life with anyone, but after a week of shared battles and shared nights, Darien has become a fixture in his home. Silas has never met anyone with more raw magical ability, or less idea what to do with it.
When Silas is offered a job hunting ghosts, he’s tempted to refill his depleted bank account, but reluctant to bring untrained Darien along. Darien’s eager to help, though, and eventually Silas gives in.
It’s just a few ghosts. Nothing he hasn’t handled before. What could go wrong?
The Review
Kaje Harper brings back necromancer Silas Thornwood and sorcerer Darien Green in another amazing story.
Silas has gone to the Guild to collect earnings for the demons that he and Darien destroyed, but the Guide makes a bad decision. So to get paid, Silas agrees to take an assignment to rid the Greenleigh Mental Health Center of ghosts.
When Silas delivers the news, Darien thinks Silas wants to leave him behind. That doesn’t sit well with him. Darien still wants to be more to Silas, and there are some hard feelings about how Darien came to be in this position. After some discussion, Silas decides it would help to have Darien with him, along with his familiar Grim. Darien believes he can help protect Silas, too.
They meet Clarice the sorcerer, who runs the rooming house that the Guild booked. Her specialty is matchmaking, but they eventually find out that she has more abilities than that. Clarice tells Silas and Darien just how serious the issue of ghosts and poltergeists has become. The local necromancer – Pasternak – has neglected his job because his wife is seriously ill.
As they make their way to the mental hospital, Silas takes notice of the many ghost that remain in the town.
Silas and Darien’s work at the mental hospital lead them to meet the ghostly Louise Ketchum, and she relays her frightening tale of why she is holding on to her humanity. After speaking with Pasternak and finding out why he’s neglected his job for so long ,Silas knows he’s going to need more help. Clarice sends them to a sorcerer named Jasper.
Silas, Darien and Jasper, along with Grim and Pip, set out on a terrifying journey to get rid of all the ghosts. They have some idea what their up against, but will the evil that awaits them lead them to death?
Harper sets out to educate readers about necromancers, sorcerers, demons, ghouls, ghost, poltergeist or “geists,” familiars, wards, runes, The River, Veil, and the Otherworld. For me, that’s what made this a very interesting novel. She has a way of explaining all these aspects while spinning Silas’ and Darien’s story that it makes it a very easy read. I like the emotions, banter and jealousy that’s brought to the forefront of the story, without loosing the scary moments.
I also like the secondary characters. Jasper is a great addition to the story, and I can’t wait to see what develops for him. Clarice was so understanding of Silas’ and Darien’s situation. And there are lots of humorous moments with Grim and the hyper terrier Pip.
I really enjoyed the “Necromancer” series so far. I highly recommend reading the first book “Marked by Death” too – I am so hoping there is a third book in the works.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.