Necromancing the Stone

Necromancing the Stone (2012) Lish McBride

This is a sequel to the YA book, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, which I really liked.

Luckily, I like Necromancing the Stone just as well.

Sam LaCroix is still trying to adjust to being a necromancer. And to having a position on the local Council, because he killed Douglas, the evil necromancer who tried to kill him and now sort-of-girlfriend Brid. He also feels guilty because Ramon, his best friend, is now a were-bear, solely because Ramon was injured while trying to help Sam.

Although, like the last book, there is an acknowledgment that Sam in Brid are boinking, this is not a kissing book. This is a supernatural fantasy that recognizes that teenagers often boink.

Like the first book, important people die (and they should, I mean, this IS a book about a necromancer), and like the first book, I think this issue is dealt with very well. People die. It really really sucks. But like it or not, life has to go on.

But I think what made this book especially good was how it dealt with Douglas, the evil necromancer who Sam killed in self-defense in the first book. Sam (who is a vegetarian) is still struggling with the fact that he took someone’s life. I think that is a really important part of both Sam and the book.

Not to rant, but in many movies, someone kills in self-defense and they’re over it and okay with it. My understanding is this is NOT how it happens in real life. Taking another life is hard, and it’s nothing someone just does and moves past.

Well, normal people anyway.

So like the first book, I highly recommend this one. There are plenty of openings for another Sam story, but if there isn’t, I’m okay with the way this book ended. Which is always a good thing.

Necromancer, a Novella is still available for free as a Kindle download, so if you think you’re interested, download the novella.
Rating: 8.5/10

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

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