Book:  Hold Me Closer, Necromancer
Author:  Lish McBride
Release date:  October 12, 2010
Publisher:  Henry Holt and Co.
Pages:  352
Source:  Bookstore

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?

Lish McBride’s debut novel is absolutely fantastic.  It is such a fresh, fun story.  I couldn’t stop reading it and now I’m dying for more.  Sequel, please?

Samhain (Sam) Lacroix has never been normal but he’s never known just quite how different he really is.  He probably would have remained clueless if he hadn’t broken some creeps taillight.  Too bad he’s not just a normal creep.  Douglas Montgomery is a necromancer and he knows that Sam is too.  He can’t have that.  He now wants Sam’s power and he will do anything to get it.  Will Sam find a way to defeat Douglas or will he lose everything right when he’s finally beginning to make sense of his life?

The characters in this book are some of the best I have ever read.  I adored them all.  Sam was the biggest smart-ass but he had a soft side.  Ramon was an amazing friend and super funny.  Brooke and Frank were quite odd but in the best possible way.  Brid was bad-ass and Ashley was the funniest ghost.  There were more but I can’t possibly go into detail about them all.  The rest were just as awesome, though.

The plot was very fast-paced and fun.  There weren’t really any surprises to this story but I was okay with that.  It wasn’t predictable though.  It was such a unique story.  Necromancy is something you don’t read much about but it is a fascinating subject.

Overall, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer is a new favorite of mine.  I will be recommending it to everyone I know.  Word of warning, though:  you will laugh out loud and get some strange looks if you happen to be in a public place.  =)

First line:  I stood in front of today’s schedule still holding my skateboard, still drenched from the ride over, and still desperately wishing that I hadn’t dropped out of college.

Rating:  A++

Cover:  A