Jonathan L. Howard

Jonathan L. Howard is a British author and game designer known for writing supernatural fiction, particularly the Johannes Cabal series. His work spans novels, short stories, and video game writing, with his first novel Johannes Cabal the Necromancer published in 2009. As a video game writer, Howard contributed to various titles including Command and Conquer: Generals and Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon. His experience in game narratives preceded his career as a novelist, giving him a background in both interactive and traditional storytelling formats. The Johannes Cabal series follows a necromancer and scientist who makes deals with devils and confronts supernatural threats, combining dark fantasy with sardonic humor. Howard has also written The Carter & Lovecraft series and the YA Russalka Chronicles, demonstrating versatility across different genres and target audiences. His work frequently incorporates elements of Lovecraftian horror, steampunk, and dark comedy, while maintaining distinct narrative voices for each series. Howard continues to produce novels and short fiction, expanding his bibliography across multiple genres and styles.

Readers praise Howard's dry wit and dark humor, particularly in the Johannes Cabal series. Many reviews highlight his writing style as sharp and intelligent without being pretentious. One reader noted: "The dialogue crackles with sarcasm and clever wordplay." Readers appreciate: - Complex, morally gray characters - Blend of horror and humor - Detailed world-building - Literary references and historical elements - Consistent quality across series Common criticisms: - Plot pacing can be slow - Some find the humor too cynical - Technical language occasionally dense - Supporting characters need more development Ratings: Goodreads averages: - Johannes Cabal series: 4.0/5 (23,000+ ratings) - Carter & Lovecraft: 3.8/5 (3,000+ ratings) - Russalka Chronicles: 3.7/5 (800+ ratings) Amazon averages across all books: 4.2/5 Multiple reviewers compare Howard's style to Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, though note his darker tone. The Johannes Cabal series receives the strongest reviews, with readers specifically praising the protagonist's acerbic personality.

Johannes Cabal the Necromancer (2009) A necromancer makes a wager with the Devil to run a sinister carnival and collect 100 souls in exchange for the return of his own.

Johannes Cabal the Detective (2010) Johannes Cabal solves a murder mystery aboard a politically significant airship while avoiding assassins and dealing with espionage.

Johannes Cabal: The Fear Institute (2011) Cabal joins an expedition into the Dreamlands to hunt down the physical embodiment of fear itself.

Katya's World (2012) A young submarine navigator on the ocean world of Russalka faces pirates, politics, and an ancient threat beneath the waves.

Johannes Cabal: The Brothers Cabal (2014) Horst Cabal returns from the dead to work with his brother Johannes against a dangerous vampire conspiracy.

Carter & Lovecraft (2015) A private investigator and the last descendant of H.P. Lovecraft confront impossible crimes and cosmic horrors in modern-day Providence.

Katya's War (2015) Katya continues her journey on Russalka while dealing with escalating conflict and underwater warfare.

After the End of the World (2017) Carter and Lovecraft navigate an alternate reality where the Nazis won WWII while confronting cosmic entities.

Johannes Cabal: The Fall of the House of Cabal (2017) Johannes Cabal assembles a team to penetrate a mysterious house in his quest for the secret of life and death.

Terry Pratchett Combines fantasy worldbuilding with dry British humor and social commentary in his Discworld series. His characters navigate absurd situations while dealing with serious themes, similar to Howard's balance of darkness and wit.

Jim Butcher The Dresden Files series features a protagonist who deals with supernatural entities and makes questionable choices while maintaining a sardonic attitude. His urban fantasy incorporates detective elements and dark humor in a way that mirrors Howard's style.

Ben Aaronovitch Writes the Rivers of London series about a police officer dealing with supernatural crime in modern London. His mix of British bureaucracy, magic, and deadpan humor shares DNA with Howard's work.

Charles Stross The Laundry Files series combines Lovecraftian horror with bureaucratic comedy and modern technology. His approach to cosmic horror with a contemporary twist parallels Howard's treatment of supernatural themes.

Glen Cook The Garrett P.I. series merges fantasy with noir detective fiction, featuring a protagonist who navigates dangerous situations with cynical wit. His blend of genres and tone matches Howard's approach to storytelling.