Hold Me Closer, Necromancer

Sam is a Seattle college dropout working at a fast-food restaurant when he discovers he possesses powers as a necromancer. His normal life transforms after a dangerous encounter with Douglas, a powerful necromancer who rules the local supernatural community through fear and violence. With the help of friends both living and dead, Sam must learn to control his abilities while evading Douglas's threats. The story follows Sam's journey from minimum-wage worker to reluctant supernatural player as he navigates werewolf politics, family secrets, and the complexities of raising the dead. Sam's sarcastic humor and pop culture references maintain a light tone even as the plot ventures into dark territory. Scenes alternate between Sam's perspective and those of other key characters caught in the conflict. This urban fantasy explores themes of power and responsibility, questioning whether abilities define destiny. Through Sam's experiences, the story examines how ordinary people adapt when thrust into extraordinary circumstances.

Readers describe this book as a blend of humor and horror with strong Pacific Northwest atmosphere. The tone shifts between comedy and darkness resonated with YA and urban fantasy fans. Liked: - Fast-paced plot that balances light and dark elements - Natural-feeling dialogue and banter between characters - LGBTQ representation that feels organic to the story - Seattle setting details and local references Disliked: - Some found the humor too forced or juvenile - Character development felt rushed in places - Several readers wanted more depth to the magic system - Romance subplot described as predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (24,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (200+ reviews) Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (90+ reviews) Common reader comments note the book works best as a light, entertaining read rather than serious urban fantasy. Multiple reviews compare the style to Christopher Moore's works, with one calling it "Shaun of the Dead meets urban fantasy."

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✧ The author, Lish McBride, wrote most of Hold Me Closer, Necromancer while working as a bookseller at Third Place Books in Seattle, Washington. ✧ The book's title is a play on "Hold Me Closer, Tiny Dancer," a famous Elton John song from 1971. ✧ McBride's debut novel was named a William C. Morris Honor Book, recognizing it as one of the best young adult debuts of 2010. ✧ The story incorporates elements of Pacific Northwest folklore and is set in Seattle, where supernatural elements blend seamlessly with real locations familiar to locals. ✧ The author wrote the book's fight scenes while listening to heavy metal music, particularly Metallica, to help capture the right intensity and pacing.