Reviewed by Donna
SERIES: The Necromancer’s Smile
AUTHOR: Lisa Oliver
PUBLISHER: Self Published
TITLE: The Necromancer’s Smile
LENGTH: 202 Pages
RELEASE DATE: March 6, 2018
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Detective Dakar Rhodes is an alpha wolf shifter who’s short on sleep and patience. Called to yet another crime scene, definitely the work of a serial killer, he’s shocked to learn the Pedace Police Department has a Necromancer as a consultant. Considering he’d moved to Pedace because of the lack of a coven in the area, he wasn’t pleased with the new development. His previous dealings with magic users never ended well. But when ordered to show the consultant the respect befitting his position, Dakar bites his tongue and longs for a swift conclusion to the case.
Necromancer Prince Sebastian York, or Sy to his friends, has a real issue with people. He doesn’t like or trust them, but because of his position, he has to deal with them. Dead people are so much easier – at least they don’t want anything from him. But Sy has been raised to do his duty and when he’s called to a crime scene, he doesn’t expect anything much to happen beyond talking to a few spirits. The last thing he thought he’d find is a wolf shifter claiming to be his mate.
One short meeting has a wealth of repercussions. Finding a serial killer is easy; coping with relationships is anything but. Demons, journalists, long held grudges and a familiar with loyalty issues all combine to make for a hectic time. It’s a case of one step forward, two steps back for Dakar and Sy, but when evil comes calling will they be able to rely on each other for a chance at an HEA?
REVIEW:
So, I’m going to start this review with the disclaimer that I know Lisa Oliver’s books are never going to be described as well edited. I dive into her books fully aware that I’m going to notice wrong words used or words missed from sentences, though I’ll also add that the magnitude of the errors have been significantly improved upon since those early Cloverleah Pack stories. Usually that would annoy me enough that I would abandon an author, but Lisa Oliver’s series are just too darn addictive to give up. They are the kind of books I love to turn to when I need something I can guarantee will keep me entertained with the most light hearted angst possible, and scads of squishy happy feelings. I’ve read books from most of her series, but I do believe these Necromancer stories may be her best writing yet.
This first book sets the scene in a world where paranormals were outed to humans about fifty years previous, and for the most part they’re accepted. Necromancers such as Sy are revered as paranormal royalty, like rockstars amongst those less gifted, and Sy cultivates that elitist attitude as a safety barrier between himself and the rest of the world. His pretty boy goth looks and his flamboyantly fiery appearances hide the fact that Sy is a bit of a hopeless character. And I absolutely adored him! OMG, how could anyone not love Sy? He actually talks to his penis when it doesn’t behave as he wants it to. He’s awkward and innocent, but at the same time he seems like an old soul – I so love that saying. Dakar was an interesting character too, and the secondary characters, particularly Brock were well developed and added extensively to the story, but for me the series was all about Sy.
The plot surrounding the serial killer was extremely interesting and well thought out. I really enjoyed reading along as Dakar, Sy and their friends attempted to solve the murders and save the remaining missing boys. I loved the fact that Sy being a necromancer meant that the murdered boys were able to be present characters and assist in the apprehension of the person who had killed them.
This first book is well written to create a world that we want to rush back to, to discover just what is going to happen to Dakar and Sy next, with so many possibilities still needing further exploration.
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TITLE: The Necromancer’s Smile 2: A Family Affair
LENGTH: 386 Pages
RELEASE DATE: May 26, 2018
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(This is not a standalone)
Necromancer Sy York and former Detective, Alpha wolf Dakar Rhodes are slowly learning to merge their lives together as true mates. With the steadfast Brock and loyal Brad, as well as Connor and Clive all sharing the estate with them, for the first time in his life, Sy feels as though he has a family around him.
But just as Sy’s starts to get used to his new life, an uninvited guest to his party brings trouble to the family group. Sy’s father has been scheming in the background for ten years and arrives complete with Sy’s new bride. Just as Sy remembers from when he was growing up, his father flatly refuses to accept Sy and Dakar’s mating and an angrily thrown power ball is just the start of the couple’s problems. To add mayhem to a volatile situation, Dakar isn’t handling the threat to his mating very well.
Dakar knew Sy was more powerful than him from the moment they met and has told himself a dozen times a day it didn’t matter. But a person’s inner thoughts have a way of exposing themselves, especially when magic users are involved. Angry and frustrated, Dakar lashes out – could this be the end of his and Sy’s mating before it even has time to settle down?
REVIEW:
This story follows right on from where the first book finished.
The large house that was once occupied by Sy and Brock is becoming a home, and the collection of characters who somehow came together in the first book are becoming a family. Unfortunately, speaking of family, Sy’s parents have invited themselves to visit and they’ve brought along a bride for our gay and happily mated necromancer.
When I saw the page count for this book I thought maybe it was wrong. It seems very long for this sort of book. And I don’t mean anything negative by “this sort of book”, I just mean that it’s a standard kind of paranormal romance. But the author made this book so interesting and entertaining that I didn’t even notice that it went on for longer than is the norm. In fact I didn’t want it to end.
While the relationships formed in the first book continue to develop here we are also introduced to more secondary characters and are teased with possible future love interests. Both main characters’ families come into play and the contrast between them makes for interesting reading. And there is drama. So much family drama, which is my very favourite kind. I do love me some over the top evil parents. But it wasn’t just Sy’s parents who were causing him troubles. His mating with Dakar is also experiencing some bumps, as alpha wolf Dakar struggles to accept the fact that Sy is stronger than he is. I kinda wanted to beat Dakar over the head with a big stick, but I can’t deny it made for some issues between the loved up couple that were rather realistic – well, as realistic as any relationship between a shifter and a necromancer could be! As I said in my review of the first book, this series is all about Sy as far as I’m concerned. And the spunky little necromancer really came into his own in this story.
This book ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, leading us into the third and (allegedly) final book in the trilogy. Obviously to be called a trilogy there can only be three books but anyone who reads Lisa Oliver is very aware that this very prolific author will likely struggle to limit herself to three books. A spinoff is always a hope we can cling to! Meanwhile, I believe the next book is due out some time soon, so there’s no need to wait, you should start reading now.
RATING:
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