Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: The Necromancer’s Reckoning

SERIES: Beacon Hill Sorcerer #3

AUTHOR: SJ Himes

NARRATOR: Joel Leslie

PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio

RELEASE DATE: October 22, 2019

LENGTH: 9 hours, 31 minutes

BLURB:

For a decade, Angel Salvatore has been the most powerful sorcerer and only necromancer in all the Northeast. Never one to ask permission nor apologies, he has acted with near impunity for years.

The High Council of Sorcery has come to Boston, and Angel is their target. Charged with numerous violations of practitioner laws, his freedom and family are placed in jeopardy.

If found guilty, Angel’s apprentice Daniel will be imprisoned to serve out the remaining years of his apprenticeship. Isaac, his brother, is too vulnerable to be left unguarded, and Angel fears for his sanity and health. And Simeon, Elder vampire and Angel’s mate, refuses to see Angel convicted under the laws of the Council and his actions to keep Angel free threaten to start a war that could destroy their world. And Angel faces the severest of punishments – the castration of his gifts.

Dealing with an impending trial, a wayward ghost, and a grave-robbing ring of thieves leaves Angel on the edge. He thinks he may have a handle on things until violence erupts across the city, and a stranger comes to town…a stranger with his own dark powers of necromancy.

REVIEW:

I think that this might be my favourite book in the series so far. It felt more real in some ways, definitely more emotional. We saw more of both Daniel, Angel’s apprentice, and his brother Isaac. Both were struggling in their own way, and boy did I ever wish to give them both a hug.

These books have always been as much about navigating the powers that be and the politics behind it all as it has been about the love between Angel and Simeon. Their love and mate bond is as strong as ever, or rather even more powerful, causing some pretty interesting changes for them both. They are solid as a couple and actually kind of drama free. The drama this time around comes from The High Council of Sorcery. They are threatening to imprison Daniel of Angel don’t play by their rules. Needless to say that Angel and the rest of the gang are not interested in this – cue an epic power play that might not end the way that they wanted, and one that will bring a few surprises along the way.

I find Eroch, the dragon familiar, more and more fascinating. I loved the chapter that was told from his POV – I want more of it. Maybe even a short story of his adventures.  No I definitely want a story with him as the main character, it would be epic and so much fun! Anyway, I’m off track again. I love how this tiny (and not so tiny) dragon has bonded with everyone, how connected they all are. How he can be all cute and cuddly in one minute and fierce and protective in the next. I also have the feeling we’ve also only begun to scratch the surface of what this familiar can do and who he is.

I still have this feeling that something is brewing, something is coming. I don’t know what or when but it’s looming somewhere in the background tugging strings and moving the players around. I’m loving every second of this uncertainty, the second guessing, the wat if’s. I have no doubt that our guys will stand victorious in the end, but I’m also certain that they might just have to take the detour passed hell to get there.

This book could definitely have been really confusing. It’s told from at least 5 different POV’s, and head hopping is something that easily confuses and trips the listener up. Joel Leslie made it a non-issue with his clear and different voices. There was never any problem knowing who was speaking or relating the story. And just how he can so (in my world) portray a dragon familiar I will never know – but he did it perfectly.

I’m really, really, looking forward to Isaac’s story in the spring, I’m thinking it will be a lot of fun watching him and Constantine dance around each other. I’m also hoping there will be a book about Daniel somewhere down the line.

RATING:

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