Review: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer-Lish McBride
Publisher: Henry Holt
Publication Date: October 10th
Source: We Love YA Tours
Author Website

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?
(Amazon)

This is one of those times where I've written a shorter review, because if I talked about everything I wanted to say, my review would be three thousand words! This book is a pretty rare find. This is not really a boy book nor a girl book. If you're looking for a book to give the teenage boy in your life-or if you are a teenage boy? You will love this book. That said, girls will love it too, because Sam is such a great protagonist.

We meet Sam at a pretty low point in his life. He's realized his error in dropping out of college, and spends his days working at Plumpy's fast food emporium, and his nights hanging with his friends in an apartment he can't afford. His life changes forever when Douglas enters Plumpy's.  Douglas is the creepiest villain I've seen in a book in a long time. Douglas is a necromancer, and guess what? Sam is too.

Sam has a lot to learn-and fast. The events that unfold are hilariously weird. There are so many great characters in this book, Sam's family, his kooky friends who care for him, and the supernatural folks are something out of the waiting room in the movie Beetlejuice.

You can't help but root for Sam as he figures out his path in life. I'm not sure if this book is going to be a series or if this is a standalone book, but I have to say, I would love it if it were a series. There is a satisfying conclusion, but it does leave you longing for more.

This book would be a great pick for any Halloween challenge or just to get you in the spirit for the holiday. Creepy and a bit scary-but not enough to make you sleep with the lights on.