The Necromancer's Apprentice by Beverly Twomey

Heading back into the realms of creepiness to ring in October, today's read dives into the world of necromancy. I'll admit that I'm hitting this one with a bit of caution, since Necromancy isn't usually a middle grade theme (is it?). But I'm hoping the author twists everything just right to create a wonderful read. 

THE NECROMANCER'S APPRENTICE

by Beverly Twomey

Snowy Wings Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy

236 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

OCTOBER 1st!!!

Georgie would do anything to help his father—even learn the dying art of necromancy.

Twelve-year-old Georgie works hard to care for his grieving father while keeping his nosy younger cousin out of trouble. But when his father begins to decline even further, Georgie decides to bring back the one person who could do it all: his deceased mother.

The local Necromancer is an awkward and solitary man with an ancient black cat and a literal skeleton in his closet. With a few words, he can cause a dead sparrow to fly, stop an animated skeleton in its place, and even speak to the dead themselves. Georgie is quickly swept away into a world of skeletal horrors, abandoned graves, and wizard duels where woodland creatures arm themselves against the undead. But can he convince the Necromancer to resurrect his mother in time?

Perfect for fans of Diana Wynne Jones and T. Kingfisher, The Necromancer's Apprentice is a whimsical take on the process of grieving and learning to live again.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

A well-crafted swirl of dark undertones, clever puns, curiosity, hope and grief catch the reader up in an engaging adventure.

Georgie's mother died when he was young, and he barely can remember her. His father cares for him quite a bit but is closed off due to his own grief much of the time. Georgie himself isn't exactly extroverted and while not bothered by anyone but the town bullies, feels a bit out of place. When Georgie helps a local blacksmith to deliver a commissioned chain to the nearby necromancer, a whole new world of possibilities opens up...and horrors. While it's exciting and dangerous, at times, Georgie decides he has one new goal' he wants the Necromancer to resurrect his mother.

This read dives into the darker side of fantasy and is sure to delight those readers, who enjoy treading into creepier tones, dangerous situations, and unsettling twists...and it does this without leaving the middle grade range. While the shadowed side of death magic takes the tale in a dreary and adventurous direction, it also snuggles up well with the main thread surrounding Georgie's grief and his emotional struggles.  Not that this message overpowers the fun. Instead of tiptoeing into preachiness, Georgie's inner struggles give depth to the grabbing adventure and make him a character to root for and enjoy.

While there are heavier tones, the author also slides in wisdom and puns, which are hit with their quirkiness to draw smiles. Especially the Necromancer surprises with his personality, and Georgie's cousin adds bursts of unexpected sunshine. It slides in just enough playfulness to lighten up the shadows as the adventure rolls along and draws in. Each character is interesting, and there's never a dull moment as one odd situation after the other keeps Georgie on his toes. The ending also hits with a different twist, which while not all roses and perfect rainbows, fits right in the stream of the plot, gives a satisfying conclusion with meaning, and promises of (maybe ?) a tale to come...which would be a treat but even without, this is wonderful on its own.

And here she is...

Beverly Twomey was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. For over ten years, she has worked as a used bookseller which has greatly expanded her personal Tolkien collection. When she is not lost in the stacks, she can be found drinking vast amounts of tea, snuggling with her two cats, reading fantasy novels, writing in the wee hours of the morning and plotting ways to play more Dungeons and Dragons.