Johannes Cabal the Necromancer

I haven't laughed this hard at a book since Good Omens.

To sum up the feel of this book, it is written in such a way that it would adapt easily to a Tim Burton movie. There is not a lot of backstory or exposition in the book. It takes off seemingly in the middle of the story and goes from there. This is not necessarily a bad thing as this can bog down the beginning of a story. It begins with Johannes Cabal descending into Hell attempting to gain...more

To sum up the feel of this book, it is written in such a way that it would adapt easily to a Tim Burton movie. There is not a lot of backstory or exposition in the book. It takes off seemingly in the middle of the story and goes from there. This is not necessarily a bad thing as this can bog down the beginning of a story. It begins with Johannes Cabal descending into Hell attempting to gain an audience with Satan. Years ago Johannes signed away his soul in order to further his research into necromancy. But because his lack of soul is skewing the scientific results of his research, he is determined to win it back. Satan makes Cabal a deal -- have 100 souls signed over to him within a year and he will have his own returned. Satan even assists with providing Cabal with a carnival, certain to attract the most depraved people. The book was enjoyable and a page-turner within being very affecting. There was no real emotional investment in the characters, although the very end was touching and gave meaning to Cabal's motivation. I was happy to hear there is a followup with the further adventures of this character.   hide

Not a very new story, but a very entertaining, well told spin on a very old one. Johannes Cabal must gather 100 souls for Satan in exchange for his own or his life will be forfeit too. I was reminded of one of my favorite books, Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, and yet this story was not really reminiscent of anything but a good story. A good read for people who like words. Highly...more

Not a very new story, but a very entertaining, well told spin on a very old one. Johannes Cabal must gather 100 souls for Satan in exchange for his own or his life will be forfeit too. I was reminded of one of my favorite books, Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, and yet this story was not really reminiscent of anything but a good story. A good read for people who like words. Highly recommended.   hide

Attention all linguists: Finished reading The Necromancer - Howard. This book was dark and fun to read. Keep a dictionary handy, some of my favorite words: florid termagant (blushing quarlesome woman), agalmatophilia (aroused by statues or mannequins), peripatetic (walking about (see itinerant - another great word)), imprecation (to invoke an evil curse).

Loved this book, really entertaining!

I could not get in to it. Also, the whole British grammar really got to me. It's realiZe not realiSe. I thought this book was going to be really good, I mean...it has the devil and a freak show! I finished it in about a week and the last two pages took me two days. I COULD NOT GET THREW IT!

Great read for fall

This book showed up in the "if you like Gaimon" list at a local book store so i gave it a shot. And what a wonderful read it is. If you like your humor dark, your bad guys only slightly worse than the good guys, deals with the devil, and traveling carnivals, pick this up.

Absolutely wonderful. Incredibly funny and the plot is great. I really couldn't put it down. I'd venture so far as to say it's a type of Harry Potter but much darker and extremely more witty.