Hold Me Closer, Necromancer

Gr 8 Up—Samhain LaCroix has an average life, until his dead friend's talking head arrives in a box in Lish McBride's humorous, dark tale (Holt, 2010). Sam learns he is a necromancer whose powers have been bound, and a potential threat to Douglas, a powerful necromancer, who killed his friend Brooke and reanimated her head. In one day, Sam goes from being a waiter at Plumpy's to running for his life from Douglas. After being captured, Sam meets Brid, a tough female hybrid and future leader of the werewolves in the Northwest. Brid and Sam are locked in a cage together and romance ensues, even though both of their lives are threatened by Douglas. In the meantime, Brid's family, Sam's best friend Ramon, and the rest of his family search for the pair. Jonathan Todd Ross voices Sam, relating the story from the boy's point of view and capturing his sense of humor. Chris Sorensen narrates the other characters, doing an excellent job of blending with Ross's vocal choices, while capturing perfectly the vileness of Douglas and the loyalty of Ramon. Despite the dark twists of the story, Sam makes listeners laugh aloud, while gasping at Douglas's horrible actions. McBride keeps the characters true to their personalities throughout this e story that is full of questions about trust, loyalty, and the things that make us family. A William C. Morris Award finalist.—Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY