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The Necromancer's Apprentice #2
Present Company
A master of the Dark Arts searches for his prized experiment. A commoner woman with a torn past seeks a new life. The story of death’s love and life’s fate, “Present Company” chronicles events preceding R.M. Prioleau’s novella, “The Necromancer’s Apprentice.”
6 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2013
9 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
R.M. Prioleau
9 books29 followersR.M. Prioleau is a game developer and artist by day; and a dangerous writer by night. Since childhood, she’s continued exploring new methods of expanding her skills and creativity as she delves into the realm of literary abandon. R.M. is a NaNoWriMo enthusiast, and has been active in the worldwide writing community since 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 7, 2017
Hmmm, a very vampiric tale. Just starting to enjoy short fiction and this is a good example.
January 28, 2015
Read it!
I found this story after reading one of the author's other short stories. This was a quick read but thoroughly enjoyable. The mix of the woman's yearning desire for him...and his desire of her for something completely different was entertaining.
I found this story after reading one of the author's other short stories. This was a quick read but thoroughly enjoyable. The mix of the woman's yearning desire for him...and his desire of her for something completely different was entertaining.
August 16, 2013
For a flash fiction story, Present Company was able to draw me in as a reader. It’s difficult to build up the anticipation that was in this story as it moved along. There was also little space to set up characters, but Prioleau was able to give me a picture of at least the Sir Dagg.
Even though it was an enjoyable, short read, I ended up needing a little more by the time I got to the end. That seems to be a common complaint for flash fiction, though it’s not normally much of an issue when I read. Part of the “wanting” I had at the end might be due to the author setting the reader up for the novella The Necromancer’s Apprentice. I do hope this is the case, because I’m intrigued enough at the end of Present Company to see where these characters go.
To summarize, there was some great writing here, but it was a little lacking. It’s still an enjoyable quick read for those with a few minutes to spare.
Even though it was an enjoyable, short read, I ended up needing a little more by the time I got to the end. That seems to be a common complaint for flash fiction, though it’s not normally much of an issue when I read. Part of the “wanting” I had at the end might be due to the author setting the reader up for the novella The Necromancer’s Apprentice. I do hope this is the case, because I’m intrigued enough at the end of Present Company to see where these characters go.
To summarize, there was some great writing here, but it was a little lacking. It’s still an enjoyable quick read for those with a few minutes to spare.
August 29, 2013
Having never really read much flash fiction in my life, I can not compare it to many. However, what I can tell is that I thought what I read was a pretty good story.
To be honest, I found it to be a little on th e short side. Everything happened so fast that I was kind of left like what?. I would love to see this extended because I think it holds potential for a great story.
I really liked what I read because I found it to be surprisingly engrossing.i love this author's short stories and I would definitely recommend you to check them out if you like novellas and short stories/flash fiction.
2.5/5 stars
To be honest, I found it to be a little on th e short side. Everything happened so fast that I was kind of left like what?. I would love to see this extended because I think it holds potential for a great story.
I really liked what I read because I found it to be surprisingly engrossing.i love this author's short stories and I would definitely recommend you to check them out if you like novellas and short stories/flash fiction.
2.5/5 stars
September 11, 2015
I didn't realize when I just read this that it was part of a series of books. Which makes sense now how it ended. It was just when i came in here that i saw that. im sure i saw that when i downloaded it from amazon, but i didnt remember that when i read it. Anyway it was a very intriguing flash fiction short story! I'm curious now about the other books to this series! It grabbed my attention from the first page!
November 26, 2014
Present Company
I now know what flash fiction is. It's fast. I was drawn into the story immediately. She thought that she was running towards freedom but all she gained was death. Then , " The End". No, I want more. A good read.
I now know what flash fiction is. It's fast. I was drawn into the story immediately. She thought that she was running towards freedom but all she gained was death. Then , " The End". No, I want more. A good read.
August 25, 2013
Very short, too short to get a good feel of it!!!
September 1, 2013
For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/presen... and follow me on Twitter at #josenher.
January 1, 2014
This short story left me too many questions to be a satisfying read. I didn't get a real sense of the characters, what he was or even much of a story.
July 1, 2017
Part 2 of 3
A very short story, just a few pages long. It is the second part of a three part series. Both parts two and three are very short tales that are basically a single encounter with the necromancer.
I didn't realize this was a trilogy when I first got this story. I have not read the main part of the story which is part one. So I am missing most of the overall tale. Parts 2 and 3 seem to be afterthoughts by the author that could be free teasers to get readers to buy part one.
A very short story, just a few pages long. It is the second part of a three part series. Both parts two and three are very short tales that are basically a single encounter with the necromancer.
I didn't realize this was a trilogy when I first got this story. I have not read the main part of the story which is part one. So I am missing most of the overall tale. Parts 2 and 3 seem to be afterthoughts by the author that could be free teasers to get readers to buy part one.
February 7, 2019
Immersive and intriguing
The writing is well done and immersive. Pacing is good and I love how much it told without saying too much; a great precursor and totally looking forward to reading more in this series.
The writing is well done and immersive. Pacing is good and I love how much it told without saying too much; a great precursor and totally looking forward to reading more in this series.
July 10, 2017
Intriguing!
If was short and to the point! Simple yet elegant vampire tale! I like that it was realistic and not sappy and sweet!
If was short and to the point! Simple yet elegant vampire tale! I like that it was realistic and not sappy and sweet!
February 3, 2019
It will leave you hanging
A fairly decent vampire take told in just 6pages. Well done, but the big drawback is no ending. It leaves you hanging.
A fairly decent vampire take told in just 6pages. Well done, but the big drawback is no ending. It leaves you hanging.
May 30, 2024
Can't wait to read the next book
Suspense and romance can't wait to read what happens next very soon hopefully R.M. Prioleau has more books like this
Suspense and romance can't wait to read what happens next very soon hopefully R.M. Prioleau has more books like this
October 8, 2013
Find this review and more at The A P Book Club
I'm not really sure what I expected from this Flash Fiction story, but I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Since the story is so short, I don't know how much I can tell you about it without spoiling it, so this review will be pretty quick.
Since reading The Necromancer's Apprentice this summer, I've been wondering about what the Necromancer was like before he met Jasmine. What did he do with the other "assistants?" Did he experiment on them, or did he treat them like Jasmine? Although this story is very short, we still get a glimpse into how he was before. And it's not pretty.
The commoner woman is also an interesting character. We know next to nothing about her, but I somehow felt like I could still connect with her. There are still a lot of questions I have, and even some new ones that this story brought up, but it was really interesting to see a little bit of the events leading up to The Necromancer's Apprentice.
I actually think I liked this story a little bit more. It's mysterious and dark, and there's quite a bit packed into only a few pages. If you're looking for a quick little Gothic fantasy, you should definitely check this one out. And if you read The Necromancer's Apprentice, this is one you won't want to miss! 3/5
I'm not really sure what I expected from this Flash Fiction story, but I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Since the story is so short, I don't know how much I can tell you about it without spoiling it, so this review will be pretty quick.
Since reading The Necromancer's Apprentice this summer, I've been wondering about what the Necromancer was like before he met Jasmine. What did he do with the other "assistants?" Did he experiment on them, or did he treat them like Jasmine? Although this story is very short, we still get a glimpse into how he was before. And it's not pretty.
The commoner woman is also an interesting character. We know next to nothing about her, but I somehow felt like I could still connect with her. There are still a lot of questions I have, and even some new ones that this story brought up, but it was really interesting to see a little bit of the events leading up to The Necromancer's Apprentice.
I actually think I liked this story a little bit more. It's mysterious and dark, and there's quite a bit packed into only a few pages. If you're looking for a quick little Gothic fantasy, you should definitely check this one out. And if you read The Necromancer's Apprentice, this is one you won't want to miss! 3/5
August 15, 2013
Not my normal cuppa , but I liked the writing style .
February 24, 2025
I wasn't expecting the ending. It has a very vampiric framing, then the end happens and you realize it isn't exactly what it seems.
August 25, 2017
A gripping little tale of lust and desire with a twist you anxiously anticipate. The atmosphere of this short story is so great from the language to the setting. A sinister read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews