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The Catseye Chronicles #1
Hopeless Necromantic
Sticks and stones may break their bones, but he'll just resurrect them.
Four years ago, Sikras 'Catseye' Nikabod had it all: a beautiful wife, friends and family, and the endless luxuries that came with being the all-powerful necromancer to the queen.
Now, his brother-in-law is a walking corpse, he's wanted for tax evasion, his oldest friend, Vessik, has slaughtered thousands of the queen's people with a skeleton army, and his wife is dead. Sort of.
With the kingdom under threat, it's only natural for the queen to task Sikras with the totally normal, not-at-all-cruel chore of brutally murdering his dearest friend. Sure. Great. It's not like he already failed to stop Vessik's reign of terror twice or anything.
Turns out, it's hard to kill a monster when you can't stop remembering the good man he used to be. Harder still when you're pretty sure his descent into madness is kind of, sort of, hypothetically ... all your fault.
Raise a glass. Raise the dead. Just don't raise your hopes.
Four years ago, Sikras 'Catseye' Nikabod had it all: a beautiful wife, friends and family, and the endless luxuries that came with being the all-powerful necromancer to the queen.
Now, his brother-in-law is a walking corpse, he's wanted for tax evasion, his oldest friend, Vessik, has slaughtered thousands of the queen's people with a skeleton army, and his wife is dead. Sort of.
With the kingdom under threat, it's only natural for the queen to task Sikras with the totally normal, not-at-all-cruel chore of brutally murdering his dearest friend. Sure. Great. It's not like he already failed to stop Vessik's reign of terror twice or anything.
Turns out, it's hard to kill a monster when you can't stop remembering the good man he used to be. Harder still when you're pretty sure his descent into madness is kind of, sort of, hypothetically ... all your fault.
Raise a glass. Raise the dead. Just don't raise your hopes.
343 pages, ebook
First published October 29, 2024
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June 8, 2026I suspect I need more pink haired demons and necromancers and sentient skeletons named Benjamin in my life.
May 13, 2026
Umm wow.
That was unexpectedly deep and nuanced. Layers upon layers of symbolism and hard hitting quotable lines.
I’ll need a bit to let them marinate but 10/10 no notes.
The physical manifestation of not letting go when a love one has passed on. Damn. I just. Wow.
Full RTC
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Thank you Orbit for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
That was unexpectedly deep and nuanced. Layers upon layers of symbolism and hard hitting quotable lines.
I’ll need a bit to let them marinate but 10/10 no notes.
The physical manifestation of not letting go when a love one has passed on. Damn. I just. Wow.
Full RTC
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Orbit for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
”I don’t choose paths for those i love anymore. I only choose to stand beside them if the path they pick turns out to be rockier than expected.”
as much as this is a fun time due to the characters banter with each other and the dark humor, it also balances out with more emotional beats when needed. Sikras is a necromancer who hasn’t come to terms with the grief of losing his wife and Benjamin, his brother in law and best friend.
Sikras uses a lot of his power to keep Benjamin’s skeleton animated and is in denial about everything. Benjamin is my favorite, what a completely loyal and forgiving person, who just doesn’t hold any grudges. he was so willing to just stay and keep Sikras company, even if all he truly wanted was to be put to proper rest.
Helspira is a demon, so she’s not really accepted.. but Benjamin made sure she knew she was with them. the romance between Helspira and Sikras was so sweet too, even the dynamic between Sikras and the antagonist of the story Vessik had layers to it as well. im pleasantly surprised by this, the characters were so entertaining.
➻ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Orbit books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
as much as this is a fun time due to the characters banter with each other and the dark humor, it also balances out with more emotional beats when needed. Sikras is a necromancer who hasn’t come to terms with the grief of losing his wife and Benjamin, his brother in law and best friend.
Sikras uses a lot of his power to keep Benjamin’s skeleton animated and is in denial about everything. Benjamin is my favorite, what a completely loyal and forgiving person, who just doesn’t hold any grudges. he was so willing to just stay and keep Sikras company, even if all he truly wanted was to be put to proper rest.
Helspira is a demon, so she’s not really accepted.. but Benjamin made sure she knew she was with them. the romance between Helspira and Sikras was so sweet too, even the dynamic between Sikras and the antagonist of the story Vessik had layers to it as well. im pleasantly surprised by this, the characters were so entertaining.
➻ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Orbit books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
April 29, 2026
Bone appetit! I appreciated this a skele-ton.
Sikras "Catseye" Nikabod, a disgraced royal necromancer, grieving his dead his wife killed by his best friend’s sudden evilness is coaxed out of isolation by a new recruit (demon), Helspira. They must take down the undead army with the help of Sikras’s brother-in-law (a skeleton kept alive using most of Sikras’s energy).
“I’m thirty-something years old. I’m tired. A sedated animal eases into the morning with more swiftness. Shouldn’t this whole save the kingdom business fall to a plucky teenager with untamed magical prowess and a heart of gold hiding beneath their hormonal aggression?”
Expect a story of healing, bone jokes, and sweet connections between three characters.
I have to admit that the romance was very light and instantaneous, but the trust and friendship between all three were touching.
Despite the darker topics of grief and denial, the tone is light and the stakes always felt relatively low despite the deadly danger.
There is nothing more powerful than words, and not just the ones that initiate spells. Words can start a war, or break someone’s heart, or turn children into monsters. They cut deeper than any metal. Spread faster than any poison. Perhaps most frightening of all, anyone can wield them, and precious few know just how powerful they can be. But words can heal as much as they hurt.
This isn’t a standalone! It finishes in a satisfying position, so you aren’t left gnawing at the bone ;).
Overall, a lighthearted read with fun humour that felt quite surface level.
Physical arc gifted by Orbit.
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Sikras "Catseye" Nikabod, a disgraced royal necromancer, grieving his dead his wife killed by his best friend’s sudden evilness is coaxed out of isolation by a new recruit (demon), Helspira. They must take down the undead army with the help of Sikras’s brother-in-law (a skeleton kept alive using most of Sikras’s energy).
“I’m thirty-something years old. I’m tired. A sedated animal eases into the morning with more swiftness. Shouldn’t this whole save the kingdom business fall to a plucky teenager with untamed magical prowess and a heart of gold hiding beneath their hormonal aggression?”
Expect a story of healing, bone jokes, and sweet connections between three characters.
I have to admit that the romance was very light and instantaneous, but the trust and friendship between all three were touching.
Despite the darker topics of grief and denial, the tone is light and the stakes always felt relatively low despite the deadly danger.
There is nothing more powerful than words, and not just the ones that initiate spells. Words can start a war, or break someone’s heart, or turn children into monsters. They cut deeper than any metal. Spread faster than any poison. Perhaps most frightening of all, anyone can wield them, and precious few know just how powerful they can be. But words can heal as much as they hurt.
This isn’t a standalone! It finishes in a satisfying position, so you aren’t left gnawing at the bone ;).
Overall, a lighthearted read with fun humour that felt quite surface level.
Physical arc gifted by Orbit.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
January 27, 2026
thank you to orbit books US and NetGalley for the arc!
honest thoughts below:
four years ago sikras "catseye" nikabod had everything a man could want. a wife he adored, loyal friends, a found family, and the privilege of serving as the queen’s all powerful necromancer. now his brother in law is a walking corpse he is wanted for tax evasion his oldest friend vessik has slaughtered thousands with a skeleton army and his wife is dead sort-of.
with the kingdom on the brink, the queen tasks sikras with killing the one person he has already failed to stop twice. a man whose descent into madness may be sikras’s fault.
the dedication alone sets the emotional tone. “to everyone out there who is still waiting to get better. healing is hard. but not healing is hard too and honestly if it’s going to suck either way you might as well get something out of it. i’m rooting for you.” this book takes that idea seriously. healing is not pretty here. it is exhausting, repetitive, and deeply human.
there are no slow parts. the story begins immediately and the journey is in motion within the first 5%.
sikras is our main character and from the very first pages we know exactly what he has lost. his wife. his best friend. his sense of purpose. his voice is sharp, tired, and darkly funny. “saelihn i’m thirty something years old. i’m tired. a sedated animal eases into the morning with more swiftness. shouldn’t this whole save the kingdom business fall to a plucky teenager with untamed magical prowess and a heart of gold hiding beneath their hormonal aggression?” the humor is not there to soften the pain. it is there because sometimes that is the only way to survive it because “if you don’t laugh, you cry.”
benjamin. sikras's brother in-law. ben may quite literally be the reason sikras stayed on this earth and that responsibility hums beneath every interaction. ben is brave and kind and relentlessly himself. shiloh allows us to love a side character as fiercely as the main cast!
when ben meets helspira it is immediately clear why he stands out. most people treat her like an enemy the moment they learn she’s a demon. ben instead offers companionship. “the night is young. there’s still time. but since it seems everyone’s about as keen to talk to demons as they are to sentient sacks of bones how about we form an alliance until the public develops some taste for good company?” in a book about prejudice fear and survival that moment matters. kindness matters.
and helspira. my lovely lovely helspira. she is grace. she is gentleness chosen over and over again in a world that gives her every reason to harden. it would have been easy to make her sharp or cynical or cruel for survival. instead she is kind without being weak. soft without being naive. she believes in people even when they fail her.
the romance between the MCs is a slow slow slow burn. i mean truly glacial. at 75% he offers to take her to bed and means a literal bed for only safety and rest. at 91% they touch hands romantically. and it is worth every second of waiting. “i don’t think i remember what it’s like to be happy. but she makes me forget i’m miserable.” HELLO!
hopeless necromantic is a story about healing, friendship, love, and choosing to keep going even when it hurts. you will likely cry. and somehow, while you do, you will feel rooted for. because we were never meant to heal alone.
honest thoughts below:
four years ago sikras "catseye" nikabod had everything a man could want. a wife he adored, loyal friends, a found family, and the privilege of serving as the queen’s all powerful necromancer. now his brother in law is a walking corpse he is wanted for tax evasion his oldest friend vessik has slaughtered thousands with a skeleton army and his wife is dead sort-of.
with the kingdom on the brink, the queen tasks sikras with killing the one person he has already failed to stop twice. a man whose descent into madness may be sikras’s fault.
the dedication alone sets the emotional tone. “to everyone out there who is still waiting to get better. healing is hard. but not healing is hard too and honestly if it’s going to suck either way you might as well get something out of it. i’m rooting for you.” this book takes that idea seriously. healing is not pretty here. it is exhausting, repetitive, and deeply human.
there are no slow parts. the story begins immediately and the journey is in motion within the first 5%.
sikras is our main character and from the very first pages we know exactly what he has lost. his wife. his best friend. his sense of purpose. his voice is sharp, tired, and darkly funny. “saelihn i’m thirty something years old. i’m tired. a sedated animal eases into the morning with more swiftness. shouldn’t this whole save the kingdom business fall to a plucky teenager with untamed magical prowess and a heart of gold hiding beneath their hormonal aggression?” the humor is not there to soften the pain. it is there because sometimes that is the only way to survive it because “if you don’t laugh, you cry.”
benjamin. sikras's brother in-law. ben may quite literally be the reason sikras stayed on this earth and that responsibility hums beneath every interaction. ben is brave and kind and relentlessly himself. shiloh allows us to love a side character as fiercely as the main cast!
when ben meets helspira it is immediately clear why he stands out. most people treat her like an enemy the moment they learn she’s a demon. ben instead offers companionship. “the night is young. there’s still time. but since it seems everyone’s about as keen to talk to demons as they are to sentient sacks of bones how about we form an alliance until the public develops some taste for good company?” in a book about prejudice fear and survival that moment matters. kindness matters.
and helspira. my lovely lovely helspira. she is grace. she is gentleness chosen over and over again in a world that gives her every reason to harden. it would have been easy to make her sharp or cynical or cruel for survival. instead she is kind without being weak. soft without being naive. she believes in people even when they fail her.
the romance between the MCs is a slow slow slow burn. i mean truly glacial. at 75% he offers to take her to bed and means a literal bed for only safety and rest. at 91% they touch hands romantically. and it is worth every second of waiting. “i don’t think i remember what it’s like to be happy. but she makes me forget i’m miserable.” HELLO!
hopeless necromantic is a story about healing, friendship, love, and choosing to keep going even when it hurts. you will likely cry. and somehow, while you do, you will feel rooted for. because we were never meant to heal alone.
November 1, 2024
My main criticism would be (and it's not a criticism) that the Necromantic was never, as a matter of fact, Hopeless.
Sikras has many, many faults; you could argue that he is mostly faults, but throughout the entire book he holds on to love, light, joy, goodness - and hope - with a white-knuckled, reckless intensity that is both ill-advised and inspiring.
I've always liked stories about goodness (not morality, per se), and took offense at people insinuating that the concept was boring, old-fashioned or simplistic.
The characters in this book (with the glaring exception that'll be obvious once you read it) are good - and still in constant conflict with each other, the world and themselves. Because being good is HARD and it doesn't always come naturally to us, and it doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. But it's the only thing worth doing, especially when the world is so often unkind.
Now, don't get me wrong. This man is sooooo poorly adjusted. These coping skills are wretched. There's so many stupid, inappropriate jokes, there's so much violence (thank the gods, I needed that after reading so much YA this year) and so much swearing. There's honestly far more sex talk than I am generally comfortable with. But like. That's why it's fun, right?
Sikras has many, many faults; you could argue that he is mostly faults, but throughout the entire book he holds on to love, light, joy, goodness - and hope - with a white-knuckled, reckless intensity that is both ill-advised and inspiring.
I've always liked stories about goodness (not morality, per se), and took offense at people insinuating that the concept was boring, old-fashioned or simplistic.
The characters in this book (with the glaring exception that'll be obvious once you read it) are good - and still in constant conflict with each other, the world and themselves. Because being good is HARD and it doesn't always come naturally to us, and it doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. But it's the only thing worth doing, especially when the world is so often unkind.
Now, don't get me wrong. This man is sooooo poorly adjusted. These coping skills are wretched. There's so many stupid, inappropriate jokes, there's so much violence (thank the gods, I needed that after reading so much YA this year) and so much swearing. There's honestly far more sex talk than I am generally comfortable with. But like. That's why it's fun, right?
May 17, 2026
Imagine Astarion and Karlach sharing a single brain cell and a doomed quest, and you’re halfway to understanding how much I love this dynamic.
Helspira is a soldier on a total suicide mission, and Sikras is this frustratingly handsome necromancer who has already failed this exact mission twice. Their chemistry is just elite.
A few reasons why I loved this: I was literally cackling out loud the entire time. The wit and the dry, morbid humor are so spot-on. I just KNOW Shiloh Briar is the funniest person at the party. The found family aspect is also great; underneath all the necromancy and the impending doom of an undead army, it’s just incredibly wholesome.
And Benjamin? He is a reanimated skeleton companion who tries desperately not to be a third wheel, and he literally has the soul of a cinnamon roll. I would protect him with my life.
If you love fantasy romance but want something that’s actually hilarious and cozy, you need to read Hopeless Necromantic immediately. The banter is top tier.
4.5 Stars ⭐️
It's giving Astarion x Karlach NEED RIGHT NOW and UPDATE: Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for answering my prayers and sending me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review 😭😭😭🧡🧡🧡
Helspira is a soldier on a total suicide mission, and Sikras is this frustratingly handsome necromancer who has already failed this exact mission twice. Their chemistry is just elite.
A few reasons why I loved this: I was literally cackling out loud the entire time. The wit and the dry, morbid humor are so spot-on. I just KNOW Shiloh Briar is the funniest person at the party. The found family aspect is also great; underneath all the necromancy and the impending doom of an undead army, it’s just incredibly wholesome.
And Benjamin? He is a reanimated skeleton companion who tries desperately not to be a third wheel, and he literally has the soul of a cinnamon roll. I would protect him with my life.
If you love fantasy romance but want something that’s actually hilarious and cozy, you need to read Hopeless Necromantic immediately. The banter is top tier.
4.5 Stars ⭐️
It's giving Astarion x Karlach NEED RIGHT NOW and UPDATE: Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for answering my prayers and sending me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review 😭😭😭🧡🧡🧡
June 4, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
i was expecting whimsy, which i did receive, but it also made me sad 😭
this is surprisingly deep and heavily centered around loss, grief, and doing the right thing even though it's painful. there development of the romance between the two characters felt well-paced and genuine, and it's a connection that isn't built around physical attraction first and foremost, which is always appreciated. we also have a fun side character, good times.
**thank you to Orbit for the ARC copy**
i was expecting whimsy, which i did receive, but it also made me sad 😭
this is surprisingly deep and heavily centered around loss, grief, and doing the right thing even though it's painful. there development of the romance between the two characters felt well-paced and genuine, and it's a connection that isn't built around physical attraction first and foremost, which is always appreciated. we also have a fun side character, good times.
**thank you to Orbit for the ARC copy**
January 23, 2026
The only thing truly HOPELESS about this book is how I felt after finishing the last few lines.
Hopeless Necromantic will whittle away at even the coldest, deadest hearts and warm you up, make you chuckle, cry and leave you holding your kindle close to your heart saying "I NEED MORE"
Sikras, a sarcastic, neurotic necromancer with the power to raise the dead is commissioned (or volun-told) by his queen to assist in stopping an undead army at the edges of the kingdom. His assigned companion? Helspira, a demon in the queen's army. Sikras begrudgingly goes, as long his best friend and former brother in law Benjamin can join. Did he mention Benjamin is a walking, talking skeleton?
As the three move from one adventure to another, secrets are spilled and feelings from the past are uncovered.
Truly, every moment of this book is perfect. I was so sad to finish it, but have been promised by the author that more from the gang is to come!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit Books and the author for a copy!
Hopeless Necromantic will whittle away at even the coldest, deadest hearts and warm you up, make you chuckle, cry and leave you holding your kindle close to your heart saying "I NEED MORE"
Sikras, a sarcastic, neurotic necromancer with the power to raise the dead is commissioned (or volun-told) by his queen to assist in stopping an undead army at the edges of the kingdom. His assigned companion? Helspira, a demon in the queen's army. Sikras begrudgingly goes, as long his best friend and former brother in law Benjamin can join. Did he mention Benjamin is a walking, talking skeleton?
As the three move from one adventure to another, secrets are spilled and feelings from the past are uncovered.
Truly, every moment of this book is perfect. I was so sad to finish it, but have been promised by the author that more from the gang is to come!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit Books and the author for a copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the ARC!
I'm obsessed with anything that has necromancy in it!!!
This is light but still dark fantasy with deliciously dark humor, the kind where death is basically just a minor inconvenience. A necromancer, a demon girl, and a skeleton? Peak chaotic squad.
I loved that the romance stays simple and super slow-burn. Every character is adorable in their own weird way, and I’m a sucker for that vibe of a charismatic necromancer who'd burn the world down for his people. I seriously need more books about them.
I'm obsessed with anything that has necromancy in it!!!
This is light but still dark fantasy with deliciously dark humor, the kind where death is basically just a minor inconvenience. A necromancer, a demon girl, and a skeleton? Peak chaotic squad.
I loved that the romance stays simple and super slow-burn. Every character is adorable in their own weird way, and I’m a sucker for that vibe of a charismatic necromancer who'd burn the world down for his people. I seriously need more books about them.
December 25, 2025
This is such an underrated book that I am so happy that I got to read. It gave me D&D, Pushing Daisies, and Ella Enchanted vibes. Honestly, this might be my favorite read for the year. This book is about Sikras who is a dark humored, witty, necromaner that is a widow. In his journey to save his kingdom with the help of a friendly, loving, see the good in everyone demon and his skeleton brother in law who wants to be a bard but is a sword wielding solider. Sikras is learning to move on from his grief and accept love and forgiveness. Abomination alliance ❤️❤️ I could gush a while longer, but I would love if there was more to this story or if it became a movie.
June 6, 2026
4⭐️
Thank you Hachette Book Group Canada and Orbit books for the free earc!
What an interesting fun read ! We meet our MMC who is a powerful necromancer and has just experienced a loss. With this loss he has now fallen from his Hero of the Kingdom status - let’s just say he’s having a hard time accepting and coping with this.
I really enjoyed the mix of dark humour and emotional moments throughout the book. The characters had great dynamics, and the banter helped balance some of the heavier themes.
Our MMC is tasked with assisting in stopping an undead army at the edge of the kingdom. He’s assigned partner is Helspira.. a demon in the queens army. They also bring alone Benjamin (he’s my fav)
What follows is a fun adventure filled with action, unexpected twists, and plenty of secrets waiting to be uncovered. I loved seeing how everything came together in the end, and the action scenes kept me engaged throughout. Overall, this was a fun fantasy adventure with a memorable cast and an engaging plot.
Thank you Hachette Book Group Canada and Orbit books for the free earc!
What an interesting fun read ! We meet our MMC who is a powerful necromancer and has just experienced a loss. With this loss he has now fallen from his Hero of the Kingdom status - let’s just say he’s having a hard time accepting and coping with this.
I really enjoyed the mix of dark humour and emotional moments throughout the book. The characters had great dynamics, and the banter helped balance some of the heavier themes.
Our MMC is tasked with assisting in stopping an undead army at the edge of the kingdom. He’s assigned partner is Helspira.. a demon in the queens army. They also bring alone Benjamin (he’s my fav)
What follows is a fun adventure filled with action, unexpected twists, and plenty of secrets waiting to be uncovered. I loved seeing how everything came together in the end, and the action scenes kept me engaged throughout. Overall, this was a fun fantasy adventure with a memorable cast and an engaging plot.
May 30, 2026
Well. That was the most heartwarming story I have ever read about demons and a sassy necromancer. I went in thinking this will be cute. What I came out with a deeply personal connection to a story about letting go, grief, survival, and loneliness. Don’t let that cover fool you. It’s adorable. It’s also going to work its way into your heart and squeeze it between all the delightful banter. I didn’t have crying over a necromancer on my Saturday morning bingo card, but here we are.
Come for the cute, stay for the feels. This one is coming home to live on my shelf forever. (Dammit Sikras. Why are you so adorable even when you’re being a selfish shit? Also Ben and his lute? You win my heart forever, I will always clap for you.)
Hopeless Necromantic hits shelves June 2. Please, I beg you add this to your TBR, your shopping list, your e-reader of choice. This book will not let you down. In fact, it might just raise you from the dead. Repeatedly.
Huge thank you to Orbit Books for the eARC and opportunity to read and review Hopeless Necromantic. All opinions are my own.
Come for the cute, stay for the feels. This one is coming home to live on my shelf forever. (Dammit Sikras. Why are you so adorable even when you’re being a selfish shit? Also Ben and his lute? You win my heart forever, I will always clap for you.)
Hopeless Necromantic hits shelves June 2. Please, I beg you add this to your TBR, your shopping list, your e-reader of choice. This book will not let you down. In fact, it might just raise you from the dead. Repeatedly.
Huge thank you to Orbit Books for the eARC and opportunity to read and review Hopeless Necromantic. All opinions are my own.
October 29, 2024
When the Read Lives Up To The Hype
Admittedly, I found this book through social media. When I learnt the author was an artist, and was using their own drawings I was even more intrigued.
Their memes had me laughing, but I was skeptical. Is the book *actually* going to be good? I’ve been burned so many times by seeing a snippet of a book and it being terrible.
This, delightfully, was not the case. I am a SUCKER for good banter, and not only is this book witty, it deals with several serious and complex issues all the while dropping you into a story that is vibrant, intriguing, and actually keeps you reading.
There is some mild spice, but nothing crazy.
Hands down one of the best books I’ve read in a few years, and I’m sad I’ve got to wait until the next one.
You’ve got a fan for life. Congratulations on your success, Shiloh.
Admittedly, I found this book through social media. When I learnt the author was an artist, and was using their own drawings I was even more intrigued.
Their memes had me laughing, but I was skeptical. Is the book *actually* going to be good? I’ve been burned so many times by seeing a snippet of a book and it being terrible.
This, delightfully, was not the case. I am a SUCKER for good banter, and not only is this book witty, it deals with several serious and complex issues all the while dropping you into a story that is vibrant, intriguing, and actually keeps you reading.
There is some mild spice, but nothing crazy.
Hands down one of the best books I’ve read in a few years, and I’m sad I’ve got to wait until the next one.
You’ve got a fan for life. Congratulations on your success, Shiloh.
November 19, 2024
As a debut novel, Hopeless Necromantic is an impressive blend of dark humor, heartfelt moments, and a unique take on the fantasy genre. It has an intriguing, if morbid, premise: the main character, a reluctant necromancer, embarks on a journey that is as much about friendship and grief as it is about dealing with the undead. I was pleasantly surprised by how touching the story turned out to be.
One of my favourite aspects of this, is that it doesn’t rely on romantic love to carry the emotional weight. Instead, friendship is front and center. The bond between the necromancer and his best friend, an ex soldier who really just wants to be a bard and who just happens to be —a reanimated skeleton of his ex-brother-in-law—adds layers of both humor and complexity. The MMC Sikras/catseye is written well, he isn't a stereotypical necromancer, he is witty, sassy, has dark humour and an emotional backstory. Helspira, is a badass FMC and complements both Sikras and Ben but is a strong character in her own right, with a complex background and her own motivations.
The book does a beautiful job of portraying grief, balancing its darker themes with moments of humor that feel natural and well-timed. Briar uses humor to soften the morbid elements, creating a unique tone that works well for the setting and characters.
If there’s one area where the book could improve, it’s the world-building. While the character dynamics are vividly drawn, the world itself felt a bit underdeveloped. A bit more depth here could make future books in the series easily 5 stars.
Overall, I loved this book, I laughed, cried and swooned this is perfect if you're looking for a dark yet witty adventure.
One of my favourite aspects of this, is that it doesn’t rely on romantic love to carry the emotional weight. Instead, friendship is front and center. The bond between the necromancer and his best friend, an ex soldier who really just wants to be a bard and who just happens to be —a reanimated skeleton of his ex-brother-in-law—adds layers of both humor and complexity. The MMC Sikras/catseye is written well, he isn't a stereotypical necromancer, he is witty, sassy, has dark humour and an emotional backstory. Helspira, is a badass FMC and complements both Sikras and Ben but is a strong character in her own right, with a complex background and her own motivations.
The book does a beautiful job of portraying grief, balancing its darker themes with moments of humor that feel natural and well-timed. Briar uses humor to soften the morbid elements, creating a unique tone that works well for the setting and characters.
If there’s one area where the book could improve, it’s the world-building. While the character dynamics are vividly drawn, the world itself felt a bit underdeveloped. A bit more depth here could make future books in the series easily 5 stars.
Overall, I loved this book, I laughed, cried and swooned this is perfect if you're looking for a dark yet witty adventure.
January 26, 2026
ABSOLUTELY LOVED!!!!!
Do you ever make a preemptive judgement on a book? I had my theories on how I thought this book would be aesthetic wise, based off of the cover and blurb; and I was SO pleased to know that this was one of those times that I was correct! I felt that this book gave off Live Action Dungeons & Dragons vibes and it was everything that I enjoyed about that movie and more! Fun, adventurous, humorous, a bit of gore, lots of great action, a plot that was consistent and interesting, characters to fall in love with (or be charmed by), and essentially just the beautiful reality of an author committing to their story!
I love how everything played out. I loved the touch of romance. I loved the visuals that the author painted for me as a reader. I loved how conflicts were resolved-those that were; I do hope the few unanswered questions will be addressed in Book Two. Which, I am also so happy that there will be a second book! I was having too good of a time and was finding myself sad knowing that I was going to eventually be done with the book.
Helspira, Sikras, and Ben made me enjoy every single page and they now feel like a group of friends that forever live in my head. And I have to say, something that really stuck out to me that made this book a top read for me is that 1) Both main characters were over the age of 30, 2) MMC was under 6ft and I loved that representation! Sikras was perfection~ 3) FMC, Hels (Helspira) was a baddie! She is not this delicate, petite, small female. She's strong, with the body of a warrior, and yet born with a gentle heart, muah such a Demon Goddess!
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Shiloh Briar, and Orbit Books for the Advanced Reading Copy! I am hoping desperately to be approved for Book Two since it will be among my most anticipated reads!!!! Also, I am so excited when Hopeless Necromantic releases so that I can physically hold the book in my hands. I'm already looking forward to rereading and being able to physically annotate! This is definitely a comforting, pick-me-up world that I would not mind revisiting many, many times.
June 3, 2026
"Death Got You Down? Let Us Raise You Back Up!"
If you look real close, you can see the exact place a cried when reading this!
Morbid humor at its finest. I don't think I have laughed so hard. I was audibly chuckling, that I needed up reading half of this book out loud to my husband because he kept asking why I was laughing.
Every character is so wonderfully written. They are all great example that past experiences and hardships don't define you...they just make you funnier.
Ben the amazing brother in law and full time skeleton, stole the show. The way I snorted at him calling that guard, c*nty Carl lives rent free in my head.
10/10 would kill and ressurect for Ben.
If you look real close, you can see the exact place a cried when reading this!
Morbid humor at its finest. I don't think I have laughed so hard. I was audibly chuckling, that I needed up reading half of this book out loud to my husband because he kept asking why I was laughing.
Every character is so wonderfully written. They are all great example that past experiences and hardships don't define you...they just make you funnier.
Ben the amazing brother in law and full time skeleton, stole the show. The way I snorted at him calling that guard, c*nty Carl lives rent free in my head.
10/10 would kill and ressurect for Ben.
June 2, 2026
Shiloh managed to make this both heartwarming and heartbreaking 😅 this story wriggled its way into the cavernous empty shell of my heart and started to rebuild it🫀 its fun, sassy, charming and sensitive and authentic in its portrayal of grief, if you love found family, character driven stories and great puns you're in for a treat!
January 18, 2026
Kind of a vanilla, cozy story (despite all the war stuff and killing). I wanted a bit more out of the Cats Eye, but he was a bit of a let down romantic interest. I liked the complex grief aspect of his character, but he still fell a bit flat in general.
Hels and Ben were awesome, I wish I could’ve shipped them instead. They had robust personalities and emotions (even though they were a demon and a skeleton).
The world building was average. I wish there was more info on the underworld and above ground lands in general.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Orbit Books for a copy!
Hels and Ben were awesome, I wish I could’ve shipped them instead. They had robust personalities and emotions (even though they were a demon and a skeleton).
The world building was average. I wish there was more info on the underworld and above ground lands in general.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Orbit Books for a copy!
Read
February 14, 2026Oh... I really wanted to love this.
Hopeless Necromantic sounded exactly up my alley: a dark fantasy romcom, with necromancy and D&D vibes? Immediately yes. But even though there are all of these pieces I should love, I couldn't enjoy them at all because unfortunately I found this book excruciatingly unfunny. And it REALLY wanted to be funny. It couldn't go a page without trying to be funny, in a very particular, very millennial sort of way. It actually reminded me a lot of the Dungeons and Dragons movie (or - and this may be one of the meanest things I've ever said - a marvel movie.)
If that type of humor appeals to you, I think you'll really enjoy the silly adventures, found family and sweet romance.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orbit for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Hopeless Necromantic sounded exactly up my alley: a dark fantasy romcom, with necromancy and D&D vibes? Immediately yes. But even though there are all of these pieces I should love, I couldn't enjoy them at all because unfortunately I found this book excruciatingly unfunny. And it REALLY wanted to be funny. It couldn't go a page without trying to be funny, in a very particular, very millennial sort of way. It actually reminded me a lot of the Dungeons and Dragons movie (or - and this may be one of the meanest things I've ever said - a marvel movie.)
If that type of humor appeals to you, I think you'll really enjoy the silly adventures, found family and sweet romance.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orbit for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 31, 2026
I started this book expecting it to be a solid 3-star read, but the further the story unfolded, the more it surprised me. By the end, I was crying, completely overwhelmed with emotions, and gave it 5 stars without hesitation.
What is it about?
Sikras is a legendary necromancer who once obtained the power of the Glowing Cat's Eye in the Death Darkness. Unfortunately, all of that incredible power is now spent maintaining the spell that keeps his best friend, Benjamin the skeleton, tethered to the world of the living, leaving Sikras as little more than a pale shadow of his former self.
However, the queen needs him to defeat another evil necromancer who is terrorizing the kingdom with an army of undead. To recruit him, she sends one of her most unusual Red Sentinels — Helspira. Helspira is a demon who managed to escape her brutal homeland and is now trying, together with her family, to build a normal life and integrate into human society.
Through a combination of blackmail and manipulation, the queen eventually sends Sikras, Helspira, Benjamin, and an entire group of Sentinels on a quest. Yet, in my opinion, this book is far less about the adventure itself and far more about the emotional journeys each character must go through.
The story explores several themes that hit very close to home for me:
• grief, loss, and learning how to let go through Sikras's storyline;
• loneliness, the desperate need to belong, and the struggle to find your true self beneath all the versions of yourself you've created to satisfy society's expectations through Helspira's journey;
• loyalty and self-sacrifice through Benjamin.
Every time I caught a glimpse of the characters' pain and fears beneath their sarcasm and confidence, it cut straight through me.
For me, the balance between humor, plot, and emotional depth was absolutely perfect.
On top of that, the romance is a wonderful and, most importantly, believable slow burn. Is it possible to fall in love again after losing your soulmate? Is it a betrayal to feel butterflies for someone else?
I loved watching Sikras and Helspira gradually grow closer. They start as strangers, become companions, then friends, then something a little more... and then even more than that.
Usually, I get frustrated when characters take forever to acknowledge their feelings, but here it made perfect sense. Their emotional journeys justified every step.
Honestly, this book was such a pleasant surprise. I expected a funny and charming fantasy rom-com, but instead I got a story that explores grief, healing, identity, and self-forgiveness in a way that genuinely touched me.
And unlike some romance-focused fantasy novels, the plot never felt sacrificed for extra kissing scenes. The quest may not have been the primary focus, but the magic system, worldbuilding, and interactions with other characters remained engaging throughout.
I also noticed similarities between the magic system and the structure of tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons. As someone who plays TTRPGs, that only made me enjoy it more. The familiar patterns felt comforting rather than derivative.
So if you enjoy your cozy romantic fantasy with a healthy dose of emotional damage, I highly recommend this one.
What is it about?
Sikras is a legendary necromancer who once obtained the power of the Glowing Cat's Eye in the Death Darkness. Unfortunately, all of that incredible power is now spent maintaining the spell that keeps his best friend, Benjamin the skeleton, tethered to the world of the living, leaving Sikras as little more than a pale shadow of his former self.
However, the queen needs him to defeat another evil necromancer who is terrorizing the kingdom with an army of undead. To recruit him, she sends one of her most unusual Red Sentinels — Helspira. Helspira is a demon who managed to escape her brutal homeland and is now trying, together with her family, to build a normal life and integrate into human society.
Through a combination of blackmail and manipulation, the queen eventually sends Sikras, Helspira, Benjamin, and an entire group of Sentinels on a quest. Yet, in my opinion, this book is far less about the adventure itself and far more about the emotional journeys each character must go through.
The story explores several themes that hit very close to home for me:
• grief, loss, and learning how to let go through Sikras's storyline;
• loneliness, the desperate need to belong, and the struggle to find your true self beneath all the versions of yourself you've created to satisfy society's expectations through Helspira's journey;
• loyalty and self-sacrifice through Benjamin.
Every time I caught a glimpse of the characters' pain and fears beneath their sarcasm and confidence, it cut straight through me.
For me, the balance between humor, plot, and emotional depth was absolutely perfect.
On top of that, the romance is a wonderful and, most importantly, believable slow burn. Is it possible to fall in love again after losing your soulmate? Is it a betrayal to feel butterflies for someone else?
I loved watching Sikras and Helspira gradually grow closer. They start as strangers, become companions, then friends, then something a little more... and then even more than that.
Usually, I get frustrated when characters take forever to acknowledge their feelings, but here it made perfect sense. Their emotional journeys justified every step.
Honestly, this book was such a pleasant surprise. I expected a funny and charming fantasy rom-com, but instead I got a story that explores grief, healing, identity, and self-forgiveness in a way that genuinely touched me.
And unlike some romance-focused fantasy novels, the plot never felt sacrificed for extra kissing scenes. The quest may not have been the primary focus, but the magic system, worldbuilding, and interactions with other characters remained engaging throughout.
I also noticed similarities between the magic system and the structure of tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons. As someone who plays TTRPGs, that only made me enjoy it more. The familiar patterns felt comforting rather than derivative.
So if you enjoy your cozy romantic fantasy with a healthy dose of emotional damage, I highly recommend this one.
June 7, 2026
I, for one, am a woman with room in my heart for corpses. Hopeless Necromantic was just what I needed.
I went into this book expecting to laugh but I did not to expect to be sobbing at home on a Saturday night. The dark humour and the portrayal of grief were perfect and I absolutely adored this book from a personal level.
💀 Benjamin the sentient skeleton was amazing and I want him as a best friend.
💀 If your best friend isn’t willing to do time for the tax fraud you committed are they even your best friend?
💀 I wish I was a Helspira but unfortunately I’m a Sikras in both personality and fitness levels
💀 When a book makes you feel feelings for a jerk, you know the depth of the characters is well written
💀 The fact that Sikras chose his nose as the only appropriate orifice to bleed from is a privilege I wish I had 😔
Overall I would highly recommend this book. While it’s a romcom, it definitely explores darker themes so I’ll warn that crying isn’t off the table.
I do think the romance itself was quite surface level, but the story outside of the romance made up for it.
I went into this book expecting to laugh but I did not to expect to be sobbing at home on a Saturday night. The dark humour and the portrayal of grief were perfect and I absolutely adored this book from a personal level.
💀 Benjamin the sentient skeleton was amazing and I want him as a best friend.
💀 If your best friend isn’t willing to do time for the tax fraud you committed are they even your best friend?
💀 I wish I was a Helspira but unfortunately I’m a Sikras in both personality and fitness levels
💀 When a book makes you feel feelings for a jerk, you know the depth of the characters is well written
💀 The fact that Sikras chose his nose as the only appropriate orifice to bleed from is a privilege I wish I had 😔
Overall I would highly recommend this book. While it’s a romcom, it definitely explores darker themes so I’ll warn that crying isn’t off the table.
I do think the romance itself was quite surface level, but the story outside of the romance made up for it.
May 9, 2026
If Baldurs Gate 3 and a one-shot D&D campaign had a baby it would be named Hopeless Necromantic.
SO fun!
Sikras was giving me all the Gale vibes with the quick wit of Astarion and Helspira is so Karlach coded with a tiny dusting of The Dark Urge and I absolutely loved them.
Benjamin was 100% the stand out character for me, so wholesome and funny.
This book was definitely a story about friendship with the romance being a slow sizzling sub plot in the background and I preferred that, seeing the trio interact with each other and form that bond was definitely the best part.
A cosy fantasy rom-com that’s still high stakes and absolutely gut wrenching at times.
I would recommend this to anybody that is a fan of D&D/BG3/Critical Role/Tusk Love, you will feel right at home and be desperate to play your next campaign, I know I am.
I can’t wait for the next adventure 🔥
SO fun!
Sikras was giving me all the Gale vibes with the quick wit of Astarion and Helspira is so Karlach coded with a tiny dusting of The Dark Urge and I absolutely loved them.
Benjamin was 100% the stand out character for me, so wholesome and funny.
This book was definitely a story about friendship with the romance being a slow sizzling sub plot in the background and I preferred that, seeing the trio interact with each other and form that bond was definitely the best part.
A cosy fantasy rom-com that’s still high stakes and absolutely gut wrenching at times.
I would recommend this to anybody that is a fan of D&D/BG3/Critical Role/Tusk Love, you will feel right at home and be desperate to play your next campaign, I know I am.
I can’t wait for the next adventure 🔥
March 30, 2025
Hopeless Necromantic is delightful read with a memorable cast of lovable (if trauma stricken) characters. Very much a character driven novel. We follow Sikras ‘Catseye’ Nikabod, a necromancer resurrecting loved ones for gold along with his undead brother-in-law Ben. Sikras is affable, aloof, but very much has a heart of gold when it counts, but isn’t above pulling a fast one on those not ingratiated in his good will. Sikras would be the most powerful magic user in the land if he wasn’t using the lion’s share of his power to keep Ben’s soul tied to his skeletal remains.
They’re joined by Helspire (or Hels) a Red Sentinal warrior torn between duty to her job and the ever growing loyalty she feels to Sikras and Ben as she’s sent to help them deal with Vessik’s army invading their small kingdom. Ben becomes the true heart of the cast, which is ironic because he doesn’t have one anymore. He’s quick with a joke and to light up your smoke and is the emotional anchor for Sikras that keeps the necromancer from falling into abject misery The three form a small fellowship set out to save their little home.
If I’m on about the characters a lot its because the book is mostly about them, their interactions, their web of hang ups and emotional ties to each other. Not to say the plot doesn’t have its share of intrigue or twists. Plenty of those. However, the characters and their relationships with one another form a fun tale of witty banter, healing past trauma, and my personal favorite: the power of friendship and overwhelming violence.
On a technical level, the book is incredibly polished. Not a typo or formatting error that I noticed. The plot is well placed, never moves too fast or too slow, but does take time to stop and smell the proverbial roses. Even during those times, you’re having so much fun watching Sikras, Ben, and Hels interact that time flies by and you wish there was a bit more between them all. Trauma and healing from it becomes a central theme to the book. While I’ve come to see a lot of modern authors use trauma as a cheap narrative device to give a false sense of character depth, Shiloh Briar uses it effectively and makes sure her characters are well and truly likable before delving into the reasoning they are defined by their past traumas.
But always the characters are likable and, most importantly, they like each other and their camaraderie carries them through the book. A romance sub-plot simmers through the book between Sikras and Hels, but doesn’t feel forced and develops at a believable pace. A few action scenes punctuate the narrative, but the tension and investment in what happens to the trio keeps the reader invested throughout. If there was anything to critique (light spoilers) its that a villainous element comes along that could have used a touch more narrative development to fully appreciate, but isn’t enough to ruin anything.
Hopeless Necromantic stands above many indie fantasy novels in providing a lovable cast of somewhat damaged characters you’d love to be friends with. Highly recommend–especially if you want a good change of pace from your usual reads.
They’re joined by Helspire (or Hels) a Red Sentinal warrior torn between duty to her job and the ever growing loyalty she feels to Sikras and Ben as she’s sent to help them deal with Vessik’s army invading their small kingdom. Ben becomes the true heart of the cast, which is ironic because he doesn’t have one anymore. He’s quick with a joke and to light up your smoke and is the emotional anchor for Sikras that keeps the necromancer from falling into abject misery The three form a small fellowship set out to save their little home.
If I’m on about the characters a lot its because the book is mostly about them, their interactions, their web of hang ups and emotional ties to each other. Not to say the plot doesn’t have its share of intrigue or twists. Plenty of those. However, the characters and their relationships with one another form a fun tale of witty banter, healing past trauma, and my personal favorite: the power of friendship and overwhelming violence.
On a technical level, the book is incredibly polished. Not a typo or formatting error that I noticed. The plot is well placed, never moves too fast or too slow, but does take time to stop and smell the proverbial roses. Even during those times, you’re having so much fun watching Sikras, Ben, and Hels interact that time flies by and you wish there was a bit more between them all. Trauma and healing from it becomes a central theme to the book. While I’ve come to see a lot of modern authors use trauma as a cheap narrative device to give a false sense of character depth, Shiloh Briar uses it effectively and makes sure her characters are well and truly likable before delving into the reasoning they are defined by their past traumas.
But always the characters are likable and, most importantly, they like each other and their camaraderie carries them through the book. A romance sub-plot simmers through the book between Sikras and Hels, but doesn’t feel forced and develops at a believable pace. A few action scenes punctuate the narrative, but the tension and investment in what happens to the trio keeps the reader invested throughout. If there was anything to critique (light spoilers) its that a villainous element comes along that could have used a touch more narrative development to fully appreciate, but isn’t enough to ruin anything.
Hopeless Necromantic stands above many indie fantasy novels in providing a lovable cast of somewhat damaged characters you’d love to be friends with. Highly recommend–especially if you want a good change of pace from your usual reads.
November 10, 2024
Missing a good 'ol snarky fantasy book? Good dialogue? Entertaining characters? A book that makes you laugh and cry? Then this book is for you.
I literally sprinted to write this review after finishing this book because DANG I have not enjoyed a book this much in a long, long time. It scratches every itch of the fun, but still meaningful type of story. It's HIGHLY character focused, with a straightforward but still compelling plot, and the dialogue is SPECTACULAR. Some nice twists, and the ending was absolutely brilliant (I really can't say anything about it without spoilers).
The prose and style of the writing is also pretty fantastic- it's been very difficult for me to find books nowadays that aren't overly clunky or very bland in their prose and this book knocked a couple of very well-known bestsellers out of the water with the sheer writing quality. *cough, stormlight archives, cough*
This is a fantastic book, (I believe it's a debut? If so, it's the best debut I've ever read) and I will be on the lookout for more from this author!
I literally sprinted to write this review after finishing this book because DANG I have not enjoyed a book this much in a long, long time. It scratches every itch of the fun, but still meaningful type of story. It's HIGHLY character focused, with a straightforward but still compelling plot, and the dialogue is SPECTACULAR. Some nice twists, and the ending was absolutely brilliant (I really can't say anything about it without spoilers).
The prose and style of the writing is also pretty fantastic- it's been very difficult for me to find books nowadays that aren't overly clunky or very bland in their prose and this book knocked a couple of very well-known bestsellers out of the water with the sheer writing quality. *cough, stormlight archives, cough*
This is a fantastic book, (I believe it's a debut? If so, it's the best debut I've ever read) and I will be on the lookout for more from this author!
April 30, 2025
legitimately the best book I've read this year. fun characters, amazing plot, awesome worldbuilding. I fell in love with the characters, nearly cried and laughed a lot. if you like fantasy, please read this!!!
June 5, 2026
Thank you Orbit and Netgalley for the eARC!
✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
Hopeless Necromantic perfectly executes one of my favorite mashups: chaotic and cozy. It was such a unique blend of dark humor and emotional depth; packed with fun dialogue, heartwarming found family elements, and pure adventure.
I absolutely fell in love with this rag-tag cast of characters, especially Helspira. It was so refreshing to have a soft, tender and kind-hearted female lead. Meanwhile, Sikras is the kind of snarky, sarcastic and overly confident MMC I absolutely adore. Their romance is a true slow burn, focused on building trust and bonding over shared experiences. I loved how naturally their connection developed into friendship prior to any hints of romance. Also, it would be very remiss of me not to mention the star of the show: Benjamin, a sentient, lute-playing, matchmaking skeleton that really broke up the tension.
Underneath all of the witty gallows humor, there is an unexpectedly emotional and raw exploration of grief, guilt and what it takes to heal after losing everything. If you’re looking for your next emotional support fantasy, this needs to be at the top of your list.
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚:
True slow burn romance
Grumpy x Sunshine pairings
Found Family
Guilt, Grief and Healing
Humor as a coping mechanism
Mutual healing and trauma bonding
✄----------
Genre: Fantasy, Cozy, Romance
5 Stars
✄----------
Follow me on Instagram for more bookish content
✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
Hopeless Necromantic perfectly executes one of my favorite mashups: chaotic and cozy. It was such a unique blend of dark humor and emotional depth; packed with fun dialogue, heartwarming found family elements, and pure adventure.
I absolutely fell in love with this rag-tag cast of characters, especially Helspira. It was so refreshing to have a soft, tender and kind-hearted female lead. Meanwhile, Sikras is the kind of snarky, sarcastic and overly confident MMC I absolutely adore. Their romance is a true slow burn, focused on building trust and bonding over shared experiences. I loved how naturally their connection developed into friendship prior to any hints of romance. Also, it would be very remiss of me not to mention the star of the show: Benjamin, a sentient, lute-playing, matchmaking skeleton that really broke up the tension.
Underneath all of the witty gallows humor, there is an unexpectedly emotional and raw exploration of grief, guilt and what it takes to heal after losing everything. If you’re looking for your next emotional support fantasy, this needs to be at the top of your list.
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚:
True slow burn romance
Grumpy x Sunshine pairings
Found Family
Guilt, Grief and Healing
Humor as a coping mechanism
Mutual healing and trauma bonding
✄----------
Genre: Fantasy, Cozy, Romance
5 Stars
✄----------
Follow me on Instagram for more bookish content
May 31, 2026
I went into this not really knowing what to expect and ended up loving it. It was funny, cosy, and surprisingly emotional, balancing heavier themes like grief, guilt, and forgiveness with so much warmth.
The characters were definitely my favorite part. Sikras was sarcastic and charming with such a great emotional arc, Helspira was fascinating, and Ben was an absolute standout. I loved the friendship between the three of them, it really made the story.
I also really liked how necromancy was explored and the emotional depth woven throughout the story.
Such a refreshing read, and that ending definitely had me emotional. I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The characters were definitely my favorite part. Sikras was sarcastic and charming with such a great emotional arc, Helspira was fascinating, and Ben was an absolute standout. I loved the friendship between the three of them, it really made the story.
I also really liked how necromancy was explored and the emotional depth woven throughout the story.
Such a refreshing read, and that ending definitely had me emotional. I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2026
Plot: A story about a necromancer, his skeleton best friend/resurrected brother-in-law, a demon girl, and how they ultimately help each other heal while trying to save the kingdom.
Thoughts: This story started incredibly strong and was pretty entertaining. I love a sarcastic MMC, and Silas delivers plenty of wit. Our FMC, Helspira, has heroic aspirations and has to come to terms with her own morality, deciding what matters more: loyalty to her position or loyalty to her friends.
Overall, the story was fun, cozy, and entertaining. It doesn’t quite maintain the same punch as the opening, though, and the pacing noticeably slows after the 60% mark. I was still happy to go along for the ride, but some of the explanations and reveals felt a little too straightforward, making certain moments come across as anticlimactic easy outs.
The book also has surprisingly intricate fantasy elements and diverse characters, which I wasn’t necessarily expecting from a lighter romcom-style fantasy, and I really appreciated that.
The romance itself felt much more like friendship for most of the story (which I honestly didn’t mind) but it didn’t fully match what I expected going in. I kept trying to connect the title to the romance arc, but the book leans much more into found family than sweeping romance vibes.
That said, I’d still absolutely consider it a romcom, and honestly a refreshing change from a lot of what’s currently out there. I do love a good necromancer, and I’d easily recommend this as a fun, cozy read or even a great palate cleanser. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thoughts: This story started incredibly strong and was pretty entertaining. I love a sarcastic MMC, and Silas delivers plenty of wit. Our FMC, Helspira, has heroic aspirations and has to come to terms with her own morality, deciding what matters more: loyalty to her position or loyalty to her friends.
Overall, the story was fun, cozy, and entertaining. It doesn’t quite maintain the same punch as the opening, though, and the pacing noticeably slows after the 60% mark. I was still happy to go along for the ride, but some of the explanations and reveals felt a little too straightforward, making certain moments come across as anticlimactic easy outs.
The book also has surprisingly intricate fantasy elements and diverse characters, which I wasn’t necessarily expecting from a lighter romcom-style fantasy, and I really appreciated that.
The romance itself felt much more like friendship for most of the story (which I honestly didn’t mind) but it didn’t fully match what I expected going in. I kept trying to connect the title to the romance arc, but the book leans much more into found family than sweeping romance vibes.
That said, I’d still absolutely consider it a romcom, and honestly a refreshing change from a lot of what’s currently out there. I do love a good necromancer, and I’d easily recommend this as a fun, cozy read or even a great palate cleanser. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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