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Underground City #1
The Necromancer's Apprentice
A magical novella, straight from the pen of Icy Sedgwick!
Though Jyximus Faire lives in a crumbling tenement in the Underground City, he escapes the squalor daily to attend lessons in magic and sorcery at the prestigious Academy in the City Above. But the pace isn't fast enough for Jyx. He wants to learn everything – and he wants to learn it now.
Then the dread necromancer general Eufame Delsenza sets her sights on Jyx; she needs a new apprentice, and Jyx fits the bill. When she tasks him with helping to prepare royal mummies for an all-important procession, he realises this might be the chance of a lifetime.
Will Jyx's impatience lead to him taking his education into his own inexperienced hands, and can a necromancer's apprentice really learn to raise the dead – and control them?
Though Jyximus Faire lives in a crumbling tenement in the Underground City, he escapes the squalor daily to attend lessons in magic and sorcery at the prestigious Academy in the City Above. But the pace isn't fast enough for Jyx. He wants to learn everything – and he wants to learn it now.
Then the dread necromancer general Eufame Delsenza sets her sights on Jyx; she needs a new apprentice, and Jyx fits the bill. When she tasks him with helping to prepare royal mummies for an all-important procession, he realises this might be the chance of a lifetime.
Will Jyx's impatience lead to him taking his education into his own inexperienced hands, and can a necromancer's apprentice really learn to raise the dead – and control them?
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2014
22 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Icy Sedgwick
39 books126 followersFantasy with a Folklore Twist
Icy Sedgwick is a writer based in the north east of England. She writes Gothic-tinged not-quite-YA fantasy novels and Gothic short stories. Icy is also working on a series of experiments in historical fiction with Australian composer AJ Moon, combining spoken word stories with originally composed music. When she's not writing fiction, she's blogging about folklore and the supernatural.
Elsewhere, she's working on a PhD in Film Studies, looking at the use of set design in contemporary supernatural films. She also knits up a storm, enjoys poking around old buildings, and takes more photographs than she probably should.
Icy Sedgwick is a writer based in the north east of England. She writes Gothic-tinged not-quite-YA fantasy novels and Gothic short stories. Icy is also working on a series of experiments in historical fiction with Australian composer AJ Moon, combining spoken word stories with originally composed music. When she's not writing fiction, she's blogging about folklore and the supernatural.
Elsewhere, she's working on a PhD in Film Studies, looking at the use of set design in contemporary supernatural films. She also knits up a storm, enjoys poking around old buildings, and takes more photographs than she probably should.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 18, 2014
Icy Sedgewick's latest story had me hooked from the first page, with its brilliant sense of place, great rhythm and turns of phrase like the 'mindless chatter' that made the boy 'dream of dancing teacups.' What's more it had everything a great story should have. Mummies, wolfmen, huge dramatic battle scenes and glimpses of the World Beyond.
What is particularly lovely about the book is how effortlessly the story unfolds. Everything seems light and simple even as the young lad Jyx slips deeper and deeper into the darkness surrounding the Necromancer General. The reader knows he should turn back, should say no when invited to become the Necromancer's apprentice, but Jyx has that little voice in his head that wants to seek out magical knowledge 'at any price.'
This is a great fast paced story, filled with excitement, wonder and dread...
What is particularly lovely about the book is how effortlessly the story unfolds. Everything seems light and simple even as the young lad Jyx slips deeper and deeper into the darkness surrounding the Necromancer General. The reader knows he should turn back, should say no when invited to become the Necromancer's apprentice, but Jyx has that little voice in his head that wants to seek out magical knowledge 'at any price.'
This is a great fast paced story, filled with excitement, wonder and dread...
May 5, 2014
The book is much too short. That's a Good Thing. A reader should be left hungry for more.
The opening pages led me to believe I'd see another take on Hogworts, the story of the occult prep school education of a young wizard-to-be. The tale rapidly changed however into exactly what its title promised: a darker (but still YA-appropriate) retelling of the Sorcerer's Apprentice theme, complete with a nod to The Broom.
Among the many outstanding features are hints at the culture and history of the alternate world in which the story takes place, intimations of complex politics, thousands of years of a history that is not quite ours, subtle mixes of magic and technology, and a society strongly stratified between the rich and the poor. Perhaps some social commentary lurks at the margins of the story; perhaps also some delightfully subversive ideas about the afterlife and about nonphysical planes we cannot see. There are intelligent wolflike creatures whose true nature is left tantalizingly vague; there is Egyptian-like imagery mixed with Latin incantations and Solomonic magic; there are (or were) dinosaurs. This world is a complex place, leaving open possibilities for many tales to come.
The necromancer general herself, a centuries-old sorceress named Eufame, is subtle and scheming and deeply embedded in national (and perhaps international) high-level power politics, a truth the reader comes only gradually to appreciate. The hero, Jyx Faire, is being groomed for some ultimate purpose, something far beyond the limited world he knows. We are given tidbits of the beginnings of what Eufame has in store for him. The book ends rather abruptly; one must hope for more.
The storytelling is clean and straightforward, dropping as many hints of backstory and world history as are needed to both tell this tale and to whet an appetite to explore this place in future installments. Let's hope the wait is not long.
The opening pages led me to believe I'd see another take on Hogworts, the story of the occult prep school education of a young wizard-to-be. The tale rapidly changed however into exactly what its title promised: a darker (but still YA-appropriate) retelling of the Sorcerer's Apprentice theme, complete with a nod to The Broom.
Among the many outstanding features are hints at the culture and history of the alternate world in which the story takes place, intimations of complex politics, thousands of years of a history that is not quite ours, subtle mixes of magic and technology, and a society strongly stratified between the rich and the poor. Perhaps some social commentary lurks at the margins of the story; perhaps also some delightfully subversive ideas about the afterlife and about nonphysical planes we cannot see. There are intelligent wolflike creatures whose true nature is left tantalizingly vague; there is Egyptian-like imagery mixed with Latin incantations and Solomonic magic; there are (or were) dinosaurs. This world is a complex place, leaving open possibilities for many tales to come.
The necromancer general herself, a centuries-old sorceress named Eufame, is subtle and scheming and deeply embedded in national (and perhaps international) high-level power politics, a truth the reader comes only gradually to appreciate. The hero, Jyx Faire, is being groomed for some ultimate purpose, something far beyond the limited world he knows. We are given tidbits of the beginnings of what Eufame has in store for him. The book ends rather abruptly; one must hope for more.
The storytelling is clean and straightforward, dropping as many hints of backstory and world history as are needed to both tell this tale and to whet an appetite to explore this place in future installments. Let's hope the wait is not long.
March 18, 2014
Jyx is a frustrated student far ahead of his class. While his classmates cannot seem to master simple spells, he's reading forbidden magical library books beneath his desk and steadily advancing his power.
Unfortunately, there's a good reason why boys his age are required to wait until they try advanced magic. They may have the knowledge, but do they have the maturity?
Jyx thinks his magical career is over before it has even begun when he is caught with a forbidden book and he faces expulsion, but then the Necromancer General whirls into his life. Coldly beautiful, infinitely powerful, she wants him for her newest apprentice. Is this the best good fortune he's ever stumbled across or a recipe for disaster?
Icy Sedwick sucked me into Jyx's tale by the end of the first page. Her descriptions of the Underground City were dark and depressing and I identified immediately with Jyx's ardent desire to leave it behind forever. His thirst for knowledge was endless, but his lack of judgment had me at the edge of my seat yelling at my Kindle for him to slow down and THINK before he just did it. He never gave a thought to whether he should do a thing, he only knew he could do it.
His adventure is the set up for what I hope will be longer novels and a series. If so, I will be first in line for a chance to read more!
Unfortunately, there's a good reason why boys his age are required to wait until they try advanced magic. They may have the knowledge, but do they have the maturity?
Jyx thinks his magical career is over before it has even begun when he is caught with a forbidden book and he faces expulsion, but then the Necromancer General whirls into his life. Coldly beautiful, infinitely powerful, she wants him for her newest apprentice. Is this the best good fortune he's ever stumbled across or a recipe for disaster?
Icy Sedwick sucked me into Jyx's tale by the end of the first page. Her descriptions of the Underground City were dark and depressing and I identified immediately with Jyx's ardent desire to leave it behind forever. His thirst for knowledge was endless, but his lack of judgment had me at the edge of my seat yelling at my Kindle for him to slow down and THINK before he just did it. He never gave a thought to whether he should do a thing, he only knew he could do it.
His adventure is the set up for what I hope will be longer novels and a series. If so, I will be first in line for a chance to read more!
July 10, 2014
Nobody writes mummy stories like Icy Sedgwick. A perennial contributor to #FridayFlash, her story “No Flash” is still my favorite long after she posted it. So when she said she was going to write a Sorcerer’s Apprentice story, and replace the brooms with mummies, I was ready to grab it on Launch Day.
And it did not disappoint, even if I didn’t get around to writing the review right away. It’s dark, the way I like dark, with a little hilarity along the way.
Icy likes complex characters with multiple (even contradicting) motivations, and Jyximus Faire is certainly that. He’s from a poor district of the Underground City, attending the Academy on a scholarship. He’s proud, verging on arrogant, but wants to help his family. And most of all, he wants to learn as much as he can as quickly as he can. He jumps at the chance to become the apprentice of the Necromancer General, who can get his family out of the squalor of Benefactor’s Close with a word. If you’re familiar with the Sorcerer’s Apprentice story, you can guess what happens next.
The only flaws are flaws if the story ends here and there’s no sequel. The ending all but says more is to come, and I hope it’s soon. One of the other students at the Academy, Markus Prady, is one of the few who wants to befriend Jyx. I just feel he has more to say than what we’ve seen here.
So if you want something other than the worn-out vampires and zombies, I’d highly recommend this one. And now I wait patiently, hoping for a sequel…
And it did not disappoint, even if I didn’t get around to writing the review right away. It’s dark, the way I like dark, with a little hilarity along the way.
Icy likes complex characters with multiple (even contradicting) motivations, and Jyximus Faire is certainly that. He’s from a poor district of the Underground City, attending the Academy on a scholarship. He’s proud, verging on arrogant, but wants to help his family. And most of all, he wants to learn as much as he can as quickly as he can. He jumps at the chance to become the apprentice of the Necromancer General, who can get his family out of the squalor of Benefactor’s Close with a word. If you’re familiar with the Sorcerer’s Apprentice story, you can guess what happens next.
The only flaws are flaws if the story ends here and there’s no sequel. The ending all but says more is to come, and I hope it’s soon. One of the other students at the Academy, Markus Prady, is one of the few who wants to befriend Jyx. I just feel he has more to say than what we’ve seen here.
So if you want something other than the worn-out vampires and zombies, I’d highly recommend this one. And now I wait patiently, hoping for a sequel…
March 31, 2014
Review of
The Necromancers Apprentice by Icy Sedgwick
Review by R.L. Bailey
Genre: YA/ fantasy
4/5 angel wings
When I first started reading The Necromancers Apprentice, my first thoughts were oh great another Harry Potter kind of story. But boy was I wrong! This is, in my humble opinion, better than those books. The world that Icy Seddwick has created in this story is full of life and worded so beautifully that once a reader starts its hard to stop.
Our hero, Jaximus, fondly nicknamed Jyx, is someone we immediately like. He’s got a strange sense of humor, he’s poor but doesn’t let that slow him down, whip smart and hes a big smartass. Jyx wants a better life for himself, his mother and siblings. When he is caught reading a book way above his grade, he literally is called to the Dean’s office, for what he fears is the worst thing he could imagine, expulsion from the academy. However, he meets the Necromancer General, Eufame Delsenza, and is offered a postion as her apprentice, a job he jumps at.
The story is full of ups and down, and the ending is a total riot to read. My only complaint is that the story was a novella not a full length novel. I hope the author has more plans for our Jyx. I got the feeling that his story isn’t done just yet.
The Necromancers Apprentice by Icy Sedgwick
Review by R.L. Bailey
Genre: YA/ fantasy
4/5 angel wings
When I first started reading The Necromancers Apprentice, my first thoughts were oh great another Harry Potter kind of story. But boy was I wrong! This is, in my humble opinion, better than those books. The world that Icy Seddwick has created in this story is full of life and worded so beautifully that once a reader starts its hard to stop.
Our hero, Jaximus, fondly nicknamed Jyx, is someone we immediately like. He’s got a strange sense of humor, he’s poor but doesn’t let that slow him down, whip smart and hes a big smartass. Jyx wants a better life for himself, his mother and siblings. When he is caught reading a book way above his grade, he literally is called to the Dean’s office, for what he fears is the worst thing he could imagine, expulsion from the academy. However, he meets the Necromancer General, Eufame Delsenza, and is offered a postion as her apprentice, a job he jumps at.
The story is full of ups and down, and the ending is a total riot to read. My only complaint is that the story was a novella not a full length novel. I hope the author has more plans for our Jyx. I got the feeling that his story isn’t done just yet.
March 21, 2014
Having picked up "Checkmate & Other Stories" and thoroughly enjoyed it, I was keen to read something longer from Miss Sedgwick, and wow did she deliver.
I'm not usually a fan of fantasy but this story sucked me in from the get go. Jyx is an instantly likable protagonist and I was fascinated by the Underground City in which he resides, but the main pleasure of this tale is its pace. It is blistering without being rushed. Just as I thought it was going to get bogged down with magic academy malarkey the author mixes things up completely.
The world Miss Sedgwick creates is dense and detailed and totally immersive, all-the-while keeping the pace brisk and the language sharp.
The sheer level of imagination on show in "The Necromancer's Apprentice" is impressive, especially given its length - which is perfect in my opinion. Not too long, not too short...juuuust right.
Icy Sedgwick is the secret love-child of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, you'll be charmed and terrified in equal measure by this darkly delicious and uncompromisingly fun tale.
I'm not usually a fan of fantasy but this story sucked me in from the get go. Jyx is an instantly likable protagonist and I was fascinated by the Underground City in which he resides, but the main pleasure of this tale is its pace. It is blistering without being rushed. Just as I thought it was going to get bogged down with magic academy malarkey the author mixes things up completely.
The world Miss Sedgwick creates is dense and detailed and totally immersive, all-the-while keeping the pace brisk and the language sharp.
The sheer level of imagination on show in "The Necromancer's Apprentice" is impressive, especially given its length - which is perfect in my opinion. Not too long, not too short...juuuust right.
Icy Sedgwick is the secret love-child of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, you'll be charmed and terrified in equal measure by this darkly delicious and uncompromisingly fun tale.
March 17, 2014
Who doesn't like a book with wizards, or at least magic? In this novella, Icy wields her extraordinary talent for world-building, opening the story in the dingy, destitute Underground City, where Jyx, the aspiring mage endures his time only in hopes of making something of himself. His mother has given up nearly everything to put him through magic academy, but that's not quite enough for him. In the wee hours of the morning, Jyx has a habit of snooping in the library, reading and learning incantations well beyond his level.
His little indiscretions capture the attention of the Necromancer General, Eufame, and he is invited to become her apprentice.
I really enjoyed this little book. The story sucked me right in, with the crisp non-flowery yet imaginative descriptions, the charming dialogue and Jyx's juvenile clumsiness. In fact, I'd say this was the best book I've read this year.
Recommended for fans of Harry Potter, Disney, classic horror movie buffs, and children of middle-to-old ages.
His little indiscretions capture the attention of the Necromancer General, Eufame, and he is invited to become her apprentice.
I really enjoyed this little book. The story sucked me right in, with the crisp non-flowery yet imaginative descriptions, the charming dialogue and Jyx's juvenile clumsiness. In fact, I'd say this was the best book I've read this year.
Recommended for fans of Harry Potter, Disney, classic horror movie buffs, and children of middle-to-old ages.
April 7, 2014
Icy's telling of the classic tale "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" twists this fast paced tale into a horror fairy tale that I loved from the moment I started reading.
Icy's storytelling is fabulous and she is able to pull you along this familiar tale, wringing your hands at every turn.
Will the cocky upstart realize the error of his ways and set things straight before it's too late or will he find the come-uppance he might rightly deserve?
This novella is a must read for anyone who likes horror or fantasy tales.
I do hope that we see more...
Icy's storytelling is fabulous and she is able to pull you along this familiar tale, wringing your hands at every turn.
Will the cocky upstart realize the error of his ways and set things straight before it's too late or will he find the come-uppance he might rightly deserve?
This novella is a must read for anyone who likes horror or fantasy tales.
I do hope that we see more...
June 15, 2018
I had the pleasure of reading The Necromancer’s Apprentice on The Pigeonhole together with other readers and the author. This is the first book in a series, and as soon as I finished this book, I went on Amazon to buy the next one. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish, and can warmly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy series.
June 4, 2018
I didn't want it to end. Think Harry Potter, meets Mortal Instruments, and you have the latest book by Icy Sedgwick. Magic, Excitement, Danger, all here, The descriptions used are beautiful, ", dancing teacups" springs to mind, that alone, makes me smile and wish I could do magic.
June 8, 2018
This was a really fun read. A well realised world with fun characters, and a bit of raising the dead. It’s a short, sharp introductory story and I’m looking forward to more of Jyx and Eufame’s adventures.
January 18, 2019
Flimsy world building and jarringly terrible dialogue all adds up to a (mercifully short) novel in which I completely failed to care about any of the characters or events.
April 2, 2018
How can anyone resist a book that is described as "Magic, murder and mummies!"? It's the line that made me want to dive straight into Icy Sedgwick's The Necromancer's Apprentice - the first book in her Underground City series.
The apprentice of the title is Jyximus Faire, a student at the prestigious magic academy in the City Above. He doesn't fit in because he lives in the poor Underground City, and also because he's far ahead of the other students: Jyx is always impatient to learn and use magic, which lands him in trouble.
He gets even more trouble when he's recruited as the Necromancer General's apprentice. The Necromancer, Eufame Delsenza, is a delicious character who has entombed the skeleton of a previous assistant in the floor of her vault, a reminder that Jyx should do as he's told.
The problem is that Jyx is told to sweep the floors. He's desperate to do more and learn more, even though Eufame has forbidden him from doing so.
The vault is full of mummies that the Necromancer needs to raise from the dead. Jyx is certain that he can do it himself, but can he do it properly?
The Necromancer's Apprentice is a fun action-packed read with great characters. The only problem? It's too short!
The apprentice of the title is Jyximus Faire, a student at the prestigious magic academy in the City Above. He doesn't fit in because he lives in the poor Underground City, and also because he's far ahead of the other students: Jyx is always impatient to learn and use magic, which lands him in trouble.
He gets even more trouble when he's recruited as the Necromancer General's apprentice. The Necromancer, Eufame Delsenza, is a delicious character who has entombed the skeleton of a previous assistant in the floor of her vault, a reminder that Jyx should do as he's told.
The problem is that Jyx is told to sweep the floors. He's desperate to do more and learn more, even though Eufame has forbidden him from doing so.
The vault is full of mummies that the Necromancer needs to raise from the dead. Jyx is certain that he can do it himself, but can he do it properly?
The Necromancer's Apprentice is a fun action-packed read with great characters. The only problem? It's too short!
July 9, 2014
Being fairly new to this genre, I was intrigued to see how this twist of the classic Sorcerer's Apprentice plot would fair. The result? A fabulous whirlwind story that plummets right to the heart of its denouement leaving little time to catch up.
Icy's writing is imaginative, descriptive and believable - even with walking mummies, wolfheaded guards and a strong, empowered Necromancer General who has been alive for hundreds of years.
The Necromancer's Apprentice tells the story of its ill-fated protagonist Jyx, as he accepts a position of Apprentice in the House of the Long Dead, only to find his eagerness to learn and prove himself, get the better of him.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a fantastic literary romp through a magical and dangerous world and I'll be looking out for the sequel!
Icy's writing is imaginative, descriptive and believable - even with walking mummies, wolfheaded guards and a strong, empowered Necromancer General who has been alive for hundreds of years.
The Necromancer's Apprentice tells the story of its ill-fated protagonist Jyx, as he accepts a position of Apprentice in the House of the Long Dead, only to find his eagerness to learn and prove himself, get the better of him.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a fantastic literary romp through a magical and dangerous world and I'll be looking out for the sequel!
June 1, 2018
I liked this little book (it’s very short), and can’t help but think that it’s all set up to be the start of at least another book! But perhaps not!
Jyximus Faire is a student at the magical academy, and gets caught reading what he shouldn’t be. Instead of being expelled, he is given over to the city’s Necromancer to become her assistant.
I thought this was going to end up a copy of Hogwarts, but it’s not. It’s very much it’s own story, and the characters are not copies of any other books characters. The Necromancer is a woman who doesn’t stand for any nonsense, and I quite liked her. Her Wolfkin servants are the strong silent type, and Jyximus is a very curious boy who wants to run before he can walk!
A great little story ideal for children as well as adults. I think my 11 year old would have loved this as much as I did!
Jyximus Faire is a student at the magical academy, and gets caught reading what he shouldn’t be. Instead of being expelled, he is given over to the city’s Necromancer to become her assistant.
I thought this was going to end up a copy of Hogwarts, but it’s not. It’s very much it’s own story, and the characters are not copies of any other books characters. The Necromancer is a woman who doesn’t stand for any nonsense, and I quite liked her. Her Wolfkin servants are the strong silent type, and Jyximus is a very curious boy who wants to run before he can walk!
A great little story ideal for children as well as adults. I think my 11 year old would have loved this as much as I did!
February 13, 2018
This book left me smiling, and yelling at it. I want to know more, though that was the driver for, and the undoing of, the main character.
While horror doesn't always "do it" for me, writing at this level always does.
This is a FUN read. The world it inhabits is complex, and wonderfully woven. The Apprentice...overreaching, passionate, delightfully motivated, head-shakingly uncautious.
The Necromancer General is a character of such presence, I knew I was reading a work by Icy Sedgwick. She has a talent for these powerful characters.
As with others, the only downside of this book is it leaves the reader thirsting for more of this world. Which, if I recall, was Jyx's undoing!
I'm prepared to risk it, and await more of this story. Soon, please?
While horror doesn't always "do it" for me, writing at this level always does.
This is a FUN read. The world it inhabits is complex, and wonderfully woven. The Apprentice...overreaching, passionate, delightfully motivated, head-shakingly uncautious.
The Necromancer General is a character of such presence, I knew I was reading a work by Icy Sedgwick. She has a talent for these powerful characters.
As with others, the only downside of this book is it leaves the reader thirsting for more of this world. Which, if I recall, was Jyx's undoing!
I'm prepared to risk it, and await more of this story. Soon, please?
June 1, 2018
Meet Jyx, a magician in training. But he is not like the rest. The academy is only for the rich but his mother managed to get him in. He is hungry to learn more and well ahead of his classmates but he is also not really patient.
One day after he sneaked in the library's forbidden section, he is called in the principle'office and almost expelled but then he becomes the Necromancer General's apprentice. He thought this is his chance for success and prosperity but might be his downfall...
I really enjoyed this book. Love the idea that Jyx might not be the standard apprentice and his actions lead to something bad for him. Can't wait for the next one.
One day after he sneaked in the library's forbidden section, he is called in the principle'office and almost expelled but then he becomes the Necromancer General's apprentice. He thought this is his chance for success and prosperity but might be his downfall...
I really enjoyed this book. Love the idea that Jyx might not be the standard apprentice and his actions lead to something bad for him. Can't wait for the next one.
April 26, 2018
Loved it! This is a great fantasy. Jyx is a fabulous character - a little bit too clever for his own good but with a good heart and no real intention to cause the chaos he manages. The world of Underground and City Above was beautifully drawn with lots of tensions and social inequality built in. I can't wait to hear more from Jyx and I've downloaded the next, The Necromancer's Rogue, straight to my kindle.
June 5, 2018
What a fun and fresh take on an old story.
I was able to read this book courtesy of the Pigeonhole reading platform, and loved it. It's well written, in a light-hearted manner, and was over too soon. It's not a long book, but reading it still went very quickly, because I was immediately engrossed in the characters. It's an old tale about an apprentice who takes on more than he can handle, but Icy Sedgwick's version is very entertaining, and I look forward to more stories about Jyx and Eufame.
I was able to read this book courtesy of the Pigeonhole reading platform, and loved it. It's well written, in a light-hearted manner, and was over too soon. It's not a long book, but reading it still went very quickly, because I was immediately engrossed in the characters. It's an old tale about an apprentice who takes on more than he can handle, but Icy Sedgwick's version is very entertaining, and I look forward to more stories about Jyx and Eufame.
June 9, 2018
Another treat from Pigeonhole. This was a really entertaining page-turner, the start of a trilogy of books. It promised mummies, magic and mayhem and it didn't disapoint. Jyx is recruited to help resurrect some mummies for a royal profession but it all goes a bit wrong when he overstretches his magical abilities. The necromancer is a great, mysterious character. Loved the names she used too. I will be looking out for the next books and for the author again.
March 3, 2018
This book was absolutely FANTASTIC. I adored Jyx’s blind arrogance and the inevitable doom feeling you got the whole way through the plot. The characters were rich and full. The settings were gritty and atmospheric and created exceptional imagery in my minds eye. I was gripped and couldn’t put the book down, I just wish it were longer - PUBLISH THE SEQUEL PLEASE!
September 19, 2018
Utter mayhem - what a glorious book!
From seedy city taverns to a vaulted castle filled with magic and mummies and undead bats turned into a harem scarem mummy fest by the hapless (that mix of high brain and low common sense), apprentice.
Think Terry Pratchett with a bit more edge, Neil Gaiman with a bit more fun, and Terry Brookes but a bit more gothic.
Genius.
From seedy city taverns to a vaulted castle filled with magic and mummies and undead bats turned into a harem scarem mummy fest by the hapless (that mix of high brain and low common sense), apprentice.
Think Terry Pratchett with a bit more edge, Neil Gaiman with a bit more fun, and Terry Brookes but a bit more gothic.
Genius.
Read
March 14, 2014Obviously I can't rate this since I'm the editor, but this is a wonderful, pulpy, crunchy tale involving reanimated mummies, a cat, a necromancer general, and one apprentice who's overreaching himself.
June 2, 2018
Icy Sedgewick has a style of writing that really draws you in to the rich and dark world she has created. The main character, is quite arrogant about how talented at magic he is but still he is strangely likeable. That is talented writing indeed. Can't wait to read the sequel.
July 29, 2019
Jyximus Faire lived in the underground city with his mother and siblings in dire poverty, surrounded by noise and grime, forever dreaming of one day living in the City above. Through his mother's sacrifices she managed to place him at the academy of magic, and he was a diligent student, his thirst for knowledge was unquenchable so he was ahead of his class but his nightly ventures into the library had been noted by a raven spy. He was offered the post of an apprentice to the very scary Eufame, Delsenza, the Necromancer General and he accepted the post. Living in the House of the Long Dead was scarier than he anticipated but his curiosity though not killing the cat, Bastet led him into so much trouble. Knowledge wants to be used, in fact demands it be used however when this is in the hands of those not yet ready it can cause havoc as happened in the life of Jyx. This dark, young adult novel is very gripping, in fact it had me reading the book in one sitting. The character of Jyx is funny even in the face of the scary danger he was in. A fun read full of mummies, mayhem and magic, which I mean to follow up with the next book immediately. Those who enjoy Gothic dark fantasy should love this series.
February 1, 2020
I read the Prequel, The Skeleton in the Floor, first and was eager to continue with the series. The protagonist, Eufame Delsenza, Necromancer General, is fabulous! I am envious of the magical living quarters and working environment in the House of the Long Dead that Icy Sedgwick has created for Eufame. The mystery and dread surrounding the Necromancer General and her new, overconfident, and green-as-they-come apprentice is engaging and I want to read more. I'm glad to find a new 'world' to explore in the Magic & Mayhem series.
February 28, 2019
Fun Little Read
This is a short book, but oh, how much fun.
The story follows a boy genius, Jyx, who's so bored with his studies that he races ahead of the class--head-first into trouble. Instead of expulsion, he's apprenticed to the necromancer general, Eufame Delsenza, and chaos ensues.
There are some delicious twists at the end, leaving you wanting more.
This is a short book, but oh, how much fun.
The story follows a boy genius, Jyx, who's so bored with his studies that he races ahead of the class--head-first into trouble. Instead of expulsion, he's apprenticed to the necromancer general, Eufame Delsenza, and chaos ensues.
There are some delicious twists at the end, leaving you wanting more.
March 10, 2019
Nice start but hardly long enough to be called a book...
It’s a nice start, and an interesting concept although he doesn’t give you much of a backstory… That said, it definitely feels like the first few chapters of a book… Reading it by itself would definitely be pointless, so it really should be combined with the second book and just called one book
It’s a nice start, and an interesting concept although he doesn’t give you much of a backstory… That said, it definitely feels like the first few chapters of a book… Reading it by itself would definitely be pointless, so it really should be combined with the second book and just called one book
April 3, 2019
Short, but rather enjoyable. I do get the sense that Jyx's unwavering lack of good judgement would vex me greatly in any quantity, and this diminishes my enthusiasm for continuing this series. It does sound a bit of fun, tho'.
September 15, 2019
A New Magical World to Fall In Love With!
Yes! Finally. I’m so delighted to have found a new magical world. I’m in love! Rich and complex characters and an entirely new world of magic and possibilities exist in this series. I literally cannot wait to read the next book.
Yes! Finally. I’m so delighted to have found a new magical world. I’m in love! Rich and complex characters and an entirely new world of magic and possibilities exist in this series. I literally cannot wait to read the next book.
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