To Kill a Sorcerer

Immortal Montero #1

by Greg Mongrain

Young billionaire Sebastian Montero has hunted killers for seven hundred years, the murder of his baby brother still haunting his dreams. After a teenage girl is ritually butchered, Sebastian joins the LAPD in their search for the man known as “The Voodoo Killer.”When Sebastian is nearly strangled by malevolent spirits invading his home, he realizes his target is a man with formidable magical powers. But he doesn’t know how dangerous the Voodoo Killer has become.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Amazon, Fiction, Ebooks

342 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2016

About the author

After unsuccessfully attempting to acquire a football-shaped meteorite from NASA, Greg Mongrain decided to write science fiction and fantasy stories with a paranormal crime twist. He always loved sci-fi and it seemed natural to combine a fantastic story with his other favorite genre: mystery.

An accountant for thirty years, Greg lives in the seaside town of Oxnard, California.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Kill a Sorcerer
Immortal Montero, Book 1
By: Greg Mongrain
Narrated by: Conner Goff
I really enjoyed this story. It has Immortals, vampires, a sorcerer, a serial killer, a mystery, lots of action, intrigue, and suspense. A touch of romance, lots of paranormal , and a great collection of characters too.
The narrator was awesome, and really added to the story!

[Yellagirlgc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sebastian has lived for more than 700 years. Born to human parents he doesn't know why he's still alive, able to regenerate limbs, has no need to eat or sleep among other anomalies. As a way to give back to humanity he assists the police when a case interests him. When a 17 year old girl is murdered in a ritualistic way he immediately knows he wants in on the case.
Detective Hamilton is reluctant to work with a civilian but they get along vety well. Aliena is Sebastian's love interest and business acquaintance. She's also a vampire. Hamilton knows nothing about the supernatural company he keeps. They all want to take this serial child killer down.
As the first in the Immortal Montero series To Kill a Sorcerer was a success. There was humor in parts. Just enough romance but not too much to take away from the plot. I was left with a few questions but nothing I'm sure that won't be answered later in the series.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn’t a bad start to the series at all. I have read people saying that it is similar to things such as the Dresden files, which I haven’t actually read (save one short), therefore being a “typical” Paranormal Detective. For me, none of that matters, for as far as my reading goes it is original and fresh enough, even if some of the concepts aren’t completely new.

My main quibbles were bits of repetition (either ideas or sentences being near-verbatim repeated shortly later), a lot of things like “pardon the expression”, plus a bit of rushed general editing towards the end. It was therefore nowhere near as tight as it could have been but, for a starting piece, it has good characters and enough quirks to make it fun and interesting.

Final rating: ★★★★☆ – Really liked

[Ioanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Teenage girls are being ritualistically murdered in LA. One after another, the murders are same in every detail. The police have no clues whatsoever about who might be removing human lives in such an inhumane way ; and that is where Sebastian Montero steps in.

Rich, successful, and devoted to making the world a better place, Sebastian has a great knowledge of the occult, and a very deep secret: he is 700 years old, and unable to die. Having that great and peculiar advantage to his side, he is sure catching the killer is a matter of time. But when he comes face to face with the man's incredible powers, he realizes that even he might not be as safe as he had thought.

To Kill a Sorcerer was a surprisingly interesting mix of mystery and thriller. It was fast paced and filled with interesting, in-depth characters. There were flashbacks to Sebastian's past, which were very refreshing for the plot. The author managed to mix the detective story with supernatural elements in a very resourceful and thrilling way, resulting in a compelling story that left no room for boredom.

All in all, it was a very good book as a first in a series, explaining everything the reader needs to know about the main characters, and laying the ground for some exciting stories ahead. Strongly recommended for fans of thrillers.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brace yourself. This book starts off with a bang! When a young girl is found murdered in a ritualistic fashion, Sebastion Montero requests to be part of the case investigating to discover the killer. The lead officers on the case want to keep things as under wraps as possible, but when a second body appears in the same manner, word gets out. Sebastian is determined to use his vast resources to help discover the mastermind behind these cruel deaths, but he will also be putting himself and his secret at risk. The Voodoo Killer is not someone to be taken lightly, and it won't be long before he begins to show them just who exactly it is that they are dealing with.
To Kill a Sorcerer by Greg Mongrain is an engaging paranormal mystery novel. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I enjoyed it overall. Sebastian is an interesting character. While this story has vampires in it, we are quickly clued in that this is not what he is. Sebastian is something more. But he is in love with a vampire by the name of Aliena. Sebastian does his best to humor her and to do the things that she likes to do. He, himself, engages in assisting the LAPD with certain crimes of where he feels that his talents and resources will be put to good use. Also, in some cases, he applies his own sense of justice when it comes to the criminal. The story has engaging moments that will grab you and pull you in, and then there are moments that are honestly...just dull. When Sebastian is engaging with the police, investigating the crime scenes and looking for answers I'm pulled in. I'm eager to learn where they are going to go next to find answers and I want to know if they will even find the answers they seek. This story is full of intriguing moments with Sebastian especially when he is alone. I appreciate the fact that the author gives us flashbacks to when Sebastian was a child and some of his memories.
I'm glad to say that I found few errors to speak of in this book, so there is little in that form to speak of. I do have some things that I didn't like about the story. Some of the elements the author chooses to write the story are hard to believe. Aliena was born back in the 17th century and chooses to go on a trip to Paris. All this is fine on the surface. My issue is this, back then young single women were not allowed to go anywhere without a chaperone. So how is that she was able to do all of this? It doesn't make sense. Plus, she's over 300 years old and never been with a man despite being insanely gorgeous and being pursued by men all her life? It destroys some of the elements of the story for me. Because then it just seems to be done this way to fit with what it is the killer looks for, and that is just too convenient for me. I also wanted to know more about the history of Aliena and Marcus. What is the real deal between them? The romantic element between Aliena and Sebastian at times seems strung along. She knows he's interested, but I feel like she's just playing with him for the most part.
Overall I truly enjoyed this story. The paranormal and supernatural elements the author writes this book are thoroughly engaging and pulled me in. I found some elements of the story implausible, but I can't and won't say so that I don't reveal any spoilers. All in all, I think that the author has created an engaging story. There is suspense, some thrills, a hint of romance and lots of danger.
I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. This story has a few hiccups but nothing to the extent that I couldn't get through it and to the end. I look forward to reading more about Montero in the future.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Kill a Sorcerer is the first in the Immortal Montero series. I really wanted to like this book, but couldn’t get into it. Interesting characters and a plot that sort of fell flat. Sebastian’s flashbacks were sometimes confusing. Possibly the editing was what made it feel disjointed. I found myself having a hard time following in quite a few places. Not a bad start for a first in series, but not one that I will be hurrying to get the next installment.


*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. With so many paranormal stories, it is hard to find anything different. This was a great story, but poorly edited. It is very difficult for me to enjoy a book that has many errors and doesn't always flow correctly.

[R.M. Gauthier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this novel through the Kindle Scout program.
The cover of this novel stood out to me and it is what first drew my attention to this book. After reading this novel I was glad it called to me.
The story dives in from the first page and drives the reader to the last page begging for more. Not a moment in this story was wasteful and everything pushes the story forward with intrigue and wonder.
Mr. Mongrain's characters are well developed and completely relatable, even though they are not human. Sebastian is everything you would want in a man who has lived many centuries. Aliena, seems like your typical vampire, but along the way we find out she is anything but typical.
I was complete entranced by Marcus, one of the most powerful vampires, but he was a minor character in this novel. Hopefully, in the sequels we'll see more of Marcus. That's not a request Mr. Mongrain! LOL
I give this book 5 of 5 stars and would recommend this novel.
Well done, Mr. Mongrain, keep up the outstanding work.

[Bertha Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Just excellent, and I want more! This book really deserves a second and even a third and fourth part! Please, make a serial about the adventures of Mr. Montero!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange of my honest review and I recommend this book as one of the best books I read this year!...

[Jenniferk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fast paced and original

I loved Sebastian and his group. The dynamic with him and the policeman Hamilton as well. There were many interesting and original characters and components that blended with the backstory to make this book superb. I would recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed Dresden, Iron Druid and the like.

[Michael Mendetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vampire, immortal, & sorcerer

This is not the typical thriller.
It's very interesting to see the world through an immortals eyes.
An immortal in love with a vampire....hmmmm.
A sorcerer as a bad guy seeking infinite power? Not a new concept.
I really liked the book though.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book hard to get into. It's written in the first person which is not my favorite and the writing seemed a little off in the beginning, but got better as it went on. The book starts with a really graphic scene, subsequent scenes are less so. We learn about Sebastian's life in bits and pieces, but his early life wasn't terribly interesting despite giving us his motivation. A lot of potential secondary characters are brought up, but not well used. He's worked with a team of two cops in the past and appears to team up with them again, but one just disappears from the story line. His dealings with the other one are a bit haphazard and don't ring true. Another thing that doesn't ring true is his relationship with Alinea. Supposedly, they love each other but she holds his leash like he's a puppy. He gets nothing out of the relationship except bad experiences at her "club". He accepts the horrible things she does, but why given his memories of his youth? He also needs to stay low profile yet he drives a Maserati (which no one seems to have noticed when he peels out after a confrontation with the bad guy) and chugs a couple bottles of booze in front of witnesses in a public event where his peculiarities get noticed. ?!?

The character and world have potential, but the author needs to work on developing the characters and making them and their relationships more realistic. I was interested enough in finishing the book (it was listed as 217 pages, but they were short pages) and I would consider starting book 2 (if I got it for free like this one from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review) to see if the story telling gets better.

1.5 out of 5 stars

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billionaire Sebastian Montero can’t forget the murder of his younger brother. He has been hunting killers for seven hundred years. He joins the Los Angeles Police Department. He works more as a consultant that an actual “policeman.” Why? He becomes involved in a case when a young teenage girl is ritually killed. After the second ritual murder of a teenage girl, something reminds him of an ancient myth. As Sebastian looks into this myth he remembers, he realizes it isn’t a myth. As he visits a friend, he learns more about protecting himself from the sorcerer who wants to be the world’s dictator or god. Will it happen? Can Sebastian stop the sorcerer?

The novel has Sebastian as the immortal, vampires, a sorcerer who is also a serial killer, police and other characters that all add to the story. There is so much action, intrigue, and suspense in this paranormal mystery that I never found the story lacking in anyway. Now that it has ended, I want the next volume to read now!

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I was not obliged to write a favorable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

"To Kill a Sorcerer" written by Greg Mongrain is the first book in the Immortal Montero series and I really have to admit that I loved it from start to finish. I am a huge fan of mystery, thriller and crime books and I am a big fan of fantasy and paranormal fiction. This book combines those two genres and I enjoyed this mix a lot.

Montero is an Immortal and lives for seven hundred years. Now he investigates in murdercases with the police. This time he has to solve a case where young women get killed. It seems to have a giant paranormal backround which the police officers don't want to see at all - they do not believe in paranormal beings. Montero does. He is one and he loves one - a truely hot lady vampire.

This book is not only dark but often enough funny, full of humor (which I really did not expect but it was great) and it is really sensitive too. I really like that.

I really like the paranormal world and the characters as well. The story is very well written and I am definitely reading the other books in this series. This was a great read.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect based on the reviews of this book as they varied quite widely. What I got was a very well-written book with some extremely intriguing characters. Sebastian is an immortal being who likes to help the police solve murders, but they feel he has bought himself a place on the team. This series of murders is a little different than normal as it contains many elements of the supernatural, something Sebastian can handle better than those not in the know. I just loved the characters in this book. They were unique and fun, and sometimes had hidden qualities until it was time to bring them out. However, I wasn’t sure I was going to like Sebastian’s love interest, but by the end, she was one of my favorite characters even if she irritates me with some of her interests. I found the plot interesting, and I liked that the bad guy wasn’t weak and gave them a run for their money. Added to that, I was engrossed almost from the very first sentence. I’ve already added the next two books to my list, and I’m hope I can get to them ASAP. I want to see what he will get up to next. Highly recommend!

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the whole, I found To Kill A Sorcerer to be an engaging read. I enjoyed Montero as a character, with his charm and humour, and I liked that he also had his flaws, as so many paranormal heroes are made out to be too perfect for belief. I also appreciated the fact that we got to see his budding friendship with his fellow detective, alongside the romance with Aliena. The book's plot was gripping, with good pacing between action scenes and more thoughtful, quiet moments. Certainly, I was always keen to turn the page and discover what would happen next. The only weak point for me was the ending which, after all the build up, felt as if it came perhaps a little too easily and quickly. However, the book's finale left several questions open regarding the possible disclosure of Montero's secret, which makes me interested to read on in the series. Overall, it was a pleasant paranormal thriller, and I give it four stars.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley.

[Carol Keen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This happens to be a fun read! An immortal and a vampire are dating. Yep, sounds like the start of a joke. The funny thing about that, it has a good bit of humor in places. So, our 700-year-old non-dying Sebastion helps the police when possible. What else is he going to do to help the world be a better place? Sebastion's girl is a vampire. Their relationship has been going on for about 100 years, so that's one thing happening. The story is told in flashbacks, which I didn't have a problem following. I think it's kinda neat that it's part paranormal, part detective and part, well I'm not sure what, but it's a fun read. You do have a good bit of noir stereotyping, but I don't mind that. I would read another book in this series. 

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition. 

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exciting from start to finish. I didn't want to put it down. It's more than just a story about immortals and vampires. It's filled with the world of the occult, and appears the author has done much research in that area. It was easy to believe the things he put down on the pages. The characters are well developed, the writing is wonderfully crafted, and the storyline is captivating. This book is well worth reading.

I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.

[Robert Ullrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

I am giving this book 5 stars, not something I typically do. The story is original as far as anything I've read, and I've read hundreds. Mr. Mongrain captured and held my attention from jump. I am loathe to say much about a novel in a review, lest I prove to be a spoiler. Suffice it to say that I will definitely be reading Immortal Montero Book 2. Well done, sir.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He has hunted killers for seven hundred years and the death of his younger brother still haunts him. When murders start happening he joins the police. He is unaware of just how dangerous this killers really is. Will he get him? Will he die in the attempt? See how he will deal with this powerful murderer

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome story to read I am glad I that I read this story. I love reading vampire stories and this one fasinated me from the begining. I can not wait to see what Greg Mongrain has to write in his next book on the series. I loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[David Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Police procedural. With vampires.

If you've read or seen the Dresden Files, you've got a general idea of this one. I like the fact that although there are some standard tropes used, there's also some fresh ideas. The main character is for the most part likeable, but also flawed. Overall a fun read.

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on living life as an immortal with purpose. Always, I get Harry Dresden vibes when we talk about an urban fantasy presented in the first person, but I do find Montero to be entertaining with adequate depth. The other characters seem a bit more cardboard, but I would be interested to see how this series grows. A good first novel to pique one's interest... Looking forward to more!

[Rosemary Dreyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 Stars: Light, fluffy paranormal book about vicious murders in Los Angeles. Well written, but there was something I just couldn’t take seriously. Eternals and vampires and voodoo black magic, alongside violent crime scene detectives, all made for an unbelievable mix.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was totally fab! I have to find the rest of them and continue
reading! It starts and just doesn't stop! I could not put it down.. I don't think I slept.. until i coudlnt keep my eyes open anymore..

[The Endless Unread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started off interesting and then got really weird. It's a good storyline behind it though. This book is definitely an acquired taste so it won't be for everyone. However, I really enjoyed reading this one and look forward to reading the next one.

[Harry Royster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

I don't know where the idea for this book came from but I'm so glad you wrote it it was filled with drama lots of twists and turns you couldn't see coming I can't wait to read the next book

[Todd Lindstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Fantasy Book

Vampires, Immortals and Sorcerers make for a thrilling read! Nice plot with characters that are going to be interesting to follow for a long time. Looking forward to reading more from this author and this series!

[Lakesha Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. The characters were very interesting to read. I learned a lot about the supernatural world in the modern setting. I hope the author continue to write books in this world.

[Jeanice Trapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing

I found it to be a very engrossing book. The characters were very real. I would recommend to reader who are 18 and older.