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Johannes Cabal #0.25
Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day: And Other Tales of the Necromancer
Johannes Cabal is a necromancer—and he's slightly infamous.
Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day: And Other Tales of the Necromancer features seven of Cabal's most frightening adventures:
"Exeunt Demon King,"
"The Ereshkigal Working,"
"Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day,"
"The House of Gears,"
"The Death of Me,"
"Ouroboros Ouzo,"
and
"A Long Spoon."
Also included is an original introduction written and read by the author.
7 hrs. 19 min.
Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day: And Other Tales of the Necromancer features seven of Cabal's most frightening adventures:
"Exeunt Demon King,"
"The Ereshkigal Working,"
"Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day,"
"The House of Gears,"
"The Death of Me,"
"Ouroboros Ouzo,"
and
"A Long Spoon."
Also included is an original introduction written and read by the author.
7 hrs. 19 min.
230 pages, Audiobook
First published October 30, 2013
50 people are currently reading
1674 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan L. Howard
44 books2,096 followersJonathan L Howard is a game designer, scriptwriter, and a veteran of the computer games industry since the early 1990s, with titles such as the 'Broken Sword' series to his credit.
After publishing two short stories featuring Johannes Cabal (Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day and Exeunt Demon King) in H. P. Lovecraft's Magazine of Horror, Johannes Cabal the Necromancer was published in 2009 as his first novel.
Since then there have been three sequels, with a fourth due in 2016. He has also written two novels in the YA SF "Russalka Chronicles" series, and the ongoing "Goon Squad" serial of superhero stories. October 2015 will see the publication of "Carter & Lovecraft," the first in a new series of novels.
He lives with his wife and daughter near Bristol.
http://www.jonathanlhoward.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/JonathanLHoward
http://jonathanlhoward.livejournal.com/
After publishing two short stories featuring Johannes Cabal (Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day and Exeunt Demon King) in H. P. Lovecraft's Magazine of Horror, Johannes Cabal the Necromancer was published in 2009 as his first novel.
Since then there have been three sequels, with a fourth due in 2016. He has also written two novels in the YA SF "Russalka Chronicles" series, and the ongoing "Goon Squad" serial of superhero stories. October 2015 will see the publication of "Carter & Lovecraft," the first in a new series of novels.
He lives with his wife and daughter near Bristol.
http://www.jonathanlhoward.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/JonathanLHoward
http://jonathanlhoward.livejournal.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
November 25, 2020
💀 Let's Bring the Dead Back from the Dead Again Buddy Reread (LBtDBftDABR™) with the MacHalo Necromaniacs 💀
➽ And the moral of this reread is: I might perhaps have a very private, personal message for Jojo Cabal (aka my Necromancing Boyfriend). Maybe. It might perhaps (maybe) be something along these lines...
➽ And the other moral of this reread is:
👋 To be continued and stuff.
[November 2018]
Are there skirting boards in your homes, my Clueless Barnacles? There are? Uh-oh, I’m afraid you are slightly doomed and stuff. For there is a chance that your harmless-looking mouldings might possibly perhaps be home to a bunch of “double-dealing pocket-sized property developers”, aka the “ungrateful little bastards,” aka the Skirtingboard People. You have no idea the lengths these vicious little@#!&% fishers will go to in order to get their way. What? You think I’m over-exaggerating? And that there is nothing to worry about here? Ha! Just ask my Tartan Sleepers-Clad Necromancing Boyfriend of Little Infamy, Johannes Cabal! He’ll tell you what the Treacherously Miniature and Miniaturely Treacherous Varmints (TMaMTV™) are capable of!
Okay, so I’m almost nearly certain that the TMaMTV™ look nothing like our Scrumptiously Friendly Friend Stripe (SFFS™) here, but kindred spirits in Most Malevolent Intent (MMI™) they most assuredly are. That I can guarantee.
While it is natural for puny humans to be very afraid of the Skirtingboard People of Little-To-No-Morals, my boyfriend is—as should be expected—wholly unimpressed by the little swine’s malicious shenanigans.
So. The Skirtingboard People try to go for my boyfriend. Spoiler spoiler spoiler ensues. And much deliciously acerbic hilarity, too. And that’s all I can say about the plot. Because, you know, spoiler spoiler spoiler and stuff. Well, I guess I can tell you that the “closing-down sales of failed cults” are discussed in the story. So are “meteorologically obsessed sociopaths,” relatively innocent-looking cellars and “women with a fetish for lunatics in galoshes”. The “Horrid Flesh Dissolving Red Snow of Umtak Ktharl that Makes a Sighing Noise” is also mentioned, but that’s something you don’t want to ask about, so we’ll just pretend I never mentioned it and stuff. Let’s see, what other non-spoilerish stuff could I tell you about? That my Corpse-Reanimating Cutie Pie™ gets a little irritated with the workings of his inner mind, maybe? It might not be a very exciting fact, but it’s very true. And very understandable, too, when you know how bloody abstruse my boyfriend’s medulla oblongata (don’t you love it when I use BIG WORDS?) insists on being sometimes.
Yes, yes, I know, this non-review is getting much longer than the short story it is supposed to be about, so it’s time for the crap to be dramatically cut and stuff. So. All you need to know about this Mostest Cleverly Funniest Cabal Adventure The Crustaceans Have Read So Far (MCFCATCHRSF™) is: the Skirtingboard People might be cunning as shrimp, but my Yummilicious Necromancer is Super Extra Machiavellian™, doesn’t really have a conscience and doesn’t give a fish about the price of human/supernatural/whatever life. So QED and stuff. Also:
What’s that about, you ask? I’m afraid you’ll have to read this story to find out, my Lovely Arthropods. Muhahahahaha and stuff.
· Book 0.75: Exeunt Demon King ★★★★
· Book 1: The Necromancer ★★★★★
· Book 2: The Detective ★★★★★
· Book 2.5: The Ereshkigal Working ★★★★★
· Book 3: The Fear Institute ★★★★★
· Book 3.1: The House of Gears ★★★★
· Book 3.2: The Death of Me ★★★
· Book 3.3: Ouroboros Ouzo ★★★★
· Book 4: The Brothers Cabal ★★★★
· Book 4.5: A Long Spoon ★★★★★
· Book 5: The Fall of the House of Cabal ★★★★★
➽ And the moral of this reread is: I might perhaps have a very private, personal message for Jojo Cabal (aka my Necromancing Boyfriend). Maybe. It might perhaps (maybe) be something along these lines...
➽ And the other moral of this reread is:
👋 To be continued and stuff.
[November 2018]
“You little swine! Ingrates! I let you live here and this is how you repay me? You’ll turn this place into a condominium for louche pixies over my dead body!”You tell them, Mostly Heartless Paramour Mine (MHPM™)!
Are there skirting boards in your homes, my Clueless Barnacles? There are? Uh-oh, I’m afraid you are slightly doomed and stuff. For there is a chance that your harmless-looking mouldings might possibly perhaps be home to a bunch of “double-dealing pocket-sized property developers”, aka the “ungrateful little bastards,” aka the Skirtingboard People. You have no idea the lengths these vicious little
Okay, so I’m almost nearly certain that the TMaMTV™ look nothing like our Scrumptiously Friendly Friend Stripe (SFFS™) here, but kindred spirits in Most Malevolent Intent (MMI™) they most assuredly are. That I can guarantee.
While it is natural for puny humans to be very afraid of the Skirtingboard People of Little-To-No-Morals, my boyfriend is—as should be expected—wholly unimpressed by the little swine’s malicious shenanigans.
“Seen worse,” said Johannes Cabal and bolted for the stairs.Of course you have, my dear. Whatever these duplicitous midgets might throw at you is naught but a complete joke compared to what you have to deal with in your daily life. I mean, you resuscitate Deadly Dead People™ for a living (or try to, anyway), practice “messy acts of euthanasia” regularly and have in your possession the deadliest weapon known to man, aka cheap plaster busts of Napoleon Bonaparte. (These being quite the “handy tool for examining the effect of cheap statuary on reanimated flesh.” Just so you know and stuff.)
So. The Skirtingboard People try to go for my boyfriend. Spoiler spoiler spoiler ensues. And much deliciously acerbic hilarity, too. And that’s all I can say about the plot. Because, you know, spoiler spoiler spoiler and stuff. Well, I guess I can tell you that the “closing-down sales of failed cults” are discussed in the story. So are “meteorologically obsessed sociopaths,” relatively innocent-looking cellars and “women with a fetish for lunatics in galoshes”. The “Horrid Flesh Dissolving Red Snow of Umtak Ktharl that Makes a Sighing Noise” is also mentioned, but that’s something you don’t want to ask about, so we’ll just pretend I never mentioned it and stuff. Let’s see, what other non-spoilerish stuff could I tell you about? That my Corpse-Reanimating Cutie Pie™ gets a little irritated with the workings of his inner mind, maybe? It might not be a very exciting fact, but it’s very true. And very understandable, too, when you know how bloody abstruse my boyfriend’s medulla oblongata (don’t you love it when I use BIG WORDS?) insists on being sometimes.
“His subconscious was trying to tell him something but, being a subconscious, couldn’t just go ahead and tell him. Oh, no, it had to get all “signs and symbols” with him.”I swear, the subconscious can be such a pain sometimes. That’s why I love severing puny humans’ heads so much. Most efficient way to get rid of tortuous mental processes, methinks.
Yes, yes, I know, this non-review is getting much longer than the short story it is supposed to be about, so it’s time for the crap to be dramatically cut and stuff. So. All you need to know about this Mostest Cleverly Funniest Cabal Adventure The Crustaceans Have Read So Far (MCFCATCHRSF™) is: the Skirtingboard People might be cunning as shrimp, but my Yummilicious Necromancer is Super Extra Machiavellian™, doesn’t really have a conscience and doesn’t give a fish about the price of human/supernatural/whatever life. So QED and stuff. Also:
What’s that about, you ask? I’m afraid you’ll have to read this story to find out, my Lovely Arthropods. Muhahahahaha and stuff.
· Book 0.75: Exeunt Demon King ★★★★
· Book 1: The Necromancer ★★★★★
· Book 2: The Detective ★★★★★
· Book 2.5: The Ereshkigal Working ★★★★★
· Book 3: The Fear Institute ★★★★★
· Book 3.1: The House of Gears ★★★★
· Book 3.2: The Death of Me ★★★
· Book 3.3: Ouroboros Ouzo ★★★★
· Book 4: The Brothers Cabal ★★★★
· Book 4.5: A Long Spoon ★★★★★
· Book 5: The Fall of the House of Cabal ★★★★★
December 31, 2015
I couldn’t resist this imagery of this title, particularly after Melora reviewed it. When I began writing this review, I realized why.
Oh, that troublesome wind!
Unlike Pooh, Mr. Cabal is warned that the Bonewind is coming for him. While it sounds obviously ominous, he doesn’t recognize the name.
“Marvelous. If he’d really wanted little voices whispering gibberish in his ear, he would have invested in a radio license.”
Poor Mr. Cabal–he’s coming off a three day bender in the laboratory and really just wants to sleep. And clearly, he’s never met the AI in Aurora or aliens in Embassytown:
“Even then he had no guarantee that it was a wind in any real sense at all–it might only be figurative. Metaphors irritated Cabal beyond reason; why couldn’t people just say what they meant?”
Cabal’s voice is full of dry wit, a type of humor that I happened to find amusing:
“First came a lengthy introduction… riddled with the grammar of those who are prepared to do anything.”
You know–because Evil doesn’t do punctuation.
Howard explains in the Afterword that this was the first Cabal published. It’s also the first I’ve read, so I’m not sure if it is consistent with the rest in the world-building. I did enjoy it a great deal, with my only complaint being a quick mention of television that seemed inconsistent with the 1900s feel of lightbulbs, a coal chute and steam heating.
This was a fast little read that deftly distracted me during my return to the exercise bike at the gym. I even laughed out loud, hopefully not frightening my co-exercisers away. If you are amused by the (mis) adventures of an over-confident but witty scientist, I suggest you check this out.
Four and a half windy stars, rounding up to five.
February 1, 2023
“Give me what I want and you can have what you want, which includes my promise that I shall not hurt you, enchant you, or otherwise ruin your day.”
I'd already read Johannes Cabal the Necromaner when I picked up Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day: And Other Tales of the Necromancer, a collection of seven short stories about our favorite necromancer. Some of the stories are quite good and reveal both the wit and the mindset of our title character who always wants to achieve his goals, regardless of how he goes about it. Usually it's in an entertaining way. I agree with other reviewers who place "A Long Spoon" as the standout story in this collection. What's not to like about Zarenyia? Fun read!
I'd already read Johannes Cabal the Necromaner when I picked up Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day: And Other Tales of the Necromancer, a collection of seven short stories about our favorite necromancer. Some of the stories are quite good and reveal both the wit and the mindset of our title character who always wants to achieve his goals, regardless of how he goes about it. Usually it's in an entertaining way. I agree with other reviewers who place "A Long Spoon" as the standout story in this collection. What's not to like about Zarenyia? Fun read!
November 8, 2015
I loved this introduction to what seems to be a very interesting protagonist. Johannes Cabal, you see, is a 'necromancer of some little infamy'. Here he is facing 'an eldritch weather condition' (I'll leave it at that; it's a great description).
The story gives you just enough to make you want more but in twenty or so pages you get a lot more than in some novels.
The story gives you just enough to make you want more but in twenty or so pages you get a lot more than in some novels.
February 6, 2017
This series almost seems like it was tailor made for me.
It's kinda spooky, but still funny.
The hero is unlikeable a lot of the time, but is ultimately working within a specific set of morals that he believes in. It's not that he's trying to be evil. He's just using what some would think of as evil to achieve his otherwise noble goals. WELLLL... "Noble" isn't right. He's not really trying to help anyone but himself, but he also isn't willing to hurt others that don't deserve it.
And this collection of short stories is great.
All of them are interesting and do what a short story should, they explore the character and give an idea of what they're doing in their downtime when they're not in their main novel.(It's clear from this sentence that I like Jasper Fforde and that I possibly think his books are 100% accurate to life)
And what Joahannes Cabal does on his downtime is research things and try not to die.
I was going to name the stories that I liked the most, but looking at the titles again I realize that I liked all of them. There wasn't a single one that I didn't find at least partly enjoyable.
"Exeunt Demon King" is a bit of a ghost story told at Christmas time. It has to do with Theater and superstitions, and really nothing to do with Christmas, other than that's when the narrative frame is set. And Christmas is a time for ghost stories after all.
"The Ereshkigal Working" and "The House Of Gears" are both stories that involve other necromancers trying to kill Cabal in one way or another. The House Of Gears is a really interesting idea and I almost want to see if I can adapt it for a D&D or Deadlands campaign. It would take a fair amount of work and I don't think any player characters could think their way out of the story the way Cabal does because I don't think that's how anyone would ever build a Tabletop RPG character. The Ereshkigal Working shows both how ruthless and thoughtful Cabal can be, at the same time.
I think the titular story "Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day" is probably my favorite due in part to the sheer contrast in the threat faced in the story and the title of the story. It introduces many strange concepts and also shows how Cabal can be a quick thinker. Overall it's just a good story.
"The Long Spoon" is a weird one, what with all the ancient Chinese sorcerers and the devil-spider person and the strange off screen violence that is partially described but only in a "Cabal watched for a purely scientific viewpoint" kind of way. It's rather fun, and the gags about the sweater were pretty good, and the Devil being insulted when it was called a Demon were fun too.
"The Death Of Me" and "Ouroboros Ouzo" both felt more like folk tales than anything else. Though in a way the second one about the Ouzo is more to the style of a Twilight Zone story that doesn't end with the reveal that everyone is either a doll or Hitler. But it still kind of feels like a conversation that might be held on a Twilight Zone. "The Death Of Me" was just a really well done sort of "don't mess with things you don't understand" sort of story that implies that even though Cabal gets that sort of message all the time he doesn't seem to heed it all that often.
Overall I just really like this series of novels and I'm currently also listening to "The Fear Institute" which I'm also quite enjoying.
I'm now just putting Jonathan L. Howard on my watchlist of writers I'll read. He's great and has a specific voice that is the exact one that I'm looking for.
It's kinda spooky, but still funny.
The hero is unlikeable a lot of the time, but is ultimately working within a specific set of morals that he believes in. It's not that he's trying to be evil. He's just using what some would think of as evil to achieve his otherwise noble goals. WELLLL... "Noble" isn't right. He's not really trying to help anyone but himself, but he also isn't willing to hurt others that don't deserve it.
And this collection of short stories is great.
All of them are interesting and do what a short story should, they explore the character and give an idea of what they're doing in their downtime when they're not in their main novel.(It's clear from this sentence that I like Jasper Fforde and that I possibly think his books are 100% accurate to life)
And what Joahannes Cabal does on his downtime is research things and try not to die.
I was going to name the stories that I liked the most, but looking at the titles again I realize that I liked all of them. There wasn't a single one that I didn't find at least partly enjoyable.
"Exeunt Demon King" is a bit of a ghost story told at Christmas time. It has to do with Theater and superstitions, and really nothing to do with Christmas, other than that's when the narrative frame is set. And Christmas is a time for ghost stories after all.
"The Ereshkigal Working" and "The House Of Gears" are both stories that involve other necromancers trying to kill Cabal in one way or another. The House Of Gears is a really interesting idea and I almost want to see if I can adapt it for a D&D or Deadlands campaign. It would take a fair amount of work and I don't think any player characters could think their way out of the story the way Cabal does because I don't think that's how anyone would ever build a Tabletop RPG character. The Ereshkigal Working shows both how ruthless and thoughtful Cabal can be, at the same time.
I think the titular story "Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day" is probably my favorite due in part to the sheer contrast in the threat faced in the story and the title of the story. It introduces many strange concepts and also shows how Cabal can be a quick thinker. Overall it's just a good story.
"The Long Spoon" is a weird one, what with all the ancient Chinese sorcerers and the devil-spider person and the strange off screen violence that is partially described but only in a "Cabal watched for a purely scientific viewpoint" kind of way. It's rather fun, and the gags about the sweater were pretty good, and the Devil being insulted when it was called a Demon were fun too.
"The Death Of Me" and "Ouroboros Ouzo" both felt more like folk tales than anything else. Though in a way the second one about the Ouzo is more to the style of a Twilight Zone story that doesn't end with the reveal that everyone is either a doll or Hitler. But it still kind of feels like a conversation that might be held on a Twilight Zone. "The Death Of Me" was just a really well done sort of "don't mess with things you don't understand" sort of story that implies that even though Cabal gets that sort of message all the time he doesn't seem to heed it all that often.
Overall I just really like this series of novels and I'm currently also listening to "The Fear Institute" which I'm also quite enjoying.
I'm now just putting Jonathan L. Howard on my watchlist of writers I'll read. He's great and has a specific voice that is the exact one that I'm looking for.
November 30, 2020
MacHalo Buddy Read
I love this cover
I love this cover
Continuing on with the Johannes Cabal series comes the first novella Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day. What a fun and exciting read. Jonathan L. Howard is definitely a "show me" author.
November 10, 2022
В целом:
☆ видно, что серия выросла из рассказов, потому что в романах автор иногда запутывается в темпе. А вот в малой форме огонь.
☆ рассказы не спойлерят основные романы, зато романы спойлерят рассказы в виде отсылок, анекдотов и баек. Поэтому лучше начинать с рассказов. Тем более, что они лежат бесплатно на сайтах журналов, в которых выпускались.
Соу, список:
01 The Blustery Day (5☆)
Маленькое сокровище. Если вы не знаете, нужен ли вам вообще Йоханнес Кабал - рекомендую начать с него. Градус упороса всю серию будет приблизительно на этом уровне.
Спойлерится в The Brothers Cabal.
02 The Exeund Demon King (4☆)
Йоханнес рассказывает на Рождество байку про призрака. Сняла одну звезду за слишком жирный рояль в конце.
Спойлерится в The Brothers Cabal.
03 The Ereshkigal Working (5☆)
Какой же некромант без зомби-апокалипсиса. Продолжение The Exeunt Demon King.
Спойлерится в The Brothers Cabal.
04 The House of Gears (4☆)
Киберпанк на перфокартах. Сняла одну звезду за рояль.
Спойлерится в The Detective.
05 Death of Me (5☆)
Короткая история про то, что на каждого Шерлока Холмса найдется своя Ирен Адлер.
06 Ouroboros Ouzo (5☆)
История, в которой Йоханнес Кабал становится женщиной. Одновременно спойлерит The Fear Institute, и сам спойлерится там же. Потому что уроборос.
07 A Long Spoon (5☆)
Йоханнес вместе с рыбным пирогом, ангоровым свитером и симпатичной женщиной отправляется в гости к китайскому колдуну. Много шуток ниже пояса, потому что суккубы (секса нет). Уровень упороса таков, что я чуть не умерла от смеха. Финал роялен, но мне пофиг.
Спойлерится в The Fall of the House of Cabal.
Моими самыми любимыми, пожалуй, будут The Blustery Day и Ouroboros Ouzo.
☆ видно, что серия выросла из рассказов, потому что в романах автор иногда запутывается в темпе. А вот в малой форме огонь.
☆ рассказы не спойлерят основные романы, зато романы спойлерят рассказы в виде отсылок, анекдотов и баек. Поэтому лучше начинать с рассказов. Тем более, что они лежат бесплатно на сайтах журналов, в которых выпускались.
Соу, список:
01 The Blustery Day (5☆)
Маленькое сокровище. Если вы не знаете, нужен ли вам вообще Йоханнес Кабал - рекомендую начать с него. Градус упороса всю серию будет приблизительно на этом уровне.
Спойлерится в The Brothers Cabal.
02 The Exeund Demon King (4☆)
Йоханнес рассказывает на Рождество байку про призрака. Сняла одну звезду за слишком жирный рояль в конце.
Спойлерится в The Brothers Cabal.
03 The Ereshkigal Working (5☆)
Какой же некромант без зомби-апокалипсиса. Продолжение The Exeunt Demon King.
Спойлерится в The Brothers Cabal.
04 The House of Gears (4☆)
Киберпанк на перфокартах. Сняла одну звезду за рояль.
Спойлерится в The Detective.
05 Death of Me (5☆)
Короткая история про то, что на каждого Шерлока Холмса найдется своя Ирен Адлер.
06 Ouroboros Ouzo (5☆)
История, в которой Йоханнес Кабал становится женщиной. Одновременно спойлерит The Fear Institute, и сам спойлерится там же. Потому что уроборос.
07 A Long Spoon (5☆)
Йоханнес вместе с рыбным пирогом, ангоровым свитером и симпатичной женщиной отправляется в гости к китайскому колдуну. Много шуток ниже пояса, потому что суккубы (секса нет). Уровень упороса таков, что я чуть не умерла от смеха. Финал роялен, но мне пофиг.
Спойлерится в The Fall of the House of Cabal.
Моими самыми любимыми, пожалуй, будут The Blustery Day и Ouroboros Ouzo.
December 8, 2024
This was just what I needed. I was grinning and laughing and just having an all round good time. Spider demon was chef’s kiss and I adore the chemistry between her and Cabal. Very excellent. I am sorry that this is the last of Johannes Cabal books but this book has put me in such good humour that I won’t let that fact get me down.
December 28, 2015
I've been eyeing up the Johannes Cabal books for a while now, but didn't want to be sucked into a new series. Now, thanks to this entertaining short story, a Christmas gift from my sister, the damage is done. Twenty pages only allowed for a quick adventure and introduction to Johannes Cabal, who is amusing, cynical, and apparently fearless, so I don't know how pleased I'll be with Howard's narrative skills when the first of the full length books arrives in the mail, but I was pleased enough with this to pop in at Amazon as soon as I'd finished and ask if they'd be so kind as to send me The Necromancer. As usual, they said they'd be glad to enable please. Nothing like a new series to start off a new year, that's my (new) motto!
September 2, 2019
An interesting collection of short stories featuring everyone's favorite necromancer! They definitely fill in a lot of background and missing scenes from the series, but overall I would have liked them to feature a few more prominent side characters [like Horst, where was Horst!]. My favorite was A Long Spoon because Zarenyia is just amazing ❤
April 29, 2021
Johannes Cabal is a dark version of Sherlock Holmes with magical powers. The stories are a bit dry, and the liminal space bugged me, at times feeling medieval but with modern day reference, but overall an entertaining listen. I would like to hear more from Johannes Cabal.
March 10, 2022
First Cabal story, and worth a look for that alone. That said, it's OK+ as a story. 2.5 stars, rounded up for the circuitous story of its first sale. But the Caball story you MUST read is "A Long Spoon," online at https://www.tor.com/2014/12/18/a-long...
Earned the full 5 stars from me!
Earned the full 5 stars from me!
June 10, 2019
Interesting introduction to the Johannes Cabal series.
September 21, 2016
This was the first Cabal story, and it's a hoot. The humor is dark and dry, the narration perfectly droll, and Johannes is already recognizable, albeit without the depth the novels would bestow upon him. Nonetheless, his battle against a demonic wind is fast and funny, with every element (pardon the pun) perfectly in place. Everything that is established is later used, and to great effect.
It is also the rare story to be the perfect length for it's content. There is neither rushing nor padding here, just a perfectly paced little one-hander. If you are a fan of the series, this is a must. If you have yet to discover Cabal, this is a great intro. Basically, if your sense of humor has a morbid streak, you should read this, and soon.
It is also the rare story to be the perfect length for it's content. There is neither rushing nor padding here, just a perfectly paced little one-hander. If you are a fan of the series, this is a must. If you have yet to discover Cabal, this is a great intro. Basically, if your sense of humor has a morbid streak, you should read this, and soon.
January 6, 2021
Delightful for a short story. Not quite a 5 star rating on an enjoyability scale though.
This is due to my unfulfilled expectations. Since this was the first Cabal book, I was hoping for some of Johannes backstory. Instead it is more of "a day in the life of" sort of thing.
The writing was as expected. Witty, fun and entertaining.
I would recommend.
Content concerns: Length 20 pages. Cursing: Not in English (says "shit" in German). Violence: No.
This is due to my unfulfilled expectations. Since this was the first Cabal book, I was hoping for some of Johannes backstory. Instead it is more of "a day in the life of" sort of thing.
The writing was as expected. Witty, fun and entertaining.
I would recommend.
Content concerns: Length 20 pages. Cursing: Not in English (says "shit" in German). Violence: No.
January 11, 2015
Think Dean Winchester sans the whiny kid brother. Johannes is confident, witty, snarky, and quite capable of "ending" any monster he comes up against while maintaining a, "I'll probably die, but hell, let me try this," attitude.
J L Howard has created a character that I look forward to following.
J L Howard has created a character that I look forward to following.
October 7, 2019
Fantastic collection of Johannes Cabal shorts, the perfect combination of witty and creepy, in the tradition of The Addams Family and The Munsters. All are good, with A Long Spoon the clear standout.
Exeunt Demon King (3.0) - A little bit slow to get rolling, but another excellent Johannes Cabal tale.
The Ereshkigal Working (3.0) - Faced with a zombie apocalypse, Cabal pursues a creative solution.
Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day (3.0) - This first in what has now become a substantial series of Johannes Cabal stories, this was a lot of fun, a tale of a wizard of sorts attempting to outwit an eldritch weather condition out for his blood.
The House of Gears (4.0) - Cabal tangles with a rival who has a more technological approach to necromancy. Some seriously cool steampunk vibes.
The Death of Me (4.0) - Cabal runs afoul of the fae and has a near death experience, somewhere short of his previous full death experience.
Ouroboros Ouzo (3.5) - Cabal glimpses some of his possible futures and questions some of his choices in life.
A Long Spoon (5.0) - Perhaps the most fun you can have in the very depths of hell!
Exeunt Demon King (3.0) - A little bit slow to get rolling, but another excellent Johannes Cabal tale.
The Ereshkigal Working (3.0) - Faced with a zombie apocalypse, Cabal pursues a creative solution.
Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day (3.0) - This first in what has now become a substantial series of Johannes Cabal stories, this was a lot of fun, a tale of a wizard of sorts attempting to outwit an eldritch weather condition out for his blood.
The House of Gears (4.0) - Cabal tangles with a rival who has a more technological approach to necromancy. Some seriously cool steampunk vibes.
The Death of Me (4.0) - Cabal runs afoul of the fae and has a near death experience, somewhere short of his previous full death experience.
Ouroboros Ouzo (3.5) - Cabal glimpses some of his possible futures and questions some of his choices in life.
A Long Spoon (5.0) - Perhaps the most fun you can have in the very depths of hell!
July 2, 2024
Ah! This was truly delightful. This was such a cozy collection of the most charming, cute-macabre stories filled with good humor and snark. If Sherlock Holmes was a German necromancer with a propensity for sarcasm, here we are.
I am absolutely obsessed and will be collecting everything I can find related to this character now. I want a little “Cabal’s #1 Fan” sign, the idea of which is only made better knowing that he would despise that and probably me, in general.
Edit two years later: I actually read the collection of all the Cabal short stories, which are listed separately on Goodreads. I didn’t realize this was the first story, not the collection. This rating counts for the lot of them!
I am absolutely obsessed and will be collecting everything I can find related to this character now. I want a little “Cabal’s #1 Fan” sign, the idea of which is only made better knowing that he would despise that and probably me, in general.
Edit two years later: I actually read the collection of all the Cabal short stories, which are listed separately on Goodreads. I didn’t realize this was the first story, not the collection. This rating counts for the lot of them!
January 5, 2014
I have loved the three Johannes Cabal books written up to this point, but I think I might actually like this story a little better. It was so funny, ridiculous, and full of that classic humor which makes Jonathan L. Howard's work so much fun to read. What a great story! I think the best part was seeing Cabal in his "natural habitat," hanging out at his house without the normal worries of nasties chasing him across the landscape, trying to kill or eat him. This time, the nasties are making a house call.
If you've liked the Johannes Cabal books, then you need to check this out! And even if you're just looking for an introduction to the series, you should read this, too.
If you've liked the Johannes Cabal books, then you need to check this out! And even if you're just looking for an introduction to the series, you should read this, too.
February 17, 2018
This short story collection is a delightful blend of black humor, necromancy and erudition. I had read most of these stories previously, but the narrator greatly added to the experience, varying character voices, adding menace or sarcasm, or carrying just enough understated humor. I would highly recommend this collection, and it is a splendid introduction to Herr Cabal.
January 2, 2024
One (long) sentence review:
I... don't understand what is to like here, the characters are usually well-explored cliches, the setting too, and there is not really good pulpy story either, compared to, f.e. witcher books, there aren't any plottwists, villains make stupid mistakes and the whole thing did not give me any motivation to read more of these other books from Cabal's series.
I... don't understand what is to like here, the characters are usually well-explored cliches, the setting too, and there is not really good pulpy story either, compared to, f.e. witcher books, there aren't any plottwists, villains make stupid mistakes and the whole thing did not give me any motivation to read more of these other books from Cabal's series.
December 4, 2018
This first in what has now become a substantial series of Johannes Cabal stories, this was a lot of fun, a tale of a wizard of sorts attempting to outwit an eldritch weather condition out for his blood.
November 30, 2021
This book is adorable! It was my introduction to both Jonathan L. Howard and Johannes Cabal!
Can’t wait to read more
Can’t wait to read more
January 19, 2023
I'm BEREFT! I have finished the last of the Cabals, and I now have no more Cabal remaining. How will I cope?
July 13, 2025
LOVED this!!
Lovecraft-ian horror, light on the horror, but graphically written and FUNNY!!
I withheld the fifth star though, solely because I felt the ending was a little weak compared to the rest
Rather than, retyping here I'll leave one quote, see my highlights for more!
"“You little swine! Ingrates! I let you live here and this is how you repay me? You’ll turn this place into a condominium for louche pixies over my dead body!” Which thought sobered him. That was the intention."
It's a short, but worth the dollar! In fact, if'n you tight, and a friend, I'll spring the dollar and gift you a kindle version
Lovecraft-ian horror, light on the horror, but graphically written and FUNNY!!
I withheld the fifth star though, solely because I felt the ending was a little weak compared to the rest
Rather than, retyping here I'll leave one quote, see my highlights for more!
"“You little swine! Ingrates! I let you live here and this is how you repay me? You’ll turn this place into a condominium for louche pixies over my dead body!” Which thought sobered him. That was the intention."
It's a short, but worth the dollar! In fact, if'n you tight, and a friend, I'll spring the dollar and gift you a kindle version
October 8, 2018
I have missed Johannes. This is a collection of short stories featuring everyone's favorite necromancer (of little infamy) Johannes Cabal.
November 9, 2017
My first review of this collection labored under the mistaken belief that the stories were out of order. I thought that the order of publication (and the order that they are listed here on the Goodreads site for the Johannes Cabal series) was the correct one. I was incorrect. Since I have been rereading the series, I have come to the realization that not only is the order listed here impossible (three short stories simply could NOT have occurred between books 3 and 4) but that the chronology of this audiobook makes sense.
As for when do the stories occur…the best answer I can think of is mostly before book 3. Definitely before book 5. And at least the first several are before book 1. But none of the stories are vital towards the enjoyment of any of the books. Jonathon L Howard does his best to make every book a singular jumping on point, with enough Easter eggs to reward the serial reader.
This was a fantastic performance of seven short tales of Johannes Cabal, a necromancer of some little infamy. The usual humor and horror are in great supply. If you're already familiar with him, this will give you more of what you love…Cabal at his snarky best, now in bite-sized chunks! If you have not met him, this gives you a glimpse of his shorter adventures.
As for when do the stories occur…the best answer I can think of is mostly before book 3. Definitely before book 5. And at least the first several are before book 1. But none of the stories are vital towards the enjoyment of any of the books. Jonathon L Howard does his best to make every book a singular jumping on point, with enough Easter eggs to reward the serial reader.
This was a fantastic performance of seven short tales of Johannes Cabal, a necromancer of some little infamy. The usual humor and horror are in great supply. If you're already familiar with him, this will give you more of what you love…Cabal at his snarky best, now in bite-sized chunks! If you have not met him, this gives you a glimpse of his shorter adventures.
July 15, 2024
Another outing of the always entertaining necromancer Johannes Cabal. (Good thing he's fictional, or I suspect calling him "entertaining" would quickly lead to a fate at least as bad as death.) A collection of short stories rather than a single novel, but who's complaining? Nicholas Guy Smith does a wonderful job narrating the audiobook. I've already listened to it twice, so I think we can safely give this five stars.
December 3, 2013
I was so excited to see that this story was available again, after being out-of-print and impossible to find for so long.
Johannes Cabal is one of my favorite literary discoveries of the past several years. He's such a caustic, stylish jerk. I had fun reading his "beginning," even though it was clear that his whole story wasn't entirely fleshed out yet.
Johannes Cabal is one of my favorite literary discoveries of the past several years. He's such a caustic, stylish jerk. I had fun reading his "beginning," even though it was clear that his whole story wasn't entirely fleshed out yet.
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