Death Dealers

Necromancer A.F. #1

by M.G. Gallows

“Don’t dawdle, Alex. My Keepers and I will be searching for that body. If we find it, you’ll know.” Sheriff Agni put a fist over his chest and splayed out his fingers. “Boom.” A year after a nasty breakup and a big move, Alex Fossor feels like he’s finally getting his life together. Then he gets framed for murder and the Rimbault Society—mages who secretly run the world—drag him before North America’s Archmage. The only thing that stalls Alex’s execution is the same evidence that could damn him, when the victim’s body walks out of the morgue and disappears. Reviled for his death magic, Alex knows he’ll have to prove his own innocence. But the mundane, the magical, the living and the dead are on his case. A beautiful stranger knows who the real culprit could be, but can Alex trust her to have his back? With time running out, Alex discovers a sinister plot to use arcane drugs to harvest the city's addicts. He’ll have to embrace everything that makes him a monster in the eyes of the law, before a hex on his heart burns him to ash.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Ebooks

293 pages, Paperback

Published April 9, 2021

About the author

MG Gallows lives in Alberta, Canada, where he stands in the frozen snow daring Australia's deadly, over-sized spiders to 'no, you c'mere'. He loves all things fantasy and horror, tabletop and video games.

Reviews

[Vintagebooklvr]

If you go it, you got it. That's death magic. Well, and anybody who has magic. They were born with it through no decision of their own making. But death magic is reviled. That makes you an outcast at best, a target for assassination at worst (or maybe something worse than death). Everyone thinks that a necromancer is going to go bad. Maybe because if everyone tells you that you are rotten and evil you will be that.

Alex Fossor is one of the few that has death magic. He has managed to make a living and not do anything to out of the law to bring authorities down on his head. Until someone frames him for particular nasty business. Now the magic law and the mundane law are after him. No one believes he is innocent and if he doesn't expose the truth soon is hex will burn him alive. And many other people will be dead. One person seems willing to help him but can he trust a beautiful stranger?

This is a very believable world. People revile what you are, tell you you are going to go bad, and are happy to be right when it happens. They don't give you any help, no one teaches you and then they blame you for going outside of the laws no one really bothered to teach you. Oh, and the powers that be are more than happy to screw you over too when it serves there purposes. When things are bad they just seem to keep on getting worse.

What prevents this from being a depressing book is Alex. He has his own moral code and really tries to live by it. He isn't trying to screw anyone over and he may do some illegal stuff, but he is helping others by doing it. He has compassion even though he tries not to show it. He is doing his best to help some zombies have a semblance of a real life. He is trying to not rock the boat and live a "normal" life. When life is really kicking him when he is down, he keeps on trying to help and not take the easy way out.

Oh, and there is humor. Humor and growth in characters. Plus a good storyline. It makes it a winner to me.

[S. MacAndrew]

Death Dealers manages that wonderful mixture of humour attached to dark events. The main narrator’s voice is distinctive and real, his trials and tribulations as well documented as his moments of self-realisation and blame. All without ever becoming depressing or miserable. The world of the protagonist is infuriatingly Machiavellian, and left me annoyed on his behalf, supporting him all the way through. You can’t help liking him. The supporting characters are well drawn, and you’re definitely seeing them through very human eyes,
I don’t know what an expert in some of the practices would think, but the whole world feels convincingly researched to the layman and hangs together solidly. The magic and mages fit into a world that is recognisable and coherent.
I absolutely loved this and stayed up late to read it. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
Read on Kindle Unlimited

[Jaime]

I liked the story and the characters in this book a great deal, and I would pick up a second book without hesitation. It was a good story. I like Alex, and I want to see him evolve as a character.

This was a good start to a series.

The only reason, and it's a picky one, I didn't give it five stars were all technical issues. And I am in no way blaming the author for any of them, I know better. But they tossed me out of the story, and those little jars add up.

Read it anyway. As I said, I'm picky.

[Federica De dominicis]

A little gem

This is a fantastic story! The ideas, characters and settings are a pleasure to read. I often felt like reading an inbetween among an urban fantasy, a noir and an horror story. There are few proof reading mistakes, but that aside, is well written, and the flow and pace are great!

[Wayne Turmel]

A killer kickoff

Zombies, banshees, and a secret society of mages make for an exciting story. Great kickoff to a series unlike so much urban fantasy. Looking forward to the next installment.

[PAR]

Alex is finally getting his act together. Within the past 18 months he has gone through a nasty break up. Changed jobs and moved! Then out of the blue he is accused of murder, found guilty, and slated for execution.
The only way Alex can get of this mess is to prove his own innocence. He has found one woman who might know who the killer is – but can Alex trust her? In addition Alex is well known for his Death Magic, which is hated by those in charge. He will have to stand up and take ownership of everything that makes him unique and gifted. But who can Alex trust?

This book had a great story line, building upon the characters introduced in the preceding novel. The author showed maturation in his writing from his debut novel and this one flowed wonderfully, keeping you engaged from the beginning. The foreshadowing gave way to some predictions along the way, however, the book was thrilling throughout.
Once I started this surreal and exciting adventure, I could not put it down. I highly recommend this novel. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the book.

[Seashell]

This book has all the right elements in making a great story. The characters are well thought out, the action is fast past and the danger is real. Unfortunately, I just couldn't connect with the book. When I was reading, I was invested but I found it easy to put down and difficult to pick back up. I wish it would have had some love interest or some kind of interpersonal interaction which was meaningful. I'm giving the book 3 stars because I don't believe the book is bad, simply that it was not the right book for me. If you enjoy action, magic, danger and the need be self reliant, you will enjoy this book. I received a free copy of this book.

[Mrs. J.P. Cantle]

Mages come in different specialities and social classes

At the beginning of to this box Alex is just this lad working two jobs . One for the funeral director and a lifeline in cleaning up corpses. Funny thing is he makes the bodies do the hardcwork. One day he picks pubs body but the van crashes, and missing paperwork means he gets arrested. By the time they get to the police station the body has disappeared! The story gets deeper and deeper into mage society and Alex has more troubles before he doesn't get the girl!

[Lizzy]

Dead isn't the last of it.

Once I started, I couldn't put it down. The characters were entertaining and really drew you into their world. With a little levatee, garish humor and true situational relatiblity, Mr Gallows brings you in and doesn't let go. The story does bring some touchy subjects to light but for the most part it's treated as an afterthought. The book is a roller coaster with action packed bits thrown in with some lulls. It's easy to get caught up in the world that's created. Can't wait for the rest of the story, as you're left wanting more. Excellent read!

[Chloe Frizzle]

Honestly, this book is well paced and plotted. The main character is charismatic. The worldbuilding is interesting.

But I gave up on this book at 40%. I just couldn't stand how it was treating its female character. All she did was cry, flirt, and wear a shirt that both was way too big on her and "strained against her assets."

[Katey]

This was a fun read! Alex Fosser is a well written character that's easy to sympathize with. Especially his reaction as he continues to have a series of unfortunate events. I, too, would just want to sleep. The world of magic is pretty simple and easy to understand, especially if you're already a fan of the occult. I'm eager to crack into the second book!

[Babette]

This book was great! It will fit in well with the Dresden Files, The Hallows, The Iron Druid. Fantastic world building. I want to know more about The Rimbault society. And Gallows opened the door for a really rich assortment of supernatural characters. I will read anything this author writes!

[Julie Kastner]

It was just OK

It seemed to take forever to get started. Then it didn't get any better. I couldn't find because I lost intrest. Just my opinion.

[Lori Smith]

Great book

Great book. Was easy to get involved in. The characters are interesting funny. All in all, a good read, with some relatable characters.

[T]

Much better written than it might have been. Interesting magic system, characters that make sense and act rationally and understandably.

[Michael]

The promising beginning of an enchanting urban fantasy series of magic, lives, bodies and souls.

Alexander Fossor is a fascinating protagonist, a necromancer who lives in the grays of morality and regularly weaponizes a primal sense of fear. His surrounding world and supporting cast are equally vibrant and full of personality, making the series world feel lived-in.

Highly recommended, whether you decide to continue or not.