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Memento Mori #1
Kiss of the Necromancer
Memento Mori. Remember that you will die. Too bad that death is all Marguerite can recall.
Marguerite has no problem remembering death. She can remember dying again, and again, and again. The issue is that the impossible visions of her life coming to gruesome and terrible ends are the only things she can remember.
Who is she? What happened to her? And why are her visions haunted by a man with shining silver eyes that seems to draw her in, even as he takes her life?
When she starts to discover answers…it seems her memories aren’t as impossible as she thought.
__________________
If you’re drawn to compelling villains and sinister love stories, the Memento Mori series by Kathryn Ann Kingsley is your next book obsession! Occult horror blends seamlessly with romance in this gripping page-turner!
Marguerite has no problem remembering death. She can remember dying again, and again, and again. The issue is that the impossible visions of her life coming to gruesome and terrible ends are the only things she can remember.
Who is she? What happened to her? And why are her visions haunted by a man with shining silver eyes that seems to draw her in, even as he takes her life?
When she starts to discover answers…it seems her memories aren’t as impossible as she thought.
__________________
If you’re drawn to compelling villains and sinister love stories, the Memento Mori series by Kathryn Ann Kingsley is your next book obsession! Occult horror blends seamlessly with romance in this gripping page-turner!
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2021
185 people are currently reading
995 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Ann Kingsley
66 books2,453 followersKathryn has always been a storyteller. Years of scriptwriting for performances on stage and for tourism in Boston led her to writing romantically dark, fantastical tales, which was an obsession of hers that began once seeing The Phantom of the Opera at a young age.
When she isn’t penning new villainous leads, she works in video game development. There, she has been everything from Creative Director to Chief of Staff, Design Manager, Executive Producer, and Principal Writer for various companies in the industry.
She shares her antique home with three very fluffy animals and one very patient and loving husband.
When she isn’t penning new villainous leads, she works in video game development. There, she has been everything from Creative Director to Chief of Staff, Design Manager, Executive Producer, and Principal Writer for various companies in the industry.
She shares her antique home with three very fluffy animals and one very patient and loving husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
February 25, 2024
Maggie has lost most of her memories, except for the ones where she dies…over and over again. These memories confound her. Are they memories? Or symbolic nightmares? Nothing makes much sense, which is why she’s seeing a psychiatrist. Dr. Gideon Raithe is a lot: gorgeous, sinister, gentle, caring, mysterious. What role does he have in Maggie’s life and deaths? She will have to figure it out and save herself from whatever death may await her in this life.
I’ve read a few of Kingsley’s books. She loves to have a beautiful but broken heroine at the heart of the stories. One who has unbelievable power that she hasn’t figured out how to use just yet. Alongside our lovely heroine, she places a host of friends and one interesting villain/love interest. It tends to be a weird combination. While there are mysteries and secrets to discover along the way, the plot tends to move forward nicely. The Harrow Faire dragged in the middle of the series but overall it flowed well. I can’t say the same for this one. We have the same ingredients but it seems to lack some of the flavor of her other novels. Maggie is fine but I’m not drawn to her. Her friend Harry is fine but again I don’t love him. Gideon isn’t sinister enough or attractive enough because there really isn’t any deep connection between the characters. At least not that I feel. I’m sure told about it but I don’t feel it in my gut.
Also, does she know any other words to describe an ancient, sinister evil other than “eldritch.” She uses the word in every book. Seriously, every book. It’s kind of annoying.
I guess it’s the lack of story that’s getting in my way. While things happen, it feels like we aren’t getting anywhere. And we’re doing it very slowly. The world building is interesting. I have to give her that much. By the end of the book, I learned very little about the mysteries surrounding Maggie and Gideon. A cliffhanger ending is supposed to make you feel like you need to keep reading. I did download the second book. I’m skimming along just because I want answers, not because I feel connected to the characters or their stories. If someone had the bits and pieces in a spoiler review, I probably wouldn’t keep reading. Oh well.
I’ve read a few of Kingsley’s books. She loves to have a beautiful but broken heroine at the heart of the stories. One who has unbelievable power that she hasn’t figured out how to use just yet. Alongside our lovely heroine, she places a host of friends and one interesting villain/love interest. It tends to be a weird combination. While there are mysteries and secrets to discover along the way, the plot tends to move forward nicely. The Harrow Faire dragged in the middle of the series but overall it flowed well. I can’t say the same for this one. We have the same ingredients but it seems to lack some of the flavor of her other novels. Maggie is fine but I’m not drawn to her. Her friend Harry is fine but again I don’t love him. Gideon isn’t sinister enough or attractive enough because there really isn’t any deep connection between the characters. At least not that I feel. I’m sure told about it but I don’t feel it in my gut.
Also, does she know any other words to describe an ancient, sinister evil other than “eldritch.” She uses the word in every book. Seriously, every book. It’s kind of annoying.
I guess it’s the lack of story that’s getting in my way. While things happen, it feels like we aren’t getting anywhere. And we’re doing it very slowly. The world building is interesting. I have to give her that much. By the end of the book, I learned very little about the mysteries surrounding Maggie and Gideon. A cliffhanger ending is supposed to make you feel like you need to keep reading. I did download the second book. I’m skimming along just because I want answers, not because I feel connected to the characters or their stories. If someone had the bits and pieces in a spoiler review, I probably wouldn’t keep reading. Oh well.
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July 29, 2021I really like all of her stories. They all have really twisted, villainous heroes!
August 1, 2021
I like this author. The only issue I had with her books is that her heroes are always so similar but since I haven't read her books in a while I decided to delve into this.
I thought it was lengthy and I say that because it was very repetitive. The heroine kept having flash backs upon flashbacks, conversations were repeated several times. They weren't at all interesting in the first place and then having to read them over and over got old really fast.
I thought it was lengthy and I say that because it was very repetitive. The heroine kept having flash backs upon flashbacks, conversations were repeated several times. They weren't at all interesting in the first place and then having to read them over and over got old really fast.
September 16, 2022
I didn’t have many expectations going in, but the ones I did have are blown away
I am truly entranced by this book. That first chapter hooked me with the mystery and intrigue and I was invested until the very last word.
Now, this is a trilogy, so we do not have have all the answers, not even half of them. I feel like this was the introduction- to the characters, to this world, to the adventure. The next book will probably be the middle, the meat of it all, and the last will be the wrap-up. I’m here for all of it. Even though the ending was technically a cliffhanger, it wrapped itself up well while also leaving an opening for the next part of the adventure of Marguerite (aka Maggie the FMC), the Necromancer, the Priest and Sister, and the merry band of misfit undead creatures. I wanna cute, cuddly undead rat named Algernon please 🥺
It was a very slow burn (completely clean which is deceiving based off the title and cover 🤧). However! I know it will be so worth it. The tension was building from the very start. Once we have more questions answered it’s gonna be like fireworks, I just know it.
The humor was amazing- lots of laughter and (very ladylike) snorts due to the banter and quick wit from Maggie. She’s a super like-able and relatable MC and I’m glad we get to see everything from her POV.
I truly don’t know who’s side I’m supposed to be on. I’m just as clueless as Maggie is and yet it’s really enjoyable because the character growth is 💯. They’re all developed beautifully that I want to know how each of their stories began.
I did think the pace dragged a bit near the end, and I thought I might get bored, but it managed to regain speed. The overuse of crazy, nuts, insane, etc got very annoying. Everything else I loved and I cannot wait to devour the rest of the series. 💛
I am truly entranced by this book. That first chapter hooked me with the mystery and intrigue and I was invested until the very last word.
Now, this is a trilogy, so we do not have have all the answers, not even half of them. I feel like this was the introduction- to the characters, to this world, to the adventure. The next book will probably be the middle, the meat of it all, and the last will be the wrap-up. I’m here for all of it. Even though the ending was technically a cliffhanger, it wrapped itself up well while also leaving an opening for the next part of the adventure of Marguerite (aka Maggie the FMC), the Necromancer, the Priest and Sister, and the merry band of misfit undead creatures. I wanna cute, cuddly undead rat named Algernon please 🥺
It was a very slow burn (completely clean which is deceiving based off the title and cover 🤧). However! I know it will be so worth it. The tension was building from the very start. Once we have more questions answered it’s gonna be like fireworks, I just know it.
The humor was amazing- lots of laughter and (very ladylike) snorts due to the banter and quick wit from Maggie. She’s a super like-able and relatable MC and I’m glad we get to see everything from her POV.
I truly don’t know who’s side I’m supposed to be on. I’m just as clueless as Maggie is and yet it’s really enjoyable because the character growth is 💯. They’re all developed beautifully that I want to know how each of their stories began.
I did think the pace dragged a bit near the end, and I thought I might get bored, but it managed to regain speed. The overuse of crazy, nuts, insane, etc got very annoying. Everything else I loved and I cannot wait to devour the rest of the series. 💛
January 8, 2022
4.25 Stars
Love this author's writing, and so far, I have loved all of her villainous heros. This hero is probably the least villainy I have read of hers, but it's only the first book, so I'm curious what he has done that was so bad to the heroine in the past. 👀 the only reason for the 4 Stars and not 5 was because it started off a bit slow, which this author's books usually do, but I'm excited for the romance and story in the next books.
Safety: safe
No details as their past is still a mystery
Love this author's writing, and so far, I have loved all of her villainous heros. This hero is probably the least villainy I have read of hers, but it's only the first book, so I'm curious what he has done that was so bad to the heroine in the past. 👀 the only reason for the 4 Stars and not 5 was because it started off a bit slow, which this author's books usually do, but I'm excited for the romance and story in the next books.
Safety: safe
No details as their past is still a mystery
February 9, 2022
As always, the imagination behind Kingsley’s stories is outstanding.
Gideon is the best! Classy, calm, sweet, completely enchanting, and not in the “crazy, hyper-violent, Sugar-Rushed” category of other Villains of the K-verse. I love that other category! but I appreciate this new personality. He reminded me of the dude in the Halfway Between series, but SHY ☺️.
Did I mention he is sweet as f@ck? Just read this:
”I remember bits that conflict and make no sense. Sometimes you’re killing me. Sometimes there’s this big shadowy monster that does it. Other times…I don’t know, I get other pieces.” “Like what?” “Like us just existing. Listening to you play the violin. Or…or when I think they cut your heart out and put it in a jar, and you passed out in my arms when you should have been dead, and yet you were only worried about me.” She made a face. “Tell me that last one was just the product of stress and too many horror movies with Harry.” Gideon looked away and didn’t answer. “Oh, shit. Do they…did it grow back?” He mumbled the word “no,” and then quickly kept talking. “Allow me to change the subject. I have a simple proposition for you.” She arched an eyebrow. “I’m surprised it took this long.” She didn’t know where she had the balls to pseudo-tease, pseudo-flirt with him. […]Gideon’s neck went a shade of red. Oh, goodness—he was blushing?
Maggie was cute, kind of, but she could be the clone of many other Kingsley heroines. And sometimes she was a little annoying. The story wanted for her to be funny, but the time and place it made her “be funny” didn’t work for me at all. In the most serious, drama-triggering scenes she would make a joke... bc she is so cool, you see? 😶 it didn’t work for me, it felt unrealistic and too much Teen, Snarky, “I’m such a cool Girl” attitude it bothered me.
Bantering and flirting while discussing imminent death and creepy details of your own past that you can’t recall? It felt like reading a YA, knows-it-all heroine 🙈.
The story was very slow sometimes, lots of repetitive inner monologues. I didn’t finish the trilogy yet, but maybe a duology would have been a better length? I’ll have to see how it goes.
And, oh, ❤️
Gideon is the best! Classy, calm, sweet, completely enchanting, and not in the “crazy, hyper-violent, Sugar-Rushed” category of other Villains of the K-verse. I love that other category! but I appreciate this new personality. He reminded me of the dude in the Halfway Between series, but SHY ☺️.
Did I mention he is sweet as f@ck? Just read this:
”I remember bits that conflict and make no sense. Sometimes you’re killing me. Sometimes there’s this big shadowy monster that does it. Other times…I don’t know, I get other pieces.” “Like what?” “Like us just existing. Listening to you play the violin. Or…or when I think they cut your heart out and put it in a jar, and you passed out in my arms when you should have been dead, and yet you were only worried about me.” She made a face. “Tell me that last one was just the product of stress and too many horror movies with Harry.” Gideon looked away and didn’t answer. “Oh, shit. Do they…did it grow back?” He mumbled the word “no,” and then quickly kept talking. “Allow me to change the subject. I have a simple proposition for you.” She arched an eyebrow. “I’m surprised it took this long.” She didn’t know where she had the balls to pseudo-tease, pseudo-flirt with him. […]Gideon’s neck went a shade of red. Oh, goodness—he was blushing?
Maggie was cute, kind of, but she could be the clone of many other Kingsley heroines. And sometimes she was a little annoying. The story wanted for her to be funny, but the time and place it made her “be funny” didn’t work for me at all. In the most serious, drama-triggering scenes she would make a joke... bc she is so cool, you see? 😶 it didn’t work for me, it felt unrealistic and too much Teen, Snarky, “I’m such a cool Girl” attitude it bothered me.
Bantering and flirting while discussing imminent death and creepy details of your own past that you can’t recall? It felt like reading a YA, knows-it-all heroine 🙈.
The story was very slow sometimes, lots of repetitive inner monologues. I didn’t finish the trilogy yet, but maybe a duology would have been a better length? I’ll have to see how it goes.
And, oh, ❤️
June 13, 2021
"Memento Mori. Remember that you will die. That death is coming for you."
Kiss of the Necromancer, first book in Kathryn Ann Kingsley's new series Memento Mori, follows the protagonist Marguerite who has no memories except for herself dying over and over again, in different eras, at different locations, and with a sinister shadowy figure always as company, speaking the same five words which are both a promise and a threat: "You will never die alone". With an eclectic cast of human and non-human characters and a morbid magical world stretching from Boston to Rome, Marguerite and the readers begin to unravel the secrets of her tragic past and the identity of the mysterious stranger stalking her death in what promises to be an exciting new series.
Kiss of the Necromancer primarily focuses on establishing the world that the series is set in and introducing and developing the main and side characters, hinting at the beginnings of a deliciously dark romance between a very original and unique female lead and an appropriately sinister and mysterious love interest. This is a strategy that works very well for the story so that the reader has time to absorb the rich setting of the story without being overwhelmed by a hastened romantic plot, which the ending of the first book promises more of in the future. For fans of the author's Immortal Soul, there is a lovely surprise about three-fourths way through this book. The story starts out at a somewhat relaxed pace, mirroring the protagonist's limited knowledge and understanding of her world, and as she begins to learn more and face unexpected circumstances, the story begins gaining momentum. For fans of the author's Immortal Soul, there is a lovely surprise about three-fourths way through this book. Kingsley's skill at creating imaginatively designed fictional worlds and characters shine through again in Kiss of the Necromancer and it is easy to get drawn into the quirks and curiosities of the world she has created.
Kiss of the Necromancer, first book in Kathryn Ann Kingsley's new series Memento Mori, follows the protagonist Marguerite who has no memories except for herself dying over and over again, in different eras, at different locations, and with a sinister shadowy figure always as company, speaking the same five words which are both a promise and a threat: "You will never die alone". With an eclectic cast of human and non-human characters and a morbid magical world stretching from Boston to Rome, Marguerite and the readers begin to unravel the secrets of her tragic past and the identity of the mysterious stranger stalking her death in what promises to be an exciting new series.
Kiss of the Necromancer primarily focuses on establishing the world that the series is set in and introducing and developing the main and side characters, hinting at the beginnings of a deliciously dark romance between a very original and unique female lead and an appropriately sinister and mysterious love interest. This is a strategy that works very well for the story so that the reader has time to absorb the rich setting of the story without being overwhelmed by a hastened romantic plot, which the ending of the first book promises more of in the future. For fans of the author's Immortal Soul, there is a lovely surprise about three-fourths way through this book. The story starts out at a somewhat relaxed pace, mirroring the protagonist's limited knowledge and understanding of her world, and as she begins to learn more and face unexpected circumstances, the story begins gaining momentum. For fans of the author's Immortal Soul, there is a lovely surprise about three-fourths way through this book. Kingsley's skill at creating imaginatively designed fictional worlds and characters shine through again in Kiss of the Necromancer and it is easy to get drawn into the quirks and curiosities of the world she has created.
July 11, 2021
Glacial pacing
The premise of this story was unique and interesting. Unfortunately, a whole lot of nothing happens in this book. Maggie is an amnesiac who has dreams or memories of dying many times. A good 50% of the novel is taken up by showing dream after repetitive dream of her dying in different scenarios, and Maggie's internal dialogue of feeling weak and confused and wishing she could get on with her life. By about 30% through the book, I also felt the same..tired of waiting for her to get some answers. There are not one or two but four people who know who she is and what's happening to her, but for one reason or another noone can just tell her, because it's so "complicated" and "such a long story" and this goes on for almost the entire remainder of the book.
I find these plot devices to stall the story so we have to pick up the next book in the series pretty annoying. Clearly I'm in the minority, because I see a lot of glowing reviews from other customers who have pre-ordered the rest of the series. I will not be one of those.
The premise of this story was unique and interesting. Unfortunately, a whole lot of nothing happens in this book. Maggie is an amnesiac who has dreams or memories of dying many times. A good 50% of the novel is taken up by showing dream after repetitive dream of her dying in different scenarios, and Maggie's internal dialogue of feeling weak and confused and wishing she could get on with her life. By about 30% through the book, I also felt the same..tired of waiting for her to get some answers. There are not one or two but four people who know who she is and what's happening to her, but for one reason or another noone can just tell her, because it's so "complicated" and "such a long story" and this goes on for almost the entire remainder of the book.
I find these plot devices to stall the story so we have to pick up the next book in the series pretty annoying. Clearly I'm in the minority, because I see a lot of glowing reviews from other customers who have pre-ordered the rest of the series. I will not be one of those.
June 20, 2021
4.5.
I love everything Kathryn writes. She is the Queen of villain romance, as far as I'm concerned.
If you've read enough of her books (I've read them all) they deidnitely follow a certain recipe, or pattern, if you will, and this one was no different. We have a heroine who is both brave and fragile and a villain who has done horrendous things, yet possibly toes the line of redeemability.
There is not a lot to say about the plot without revealing spoilers, as like our heroine, we slowly get the bigger picture of what's going on as the book progresses.
My only issue is that we don't get as much of Gideon and Maggie as I would have liked, so it's hard to gauge their chemistry at this point. I'm almost tempted to say I preferred Radu in his 10 pages, but with the way it ended, I'm hoping we're going to see more Maggie and Gideon in the next book.
Highly recommend.
I love everything Kathryn writes. She is the Queen of villain romance, as far as I'm concerned.
If you've read enough of her books (I've read them all) they deidnitely follow a certain recipe, or pattern, if you will, and this one was no different. We have a heroine who is both brave and fragile and a villain who has done horrendous things, yet possibly toes the line of redeemability.
There is not a lot to say about the plot without revealing spoilers, as like our heroine, we slowly get the bigger picture of what's going on as the book progresses.
My only issue is that we don't get as much of Gideon and Maggie as I would have liked, so it's hard to gauge their chemistry at this point. I'm almost tempted to say I preferred Radu in his 10 pages, but with the way it ended, I'm hoping we're going to see more Maggie and Gideon in the next book.
Highly recommend.
September 22, 2021
Review for the entire series:
3.5 stars - it pains me to give the rating that I gave because Kingsley is one of my favorite authors. Let me start of with what I loved: I really liked the fmc, she was strong and didn’t take shit from anyone. I also loved the side characters, they were funny and made me laugh.
Who I didn’t love however, was the mmc. Usually, Kingsley’s mmcs are villains but regarding the fmc they hurt others to protect her. This mmc hurt others for selfish reasons and hurted her instead. And yes there was so much groveling, even I felt a bit bad for him, but I just couldn’t overlook that part.
I must say that the story overall was still very enjoyable. The premise was unique and I especially loved the first book.
Tropes
• unrequited love (fmc doesn’t love mmc)
• necromancy
• memory loss, amnesia
• slowburn romance
• groveling
Ratings
• female main character: 4/5
• male main character: 2/5
•.plot: 3.5/5
• romance: 3.5:5
• spice scale: 1/5
• angst scale: 2/5
3.5 stars - it pains me to give the rating that I gave because Kingsley is one of my favorite authors. Let me start of with what I loved: I really liked the fmc, she was strong and didn’t take shit from anyone. I also loved the side characters, they were funny and made me laugh.
Who I didn’t love however, was the mmc. Usually, Kingsley’s mmcs are villains but regarding the fmc they hurt others to protect her. This mmc hurt others for selfish reasons and hurted her instead. And yes there was so much groveling, even I felt a bit bad for him, but I just couldn’t overlook that part.
I must say that the story overall was still very enjoyable. The premise was unique and I especially loved the first book.
Tropes
• unrequited love (fmc doesn’t love mmc)
• necromancy
• memory loss, amnesia
• slowburn romance
• groveling
Ratings
• female main character: 4/5
• male main character: 2/5
•.plot: 3.5/5
• romance: 3.5:5
• spice scale: 1/5
• angst scale: 2/5
Want to read
October 4, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/4/2021)! 🎁
November 4, 2021
Once again I fell for the villain ... But I have to admit: Kathryn has a very special way of shaping evil so lovingly that I can't help but fall in love with Guideon. Maggie, on the other hand, is a fantastic character, strong and incredibly fragile at the same time. She is not artificially brave, but appears very authentic in her desperation. I look forward to the rest of the trilogy.
Read it - you can't miss Algernon 🖤
Read it - you can't miss Algernon 🖤
January 5, 2025
DNF at 26%
The concepts were intriguing, an ancient lich, a secret Vatican order of warrior priests, a girl who can only remember death - but I really struggled with the contemporary setting. Pitch black hair with neon orange streaks and ironic slogan hoodies? A little too Ebony Darkness Dementia Raven Way for me. I probably would have loved this 20 years ago as a teenager, but it's just not my cup of tea as an adult.
The concepts were intriguing, an ancient lich, a secret Vatican order of warrior priests, a girl who can only remember death - but I really struggled with the contemporary setting. Pitch black hair with neon orange streaks and ironic slogan hoodies? A little too Ebony Darkness Dementia Raven Way for me. I probably would have loved this 20 years ago as a teenager, but it's just not my cup of tea as an adult.
July 12, 2021
The writing is so cringy. From the conversations between characters, the use of nicknames, and the repetitive thinking of the main character, Maggie. I understand she is going through some stuff but I don't need ever other page for her to think that. The plot is pretty obvious that I don't need to read more of the books to know what will happen.
June 8, 2021
Kiss of the Necromancer starts off slowly as you try to get your bearings in this new world of magic, but gathers steam as more and more of the puzzle is revealed. Before you know it, the book is chugging along and then—BAM!—it’s over! 😩😩😩
Seriously waiting on pins and needles for the next in the series!
Seriously waiting on pins and needles for the next in the series!
August 19, 2021
This was ... alright i suppose. It wasn't really finished enough - felt like another 5 or 6 chapters could have done for the whole story with no need for another book, especially if it had been a little less meander-y earlier. The flashback/memories were fine individually, but they were disproportionate to the rest of the story. i like more necro actively -mancing in my necromancer stories, and pretty much everything else going on outweighed that part.
June 16, 2021
Kingsley nails it again! She creates a whole new world (well, our world plus angels, demons, vampires, necromancers and walking undead-ish girls) and makes it compelling.
Maggie has only memories of death, is lonely and nearly friendless- she only has a friend, Harry and her psychiatrist Gideon. Then a priest of a secret Vatican order shows up to abduct her and things get even weirder.
Kingsley is so good at show, not tell. None of those long swaths of World Exposition, because Maggie is hearing it all for the first time too. I like the dialogue and the sense of humor. Maggie’s voice is pretty good too and while she does have a constant ‘I’m a freak, I’m so powerless’ inner monologue, well... she does seem to be both. Her quest for agency and answers are compelling and she takes enough action to not be completely obnoxious.
Gabriel is another of Kingsley’s awesome tricksy heroes, compelling and ‘complicated’. His intentions, past and goodness are all shady, but his caring for the heroine is sincere enough to make him the hero. The side characters of Rinne, Ally, Algernon, Harry and Radu are all interesting in their own way and not two dimensional. Like I said, Kingsley did it again!
But the story is far from complete. I am thankful the next two installments come out in the next two months because this was definitely Act I.
Post script: or is it a new world? Is Radu related to her vampire book?
Maggie has only memories of death, is lonely and nearly friendless- she only has a friend, Harry and her psychiatrist Gideon. Then a priest of a secret Vatican order shows up to abduct her and things get even weirder.
Kingsley is so good at show, not tell. None of those long swaths of World Exposition, because Maggie is hearing it all for the first time too. I like the dialogue and the sense of humor. Maggie’s voice is pretty good too and while she does have a constant ‘I’m a freak, I’m so powerless’ inner monologue, well... she does seem to be both. Her quest for agency and answers are compelling and she takes enough action to not be completely obnoxious.
Gabriel is another of Kingsley’s awesome tricksy heroes, compelling and ‘complicated’. His intentions, past and goodness are all shady, but his caring for the heroine is sincere enough to make him the hero. The side characters of Rinne, Ally, Algernon, Harry and Radu are all interesting in their own way and not two dimensional. Like I said, Kingsley did it again!
But the story is far from complete. I am thankful the next two installments come out in the next two months because this was definitely Act I.
Post script: or is it a new world? Is Radu related to her vampire book?
October 14, 2021
1.25/5
Waste of my time. Damn. And the overall idea for that necromancer was interesting...
I m angry because i ve read the whole book despite the dnf-recommended-asap kind of red lights flashing inside my head. I ve been waiting for the chemistry, the top tier villain romance. Instead we got annoying heroine, annoying flashbacks, hero who perhaps had some potential but ughhh, annoying priest working with demoness, and absolute mess of a story.
When i dnfed King of flames (her first book. Idk if i remebered the title right..) i thought it was just a debut thing, since i enjoyed the Harrow Faire. Julian's duology had potential but was also a bit annoying, and now this book...
Idk. Maybe i should just reread "The Puppeteer". Simon feels like a perfect book boyfriend for Halloween ;) unlike Gideon 🎃
Also: "KISS of the Necromancer", huh? did they even kiss at least once in this book? Did i skim too fast??
Waste of my time. Damn. And the overall idea for that necromancer was interesting...
I m angry because i ve read the whole book despite the dnf-recommended-asap kind of red lights flashing inside my head. I ve been waiting for the chemistry, the top tier villain romance. Instead we got annoying heroine, annoying flashbacks, hero who perhaps had some potential but ughhh, annoying priest working with demoness, and absolute mess of a story.
When i dnfed King of flames (her first book. Idk if i remebered the title right..) i thought it was just a debut thing, since i enjoyed the Harrow Faire. Julian's duology had potential but was also a bit annoying, and now this book...
Idk. Maybe i should just reread "The Puppeteer". Simon feels like a perfect book boyfriend for Halloween ;) unlike Gideon 🎃
Also: "KISS of the Necromancer", huh? did they even kiss at least once in this book? Did i skim too fast??
July 16, 2021
Another great start to the series, however this one felt a little bit slow off the bat and I just wished more things would happen. However really looking forward to the next one with the developing plot and relationships.
Kathryn does that amazing thing where the mc falls for the villain, and I'm looking forward to this one.
→3.5 stars
Kathryn does that amazing thing where the mc falls for the villain, and I'm looking forward to this one.
→3.5 stars
July 12, 2021
Pass
I didn't like any of the characters in this story, except for the undead rat and the vampire, who had very small bits in the story. I realized about a fourth of the way in, that I didn't really care what happened to the heroine, and after finishing, I still don't. I won't finish this series, unless I run out of anything else to read, or I have an abrupt change of heart. The only thing that bothers me is not going through to the end, but like I said, the interest isn't there.
I didn't like any of the characters in this story, except for the undead rat and the vampire, who had very small bits in the story. I realized about a fourth of the way in, that I didn't really care what happened to the heroine, and after finishing, I still don't. I won't finish this series, unless I run out of anything else to read, or I have an abrupt change of heart. The only thing that bothers me is not going through to the end, but like I said, the interest isn't there.
September 9, 2021
This book came highly recommended by another author that I love…this book was a DNF at 51% it was sooo slow and repetitive boring…there is only so many times we can rehash FMC’s blackouts and dreams. Life is too short to waste on slow books, and my TBR pile is calling me.
March 1, 2023
I’m expecting the spice to arrive in the next books - the ppl on the cover deceived me
March 12, 2023
I have to give this 4 stars because it's the first series I've ever completed reading! That's gotta be worth something, but maybe it just hit the spot at the weekend in time when I devoured all three books. The author may not have completely sucked me into a series with The Unseelie Prince (even though I thoroughly enjoyed book 1), but this series got me probably because the first two books end on cliffhangery endings. By that time, I was INVESTED, haha.
What really drew me into this story was a unique sense of mystery and history. I enjoyed the slow reveals of information and the twists and turns the story took. The premise felt very fresh and new, too. Here we have a necromancer (never read one of those before) and a young woman who routinely blacks out from disturbing images of repeatedly dying. It's all tied together somehow and those ties are slowly but surely doled out for the reader. Aside from our heroine and hero, I appreciated other fun and endearing characters in this book. There's lots of witty banter, too.
You'd think this book would be a bit darker than it is given the fact that so many of its characters routinely deal in death, but it has some fun moments. I love reading female characters discover their strength and take charge--this series delivered on that in a great way.
Whatever you do, don't judge this book (or the others in the series) by its cover. In this rare instance, I think the covers do the story a disservice in that they seem to have nothing to do with it. The people on the cover in no way match the description of the main characters, so I don't know what the hell is going on there.
Also, the author drops in quite a few pop culture references. These trouble me for two reasons: (1) Sometimes I have no idea what that thing is and that can be a bit jarring. Not everyone has seen that TV/movie, etc. I can't be the only reader in the dark. (2) It dates the story and why do that? In ten years, readers may have no clue what Slack is, etc. I get that the references were supposed to be funny/relatable, whatever. Such references work better when talking about the past (the author does a great job weaving in historical settings in books 2 and 3) but are risky when describing the present of a story. I'll get off my soapbox now by saying these references didn't overall deter my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, I dug it and recommend this book and the series as a whole.
What really drew me into this story was a unique sense of mystery and history. I enjoyed the slow reveals of information and the twists and turns the story took. The premise felt very fresh and new, too. Here we have a necromancer (never read one of those before) and a young woman who routinely blacks out from disturbing images of repeatedly dying. It's all tied together somehow and those ties are slowly but surely doled out for the reader. Aside from our heroine and hero, I appreciated other fun and endearing characters in this book. There's lots of witty banter, too.
You'd think this book would be a bit darker than it is given the fact that so many of its characters routinely deal in death, but it has some fun moments. I love reading female characters discover their strength and take charge--this series delivered on that in a great way.
Whatever you do, don't judge this book (or the others in the series) by its cover. In this rare instance, I think the covers do the story a disservice in that they seem to have nothing to do with it. The people on the cover in no way match the description of the main characters, so I don't know what the hell is going on there.
Also, the author drops in quite a few pop culture references. These trouble me for two reasons: (1) Sometimes I have no idea what that thing is and that can be a bit jarring. Not everyone has seen that TV/movie, etc. I can't be the only reader in the dark. (2) It dates the story and why do that? In ten years, readers may have no clue what Slack is, etc. I get that the references were supposed to be funny/relatable, whatever. Such references work better when talking about the past (the author does a great job weaving in historical settings in books 2 and 3) but are risky when describing the present of a story. I'll get off my soapbox now by saying these references didn't overall deter my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, I dug it and recommend this book and the series as a whole.
June 18, 2022
This was a bit of a miss for me, and that makes me cringe a little because I usually adore KAK’s books. I enjoy the darker flavor of her romances, the occult horror vibes, and the villainous tendencies of the male love interests in her stories. (For reference, my favorite series of hers are Harrow Faire and Impossible Julian Strande. I haven’t read the Masks of Under yet. Maze of Shadows also got a ‘meh’ from me.)
TL;DR: The overall premise of the book was good but I felt there were flaws with the execution. I mainly had difficulties with pacing (too slow and sometimes choppy), too little romance/ attraction between the FMC and MMC, and Gideon was *not* my guy. Good use of intrigue and tension. The promise of the premise playing out propelled me to the end, and on to the next book.
- The Long Review, aka my ADHD meds wore off and now I’m super wordy -
The premise of the book seemed interesting and in essence it was - but I had trouble with how things developed. More on that later, but first let’s discuss the good.
What worked well- The intrigue, the giant metaphorical question marks surrounding all of the characters, and the urge to see what was around the next bend drove me toward and through Kiss of the Necromancer. There were so many mysteries to unravel: Maggie’s past, her dreams and unusual connection to Gideon, Gideon himself, and all the little things that didn’t quite add about about Maggie’s life post-amnesia. I also admired Maggie. She’s a firecracker at heart who struggles with self-doubt and uncertainty; an understandable response to trauma and ongoing “mental health” issues. (Not to mention all the subterfuge from the other characters.)
What didn’t work for me - the pacing was slow and I kept waiting for more action between the main characters. I needed more romance/ attraction/ pull, mores something(!!). I expect a lot from KAK’s love interests and somehow Gideon did not meet those expectations. Other than those characters issues, the flow between scenes/ events felt episodic at times. Admittedly, this did generate a feeling of being off-kilter myself, thus mirroring Maggie’s own feelings of confusion.
Despite all of that, when I finished book 1, I immediately picked up book 2. I hoped that things would speed up and spice up in book 2 and 3. Please see my reviews of those two books for more.
TL;DR: The overall premise of the book was good but I felt there were flaws with the execution. I mainly had difficulties with pacing (too slow and sometimes choppy), too little romance/ attraction between the FMC and MMC, and Gideon was *not* my guy. Good use of intrigue and tension. The promise of the premise playing out propelled me to the end, and on to the next book.
- The Long Review, aka my ADHD meds wore off and now I’m super wordy -
The premise of the book seemed interesting and in essence it was - but I had trouble with how things developed. More on that later, but first let’s discuss the good.
What worked well- The intrigue, the giant metaphorical question marks surrounding all of the characters, and the urge to see what was around the next bend drove me toward and through Kiss of the Necromancer. There were so many mysteries to unravel: Maggie’s past, her dreams and unusual connection to Gideon, Gideon himself, and all the little things that didn’t quite add about about Maggie’s life post-amnesia. I also admired Maggie. She’s a firecracker at heart who struggles with self-doubt and uncertainty; an understandable response to trauma and ongoing “mental health” issues. (Not to mention all the subterfuge from the other characters.)
What didn’t work for me - the pacing was slow and I kept waiting for more action between the main characters. I needed more romance/ attraction/ pull, mores something(!!). I expect a lot from KAK’s love interests and somehow Gideon did not meet those expectations. Other than those characters issues, the flow between scenes/ events felt episodic at times. Admittedly, this did generate a feeling of being off-kilter myself, thus mirroring Maggie’s own feelings of confusion.
Despite all of that, when I finished book 1, I immediately picked up book 2. I hoped that things would speed up and spice up in book 2 and 3. Please see my reviews of those two books for more.
October 18, 2021
This is a short review for the whole series:
Book 1: 4 stars
Book 2: 5 stars
Book 3: 3 stars
It is kind of special when the book in the middle is the best of them all.
Book 1 feels short, but ends on a nice cliffhanger. We meet Marguerite, who has a broken mind - she does not remember who she is but she remembers dying many times.
Gideon is the main protagonist, an old necromancer of great power. There are sparks flying between the characters, some stuff happens, natural progression to a culmination and cliff-hanger. Except, it felt somehow short. Usually, there is more plot before the great ending and when it is so short the reader kind of is left thinking "Thats it?".
I love Ms. Kingsley's mad male protagonists, and I am afraid Gideon ain't one of them.
I think overall the problem is me, not the book. I came here with expectations of Harrow Faire greatness and amazing amazingness, but this book is different.
----------
* Just the things that bothered me in this book... minor spoilers below
Book 1: 4 stars
Book 2: 5 stars
Book 3: 3 stars
It is kind of special when the book in the middle is the best of them all.
Book 1 feels short, but ends on a nice cliffhanger. We meet Marguerite, who has a broken mind - she does not remember who she is but she remembers dying many times.
Gideon is the main protagonist, an old necromancer of great power. There are sparks flying between the characters, some stuff happens, natural progression to a culmination and cliff-hanger. Except, it felt somehow short. Usually, there is more plot before the great ending and when it is so short the reader kind of is left thinking "Thats it?".
I love Ms. Kingsley's mad male protagonists, and I am afraid Gideon ain't one of them.
I think overall the problem is me, not the book. I came here with expectations of Harrow Faire greatness and amazing amazingness, but this book is different.
----------
* Just the things that bothered me in this book... minor spoilers below
August 27, 2021
This author never ceases to amaze me
I always have had an unspoken love for certain types of villains in romance novels. Especially those with misguided actions all in the name of love or even misplaced love and loyalty. The Mummy from 1999 was probably my first villain crush to give you some kind of idea and context. This author does an incredible job of giving those types of villains their own story with a happy ending.
The concept of a necromancer is dark and slightly taboo since it involves altering the natural course of life and the laws of nature. Yet I have always enjoyed a good necromancer story. I knew going into this book based on the fact it was a villain romance written by Kingsley and involving necromancers that I would fall in love. I was correct!
The writing is captivating and draws you into the world of Maggie and allows the reader to experience those same emotions we see in Maggie. The plot is still mysterious and has an air of mysticism to it. The mystery to Maggie and her significance to Gideon is still somewhat ambiguous but it is clear he loves her deeply. The fine details of her past lives are still waiting to be explored hopefully coming in the next 2 books.
Another home run in my opinion from this author. I highly recommend any and all books by this author because I have yet to read one I didn’t enjoy. Villains need love and happy endings too!
I always have had an unspoken love for certain types of villains in romance novels. Especially those with misguided actions all in the name of love or even misplaced love and loyalty. The Mummy from 1999 was probably my first villain crush to give you some kind of idea and context. This author does an incredible job of giving those types of villains their own story with a happy ending.
The concept of a necromancer is dark and slightly taboo since it involves altering the natural course of life and the laws of nature. Yet I have always enjoyed a good necromancer story. I knew going into this book based on the fact it was a villain romance written by Kingsley and involving necromancers that I would fall in love. I was correct!
The writing is captivating and draws you into the world of Maggie and allows the reader to experience those same emotions we see in Maggie. The plot is still mysterious and has an air of mysticism to it. The mystery to Maggie and her significance to Gideon is still somewhat ambiguous but it is clear he loves her deeply. The fine details of her past lives are still waiting to be explored hopefully coming in the next 2 books.
Another home run in my opinion from this author. I highly recommend any and all books by this author because I have yet to read one I didn’t enjoy. Villains need love and happy endings too!
June 18, 2021
"I am no more or less than a mortal man. Reaching for that which is the most impossible for me to achieve. Desiring that which I cannot have. " - Gideon
Shrieking Shriveled Carcasses 😱 Kingsley has done it again
Marguerite is missing some of her memories - well actually all of them
She has been working closely with her "appointed" shrink for over a year (did I mention he was a dashingly handsome fellow) and still no closer to uncovering her past
That is except, for the nightmares that plague her - constantly
invading her dreams as well as stealing her waking moments
It seems she will never regain her memories ...
Until the attempted kidnapping
Now it's all unraveling faster than she can process and it isn't looking good
Who can she trust when she can't even trust herself?
"If I'm gonna throw a guy behind a dumpster and hope for the best, you're coming with me" - Harry
This is the start of a new dark fantasy series that I can't rant about enough.
The story takes place in the modern-day era with a touch of IDK - otherworldly flavor? lol for lack of a better descriptor
The cast is a creative blend of personalities each bringing something different to the overall tone
Easy to follow storyline that will enrapture and bind the reader from the opening scene to the closing
Shrieking Shriveled Carcasses 😱 Kingsley has done it again
Marguerite is missing some of her memories - well actually all of them
She has been working closely with her "appointed" shrink for over a year (did I mention he was a dashingly handsome fellow) and still no closer to uncovering her past
That is except, for the nightmares that plague her - constantly
invading her dreams as well as stealing her waking moments
It seems she will never regain her memories ...
Until the attempted kidnapping
Now it's all unraveling faster than she can process and it isn't looking good
Who can she trust when she can't even trust herself?
"If I'm gonna throw a guy behind a dumpster and hope for the best, you're coming with me" - Harry
This is the start of a new dark fantasy series that I can't rant about enough.
The story takes place in the modern-day era with a touch of IDK - otherworldly flavor? lol for lack of a better descriptor
The cast is a creative blend of personalities each bringing something different to the overall tone
Easy to follow storyline that will enrapture and bind the reader from the opening scene to the closing
June 17, 2021
Do you love a sexy villIan? I sure do. I wasnt so sure at first about Dr. Gideon. It's hard to imagine pure white hair, silver eyes, and a goatee (shivers) as sexy, mostly because I kept envisioning a 60 year old man hitting on a 20 year old woman. Once seen it cannot be unseen. I eventually came around... kinda.... sorta. Gideon's age isn't touched on in the standard way *wink wink* but I can say I'm pretty sure he doesn't look like an old man as he's described as looking like a Mediterranean albino. Regardless, Kingsley does a good job on blending Gothic, horror, and surprisingly romance, altogether, with happy little bits of snarky comedy interspersed throughout. My favorite part of the book was the flashbacks💕💕💕, along with Harry ☠, and Algernon🐀. Least favorite parts: playing 20 questions with a necromancer game, the whole holy order and the religious take😫, and sometimes repeating previously asked questions🙈🙉🙊. I probably sound nitpicky and I don't mean to. I actually really, really, enjoyed this book overall and have already pre-ordered 2 and 3, so if that doesn't show some love...i dunno what will...(take a picture with an Algernon look-a-like?)
June 16, 2021
Memento Mori - Remember that you will die. Again and Again and Again...
In this book we follow Marguerite, seemingly plagued by madness and visions. Unfortunately, Maggie can't remember anything other than dying over and over again. Waking up in hospital 18 months ago, she doesn't even know who she is or where she came from. She is plagued by terrible visions in which she dies over and over again in different ways, always haunted by a dark mysterious figure.
Kathryn Kingsley once again manages to captivate in such a way that you fly through the book and at the end you just want one thing: more. More Maggie, more Gideon, more Necromancer.
Maggie is a great POV that is really fun to read.You suffer with her and through her visions and probably want to know who she is and what the necromancer is all about as badly as she does.
The characters are humorous, gloomy and grotesque, endearing, and just plain fun.
An incredible start to a new series. Dark, mysterious, hilarious and exciting until the last letter - typical Kathryn Kingsley.
In this book we follow Marguerite, seemingly plagued by madness and visions. Unfortunately, Maggie can't remember anything other than dying over and over again. Waking up in hospital 18 months ago, she doesn't even know who she is or where she came from. She is plagued by terrible visions in which she dies over and over again in different ways, always haunted by a dark mysterious figure.
Kathryn Kingsley once again manages to captivate in such a way that you fly through the book and at the end you just want one thing: more. More Maggie, more Gideon, more Necromancer.
Maggie is a great POV that is really fun to read.You suffer with her and through her visions and probably want to know who she is and what the necromancer is all about as badly as she does.
The characters are humorous, gloomy and grotesque, endearing, and just plain fun.
An incredible start to a new series. Dark, mysterious, hilarious and exciting until the last letter - typical Kathryn Kingsley.
June 24, 2021
I AM NOT WILLING TO WAIT 2 MONTHS TIL BOOK 2!!!
I always love KAK's books. Literally, every time. But this book has really hit a nerve with me. There aren't words to describe it. It just has. There is just something intangible, haunting, and pressing about it. I absolutely have to understand WTF is going on. Gideon is almost too real, with his self loathing and acceptance of everything he is, coupled with the irrepressible hope to make things right, somehow. Margaritas is, I think, finally coming into her own strength.
Ugh. The only bad thing about any of this is having to wait two months until I can read the next! Trust me, I honestly get that that is such a short time, in terms of how quickly books are generally released. I AM glad it isn't longer. But right at this moment, and until book 2 is released? I just want to devour it all, then read it again and again. All 3 books would be nice, of course. Then I can exist in my own deep dark, comfy hole, and read this trilogy until the end of time.
I always love KAK's books. Literally, every time. But this book has really hit a nerve with me. There aren't words to describe it. It just has. There is just something intangible, haunting, and pressing about it. I absolutely have to understand WTF is going on. Gideon is almost too real, with his self loathing and acceptance of everything he is, coupled with the irrepressible hope to make things right, somehow. Margaritas is, I think, finally coming into her own strength.
Ugh. The only bad thing about any of this is having to wait two months until I can read the next! Trust me, I honestly get that that is such a short time, in terms of how quickly books are generally released. I AM glad it isn't longer. But right at this moment, and until book 2 is released? I just want to devour it all, then read it again and again. All 3 books would be nice, of course. Then I can exist in my own deep dark, comfy hole, and read this trilogy until the end of time.
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