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Bones of the Lich King
After months away, attending to family matters in a distant city, Olaf is grateful to at last be returning home. Rochdale is a small village, and life as a ropemaker is simple and unexciting, but it's a life Olaf deeply treasures—especially his son, Lukas.
Instead of a warm welcome, however, he's greeted by screams and nightmares, people who are clearly dead walking around feeding ravenously on the living, and nothing remains of the home he loves so dearly. Fleeing for their lives, Olaf, his son, and their few companions make for the next village over, praying for the nightmare to end.
Stopping the Risen Dead is not a simple matter, however. Even the might of holy magic wielded by priests is not enough to do more than hold them back. To end the nightmare once and for all, Olaf will have to travel through dangerous territory to find a nigh-legendary necromancer, who gain their power over death by consuming their masters…
Instead of a warm welcome, however, he's greeted by screams and nightmares, people who are clearly dead walking around feeding ravenously on the living, and nothing remains of the home he loves so dearly. Fleeing for their lives, Olaf, his son, and their few companions make for the next village over, praying for the nightmare to end.
Stopping the Risen Dead is not a simple matter, however. Even the might of holy magic wielded by priests is not enough to do more than hold them back. To end the nightmare once and for all, Olaf will have to travel through dangerous territory to find a nigh-legendary necromancer, who gain their power over death by consuming their masters…
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2023
About the author
Megan Derr
289 books2,991 followersMegan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.
meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
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facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr
meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
meganderr.blogspot.com
facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 10, 2023
3.5
So this is not one of Megan Derr's cozy fairytales or her quirky retellings. This time she's going again for a more grim fantasy and seeing her using German names you also have a pointer that it's more on the dark side of her writing. In parts it looks like her take on the Walking Dead but a fantasy version, so there are certainly not only zombies but necromancers, animated skeletons and the like. All other ingredients you would expect of such a story are there: a small, secluded village overthrown by the dead, a single dad on the run with his son who surpasses himself, a necromancer coming for help while being despised and feared, a close group of brave citizens and a proud, ignorant mayor.
I liked that everything evolves naturally and that there's no story surprise coming out of the left field (except ). Of course it could be much darker but the foreboding is quite real as is the claustrophobic ambience when the core group gathers in the temple for their last fight.
We only get the story from Olaf's view and because he's oblivious to other peoples view of him, we also easily miss Korbinian's signs and the whole romance part comes as a surprise but again, as soon as it's acknowledged the rest evolves naturally and it's nice to watch them growing together. Have to admit I also have a soft spot for the 2 boys and their symbiotic relationship. I only wonder why Derr decided to give one of them a girls name while still using the male pronoun. Nevertheless I would really love to meet them again several years in their future living their life as necromancer and paladin.
So this is not one of Megan Derr's cozy fairytales or her quirky retellings. This time she's going again for a more grim fantasy and seeing her using German names you also have a pointer that it's more on the dark side of her writing. In parts it looks like her take on the Walking Dead but a fantasy version, so there are certainly not only zombies but necromancers, animated skeletons and the like. All other ingredients you would expect of such a story are there: a small, secluded village overthrown by the dead, a single dad on the run with his son who surpasses himself, a necromancer coming for help while being despised and feared, a close group of brave citizens and a proud, ignorant mayor.
I liked that everything evolves naturally and that there's no story surprise coming out of the left field (except ). Of course it could be much darker but the foreboding is quite real as is the claustrophobic ambience when the core group gathers in the temple for their last fight.
We only get the story from Olaf's view and because he's oblivious to other peoples view of him, we also easily miss Korbinian's signs and the whole romance part comes as a surprise but again, as soon as it's acknowledged the rest evolves naturally and it's nice to watch them growing together. Have to admit I also have a soft spot for the 2 boys and their symbiotic relationship. I only wonder why Derr decided to give one of them a girls name while still using the male pronoun. Nevertheless I would really love to meet them again several years in their future living their life as necromancer and paladin.
March 29, 2023
DNF @ 24%.
I love Megan Derr. I’ve been reading her stuff for years, I’ve re-read many of them, own tons in paperback even. But this is Not Good TM. In fact, I think it’s the first time I’ve ever DNFd a book from Derr.
There’s just the devastating amount of loss in the opening pages of this book. There’s screaming, yelling, sobbing… and it’s the most vapid thing I’ve ever read from Derr. Wipe out an entire town? Meh. Kill your BFF? Oh, well. Having your characters cry doesn’t actual make it emotional *shrug*.
If I had to blind read this vs something she wrote 10 years ago, no way would I say this was the recent work. It’s soulless. I thought I’d at least wait until the necromancer made his appearance, but not even a necromancer can save this book.
At least the cover is amazing.
I love Megan Derr. I’ve been reading her stuff for years, I’ve re-read many of them, own tons in paperback even. But this is Not Good TM. In fact, I think it’s the first time I’ve ever DNFd a book from Derr.
There’s just the devastating amount of loss in the opening pages of this book. There’s screaming, yelling, sobbing… and it’s the most vapid thing I’ve ever read from Derr. Wipe out an entire town? Meh. Kill your BFF? Oh, well. Having your characters cry doesn’t actual make it emotional *shrug*.
If I had to blind read this vs something she wrote 10 years ago, no way would I say this was the recent work. It’s soulless. I thought I’d at least wait until the necromancer made his appearance, but not even a necromancer can save this book.
At least the cover is amazing.
March 24, 2023
Best book yet
Has to be the best book by Derr yet. Utterly fantastic, original, romantic, fantasy catnip goodness. Kept the tension the whole way through and blended horror and fantasy into a brilliant book. The romance aspect was chefs kiss perfection too.
Has to be the best book by Derr yet. Utterly fantastic, original, romantic, fantasy catnip goodness. Kept the tension the whole way through and blended horror and fantasy into a brilliant book. The romance aspect was chefs kiss perfection too.
August 5, 2024
Reseña breve:
Ha sido una pena porque este libro lo he leído en un momento que no debía, y a causa de esto siento que no lo he disfrutado como querría. La autora tiene potencial y los personajes me han gustado.
Espero pronto hacer una relectura y hacerme una mejor opinión de la novela.
Ha sido una pena porque este libro lo he leído en un momento que no debía, y a causa de esto siento que no lo he disfrutado como querría. La autora tiene potencial y los personajes me han gustado.
Espero pronto hacer una relectura y hacerme una mejor opinión de la novela.
March 29, 2023
If I’m being honest, I started reading this book, because the dude on the cover was hot. Yes, I can be shallow like that. The blurb was also promising. BUT it was really not good.
Do you know how you play video games in a first-person perspective, when you can only see their arms and weapons they carry. This was very similar experience. We literally know nothing about the main character except for him being large and fit (which we learn on the 65% of the book). And there is nothing more about his looks.
As for his personality he is also almost blank character. The first thing we know about him is that he is bisexual and has a son, and a wife who abandoned him after giving birth to their son. Later we learn that he is a rope maker. And that’s it. This is one of the most undeveloped character I’ve ever read. He thinks of himself as “unremarkable mass of muscle and fat” and I can’t disagree.
So in overall you just sit there and observe their actions and dialogs without any understanding of the character and their motivations, things that formed them in one way or another and make them react to something.
I won’t even address that Korbinian fell for him because he was the only person being kind to him.
I also wanted to point out how bad Olaf was at the fatherhood. He loved his son so much and he was always concerned about him, until he found 1000 of reasons to leave his children in care of some FEMALE strangers. Like it’s something natural, that any woman will take care of his children (and probably will be better at it).
The plot was about magical zombies and didn’t really mattered, because everything else was so bad that it overshadowed the story. The plot had huge holes in it and the ending was really anticlimactic. It was like “what happened? - i don’t know, it must have been a miracle”.
Trigger warning: the story features not on page cannibalism, including a child doing it.
Do you know how you play video games in a first-person perspective, when you can only see their arms and weapons they carry. This was very similar experience. We literally know nothing about the main character except for him being large and fit (which we learn on the 65% of the book). And there is nothing more about his looks.
As for his personality he is also almost blank character. The first thing we know about him is that he is bisexual and has a son, and a wife who abandoned him after giving birth to their son. Later we learn that he is a rope maker. And that’s it. This is one of the most undeveloped character I’ve ever read. He thinks of himself as “unremarkable mass of muscle and fat” and I can’t disagree.
So in overall you just sit there and observe their actions and dialogs without any understanding of the character and their motivations, things that formed them in one way or another and make them react to something.
I won’t even address that Korbinian fell for him because he was the only person being kind to him.
I also wanted to point out how bad Olaf was at the fatherhood. He loved his son so much and he was always concerned about him, until he found 1000 of reasons to leave his children in care of some FEMALE strangers. Like it’s something natural, that any woman will take care of his children (and probably will be better at it).
The plot was about magical zombies and didn’t really mattered, because everything else was so bad that it overshadowed the story. The plot had huge holes in it and the ending was really anticlimactic. It was like “what happened? - i don’t know, it must have been a miracle”.
Trigger warning: the story features not on page cannibalism, including a child doing it.
May 15, 2023
May 2023
Kindle edition - Desktop version
Keeping this one simple so I don't accidentally butcher the names. I'm not a fan of the undead, zombies or any of that other stuff. Picked this one because of the author. Olaf took some getting used to. Pre-mission to seek Kor, he was offish and a little rude. To be expected after losing his friend. Upon meeting Kor, he seems to just melt. Just like Kor was gentle with him. Their relationship was straight forward and sweet.
The secondary pairing would be the son and the newly adopted son. The mention of cannibalism was gross. Trying to picture the kid doing it was worse. Put they kept the bones so Olaf could have his new arm. Ick.
I couldn't stand the mayor or any of the crowd deciding whether they were a mob or not. I liked the bond and how effortless it was for them. I'm glad the other Necromancers were nice enough. I am curious about the historian.
Kindle edition - Desktop version
Keeping this one simple so I don't accidentally butcher the names. I'm not a fan of the undead, zombies or any of that other stuff. Picked this one because of the author. Olaf took some getting used to. Pre-mission to seek Kor, he was offish and a little rude. To be expected after losing his friend. Upon meeting Kor, he seems to just melt. Just like Kor was gentle with him. Their relationship was straight forward and sweet.
The secondary pairing would be the son and the newly adopted son. The mention of cannibalism was gross. Trying to picture the kid doing it was worse. Put they kept the bones so Olaf could have his new arm. Ick.
I couldn't stand the mayor or any of the crowd deciding whether they were a mob or not. I liked the bond and how effortless it was for them. I'm glad the other Necromancers were nice enough. I am curious about the historian.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2024
4 stars
Really enjoyed this, except for two things.... both I wouldn't really consider a spoiler...
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● Off-page cannibalism by a child 😬
● The main character treats a (female) character as a free nanny.
Really enjoyed this, except for two things.... both I wouldn't really consider a spoiler...
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● Off-page cannibalism by a child 😬
● The main character treats a (female) character as a free nanny.
January 13, 2025
Honestly, if there isn’t a sequel that’s actually a prequel about how the Lich King came to be, and then an additional sequel that shows Ulli and Luk all grown-up and doing that thing.
March 23, 2023
DNF, 11% in. Had I realized this would be zombies, I'd have given it a pass. It's really well written. I wish I could deal with this kind of despair for long enough. But I just can't.
April 7, 2024
I was mostly enjoying this up till the point where the main character lost part or all of his arm. That itself would be fine but within 24 hours he’s carrying around children and having athletic sex. it’s a weird choice, particularly since the book spends a lot of time making sure the characters feel the horror and loss that goes along with having their town slaughtered. It took me so far out of the story that I had to stop there. I skimmed a bit further, but ultimately had no more interest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2023
Good ideas, good mechanics... but the buildup for the characters is completely wrong, the timing is wrong, the sheer scale of powers is incoherent, the psychological reactions are just silly if not inconsistent / illogical.
Two stars, but it could be even less.
Two stars, but it could be even less.
March 24, 2023
Pretty good, but…
The world-building is great and the characters are enjoyable. There are a few minor misspellings and things like that, but there was really only one inconsistency that bothered me.
SPOILER:
One of the characters loses an arm and afterwards there is no adjustment period. He can seemingly without trouble or even second thought still unbuckle and buckle on sword belts, use said swords, pick up and carry unconscious persons, and more. Also I found unclear how much of his arm was lost; from the elbow? From the shoulder? Somewhere in between?
Other than the arm issues, I liked the book!
The world-building is great and the characters are enjoyable. There are a few minor misspellings and things like that, but there was really only one inconsistency that bothered me.
SPOILER:
One of the characters loses an arm and afterwards there is no adjustment period. He can seemingly without trouble or even second thought still unbuckle and buckle on sword belts, use said swords, pick up and carry unconscious persons, and more. Also I found unclear how much of his arm was lost; from the elbow? From the shoulder? Somewhere in between?
Other than the arm issues, I liked the book!
April 9, 2023
Rating: 4.5 stars
This was a wonderful tale. I really loved all the characters in the story. My only complaint is that since the story was told from Olaf's perspective there was quite a bit left out of the final battle. I would really have liked to have some scenes from the necromancer's perspective. Other than that it was a wonderful book. Highly recommended.
This was a wonderful tale. I really loved all the characters in the story. My only complaint is that since the story was told from Olaf's perspective there was quite a bit left out of the final battle. I would really have liked to have some scenes from the necromancer's perspective. Other than that it was a wonderful book. Highly recommended.
June 8, 2023
I usually prefer Ms. Derr's short stories as they seem to pack more of a punch, but this was a fun adventure with interesting characters.
May 8, 2023
4⭐️
I have adored all of the Megan Derr books I have read so far and this one has not been an exception. This book had a great magic system and good characters. But I felt there was another book within this one what with all of the adventures Olaf's 2 wards got into. And who knows maybe Derr will actually write their story sometime in the future.
Here's to hoping I find more books that catch my fancy like this one.
I have adored all of the Megan Derr books I have read so far and this one has not been an exception. This book had a great magic system and good characters. But I felt there was another book within this one what with all of the adventures Olaf's 2 wards got into. And who knows maybe Derr will actually write their story sometime in the future.
Here's to hoping I find more books that catch my fancy like this one.
Read
January 5, 2025DNF @ 52%
I may come back to this at a certain point. The book isn't uninteresting, but it is so much exposition info dumping. You have a couple of conversations, huge info dump, rinse and repeat with maybe a small action scene in between.
I get that this is setting up world building and explaining how everything works, but geez. The style used here is too much.
My other complaint is that so far everything is only really being done out of a sense of duty. The characters have no real agency and it's like the story is just following beats rather than being organic.
I may come back to this at a certain point. The book isn't uninteresting, but it is so much exposition info dumping. You have a couple of conversations, huge info dump, rinse and repeat with maybe a small action scene in between.
I get that this is setting up world building and explaining how everything works, but geez. The style used here is too much.
My other complaint is that so far everything is only really being done out of a sense of duty. The characters have no real agency and it's like the story is just following beats rather than being organic.
August 3, 2023
This had the bones of a good story (bones, get it? ha!) but the writing was so blah and the characters so melodramatic with the constant screaming, crying, yelling. I do get it, seeing friends and loved ones die can bring out extreme emotions for sure. Yet it felt so shallow and emotionless despite the constant reminders of all the tragedies the characters faced. Olaf and Korbinian could have been a cute couple (they certainly had cute moments), except there was no romantic buildup. Meh.
May 5, 2023
I was worried this would be derivative, repetitive or boring. No need to worry though. The story had new components, good tension, no auto-chemistry, interesting characters, good dialogue. Thank you!!
March 20, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up for storytelling.
Derr seems to be one of those authors that people either like or don't. You definitely cannot be easily pulled out of a book by proofing or editing. I'm a laid back reader, and I tend to really enjoy her books. This one felt a little darker than is typical for her. There was little let up on the bad things happening to our"scooby gang" until the end. It does end with a strong HEA.
I am a strong avoider of zombie stories. Thankfully, this one didn't really disturb me. I'm guessing I didn't read the blurb carefully before purchasing since it was Derr. I'm really glad I did read it.
I loved the m/c's as people and as a couple. I loved this father who lost so much, took some time to break down on occasion, but mostly just dealt with what he could help with or change, and locked the rest in a box to put his children 1st. He kept his eye on what was important. He found balance instead of just circling down the drain of "woe is me". That is the easy thing to do, but rarely does anything to improve one's situation.
The world was developed as were the characters with some fresh twists throughout. It was definitely not "cookie cuter". It kept my interest which is what I appreciated most. I love when I can just drink in to a story that flows with few bumps for me.
Derr seems to be one of those authors that people either like or don't. You definitely cannot be easily pulled out of a book by proofing or editing. I'm a laid back reader, and I tend to really enjoy her books. This one felt a little darker than is typical for her. There was little let up on the bad things happening to our"scooby gang" until the end. It does end with a strong HEA.
I am a strong avoider of zombie stories. Thankfully, this one didn't really disturb me. I'm guessing I didn't read the blurb carefully before purchasing since it was Derr. I'm really glad I did read it.
I loved the m/c's as people and as a couple. I loved this father who lost so much, took some time to break down on occasion, but mostly just dealt with what he could help with or change, and locked the rest in a box to put his children 1st. He kept his eye on what was important. He found balance instead of just circling down the drain of "woe is me". That is the easy thing to do, but rarely does anything to improve one's situation.
The world was developed as were the characters with some fresh twists throughout. It was definitely not "cookie cuter". It kept my interest which is what I appreciated most. I love when I can just drink in to a story that flows with few bumps for me.
April 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this story. It's got detailed world-building, some surprising twists, and excellent character development. The magic surrounding the necromancy was engaging and showed a depth of compassion. When Olaf arrives home from a trip with a few friends, he finds that almost his entire village has turned into the living dead, eating each other and trying to turn others. Olaf barely escapes with his life, saving his young son and his son's friend.
When Olaf arrives at another village to warn them and to be safe for a while, he accepts a mission to go into barren hills to locate a necromancer, Korbinian, who might help them. Korbinian accepts and it launches the two men into a mission of extreme paranormal danger. Along the way, they development feelings for each other that slowly become love.
This story is complete, but it also provides an opening for a series through a few of the supporting characters. Definitely recommended!
When Olaf arrives at another village to warn them and to be safe for a while, he accepts a mission to go into barren hills to locate a necromancer, Korbinian, who might help them. Korbinian accepts and it launches the two men into a mission of extreme paranormal danger. Along the way, they development feelings for each other that slowly become love.
This story is complete, but it also provides an opening for a series through a few of the supporting characters. Definitely recommended!
March 26, 2023
A classic Derr fantasy story with great characters and a good story. I loved Olaf and Korbinian and the take on necromancy and 'zombies' or the Ravenous Dead in this case, was very D&D. Stories with necromancers in them are some of my favorites.
However, this story is not as good as Black Magic. The writing is very shallow. Repetitive and constant use of big emotions only (crying, wailing, shouting). I missed the subtleness that Derr stories often have.
There is also a lack of details. For example, something major happens to one character, but it's not really described afterwards. Also, he adjusts to the situation way too fast.
So overall, I liked the story and the gore and the romance, but I thought the story was rushed and missed some good editing. It's possibile that this is due to Bones of the Lich King being a patreon story.
However, this story is not as good as Black Magic. The writing is very shallow. Repetitive and constant use of big emotions only (crying, wailing, shouting). I missed the subtleness that Derr stories often have.
There is also a lack of details. For example, something major happens to one character, but it's not really described afterwards. Also, he adjusts to the situation way too fast.
So overall, I liked the story and the gore and the romance, but I thought the story was rushed and missed some good editing. It's possibile that this is due to Bones of the Lich King being a patreon story.
April 19, 2023
I love pretty much everything that comes from the fingertips of Megan Derr, however, this book had some consistency issues that sort of had me questioning throughout my read. This book also has a bit of a darker twist then usual.
SPOILERS:
There is a mention of a third adult that takes the kids to the town but after that he is never brought up again or given lines despite being one of the main character’s closest friends.
The main character loses an arm but can still do absolutely everything that he did when he had two. There are talks about making him a new arm but that never seems to take place in the book.
The kids are used as a weird plot device where they further the plot when needed but for the rest they are sleeping or running around. When they are actually in a scene it’s never quite explained how or why they know what to do or where their knowledge came from.
SPOILERS:
There is a mention of a third adult that takes the kids to the town but after that he is never brought up again or given lines despite being one of the main character’s closest friends.
The main character loses an arm but can still do absolutely everything that he did when he had two. There are talks about making him a new arm but that never seems to take place in the book.
The kids are used as a weird plot device where they further the plot when needed but for the rest they are sleeping or running around. When they are actually in a scene it’s never quite explained how or why they know what to do or where their knowledge came from.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2024
This was pretty good till we reached the fight with the Lich King.
I mean we spent more than half the book with Olaf and Korbinian pretty much doing side quests and when it came time to fight the Main Boss, we time jumped to a "all is well" time. The fight was fade to black, since everything was from Olaf's POV and he was falling unconscious from Korbinian using their bond, and it was pretty anticlimactic.
Then nothing was explained about the Court of Thorns, the "wedding veil", the sealed letter nor the diary that were found in the box in which the Lich King was trapped that were pretty exciting points in the story to be explored.
So color me dejected. Megan Derr can and has done better.
I mean we spent more than half the book with Olaf and Korbinian pretty much doing side quests and when it came time to fight the Main Boss, we time jumped to a "all is well" time. The fight was fade to black, since everything was from Olaf's POV and he was falling unconscious from Korbinian using their bond, and it was pretty anticlimactic.
Then nothing was explained about the Court of Thorns, the "wedding veil", the sealed letter nor the diary that were found in the box in which the Lich King was trapped that were pretty exciting points in the story to be explored.
So color me dejected. Megan Derr can and has done better.
March 23, 2023
Enjoyable
Enjoyable with nice world building. The main characters are likable, the plot, while nor overly complex, keeps moving, and ties up with a HEA. The book could use some editing and the beginning felt a but abrupt for me, and there were a lot of extreme reactions (screaming, yelling, pounding fists, etc.) but they make sense for the characters even if they threw me a bit off.
If you like this author's work, want a zombie story set in a fantasy world, and/or want a story that keeps moving while not presenting a typical mystery and instead offers a good vs evil theme that's easy to enjoy, read on.
Enjoyable with nice world building. The main characters are likable, the plot, while nor overly complex, keeps moving, and ties up with a HEA. The book could use some editing and the beginning felt a but abrupt for me, and there were a lot of extreme reactions (screaming, yelling, pounding fists, etc.) but they make sense for the characters even if they threw me a bit off.
If you like this author's work, want a zombie story set in a fantasy world, and/or want a story that keeps moving while not presenting a typical mystery and instead offers a good vs evil theme that's easy to enjoy, read on.
March 25, 2023
Ok, this was actually... Hardcore. Likes, seriously. Like fantasy zombie apocalypse. I thought Dere is all about sweet and nice romance!!!
And I want to say I still recommend it because it is interesting and well written but... I skipped a part. Something... Maybe something not that bad, compared to other stuff but something happened that maybe turned into tht proverbial last drop and I just skipped to the happy ending.
It wasn't "heavy" in atmosphere as much as the story, if that makes sense. It wasn't... Internal is perhaps a good word. But either can reach a critical point and that was one blow too many for me.
And I want to say I still recommend it because it is interesting and well written but... I skipped a part. Something... Maybe something not that bad, compared to other stuff but something happened that maybe turned into tht proverbial last drop and I just skipped to the happy ending.
It wasn't "heavy" in atmosphere as much as the story, if that makes sense. It wasn't... Internal is perhaps a good word. But either can reach a critical point and that was one blow too many for me.
August 17, 2025
3.5 stars. Not my favorite from Megan Derr. But it's a cool concept with an exciting, engaging plot.
The romance feels like an afterthought, even though I like the characters and their relationship. But outside of the "romance moments," there's no tension between them, nothing driving them together or apart. Feels tacked on.
There were some plot elements that also felt tacked on, not as well incorporated as I expected. I won't specify because of spoilers, just say that overall the book feels a bit like it was cobbled together from spare parts. The parts are all good, they just aren't quite blended.
Still, I enjoyed the experience. No regrets.
The romance feels like an afterthought, even though I like the characters and their relationship. But outside of the "romance moments," there's no tension between them, nothing driving them together or apart. Feels tacked on.
There were some plot elements that also felt tacked on, not as well incorporated as I expected. I won't specify because of spoilers, just say that overall the book feels a bit like it was cobbled together from spare parts. The parts are all good, they just aren't quite blended.
Still, I enjoyed the experience. No regrets.
July 31, 2023
A (horror) fantasy story about a village overrun by the dead, with only five survivors fleeing to the nearest town after experiencing the most horrific trauma. They seek a necromancer for help and together fight for their survival. It is a lovely (gruesome) story by Derr, I really enjoyed it! I also have a weakness for misunderstood and lonely necromancers ;)
The only criticism I have is that the climax was too easily overcome. I'm only slightly miffed though, because a lot of horrific events and sacrifices happen before that.
The only criticism I have is that the climax was too easily overcome. I'm only slightly miffed though, because a lot of horrific events and sacrifices happen before that.
September 29, 2024
I enjoyed this book regardless of the stress it brought me. 😅 And I didn't like Olaf's gentle parenting to his kid/s with almost no on page admonishment to their actions regardless of their innocence and curiosity. He is raising them as spoiled bitches.
I disliked further the always crying scenes of the kids, like they cant decide if they need to stupid, or they're actually just a bunch of rowdy, disobedient cry babies. Didn't like them both even though their punishment for their actions is trauma. With all that had happened, I felt like that wasn't justifiable punishment anyway.
I disliked further the always crying scenes of the kids, like they cant decide if they need to stupid, or they're actually just a bunch of rowdy, disobedient cry babies. Didn't like them both even though their punishment for their actions is trauma. With all that had happened, I felt like that wasn't justifiable punishment anyway.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2023
The book has its issues, I almost laughed in the beginning when we went from 0 to 300% emotion. But the tension remains high so I can suspend some disbelief there.
I liked the characters and it felt like a prequel/start of a series but that could just be me wanting more. I have images of Olaf and Korbinian tromping through an old overgrown temple, but I would take the little terrors on their adventures too.
I liked the characters and it felt like a prequel/start of a series but that could just be me wanting more. I have images of Olaf and Korbinian tromping through an old overgrown temple, but I would take the little terrors on their adventures too.
March 25, 2023
kind of creepy, but still excellent
I’m not usually one to read anything too dark or creepy. But, I love Megan Derr and so took a chance on this one and I’m glad that I did.it’s an excellent adventure with characters who are fully developed, I love the found family and different characters as well as the main ones.
I’m not usually one to read anything too dark or creepy. But, I love Megan Derr and so took a chance on this one and I’m glad that I did.it’s an excellent adventure with characters who are fully developed, I love the found family and different characters as well as the main ones.
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