Necromancer Awakening

By Nat Russo

Reviewed by D. Andrew McChesney

One would suspect a book with such a name would have a dark and foreboding tone to it, that it is a story filled with macabre death rituals and demonic sacrifices. Death plays a part, but along the way we also glimpse celebrations of life and come to understand both life and death as part of the overall plan of existence.

Archaeology student Nicolas Murray has strange visceral reactions whenever he is around the dead. At funeral services for his adoptive father, the feelings become too strong, and he is transported to another world. There his odd reactions to death translate in to abilities that he struggles to control. As he learns to use his inherent powers, he becomes the key to that world’s ongoing political and religious conflicts. Nicolas begins to discover who he really is and becomes aware of his true heritage.

Through the story the reader has the privilege of accompanying Nicolas has he learns about this strange world. Discovering a new place is easier and more effective when the main character has a background and memory closely related to those reading the tale. Together, the reader and Nicolas meet other humans, intelligent fish-like beings, and collective colonies of predators. The reader is there with Nicolas as he learns how to raise the dead and set souls at ease: A practice that has been forbidden by those that rule.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read. Completion of this, Book One of the Mukhtaar Chronicles leaves the reader looking forward to the next installment. Necromancer Awakening by Nat Russo, ISBN 9780996005906 from Erindor Press is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions, as well as at select book stores.