Monday 31 August 2015

The Last Necromancer Review Tour: 5 Star Review + Giveaway!


The Last Necromancer (The Ministry of Curiosities #1) by C.J. Archer 
Publication date: August 11th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Young Adult

Victorian London: For five years, Charlotte (Charlie) Holloway has lived as a boy in the slums. But when one theft too many gets her arrested, her only means of escape lies with a dead man. Charlie hasn’t raised a spirit since she first discovered she could do so five years ago. That time, her father banished her. This time, she brings even more trouble upon herself.

People are now hunting Charlie all over London, but only one man succeeds in capturing her.

Lincoln Fitzroy is the mysterious head of a secret organization on the trail of a madman who needs a necromancer to control his newly “made” creatures. There was only one known necromancer in the world – Charlotte – but now there appears to be two. Lincoln captures the willful Charlie in the hopes the boy will lead him to Charlotte. But what happens when he discovers the boy is in fact the young woman he’s been searching for all along? And will she agree to work for the man who held her against her will, and for an organization she doesn’t trust?

Because Lincoln and his ministry might be just as dangerous as the madman they’re hunting.


Let me start this review by saying I don't usually read about this sort of fantasy nor do I regularly read historical fiction but oh my goodness  I thorougly enjoyed reading THE LAST NECROMANCER!

The whole story revolves around an 18 year old girl called Charlotte who has been cast out on to the streets by her father for being a necromancer (someone who can raise the spirits of the dead and control them). Living on the streets is tough for anyone but especially for a young innocent girl so Charlotte adopts the name Charlie and starts a new life as a 13 year old boy, doing whatever it is that she needs to do to stay alive.
Lincoln Fitzroy, a seemingly cold and sometimes brutal man needs to find Charlotte, the last necromancer, before someone else does. Someone much much worse who wants to use her abilities for unthinkable things.

Now I wasn't holding out much hope for this book in all honesty. In my mind I thought it would be a 3 star rating at best but NOPE. That'll teach me to judge before I read, huh?
C.J. Archer has created a historical fantasy world that had me scrambling on to Goodreads as soon as I'd finished to see whether the second book was out (it was, hallelujah) and buying said book instantaneously. I finished THE LAST NECROMANCER at 2am in the morning and you could not rip me away from it come hell or high water. I started the second book early this morning and I am so enthralled within Charlotte's story.

The characters really made this story come alive for me. Charlotte is definitely one of my favourite heroines of all time. She was intelligent, brave, assured and assertive in everything she did, and lemme tell you... She had some pretty scary things happen! She was incredibly forgiving almost to a fault and sometimes her emotions definitely got the better of her but that made her character 3D and so much realer.
Lincoln Fitzroy was one of those characters that you really want to sock right in the nose but also hug tightly. My emotions were all over the place with him so I can't fathom how Charlotte would have felt. He was seemingly cold and indifferent but those moments when his facade slipped with Charlotte were wonderful insights and I. Want. More. He never seemed to say what he really wanted to say and I am intrigued by this man and his many layers.
The supporting characters, Seth, Gus and Cook, were wonderful also. They filled the gaps between the main story and made the book flow really well.

There is a dash of romance between Charlotte and Lincoln which I really enjoyed. There wasn't much at all in this first book but I know there will be much more in the second. I love it when authors stretch out a relationship like this, it makes the whole thing much more worth it when something finally happens. Also I ship these two so hard it hurts.

The fantasy aspect of the book was new to me. I've never read about necromancers but I found myself fascinated. I can't wait to find out more about what Charlotte can do in the next book!

The villian was one I didn't expect at all! I'm still hitting myself for not guessing who it was when it was SO OBVIOUS. I mean all of the clues were there whereas my mind was too busy focusing on other aspects.

The writing was some of the best I've ever read, honestly. It flowed so smoothly and didn't stop and start at awkward places. The timing was kept really well too, like you know sometimes you read a book and somehow the author starts in January and ends in December and when you think back the time just doesn't add up... Is that just me? Well anyways there was none of that here! In fact it felt like time flew by and although the book spans over a only week or so it seemed like months (in the best way).

Sometimes I read a new-found author and think 'How on earth is this book not more popular?!' which is exactly how I feel about THE LAST NECROMANCER. Now, this is a perfect example of why you shouldn't give up on an author just because you didn't like one or two of their books; I read The Wrong Girl a while ago and didn't care for it at all. This however I am devouring with my entire heart and loving it.

C.J. Archer has expertly weaved fantasy, mystery and a dash of romance together to make the perfect story and I will be reading more by her in the future!

Amazon ** B&N

C.J. Archer has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two with her writing. Under her other name of Carolyn Scott, she has published contemporary short stories in women’s magazines, and she also writes romantic mystery novels under this name.

She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She has won and placed in romance writing contests including winning RWAustralia’s Emerald Award in 2008 for the manuscript that went on to be released under the title HONOR BOUND. C.J. spent her early childhood in the dramatic beauty of outback Queensland, Australia, but now lives in suburban Melbourne with her husband and two children.

To be notified when C.J. releases a new book, subscribe to her newsletter from her website. She only sends out the newsletter when she releases a new book, and never spams.

Website ** Goodreads ** Facebook ** Twitter

3 comments:

  1. Great review, Amber! As a character oriented reader this sounds like one I would def like! I like how well written and well developed the characters all sound. It sounds unique, too! Glad you liked it! :)

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  2. Thanks for the awesome review, Amber! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

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  3. depends on the book

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