Hold Me Closer, Necromancer - Lish McBride

Samhain Corvus LaCroix, just Sam to his friends, seems to be your normal every day kid working in a fast food place. Then one day everything he thought he knew is going to be turned upside down. Sam, Ramon, and Brooke like to play potato hockey, and while they are playing hit a fancy car. The owner comes in later near closing, wanting to know who damaged his car. He spots Sam, and recognizes him as another necromancer, but Sam knows nothing about it. Brooke is killed that night, and her head shows up at Sam's doorstep the next morning. There's a note telling Sam to meet Douglas, the owner of the car, at the zoo. Sam goes and Douglas explains what he is and Sam still doesn't believe him. He then goes to his mom for answers. She explains that he is indeed a necromancer, and his uncle and her bound his powers shortly after he was born. He leaves angry, and tries to find his uncle. Sam discovers that his father remarried and he has two younger step sisters, who are also necromancers. Back home he gets a call from another necromancer, and goes to get some air after the phone call. He is then kidnapped by Douglas, who wants him for his necromancer powers to be used for evil.

I absolutely enjoyed this book. All of the characters blend together nicely to tell a very well written story. This book can stand alone with out any sequels, but there is a part of me that would like one or two more books to continue the story. This was a finalist for the 2011 William C. Morris award, which honors a debut book by a first time author writing for teens.

T.B. 1/13/11