Sam leads a pretty normal life. He may not have the most exciting job in the world, but he's doing all right―until a fast food prank brings him to the attention of Douglas, a creepy guy with an intense violent streak.

Turns out Douglas is a necromancer who raises the dead for cash and sees potential in Sam. Then Sam discovers he's a necromancer too, but with strangely latent powers. And his worst nightmare wants to join forces . . . or else.

With only a week to figure things out, Sam needs all the help he can get. Luckily he lives in Seattle, which has nearly as many paranormal types as it does coffee places. But even with newfound friends, will Sam be able to save his skin?

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up—This sometimes goofy, sometimes gory debut novel introduces Sam, a fast-food employee in Seattle who has grown up unaware of his ability to raise the dead. After a bizarre encounter with a customer, he gets a beating from a stranger, and his coworker shows up missing her body below the neck (a misfortune that does not affect her positive attitude). It seems that Douglas, an evil local necromancer, has become aware of Sam's powers and views him as a threat. With the help of his friends—and a very attractive werewolf girl—Sam must try to tap into his necromancing abilities to beat Douglas at his own game. Some of the jokes, like the punning chapter titles that quote song lyrics from the likes of the Eurythmics,'70s-era Paul Simon, and Timbuk 3, may be lost on many of today's teens. However, for fans of horror-humor hybrids like the film Shaun of the Dead , this book may hold some appeal.— Hayden Bass, Seattle Public Library, WA
(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Starred Review Sam has dropped out of college and is stalled in a fast-food job in Seattle. Interrupting the boredom of days waiting on Plumpy customers and evenings watching old movies with his friends, a scary guy named Douglas enters Sam’s world. After a few pithy verbal threats, Douglas has Sam beaten and mauled by a sidekick—and later delivers teen Brooke’s pretty blond head to Sam’s door. The good news is that Brooke seems to be in no pain and is as sassy as ever. The bad news, as Sam finds out in short order, is that Douglas is a necromancer and has identified Sam, who hasn’t a clue what his strengths are, as a rival. Before the week is out, Sam finds himself in a cellar, caged with another pretty girl, who is part werewolf, part fairy. And then there’s Ashley, the parochial-school-uniformed 10-year-old who can orchestrate salvation for Sam by using her Blackberry and brains. With fine writing, tight plotting, a unique and uniquely odd cast of teens, adults, and children, and a pace that smashes through any curtain of disbelief, this sardonic and outrageous story’s only problem is that it must, like all good things, come to an end. Grades 9-12. --Francisca Goldsmith

Review

“McBride's humor and ear for dialogue carry the book. There's a Mad -magazine-meets-‘Twilight' sensibility to ‘Hold Me Closer, Necromancer' that will keep readers turning pages and laughing all the way.” ― Los Angeles Times

“A fast-paced and fun first novel…This is a welcome humorous addition to the paranormal trend.” ― The Oregonian

“The richness of the supernatural underworld, complete with politics, history, and personal vendettas, is another draw, and honorable, desperate, smart-alecky, clueless Sam is the perfect vehicle for entry. Readers seeking a thoughtful, original, and compelling supernatural adventure need look no further.” ― BCCB, STARRED review

“With fine writing, tight plotting, a unique and uniquely odd cast of teens, adults, and children, and a pace that smashes through any curtain of disbelief, this sardonic and outrageous story's only problem is that it must, like all good things, come to an end.” ― Booklist, STARRED review

“McBride pulls no punches and hits where readers will least expect it; the story can be gory and violent, but isn't gratuitously graphic. A solid start that concludes with the promise of Sam's power growing greater and darker, secrets getting deeper, and more fun to follow.” ― Publishers Weekly

“…this quirky urban fantasy will compel fans of horror and supernatural romance--and heroic skateboarding slackers.” ― Kirkus Reviews

“Sam is the ultimate laid-back slacker who also happens to be smart, funny, sweet, and adorable. Every character in this book seems to live in the moment, offering sarcastic humor that lightens up the intense action and dark suspense. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer is entertaining, offbeat, hilarious, and flat-out fun. We loved it.” ― Justine Magazine

“Part scary, part funny, with a touch of tenderness, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer holds readers spellbound with unforgettable characters, snappy dialogue and killer (sometimes literally) song lyrics that open and offer clues to each chapter. Drawing on the timeless adolescent quest for identity and the popularity of supernatural fiction, McBride makes Sam's adventures a scream--and a hoot.” ― BookPage

About the Author

Lish McBride grew up in the Pacific Northwest. It rains a lot there, but she likes it anyway. She spent three years away while she got her MFA in fiction from the University of New Orleans, where she managed to survive the hurricane. She enjoys reading, having geek-laden conversations about movies, comics, and zombies with her friends, and of course trying to wear pajamas as much as humanly possible. She lives happily in Mountlake, WA, with her family, two cats, and one very put-upon Chihuahua. Her debut novel, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer was named an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults and was a finalist for the YALSA William C. Morris Award.