Review of The Necromancer's Dance by SJ Himes

by S.J. Himes

4.5 Stars

In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset upon by enemies, both old and new. Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother’s boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again pulled back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family’s death.

Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues into who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire’s attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.

Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead? Death stalks the streets of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill….and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.

We couldn’t put this down, such and interesting story and a great read!  S.J. Himes creates this fantastic, paranormal romance between a Sorcerer and a Vampire that is riveting. 

Angel Salvatore is a bit of a reclusive celebrity in the Sorcerer world, he managed to defeat 100 vampires during the blood wars with 1 spell, but it is not how he wasn’t to be remembered.  A number of years later he starts a wary friendship with Simeon, an Elder in the Boston Vampire clan.  But what he doesn’t know is that Simeon is actually falling in love with him, and Angel is used to being on his own.  As these 2 try to find their connection, Angels past comes back, to haunt him.

There is so much in The Necromancer’s Dance, we don’t know where to start.  We aren’t really a fantasy, paranormal fans, but this world is so fascinating.  How Vampires, Sorcerers and other fantastical creatures live out in the real world, under their own laws and governing.  It kept us really interested in the story itself, kept us reading, and really enjoyed meeting new characters.

Angel and Simeon are both strong independent men, but together they work so well.  Angel has had to be strong, but realizes that he has been craving the intimacy he has been pushing away since his family died.  Simeon is fascinated by Angel, he loves his strength, his mind, his magically gift, and he wants to treasure him.  And, sigh, it works so so so so well.  As the relationship grows between Angel and Simeon, The Necromancer’s Dance gets seriously hot; there are some serious sparks between the two men.  There is a lot of between the sheets action, but we felt that it added to the story, make you really feel that these men are falling in love and not just lust. 

S.J. Himes has created a magical story here.  Fast-paces, action-filled, sheets-burning enjoyment form start to finish.  It is the first in the Beacon Hill Sorcerers series, and we can’t wait to dive into the rest of this fantastic world!