The People's Necromancer

By: Rex Jameson

Narrated by: Adam Gold

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Craving a complex, daring high fantasy? The Age of Magic series is reminiscent of the emotional roller coaster and grit of Game of Thrones with the wonder and danger of the Upside-Down from Stranger Things! 

Amidst the darkest days of antiquity, mankind discovers a new kind of hero. 

For thousands of years, mankind warred without magic. Peculiar abilities were buried in history along with the storied paladins and the mysterious dark elves who rarely ventured into human towns. 

That all changes at the end of the Tranquility Era, when a young man named Ashton accidentally raises his murdered best friend Clayton from the grave. Because of his mistake, Ashton becomes the focus of manhunts, armies, and the King’s judgement, but Ashton is not the biggest problem in the Kingdom of Surdel. 

The golden age of man is coming to a close and enemies surround the civilized world. Lulled into a false sense of security by isolation and pervasive peace, human lords hatch petty schemes to weaken their rivals and gain favor with the throne. Meanwhile, an ancient darkness stirs beneath the Great Northern Mountains and the orcish hordes grow restless just beyond the Southern Peaks. Out of the chaos at the end of the Tranquility Era, a new breed of hero arrives to forge an age of sorcery and mayhem. And into this chaos comes the Necromancer!  

©2018 Rex Jameson (P)2018 Rex Jameson

Sets the scene

Warning: This book contains rape, incest, extreme violence, and the undead.

This book did a good job of creating the setting for more to come, the world is well built and the characters are well written. However it left me wondering what the point was of anything that happened. There was a lot of violence and while some of it was used to provide motivations for other things that happened the whole thing just left me wondering 'why'.

I didn't like this enough to want to read the next book, but I also didn't dislike it, perhaps it just wasn't the right book for me.

The character voice were well done, they're clear and easy to tell apart. the narration flows nicely and the intonation helped convey the tension in the book.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Dark magic with a good heart

"I was given this free review copy audio-book at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
Now that we got that out of the way, I can tell you I was interested in the idea of necromancy from the point of the protagonist instead of the typical bad guy for a change, and I was not let down. Without giving away too much I can see how some people may not like this story. When the main character Ashton accidentally discovers he can raise the dead he does not go off half-cocked destroying everything in his path when someone close to him is murdered. It may be your first thought but this story was very well thought out having Ashton and his motives being very methodical. Author Rex Jameson penned a wonderful world with some detailed backstory, laying wonderful groundwork for the rest of the series. Narrator Adam Gold also did a wonderful job keeping the story and dialogue moving. Although he didn't have a broad range of voices for the characters it was enough to hear the differences between the characters. The two combined make for a wonder experience and I cannot wait to listen to the rest of the series.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good story with complex plot

This book involves a young man who discovers he is a necromancer by accident as he is grieving for his lost life long friend. The story then involves his adventures as he at first tries to flee and then take revenge for what others have done to his people. The plot involves politics within a human kingdom and the war among elves and orks and demons. It also involves him beginning to learn about the history of his world and the magic that has shaped it.

He makes many mistakes during his journey and moves toward his destiny.

This is a good book and well written with a complex world of magic and beings. The narration is very good and enjoyable.

This book was provided free of charge and this review is done voluntarily.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Loved it!

Rex Jameson has a unique voice as an author that breathes life into his characters. While Adam Gold gives a wonderful performance that makes the characters sit right up in their graves. I can't wait for the next book.

a dark series

this is a pretty dark book, laced with sadness and pretty stupid decisions on the m.c. but is a pretty interesting read.

Never a dull moment

well narated and well written. look forward to listening to the next one when im able.

An Unique Fantasy World

This book was given to me for free at my request and I am providing this voluntary review.

In a world where the nobility forgets about the people they are supposed to protect, a Necromancer grants the dead their revenge. The world-building in this book is especially good, with lore being interspersed throughout the main plot. I became especially interested in the demon-lore and their origins, as well as the disbanded order of Paladins. Though I personally felt that the book ended too soon, it did by no means feel incomplete. If you want to read a story about a noble necromancer who unites the dead - not as mindless minions, but as comrades in vengeance, you may very well enjoy this book.

Start of a Good Fantasy Saga

Rex Harrison is a fellow Pittsburgher, so I have to say nice things about him. Well, not really, but I did enjoy the book.

However, just as this story started getting good, it ended. That's the problem with a series and I really wasn't surprised. That said, I was enjoying this macabre coming of age tale.

This story contains some disturbing ideas... rape, murder and incest, to name a few... but that didn't bother me as much as the fact that our main protagonist, Ashton, accidentally discovers he's a necromancer and never fully questions the morality of raising the dead or the consequences of his actions.

With shades of "Game of Thrones," we learn that there is more at stake than a young man who can raise the dead and his vendetta against those who killed them, but book one falls way short of exploring those ideas. Again, that's the problem with multi-book stories.

Adam Gold did a great job with the characters. I was especially moved by the scene in the woods where the one knight dies in the arms of the other. I could feel the regret and pain in the voices and it's the only scene that really stuck with me.

If you're a fan of sweeping fantasy sagas, then this is a good choice for you.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A light and fast paced epic dark fantasy

It's a story of friendship from the start. How after he unknowingly brought his friend back and they stick together and protect each other. There were never any specifics about his necromancy powers, he just has them and can raise the dead by mostly willing it ( I had wanted the layline stones to matter, but they didn't.) I would have preffered the magic to have more specifics, but it's still good. Nearing the end of the book we get a more comprehensive world view, the world building having grown to make a land rich in history. That said there are still many mysteries left and plots to expand on in future sequels.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Raising your best friend from the Dead!

This story is an interesting mix of magic and mayhem. The Characters are fairly well developed and the story line is interesting enough to keep you listening.There is a scene that does involve rape and incest, just as a warning. But the overall story is well developed and worth listening to. I did enjoy listening to the Audio book. I received this book for free in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks!!