Reviews with content warning for Death - The Necromancer's Light

Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Necromancer's Light by Tavia Lark

9 reviews

natroze's review

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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wardenred's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“Have you kissed anyone before?” he asks, running his thumb over Shae’s lip.
Shae’s eyes dart away. “What kind of idiot would kiss a necromancer?”
“In my defense,” Arthur says, “you’re a very attractive necromancer.”

So far, this series starter isn’t gripping me the way Perilous Court did, but it’s still a solid fantasy romance with some really nice moments. Where Tavia Lark’s series is focused on court intrigue, this one’s more “romance tropes meet D&D,“ which is very much my jam. I liked this new setting with all of its magic a lot. There’s a very interesting take on necromancy, and I appreciated that

while early on it seemed almost like Shae was going to give it up once his purpose was done, instead he learned to live with it in a way that no longer hurt him and that actually brought good to the world

. The Radiance Order itself is a structure I’d love to see poked at more, and I have a hope that’s exactly what’s going to happen in the next book, judging by its blurb. And while I enjoyed the dynamics between the two leads while they were mostly traveling alone and getting to know each other, I really, really liked the introduction of the Riverswords and the dose of community they provided. Also, horses! I really, really liked Duchess and everything she added to the dynamics between the main characters.

Speaking of the romantic relationship, Shae and Arthur were definitely fun to follow. I liked how they kind of grew on each other gradually. The way Arthur’s Paladin magic played into their relationship was very nicely done, and I liked how Shae’s touch starvation was handled. There were moments that beautifully merged the external plot, their personal arcs, and their romance together, like that point where Arthur makes a definite choice between his past and his future, or when Shae gets very far on the brink of darkness. There’s lots of hurt/comfort here, which is my favorite trope, and also kind of a low-key, subdued version of grumpy/sunshine, which I also adore. So while I didn’t fell completely head over heels for their romance, it was very nice and heartwarming to read about.

I also really like their happy ending, not just in terms of the feels, but plot-wise, too. They end up in a place where

they’re settling down from all the stress and excitement but still have specific opportunities for some adventuring

, which I hope will make for a cameo or two in the rest of the series.

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bea__reads's review

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fast-paced

3.75

I wish this had 100 more pages of build up in the middle. It was a great story with likeable characters, but rushed, especially the romance. Very much instalove which is not my favorite thing.

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whatthefridge's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was pretty good for what’s essentially a DnD fanfiction between a necromancer and a paladin.

Their chemistry is great. Helps that Shae is basically walking hypothermia with Arthur as his furnace. Their bed rolls turning into whoops one bed was very fitting.

The plot is fairly standard DnD stuff, with a demon to vanquish and dark backstories to overcome.

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athenathestorier's review

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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shadowspinner's review

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adventurous tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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purrson's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Cute story and characters, interesting world, but I wish the plot was more developed—some things seemed very predictable. But very enjoyable all-in-all.

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_isabel_'s review

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

5.0

"The Necromancer's Light" was precisely my jam. I loved everything about this little gem of a fantasy book, and then some.

GAH, I'm so glad I gave Tavia Lark a chance! I feel like I hit jackpot with her: I have so many more books of hers to devour now.

I absolutely adored the premise of this story, and the world-building was absolutely majestic: simple, but rich and interesting, so easy to follow and understand and picture.
I also completely adored the story Tavia Lark manages to weave: I managed to devour this book so quickly it actually gave me whiplash. The plot is packed with all the usual romance tropes that I'm a goner for, plus a few new ones I didn't know I desperately needed: tons of hurt/comfort, sunshine X grumpy, touch starved MC X human furnace MC, and close proximity and huddling for warmth (both because of plot reasons!) at its absolute finest.

I also adored all the characters: the leads were utterly fantastic, both of them flawed but lovable. Arthur was literally golden retriever energy incarnate: he was so deliciously nice, and funny and charming and protective. His surprisingly possessive side was a very, very nice bonus.
And Shae was my favourite. Prickly, damaged, in desperate need of care and affection: characters like him are my weakness. I'm so happy he managed to get the HEA he absolutely deserves. Their romance was one of my favourite things in this story: ridiculously sweet, with a smidge of steam, and respectful and, just, plain lovely. I adored them.

I'm a both curious and terrified of starting the next book: I hope it's as good as this one.

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sabinehunter's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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