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eleanorefiore's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
- ARC from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review
Amy of the Necromancers has me conflicted, for sure.
On one hand, I really related to a lot of Amy's disassociation and apathy. And I loved the relationship between Toni and Amy.
The mystery aspect saved this novel for me. The first half of this book drove me up a wall, but after Toni came in and we focused on the mystery, everything got better. And the the ending was so satisfying. I thought I knew what was going to happen and then the truth came and slapped me out of nowhere (in a good way). It didn’t feel forced or unrealistic, just absolutely surprising.
But on the other, it really annoyed me how her friends are just there to make her look good.
+ Adela is a mean girl who judges if someone's clothes are from TARGET and is criticized for gossiping, even though she gives Amy key information, and then disappears halfway through the book.
+ Harper is only there to be judgy and make mildly acephobic comments about sex (fml). They also disappear halfway through the book.
+ Jordan is around longer but still has no personality. She meets someone new and mentions her favorite band and Amy immediately has a dismissive comment about it, making it seem as if she doesn't care and doesn't know what she's talking about (even though she's going to see this band with Jordan later? She really doesn't care until Toni is coming too).
Amy ignores ALL of these friends, very similar to how Bella Swan always tunes out her friends and thinks about her own things. Amy doesn't engage with any of them unless it pertains to the plot.
The first half of this book was very hard to get through, because of the above reasons. Amy wasn't fun to be around, her friends suck, and I was seriously considering a dnf.
Thankfully I pushed through and enjoyed the second half more.
Please note that the ending is intense. The whole book deals with the death of a child, and when you find out how she dies it's really hard to read. Please know this before reading.
On one hand, I really related to a lot of Amy's disassociation and apathy. And I loved the relationship between Toni and Amy.
The mystery aspect saved this novel for me. The first half of this book drove me up a wall, but after Toni came in and we focused on the mystery, everything got better. And the the ending was so satisfying. I thought I knew what was going to happen and then the truth came and slapped me out of nowhere (in a good way). It didn’t feel forced or unrealistic, just absolutely surprising.
But on the other, it really annoyed me how her friends are just there to make her look good.
+ Adela is a mean girl who judges if someone's clothes are from TARGET and is criticized for gossiping, even though she gives Amy key information, and then disappears halfway through the book.
+ Harper is only there to be judgy and make mildly acephobic comments about sex (fml). They also disappear halfway through the book.
+ Jordan is around longer but still has no personality. She meets someone new and mentions her favorite band and Amy immediately has a dismissive comment about it, making it seem as if she doesn't care and doesn't know what she's talking about (even though she's going to see this band with Jordan later? She really doesn't care until Toni is coming too).
Amy ignores ALL of these friends, very similar to how Bella Swan always tunes out her friends and thinks about her own things. Amy doesn't engage with any of them unless it pertains to the plot.
The first half of this book was very hard to get through, because of the above reasons. Amy wasn't fun to be around, her friends suck, and I was seriously considering a dnf.
Thankfully I pushed through and enjoyed the second half more.
Please note that the ending is intense. The whole book deals with the death of a child, and when you find out how she dies it's really hard to read. Please know this before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Terminal illness
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia
bybookandbone's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I adore the concept of Amy of the Necromancers, it's a really unique take on necromancers. The author also did a really great job of writing a cast of mostly women, with a queer protagonist and not making the book be about that. It felt real and natural (as it should).
This is the sort of representation I've been craving.
Having said that, there's some clumsy 'men can be dangerous, women are right to be afraid' dialogue that made me cringe. It's not that the topic made me cringe, just that with how the story ends, it's clumsily written and confuses whatever message or takeaway the ending was trying to convey.
I hope this is a series. I'd like to read more about Amy, Toni and their friends. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is the sort of representation I've been craving.
Having said that, there's some clumsy 'men can be dangerous, women are right to be afraid' dialogue that made me cringe. It's not that the topic made me cringe, just that with how the story ends, it's clumsily written and confuses whatever message or takeaway the ending was trying to convey.
I hope this is a series. I'd like to read more about Amy, Toni and their friends. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Homophobia
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