Published synopsis:
Bob Wacszowski, Necromancer is the harrowing and hilarious tale of a regular guy who stumbles across an ancient tome of Atlantean necromancy and decides to make full use of his new powers for good, despite the world's increasingly negative reaction to his expanding army of skeletal minions. On his way home from being broken up with by his girlfriend Anna for the nth time, mild-mannered, unemployed janitor Bob Wacszowski stumbles into an underground chamber where he finds a huge leathery codex of ancient death magic. After he and his best friend Tony use it to animate and command a graveyard full of skeletons, Bob becomes determined to use the magic to make a living for himself, while also proving to Anna that he can be a force for good in the world. Unfortunately, Bob lives in the heartland of America, and despite his assurances of goodwill he finds much difficulty convincing his countrymen that he is not the Antichrist and that it is not the End Times. Bob Wacszowski, Necromancer tackles a range of topics from contemporary American politics and culture to religion and metaphysics, all with a modern comedic voice. Bob Wacszowski, Necromancer is to be the first in a series.Review:
Bob Wacszoski is thirty-one and hasn’t managed to do much with his life so far, as his girlfriend points out when she breaks up with him. On his walk home from her apartment, he stumbles upon an ancient tome and is given the power to understand it from the demon who has been watching over it. Suddenly, he is Bob, the necromancer, and this just may be his chance to prove that he is more than an unemployed janitor.Bob Wacszowski, Necromancer is a fun read that brings you on the journey of an average guy who suddenly finds himself not so average when he proves he can raise the dead; which, unfortunately, also makes him the target of mass hysteria and fear. To the reader, Bob comes off as a guy who just wants to have a chance to prove to his girlfriend that he can be who she needs him to be – a guy who is independent, strong, and capable of managing his own life. Bob passes the test as he grows into a self-confidant man but not without shaking his own values to the very core. And those of the rest of the human population.
This novel also tackles some gray areas that we don’t always like to think about.For instance, the idea that religion may not have all the answers and, maybe, the leaders of the largest religions in the world know that. Or even worse, they know the real answers but aren’t willing to share them with the people of the world for fear they will lose their power and privilege. This is not a new concept. Throughout history, there has been much debate about religious leaders using fear and ignorance to control their followers, but George Dalphin does a good job of bringing the idea back to the forefront in his novel. He also goes after the government and military that often has a shoot first, ask questions later mentality, regardless of the collateral damage.
I enjoyed Bob Wacszowski, Necromancer. It is written in a style that to me is reminiscent of A. Lee Martinez with maybe a little Christopher Moore thrown in.There were a few things that I had a hard time reconciling myself with, though.Bob seems almost too naïve about how the world is going to react to his ability to raise and control the dead. Most people could probably guess that it would be a largely negative reaction. They also may have tried to be a bit more discreet about it, or at least taken the reactions around them a bit more seriously. Bob spent a lot of time trying to ignore the world at large. Around the middle of the novel, I was also ready to take a little break from Bob and his friends as they meandered almost aimlessly for a while. The dialogue became a little repetitive during this time. I was glad when the novel got back on track towards the climax.
All in all, I thought this was a well thought out novel with parts that made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed the characters and I am curious to see where the next novel takes them. I give this novel 4 stars.
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