Review of Deadly Avarice: Necromancer Tales Book III by J.E. Taylor
Sometimes, a book comes along that not only draws you in but also challenges your perceptions of familiar tropes. Deadly Avarice, the third installment in J.E. Taylor’s Necromancer Tales series, grabbed my attention from the very first page. As someone who’s always been captivated by the darker corners of fantasy, the premise of a "sane" necromancer like Erasmus Boone navigating a world filled with greed, danger, and the supernatural was irresistible.
In a vibrant blend of mystery and m/m romantic fantasy, we find Erasmus desperately trying to help other necromancers—who, unlike him, are not so lucky in their sanity or stability. His heart is in the right place, but with the Warlock Council turning a blind eye, he’s forced to make a call that could cost him dearly. When Detective Franklin O’Hare, his human partner, is brought into the fold, the stakes heighten dramatically. Their relationship adds an emotional heft that I found deeply engaging—Franklin’s struggles to keep Erasmus alive while navigating their complicated love is painted with such authenticity, it nearly left me breathless with anticipation.
The plot thickens when a seemingly straightforward soul retrieval reveals a tangled web of deception, murder, and the insatiable root of avarice. Taylor’s ability to intertwine humor with dark themes is truly remarkable. The tension between Erasmus’s need to uncover buried secrets and the threat posed by those greedy both for power and wealth creates a pulse-quickening narrative. I particularly enjoyed how Erasmus’s quest is a poignant reflection on sacrifice and the cost of goodwill, adding depth to the adventure.
Taylor’s writing is fluid, with a lightness of touch that contrasts gorgeously against the heavier themes of violence and betrayal that lurk throughout the story. The pacing is deliberate, allowing us time to savor the characters’ emotional journeys while still keeping the plot moving. Not an easy balance to strike, yet Taylor does it expertly.
In terms of standout moments, there’s a scene where Erasmus confronts a particularly heinous manifestation of avarice that is both chilling and deeply thought-provoking. One line that struck me was: “Avarice, like a shadow, lurks behind every greedy soul, waiting for the opportunity to consume.” This resonated with me, reflecting broader societal themes that often extend beyond the fantastical realms depicted.
Deadly Avarice seems particularly crafted for readers who appreciate fantasy where the human experience is front and center—even when the stakes are otherworldly. Its engaging characters, rich with flaws and virtues, make it an ideal read for those who rejoice in complexities of love and moral ambiguity.
In conclusion, if you enjoy tales where love abounds amidst chaos and the supernatural collides with the everyday, Deadly Avarice will not disappoint. It left me pondering the intricate dance of power and vulnerability long after I turned the last page, a hallmark of truly memorable storytelling. This book not only entertained but also moved me—an adventure fraught with danger, emotion, and the kind of love that overcomes even the deadliest of circumstances.
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