Book Review: Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard

Johannes Cabal the Necromancer is a humorous novel by Jonathan L. Howard that leans heavily into the tropes of gothic horror. This is the first book in the Johannes Cabal series. It was first published in 2009 by Doubleday. This review is intended to be free of spoilers, but none of us are perfect. No review copy was provided. There are affiliate links at the end of this review.

Blurb:

Johannes Cabal has never pretended to be a hero of any kind. There is, after all, little heroic about robbing graves, stealing occult volumes, and being on nodding terms with demons. His purpose, however, is noble. His researches are all directed to raising the dead. For such a prize, some sacrifices are necessary. One such sacrifice was his own soul, but he now sees that was a mistake – it’s not just that he needs it for his research to have validity, but now he realises he needs it to be himself. Unfortunately, his soul now rests within the festering bureaucracy of Hell. Satan may be cruel and capricious but, most dangerously, he is bored. It is Cabal’s unhappy lot to provide him with amusement.

In short, a wager: in return for his own soul, Cabal must gather one hundred others – in one year.

One year to beat the Devil at his own game. And isn’t that perhaps just a little heroic?

Review:

Johannes Cabal the Necromancer is a darkly comic tale that breathes life into the gothic and horror genres. The story follows Johannes Cabal, a necromancer who has sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the secrets of necromancy. However, realising the importance of his soul, he strikes a deal with Satan to retrieve it. The catch? He must collect 100 souls within a year, using a diabolical traveling carnival as his tool.

Howard’s writing is sharp and witty, blending macabre elements with a sardonic sense of humour; something that is much needed when building upon this book’s premise. The character of Johannes Cabal is particularly engaging; he is a brilliant yet morally ambiguous protagonist whose single-minded pursuit of his goal makes him both fascinating and unpredictable. Despite his lack of a moral compass (he is fundamentally corrupted), Cabal’s intelligence and dry wit make him an oddly endearing character.

The novel’s pacing is mostly brisk, with Howard skillfully balancing moments of dark comedy with some really quite genuine suspense. The supporting cast, including Cabal’s charismatic vampire brother, Horst, adds depth to the narrative. The carnival itself becomes a character in its own right, filled with eerie attractions and sinister performers that create a vivid and unsettling atmosphere. It’s no Geek Love, but it works.

One of the standout aspects of the book is its originality. Howard takes familiar tropes of the horror genre and twists them into something fresh and reasonably unexpected. The Faustian bargain at the heart of the story is given new life through the unique setting and the protagonist’s unconventional methods. The novel’s conclusion is quite satisfying, leaving readers eager for more of Cabal’s adventures, though I am told that the rest of the series may not live to the promise of this initial book.

Overall, Johannes Cabal the Necromancer is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and horror. The pacing is mostly good, though there are points where it can drag a little. Its blend of humor, horror, and clever storytelling made it a really standout debut for Jonathan L. Howard.

Rating: 3.5/5

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