Necromancer
sequel to NiDemon
Shawn Cromier
Pine View Press

Night is almost upon them as Ilien, Kale and Rose struggle forward in opening paragraph. It is not safe to be found in the open in the Desecration once night has fallen. The reader is drawn into the narrative immediately with the opening lines found in "Necromancer ".

The initial pages of the work include a hand drawn map, I like fantasy works which include maps, as I read I can refer back and keep myself on track as where, and what is going on in the tale.

As in the previous volumes of the trilogy we follow Ilien in his quest to make sense of what is happening and why. In Nomadin we found Ilien Woodhill to be a boy who is a bit of perplexity. We were introduced to Gallund, a mystic, who is caring for Ilien during the time his peasant mother is away from home. Ilien has in his possession a very special pencil which Gallund his mentor has pointed out more than once is to be used wisely for spells. Ilien has had his share of confrontation with witches and has discovered that the NiDemon are determined to destroy Gallund.

Later on the pages of NiDemon the reader realized the potential of a Prophesied Child, were introduced to a host of supernatural beings, met an intriguing personage -the Swan- and worried as terrifying Nephalim sought to wreak havoc. Betrayal, runes, a prophesy fulfilled were exposed before the tale concluded. NiDemon closed with farewells, hope and the beginning of a journey.

And now we begin "Necromancer". Readers will find what have been awaiting. This is the concluding volume of the trilogy begun in Nomadin and continued in NiDemon. Magically moved into a cursed land, Ilien must find and destroy the thing that cannot be destroyed.

He is placing his hope in Kale, a deformed child Ilien himself caused to be maimed, and Rose a numinous woman whose past is mysteriously intertwined with his. In his pocket Ilien has placed Globe, the only light source he will have in many of the lifeless and drear areas of the Desecration.

It was not supposed to be this way. Anselm had prepared his pack, there should be plenty of food, well, there is, Awfull, a whole loaf, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ilien is less than overjoyed. He on his way to meet Gallund. Before long, Gallund, Windy, Ilien's friend of companion during many escapades will be setting out on another adventure. This one is the best, both Windy and Ilien will be seeing their mothers for the first time in so long. For the first time Ilien is a little shy in Windy's presence, the two youngsters are growing up.

Gallund is waiting for the kids, old companion Thiessen waits with Gallund, even Penelope -the Swan- is there. Ilien and Windy will be making –the Crossing- into a forbidding land where they will meet their mothers and find unspeakable danger, menace and mystery. A Crossing is always filled with a little obscurity. However, as long as those crossing do not resist; the pull of the Crossing poses little danger. Should they resist, Gallund assures the pair, they WILL end up somewhere else.

Gallund will open the crossing, Ilien will go first, then Windy and Gallund will bring up the rear. The last words Ilien hears are, 'No, Stop!'

Cyclops, danger, a deformed personage, Manna, a Breach, are all part of the lifeless, bleak and empty world Ilien has entered. For thousands of years the land has been waiting, Ilien is taken aback to learn they are waiting for him.

The narrative of "Necromancer " recounts the struggles Rose, Kale and Ilien face in the forbidding land where the cruel Onegod is ruler. Writer Cormier again has captured the quintessence of the genre to generate a dynamic, fast paced work sure to please readers.

Cormier's is a bright voice on the Middle Grades/Young Adult fantasy landscape. Cormier's Main Character Ilien is a kid youngsters can like. "Necromancer " is filled with all the ingredients Cormier rendered so well in the first two of the trilogy. Again he provodes a superior grouping of likable, quick-witted, non-stereotypical characters populating agreeably detailed settings. Kid friendly discourse is used in this captivating account of inexplicable, delightful players set into play by potent impetus.

Moving against a milieu of well designed scenarios meant to bring the reader into the narrative this is Ilien's story. If he is to succeed in his quest to locate his mother, find Windy and hopefully save his world from years of desecration; Ilien MUST learn to control his powers as he faces mounting hazards.

Conflict is always present and is adroitly determined. At every turn Ilien faces near tragedy, hardship and wild upset before he once again discovers that much is nothing as he had first thought. There is an abundance of hooks and interweaving to please the most challenging reader. In spite of the horror of the dead and foreboding land where Ilien has come; humor is never far as writer Cormier fits allegory, wisecracks and out-and-out capriciousness into the tale.

Writer Cormier has done it again. "Necromancer " is an excellent conclusion to Ilien's story begun in Nomadin. The ending found in the closing paragraphs is perfect, leaves the reader satisfied, and the trilogy ends on an upbeat and positive note. Happy to recommend. Hopefully Writer Cormier is now hard at work on another tale.