Johannes Cabal the Necromancer (Johannes Cabal Series)

After reading the positive reviews and the book description, I felt that this work had an interesting premise. I believe some of the reviews compared the author to Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams; unfortunately, these comparisons fall far from the mark. I know that writing a book such as this one is certainly a difficult task to undertake and I hate to be overly critical, but I did spend about $12 of my hard-earned cash (and my predilection towards leaving no dollar wasted is probably the only reason I muddled all the way through to the end).

The concept behind this novel sounds entertaining; I have enjoyed Terry Pratchett's works and have liked many other books that incorporate various levels of surrealism. Jonathon Howard's overall plot for this book -- a practitioner of the dark arts places a bet with the Devil to win back his soul -- held a lot of potential for humor, dark wit, fantastic characters, and moral tension.

The reality never approaches the promise. This novel is hindered by stilted dialogue and prosaic paragraphs that at some points appear to have possibly been translated from English to another language and then back to English again. Like "Book Dork" stated, is is clear that the author is trying way too hard. In one section, the author appears to change his frame of reference from Johannes in first-person to a second character in first-person without making any indication of the shifting reference. The last third of the book makes use of one of the most unsubtle attempts at deus ex machina I have ever read. I believe that some of the dialogue and interaction between Dennis, Denzil (Johannes' first victims), and Johannes is supposed to be humorous -- but it falls flat at every turn. Some characters seem to pop in to and out of existence at the blink of an eye. And did I mention the stilted use of language? Though the works don't share a common premise, I suggest reading Gilbert Chesterton's "The Man Who Was Thursday" to get a feel for the atmosphere Jonathon Howard may have been trying to achieve; "Johannes" doesn't measure up in the least.

Again -- I hate to be so critical, but this work falls short on so many counts. I think I've learned a valuable lesson, though -- I need to start reading the book samples before hitting that "purchase" button.

Regards, ...

I came across this book on Audible and never heard of it or the author. Decided to give it a go and loved it. Jonathan L. Howard created a fantastic world dark, strange, and comical. Best way for me to describe this is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy takes a trip to Hell. If you like the style of writing of Douglas Adams then Johannes Cabal The Necromancer will give you a good laugh. In this story Johannes Cabal the Necromancer waltzes through the gates of Hell like he is a regular and wants to speak to the Devil. Why? To get his soul back of course. The Devil bored with his usual duties takes Johannes up on the wager to collect 100 souls in a certain time frame. Question is what would you do or how far would you go to get your soul back? With a Necromancer and the Devil and his Minions involved this definitely will prove to be an interesting wager indeed!

The world building was fun and the Characters were good as well, but although I loved the book, giving it 4 out of 5 stars, I feel some parts lost me or could have been a little more descriptive and I found myself rereading to understand what was happening. I didn't really connect well with the characters as I would have liked although I did enjoy their personalities. If you read this book please read it to the end as it does have a lot of enjoyable moments throughout the book and the ending is fantastic. All in all a very fun read with a lot of laughter in it.

Christopher Cazenove who narrates Johannes Cabal The Necromancer also does a fantastic job bringing the book and characters to life. His voice is easy to listen to and he even shows us his singing voice in a part of the book which I found myself bobbing my head to.

As the blurb says, Johannes engages in a wager with Satan to win his soul back: gather one hundred signed contracts for the procurement of souls in a year or be killed and receive a one-way ticket to Hell. Of course, Satan isn’t totally unfair (ha!), and he is willing to loan Johannes the use of a Satanic carnival to help him on his way.

I rather liked Johannes, despite how amoral he is most of the time. He’s a man on a mission, and it doesn’t occur to him to pause and consider the ethics of his actions. In fact, he can be positively cut-throat; the fact he turns to a vampire to help him with the more human aspects of setting up a carnival is a pretty telling sign. It’s hard to know from this book whether Johannes’s personality is a result of his background (for a start, being a necromancer is rather grusome work) or whether it’s just who he is.

Given the story is set over the course of a year, it could have been quite long, looking at each of the hundred souls one at a time. Instead, we really only see a handful; the first is a bit of a case study for the approach Johannes and his crew tend to take. The middle chapters are mostly vignettes, as Johannes and Horst deal with one crisis or another, while the last part of the book deals with the last few souls and how the bet plays out overall.

This story is funny and, as I said, quite whimsical — especially the chapters set in Hell. At other times, it is quite dark. Under Horst’s influence, Johannes tends to target people who would have gone to Hell anyway — and we see enough of some of those people that I was sometimes left feeling like I wanted a shower. Still, the writing style reminded me a little of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett, which is, needless to say, a high compliment. I laughed at inappropriate moments more than once.

Apparently the rest of the series isn’t quite so dark, or so I’m told. I’m curious to see where it goes next, and I enjoyed Johannes’s company. I’d be happy to spend more time with him in future — just not in a dark alley or similar!

I truly love this series. It was among my recommendations because of my recent Neil Gaimon and Terry Pratchett purchases. That was a month ago and I've burned through four of these books already. The only surprise is that I had never heard of this until now. So Johannes Cabal is a necromancer and a bit of a bastard, but its explained that this is at least in part because he has no soul which causes him to make a wager with Satan that he can collect 100 souls in a years time or forfeit both his soul and his life.
If you are into the ironic humor of Terry Pratchett, you should probably start this series. If you like a combination of supernatural and adventure, you should get the series. If you have a liking of Lovecraftian horror with a comical twist, you should get this series. If you enjoy antiheroes rising to the occasion and surprisingly saving the day when they have no desire to do so, get this series. If you are into vintage-victorian-steampunk there is a little of this and that as well.

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:

This book drew me in from about ten feet away on the shelf. The whole thing is beautiful and feels old in your hand. The story of Johannes Cabal’s fight with the devil takes place in a demonic fair ground, where he is charged with stealing away 100 people’s souls in a year in order to exchange it for his own (which he carelessly sold to the devil a few years back - he figured a scientist wouldn’t need it!).

The reason he needs his soul back is amazing in itself.

The fair ground staff work for him but are, in the end, loyal to Satan, making for an interesting dynamic between Johannes and the demons. In order to wrangle them, he frees his vampire brother from the crypt where he has been imprisoned for the last decade. Unfortunately for Johannes, it was his fault his brother was turned into a vampire in the first place, so there’s a bit of tension there.

The writing is elegant and can be quite funny at times. This is the type of writing best read slowly, in case you miss anything. There are funny asides to the reader and seemingly nonsensical asides, which recall Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams.

By the end of the book, Johannes is a truly human character, you feel bad for him and at the same time understand where he is coming from. With the fifth book in the Johannes Cabal series now published, I’m still amazed how each book can be totally different from the last one while keeping up the spirit and delicious writing style. Whether he is a necromancer, a detective or a revolutionary, Johannes Cabal is always entertaining.

I might be overrating Jonathan L. Howard's "Johannes Cabal the Necromancer (Johannes Cabal Novels Book 1)," but I'm going with an OK 3 stars out of 5. The book has an interesting concept behind it and parts of it are well done. But, in general, instead of writing a cohesive book about the protagonist's attempt to outwit the devil while keeping his humanity intact, he uses that as a loose framework into which he drops several vignettes (almost short stories). Plus, the story at the end is very different from the rest of the book and the very end of the whole thing is just silly. It might be OK as a light read on an airplane or beach. Regardless, I won't be reading anything further by the author.

Johannes Cabal is not only a necromancer but a total jerk who suddenly finds giving up his soul to Satan has caused him a bit of a problem when it puts a stop to his research. In order to solve this he goes to Hell to meet with the Lord of Darkness in order to get his soul back. A wager of sorts is agreed upon with details set by Satan. The wager consists of bringing forth a dark carnival to help Cabal capture 100 souls in a year's time. If Cabal can accomplish this next to impossible task in the time allotted his soul will be returned to him. The Dark Carnival is of the of the soul-snatching kind, which apparently is not the only one Satan has in operation around the world. However, the one Cabal is given has to be totally reconstructed and revived. To accomplish the revival of the Dark Carnival Johannes enlists his estranged brother Horst, who is not very happy with him for reasons I won't mention here, but agrees to help him with a little arm twisting. Once Johannes resurrects his carnival workers and puts together some `freak show' entertainment he starts his journey to collect 100 souls.

Jonathan L. Howard's writing is outwardly humorous, dark, and brings to mind works by Terry Pratchett (`DiscWorld'), Douglas Adams (`Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy'), and Christopher Moore (`Fool'). Sometimes the laughs are real `groaners' and the quirkiness leaves you feeling a little off center due to the rapid pace of the book. The unpredictability of one strange situation after another quickly building on each other is part of the charm of this book, so fasten your seat belt and give in to it to achieve maximum enjoyment.

Though I enjoyed the book I still felt there were portions of it that were hastily written. There are areas where it seems the author only gives the reader a glimpse of the surface when it feels like things should have dug a little bit deeper with the characters and how things impacted them. However, this is not to be considered a `deep' novel and Johannes Cabal doesn't even take his `badness' seriously as he somehow manages to show some emotional depth upon occasion. I enjoyed the laughs along with the light and easy writing style. If you enjoy reading Pratchett, Adams, and Moore you will enjoy `Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer'. Author Jonathan L. Howard has done himself proud.

"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof was to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." Douglas Adams, `Mostly Harmless'

I was really excited to read this book because, on its surface, it's a book tailor made for me: necromancers, Faustian pacts, historical (?) settings, & unpleasant protagonists are pretty much the bread & butter of my literary tastes; but this is Not a Good Book, in the least.

The biggest problem is that Howard seems to forget the point of his own book. We spend precious little time talking about the actual soul-collecting business OR the demonic carnival, & there are multiple chapters that (while occasionally interesting) do not actually relate, at all, to the plot. Most frustratingly, Howard does not just miss opportunities for the plot: he addresses them, SPECIFICALLY & DIRECTLY, & then forgets about them. I can think of three distinct places in the book where he throws in something that sounds like foreshadowing for a later problem for Cabal... which is never brought up ever again; but we have these chapters that add nothing, instead. Additionally, the climax of the book is trite, at very best; & the twist at the end, as others here have mentioned, relies solely on Satan suddenly becoming too dumb to function, rather than on Cabal's (or Howard's) wits. Howard clearly came up with an ambitious concept, but was too incompetent to see it through--not even to the end, but even just through to the second act.

I was also disappointed by the lack of necromancy performed by the titular necromancer, as well as Howard's absolutely abysmal skill at writing women with anything even approaching respect.

That being said, I found Cabal & his brother delightful to read about--although Howard drops the ball on developing their relationship in any meaningful way, & his attempt at giving Cabal "depth" made me almost put the book down, it was so tired & hamfisted. He also does a lot of TELLING with very little showing, & he seems only capable of writing in the passive voice; he also has a tendency to use unwieldy & wildly uncommon words for when there is an simpler, eloquent alternative, for no apparent reason. But I did find it funny, at times (although painfully trite at others), & when it's funny, it is VERY funny. (I tried very hard to write a positive paragraph, but all of my compliments come with caveats!)

All of this together, I would ordinarily give this two stars (because what I did enjoy, I enjoyed a lot); but Howard's ego makes this impossible for me: the whole book somehow gives the impression that Howard is just completely up his own rear end! He seems so tickled with his own intelligence that I have to give this book one star, as my only meaningful avenue of recourse. (I read this book a year ago, & I've been mad ever since.)

Johannes Cabal. Necromancer. What can be said about him? Well, he's moody, he's not really a, "People person," he certainly doesn't like to chit-chat or engage in small talk & to top it all, his life is far from boring. Considering he has no problem strong-arming a Demon to send him to Hell, literally, to get his soul back from Satan & ends up with a carnival, a train, gets his vampire brother, Horst, (Who's actually a likeable bloke) to help him run this chaos, to get 100 souls for his, all in one year, It gets interesting very quickly.
When I first read this book, to be honest, I had a "new" anti-hero that makes me laugh & made me think. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Mr. Howard has made a world with a little bit of everything, just a bit darker, but as unpredictable & very funny in the irony of life.
This & the following stories are nothing less than great fun. I'm on my umpteenth read of it at the moment & will probably read it again umpteen more times.
You want different? Get a copy. You'll be glad you did.

Because I knew you were wondering, necromancy is defined by Wikipedia as "divination involving the dead or death...particularly sorcery involving raising or reanimating the dead."

So it's safe to assume that a book about such thing should be, well, scary, right? And creepy? And...um...FUNNY?

Yes, funny. And very often, VERY funny.

Which is to say that at the very least "Johannes Cabal" defies expectations. It IS creepy--in fact downright ugly at times--and while not actually scary, the story DOES get dramatic and tense. Credit goes to author Jonathan Howard, who has written a novel that has at its core a genuinely ugly man who is not a friendly fellow. In fact, I began wondering how this book was going to garner any audience for the second volume in the series: how will he ever get the reader to care about such a disagreeable creep?

It's an intriguing question, and one I'll address later.

Suffice it to say that Mr. Cabal is nobody's poster boy for charm. He's completely self interested, unsympathetic, and just about always disagreeable. He hangs around with the worst sort of characters: ghouls, the undead, serial killers, and even Satan himself. And his Number One Goal is to hoodwink, cajole and otherwise force 100 people to sign away their souls within the next year.

And if truth be told, his own brother Horst is one of his, well, victims, a vampire who's been left for years in a sepulcher, neither dead nor alive, awaiting Johannes' aid--which Johannes is in no hurry to supply until it suits his needs.

In short, Cabal's not a nice guy. But before one can hate him too much, it's his interaction with the macabre beasts and walking horrors that fills these pages, and while Johannes' personality might be rotten, his counterparts are usually ACTUALLY rotting, and Johannes is actually serving as the ringmaster who keeps these rogues in line.

You see, Johannes has gotten himself into a bind, and if he is going to get his soul back from Satan he is going to have to trick him, and that's where the aforementioned 100 souls come into play. Cabal has been forced into running a travelling circus where his acts and exhibits are the real thing: ghastly and sinister freaks whose wicked deeds in their past lives are the stuff of nightmares. And it's up to the Cabal brothers to keep them in line.

As dark as this might all sound, there are quite a few hilarious moments to be had here. In fact, there is scarcely a page that doesn't provide a play on words or a surprising twist. And face it: aren't we all getting tired of the same old Vampire vs. Werewolf thing? Howard creates a litany of evil sorts that is a veritable, well, circus, and whether they be fanged or toothless, clever or infinitely stupid, formidable or pushovers, these monsters are indeed just that, and they ooze, undulate, creep, metamorphose and in general misbehave all over the book. I mean, Satan appears TWICE and he's not as abhorrent as some of the other nasty pieces of work Howard has populated within these pages. My favorite ghouls are Dennis and Denzil, a pair of goons who are continuously decaying before our eyes..and quite often noisily.

If I am to find faults, one is that the author doesn't usually set up his scenes far enough in advance: he at times introduces characters or stepping stones right before they are significant to whatever exact portion of the plot he wants to generate. It beggars belief, and makes the story seem as if it had just been contrived at the last minute.

Another tendency that I won't call a flaw, just distracting, is Howard's frequent references to major plot points that do not occur anywhere in this novel but in the past. Certainly one might argue that this contradicts the point I brought up just one paragraph ago. But there IS a difference; while the previous argument referred to just-invented conveniences, I am speaking here of major plot points that could well have filled a previous text. These are main-character events here, ones that make the reader feel he has missed a volume in the series. Rather than refer to ones that would ruin a very good surprise, I'll speak now of just these two:

1. Horst's estrangement by his brother, occurring years earlier, cries out for more forceful treatment. Howard just tosses in this key incident as one might argue over who lost the car keys. Is there no better way the author might be able to set up this episode?
2. Oh, and gee, what was that second one? Oh, yes, I remember: HOW ABOUT THE WHOLE REASON THIS NOVEL IS TAKING PLACE? Um...the whole SELLING HIS SOUL thingy? Isn't there any way this could have been detailed for us, your loyal audience? The readers get almost NOTHING in this regard. Granted, there might be a reason the author is holding on to some key element to surprise us later in the series, but c'mon...we deserve SOMETHING!

Those points aside, "Johannes Cabal the Necromancer" is an enjoyable and clever romp, full of good, sick fun. Howard is a clever man who can turn a phrase to full advantage, and the story is a real treat. And there is a big payoff at the end (thought I'd forgotten, didn't you?). I'm looking forward to the next volume...Howard has me hooked.

Johannes Cabal isn't a very compelling Faustian figure. He's trying to win back his soul from the devil (by tricking 100 other people out of theirs), but he's not particularly clever, or funny, or decent, or righteous as he goes about it. He's mostly just fussy, and this story of him and his demonic carnival really wasn't my speed. I never felt like I had any good reason to be rooting either for or against Cabal's success, and most everything that happened seemed pretty arbitrary.

Came across this book off of the store's recommendations list. When I first read the summary, I was not particularly impressed. Having just this moment finished the book I find myself to be mistaken.

To paraphrase the old adage: Don't judge a book by its summary. Mr Howard's style is not entirely dissimilar to that of Terry Pratchett of Discworld fame, but with its own dark spin on things.

For your consideration: Johannes Cabal a Necromancer. A man who sold his soul in favor of arcane knowledge. But he's having troubles. His soulless state is proving to be counter-productive to his research. So he descends to hell to make another deal. 100 souls in one year. With the help of his decidedly more moral brother Horst (who, irony of ironies, is a vampire) and a demonic traveling carnival. Sounds like my last family reunion.

The eternal torment of Hell that is promised us in more common form is here eschewed in favor of the ministrations of an anal-retentive paper pusher. One wonders which is a more horrifying prospect.

At the end of the novel we discover that Johannes's garden is used as an insane asylum for fairies.

And in this cavalcade of curious characters and creatures the one that perhaps stands above them all in sheer oddity is one Alfred Simpkins, the world's most unnoticeable man. A small not unpleasant gentleman who happens to be an escaped serial killer guilty of no less than 37 murders, committed, evidently, in the hopes that the victims would take some notice of the man that's killing them (no such luck). He recounts that he is so unnoticeable that he was questioned by the police concerning the death of his neighbor while covered head to toe in her blood and carrying the very weapon he had used to kill her not three hours previously (already labelled Exhibit I for their convenience). He even went so far as to directly tell them that he did it and they didn't even notice.

Finally, the only thing bad I can think to say about the book: I wasn't a fan of the last page and the revelations towards the reasons for Johannes's research. Sure Johannes is a basically good man deep down where it counts, but why can't his motivations have been entirely selfish? Why throw in that bit to make him a tragic hero or whatever. Either way, it doesn't really detract from the novel.

All in all Johannes Cabal the Necromancer is a quirky and fun book and you would do well to read it. I am delighted to learn that it is the first of three books, which I will be purchasing shortly.

In most cases by the time somebody realizes that selling their soul to the devil was a bad idea, its too late to do anything about it. After all, its typically the end of the story. But in Jonatan L. Howard's "Johannes Cabal: Necromancer" it is chapter one. So if you need a hint that this is not a typical book with a typical hero, then that is a start. It does not take long for Mr. Cabal to strike a new deal with the devil and set out on a quest to damn 100 souls in a single year with the aid of a demonic carnival. The ensuing misadventures are filled with entertaining characters, clever wit and just a touch of drama.

At the center of all the proceedings is of course Cabal himself. Much of he fun of JC:N is similar to the fun of watching "Dr. House M.D." Cabal is terribly clever but has little interest in the living. Therefore, he entertains the reader as he expresses his loathing for others and continues to entertain when he receives the backlash for his own unchecked ego. However, the author keeps him just sympathetic enough. Which means that the reader can be both invested in Cabals diabolical quest while also waiting to see if he can avoid crossing the line and becoming a true villain.

How far Cabal is willing to go becomes the hook upon which the whole tale hangs. And while the book never looses its sense of humor the drama becomes more front and center by the end. The mood might be comparable to the British version of "The Office" where the viewer goes from simply being amused by the characters to caring about their final fate.

If it sounds like JC:N combines bits a pieces from other sources...well that is because it is part of the fun. Every great chef knows that people have been cooking from the same ingredients forever but its how you put them together that makes them sing. And ultimately the people who will enjoy this book the most are those who can trace its many side references. At the same time I don't think anybody who takes the time to visit Lala the Latex Lady, Hortense the Vampire, or the Piebald Rat will come away disappointed.

A fantastic Faustian tale.

First of all, kudos to Jonathan L. Howard for giving us a protagonist prick. Definitely refreshing to read an anti-hero who has so few moral compunctions. The moral turpitude sways and rocks now and again, but the essence is there. All for none and Me for Me.
Also, just as refreshing, to read the English language written so well. Mr. Howard gives us our Johannes Cabal as an incredible wordsmith and he is a joy to read.

A Necromancer attempts to regain his soul which he once thought worthless. To do this he must make a wager with Satan-Reap one hundred souls in a period of one year by having them sign on the dotted line.

A Carnival is the vehicle by which this job is to get done and many a rube to be taken. Cabal to build from tatters and bone with a bit of Satan spit.
By his side his brother Horst who we must assume is some form of undead.

We are treated to the darkest side of humor and humanity.
We are led down wondrous paths that are almost taken as sketches in the margins.
Hordes of psychotic killers led by one magical maniac.
A Dali-esque portrayal of a space out of time.
A truly sad side tale of a lost soul.

I have read some say that the feel of all of these tales coming together makes the book feel disjointed.
I have read some say that the different narrators confuse and that there are times when it becomes confusing.
I would agree with one review I read that noted one of the side-narrative voices being annoying...I'll bite there Bonhomie, but note...love that Mr. Howard took the shot.

I have to say that while I can see where this might be the interpretation or perception of some readers I found it fantastic.
The author took risks and by my account won.
In addition, little to no filler...all meat.
Every page was a joy to take in and it felt as though Mr. Howard crafted this.
By 'crafted' I do not mean to say it was contrived as it had a great flow to it, but there was a plan to go up the middle and allow the branches to grow out where they may.

I began the second in the series, "Johannes Cabal The Detective" within minutes of finishing this book as I enjoyed the taste it left in my mouth.
I hope it lives up to my expectations.

Johannes Cabal has a problem: Having sold his soul to Satan in exchange for the secrets of necromancy (the art of raising the dead), he has discovered, well into his studies, that he actually needs said soul in order to be a successful necromancer. What to do, what to do...why naturally, he must venture into the bowels of Hell to try and regain possession of his soul. Generally speaking, Satan is not the sort to return souls once he has them; it kind of negates the whole business of being Satan and gives one a reputation for being soft on the damned. But our plucky, amoral necromancer is lucky--Satan is a fantastically bored on the day Cabal comes a-calling and he decides to make a bet in order to amuse himself.

Johannes Cabal can retrieve his soul, but only if he signs up 100 other people for eternal damnation within the space of one year.

Fortunately for us, Johannes is dead set on getting his soul back so that he can improve on his mad necromancing skills, and he takes that bet and sets to work with a will. Satan provides Johannes with a traveling carnival and the workers to staff it, and Johannes recruits his brother, Horst, to help him out.

What follows is 300 pages of a highly amusing story, very well-written, in which Johannes and his exceedingly dark carnival travel the rails of the British countryside, conning people out of their souls. Johannes is quite single-minded in his quest, but Horst (who has an affliction which has become quite common in literature of late) tries to keep him from committing any acts which would put him completely beyond the pale. JOHANNES CABAL, THE NECROMANCER is a highly entertaining supernatural story, with a steampunk for the 21st century flavor that works surprisingly well.

I am looking forward to reading the follow-up book, JOHANNES CABAL, DETECTIVE.

Because I knew you were wondering, necromancy is defined by Wikipedia as "divination involving the dead or death...particularly sorcery involving raising or reanimating the dead."

So it's safe to assume that a book about such thing should be, well, scary, right? And creepy? And...um...FUNNY?

Yes, funny. And very often, VERY funny.

Which is to say that at the very least "Johannes Cabal" defies expectations. It IS creepy--in fact downright ugly at times--and while not actually scary, the story DOES get dramatic and tense. Credit goes to author Jonathan Howard, who has written a novel that has at its core a genuinely ugly man who is not a friendly fellow. In fact, I began wondering how this book was going to garner any audience for the second volume in the series: how will he ever get the reader to care about such a disagreeable creep?

It's an intriguing question, and one I'll address later.

Suffice it to say that Mr. Cabal is nobody's poster boy for charm. He's completely self interested, unsympathetic, and just about always disagreeable. He hangs around with the worst sort of characters: ghouls, the undead, serial killers, and even Satan himself. And his Number One Goal is to hoodwink, cajole and otherwise force 100 people to sign away their souls within the next year.

And if truth be told, his own brother Horst is one of his, well, victims, a vampire who's been left for years in a sepulcher, neither dead nor alive, awaiting Johannes' aid--which Johannes is in no hurry to supply until it suits his needs.

In short, Cabal's not a nice guy. But before one can hate him too much, it's his interaction with the macabre beasts and walking horrors that fills these pages, and while Johannes' personality might be rotten, his counterparts are usually ACTUALLY rotting, and Johannes is actually serving as the ringmaster who keeps these rogues in line.

You see, Johannes has gotten himself into a bind, and if he is going to get his soul back from Satan he is going to have to trick him, and that's where the aforementioned 100 souls come into play. Cabal has been forced into running a travelling circus where his acts and exhibits are the real thing: ghastly and sinister freaks whose wicked deeds in their past lives are the stuff of nightmares. And it's up to the Cabal brothers to keep them in line.

As dark as this might all sound, there are quite a few hilarious moments to be had here. In fact, there is scarcely a page that doesn't provide a play on words or a surprising twist. And face it: aren't we all getting tired of the same old Vampire vs. Werewolf thing? Howard creates a litany of evil sorts that is a veritable, well, circus, and whether they be fanged or toothless, clever or infinitely stupid, formidable or pushovers, these monsters are indeed just that, and they ooze, undulate, creep, metamorphose and in general misbehave all over the book. I mean, Satan appears TWICE and he's not as abhorrent as some of the other nasty pieces of work Howard has populated within these pages. My favorite ghouls are Dennis and Denzil, a pair of goons who are continuously decaying before our eyes..and quite often noisily.

If I am to find faults, one is that the author doesn't usually set up his scenes far enough in advance: he at times introduces characters or stepping stones right before they are significant to whatever exact portion of the plot he wants to generate. It beggars belief, and makes the story seem as if it had just been contrived at the last minute.

Another tendency that I won't call a flaw, just distracting, is Howard's frequent references to major plot points that do not occur anywhere in this novel but in the past. Certainly one might argue that this contradicts the point I brought up just one paragraph ago. But there IS a difference; while the previous argument referred to just-invented conveniences, I am speaking here of major plot points that could well have filled a previous text. These are main-character events here, ones that make the reader feel he has missed a volume in the series. Rather than refer to ones that would ruin a very good surprise, I'll speak now of just these two:

1. Horst's estrangement by his brother, occurring years earlier, cries out for more forceful treatment. Howard just tosses in this key incident as one might argue over who lost the car keys. Is there no better way the author might be able to set up this episode?
2. Oh, and gee, what was that second one? Oh, yes, I remember: HOW ABOUT THE WHOLE REASON THIS NOVEL IS TAKING PLACE? Um...the whole SELLING HIS SOUL thingy? Isn't there any way this could have been detailed for us, your loyal audience? The readers get almost NOTHING in this regard. Granted, there might be a reason the author is holding on to some key element to surprise us later in the series, but c'mon...we deserve SOMETHING!

Those points aside, "Johannes Cabal the Necromancer" is an enjoyable and clever romp, full of good, sick fun. Howard is a clever man who can turn a phrase to full advantage, and the story is a real treat. And there is a big payoff at the end (thought I'd forgotten, didn't you?). I'm looking forward to the next volume...Howard has me hooked.

Johannes Cabal isn't a very compelling Faustian figure. He's trying to win back his soul from the devil (by tricking 100 other people out of theirs), but he's not particularly clever, or funny, or decent, or righteous as he goes about it. He's mostly just fussy, and this story of him and his demonic carnival really wasn't my speed. I never felt like I had any good reason to be rooting either for or against Cabal's success, and most everything that happened seemed pretty arbitrary.

Came across this book off of the store's recommendations list. When I first read the summary, I was not particularly impressed. Having just this moment finished the book I find myself to be mistaken.

To paraphrase the old adage: Don't judge a book by its summary. Mr Howard's style is not entirely dissimilar to that of Terry Pratchett of Discworld fame, but with its own dark spin on things.

For your consideration: Johannes Cabal a Necromancer. A man who sold his soul in favor of arcane knowledge. But he's having troubles. His soulless state is proving to be counter-productive to his research. So he descends to hell to make another deal. 100 souls in one year. With the help of his decidedly more moral brother Horst (who, irony of ironies, is a vampire) and a demonic traveling carnival. Sounds like my last family reunion.

The eternal torment of Hell that is promised us in more common form is here eschewed in favor of the ministrations of an anal-retentive paper pusher. One wonders which is a more horrifying prospect.

At the end of the novel we discover that Johannes's garden is used as an insane asylum for fairies.

And in this cavalcade of curious characters and creatures the one that perhaps stands above them all in sheer oddity is one Alfred Simpkins, the world's most unnoticeable man. A small not unpleasant gentleman who happens to be an escaped serial killer guilty of no less than 37 murders, committed, evidently, in the hopes that the victims would take some notice of the man that's killing them (no such luck). He recounts that he is so unnoticeable that he was questioned by the police concerning the death of his neighbor while covered head to toe in her blood and carrying the very weapon he had used to kill her not three hours previously (already labelled Exhibit I for their convenience). He even went so far as to directly tell them that he did it and they didn't even notice.

Finally, the only thing bad I can think to say about the book: I wasn't a fan of the last page and the revelations towards the reasons for Johannes's research. Sure Johannes is a basically good man deep down where it counts, but why can't his motivations have been entirely selfish? Why throw in that bit to make him a tragic hero or whatever. Either way, it doesn't really detract from the novel.

All in all Johannes Cabal the Necromancer is a quirky and fun book and you would do well to read it. I am delighted to learn that it is the first of three books, which I will be purchasing shortly.

In most cases by the time somebody realizes that selling their soul to the devil was a bad idea, its too late to do anything about it. After all, its typically the end of the story. But in Jonatan L. Howard's "Johannes Cabal: Necromancer" it is chapter one. So if you need a hint that this is not a typical book with a typical hero, then that is a start. It does not take long for Mr. Cabal to strike a new deal with the devil and set out on a quest to damn 100 souls in a single year with the aid of a demonic carnival. The ensuing misadventures are filled with entertaining characters, clever wit and just a touch of drama.

At the center of all the proceedings is of course Cabal himself. Much of he fun of JC:N is similar to the fun of watching "Dr. House M.D." Cabal is terribly clever but has little interest in the living. Therefore, he entertains the reader as he expresses his loathing for others and continues to entertain when he receives the backlash for his own unchecked ego. However, the author keeps him just sympathetic enough. Which means that the reader can be both invested in Cabals diabolical quest while also waiting to see if he can avoid crossing the line and becoming a true villain.

How far Cabal is willing to go becomes the hook upon which the whole tale hangs. And while the book never looses its sense of humor the drama becomes more front and center by the end. The mood might be comparable to the British version of "The Office" where the viewer goes from simply being amused by the characters to caring about their final fate.

If it sounds like JC:N combines bits a pieces from other sources...well that is because it is part of the fun. Every great chef knows that people have been cooking from the same ingredients forever but its how you put them together that makes them sing. And ultimately the people who will enjoy this book the most are those who can trace its many side references. At the same time I don't think anybody who takes the time to visit Lala the Latex Lady, Hortense the Vampire, or the Piebald Rat will come away disappointed.

A fantastic Faustian tale.

First of all, kudos to Jonathan L. Howard for giving us a protagonist prick. Definitely refreshing to read an anti-hero who has so few moral compunctions. The moral turpitude sways and rocks now and again, but the essence is there. All for none and Me for Me.
Also, just as refreshing, to read the English language written so well. Mr. Howard gives us our Johannes Cabal as an incredible wordsmith and he is a joy to read.

A Necromancer attempts to regain his soul which he once thought worthless. To do this he must make a wager with Satan-Reap one hundred souls in a period of one year by having them sign on the dotted line.

A Carnival is the vehicle by which this job is to get done and many a rube to be taken. Cabal to build from tatters and bone with a bit of Satan spit.
By his side his brother Horst who we must assume is some form of undead.

We are treated to the darkest side of humor and humanity.
We are led down wondrous paths that are almost taken as sketches in the margins.
Hordes of psychotic killers led by one magical maniac.
A Dali-esque portrayal of a space out of time.
A truly sad side tale of a lost soul.

I have read some say that the feel of all of these tales coming together makes the book feel disjointed.
I have read some say that the different narrators confuse and that there are times when it becomes confusing.
I would agree with one review I read that noted one of the side-narrative voices being annoying...I'll bite there Bonhomie, but note...love that Mr. Howard took the shot.

I have to say that while I can see where this might be the interpretation or perception of some readers I found it fantastic.
The author took risks and by my account won.
In addition, little to no filler...all meat.
Every page was a joy to take in and it felt as though Mr. Howard crafted this.
By 'crafted' I do not mean to say it was contrived as it had a great flow to it, but there was a plan to go up the middle and allow the branches to grow out where they may.

I began the second in the series, "Johannes Cabal The Detective" within minutes of finishing this book as I enjoyed the taste it left in my mouth.
I hope it lives up to my expectations.

Johannes Cabal has a problem: Having sold his soul to Satan in exchange for the secrets of necromancy (the art of raising the dead), he has discovered, well into his studies, that he actually needs said soul in order to be a successful necromancer. What to do, what to do...why naturally, he must venture into the bowels of Hell to try and regain possession of his soul. Generally speaking, Satan is not the sort to return souls once he has them; it kind of negates the whole business of being Satan and gives one a reputation for being soft on the damned. But our plucky, amoral necromancer is lucky--Satan is a fantastically bored on the day Cabal comes a-calling and he decides to make a bet in order to amuse himself.

Johannes Cabal can retrieve his soul, but only if he signs up 100 other people for eternal damnation within the space of one year.

Fortunately for us, Johannes is dead set on getting his soul back so that he can improve on his mad necromancing skills, and he takes that bet and sets to work with a will. Satan provides Johannes with a traveling carnival and the workers to staff it, and Johannes recruits his brother, Horst, to help him out.

What follows is 300 pages of a highly amusing story, very well-written, in which Johannes and his exceedingly dark carnival travel the rails of the British countryside, conning people out of their souls. Johannes is quite single-minded in his quest, but Horst (who has an affliction which has become quite common in literature of late) tries to keep him from committing any acts which would put him completely beyond the pale. JOHANNES CABAL, THE NECROMANCER is a highly entertaining supernatural story, with a steampunk for the 21st century flavor that works surprisingly well.

I am looking forward to reading the follow-up book, JOHANNES CABAL, DETECTIVE.

This is probably my favorite work of fiction I have read this year. I really enjoyed just about every single page of this very entertaining book. The characters were engaging, the settings were mysterious and the story was engrossing. The author also had a very good style that simply pulled me into this book. As I was reading I would just lose track of time. I don't mean for my praise here to be effusive but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I will say this book may not appeal to all readers. One of the reasons why I loved this book is because the author's sense of humor fits my own perfectly. I love the dry, sarcasm that fills this work. This is the kind of writing I truly enjoy. The fast, quippy dialogue that is quite clever while at the same time funny is the kind of writing and humor that will never fail to tickle my funny bone. Of course if you don't have a dry sense of humor and sarcasm is not your idea of comedy then this book might not be for you.

I will say this though; the story and the story telling was excellent, so even if this book doesn't appeal your sense of humor the writing and the story itself is more than enough to carry this work.

One of the things that really impressed me about this book is the author's imagination. While the idea itself gave the author lots of space to let his imagination roam, what he came up with is just amazing. I don't want to give anything away, but the description of the carnival and how each of the carnival workers and exhibits are created is very imaginative. The world and the characters that this author has created are deeply involved, and the author does a wonderful job bringing them to life.

The book is also filled with some great character development which adds some tension and adds an emotional element as well. At the beginning characters such as Johannes and Horst are enigmatic characters. They are dark and slightly dangerous at first. They largely remain that way but there is a character arch, and even though they remain dangerous and enigmatic the reader feels like you know them and you have an understanding of who they are. They become more human as the story develops.

This is just a wonderfully written book. The characters, story, plot, setting everything is just wonderfully done. The scenes and the characters that come and go are imaginative and entertaining. This is one of the few books I can see myself picking up again in 3-4 years and giving it another read. If you have a dry, sarcastic sense of humor then you have to get this book.

I have left a comment below that discusses the ending. Ii is very much a spoiler so do not check out the comment unless you have read the book.

Faustian novels don't come along every day. Inexplicably, I've read two in a row. However, Johannes Cabal the Necromancer and The Angel's Game are as different as night and day. If Carlos Ruiz Zafon's dark gothic drama is night, then Jonathan Howard's light comic fantasy must be day.

As the novel opens, Johannes is pursuing an audience with Satan, to whom he sold his soul some years earlier in exchange for the secrets of necromancy. As you know, Satan never gives something for nothing. He proposes a wager--Johannes must collect 100 souls within a year's time or forfeit his life as well as his soul. To aid in this endeavor, Satan lends Johannes a "carnival of discord."

From there, the first half of the novel is picaresque, almost like a series of linked stories: Johannes and the Vampire, Johannes Meets a Ghost, Johannes Takes on a Madman. You get the idea. The second half of the novel is really an extended dénouement, and I'm not entirely sure the two halves join together gracefully. The latter half of the novel is more dramatic in tone and features less of the comedy that buoyed the opening.

When he puts his mind to it, Howard does have that distinctly British comic voice. Here are two brief examples:

* The mayor of Murslaugh was a jolly, ebullient man of the sort who, in a well ordered world, would be called Fezziwig. That his name was Brown was a powerful indictment on the sorry state of things.
* We're supposed to be doing the devil's work and you've gone and contaminated it all with the whiff of virtue. I really don't think you've quite got the hang of being an agent of evil.

One of the problems with this novel is that it's a redemption story. As the seeker of redemption, Johannes starts out as a fairly unlikable character, and remains so for much of the book. Truthfully, I generally wasn't sure if I was rooting for or against him in his wager with Satan. His brother Horst is repeatedly described as "the charismatic one," but we're told this rather than shown. While Horst is definitely the more likable of the two, there are few characters to care about in this novel.

As I read, there was one revelation regarding Johannes's motivation that I kept expecting to be revealed. I didn't expect, however, to have to wait all the way until the penultimate paragraph of the novel. It's an ending, of sorts, but leaves me thinking that we haven't seen the last of Johannes Cabal the Necromancer.

“Johannes Cabal the Necromancer” is an interesting and humorous tale of a man trying to reclaim his soul from the devil. As part o the wager he is running a traveling carnival employing killers, demons and the undead. The characters are fun and are at the basis of this story. The writing is good and the plot keeps moving at a good pace.

Clever, witty and deadly fun, this entire series is fantastic.
I’ve been meaning to write a review for some time and feel badly that it has taken so long to do so, but let me correct that now.
Johannes is so vividly fleshed out in this first book of the series. Worthy of reading and rereading. Worthy of reading aloud to strangers in the park.
Don’t miss out on a truly witty and original character driven book that makes a deal with the devil seem so much fun.

Fun and engaging story about a "mad" (some might say) and brilliant scientist who has gone morally astray in pursuit of black magic and the science of necromancy, of raising the dead. Cabal makes a deal with the devil for his soul if these secrets are shared with him. He decides he want his soul back when it seems its absence hinders further scientific discoveries and wages with Satan for the return of his soul.

At first I did find this novel difficult to get into. The first 50 pages I found to be slow and couldn't get a sense of Cabal's personality and character. However, the pace quickened and I found the story unique and extremely entertaining, with terrific humor. Howard's ear for dialogue and in particular, for provincial British dialect and articulation was, to this American's ears, very funny and vivid. Like wise his depiction of petty bureaucrats and other unfortunate characters was funny and spot on. I would agree that some of the characters were less developed than they might have been and that the sense of time period was confusing, as the story seems to infer both a Victorian and a modern time period, however, some of these issues might have been developed in the earlier short stories, which I have not read. Overall, this was an enjoyable and easy read that I found very entertaining, and I very much look forward to reading the next installment in the life of Johannes Cabal.

This debut novel by British author Jonathan L. Howard is startlingly inventive. JOHANNES CABAL, THE NECROMANCER is a post-modern Gothic tale, as literate and witty as it is eerie. There have been narratives before about sinister carnivals and circuses before--and in his acknowledgements Howard cites a notable one, namely Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes" as an influence. One new element the current book brings to the mix, however, is the origins of such a ghastly entourage. In Howard's tale, Faustian wagers are struck, souls are thoughtlessy and sometimes cheerfully signed away.

And readers are in for a rollicking good time.

JOHANNES CABAL is also strikingly visual. That could have something to do with author Jonathan L. Howard's previous work as a computer game designer and writer. But I'm the last person to ask about such things, since I know next to nothing about computer games. I did find this book a refreshing read, however, and it gave me new respect for the creators of such newfangled things.

As for the visual aspect, well, I kept thinking that CABAL would make a great darkly comic film. Since the book isn't burning up the bestseller rosters, I'm not so sure how likely that is. Still, all it would take for it to be optioned would be for a Tim Burton to get a hold of it.

Johannes Cabal's not exactly evil - but he is extremely focused, to the point of being utterly oblivious to the needs of those he harms in pursuit of his own secretive and scientific purposes. Of course, lacking a soul might have something to do with his callous demeanor. He gave it up in a Faustian bargain, and now he wants it back and there's hell to pay, literally. He's got to run a seductive carnival in order to secure 100 other souls for Satan in exchange for the return of his own soul, and he's on a strict deadline to make it happen. He's got help, but no friends, and he's got a knack for making enemies. Mostly, he tries to get soul deed signatures from bad people who are already on the highway to hell. The question is whether he'll keep that up when crunch time comes.

Cabal is one of those guys you love to loathe, a bad guy you can't help but root for. His story is a darkly comic carnival ride, where things are never quite what they seem, and where the most serious of subjects are treated with levity. Along the way you get an inventive look at the demonic underworld, that reads like a mix between Neil Gaiman and Douglas Adams. Lots of fun, and I can't wait to read the sequel, Johannes Cabal the Detective.

I really enjoyed this book, a Faustian tale of deals with the devil. While Johannes Cabal is really a nasty man at the start and end of the book, you do get to see how his Satanic soul wrangling has a bad effect on even him. After selling his soul to attain the gift of necromancy, or raising the dead in order to further his scientific experiments. Of course, when he gets closer to death himself he decides he needs his soul back.

Even Satan himself is a likable character, in the position of getting back at the nasty people of the world. But even his job gets boring. So he decides to make a deal with Cabal - 100 new souls signed over in 1 year and Cabal can have his soul back. And to help Satan will even give Cabal a traveling carnival to lure people in.

So with a very odd cast of creepy and disturbing carnies from hell, a demonic carnival train, Cabal's brother who sees right through the charade, some demons, and the various townspeople who frequent carnivals, the ride begins. Will Cabal get the 100 souls? Will people figure out what he's up to? Can you win a wager with the Devil?

This romp through black territory kept me riveted in a way that I was not prepared for. A great read!!!

This light humorous fantasy was actually pretty funny and was quick, easy and pleasant to read.
The story is about a necromancer who has sold his soul to the devil but wants it back. He makes a bet with the devil - he'll get his soul back if he can get 100 people to sign over THEIR souls. He's given a year to do it, and a diabolical carnival to help him. Now, this necromancer is as gloomy and fun-resistant as they come, about the last person one would expect to run a carnival - but them's the rules, so off he goes to be a carny, and harvest souls to save his own.
The sense of humor is a little British, and is pretty subtle. A lot of the humor is in the author's choice of adjectives or analogies - unexpected but apt ways of describing things. There's usually no "punchline". It isn't laugh-out-loud hilarious, but it's consistently amusing.
And the plot is good too. Like any fantasy humor, not all that much happens relative to the number of words it takes to talk about it... but I still found myself looking forward to "what happens next". It's an interesting picture of what becomes of someone who selfishly believes that the ends justify the means.
The ending was a little sudden, but maybe there will be a sequel? If so, I would read it.

I must say that Jonathan Howard certainly has a way with words. I found The Necromancer to be darkly funny, witty and very engaging although on a few occasions his choice of words did seem puzzling. The description of events seems to place "The Carnival of Discord" sometime after WWI but occasionally the author uses language (slang-actually) that would more likely be heard today. Whatever the author's intent, the effect was to "take me out of the story". Fortunately, those incidents were few and the book more than engrossing enough to pull me right back in with the next paragraph.

The books only other shortcoming was that the author leaves too much unsaid. Throughout the book, the author hints at some very interesting back stories (his relationship with his brother, what happened to his parents, why he is so obsessed with raising the dead) but then the story ends leaving too many questions unanswered.

Even with its faults, Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer is still one of the best books I've read this year and if the author ever decides to write a sequel I would definitely snatch it up!

Wonderfully written work following an arrogant necromancer and the supernatural things that it would likely entail. It's own self awareness of its series and the entertaining humor painted around these common themes make this series come to life far better than most book series that try to take itself too seriously.

If you are a fan of humor, looking for a contemporary fantasy that doesn't have unexpected moments of unnecessary sexism (And I honestly add this in the context of how difficult it is to pick up a fantasy novel that isn't dripping with dated sexism or opinionated narrative) and a series that pokes fun at the horror, gothic genre, then this book is definitely for you.

Similar books series with this sense of humor can be Terry Pratchette Disc World series, and Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's guide.

Johannes Cabal has sold his soul to the devil - with immediate possession - in exchange for magic and arcane wisdom that will help him further his research. But he discovers he needs his soul, not for any particular spiritual reason, but because he believes that being without it is hindering his work. And so he sets out to strong-arm Satan into giving it back. He's willing to make a deal, but both he and Satan drive hard bargains, and in the end, Johannes agrees that within the space of a single year he will deliver one hundred other souls in exchange for his own. And just because he's an okay guy, Satan gives Cabal a carnival. Not your fun-and-games, cotton candy and wild rides sort of carnival either, but one which has the potential to corrupt and destroy human beings.

There's something about this book which reminds me a great deal of Gaiman's and Pratchett's "Good Omens" which is one of my favorites. Probably it's the sense that what's going on in the narrative is serious stuff, and should be taken seriously... except it's not. The danger, the corruption, the infernal interference would all make a terrific horror novel, if it wasn't so damn funny. I guess that in the final analysis, evil isn't majestic or magnificent, but rather it's small and petty and even bureaucratic in nature. Evil is less being rent limb from limb by hell hounds and more getting pecked to death by ducks.

But there is an underlying seriousness within this book, and it's about the nature of the individual soul, about the relationships that have made the characters what they are, and which drive them to do what they do. That is, at least, deadly serious, and rightly so. And yet, that seriousness, and the sadness behind it, is always overlaid by a lively sense of the absurd, kept at arms length until the end when the bet with Satan ends and the truth about Cabal's work is made clear.

In spite of a few slow spots along the way, "Johannes Cabal, The Necromancer" held my attention both through my own sense of the absurd and my curiosity about how it would all turn out in the end. And I have to say that I was satisfied. I enjoyed the heck out of the book, and I think anyone who is willing to go along with the often hilarious narrative, will too.

From the first few pages where Johannes Cabal enters hell and starts breaking chops of anyone in his way to a wager with the devil I was hooked. Mr. J. Cabal had previously made a deal with the devil, the secrets of necromancy for his immortal soul. Now Johannes wants his soul back, and makes a wager with the devil for it. He must collect 100 souls in one year's time. Johannes now, using some of the devils power and an idea from the devil himself, must use a traveling carnival to harvest these souls. With the help his vampire brother, Horst Cabal and a host of supernatural beings Johannes takes his dark carnival on the road for the collection of souls. Filled with dark choices, creepy characters and dark humor, Jonathan L. Howard has created a masterpiece. I look forward to reading the sequels. I recommend this to fans of the Harry Dresden series, horror fans, dark humor fans or sci/fi fantasy fans.

Writers are often pushed to trim, glean and render spotless action-sentences of Hemingway-scale brevity... so seeing this refreshing example of language for the sake of language, a modern work that revels in the florid and the flowery, is fun for me. I love clever turns of phrase and highly visual witticisms, and Howard delivers this. For those wanting more action and less leisurely pacing, Howard may not be your gore-spattered doctor's bag.

This book is deeper, darker, and more mysterious and desperate. Johannes Cabal is antisocial, unlikeable, damned for good reason, and at first has no redeeming qualities except for his obvious brilliance and low tolerance for idiocy. However, he does end up committing some thoughtful, non-evil acts, for those who like such things. He is a unique protagonist, a simply awful, driven human being whom we cannot help but root for, and his brother a surprisingly ethical foil.

That said, I cannot help but feel a sense of convenience... that all the people Cabal deals with happen to be deserving of punishment. It lessens the ambiguity of Cabal's distasteful appeal.

I am typically not a fan of the "decadent carnival/sideshow" genre, so this book surprised me.

Why should teenagers have all the fun? Of course, like many adults, I've read and re-read the Harry Potter series. (I have not brought myself to read the Twilight series, however.) But so many easily read, entertaining fantasies seem to aim for a younger demographic. "Johannes Cabal the Necromancer" is decidedly adult, but equally entertaining.
Growing up I loved the Ray Bradbury stories and books and dabbled in Lovecraft.
Now, in a clever, dark, and intriguing tale of soul-searching and signing, comes "Johannes Cabal the Necromancer." (Others have provided a synopsis here.)
The cover caught my eye in the store, the description got my attention enough to buy it. And the author's acknowlegement states his honoring of Ray Bradbury, especially "Something Wicked This Way Comes." Larson said he always wanted to know where a diabolical carvival came from. Now we have one possible solution.
It was witty, engaging, darkly alluring, and very fun reading. Unlike some reviewers, I was into it from the first pages and the end of the first chapter, I could not wait to keep reading.
Author Larson goes a great job setting up characters and settings, without killing you with detail. You get just enough to set it up in your mind and then you are onto it.
The title character is one of the most unique leading men in a book in a long while. For a dose of humanity, we have his vampire brother Horst (are we tired of the oh-so-human-noble-vampire, yet?). The politics and bureaucray of Hell is quite entertaining.
I won't spoil the plot, but I can say I did not predict the 'coda' after the final confrontation. But I was more than satisfied that it seems Johannes Cabal still has work to be done.
Thanks Jonathan L. Larson for introducing to us a new, anti-hero. I am now waiting Cabal's next adventure.

Johannes Cabal's made a Faustian deal with the Devil, but it's not working out like he'd planned, surprise, surprise. Years ago, Cabal turned over his soul to Satan; in return, he gets all the secrets to necromancy. Sadly, some of those secrets remain undiscovered as yet, and the lack of soul I'd seriously impeding Cabal's progress in the Research of the Dead Department. So Cabal and Satan renegotiate the terms: Cabal gets one year and a Dark Carnival. If he can scrounge up 100 souls for Satan, he gets his win back, free and clear. If not, sayonora soul. Howard's book, the first in a planned series, is a dark comedy, set in a dark carnival. The Cabal Brothers' Carnival, with its creaky, spooky calliope, its dark corners and its eerie performers and sideshows, gives Ray Bradbury's carnival (that of Cooger and Dark) a serious run for it's money. With Lila the Latex Lady and the Ghost Train, it's a wonder anyone escapes at all.

The premise for the plotline is that Cabal had long ago lost his soul to the Devil in order to receive bountiful necromantic knowledge. At the start of the book, we find Cabal in a sorry and aggravated state, having discovered his study of necromancy cannot continue without it -- it being his soul. So he strikes a bargain, or rather a wager, with the Devil in affect declaring his intention to procure for the Devil 100 souls in one year, and the Devil gives him a carnival of sorts to do it with. Sure, the evil carnival is a staple, we've seen it in Matheson's work, in Lovecraft's, and in Bradbury's, and I loved the HBO show, which sadly got cancelled for reasons unknown. Even so, I was due for some evil carnival and a protagonist that could rub me in all the wrong ways. I also love very dry sarcastic British humour, of which, this book has plenty, and I love a Faustian story, especially when what appears on the surface is not the true essence of the story.

In my wanderings, I saw a lot of negative reviews of the book, mostly of the wanting mainstream styled writing, wanting endless back story, and wanting character motivation explored ad nausea. Sure Cabal was a snobby self-centred jerk who couldn't give a damn about anything but what he wanted ... and the Devil came off foolish, but it felt intentional to me. Many questioned how could the Devil fall for such trickery? I'll explain how I saw that later. And yes, the other characters in the book seemed trivial and one dimensional, but that's because they were and were meant to be it seemed to me. I felt the real essence of the story centred around Cabal trapped by his own design in a carnival house of mirrors, forced to look at his own reflection by proxy, and when his real motivations are revealed in the end -- by the end I mean the very last page -- it's so subtle that many readers might find it to be anti-climactic. Do we really always need fire and brimstone in the end? Sure, I had my issues with the book: I personally would have liked the carnival itself to have been fleshed out a little more, but since the focus was truly on Cabal, it wasn't necessary, even if it would have been enjoyable to read. To me, the author was exploring Cabal himself, so a plot driven action packed story wasn't really needed in my opinion. But that's just me. I loved HBO's Carnivale, and that got cancelled too, which means, maybe my opinion on such things is way off base. In any event, I will be looking for the next instalment of Johannes because by the last page of the book, when the subterfuge and self-preservation tactics fell away from him, I actually truly appreciated him as a character. Pitch-black as he was, he was very charismatic. And the book is just so darn funny. The mockery Howard makes of Hell is hilarious. It's dark comedy written with an absurdist's sense of style. Sure, it's a bit different than the normal redemption story, and I liked it because of that. As for everyone whining about how the Devil could be so easily fooled, well, the fact that Devil interfered with Cabal's quest was really a matter of principle. We would expect the Devil to play dirty, but he didn't play as dirty as he could have, which lead me to believe that he was not trying to thwart Cabal but to test his mettle. Cabal just had one of those souls that even the Devil couldn't keep in good conscience.

Despite its perceived flaws, I really enjoyed the book, and I see a promising future for Howard and Johannes Cabal.

I came across this novel in the English language section of my local bookstore (I live in Spain) and decided to give it a chance.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. The antihero Johannes is supercilious, snarky, smart, and downright unscrupulous--a combination that actually works and makes readers cheer for him!

The premise is somewhat cliché: Johannes sold his soul to the Devil and now wants to get it back. Despite that, the story itself is fresh, fun and wickedly surprising.

The best:

- Horst, Johannes' brother. I don't want to spoil the fun for anyone, so I won't give you any details, but Horst's backstory is one of my favorite parts in the novel.

- The final page. Loved it. Turns out Johannes has feelings, after all.

The worst:

- I would give this novel 5 stars if it weren't for one very irritating detail. Near the end of the book, there is a sudden point of view shift. After experiencing all the action from Johannes' point of view, the shift to Barrow's (Johannes' nemesis) point of view is jarring and utterly BORING. I honestly couldn't care less about what Barrow was up to--the real action was with Johannes!

Nevertheless, Johannes Cabal the Necromancer was a very enjoyable read and right after finishing it I ordered the second book through the store.

I have been fascinated with carnivals since seeing the film Something Wicked This Way Comes when I was six. The fascination grew when I read the Bradbury novel Something Wicked This Way Comes a few years later. Howard takes the concept of Dark's carnival even further, speculating on the origins of such a carnival when the devil himself provides Johannes Cabal with a fully-staffed carnival in order to obtain 100 fresh souls to replace his own.

I expected to enjoy this book, but didn't suspect just how much I'd love it. Howard's humor is crisp and literary, just the way I like it, and I laughed from the first page. It's a classic Faustian tale, with Lovecraftian edges. My only complaint is that it was over much too quickly. This one will definitely be in my best-of list for 2009.

no plot spoiler here

My mother, 82 years old got hold this book before I did, I could not get it away from her. When you are 82 and have cancer you are picky about what you read. "MUMS" has read 30 -40 thousand pages a year since she was a child. There was a critic that abused her for her age, but she most likley has read him to the ground.
So what about the book? Mom says "Its just short of wonderful, re-readable and so much fun. We all have been to hell,,,don't you recognise the paperwork to see the devil?" " I love the chapter headings, and all the folk that parade through, it could never end"
Mom surprised me by asking several theological questions near the end of the book,, questions most folk do not think about in the quest for a good life, or death. We discused the nature of evil intentions, vs evil life, and the medival questions of good, and the idea of action vs non action.So its a thought provoking book, as well as having readable witty prose.
When you are 82, have cancer and face dying,,, the devil is less than a book away. Esp at night, when the pain creeps in.
So the last word "MOM" had to say was,,,, "I want to reread it, it was so good, next winter when it rains and snows...... I want to reread it,,, the story is so good."

Johannes Cabal is a necromancer. Years ago, he sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for the power to raise the dead. Unfortunately, the lack of a soul has been having unpredictable effects on his experiments, rendering him increasingly frustrated. He sets out to win his soul back with the help of his vampire brother Horst, a demonic carnival, and a group of diabolical circus freaks and less-than-talented undead assistants.

Howard's novel is incredibly entertaining, recalling at times the humor of Douglas Adams (the procedure for getting into Hell is a bureaucratic nightmare almost as unbearable as the place itself). My wife can attest to the fact that the novel induced frequent out-loud chuckling. Recommended.

After a few false starts, I found myself unable to stop reading this book. Johannes Cabal is not an interesting character right off the bat, we have to wait until things get get started to really start to enjoy him.

As a Necromancer, Cabal has found that things don't go the way they are supposed to when the man in charge has no soul. Having sold his a while back in order to learn the secrets of necromancy in a hurry, Cabal has found that he's basically foiled himself, and he needs his soul back. Traveling to Hell to strike yet another deal with Satan, Cabal agrees to obtain 100 souls within one year for Satan in order to get his very own back. Given the use of a carnival that never got up off the ground, Cabal sets off to entrap doomed souls with the help of his brother Horst, who is a vampire.

This book was interesting, but I wasn't too pleased with some of the vagueness. Of course I didn't want to go into excruciating detail for the procurement of each and every soul, but time passes sort of without warning here (I guess as it does in life?) and that threw me off a bit.

We are treated to a few surprises when it comes to the morality of several characters, and I like that unexpectedness. A real treat is waiting for the reader at the end of the book, and that is nice, it casts a little more insight on the tale as a whole. The story has traces of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's collaboration "Good Omens," and that in itself is a comparison that I'm certain is an honor to have.

A very enjoyable spin on the old Faustian classic, this comes highly recommended

Sorry if the title for this review seems obscure - it's just that the broad and (deliberately) absurd humor in "Johannes Cabal the Necromancer" reminded me time and time again of the work of Douglas Adams, author of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." And that's intended as praise!

Cabal assembles a dark carnival of soul-takers as part of a deal with the devil, more or less "Something Wickedly Funny This Way Comes."

It's not a perfect book because it's so hell-bent on entertaining...occasionally undercutting suspense or credibility for the sake of a joke. On the other hand, they're pretty good jokes! Recommended as a good "light" read for those who enjoy dark humor!

I gobbled up the entire Johannes Cabal series within about a week; can't wait for the next one. It's not often that I laugh out loud at books, but these had me crying. Terribly funny, with a mordant wit that will only appeal to those with a perspective that's a bit askew. That's okay, we like it that way. Wonderful books, all of them.

If you liked the television show THE REAPER, then I think you'll enjoy this book. I know they're not the same, however as I was reading this book, I kept thinking of the television show.

While Johannes must get 100 souls for the devil, believe it or not he is not a bad guy. Read the book to see what I mean before laughing.

The writing from this author is good. And because it's my first book with this author, I'm unable to compare him to previous writings. However I can say that I started reading this book on a Wednesday and finished it by the following Tuesday. Plus I believe it to be quite a large book.

This book is pure fiction, however it got me thinking of life in itself and values. Call me crazy, some of the ways Johannes thought process got me thinking in how we treat others and our reactions towards our fellow friends and humans.

I believe this book will be a summer best seller. It will make a great vacation read!

Kudos to Jonathan Howard, who has conjured up a fiendishly clever and intelligent novel in the delightfully campy "Johannes Cabal, the Necromancer". Playfully poking fun from "Faust" to Stephen King, Howard's keen insight of human behavior matches his razor sharp prose and dialogue, spinning an offbeat and macabre yarn as whimsical as Arthur Phillip's "The Egyptologist", but told with the literary flare and sophistication of Louis Bayard's "Pale Blue Eye".

Johannes Cabal is "the Necromancer" - a cold-hearted but brilliant scientist who made the proverbial "deal with the devil" to gain the tools of his nefarious trade. He is also an insufferable snob who applies his caustic wit with rapier accuracy on all of those unfortunate enough to cross his path. But recognizing the mistake he's made, Cabal journeys to Hell to make a new deal with Satan: his own soul back in exchange for one hundred more, signed and delivered in exactly one year. With that backdrop, Johannes sets out, with the help of his accidental vampire older brother Horst, leading the literal "carnival from Hell" - an outrageous collection of ghouls straight from "Night of the Dead" central casting, but toned with Three-Stooges grade slapstick and the inventiveness of J.R.R. Tolkien. Howard spices his yearlong rail journey across England with one neat predicament after another, including a thought-provoking, Einstein-inspired visit to Oblivion, while the action never wanes and the dark chuckles continue to build. In keeping with the style and Johannes' genius, Howard will keep even the most accomplished linguist on his/her toes with "tatterdemalions" and "thaumaturgists" and a touch of "excrescence", the "peripatetic", or the "perspicacious", making a good case for Kindle's build-in dictionary. But aside from the black humor and camp, Howard tucks a moral message between the pages, finishing with a poignant and more than satisfying flourish.

In short, an original and highly entertaining new novel from a writer who masters the rare combination of elegant prose and great storytelling. Easily in my top five of the year.

Howard's tale of Johannes Cabal versus the devil is one of the most unique books I have ever read. The "hero" of the book is a "necromancer," which is one who raises people from the dead. He has earlier given his soul to Satan, but now wants it back, and engages the Devil in a wager--winner takes Cabal.

The wager involves Cabal getting 100 humans to sign contracts (not even Hell is above paperwork, it would seem) giving their souls to the devil. The dark prince even provides Cabal with a travelling carnival with which to use to accomplish this (it turns out Lucifer is quite the sporting fellow). What follows is a darkly funny and hugely entertaining story as Cabal (who is definately not the carnival type) takes his show on the road to fulfill his quota and win his soul back. Along the way, he enlists a motley cast of mostly dead characters, including his brother Horst, who is still slightly angry at Johannes for turning him into a vampire and locking him in a crypt for eight years.

The idea behind the book is certainly unique, but the way Howard tells the one-of-a-kind story really makes it worth reading. Howard does a masterful job of describing the ridiculous in the most common terms, creating a universe where nothing is impossible or seemingly all that out of the ordinary. At one point, Cabal marches into Hell to find the the Devil reading a book, and it's treated like just another business meeting.

The book moves well, has quite a few smiles, and even a few laugh-out- loud moments as the story unfolds. Whether you like the supernatural or not, if you enjoy laughing and a well-told story, you will enjoy this book.

I can't say enough good things about this series. It was everything I wanted and so much more. The characters are so brilliantly written, and the story is nothing short of fantastic. It was dark and captivating with enough sarcasm and humor to make it truly one of a kind. Jonathan Howard, bless you.

An interesting novel that pulls you in at page one. Johannes Cabal is a Necromancer which could be defined in this Novel world as a scientist/physician type with 'extra' knowledge. Johannes Cabal requires one thing to continue his studies... his soul. This book is about trying to recuperate his soul. Thats it. Okay here's the problem, the entire novel you are wondering why and what Johannes Cabal is going to do if and when he acquires his soul. Suffice it to say those questions are not really addressed. Without revealing a spoiler and being a few pages into the next book I am still wondering ok... now what. Trilogy?

We all have our guilty pleasures. These can sometimes extend to literary tastes. For me, my literary guilty pleasure is the over-the-top. Johannes Cabal the Necromancer filled said pleasure.

Some may find the characters, plot, and even subject matter to be cliche. I say that their finding are correct. However, Howard's style makes it easy to read and really quite fun. You become trapped in Cabal's world, much like a stereotypical housewife gets caught up in soaps.

I will be purchasing more of Howard's works and I look forward to the next installment of Johannes Cabal.

An excellent debut from a very talented author.

I purchased this book on a whim from Borders and I haven't regretted it since. Smart, funny, and dark The Necromancer follows the story of Johannes Cabal, a raunchy scientist in his quest to win a bet against Satan, who he sold his soul to, with the help of a traveling carnival. The writing is fantastic and knowledgeable, and the book is laugh-out-loud funny. Johannes and his motley crew of lunatics and un-dead creations provide for an entertaining book. I highly recommend this book, and I definitely will be purchasing its sequel.

I began reading Jonathan Howard's book last week, read half, put it down for a week, and then finished it today. I find reviewing this book the most difficult of all the books I've reviewed for Vine.

Howard wrote a wonderfully original book for a slightly different reader than me. I usually enjoy dark, sorta goofy books, but for some reason, I couldn't get entirely involved in his story.

I'm being honest here. I'm giving it 4 stars because it is good. If I had liked it, I'd have given it 5 stars. Just the way it is, I guess.

... "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (my fave ever) by posing the question: where do dark carnivals come from anyway!? Johannes Cabal, a necromancer, sold his soul to the Devil for research secrets and now, several years later, he wants it back. He enters into a wager with Ol' Satan and borrows a dark carnival to gather souls.

There's some dark/light humor, a good Faustian story, and it's interesting to see what Cabal will do to fulfill the bargain. Not the best read ever, but certainly still held its own.

I absolutely LOVED this book! I stayed up until 4 am to finish it because I could not put it down. The main character, Johannes Cabal is (as the title suggests) a necromancer who wants his soul back from Satan. He has to collect 100 soul to get his soul back, the only thing Satan gives him to help is a carnival. Some reviewers have said that the story is predictable but I only felt the it became a little predictable near the end where the rest of the book kept you guessing, but it makes up for it by have a major twist at the end. Other reviewers complain that none of the character's are likable, I feel that is a personal thing. I, personally, liked both of the Cabal brothers a lot, for different reasons. Johannes becomes a lot more 'human' or 'likable' and his motivations clearer at the end of the novel, I won't explain more because I don't want to ruin anything. Another major plus for this book is that it's HILARIOUS!! I was literally laughing out loud while I was reading it. Which can be a little awkward when other people are around. I have to say that I hope this author writes many more book, because I would read every one of them.

Take (un)equal parts "Faust" and Ray Bradbury (as if Goethe could even BEGIN to equal Bradbury!), add a little Oscar Wilde and, even, a bit of "Waiting for Godot", stir... stir, some more... stir j-u-u-s-s-t a weeee bit more... THEN THROW IT IN THE AIR WITH ALL THE FORCE YOU CAN MUSTER, WHILE CACKLING MANIACALLY WITH GLEE!!!!!!! and you have the BEGINNINGS of the recipe for this marvelously demented first novel by video game designer Jonathan L. Howard, It STARTS in Hell and goes down from there (while lifting us up to the skies). If you like your insanity well leavened with humor that would have to be lightened by at least three shades to even approach merely black, ooooh boy!, have I got a book for you!

I had never read anything by this author before but I will absolutely be adding him to my list of author's to read now. This is a fun book to read with some darker humor in it. The only thing keeping it from being 5 stars was the ending. It left me a little unsatisfied. But don't let that stop you from picking it up. This may be just your thing.

I always thought that carnivals seemed slightly dangerous and evil--and this fabulous book reached into my mind and made me say--that's right! I knew it!

Firstly, this is my new favorite novel, ever. I want to make sweet love to it or at least take it out for a nice dinner and a peck on the cheek. And cheek this book has in spades. And spades too. And more shivery evil than a clown convention.

If you enjoy dry, biting humor and the ability to laugh at the absurd you must read this book. I would buy action figures if they were available. Every character in this book is an absolute character whether you love them or hate them. And in the end, your opinion of each may change several times.

Please Mr. Howard, lock yourself in a dungeon and don't come out until you have ten more books about Mr. Cabal. If need be I'll chuck homemade brownies and tea over the wall on a regular basis, just please get to it!

In this hilarious black comedy, Johannes Cabal attempts to beat Satan at his own game. Loosely set in post-WW1 Britain, there are many archly comic moments - and best of all, the deliciously amoral but wickedly funny hero. A simply spiffing story!

I have noticed that some readers have been put off by the writing style, and I wonder if that's because this is definitely a British book. The humor is understated, the story not action-driven, and the storytelling a little old fashioned. However, there wasn't a single boring page, undefined character, or misconceived plot point. All in all, a delightful book full of imagination and fun, and one that I highly recommend.