Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
A charmingly gothic, fiendishly funny Faustian tale about a brilliant scientist who makes a deal with the Devil, twice. Johannes Cabal sold his soul years ago in order to learn the laws of necromancy. Now he wants it back. Amused and slightly bored, Satan proposes a little wager: Johannes has to persuade one hundred people to sign over their souls or he will be damned forever. This time for real. Accepting the bargain, Jonathan is given one calendar year and a traveling carnival to complete his task. With little time to waste, Johannes raises a motley crew from the dead and enlists his brother, Horst, a charismatic vampire to help him run his nefarious road show, resulting in mayhem at every turn. From the Trade Paperback edition.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
blurb
emz711
Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

It's so fun that Jonathan Howard comments on Twitter under a Johannes Cabal account whenever someone mentions him. More fictional characters should be on Twitter!
#twitter #booktwitter

review
Laughterhp
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image
Mehso-so

Hmm it‘s hard to decide if I liked this book or not. It was different and interesting, but Johannes is really not a good guy. Don‘t want to say too much since it‘s a #LMPBC book.

I‘m not sure if I‘ll read the next book in the series, but I did look it up and it sounds intriguing.

I‘ll try to get this out to you tomorrow Chrissy!

Laughterhp @Chrissyreadit I put this in the mail today. Should be there by Monday! 1y
53 likes1 comment
blurb
gossamerchild
Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

I keep forgetting to post this! @persephone1408 Johannes Cabal is on his way to you. I have the tracking info if you want me to email it to you.

#LMPBC #GroupF @chrissyreadit @laughterhp

review
gossamerchild
Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image
Pickpick

I finished my #lmpbc book a wee bit early this month :-D I both liked and disliked this more than I had anticipated, but I'm going to save my comments for my #groupf folks.

@persephone1408 do you want me to send this on to you early, or wait till later in the month?

persephone1408 @gossamerchild you can send it whenever you like. I'm halfway done with mine. 2y
gossamerchild @persephone1408 👍. I'll probably send it Monday then 2y
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
gossamerchild
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Here are the books I'm contemplating for #LMPBC Group F. Let me know if you've read any of them. The one hidden by Piranesi is the tagged book :-)

@laughterhp @chrissyreadit @persephone1408

persephone1408 @gossamerchild I haven't read any of those. 2y
persephone1408 They all look good to me. 2y
Laughterhp I‘ve read Piranesi but the other 2 sound great! 2y
Chrissyreadit I‘m good with any! 2y
31 likes4 comments
review
hissingpotatoes
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image
Pickpick

4/5⭐ Who doesn't want to read about the hilarity that ensues from Hell's bureaucracy & paperwork? 😄 This is a book where the journey is just as, if not more, important than the destination. I was invested in the scenes for their own sake & not just the ultimate goal. While the pacing's mostly even, some parts do wander to other character POVs, are barely tangential to the main story, & should've been cut because they killed the pacing. #roll100

hissingpotatoes My favorite parts of the book are the smart writing and dry humor. It's dark, sassy, and very British, which made for an entertaining read. The audiobook narrator really brought the flavor of the characters to life.

It felt weird to root for a protagonist who steals souls, especially since you're also rooting for the characters acting against him, but the author does a good job of balancing villain and (anti)hero in the same character. ⬇
2y
hissingpotatoes I loved Horst and the foil he provides for Johannes.

The book isn't perfect and I found some minor things to quibble about throughout. However, the sarcastic, subtle humor bumped my rating from 3.5 stars to 4 stars. The ending provided intriguing fodder for the subsequent books, which I plan to read.

You might like this if you like: Neil Gaiman, Constantine
2y
14 likes2 comments
review
wanderinglynn
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image
Mehso-so

I'm having a hard time verbalizing my opinion on this book. Reminiscent of Pratchett, Gaiman, & Adams, I liked this book but . . . something was lacking.

I liked the overall plot, the dark humor, & the characters. But the story never compelled me to read it in one sitting. While I'll probably read the rest of the series, I'm not going to put it at the top of the TBR. It's one of those I'll-get-around-to-reading-it-one-of-these-days books.

emz711 Oh man I loved these. First one was certainly the best though 3y
66 likes1 comment
blurb
wanderinglynn
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Oh Audible, I try to give you up and then you have a 3 for 2 sale and I cave. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I‘ve started the tagged and it‘s quite amusing. Reminiscent of Pratchett. And the narrator has one of those proper British accents, which makes it that mc much more fun.

SkeletonKey I want to read the Agony and the Ecstasy so badly! 3y
KathyWheeler I read The Agony and The Ecstasy when I was young — loved it. My husband and I decided to listen to it as our road trip book last year; it was great on audio too. 3y
wanderinglynn @KathyWheeler I‘ve heard great things about it. 👍🏻 3y
52 likes3 comments
review
Tineke
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image
Pickpick

This was different from what I usually read. I bought it last year on my birthday after asking for recs on Litsy and a Facebook group. Once I found my favourite place to read ( on the couch, legs drawn up, with a blanket) I started to enjoy it. And the ending left me wanting to read the next book in the series... who was that woman???
TBR since July 1st. 2020; 335 pages.

18 likes1 stack add
blurb
MaleficentBookDragon
Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Another twofer today.

My physical bookshelves are overflowing and I want to Marie Kondo them a bit.
So, I‘m posting #abookaday of my “maybes” and I hope you can help me decide.

Have you read this series? Should I? ❤️ or a hard pass?

Let me know below.

RaeLovesToRead I've read the first one. I gave it 3 stars because it was entertaining. I've described it in my review as "chaotic, but I enjoyed it". I bought the follow up but haven't read it yet. 3y
50 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Tineke
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

#bookmail. After my last post (here and on FB) I had a big list of recommended reads. I chose a couple that seemed fun, were easy to get and not too expensive. There were so many more books that weren't available I still want to buy. I bought 5 books on Betterworldbooks and Hex at our local bookshop. Looking forward to those books, which are mostly genres I'm not very familiar with, but I basically read almost anything.

Catherine_Willoughby Have you read other Poldark ? Interested in starting them 4y
Catherine_Willoughby Interested in your Beastly review 4y
Tineke @Catherine. I did read the first Poldark. I've enjoyed it and gave it four stars. I can't very well remember the story, but I understood it was well-researched which makes it better in my opinion. By the way: do you mean Beauty? 4y
TheAromaofBooks Oh what a lovely cover for Beauty! 4y
15 likes4 comments
review
Jadams89
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image
Pickpick

I kicked off the #scarathlon with this book full of necromancy, wagers with the Devil, demons, a carnival, and many sideshow creatures. There is even a “lady” made of latex and lingerie ads. Johannes Cabal is a new favorite.

2 points for #TeamStoker. @TheReadingMermaid

BeansPage 🧟‍♀️ 5y
21 likes1 stack add1 comment
quote
WanderingBookaneer
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Crazeedi Omng this is sadly true 5y
Texreader Great quote 5y
61 likes2 comments
quote
WanderingBookaneer
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Because privilege starts when you are young.

Suet624 Yes it surely does. 5y
janeycanuck Your quotes are always so pretty! Do you use an app? 5y
WanderingBookaneer @janeycanuck : Yes, Typorama. 5y
58 likes4 comments
quote
WanderingBookaneer
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

50 likes1 stack add
blurb
WanderingBookaneer
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Current read

review
Dogearedcopy
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image
Mehso-so

There were a couple of nicely written and poignant moments (Ch 6 “In which Cabal Makes an Unplanned Stop and Talks About the War” and the last chapter) but overall the humor wasn‘t dark enough for me. Howard‘s writing style reminds me of Tim Robbins (w/o the sexual prurience) and while presenting interesting ideas, the “quippiness” seemed to be covering for a lack of depth— a lid on a jar if you will.

Patchshank This book has always sounded interesting to me, but I have never heard anything good about it. 5y
21 likes1 comment
blurb
Dogearedcopy
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Not only have I had this in my stacks for years, I strongly suspect that I have more than one copy!

I‘m starting this tonight, the first-in-series about a necromancer who wants his soul *back* from the devil... Looks like morbid fun 😈

24 likes2 stack adds
blurb
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

If ever an animal captured the essence of Johannes Cabal, it‘s Clarence. He even has a little villain beard.

mcipher What a cutie!!! And the beard... 😂 6y
TNbookworm 😻 6y
63 likes4 comments
blurb
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

I just discovered this and put in a library hold immediately!
For those who‘ve read this, are there other books like this out there in the world that I‘d enjoy and don‘t know about??

55 likes3 stack adds
blurb
AlaMich
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

I saw this in an email from LitFlash, $2.99. I‘ve never run across this book/series, but it sounds like a lot of fun. It had me at “a motley crew of the dead” running a traveling carnival. 🤣

blurb
Flowers
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

I am so close to the end but I can‘t bring myself to finish. I have grown to like Johannes.

blurb
gossamerchild
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Swung by a fantastic bookstore while in Denver and picked up a few (cough cough...5) new books for the drive home. This is actually an appropriate match for the biography of Mary Shelley I'm also reading.

I'm always on the hunt for humorous fantasy/supernatural books. It seems like there isn't a whole lot out there. Enjoying this one so far!

#bookhaul #newin #indiebooks #currentlyreading

blurb
IndyHannaJones
Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard

Where my Johannes Cabal people at??? God, I love these books.

review
Serende
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
Pickpick

From start to finish the book gripped my mind and refused to let go. Characters are all wonderfully written and the prose is excellent. Would 100% recommend.

review
LynnMPK
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
Pickpick

A fun novel with a sarcastic main character and dark humor throughout.

blurb
LynnMPK
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Two chapters in and so far I‘m enjoying Johannes and his dry, snarky sense of humor. 😈💀🧟‍♂️🧛🏼‍♂️

6 likes2 stack adds
blurb
GrilledCheeseSamurai
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

#MountTbrChallenge #OldestTBRbook

I'm not sure if this is my oldest tbr book that I physically own - but it's up there. I've had this since 2009 and for whatever reason haven't gotten around to reading it yet.

One day. 😅

@DivaDiane

TricksyTails 😍 Love the cover! 7y
BookNAround My oldest TBR is Wings of the Dove by Henry James and I‘ve owned it since high school (for time reference, I have two children in college and my baby is in high school himself). Maybe I should get off my butt and tackle it this year! 7y
See All 14 Comments
DivaDiane Looks fun! My oldest book is 20 years old. I‘ve already started it, but I can‘t carry it around with me, so I forget to read it. (edited) 7y
DivaDiane @BookNAround do it!! You get so much satisfaction!!! 7y
GrilledCheeseSamurai @DivaDiane Oh my goodness. OTHERLAND 🙌. Tad Williams is one of my absolute favorite authors. I understand how you can't carry it around. Tad's books are monsters. Otherland is actually up for a re-read for me this year. Haven't read it since it was first published. I'm so excited to re-visit. 7y
DivaDiane @GrilledCheeseSamurai and this is a hardcover!! Oh, can we do a buddy read? I think if I had a commitment to read and discuss, then I might manage. I‘m a slow reader though and a polygamous one as well. Would it work for you? 7y
GrilledCheeseSamurai @DivaDiane Heck yeah it would. I didn't have a time frame on when I was going to re-read this series I just knew I wanted it to be 2018. Give me a few days to figure out how I can incorporate this in and we'll talk? 🙌🍻 7y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk @DivaDiane The samurai knows of what he speaks! The Otherland books are AMAZING! 7y
DivaDiane @GrilledCheeseSamurai Perfect! I‘m already about 100 pages in, but it‘s at home and we won‘t be getting home till tomorrow and then, we‘ll, there‘s no rush. Let me know. 7y
GrilledCheeseSamurai @DivaDiane I pulled my hardcover off the shelf...then immediately went and got an e-book version of it. 😅 I already lugged that sucker around with me once before when I first read it. Times have changed...I dont gotta put myself through that again. 🙌 7y
GrilledCheeseSamurai @DivaDiane I'll probably start up this weekend. Maybe even sneak a few pages in before that. #OtherlandBuddyRead 7y
DivaDiane Cool! I think I have to review a little bit. It‘s been a while since I read in it! I‘m getting home tomorrow. Let me know how far you get when you get started. I‘ll do the same. (edited) 7y
DivaDiane Haha! Just read the other post! I know. I think I may have to invest in the ebook. 7y
80 likes1 stack add14 comments
review
GlitcHout
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
Pickpick

This book is not one I would typically read, however once I started I cannot put the thing down. There's many moments of the book that disturbs me, but kept me on the edge of my seat continuing to read more. For those who enjoy a happy ending this book is a mix of both happy and disturbing. You're left wondering if good or evil truly one at the end of this book.

blurb
leeseleeseleese
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

I'm so excited to read this

2 likes1 stack add
blurb
Conservio
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Did someone say scientist trading his soul for necromancy powers? #necromancy #scientist #iwoulddothesame...

8 likes1 stack add
review
Martta
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image
Mehso-so

It felt like I just couldn't get into this one at all. I sort of liked the story and the way it was written but it just wasn't working for me. It felt really difficult to read and get into. The style reminded me a little of The Dresden files. #LitsyReadingChallenge

blurb
DGRachel
Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image
65 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Martta
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Book & Lunch before shopping

blurb
Martta
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

I really like this description of the demon! Seems to be valid with a lot of demons in literature. 😂

blurb
Martta
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

I fell in love with this cover the moment I saw it in the bookstore! I so hope it will be good! This will be my "judge by the cover" for #LitsyReadingChallenge

13 likes1 stack add
blurb
tracy.anne8
Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

I think @DGRachel beat me to it but I'm going to post it anyway because I really like this one 😀 #crazychapterheadings #splashintosummerreads

DGRachel 😂😂I didn't even read them - just posted the TOC from my Kindle because they were so ridiculously long. This one is hysterical. 7y
tracy.anne8 @DGRachel The chapter headings are great in this book! 7y
18 likes2 comments
blurb
DGRachel
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

If for no other reason than length, these are #crazychheadings.

From my Kindle #tbr

#splashintosummerreads

64 likes2 stack adds
review
sparrowssavvy
Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image
Pickpick

Absolutely loved this book! So much fun! I always love witty writing and the witty style was reminiscent of P. G. Wodehouse and Gail Carriger mixed with Neil Gaiman in my eyes. Whipped right through it and was hard to put down. The storyline was great fun and I can't wait to read the second one!

quote
sparrowssavvy
Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

Loving this book so far!

blurb
Amandajoy
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

I know I said I wouldn't buy any more books until the #sunmersolsticebookexchange but I was able to hit two of my favorite indie bookstores while I was traveling. So I had to pick up a few things, right? There are a few things in those bags for my #summersantagoespostal buddy. 😊📚

britt_brooke I'm planning to go to Old Firehouse this summer when we visit family in Fort Collins! Went to the Tattered Cover a few years ago. Amazing store! I'm jealous. 😊 7y
ValerieAndBooks Loved Tattered Cover when we lived in Colorado!! 7y
hgrimes What a great name for a bookstore. 7y
74 likes3 comments
review
LauraJ
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image
Pickpick

A fun story with sarcasm dripping from every page
#LitsyAtoZ #H #springcleaningreadathon #mountTBR

blurb
LauraJ
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

The Pumpkin is not down with the spring cleaning part of the #readathon
#catsoflitsy

Reviewsbylola Cute! Looks like my boy. 😻 8y
Cinfhen Love that pose 😻 8y
Jinjer Hahaha no books for YOU! 8y
DebinHawaii So cute! 🐱❤️ 8y
40 likes4 comments
blurb
tracy.anne8
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

This book is....well different ?. Only in a way that it is not a book I normally read but still loved. It was one of the first that came to mind for #siblings. The whole story revolves around Johannes and his brother who helps him with his "task." #aprilbookshowers

17 likes2 stack adds
blurb
thegirlwiththelibrarybag
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

I found a super battered copy of this at the library today (plus about a dozen more - the hazards of shelving at a library branch that isn't your own) AND doesn't it have exciting chapter headings!

tpixie Great chapter headings! 8y
[DELETED] 1409720085 😍😍😍 8y
64 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
DGRachel
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
post image

I registered for the @DeweysReadathon I'm not sure how close to 24 hours of actual reading I'll manage (skipping sleep isn't actually a great idea for chronic migraines), but I'm looking forward to playing along as much as I can. #readathon

Bibliogeekery Chronic migraine solidarity!! 8y
DebinHawaii I finally bit the bullet & registered this afternoon. Not sure how much I'll be able to read but I'm going to try. I'll hope for no migraines for you! 👍 8y
bmsddk Wishing you as migraine-free a day as possible! 8y
36 likes3 comments
review
IndyHannaJones
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer | Jonathan L. Howard
Pickpick

If you haven't read this book...you need to. It is hilarious, full of wickedness, a bit creepy, and super goofy in places. And the big pay out at the end....when it all comes together...is heartbreaking and tender and will make you go 'Ooooooooooh!'