Johannes Cabal the Necromancer (Johannes Cabal, #1)

by Jonathan L Howard

The page-turning first novel in the charmingly gothic, fiendishly funny Faustian series about a brilliant scientist who makes a deal with the Devil, twice. • "The spot-on work of a talented writer." —The Denver Post

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.

• ISBN10: 0767930762
• ISBN13: 9780767930765
• Publish Date: 1 June 2010 (first published 1 January 2009)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Random House USA Inc
• Imprint: Random House Inc
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 304
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780767930765

Reviews

[bookperson]

Unfortunately that is another DNF from me.

The book didn't capture my attention even though it had all the chances for success - necromancy, deal with the devil, humor. It just wasn't for me unfortunately.

[pardum]

While there are moments of poetic language describing the dark dealings surrounding Johannes Cabal, too much of the book is attempts to illustrate that the author is just as intelligent as the main character. There are multiple narritive styles throughout the book that make for an interesting read, but leaves you feeling like you missed crucial connective tissue. The plot of this book is like the train featured prominently within, always moving from one stop to the next without time to enjoy yourself. 

[sarahjay]

Re-read this via audiobook. Still so great. Need to get to the sequels.