A Necromancer Called Gam Gam

A Necromancer Called Gam Gam is a heck of a debut from Adam Holcombe. I can say after finishing it that this book is not what I expected. There are heavy themes here along with the humor I was expecting. But this book hits and it hits hard.

Most reviews are simply either a book is good or a book is bad. The reader enjoyed it or didn't enjoy it. I really liked this book. That's why it got five stars. But it's not about being a good book and enjoying it. It's about connecting with this book on a personal level.

There are four main themes in this book. Life, death, loss, and grief. In one month, I will be without my Granddaddy for a year. I never knew such pain, loss, and grief until his death in June 2022. I still cry at least once a week thinking about him and missing him. After I pray every night, I speak aloud to him letting him know that I love him and miss him so much. I never knew it was possible to grieve this much and to miss someone so.

This book conveys the same sense that I feel with my granddaddy's death. I don't know if the author has experienced a close loss like mine and those in this book, but I think he had to have had. He perfectly conveys feelings and emotions, grief and loss. This book connected with me in such a personal way and that's a credit to the success of the author.

This book wasn't what I thought it would be and it's better for it. Sure, the fantasy tropes are there. There are even battles, un-dead, and more than one type of mancer. But the book is perfectly summed up in one word. I won't reveal that word but it's spoken by an un-dead being that shouldn't be able to talk. You'll know it when you read it.

The author makes a personal connection with me. Some authors may ask, does my work have any real meaning? Does it truly make a difference? Adam, your work has meaning and made a difference!

Also, there's a cat named Nugget. Bonus points for that because I love cats!