4.8 (252 ratings)

Hopeless Necromantic (The Catseye Chronicles, 1)

Name: Hopeless Necromantic (The Catseye Chronicles, 1)
Rating: 4.8 (252 reviews)
Author: Shiloh Briar
ISBN: 0316602108

by Shiloh Briar

demons

About this book

Helspira is a soldier with a dangerous assignment: escorting Sikras, a disgraced necromancer tasked with stopping an encroaching undead army. The mission is considered a death sentence, and given that Sikras has already failed twice, the odds of survival are slim. As they traverse the treacherous edges of the kingdom, the tension between the stoic soldier and the brooding mage crackles, evolving from mutual frustration into a forbidden, slow-burn connection.

This debut necromantasy masterfully blends dark romance with sharp, witty humor. At the heart of their journey is a unique dynamic that balances high-stakes peril with genuine emotional vulnerability. They are joined by Benjamin—a lute-playing, singing skeleton who serves as the story’s comedic soul—proving that sometimes the character with the most heart is the one who technically doesn't have one at all.

For fans of enemies-to-lovers tropes and immersive hell-realm settings, this tale offers a refreshing take on the genre. It is a story about finding light in the darkest places and learning to trust again despite past trauma. If you are looking for a character-driven romance that balances epic magical stakes with heart-wrenching, witty chemistry, this royal adventure is your next obsession. Prepare to raise your expectations.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: 0316602108

Reader Reviews

The character with the most heart doesn’t have one

March 30, 2025

Hopeless Necromantic is delightful read with a memorable cast of lovable (if trauma stricken) characters. Very much a character driven novel. We follow Sikras ‘Catseye’ Nikabod, a necromancer resurrecting loved ones for gold along with his undead brother-in-law Ben. Sikras is affable, aloof, but very much has a heart of gold when it counts, but isn’t above pulling a fast one on those not ingratiated in his good will. Sikras would be the most powerful magic user in the land if he wasn’t using...

Humor and Heart and a Darn Good Story

May 20, 2025

I saw some of the author’s story animations/drawings before it was published and thought it may be interesting and fun. When I finally got around to reading it, Hopeless Necromantic was certainly a treat. Characters to Love to love, love to hate, then hate to understand and appreciate why they’re as they are. Not only are the main cast enjoyable to follow their antics and misadventures, there’s a lot of heart underneath the silliness, to me tackling grief, acceptance, moving on, and facing down...

An entertaining read from start to finish!

November 2, 2024

This book has everything. Action, friendship, romance, magic, clever banter, themes about healing from loss/grief, a talking skeleton who plays the lute, sings like an angel, and who longs for pants that fit his slim skeletal waist. The characters are real and relatable. The writing is clear and witty. The story doesn't take itself too seriously while also dealing really well with some heavy topics. Seriously. Read this book! ) 3 people found this helpful

Easy read, strong themes, LOVE IT

July 28, 2025

Looking for a fun, easy read with surprisingly deep themes? Thinking about a sweet, slow-burn romance with one of them going kicking and screaming? Ready for an absolute gut-punch of a message? Look no further than Hopeless Necromantic!! I have to be honest, I found the author on Instagram with her fun animations of her characters. I don't normally buy books due to social media, but this time I chanced it for a long trip I was about to take... and oh boy was it worth it. I read this book cover...

A book I have not stopped recommending in over a year!

December 3, 2024

This is a fantasy book, but somehow the characters feel more real than most of the modern books out there. It is possible I loved it more than most because I too am a depressed 30 something that feels like my body is 100 most days. However, I think I loved it because Sikras has so much humor, heart, kindness as well as anger, rage and sadness in him that he truly just feels relatable. I just did another read through of this (I've been a fan since it was first published but did receive an ARC of...