This paranormal novel is about Mason Cross, resident of Terminal City and student at the local university. His father, John Cross, was a well-respected professor at the university until his death several months previously.

A mutual friend, Lester Wright, tells Mason that John was a Necromancer, someone interested in magic and communicating with the dead. Lester is also a Necromancer. Mason is shown Dad's library of old books on necromancy, and learns that he is also a Necromancer. Mason has no interest in raising the dead, or anything like that, he just wants to know more about it. That does not matter to the Inquisitors.

For the past several hundred years, an all-out war has been going on between Necromancers and Inquisitors, religious fanatics who think that the only good Necromancer is a dead one. Lester is killed by them, and so is Mason. He finds himself in the spirit realm, where the spirit of his father helps convince the being in charge to give Mason another chance. Mason is returned to Terminal City with a task; kill a "bad" Necromancer named Rowland, and send him back to the spirit realm.

Rowland has been alive for over 300 years, and has perfected the ability to kill with a mere thought. He also knows that Mason is coming for him. Meantime, Rowland has made it known to all the Inquisitors in North America that he is making his final stand at the top of a Terminal City skyscraper that is still under construction (come and get me). Mason is also there. Who is still alive when the battle ends; Rowland, Mason or any of the Inquisitors?

This is an excellent piece of writing. It is just weird enough, without being too weird, or too much like a horror story. The body count gets pretty high by the end, but it is very easy to read. I look forward to a sequel. ( )

Terminal City takes an interesting twist on the classic story of a secret magical society hidden in our modern world, and those who want to destroy it. The protagonist Mason is a person who seems like he might not be the most likable on first impression, but his personality grew on me as the story went on. The idea behind how Necromancy works was interesting, and the Inquisitors make a perfect MIB-style secret organization attempting to destroy what they perceive as evil. Most of the characters seem to be well thought out with complex personalities and backstories. I think this book would be good for any fan of urban fantasy or dark supernatural style books, and I'm definitely interested in reading the next in the series. ( )

Mason Cross is embarking on a new life in more ways than just going to college. When he moves in to the house he inherited from his dead father and an odd stranger comes calling, he discovers that death is just another beginning.
Once introduced to the world of unseen things, Mason is delivered as a complex hard-edged young man who takes joining the ranks of his father’s powerful friends, the Necromancers, in an epic battle against the Inquisitors in stride.

This is a fast-paced, well-written entertaining book and a good way to pass time. The plot never lags, and it is pleasantly easy to stay immersed in the darkish underworld of the book.

I am looking forward to the next in the series!

I received a review copy from the publisher through Librarything in exchange for an honest review. This review and more at annevolmering.com. ( )

Mason Cross is a necromancer, but he doesn't know it yet. With the death of his father comes his introduction to the dark arts, the people who practise them, and the people who oppose them.

He tries to juggle college, a relationship, and his newfound calling which ultimately leads him into a battle of philosophical proportions. The struggles aren't always as clear cut as they seem.

Slow to start, the book picked up pace hugely about halfway through.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review ( )

Terminal City by Trevor Melanson is interesting. The beginning pacing is very slow, and it's difficult to figure out where this whole thing is going. Towards the end it is exciting, and a question of what will ultimately happen. The fact that all of the characters are pursuing what they consider the greater good, makes it an interesting moral dilemma as well. It begs the reader to decide what really is good and what is evil. Some are doing evil, because they want to do good. ( )