Johannes Cabal
Thus far, we’ve been covering single-volume works on the Bad Books for Bad People blog, but today I want to recommend an entire series: the Johannes Cabal books by Jonathan L. Howard. As I get older, I find my interest in series waning; I generally prefer a tight, one-and-done experience. But the Johannes Cabal novels are one of a handful of exceptions, as there simply isn’t a low point across the entire series.
Johannes Cabal is a necromancer, though that is a vocation he approaches more scientifically than mystically. Exactly why he’s a necromancer is a plot beat I won’t spoil for you. Over the course of the novels, his pursuit of the secret of returning life to those have passed embroils him in a variety of unfortunate and thrilling circumstances. The best part of the series is that each novel has its own particular flavor, instead of serving up more of the same:
Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer Due to a Faustian bargain, Cabal is obligated run a soul-reaping traveling carnival.
Johannes Cabal: The Detective Cabal finds himself in the unfortunate position of needing to solve a murder mystery aboard an aeroship.
Johannes Cabal: The Fear Institute Recruited by a secret society devoted to stamping out fear itself, Cabal must travel to the Lovecraftian Dreamlands.
The Brothers Cabal Reunited with his vampire brother, Johannes Cabal helps foil an occult conspiracy with world-shaking conesquences.
The Fall of the House of Cabal Cabal and his companions embark on a dangerous quest through a multitude of realities with his ultimate goal now firmly within arm’s reach.
The selling points for these books are numerous; the writing is top-notch, the characters are warmly compelling despite (or perhaps because of) their flaws, and there’s plenty of rip-roaring adventure to be had. But I want to focus on two aspects that I think really make the Johannes Cabal books stand out. Firstly, they are genuinely funny. That’s such a rarity now—these books are witty without smarm or knowing references, which is itself a triumph. Secondly, they are heart-breaking at times, but in the best ways possible.
I don’t often recommend committing to an entire series, but with Jonathan L. Howard’s Johannes Cabal books I have no such reservations. And do yourself a favor and check out all of the short fiction too.