Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die
Author: Greer Stothers
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: A-
June’s optional theme: Pride
What I’m Talking About:
Sir Cameron is a fop who knows he is devastatingly handsome. He realizes the other knights poke fun, but he brushes off their jabs as if he doesn’t understand their intent. But most of all, Sir Cameron is afraid of death. So when he learns of the prophecy stating he must die in order for the kingdom to defeat the evil sorcerer Merulo, he abandons his post and turns to the one person who should want him to live: Merulo.
Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die is a wonderful fantasy, crafted with original twists, outrageous humor, and a touch of romance. Shared primarily from the first person POV of Cameron, we witness his journey from a runaway to a person who stands up for the man he loves. On the surface, Cameron is a cowardly narcissistic man who will do whatever he needs to in order to save himself. He doesn’t care about the bigger picture or doing what others or the Church tell him what is right. But even as he debases himself and submits to Merulo’s antics, a fire ignites within. What starts as a game and means of survival turns into a desire and need.
“It struck me, then, how much it mattered that I remain in his good graces. Each time he withdrew his regard, it was like he took with it some vital organ that made it harder for me to breathe. So, like, a lung.” (page 144)
Merulo forces Cameron to recognize the true nature of his actions, allowing Cameron to move beyond his past and love himself in a more genuine way. I love how he realizes his feelings for Merulo go beyond being two lonely guys. My heart broke when Cameron tried to convince Merulo not to go through with his plans.
The story also features chapters from the third person POV of Glenda, an elf who is addicted to a plant that allows her to feel heighten emotions. She pretended to be Cameron’s friend for years, but when he runs away from his fate, she is determined to kill him herself. Through her obsessive journey we learn more about the Church and social structure of the kingdom.
Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die has several twists, some silly and others jaw dropping. Cameron’s story captivated me from beginning to end. While it is a standalone story and romance, the ending allows for future adventures, and so I am very excited to learn that the author is going to pen a followup adventure!
My Rating: A-
Jen
About the Book:
All his life, Sir Cameron has stayed as far away from danger as possible. He is, quite frankly, too handsome to die a violent and pointless death in battle. But when the Church hands down a prophecy to his fellow knights predicting that the only way to defeat their nemesis, the mad sorcerer Merulo, is to kill Cameron, he finds himself in a situation too sticky for even his considerable wiles. Short of ideas, Cameron throws himself on the mercy of the one person who now actually wants him to survive: the mad sorcerer.
Merulo isn’t thrilled to be babysitting a spoilt, attention-seeking knight, but fate has tied them together. And transmogrifying Cameron into a vulture is at least a great source of entertainment. Cameron, meanwhile, is on a voyage of self-discovery. It turns out he’s really, really into surly sorcerers who lock him up and tell him what to do. Who knew?
As a legion of knights surround their stronghold, the sorcerer’s poisonous ambitions draw ever closer to fruition. Cameron is quite invested in not dying, but he finds he’s also invested in Merulo. And sometimes, supporting the sorcerer you care about means taking an interest in their hobbies. Even if that hobby is trying to kill God.
Even if it might get you killed, too.
Release Date: February 3, 2026
Publisher: Titan Books
Series: Standalone (but second book coming)
Genre: Fantasy, Romantic Elements, LGBTQ+
Format(s): paperback (384 pages), ebook, audiobook
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
#TBRChallenge: Pride