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Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die
In this hilarious, off-the-wall queer fantasy romance, a reclusive sorcerer is forced to protect a cowardly knight after a prophecy ties their fates together.
Funny, touching and inventive, this book is perfect for fans of Mortal Follies, A Marvellous Light and Dreadful.
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.
Funny, touching and inventive, this book is perfect for fans of Mortal Follies, A Marvellous Light and Dreadful.
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.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2026
About the author
Greer Stothers
5 books127 followersGreer Stothers is an award-winning author/illustrator based in Toronto. Their experiences as a nonbinary individual inform their writing and art, as does their drive to find the humor in everything.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 996 reviews
November 8, 2025
Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die is absolutely ridiculous, full-on hilarious, and it had me laughing right away. Sadly, it couldn't follow through on the excellent opening and ended up confusing and unsatisfying.
The first 25% of the book was fantastic! I loved how utterly bonkers everything was and our dumb, darling MC Cameron who just really didn't want to die was an instant favourite. A true himbo! Merulo, the evil sorcerer, and his disdain for Cameron was also hilarious and they had great banter. I also loved the chapter names/summaries, they almost all made me laugh.
Sadly, the plot felt weirdly resolved quickly and somehow also never resolved at all, and the pacing of the story wasn't great. It started dragging in the middle, picked up a bit near the end, and then ended on the absolute weirdest note that left so many open plotlines that felt like they should've never been introduced. What was the point of Glenda? Why not use those chapters on giving Cameron and Merulo's characters some much needed depth? There were so many things this book could've done something with and it instead did nothing with any of it and ended in a nonsensical way. And not the fun kind.
There was humor throughout the book but it wasn't nearly as funny as in the beginning and I found my eyes glazing over for a while near the middle. This book had such potential and started off so well but it just couldn't follow through. I still adore himbo king Cameron but I'm sadly mostly left feeling disappointed upon finishing.
I read an eARC from Titan and Netgalley.
The first 25% of the book was fantastic! I loved how utterly bonkers everything was and our dumb, darling MC Cameron who just really didn't want to die was an instant favourite. A true himbo! Merulo, the evil sorcerer, and his disdain for Cameron was also hilarious and they had great banter. I also loved the chapter names/summaries, they almost all made me laugh.
Sadly, the plot felt weirdly resolved quickly and somehow also never resolved at all, and the pacing of the story wasn't great. It started dragging in the middle, picked up a bit near the end, and then ended on the absolute weirdest note that left so many open plotlines that felt like they should've never been introduced. What was the point of Glenda? Why not use those chapters on giving Cameron and Merulo's characters some much needed depth? There were so many things this book could've done something with and it instead did nothing with any of it and ended in a nonsensical way. And not the fun kind.
There was humor throughout the book but it wasn't nearly as funny as in the beginning and I found my eyes glazing over for a while near the middle. This book had such potential and started off so well but it just couldn't follow through. I still adore himbo king Cameron but I'm sadly mostly left feeling disappointed upon finishing.
I read an eARC from Titan and Netgalley.
January 13, 2026
I really wanted to love Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die. On paper, this should have been a slam dunk for me: absurd premise, unserious tone and a story that clearly doesn’t take itself too seriously. And to be fair, the opening is fun. The setup is chaotic, the chapter titles are clever, and Cameron’s earnest refusal to die is genuinely endearing at first. It feels like the kind of book that promises ridiculous, LOL comedy.
But somewhere along the way… it just never delivered on that promise for me.
The book leans hard into humour, yet I didn’t actually find it funny. Not even a giggle. The jokes often felt more silly than sharp, more quirky than clever, and the tone skewed almost childish at times. Maybe my humour is just too dark 😆 but I kept waiting for that moment where it would fully click and it never did.
Structurally, things also started to unravel. The pacing dragged in the middle, rushed and confused itself near the end, and somehow managed to both resolve things too quickly and leave far too many plot threads dangling. Interesting ideas and characters were introduced only to go nowhere, which made the ending feel messy and unsatisfying rather than delightfully absurd. Emotional beats that should have landed didn’t, largely because the story never quite asked me to take anything seriously even when it clearly wanted me to.
By the end, what remained was a book that was occasionally entertaining, occasionally clever, but ultimately frustrating. I can absolutely see why this works for some readers as a low brain power read, and I appreciate the creativity behind it but for me, it just wasn’t funny enough, cohesive enough, or emotionally grounded enough to stick the landing.
A fun idea, a strong start… and a big miss for my personal taste.
But somewhere along the way… it just never delivered on that promise for me.
The book leans hard into humour, yet I didn’t actually find it funny. Not even a giggle. The jokes often felt more silly than sharp, more quirky than clever, and the tone skewed almost childish at times. Maybe my humour is just too dark 😆 but I kept waiting for that moment where it would fully click and it never did.
Structurally, things also started to unravel. The pacing dragged in the middle, rushed and confused itself near the end, and somehow managed to both resolve things too quickly and leave far too many plot threads dangling. Interesting ideas and characters were introduced only to go nowhere, which made the ending feel messy and unsatisfying rather than delightfully absurd. Emotional beats that should have landed didn’t, largely because the story never quite asked me to take anything seriously even when it clearly wanted me to.
By the end, what remained was a book that was occasionally entertaining, occasionally clever, but ultimately frustrating. I can absolutely see why this works for some readers as a low brain power read, and I appreciate the creativity behind it but for me, it just wasn’t funny enough, cohesive enough, or emotionally grounded enough to stick the landing.
A fun idea, a strong start… and a big miss for my personal taste.
December 6, 2025
This was an utter delight from beginning to end. A fresh and original take on what I'm dubbing the "irreverent/humorous medieval Fantasy genre," in which the author maintains a jovial tone throughout, poking fun at old-fashioned tropes using modern sensibilities, while still paying homage to genre staples like dragons and elves and quests to save the world.
If you get nothing else from this review, just know that I loved this humorous, queer, fresh take on Fantasy, and the endearingly horrible little himbo coward man who gets into the most entertaining and farcical situations.
The Writing:
I already knew I'd be in for a good time from the silly, tongue-in-cheek chapter heading of the prologue. The only question was if it would be over-used and become annoying, or if it would be used in just the right balance. Humor is subjective so I'm sure it won't work for everyone, but for me it was just right. While the whole book is goofy and humorous, it's exaggerated and voicey during the chapter headers, but toned down for the rest of the text so I felt that it never overstayed its welcome.
World-building:
The scenarios are often over-the-top and implausible, but the author makes them feel as if they're perfectly logical within the rules of the world. Still bonkers sometimes, sure, but never breaking that immersion. This is the kind of world where the thought of a hornless unicorn (aka a horse) seems just too strange to imagine, but magical battles that transform half the species present are just a ho hum Tuesday.
LGBTQIA rep:
But despite the medieval-ish setting and often Conservative mindsets (especially of the Church and the elves), the text is really inclusive and non-judgmental of a variety of explicitly and implicitly mentioned identities and lifestyles. The main cast all exhibit some amount of LGB throughout the story, but there are also trans and non-binary side characters and some gentle, accepting conversations that don't feel overly preachy.
Cameron:
The majority of the book is told through Cameron's POV, so I think that how much he grows on the reader will largely determine the overall impression of the book. Cameron is a himbo and a consummate coward. But not only do I find his rather obvious flaws to make for a lot of humorous and dynamic situations, I also appreciate the way he grows throughout the book so that he feels like a much more well-rounded character by the end.
Overall:
Cameron and Merulo wormed their way into my heart and I loved watching their story unfold. This is one of those books where I can't help but give it 5/5 because I honestly would've finished it 1-2 hrs earlier if I didn't pause so often to repeat quotes aloud to my spouse. It was fun and took me on such a journey as the book I was reading by the end felt totally different (but tonally the same) from the one I started at the beginning.
All I can hope is that this book is a harbinger and that 2026 brings more horrible little vulture men!
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan for granting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you get nothing else from this review, just know that I loved this humorous, queer, fresh take on Fantasy, and the endearingly horrible little himbo coward man who gets into the most entertaining and farcical situations.
The Writing:
I already knew I'd be in for a good time from the silly, tongue-in-cheek chapter heading of the prologue. The only question was if it would be over-used and become annoying, or if it would be used in just the right balance. Humor is subjective so I'm sure it won't work for everyone, but for me it was just right. While the whole book is goofy and humorous, it's exaggerated and voicey during the chapter headers, but toned down for the rest of the text so I felt that it never overstayed its welcome.
World-building:
The scenarios are often over-the-top and implausible, but the author makes them feel as if they're perfectly logical within the rules of the world. Still bonkers sometimes, sure, but never breaking that immersion. This is the kind of world where the thought of a hornless unicorn (aka a horse) seems just too strange to imagine, but magical battles that transform half the species present are just a ho hum Tuesday.
LGBTQIA rep:
But despite the medieval-ish setting and often Conservative mindsets (especially of the Church and the elves), the text is really inclusive and non-judgmental of a variety of explicitly and implicitly mentioned identities and lifestyles. The main cast all exhibit some amount of LGB throughout the story, but there are also trans and non-binary side characters and some gentle, accepting conversations that don't feel overly preachy.
Cameron:
The majority of the book is told through Cameron's POV, so I think that how much he grows on the reader will largely determine the overall impression of the book. Cameron is a himbo and a consummate coward. But not only do I find his rather obvious flaws to make for a lot of humorous and dynamic situations, I also appreciate the way he grows throughout the book so that he feels like a much more well-rounded character by the end.
Overall:
Cameron and Merulo wormed their way into my heart and I loved watching their story unfold. This is one of those books where I can't help but give it 5/5 because I honestly would've finished it 1-2 hrs earlier if I didn't pause so often to repeat quotes aloud to my spouse. It was fun and took me on such a journey as the book I was reading by the end felt totally different (but tonally the same) from the one I started at the beginning.
All I can hope is that this book is a harbinger and that 2026 brings more horrible little vulture men!
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan for granting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Don’t underestimate the phrase “genre-bending” in the description of this book. This ‘funny fantasy romance’ turns into a story where Artificial Intelligences work to save humanity from itself and its belief in God. The end goal is to kill God and escape Earth by going to the Moon or Mars. The first half of the book is fantasy while the second half is just science fiction. And the two halves don’t blend well.
The story starts when Sir Cameron, a vain and goofy knight, is informed that his death will fulfill a prophecy that will lead to the downfall of the evil sorcerer Merulo. While she does feel kind of bad about it, Glenda, Cameron’s only friend, is going to murder him. So Cameron escapes and seeks shelter with Merulo. What ensues is a lighthearted comedic enemies (ish) to lovers closed door romance. I like how fluid gender is in this relationship, but I don’t understand why the two leads are actually into each other. Later, Glenda captures and kills Cameron. In his grief, Merulo reveals himself to be a great black dragon, and he sacrifices his magic to turn back time and save Cameron. I personally would have had a much better time reading if this had been the end of the story. But it just keeps going.
Merulo and Cameron retreat to the corpse filled underwater city where Merulo’s sister lives. This is when Cameron (and the readers) finds out that dragons, including Merulo, are all AI systems that were given physical form when God came to Earth and introduced magic (and homophobia, I guess) to the world. Because Merulo was made from magic, his body can still be used for magical purposes when he cuts off his limbs and burns them. This is how he’ll continue his quest to kill God. In the end, Merulo learns that God granted magic to Earth and shaped society in the image of a video game then they died. God has been dead the whole time. They all sail off into space on an AI powered ship that enjoys making people uncomfortable by saying slurs. When the people of Earth learn that God is dead, homophobia disappears. The end.
Reading this book was not enjoyable, especially in the second half. The things that I liked (a queer fantasy relationship) have been done better in other books, and the things that I disliked were abundant. I don’t want to deal with debates of God versus AI (a false binary for sure) in a fantasy rom-com. I actually don’t want to read about God or AI in fantasy rom-coms at all. The romance itself wasn’t great. All of the characters felt underdeveloped and flat. I didn’t like Glenda’s drug abuse storyline, I don’t think slurs are funny, and I don’t want to read about the protagonist of a ‘funny fantasy’ story dismembering themself. This book just didn’t work for me. At a minimum, I think it is being marketed and classified (it is sci-fi, and not just as a sub-genre) wrong.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Titan Books for providing me with an eARC.
The story starts when Sir Cameron, a vain and goofy knight, is informed that his death will fulfill a prophecy that will lead to the downfall of the evil sorcerer Merulo. While she does feel kind of bad about it, Glenda, Cameron’s only friend, is going to murder him. So Cameron escapes and seeks shelter with Merulo. What ensues is a lighthearted comedic enemies (ish) to lovers closed door romance. I like how fluid gender is in this relationship, but I don’t understand why the two leads are actually into each other. Later, Glenda captures and kills Cameron. In his grief, Merulo reveals himself to be a great black dragon, and he sacrifices his magic to turn back time and save Cameron. I personally would have had a much better time reading if this had been the end of the story. But it just keeps going.
Merulo and Cameron retreat to the corpse filled underwater city where Merulo’s sister lives. This is when Cameron (and the readers) finds out that dragons, including Merulo, are all AI systems that were given physical form when God came to Earth and introduced magic (and homophobia, I guess) to the world. Because Merulo was made from magic, his body can still be used for magical purposes when he cuts off his limbs and burns them. This is how he’ll continue his quest to kill God. In the end, Merulo learns that God granted magic to Earth and shaped society in the image of a video game then they died. God has been dead the whole time. They all sail off into space on an AI powered ship that enjoys making people uncomfortable by saying slurs. When the people of Earth learn that God is dead, homophobia disappears. The end.
Reading this book was not enjoyable, especially in the second half. The things that I liked (a queer fantasy relationship) have been done better in other books, and the things that I disliked were abundant. I don’t want to deal with debates of God versus AI (a false binary for sure) in a fantasy rom-com. I actually don’t want to read about God or AI in fantasy rom-coms at all. The romance itself wasn’t great. All of the characters felt underdeveloped and flat. I didn’t like Glenda’s drug abuse storyline, I don’t think slurs are funny, and I don’t want to read about the protagonist of a ‘funny fantasy’ story dismembering themself. This book just didn’t work for me. At a minimum, I think it is being marketed and classified (it is sci-fi, and not just as a sub-genre) wrong.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Titan Books for providing me with an eARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to Read
January 4, 2025Saw the beginning of chapter posts by author online and the fact that it's getting published!!!
can't wait it's going to be hilarious
can't wait it's going to be hilarious
December 29, 2025
Love the subtitle: "In Which Many Dangerous and Homosexual Things Happen"!! I'm in; let the many dangerous and homosexual things begin!
Update: Pleasant enough story.
Update: Pleasant enough story.
February 6, 2026
This had so much potential but the execution was just not it.
March 21, 2026
This was so good!! The humor was amazing, the romance genuinely heart-warming, the characters really likable and complex. I think my only criticism is that the ending felt the a bit rushed, but overall I loved it.
March 11, 2026
1.5 stars I'm just not sure whether to round up or down. This was not good. I disliked all the characters and was hoping they would all die.
full rtc
full rtc
March 24, 2026
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchangefor an honest review via the publishers Titan Books.
Apparently Sir Cameron Needs to Die is a very funny, camp and fun queer romantasy with a diverse cast of characters.
Sir Cameron is a cowardly knight who has avoided battles and kept himself away from danger. That is until the church for-tell a prophecy that to kill their nemesis, the mad sorcerer Merulo, (who wants to kill their god to save the world) the knights must kill Sir Cameron. This sends him fleeing to Merulo with the request of staying within his protection to ensure the prophecy doesn't come true, and to save them both. What he doesn't expect is to fall for Merulo. But does Merulo feel the same.
There's so much that goes on in this fast-paced romantasy and I honestly don't want to spoil it for anyone by giving too much away. I think this book will be a book you either love or hate (I absolutely loved it) and I'd recommend going into with an open mind and not give up on it.
The situations Cameron gets himself into are absolutely hilarious and I love the slapstick moments, the layers to each character that peeled back throughout the course of the book and the messages conveyed which are quite in tune to political and religious events across the globe and so does feel relatable in parts.
Apparently Sir Cameron Needs to Die is a very funny, camp and fun queer romantasy with a diverse cast of characters.
Sir Cameron is a cowardly knight who has avoided battles and kept himself away from danger. That is until the church for-tell a prophecy that to kill their nemesis, the mad sorcerer Merulo, (who wants to kill their god to save the world) the knights must kill Sir Cameron. This sends him fleeing to Merulo with the request of staying within his protection to ensure the prophecy doesn't come true, and to save them both. What he doesn't expect is to fall for Merulo. But does Merulo feel the same.
There's so much that goes on in this fast-paced romantasy and I honestly don't want to spoil it for anyone by giving too much away. I think this book will be a book you either love or hate (I absolutely loved it) and I'd recommend going into with an open mind and not give up on it.
The situations Cameron gets himself into are absolutely hilarious and I love the slapstick moments, the layers to each character that peeled back throughout the course of the book and the messages conveyed which are quite in tune to political and religious events across the globe and so does feel relatable in parts.
February 12, 2026
was genuinely so scared that this would be so so annoying and not as funny as it thought it was (like *loud throat clearing noises* iykyk), but it wasn't! actually funny! went somewhere I Did Not expect! silly and aware of itself and the subchapters are probably my favorite part! fun!!
March 4, 2026
oh so this sucked. i was so sure it couldn't be that bad after seeing the ratings, but oh now im thinking the reviews were being TOO nice.
1. Let's start with saying they were pushing this HARD as a funny, quirky book, but it was just... not. Hey at least the plot could somehow save it a little, right? (it didn't, it's worse)
2. It was really good until like 50 pages or a couple chapters after they met, but from there it went downhill. The plot did not have weight nor clear direction. Cameron just walks around achieving nothing (literally) and did not have a SINGLE coherent, interesting inner musings, ever. The ending could not be worse. The story wrapped up disastrously.
3. I almost lost it when i read '...to kill God' for the 100th time.
4. The characters were just people who were in a competition of who is more annoying (spoiler alert: it's the writer, for subjecting me through this horrendous experience)
5. The characters did not go through any growth nor even a decline. They didn't go through ANYTHING they were so stagnant. Also how the FUCK did you make a
6. Oh and did i say that the characters were annoying as FUCK and we have to slog through this whole book being told in 2 povs of the most annoying characters of them all.
7. OHHHH and the humor... umm where was it? because sure as hell i did not see any. PLEASE tell me when you find it, oh and maybe the plot, too, because it's also nowhere in this book. Thank you
1. Let's start with saying they were pushing this HARD as a funny, quirky book, but it was just... not. Hey at least the plot could somehow save it a little, right? (it didn't, it's worse)
2. It was really good until like 50 pages or a couple chapters after they met, but from there it went downhill. The plot did not have weight nor clear direction. Cameron just walks around achieving nothing (literally) and did not have a SINGLE coherent, interesting inner musings, ever. The ending could not be worse. The story wrapped up disastrously.
3. I almost lost it when i read '...to kill God' for the 100th time.
4. The characters were just people who were in a competition of who is more annoying (spoiler alert: it's the writer, for subjecting me through this horrendous experience)
5. The characters did not go through any growth nor even a decline. They didn't go through ANYTHING they were so stagnant. Also how the FUCK did you make a
6. Oh and did i say that the characters were annoying as FUCK and we have to slog through this whole book being told in 2 povs of the most annoying characters of them all.
7. OHHHH and the humor... umm where was it? because sure as hell i did not see any. PLEASE tell me when you find it, oh and maybe the plot, too, because it's also nowhere in this book. Thank you
March 6, 2026
DNF. Too much misogyny, too little plot/romance. Does not match description AT ALL!!
May 9, 2026
I was another person who was really, really excited to read this book. I was asking about it months before it released, and was joyous when it came to my library!
And then I didn't finish it, actually couldn't finish it, and returned the book early.
I find I have an issue with books written by popular Tumblr users, it seems. Sir Cameron has a very similar writing style to The Locked Tomb series, in which I also put down the first book. Both writing styles start out fun and different, but end up becoming a slog to get through for me by page 100. Often felt less like a book than a bunch of excerpts that people will quote into viral Tumblr posts. Alongside that, Sir Cameron often felt like it was either talking down or punching down on me as a reader as I tried to get through it. Yes, I was one of the many people drawn to this book for its "wacky homosexual adventure", which unfortunately it didn't even provide because the only sex scenes I read were while Sir Cameron was magically transformed into a woman.
While I do not think it is intentional, for a book based around it having gay sex, it really treats such a topic (both gay sex but also unconventional sex) as a punchline way too often for my taste. I'm assuming it's because of the setting, this pseudo-Feudal style medieval world (which I did find out wasn't always how it was), but that's a Watsonian excuse I feel. Yes, I wanted there to be sex where one person was degraded, that was an intriguing topic to be shown featured in a book, but unfortunately I feel throughout the story there was an air of "Wow, I can't believe you wanted sex to be WEIRD and UNUSUAL! Wow you want someone to get hit??? That's so STRANGE. It's so funny that anyone would want to be hit in sex!" Which really, really put me off. I could deal with Sir Cameron being mocked for it once or twice, but even then it felt like too much that prided itself on its steamy, homosexual intercourse.
Onto smaller nitpicks:
The whole scene where Weed Elf (sorry forgot her name, but she really was a forgettable character) talks with her friend about how embarrassing Sir Cameron's response to her not being attracted to humans felt tone deaf and just... awkward to read. I wanted to get through that passage as quick as possible. I get that apparently
Also, I felt like we, as Tumblr users, have gotten past the "coolness" of "big muscle mommy woman character". Felt like I was back in 2014 reading anything regarding the Wizard's evil sister and their "reverse sexual dimorphism" since It also felt weird emphasizing how sad it was that the Wizard was so small and effeminate in comparison to her (alongside all of the jabs about Sir Cameron caring about his appearance and being a coward for not wanting to fight... just puts me off).
I suppose my lesson is to stop looking for authors on Tumblr.
And then I didn't finish it, actually couldn't finish it, and returned the book early.
I find I have an issue with books written by popular Tumblr users, it seems. Sir Cameron has a very similar writing style to The Locked Tomb series, in which I also put down the first book. Both writing styles start out fun and different, but end up becoming a slog to get through for me by page 100. Often felt less like a book than a bunch of excerpts that people will quote into viral Tumblr posts. Alongside that, Sir Cameron often felt like it was either talking down or punching down on me as a reader as I tried to get through it. Yes, I was one of the many people drawn to this book for its "wacky homosexual adventure", which unfortunately it didn't even provide because the only sex scenes I read were while Sir Cameron was magically transformed into a woman.
While I do not think it is intentional, for a book based around it having gay sex, it really treats such a topic (both gay sex but also unconventional sex) as a punchline way too often for my taste. I'm assuming it's because of the setting, this pseudo-Feudal style medieval world (which I did find out wasn't always how it was), but that's a Watsonian excuse I feel. Yes, I wanted there to be sex where one person was degraded, that was an intriguing topic to be shown featured in a book, but unfortunately I feel throughout the story there was an air of "Wow, I can't believe you wanted sex to be WEIRD and UNUSUAL! Wow you want someone to get hit??? That's so STRANGE. It's so funny that anyone would want to be hit in sex!" Which really, really put me off. I could deal with Sir Cameron being mocked for it once or twice, but even then it felt like too much that prided itself on its steamy, homosexual intercourse.
Onto smaller nitpicks:
The whole scene where Weed Elf (sorry forgot her name, but she really was a forgettable character) talks with her friend about how embarrassing Sir Cameron's response to her not being attracted to humans felt tone deaf and just... awkward to read. I wanted to get through that passage as quick as possible. I get that apparently
Also, I felt like we, as Tumblr users, have gotten past the "coolness" of "big muscle mommy woman character". Felt like I was back in 2014 reading anything regarding the Wizard's evil sister and their "reverse sexual dimorphism" since It also felt weird emphasizing how sad it was that the Wizard was so small and effeminate in comparison to her (alongside all of the jabs about Sir Cameron caring about his appearance and being a coward for not wanting to fight... just puts me off).
I suppose my lesson is to stop looking for authors on Tumblr.
January 18, 2026
Friends, this book was an absolute rollercoaster and I LOVED it. It’s marketed as a fantasy, but I genuinely think a sci-fi tag would suit it better… I definitely went into it expecting a medieval romantasy, and whilst we did get elements of that, I think the sci-fi twist far outweighs it! Don’t go into this expecting pure romance, as that’s very much a sub-plot (and it’s all closed door), but the sexual tension between the two MCs is really fun (think ultimate black cat x golden retriever, but the black cat has to power to end the world and the golden retriever keeps nearly getting murdered on accident, oops!)
If you’re someone who loves unreliable, chaos-gremlin narrators, you are going to LOVE Sir Cameron Vaillencourt. He is the biggest himbo on horseback that you could ever meet. He’s big, dumb and gorgeous - and spends a considerable amount of time transfigured into various other forms, much to his horror. He is a perfect counterpoint to the ‘mad sorcerer’ Merculo, who is a genius determined to ‘destroy god’ and save the world.
Having gone into this expecting a silly, easy read, I actually ended up having to pay quite a lot of attention… trying not to give spoilers, but this is definitely more reminiscent of ‘Some Desperate Glory’ or ‘A Complicated Love Story Set In Space’ than ‘Fourth Wing’… but there are dragons, so that’s very exciting!
Overall not the read I was expecting, but definitely the one I needed! Read for:
✨ Fantasy x sci-fi mash up
✨ Elves, dragons, unicorns
✨ Black cat x golden retriever
✨ Jock x nerd
✨ Chaotic unreliable narrator
✨ MC is a himbo on horseback
✨ So stupid… that he’s smart?
✨ Escaping his own prophecy
✨ What is really real?
✨ Destroy god, save the universe
✨ Apocalypse!? I hardly know her!
Thank you to Titan Books for an ARC! It’s available on 3rd Feb 💕
If you’re someone who loves unreliable, chaos-gremlin narrators, you are going to LOVE Sir Cameron Vaillencourt. He is the biggest himbo on horseback that you could ever meet. He’s big, dumb and gorgeous - and spends a considerable amount of time transfigured into various other forms, much to his horror. He is a perfect counterpoint to the ‘mad sorcerer’ Merculo, who is a genius determined to ‘destroy god’ and save the world.
Having gone into this expecting a silly, easy read, I actually ended up having to pay quite a lot of attention… trying not to give spoilers, but this is definitely more reminiscent of ‘Some Desperate Glory’ or ‘A Complicated Love Story Set In Space’ than ‘Fourth Wing’… but there are dragons, so that’s very exciting!
Overall not the read I was expecting, but definitely the one I needed! Read for:
✨ Fantasy x sci-fi mash up
✨ Elves, dragons, unicorns
✨ Black cat x golden retriever
✨ Jock x nerd
✨ Chaotic unreliable narrator
✨ MC is a himbo on horseback
✨ So stupid… that he’s smart?
✨ Escaping his own prophecy
✨ What is really real?
✨ Destroy god, save the universe
✨ Apocalypse!? I hardly know her!
Thank you to Titan Books for an ARC! It’s available on 3rd Feb 💕
January 21, 2026
3.25*
I went into Apparently Sir Cameron Needs To Die ready for chaos, and for about 90% of the book it absolutely delivered. The wit? Sharp. The humour? Relentless. The overall commitment to being completely unserious? Deeply admirable. This book spends most of its time winking at you like it knows it’s ridiculous and is daring you not to have fun. Which I did. Immense fun, in fact.
Until we hit the last ten percent. The plot didn’t so much conclude as it cartwheeled off a cliff, waved goodbye, and left me standing there holding several unresolved thoughts and a mild sense of betrayal. The vibes felt completely different and therefore, so was my overall enjoyment level.
I went into Apparently Sir Cameron Needs To Die ready for chaos, and for about 90% of the book it absolutely delivered. The wit? Sharp. The humour? Relentless. The overall commitment to being completely unserious? Deeply admirable. This book spends most of its time winking at you like it knows it’s ridiculous and is daring you not to have fun. Which I did. Immense fun, in fact.
Until we hit the last ten percent. The plot didn’t so much conclude as it cartwheeled off a cliff, waved goodbye, and left me standing there holding several unresolved thoughts and a mild sense of betrayal. The vibes felt completely different and therefore, so was my overall enjoyment level.
Did Not Finish
December 31, 2025One last DNF before the end of the year!
Apart from the chapter sub headings, the humour isn't working for me and the plot and characters are not nearly interesting enough to hold my attention. I don't think it's bad, just not for me.
Apart from the chapter sub headings, the humour isn't working for me and the plot and characters are not nearly interesting enough to hold my attention. I don't think it's bad, just not for me.
Want to Read
January 2, 2025I want to read this so bad, I’m so excited
February 15, 2026
Listen… Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die is one of the silliest, most ridiculous books I’ve read in a long time and I can see why some people wouldn’t like it. But me personally? I loved the heck out of this. Gimme 15 of ‘em.
The main character Cameron is conceited, cowardly, and an absolute idiot. Like truly. But somehow… he’s also insanely lovable? I was rooting for him the entire time, even when he absolutely did not deserve it. That kind of protagonist is hard to pull off, because he could have easily been a very hated character. But I adored this stupid sex-crazed hunk of a goofball so much.
Actually, what really got me was how attached I became to all of the characters. I didn’t expect that at all. Merulo is an evil sorcerer who in truth treats Cameron rather poorly, but I also really loved him and their relationship. By the end I was genuinely sad it was over because I wanted more of their banter and shenanigans. Glenda is a frenemy who spends half the book trying to kill Cameron despite being his only friend. We meet other characters who are also badasses that I wish I read more about. Basically I would 100% read a whole series Cameron and the gang and eat it up, no matter what the plot was about.
Speaking of the plot, I was pleasantly surprised that the ending shocked me. I genuinely did not see it coming, probably because it was so outlandish, but it fit perfectly with the overall absurdity of the plot. I won’t spoil it, but the end gagged me for real and I loved it.
The only downside for me was that the ending, though enjoyable, felt rushed, and a few characters kind of disappeared without real closure, which left me wanting a little more. If there had been about 20 more pages to tie up some of the loose ends this would have been a perfect book for me.
Still, this is one of those books I know I’m going to remember and randomly think about forever. I laughed out loud throughout the entire thing, and I am desperately hoping for a sequel.
Overall I rated this an easy 4.75 stars. It’s not for everyone, but it was exactly right for me. If you’re looking for a silly, cozy fantasy with a bit of genre blending, an absolutely ridiculous plot, and a cast of characters you will inevitably fall in love with, this is the book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The main character Cameron is conceited, cowardly, and an absolute idiot. Like truly. But somehow… he’s also insanely lovable? I was rooting for him the entire time, even when he absolutely did not deserve it. That kind of protagonist is hard to pull off, because he could have easily been a very hated character. But I adored this stupid sex-crazed hunk of a goofball so much.
Actually, what really got me was how attached I became to all of the characters. I didn’t expect that at all. Merulo is an evil sorcerer who in truth treats Cameron rather poorly, but I also really loved him and their relationship. By the end I was genuinely sad it was over because I wanted more of their banter and shenanigans. Glenda is a frenemy who spends half the book trying to kill Cameron despite being his only friend. We meet other characters who are also badasses that I wish I read more about. Basically I would 100% read a whole series Cameron and the gang and eat it up, no matter what the plot was about.
Speaking of the plot, I was pleasantly surprised that the ending shocked me. I genuinely did not see it coming, probably because it was so outlandish, but it fit perfectly with the overall absurdity of the plot. I won’t spoil it, but the end gagged me for real and I loved it.
The only downside for me was that the ending, though enjoyable, felt rushed, and a few characters kind of disappeared without real closure, which left me wanting a little more. If there had been about 20 more pages to tie up some of the loose ends this would have been a perfect book for me.
Still, this is one of those books I know I’m going to remember and randomly think about forever. I laughed out loud throughout the entire thing, and I am desperately hoping for a sequel.
Overall I rated this an easy 4.75 stars. It’s not for everyone, but it was exactly right for me. If you’re looking for a silly, cozy fantasy with a bit of genre blending, an absolutely ridiculous plot, and a cast of characters you will inevitably fall in love with, this is the book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 11, 2026
Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die is a humorous queer fantasy about a cowardly knight and an evil sorcerer who wants to kill God. Sir Cameron is a handsome but cowardly knight who gets by because of his friendship with an elf. But when a Church prophecy dictates that he has to die before the sorcerer Merulo can be defeated, he runs away to that mad sorcerer and is willing to grovel or seduce. In Merulo’s lair, Sir Cameron discovers a masochistic kink within himself, several good reasons why God needs to die, and a lonely flawed obsessive man he can grow to genuinely care for.
I really enjoyed this book but milage may vary depending on how you respond to its tone. It is super casual and incredibly unserious, and the title hints at it. It is also a ton of fin because of that. It actually reminded me of AJ Sherwood’s “How I Stole the Princess’ White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy” more than it did Caitlin Rozakis’ “Dreadful”. It’s kind of a parody of the fantasy genre that turns kind of meta by the end. I won’t spoil it, but the setting was a surprise as the book takes a science fiction bend.
I really enjoyed the clippy long chapter titles, but I do think they’d do spoil the chapter a bit. The short sequential episodic chapters do give the impression of an online serial so it did made me wonder if that’s how this started as. I liked the himbo of a man that is Cameron. He is gay, knows himself rather well and is honest to himself about it, and does not let dignity get in the way of survival. I enjoyed the hijinks he gets himself into including discovering masochism and being turned into a vulture and a woman. I was just charmed by him and his earnestness throughout. The book just brought a smile to my face. Honestly, it was cute too while also somehow managing to make me tear up.
Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die is a funny gay fantasy-turned-scifi romance that does not take itself too seriously.
I really enjoyed this book but milage may vary depending on how you respond to its tone. It is super casual and incredibly unserious, and the title hints at it. It is also a ton of fin because of that. It actually reminded me of AJ Sherwood’s “How I Stole the Princess’ White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy” more than it did Caitlin Rozakis’ “Dreadful”. It’s kind of a parody of the fantasy genre that turns kind of meta by the end. I won’t spoil it, but the setting was a surprise as the book takes a science fiction bend.
I really enjoyed the clippy long chapter titles, but I do think they’d do spoil the chapter a bit. The short sequential episodic chapters do give the impression of an online serial so it did made me wonder if that’s how this started as. I liked the himbo of a man that is Cameron. He is gay, knows himself rather well and is honest to himself about it, and does not let dignity get in the way of survival. I enjoyed the hijinks he gets himself into including discovering masochism and being turned into a vulture and a woman. I was just charmed by him and his earnestness throughout. The book just brought a smile to my face. Honestly, it was cute too while also somehow managing to make me tear up.
Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die is a funny gay fantasy-turned-scifi romance that does not take itself too seriously.
December 7, 2025
Well... this was something for sure.
I was really intrigued by the premise and the fun title, and the comps really worked for me, too. First things first: Do not believe them. I have no idea what the marketing team for this one was on but Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die is absolutely nothing like A Marvellous Light for one. I do see they changed the comps for the Kindle version now, and I haven't read those so can't speak to any resemblance, but the original comps were not it. And that's never helping because it just sets wrong expectations which most of the time lead only to disappointment.
Now, Apparently,... is still a fun book that I really enjoyed... until about 50%. It's a comedy with very cliched characters that could only ever exist in a comedy like this, and while there are more serious themes woven into the narrative (our main character has anxiety and regularly gets panic attacks, one other character is addicted to a drug that allows her to feel emotions, there's exploration of gender and religion) they are never explored in a serious way, so yeah, that's kind of just there. The humour is also really silly, almost childish at times. But still, the first half of this book was a hoot, the kind of brain-turned-off-fun you need sometimes. The central relationship is weird and never really makes you feel much because the characters just cannot be taken seriously, but again, it was fun.
Then a big, actually emotional thing happens at the halfway point which I was actually invested in... and after that, well. Let's just say things get increasingly weird, there are cool world-building ideas but the execution was lacking, and the way the plot unfolds is just off the walls. Cameron, our protagonist, gets really annoying when I found him really endearing before. His emotional responses to some of the events happening, especially during the final chapters, are completely nonsensical. Things are confusing, some don't make sense if you think about them a little more, and I just didn't enjoy any of it. Kudos for creativity, though.
So yeah, in the end I'd probably give this 3 stars - the beginning might have been leaning towards 3,5, but the second half probably lingers somewhere around 2-2,5 stars. A mixed bag, but worth it for the fun of it.
Many thanks to Titan Books and Netgalley for the arc!
I was really intrigued by the premise and the fun title, and the comps really worked for me, too. First things first: Do not believe them. I have no idea what the marketing team for this one was on but Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die is absolutely nothing like A Marvellous Light for one. I do see they changed the comps for the Kindle version now, and I haven't read those so can't speak to any resemblance, but the original comps were not it. And that's never helping because it just sets wrong expectations which most of the time lead only to disappointment.
Now, Apparently,... is still a fun book that I really enjoyed... until about 50%. It's a comedy with very cliched characters that could only ever exist in a comedy like this, and while there are more serious themes woven into the narrative (our main character has anxiety and regularly gets panic attacks, one other character is addicted to a drug that allows her to feel emotions, there's exploration of gender and religion) they are never explored in a serious way, so yeah, that's kind of just there. The humour is also really silly, almost childish at times. But still, the first half of this book was a hoot, the kind of brain-turned-off-fun you need sometimes. The central relationship is weird and never really makes you feel much because the characters just cannot be taken seriously, but again, it was fun.
Then a big, actually emotional thing happens at the halfway point which I was actually invested in... and after that, well. Let's just say things get increasingly weird, there are cool world-building ideas but the execution was lacking, and the way the plot unfolds is just off the walls. Cameron, our protagonist, gets really annoying when I found him really endearing before. His emotional responses to some of the events happening, especially during the final chapters, are completely nonsensical. Things are confusing, some don't make sense if you think about them a little more, and I just didn't enjoy any of it. Kudos for creativity, though.
So yeah, in the end I'd probably give this 3 stars - the beginning might have been leaning towards 3,5, but the second half probably lingers somewhere around 2-2,5 stars. A mixed bag, but worth it for the fun of it.
Many thanks to Titan Books and Netgalley for the arc!
February 12, 2026
Did I find this funny? Yes, but it got to a point where I genuinely felt frustrated with the humor. It didn't help that the book slowed down considerably to build up for the climax at the same time. The best way to describe it is when a friend keeps telling the same structure of a joke over and over, it's funny for the first few times and then it's just...not.
I did really like the settings of the book and the overall atmosphere. The writing was pretty immersive and I loved it. Cameron as a character was hilarious and a fucking dolt (affectionate) and his interactions with the other characters were definite highlights!!
I did really like the settings of the book and the overall atmosphere. The writing was pretty immersive and I loved it. Cameron as a character was hilarious and a fucking dolt (affectionate) and his interactions with the other characters were definite highlights!!
October 29, 2025
This is another book where the cover immediately caught my eye, and the title sealed the deal. It’s not your typical fantasy title and that alone made me curious. After reading the synopsis I was completely in
I don’t usually pick up humor books, and honestly, I’m not sure why.. but after this that might have to change. I’ve never described a book as literally making me laugh out loud until this one. Cameron’s humor is unmatched. Everyone in this world seems to hate him, which is wild because he’s so genuinely lovable. Merulo was also a standout, but when these two share the page, the story really shines. Their dynamic is chaotic and charming and somehow perfectly balanced
The side characters, especially Glenda the elf, add so much personality. Getting brief POVs from them made the world/universe feel even more alive. The world is one of the most unique settings I’ve read in a while. It blends this almost futuristic feel with ancient magic, and while I’m still not totally sure I understood every piece of the lore... I loved the ride it took me on 😅
The ending was totally unexpected. It really feels so much different than the start of the book, and i never really would have guessed it going there, but honestly I really loved that. I don't know how to exactly convey my feelings on what happens without spoiling things, but simply I need more!
For a debut, this was seriously impressive! The writing, humor, and pacing were all spot on, and I’m already excited to see what Greer Stothers does next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I don’t usually pick up humor books, and honestly, I’m not sure why.. but after this that might have to change. I’ve never described a book as literally making me laugh out loud until this one. Cameron’s humor is unmatched. Everyone in this world seems to hate him, which is wild because he’s so genuinely lovable. Merulo was also a standout, but when these two share the page, the story really shines. Their dynamic is chaotic and charming and somehow perfectly balanced
The side characters, especially Glenda the elf, add so much personality. Getting brief POVs from them made the world/universe feel even more alive. The world is one of the most unique settings I’ve read in a while. It blends this almost futuristic feel with ancient magic, and while I’m still not totally sure I understood every piece of the lore... I loved the ride it took me on 😅
The ending was totally unexpected. It really feels so much different than the start of the book, and i never really would have guessed it going there, but honestly I really loved that. I don't know how to exactly convey my feelings on what happens without spoiling things, but simply I need more!
For a debut, this was seriously impressive! The writing, humor, and pacing were all spot on, and I’m already excited to see what Greer Stothers does next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
February 4, 2026
Gosh I don't even know what to say. I think it's changed something in me. I finished it only minutes ago so please forgive me. the humour was so so up my street. There were moments where I had to put the book down to laugh.
And the twists?? oh my god the twists. oh my god. Enough said. holy fuck.
The characters are all written so beautifully. And I love a pathetic sickly repressed older man so this was doing things for me. I love pathetic men in general so honestly both Sir Cameron and The Sorcerer were doing it for me if I'm honest.
I think this is definitely a book I shall reread over and over and remain a favourite for life.I remember they posted about the book premise online years ago and I have been eagerly awaiting for it to be finished. It does not disappoint at all. I can't wait to read what Greer Stothers writes next.
Edit: um. I forgot my colleagues follow me on this app. so um. if you're my colleague and you saw that thing about me talking about pathetic older men... um. no you didn't.
And the twists?? oh my god the twists. oh my god. Enough said. holy fuck.
The characters are all written so beautifully. And I love a pathetic sickly repressed older man so this was doing things for me. I love pathetic men in general so honestly both Sir Cameron and The Sorcerer were doing it for me if I'm honest.
I think this is definitely a book I shall reread over and over and remain a favourite for life.I remember they posted about the book premise online years ago and I have been eagerly awaiting for it to be finished. It does not disappoint at all. I can't wait to read what Greer Stothers writes next.
Edit: um. I forgot my colleagues follow me on this app. so um. if you're my colleague and you saw that thing about me talking about pathetic older men... um. no you didn't.
May 11, 2026
It has been a long time since I have hated a book as much as I hate this one. A lot of that is probably because, on paper, it seemed so promising! A funny, queer fantasy romance where a himbo knight falls in love with an evil old sorcerer? Sign me up!!
And the first few chapters were fun! For the first 50 pages or so, I thought I was going to really like the book.
And then the book got really, really foul.
So, on the cover and the back copy, it says Sir Cameron gets turned into a vulture. It's funny how little it bothers our hero, and I think this part is really fun. Sadly, it's astonishingly short-lived for something that's on the cover of the book, and also, I don't really enjoy anything in the book after this segment is over. After he's a vulture, Cameron convinces the sorcerer Merulo to transform him into a woman. While he was big and strong as a man, he's small and beautiful as a woman. And his boobs are HUGE! He keeps holding them! Because they're so big! Haha! Now that he's a woman, he cleans the castle! Cameron gets hit on by a gross man he’s not interested in, and reflects that this is how women must feel! Has Cameron ever made unwanted advances on a woman? Not really! He’s very gay! There was one time, near the beginning of the book, where he tried to seduce someone in an attempt to save his own life, but I don’t think the situations are at all comparable, despite Cameron’s self-reflection on it. “This must be how Glenda felt” girl, she was going to KILL YOU! I don’t think so! Thankfully, like every low quality fanfic I read in the mid-2000s, our hero is saved from the advances of a gross man by our romantic lead, and then they make out. Incredible. Groundbreaking. I really believe their love. They haven’t forged any sort of intimacy and don’t seem to have really changed their opinions about each other in any way (Merulo is constantly complaining that Cameron is stupid, annoying, incompetent, and generally in the way, and Cameron… well, Cameron doesn’t seem to have a lot going on upstairs, for all that he’s the POV character, so I couldn’t tell you what he thinks of Merulo), but I guess all it took for them to finally consummate their relationship was for Cameron to become a cute little tradwifey. Awesome. Anyway, he stops being a woman because he gets his period and then begs Merulo to turn him back into a man. Could you imagine the horror? Of having a PERIOD? Perish the thought.
There is a deep insincerity running through this book that makes it, frankly impossible to like or care about even a little bit. Why should I care about Merulo? He never does anything nice (beyond like… not killing Cameron. But I don’t kill lots of people and I’m not in love with all of them), or endearing, or unexpectedly observant. I couldn’t even tell you what Cameron likes about him. His thoughts about Merulo’s appearance and behavior are nearly identical at the start of the book and at the end. He always describes him in the least flattering terms possible, emphasizing his skeletally thin body and greasy hair, it’s just that, by the end, I’m supposed to know that those are good now I guess. Why should I care about Cameron, anyway? He seems to have no thoughts or feelings, beyond “fear of death” and “having a boner” (and then later, “fear that Merulo will become a computer”, and like. Greer Stothers, I’m on tumblr, too. You and I both know that only an idiot would make a robot you can’t fuck). Our two leads never achieve any true level of intimacy. They don’t bond. Everyone in the book sexually harasses Cameron because being threatened gives him a boner, and Merulo is the only one desperate enough to actually want to touch his dick after that. And that’s what passes for love I guess. They’re in love now.
They go to space in the end. I don’t want to talk about it. Leave me alone.
It felt like this book was making fun of me, because only an idiot would actually want to read a book with fantasy, or romance, or queer relationships, or genderbending, or old men, or young men, or woman in general, or feelings, or drama, or human beings, or non-human beings, or commas that are in a sentence because the sentence needed them and not just because you hadn’t yet decided how the sentence was going to end when you were writing it. There’s nothing in this book that I haven’t seen before, done better in other books, written by authors who understand that “having an erection” does not actually constitute an emotion.
And the first few chapters were fun! For the first 50 pages or so, I thought I was going to really like the book.
And then the book got really, really foul.
So, on the cover and the back copy, it says Sir Cameron gets turned into a vulture. It's funny how little it bothers our hero, and I think this part is really fun. Sadly, it's astonishingly short-lived for something that's on the cover of the book, and also, I don't really enjoy anything in the book after this segment is over. After he's a vulture, Cameron convinces the sorcerer Merulo to transform him into a woman. While he was big and strong as a man, he's small and beautiful as a woman. And his boobs are HUGE! He keeps holding them! Because they're so big! Haha! Now that he's a woman, he cleans the castle! Cameron gets hit on by a gross man he’s not interested in, and reflects that this is how women must feel! Has Cameron ever made unwanted advances on a woman? Not really! He’s very gay! There was one time, near the beginning of the book, where he tried to seduce someone in an attempt to save his own life, but I don’t think the situations are at all comparable, despite Cameron’s self-reflection on it. “This must be how Glenda felt” girl, she was going to KILL YOU! I don’t think so! Thankfully, like every low quality fanfic I read in the mid-2000s, our hero is saved from the advances of a gross man by our romantic lead, and then they make out. Incredible. Groundbreaking. I really believe their love. They haven’t forged any sort of intimacy and don’t seem to have really changed their opinions about each other in any way (Merulo is constantly complaining that Cameron is stupid, annoying, incompetent, and generally in the way, and Cameron… well, Cameron doesn’t seem to have a lot going on upstairs, for all that he’s the POV character, so I couldn’t tell you what he thinks of Merulo), but I guess all it took for them to finally consummate their relationship was for Cameron to become a cute little tradwifey. Awesome. Anyway, he stops being a woman because he gets his period and then begs Merulo to turn him back into a man. Could you imagine the horror? Of having a PERIOD? Perish the thought.
There is a deep insincerity running through this book that makes it, frankly impossible to like or care about even a little bit. Why should I care about Merulo? He never does anything nice (beyond like… not killing Cameron. But I don’t kill lots of people and I’m not in love with all of them), or endearing, or unexpectedly observant. I couldn’t even tell you what Cameron likes about him. His thoughts about Merulo’s appearance and behavior are nearly identical at the start of the book and at the end. He always describes him in the least flattering terms possible, emphasizing his skeletally thin body and greasy hair, it’s just that, by the end, I’m supposed to know that those are good now I guess. Why should I care about Cameron, anyway? He seems to have no thoughts or feelings, beyond “fear of death” and “having a boner” (and then later, “fear that Merulo will become a computer”, and like. Greer Stothers, I’m on tumblr, too. You and I both know that only an idiot would make a robot you can’t fuck). Our two leads never achieve any true level of intimacy. They don’t bond. Everyone in the book sexually harasses Cameron because being threatened gives him a boner, and Merulo is the only one desperate enough to actually want to touch his dick after that. And that’s what passes for love I guess. They’re in love now.
They go to space in the end. I don’t want to talk about it. Leave me alone.
It felt like this book was making fun of me, because only an idiot would actually want to read a book with fantasy, or romance, or queer relationships, or genderbending, or old men, or young men, or woman in general, or feelings, or drama, or human beings, or non-human beings, or commas that are in a sentence because the sentence needed them and not just because you hadn’t yet decided how the sentence was going to end when you were writing it. There’s nothing in this book that I haven’t seen before, done better in other books, written by authors who understand that “having an erection” does not actually constitute an emotion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2026
"That's right," called Merulo, sketching something now in broad sweeps, "He only wants you to say nasty thing in pretend. And then you have to fuck him afterward."
I genuinely thought Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die would be one of THE books for me in 2026. I stumbled upon it so perfectly. I visited a local bookshop after a long day with my manager at work, and it was standing right there in one of the first shelves. The title, the cover, the sprayed edges screamed to me that I must pick this book up! It all felt so organic. I could not wait to get my hands on it.
The first chapter had so much promise. Each chapter starts with an intro of sorts which dictates the humor for the rest of the novel, more or less. I knew that the humor needed to land with me in order for me to be enamored by it. In the first chapter, I thought there was some charm, a promise that I could get through this novel. However, I was sorely mistaken.
Unfortunately for me, once the main character of Sir Cameron is introduced, it was all downhill from there. But Katin, you just started the book! How can it already be downhill when we haven't even climbed? Exactly, my dear reader. That is precisely the problem. I could not stand being in Cameron's head, and he doesn't grow in any meaningful way from what I read. I thought I liked himbo characters so Cameron either completely proved me wrong or was written so poorly.
To be fair to Cameron, it's not like I liked any of characters either. Merulo and Glenda were poised to be the secondary protagonists in my eyes, and neither did the story any favors. Merulo was too cranky (that's not the right word, but I don't know how to describe how he feels to me). I got the purpose of Glenda, but I honestly found her chapters to be boring and annoying. I never wanted to read her side of the story.
As for Cameron and Merulo's relationship, uhh... That's what we were given? I thought this was marketed as a romance? Did I smile at some "romantic" scenes with them? Of course! I love love! But everything about their romantic relationship felt unearned. If I'm going to be honest, I really couldn't tell you if they ended up being a proper couple at the end of the novel, or if they were in a friends-with-benefits-but-we-know-we-like-each-other situationship. I truly feel like if they were written as friends instead of eventual lovers, they would've had a lot more chemistry that didn't feel so contrived. It's a shame too because I loved Cameron being masochistic! I was behind their relationship dynamic the whole time! But it's almost as if the author gave us a decent scene or two and expected readers to be okay with it.
Also a side tangent, maybe this is too heternormative for me to say, but did we really have to emphasize how not appealing Merulo is? Calling him bent, old, hair like an oil curtain (?), got me more grossed out than actually thinking, "Wow, Cameron must really love this man beyond his looks!" He can be ugly, that's fine, but I don't like how it was consistently written out. Maybe it's because I'll never purposefully think of a character to be unattractive in my head, but it kept ruining the motion picture in my head.
Anyway, I have no idea where the science fiction portion came into play. I was like, "what now?" when we were catapulted into space, and there were talks of spaceships, moons, and martians. I don't even know where Gita and The Captain came from. I think I could've kindly rated this book two stars if we finished in the medieval fantasy setting we started with. But a science fiction ending that truly felt like an ass-pull? Sign me the fuck out.
I thought I could read another Greer Stothers novel. The only condition would be if that would be their fourth or fifth novel. After this novel took such a drastic turn in a direction I didn't see coming and didn't enjoy, I'm not sure if I will pick up another book at all.
I wished I liked this book more, even if I would've only rated it three stars. I wanted to enjoy the banter between the two male leads. The banter was okay at first, but then it got tiring when it felt like I got no growth from either of them. The plot itself didn't keep me entertained either. I was for sure skimming. This book basically put me in a reading slump which is so disappointing to say. I should have DNF'ed, and it's my fault yet again for not listening to my gut. The ending wasn't worth it.
February 17, 2026
3.5 rounded up, silly and charming and fulfills exactly what it sets out to do. i forgot books can be fun????? sure i would have liked to see more of lunatic freak, and also the sex should have been on-page. irrelevant. it’s a 3.5 because i wasn’t really sold on their dynamic at the end, wish there has been just a littttle bit more to chew on
February 12, 2026
3.5-4 stars
Yeah okay, this book had me giggling and kicking my feet. Not my usual kind of read but I'm so glad I gave it a chance because it was funny, sexy, pacy and just everything I wanted in a quick and easy read!
Sir Cameron was a difficult protagonist to like - he's embarrassing, cowardly, selfish, and vain. But he did grow on me as the story progressed. And as for Merulo, well, I'm a sucker for a spooky, brooding villain in dark robes. The world building was a lot of fun and though the overarching plot was not the most original, it was a great backdrop for Cameron and Merulo's relationship.
The ending was rather abrupt and I'm hoping this is because there will be a book 2, but overall, I had a great time with this book.
Yeah okay, this book had me giggling and kicking my feet. Not my usual kind of read but I'm so glad I gave it a chance because it was funny, sexy, pacy and just everything I wanted in a quick and easy read!
Sir Cameron was a difficult protagonist to like - he's embarrassing, cowardly, selfish, and vain. But he did grow on me as the story progressed. And as for Merulo, well, I'm a sucker for a spooky, brooding villain in dark robes. The world building was a lot of fun and though the overarching plot was not the most original, it was a great backdrop for Cameron and Merulo's relationship.
The ending was rather abrupt and I'm hoping this is because there will be a book 2, but overall, I had a great time with this book.
February 23, 2026
This book was ridiculous in the best ways.
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