Bursting with weird magic, conspiratorial intrigue, owl attacks, Post-Life Entities (PLEs), and a mad land where cackling mouths in the ground each look “like a titanic clown buried alive,” the third entry in James’s Hourglass series (after The Ferryman's Toll) delivers an electrifying paranormal thriller that offers continual surprises and bursts of action while delving deep into the consequences of wielding dark powers. Clyde Williams, once a comic-book artist but now a necromancer who has accidentally bound the soul of his deceased best friend to his own, grapples with necromantic abilities that have earned him a position in Hourglass, the government’s paranormal intelligence agency, but also placed him under intense scrutiny from the authorities of the Median realm, “the dreaming kingdom situated halfway between sleep and the undead vistas of Erebus.”
The narrative kicks into high gear when violence erupts at a classified facility, forcing Clyde back into active duty despite concerns about his stability. James crafts a world where the line between protector and potential threat becomes increasingly blurred as a powerful new “Spark”—the Hourglass term for “divinely enhanced humans”—is taken in by the Cairnwood Society, the “infernal” enemies of Hourglass. Alienated and frustrated by contemporary life, that Spark, David, serves as a dark mirror to Clyde's journey, raising questions about the fine line between control and chaos as James explores how past trauma and present circumstances can shape choices, for better or worse.
A spirited subplot following Russian necromancer Kozlov’s expedition through Erebus adds another layer of intrigue to an already complex plot while also weaving through the entire narrative, connecting seemingly disparate elements into a cohesive whole. James populates this hostile dimension with fresh, wholly original terrors and otherworldly entities that both delight and disgust. For all the visceral, inventive conflict and worldbuilding, James offers a haunting exploration of power and its corrupting influence, perfect for readers who enjoy their dark fantasy with psychological depth and moral complexity.
Takeaway: Superior paranormal thriller, rich with mad invention and moral urgency.
Comparable Titles: Paul Cornell’s Shadow Police Series, Charles Stross’s Laundry Files.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
