James delivers a winning dive into the supernatural, blending mystery, buddy-comedy, urban fantasy, a touch of horror, and the everyday indignities of life as a would-be comic-book artist into a twisty adventure where the stakes are nothing less than souls. This compelling tale follows Clyde Williams, a man still reeling from the shock of his best friend Kev Carpenter's murder. Clyde's life takes a turn when Kev's ghost returns to their apartment (“I’ve transcended, baby”) and the duo come to the attention of the Hourglass Agency, a Men in Black-like org charged with “intel on possible atypical threats, such as PLEs—that’s Post-Life Entities.” This sets the stage for a realms-crossing paranormal adventure, complete with secret societies, ethereal soldiers, hidden military bases, and powers they’ll have to learn to master from a KISS-loving mentor who looks like a hair-band roadie. James's world-building is expertly done, demonstrating real knowledge of comics, a love of surprising possibilities, and a feeling for the camaraderie and limit-pushing (what does it take to lift a Humvee?) that powers great team-ups and super-powered adventures. The relationship between Clyde and Kev feels breezily believable, with inside jokes and long-developed conversational rhythms, and James has great fun with team building, especially introducing their guides into the supernatural, like Agent Rose Hadfield, a former heavyweight lifter whose calm demeanor braces the boys for what's to come. Training and combat scenes boast a crisp flow, jolts of gore, and an eagerness to upend expectations. Even minor characters shine, such as when Clyde throws a punch at rocker Ace, only for Ace to catch it and essentially freeze Clyde's hand.
Some sullen, mission-driven perspective chapters focusing on the Russian Konstantine are convincing but less engaging than Clyde and Kev’s. Fresh paranormal elements—eerie dead lands like Erebus; excursions into dream spaces; the scheming of shadowy organizations—are woven seamlessly into a plot with momentum, even as James makes time for explorations of friendship and identity.
Takeaway: Paranormal urban fantasy of ghosts, souls, and a comic-book artist in over his head.
Comparable Titles: Sergei Lukyanenko, Charles Stross.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B+
