I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

An artist and his recently murdered best friend find themselves thrown into a dangerous and chaotic world filled with ghosts, demons, magic and horror in author Daniel James’s novel, “Hourglass”. 

The Synopsis

Clyde Williams just wanted to draw comic books. Life and death have other plans.

Brooklyn-born artist Clyde Williams has spent his life obsessing over comic books and chasing his big dream to one day break into the industry as a hot new artist. But chasing the dream isn’t easy. It’s tiring, dispiriting work.

And that was before the ghost of his recently murdered best friend and roommate, Kev Carpenter, showed up at their apartment. Shocked and confused, the pair have been trying to establish some sense of their old status quo, of normality, but normality left town and isn’t coming back.

Instead, they get a knock at their front door. Rose Hadfield, agent of Hourglass, has some understanding of what it’s like to commune with the dead, living with the ghosts of her former military unit, and offers them the choice to educate themselves and train their abilities, or remain under Hourglass’ scrutiny in the name of public safety.

Clyde’s long-held distrust of all things military and federal, has him prepared to decline Rose’s offer. Kev, however, has other ideas. Being restless and detached from the world, he sees this as his only real option. A purpose. Wracked with sympathy for his best friend’s plight, Clyde accepts Rose’s offer on one condition: upon completion of his training, he will remain a civilian. A fair compromise.

Unbeknownst to Clyde and Kev, their acceptance of Rose’s offer has catapulted them on a collision course with an ex-KGB officer turned necromantic monk, and the ancient, wealthy, and morally dubious Cairnwood Society. Clyde and Kev will soon learn that death is only the beginning.

The Review

A fun, action-fueled horror adventure like no other, author Daniel James introduces readers to thrilling new mythology and world. The author does a great job balancing character development and relationships with the intense supernatural/government action-thriller themes the novel produced. 

The bond between protagonists Clyde and Kev was the major backbone of this novel, having given readers two characters to follow into the fray with two very different perspectives or circumstances. The action was equally as entertaining as the more intimate and personal moments between the characters and the government agents they found themselves paired up with. Clyde’s transformation throughout the story was particularly interesting, as the man who dreamt of being a comic book artist found himself asking whether he had what it took to become a hero himself.

The Verdict

Fun, engaging, and out of this world entertaining, author Daniel James’s “Hourglass” is a must-read horror adventure. If Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Stargate SG-1 were to meet, it would become Hourglass. With a powerful and twist ending that leaves open the possibility for more books in a series, one can only hope readers will one day delve into the action-fueled world of Clyde and Kev once more. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Daniel James is the recipient of a Kirkus Reviews (starred review) for his action-packed urban fantasy novel, Hourglass, and the Literary Titan Gold Book award for his vengeance-fueled crime novel, Pigs.

An author of horror, fantasy, and fast-paced thrillers, he first began writing as a hobby to distract himself from the mundanity of completing his dissertation at Liverpool Hope University. When not writing, he loves reading genre fiction novels and comic books, watching movies, and listening to music (he also used to play bass in a few local rock bands).