Ughhhh...

THE YEARS OF MAGIC by J. Lyndon Hickman (2011 / 234 pp / tp)


Set in 1934, Hickman's debut novel deals with what might have happened in the spirit world if electricity ceased to exist at that time.  His two protagonists (a gentleman named David Rancliff and his new friend Winston Thomas Guildersleeves--who turns out to be David's guardian angel) are likeable enough, but after setting up its quirky premise,THE YEARS OF MAGIC quickly looses logic and steam and its base intention seems all but forgotten.


When the world's electricity supply is taken away, the small town of Gallatin becomes host to a group of vampires who build an army through a huge, fancy, corrupt church.  David and Winston also encounter werewolves, zombies, ghosts, and just about anything else the author could think to throw in.  Apparently the absence of global electricity has caused these legendary monsters to come forth as MAGIC's story becomes an uneven, unintentionally funny tale that bounces all over the place and is further marred by some of the worst dialogue I've read in years.


This is a fine example of a self-published title that could've used a seriously professional edit.  I have no idea how I made it to the end.