Draven, Alan. Fractured Time. Black Bed Sheet Books, 2011.
Review by G.L. Giles
This dark suspense/horror novel centers on the character of Donovan Vicar, who is a “feeler.” To me, the foregoing sentence refers to the idea that he’s a good sort of psychic vamp in that he can both absorb and give back the energy from/to many people he encounters. Plus, he successfully uses his gift with what I’d call a loving power, for he realizes and adheres to the “old axiom `With great power comes great responsibility’” (p. 3).
Knowing this is certainly put to the test when he travels back in time from the town of Bitternest, Louisiana in 2007 to 1957. He’s still in Bitternest, but things are very different: especially for women and African Americans then. Draven does an excellent job of painting the background setting for the storyline in 1957, where most of the action takes place.
And, in a rapidly unfolding denouement, it’s revealed that many of the characters aren’t really what they initially seemed, as in some of the bad guys/gals are really the good guys/gals and vice versa. There’s an open ending, so I hope that means a sequel is in the works. Definitely worth picking up a copy!
