Tim Powers, Expiration Date

Expiration Date

Tim Powers

Orb (Tor), Mar 2007, $15.95

ISBN: 0765317524

Los Angeles is a city filled with beings not pumping gas or parking cars. Instead, L.A. is a ghost town loaded with otherworldly spirits, some souls with a foot in the grave and the other on the freeway, and humans seeking to extend their LAST CALL on Earth. Life and after life are competitors to obtain immortality.

In this weird 1990s Los Angeles, eleven-year-old Koot Parganas is raised by parents who worship dead Mahatmas and has beens warned not to touch certain artifacts. However, the preadolescent ignores his parental warning to stay away from sacred items and breaks the bust of Dante. Inside is a glass vial that contains the preserved ghost of Thomas Alva Edison; Koot steals the container and the spirit inside. However, ghosthunters and ghost addicts can "see" the bright lit spirit of the late inventor. They want it and are inspired because for no perspiration on their part they can gain incredible power. Sensing dangerous Hurricane Weather in which he is the eye of the storm, Koot flees with mortals, semi-paranormals, and a canine chasing after him.

This is an exciting, paranormal thriller that grips the audience once Koot disobeys his parents and never slows down as he finds many of the residents (not all living) want what he holds. The storyline is fast-paced with many eccentric characters but Koot owns the plot. Readers will appreciate his L.A. "joy ride".

Harriet Klausner