Evolution Device

by Lif Strand

Evolution Device is an entertaining mix of backstage drama and spiritual fantasy, imagining a quintessential 1970s rock 'n' roll success story from the not-quite-real perspective of an artistic muse who makes the music possible. Written with the passion of a true fan, it's as unique as a 1959 Les Paul and authentic as a Stratocaster solo. -George Case, author of Jimmy  Magus, Musician, Man and Led Zeppelin FAQThis book gave me chill bumps, it was written so well. It pierces the world of the rock star, the rock band, and the audience of each. I particularly liked the characterization of the Muse. She, too, was so real I felt I could touch her. And if I did she would've escaped my fingertips as she does in this remarkable novel.-Gerald Hausman, author of The Evil Chasing WayEvolution Device is at once a throwback to the glory days of rock and roll and a unique take on the Muse. Add in a supernatural guitar named Lady, and Lif Strand's ode to music and the relationships between artists, bandmates, instruments, and everything in between takes a speculative turn. Strand's novel personifies a love for art, music, and creativity in a way that only she can pull off. A page-turner from start to finish, Evolution Device amusingly explores the interconnection between all aspects of music and art. -Josh Hrala, editor of The ArcanistIt's 1972. Eddie Edmunds is a rock guitarist in London. He's got an unworldly source for his music, his band Evolution Device is the best there is, and his guitar is beyond compare.

Fame and fortune are not all Eddie had imagined they would be, though. The higher he rises and the more the world worships him for his dark energy, the faster the magic of the music spirals out of control.

It's the insidious power of the black-hearted guitar that is creating a nightmare from Eddie and Lilith's dreams.

Lilith should have the power to help Eddie - after all, she's part of his soul and has been the unworldly source of his music since he was born. But how can she act when the guitar is reaching for Eddie's soul, Eddie is dosing himself with drugs to shut down the magic that has turned against him, and Lilith is losing her hold on her very existence?

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2025

About the author

Lif Strand has been a writer-for-hire for many years. As a reporter for a regional newspaper she received the E. H. Shaffer Award (second place, news writing) from New Mexico Press Association. For the past two decades she has been a technical writer for non-profit organizations and local governments, focusing on environmental issues.

Her short stories have been published in The Arcanist and in DreamForge. She was the cover artist for her novel of music and magic, Evolution Device, and for her self-published works. She also illustrated an edition of the novel, Skyrider, by B.M. Bower, released in 2018 by Wilder Publications.

Lif Strand lives off the grid in a straw bale house way outback in New Mexico. When she’s not writing she hikes, takes a lot of photos, creates fabric art, and cares for her aged horses. Her first novel, Evolution Device, a story of magic and music, was published in 2020 and is available on Amazon in hardcover, Kindle, and Audible formats, or through your favorite brick-and-mortar bookstore.