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Uncanny Kingdom
Uncanny Kingdom, Volume Three
The UK is under siege by supernatural forces, and it’s up to three unlikely heroes to save the realm from annihilation...
A witch’s familiar who is the last surviving member of a slaughtered coven...
A ghost detective atoning for his mortal sins...
And a bumbling warlock who chases fearsome monsters, but can't remember why.
Can these improbable champions repel the creatures that lurk in the shadows and protect the UK from calamity, or will the sceptred isle sink beneath a tide of demons and fiends?
Mystery, scares, and the paranormal collide in this gripping urban fantasy set. Uncanny Kingdom, Volume Three, collects the second books of three series:
From London Coven is Deadly Portent
From Spectral Detective is Twice Damned
From Dark Lakes is Past Sins
A witch’s familiar who is the last surviving member of a slaughtered coven...
A ghost detective atoning for his mortal sins...
And a bumbling warlock who chases fearsome monsters, but can't remember why.
Can these improbable champions repel the creatures that lurk in the shadows and protect the UK from calamity, or will the sceptred isle sink beneath a tide of demons and fiends?
Mystery, scares, and the paranormal collide in this gripping urban fantasy set. Uncanny Kingdom, Volume Three, collects the second books of three series:
From London Coven is Deadly Portent
From Spectral Detective is Twice Damned
From Dark Lakes is Past Sins
488 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2023
About the author
David Bussell
37 books179 followersDavid Bussell is a best-selling British author renowned for his contributions to the urban fantasy genre. He is the co-creator of the Uncanny Kingdom, a series that explores a secret Britain teeming with paranormal suspense stories. His notable works include the "Spectral Detective" series. David's writing prowess has been recognized with the P.G. Wodehouse New Comic Writer Award. Beyond his literary achievements, he is an avid fencer, a lover of synthwave music, and a committed comic book fan.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 20, 2017
David Bussell and Matt (MV) Stott’s Uncanny Kingdom shared story universe is an incredibly exciting place full of wonderful adventures. While each series set I. This universe can totally stand alone there are enough interconnections to really add value to the legion of fans (like me) who gobble each book up as it appears. This is the third of their “Collected” volumes and each story in it is a treat. Since I read them one by one that’s how I’m reviewing them. Both individually and collectively these are 5-star highly recommended. Enjoy.
_________
Deadly Portent
Another day for Stella and her partner David, murder by mummification to solve and, oh yeah, by the way, the Knot Man has advised that - thanks to Stella's prior use of black magic - David "has changed" so that he's now effectively a "walking apocalypse" (oops), a ticking time bomb that could destroy London if he blows. Don't worry dear reader, this is Stella Familiar we are talking about, the epitome of kick-a** heroines (and by golly, I do so love a great kick-a** heroine) so you k is she'll figure things out.
Why yes, indeedy, there will be a (quite fulfilling) HEA here but the trick is how we get there. MV Stott has (lucky for us) chosen the path of great adventure filled with strongly built characters and wonderful (occasionally snarky) characters. Thank goodness for that, as this book is simply wonderful fun.
I loved everything about Deadly Portent, enough that I'm going to have to cave and give it 5 stars (which I tend to avoid doing). I'm only hoping that the very last line is more than a bit of poetry but is rather a subtle teaser as I want more Stella (yes, I know and am happy that she appears in other Uncanny Kingdom urban fantasies - I just want her in the starring role).
Oh, as you might've guessed, I highly recommend this book (but even though it is totally stand alone, read the other two books first - they're well worth it individually and as setting things up for what will come in this book 3).
_________
Twice Damned
Let me start by noting that I've loved the prior two books in David Bussell's Ghosted series and think that the story universe he and his partner in crime have created to share for their loosely linked Uncanny Universe stories (which also includes Stott's wonderful Dark Lakes and London Coven series, is the ideal platform for urban fantasy tales.
As for Twice Damned, David Bussell has once again hit a home run. I'm not going to summarize the well done and wonderfully written plot, as the kindle blurb and others do so well (and I don't want to accidentally spoil anything) but I will say that this book (and series) easily exceeds what I call my Dresden Test, i.e. is it as good or better than Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files stories? There are some other authors who pass this test (Simon R.Green’s Nightside tales come to mind) but it's hard to think of others who excel like the Uncanny Universe duo do so consistently, and Twice Damned is perfect evidence of that. Jake, the lead here, is the perfect urban fantasy noire detective, and I love his empathetic, snarky, naive, brilliant and overly trusting soul. While a ghost, he's more "human" than many among the living and you have to love him for that. Wonderful series and a wonderful addition to it. Highly recommended.
_________
Past Sins
Matt (MV) Stott and his partner-in-crime David Bussell are in my “automatic-download-this-will-be-fun” list as the now large number of novels in their shared Uncanny Kingdom urban fantasy universe have been universally superb (as has anything else of either of them that I’ve been able to get my grubby hands on. That’s certainly been the case with MV Stott’s The Dark Lakes Series, and it’s third book, Past Sins, is a perfect illustration of why.
Superbly written, Past Sins is the continuing tale of its main character Joseph the janitor, who at the series start woke up next to a lake with his past scrubbed from his memory. In each of these books he has gained uncanny (magical) powers and pieces of memory. Now it’s finally time for him to discover the whole truth of his mysterious past - and pay the dark price for doing so.
I’m not going to say anything more about the fantastic plot of this book as I don’t want to give it away, but I can guarantee that fans who have been following along from book 1 will absolutely adore this book. As for newcomers, while you can read this standalone, you really do need to start from book 1, the excellent Magic Eater, in order to get the full impact of the series and this book. Trust me you’ll soon join the ranks of the rest of us Uncanny Kingdom addicts.
Highly recommended.
_________
Deadly Portent
Another day for Stella and her partner David, murder by mummification to solve and, oh yeah, by the way, the Knot Man has advised that - thanks to Stella's prior use of black magic - David "has changed" so that he's now effectively a "walking apocalypse" (oops), a ticking time bomb that could destroy London if he blows. Don't worry dear reader, this is Stella Familiar we are talking about, the epitome of kick-a** heroines (and by golly, I do so love a great kick-a** heroine) so you k is she'll figure things out.
Why yes, indeedy, there will be a (quite fulfilling) HEA here but the trick is how we get there. MV Stott has (lucky for us) chosen the path of great adventure filled with strongly built characters and wonderful (occasionally snarky) characters. Thank goodness for that, as this book is simply wonderful fun.
I loved everything about Deadly Portent, enough that I'm going to have to cave and give it 5 stars (which I tend to avoid doing). I'm only hoping that the very last line is more than a bit of poetry but is rather a subtle teaser as I want more Stella (yes, I know and am happy that she appears in other Uncanny Kingdom urban fantasies - I just want her in the starring role).
Oh, as you might've guessed, I highly recommend this book (but even though it is totally stand alone, read the other two books first - they're well worth it individually and as setting things up for what will come in this book 3).
_________
Twice Damned
Let me start by noting that I've loved the prior two books in David Bussell's Ghosted series and think that the story universe he and his partner in crime have created to share for their loosely linked Uncanny Universe stories (which also includes Stott's wonderful Dark Lakes and London Coven series, is the ideal platform for urban fantasy tales.
As for Twice Damned, David Bussell has once again hit a home run. I'm not going to summarize the well done and wonderfully written plot, as the kindle blurb and others do so well (and I don't want to accidentally spoil anything) but I will say that this book (and series) easily exceeds what I call my Dresden Test, i.e. is it as good or better than Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files stories? There are some other authors who pass this test (Simon R.Green’s Nightside tales come to mind) but it's hard to think of others who excel like the Uncanny Universe duo do so consistently, and Twice Damned is perfect evidence of that. Jake, the lead here, is the perfect urban fantasy noire detective, and I love his empathetic, snarky, naive, brilliant and overly trusting soul. While a ghost, he's more "human" than many among the living and you have to love him for that. Wonderful series and a wonderful addition to it. Highly recommended.
_________
Past Sins
Matt (MV) Stott and his partner-in-crime David Bussell are in my “automatic-download-this-will-be-fun” list as the now large number of novels in their shared Uncanny Kingdom urban fantasy universe have been universally superb (as has anything else of either of them that I’ve been able to get my grubby hands on. That’s certainly been the case with MV Stott’s The Dark Lakes Series, and it’s third book, Past Sins, is a perfect illustration of why.
Superbly written, Past Sins is the continuing tale of its main character Joseph the janitor, who at the series start woke up next to a lake with his past scrubbed from his memory. In each of these books he has gained uncanny (magical) powers and pieces of memory. Now it’s finally time for him to discover the whole truth of his mysterious past - and pay the dark price for doing so.
I’m not going to say anything more about the fantastic plot of this book as I don’t want to give it away, but I can guarantee that fans who have been following along from book 1 will absolutely adore this book. As for newcomers, while you can read this standalone, you really do need to start from book 1, the excellent Magic Eater, in order to get the full impact of the series and this book. Trust me you’ll soon join the ranks of the rest of us Uncanny Kingdom addicts.
Highly recommended.
November 16, 2017
This third volume of Uncanny Kingdom books is brilliant. If you haven't read the first and second books in each series (London Coven, Ghosted and Dark Lakes), you are really missing out. All the books are sweary, spooky, sarky and laugh out loud funny. The authors have created characters that jump off the page and the stories are well written and intriguing. I love them all and am hoping for plenty books more from David and Matthew.
Deadly Portent (London Coven series Book 3)
I loved this book about a witch's familiar (hence her surname). Stella has more problems on her plate this time and David has his own troubles, although he doesn't really know it. Stella has help (or hindrance) from another familiar and she adds a new dimension to Stella's world. The characters are well defined and distinctive and it's very easy to imagine them. The story moves along at a pace and involves various supernatural races. It is intriguing and exciting.
This is the companion series to the Ghosted series which I have also read and loved.
Twice Damned (Ghosted series Book 3)
Jake isn't having the best of times again. He really is going to Hell this time but hopefully just for a quick visit, in and out before anyone catches him. As always, nothing ever goes to plan. He is far too trusting in all his dealings with his clients and this could be the worst mistake he has made yet. You just have to love him, though, and hope that it all turns out well for him in the end.
This book certainly plays with the emotions and I loved every page. Even Jazz Hands gets almost emotional at one point, though she maintains it's nothing to do with Jake. I felt wrung out by the time I finished it.
Ghosted is a marvellous series and Jake is an unusual protagonist. He is smart-mouthed, empathetic, naive and trusting and still very human, despite being a ghost. The other two series in the Uncanny Kingdom realm, London Coven and Dark Lakes, also have unusual protagonists and worth reading too. All the books are standalones but some characters overlap and they are all as enjoyable as each other. I recommend you read them all because (a) they will make more sense and (b) they are too good not to!
Past Sins (Dark Lakes series Book 3)
This is a real exposition episode of Dark Lakes. We learn so much more about Joseph and Janto and their past and what a page-turner it is. Detective Myers isn't quite feeling herself, Martins is just as mean and suspicious, Joe is thinking about romance and Eva is, well, just more Eva than ever. And, of course, the Fox does his usual appearing and disappearing act, bless his cotton socks (and his salt and vinegar crisps!).
Joe is really put to the test by his "other half" in a battle of wills the like of which has never been seen before but you'll just have to read the book as I'm not into spoilers. And read all the other Uncanny Kingdom books first because not only are they are fabulous but they also overlap a bit (though they can be read as standalones). I didn't see the ending coming at all and I'm holding my breath until the next instalment so I hope it won't be long.
I received ARCs of all three books but this review is my own opinion and is not influenced by the authors.
Deadly Portent (London Coven series Book 3)
I loved this book about a witch's familiar (hence her surname). Stella has more problems on her plate this time and David has his own troubles, although he doesn't really know it. Stella has help (or hindrance) from another familiar and she adds a new dimension to Stella's world. The characters are well defined and distinctive and it's very easy to imagine them. The story moves along at a pace and involves various supernatural races. It is intriguing and exciting.
This is the companion series to the Ghosted series which I have also read and loved.
Twice Damned (Ghosted series Book 3)
Jake isn't having the best of times again. He really is going to Hell this time but hopefully just for a quick visit, in and out before anyone catches him. As always, nothing ever goes to plan. He is far too trusting in all his dealings with his clients and this could be the worst mistake he has made yet. You just have to love him, though, and hope that it all turns out well for him in the end.
This book certainly plays with the emotions and I loved every page. Even Jazz Hands gets almost emotional at one point, though she maintains it's nothing to do with Jake. I felt wrung out by the time I finished it.
Ghosted is a marvellous series and Jake is an unusual protagonist. He is smart-mouthed, empathetic, naive and trusting and still very human, despite being a ghost. The other two series in the Uncanny Kingdom realm, London Coven and Dark Lakes, also have unusual protagonists and worth reading too. All the books are standalones but some characters overlap and they are all as enjoyable as each other. I recommend you read them all because (a) they will make more sense and (b) they are too good not to!
Past Sins (Dark Lakes series Book 3)
This is a real exposition episode of Dark Lakes. We learn so much more about Joseph and Janto and their past and what a page-turner it is. Detective Myers isn't quite feeling herself, Martins is just as mean and suspicious, Joe is thinking about romance and Eva is, well, just more Eva than ever. And, of course, the Fox does his usual appearing and disappearing act, bless his cotton socks (and his salt and vinegar crisps!).
Joe is really put to the test by his "other half" in a battle of wills the like of which has never been seen before but you'll just have to read the book as I'm not into spoilers. And read all the other Uncanny Kingdom books first because not only are they are fabulous but they also overlap a bit (though they can be read as standalones). I didn't see the ending coming at all and I'm holding my breath until the next instalment so I hope it won't be long.
I received ARCs of all three books but this review is my own opinion and is not influenced by the authors.
June 8, 2020
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Same great characters in three new adventures. What's not to love? Action packed demon filled hyjinx. You will lose sleep getting that one more chapter in.
Same great characters in three new adventures. What's not to love? Action packed demon filled hyjinx. You will lose sleep getting that one more chapter in.
July 7, 2022
great collection
I really enjoy the books based in the Uncanny Kingdom. Great characters and storylines make for really enjoyable reading. Recommended
I really enjoy the books based in the Uncanny Kingdom. Great characters and storylines make for really enjoyable reading. Recommended
Read
August 5, 2019This is an introduction to Stella Familiar (the London Coven's surviving member, the witches familiar), Jake Fletcher (the spectral detective) and Joe Lakes (an amnesiac witch). I loved all the characters; this is a great introduction to the Uncanny Kingdom. I continued each of the series, and thoroughly enjoyed all the stories. I'm hoping for more.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews