Phil Parker hasn't stopped writing since his parents bought him a typewriter as a teenager. That is a long time ago, (think fossils). He's written books for Drama teachers (he used to be one) and journalistic articles on education.

Now, as an #indieauthor, he writes fantasy novels where British folklore, inter-dimensional portals and broken characters in search of redemption play a big part. His other passion is pizza - it's why he wants to be reborn as an Italian.

The Inside Story of the British Bureau for the Arcane by Phil Parker

The British Bureau for the Arcane has kept people safe for centuries from the arcane species that seek to harm human beings. Their range extends to Commonwealth nations that were part of the British Empire. A once-proud part of the British Secret Service, their success in controlling the arcane races has been their downfall. These beings now live on the edge of survival in remote parts of Britain. Or, at least they did.

For Arlo Austin, a loyal but troubled agent for the Bureau, something is wrong. When he's sent to protect the citizens of the Shetland Isles from rampaging Norwegian trolls, it soon becomes apparent it was an attempt on his life. When another agent dies in mysterious circumstances, and Arlo is warned of an impending war with arcane species, his instincts are proved right.

But who is behind this rebellion? Could it be linked to Arlo's own bloodline as a Dark Elf? His traumatic childhood holds secrets, ones that are going to test his loyalty to the Bureau. In their cells, another Dark Elf is held prisoner, one who is so despised by its staff, their hatred has extended to Arlo. This species is violent and vengeful, can they recruit one of their own to bring about the destruction of the Bureau? And in so doing, enable the arcane races to wage war against the human race.

CURATOR'S NOTE

The Dark Elf Dynasty introduces us to the world of the British Bureau of the Arcane - and a fabulous world it is. Here we have a wing of the British government whose job - supposedly - is to protect the "arcane races", the frequently marginalized and hidden races that linger in the British Isles, and elsewhere in the world. The story follows a couple of protagonists: the grumpy and ferocious Arlo Austin, and a younger Bureau member from New Zealand, Tayn. Both have secrets. Arlo, especially, shoulders terrible burdens, but I warmed to him very much. He's rarely polite, but he always does the right thing.

I loved the world-building in this book. I very much enjoyed the way Parker weaves in real-world historical events, e.g. the rise of fascism and World War II, explaining to us in passing what really happened, and how arcane races and the Bureau were involved in events that we might have thought we understood. Mythology, too, is skilfully woven in. Parker clearly knows what's he's talking about when it comes to magical races and entities.

More than anything, though, this is a fast-paced thriller of a book, one where all is not as it initially seems. Read it and get pulled in for the wild ride! – Simon Kewin

 

REVIEWS

  • "The Inside Story of the British Bureau for the Arcane is a fascinating and riveting blend of Fantasy and Spy Thriller. If I could describe it in one sentence it'd be: the Fantasy version of Men in Black.I really enjoyed this book. The story was exciting and unpredictable. Right up to the end, I had no idea what it was building to and I thoroughly loved it. Fantastic world building and excellent, engaging characters. Phil Parker has knocked it out of the park again!"

    – Damien Larkin, award winning author

  • "Finding a fantasy series which blends modern society, historical events and fantasy elements is difficult, but you will find it well done here. Pacing, character development and world building were all done well in this book. You get the sense that this world always existed as described, and I had a hard time setting the book down. I can't wait for the next one."

    – Reader review
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

From across the street someone called his name. Into a pool of light, beneath a streetlamp, a shadowy figure appeared. Arlo groaned quietly. He could have kept going but, with the troll attack in mind, this was no coincidence; he'd learned to listen to his instincts and this was one of those times. He crossed the street and kept his wits about him.

'Hello, Arlo.'

The streetlight shone on the handsome contours of the man's face; the distinctive Welsh accent confirmed his identity. Arlo had decided some time ago looks like his couldn't be natural. They had to be a glamour – no moisturiser sustained such a perfect complexion. The same was true for the mane of white hair tumbling onto broad shoulders. If he'd been human, he'd have made a fortune advertising shampoo. Of course, the long hair served another purpose, hiding the pointed ears that betrayed his fae bloodline.

'Hello, Wyn.'

Lacking any further reply, the young man smiled and nodded his head. The game was afoot.

'Things must be serious if they're ordering you into work at this hour. Hardly time to recover from your trip to the Shetland Isles.'

Arlo's eye twitched. His mission had been graded top secret. Of course, Wyn had mentioned it as a precursor to whatever purpose brought him out now. Those full lips formed into a perfect cupid's bow of complacency; Arlo's miniscule reaction had given him away.

'What do you want, Wyn?'

The question was too direct.

Wyn shrugged and broadened his smile. 'Nothing, my dear friend. I'm passing the time of day, nothing more.' He pantomimed looking around him. 'Perhaps I should have said, passing the time of night.'

Tired, wrenched from a hot bath that hadn't rejuvenated him sufficiently, irked by the other man's knowledge, Arlo ground his jaw and considered crossing back over the street. Except Wyn was up to something and if he was playing messenger, the timing had to be a lot more than coincidence.

'I'm going to ask one more time, Wyn. Then I'll get angry.'

Wyn feigned horror. 'You've spent too much time among trolls, Arlo.'

He grabbed the young man by the lapels of a jacket that had to have cost more than he earned in a year, triggering the annoying smile again. Releasing the jacket, which didn't look even slightly creased, he turned to leave and hoped the bluff worked.

'When you meet your boss, you're going to hear about certain events. I'd like you to remain open-minded, not take everything at face value, even though they'll present a convincing case, Arlo.'

Sentiments that didn't match the man in front of him, whose expression now looked surprisingly earnest.

'Just as it must have been for you to rush off, courtesy of the RAF, to perform executions.'

'They weren't executions.'

Wyn's face, normally so playful and upbeat, turned sad. He wasn't spoiling for a fight. 'I assume they didn't put up much of a fight? Too close to starvation, probably. Am I right?'

Wyn knew way too much. That was troubling. Staying tight-lipped was all Arlo could do.

'But you went anyway. Because you're loyal. You follow orders, like a good soldier. I'm sure you must have questioned why they only sent you to dispose of an invading horde of trolls. Aren't solo missions against Bureau policy?'

Silence added to the sadness in the other man's smile. 'You're a good man, Arlo. We've been friends long enough for me to make this approach. I need you to listen to me.'

'I'm not listening to your fae lies, Wyn. Whatever trouble you're trying to start, I'm not going to be your scapegoat. Go back to Oberon and tell him, I'm wise to his efforts to provoke a war with the fae. I'm sure that's what all this is about.'

Pale blue eyes surveyed him with an arctic chill that not only betrayed his hybrid DNA but mirrored his father's anger; Arlo had been on the wrong side of that too many times.

The young man heaved a sigh and relaxed his jaw. 'I considered you a friend who might intervene.' He shook his head with a dismissive snort. 'But to you, I'm the illegitimate princeling of the Winter Court. Well, recent events have changed all that. I hoped I could help you to see things differently.'

He turned, paused, glanced over his shoulder. 'I won't bother you again, Arlo. I doubt I will get the chance. All I will say is this,' ice-blue eyes found Arlo's. 'There's a war coming and you'll need to be prepared.'

The young man strode into the night, leaving Arlo to stare after him. He had the distinct impression he'd missed a significant opportunity.