Joseph Lake doesn’t know who he is or where he comes from, but he’s beginning to learn that the answer might just be the death of him.Horror, humor, and fast-paced action collide in this thrilling urban fantasy series from the Uncanny Kingdom. My name is Joseph Lake and I’m a warlock. Yes, this came as something of a surprise to me, too. Up until a few days ago, the worst thing I’d had to deal … thing I’d had to deal with was mopping up vomit from the floor of the hospital I work at, but now it seems that monsters and demons exist, and I’m expected to mop those up too.
There’s just one problem: I can barely pull off a convincing card trick, let alone toss around magical lightning bolts, which would be fine if I didn’t have to contend with killer standing stones, a woman who sold her soul to the Devil, and the unexpected return of a dead sweetheart. I’m telling you, life was a whole lot easier back when I was an oblivious idiot.
Dark Lakes is a series from The Uncanny Kingdom Urban Fantasy Universe.
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Joseph Lake is a bit of an anti-hero, except he is a good guy now who doesn’t remember much about anything prior to the last 10 years other than he was apparently a total wank. He is surrounded by quite the interesting bunch of women who all seem more trouble than not. From foul mouthed Eva Familiar who can’t remember the last time she was sober, to a client who might actually trump him on the clueless side, to an ex-girlfriend who shouldn’t be there at all, to the Red Queen with plans all of her own. And yes, the talking roman armor clad fox is still making appearances. How all this relates to death of uncanny people and sentient stones is a story you just have to read for yourself.
This is a modern urban fantasy story that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Joseph’s narration of the tale is full of self-deprecating jokes, sarcasm and liberal use of litotes. The sardonic British humor manages to add levity to what based on the subject matter is a very dark story full of murder and demons. Most of the characters are not terribly likeable, but they are recognizable and come together to tell an enjoyable story. Recommended for adult audiences, no romance.
Book 2 of 3 in the Dark Lake series, this book picks up a few days after book 1 ended and contains serious SPOILERS for book 1. There are enough spoilers that this book can be read enjoyably as a standalone by readers who have not read The Magic Eater but I highly recommend reading them in order for best experience.
The narration by Dave Jones was expertly done, one of my favorite readings to date. He really brings the characters to life and captures Joseph Lake’s self deprecating humor beautifully.
Wickedly fun sequel!
Blood Stones is the second book of The Dark Lake Series and it continues the exciting, often dangerous and frequently hilarious story of Joseph Lake. Joe is an amnesiac and a somewhat bumbling yet lovable hospital janitor/handyman with a singular snarky wit and an endearing self-deprecating sense of humor who has discovered that he is, to his utter surprise, a witch (or warlock if you prefer a more manly moniker). Still reeling from a heart-breaking loss in the first book, he and his paranormal peacekeeping compadres, the magic-wielding Eva Familiar and the non-magical Detective Maya Myers, are presented with a new case involving the brutal slayings of several members of the Uncanny community. Joe is feeling stressed and overwhelmed when yet another issue presents itself that requires his attention and unique brand of clumsy heroism. Much to his detriment, Joe possesses the gallant heart of a knight and finds himself reluctantly, yet inexorably, drawn into a dire damsel in distress situation that places both his mortal body and his immortal soul in the direct path of imminent peril. If only he could figure out how to call his magic into use when needed, he and his car (the Uncanny Wagon) might have had a much less traumatic experience in this book. This story will hold your attention from start to finish with all the twists, turns, and unexpected Uncanny surprises along the way. I highly recommend this book as I have genuinely enjoyed every second spent exploring the Uncanny Kingdom with these wonderful and whimsical characters in this exceedingly imaginative, very original, and outrageously fun series.
Dark Lakes Book 2 picks up a few days after Magic Eater: An Uncanny Kingdom Urban Fantasy (The Dark Lakes Series Book 1). It would be better to start with Book 1 for all the background necessary for full appreciation of Joseph Lakes recent Uncanny adventures, and a better understanding where he’s coming from. He, Eva Familiar and Detective Maya Myers are working on a new case, and Joe seems to be the main suspect. Joseph starts getting reacquainted with his powers, and discovers he actually has three cases to solve. They involve multiple potentially lethal threats to his person and soul. How he solves them without more than the multitude of bruises, contusions, scrapes, scratches, bites and bumps he escapes with, is truly Uncanny. Another humorous romp through the Uncanny Kingdom: lots of funny dialog and situations, horrible magic-sucking monsters, life-threatening situations (eagles and rats and wolves, oh my!), and a really nice guy putting himself at risk to help others.
Another hilarious and exciting book in the Uncanny series! I love the way this guy writes! I definitely recommend this book!