The Dark Elf Dynasty File by Phil Parker

Bjørn reviews The Dark Elf Dynasty File, the first book in Phil Parker‘s Fantasy Noir series, The Inside Story of the British Bureau for the Arcane.

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.

“I worry about you trusting him too much, Tayn. He’s a well-meaning guy with some great qualities, but he’s also traumatised. […] I can’t help but worry what he might do next.”

The Inside Story of the British Bureau for the Arcane: The Dark Elf Dynasty File (I admit I copy-pasted this title) surprised me from the start. I looked at the cover and the title, and expected humorous fantasy. Perhaps that’s why the first 20% has taken me ten days or so, because I kept looking for the funny part, and it wasn’t there. Once I admitted to myself that this was probably not going to be humorous fantasy, I felt slightly betrayed by The Dark Elf Dynasty File. Then I picked it up again and…

…finished the same evening. This book is a grower and as I was heading towards its inevitable end I wished it would last longer while, at the same time, nodding in approval at the tight editing and great pacing. It also helped me discover a new genre: grimdark noir (I’m not sure whether Parker knows that it exists). My review was supposed to be less scattered, I normally take notes while reading, but I got so engrossed in the book that I forgot to take any notes. So, I’m just going to ramble for a bit.

The Dark Elf Dynasty File is refreshingly short at 216 pages. Yet it’s got everything. There are flashes of humour in the background (I want a Tum’s tomb vacuum, I have many uses for it!) There are battles, but not gore, although torture is presented in more detail than I’d like and somewhat gratuitous. There is Arlo Austin, the grizzled hero who… no, does not undertake his one last mission for the Bureau while being an alcoholic. Arlo and the general tone of the book, reminded me of HL Tinsley’s excellent The Vanguard Chronicles with added soap opera bits – I am so tempted to give spoilers here. And with a fun magic system. It’s messy and glorious, and I adored it. Things and people are not what they seem. The other protagonist surprised me in all sorts of ways. And the real antagonist didn’t even really show up until approx. the 80% mark, surprising me again.

I loved many things about this book, including the length – indie fantasy has been, um, growing, or rather thickening. The Dark Elf Dynasty File is just right. The part set in New Zealand made me all dreamy and want to immediately move to New Zealand. The British setting was more reminiscent of – also excellent – Jonathon Fairfax series by Christopher Shevlin. So, apparently the British officials are bureaucrats? *cackles in paperwork* So are the Dutch, but I couldn’t write anything vaguely interesting about them. Minister Fforde-Hayes – I couldn’t not adore the name, well done, Mr Parker – is the sort of individual who cares mostly about budgets and covering his uh… can I swear here? no? shit. His buttocks. He is right about one thing, though; the agency is deeply corrupt, and people who know too much keep dropping dead.

Parker has taken some of my favourite styles and mixed them in The Dark Elf Dynasty File (big props for putting a spoiler in the title and me being surprised when it arrived). Arlo feels somewhat autistic – whether on purpose or just because noir heroes tend not to live happy family lives. His past justifies his anger; he might be called ‘unlikeable’, but I rooted for him the whole time, and developed a bro-crush. I like my men dark, complicated, and good at killing, which probably explains why my love life used to be a series of trainwrecks. (Does not apply to Husby.)

The Dark Elf Dynasty File, like most good grimdark, looks at the world around us, especially its ugly sides. Parker examines the sort of racist hatred that survives between people who might look the same, but aren’t the same enough; dehumanising (literal and implied) the Other; betrayal and disdain towards someone who happens not to be born human, and therefore can be the best employee the Bureau has ever had, but will never be fully approved of – see Janny Wurts’ To Ride Hell’s Chasm for another excellent example.

Unfortunately, the book isn’t perfect. I checked with the author whether I was reading an uncorrected ARC – I wasn’t. I could have done with more commas (this is a pet peeve) and less torture that was both too graphic and the victim’s resilience felt unrealistic even for fantasy. While Arlo’s and Arthur’s characters are fully fleshed and the New Zealand part stunningly good, the others, including Tayn, feel somewhat disposable. Tayn’s development from a boy so shy he can barely put together a sentence through a reluctant, but excited detective to… see the ending… feels a bit surprising – The Dark Elf Dynasty File is simultaneously a character-based book (Arlo) and plot-based (what Arlo is up to). Also, when everyone has a mobile phone and guns, why does Arlo carry a sword, other than because swords are cool? The villains tend to be little but villains. It doesn’t matter much, because Arlo Austin is an amazingly written character and the worldbuilding is truly epic. Also, sometimes it’s nice when the baddies are just baddies.

Overall, I have very, very much enjoyed The Dark Elf Dynasty File and I would recommend it to anyone who likes grimdark and noir with some humour (a Tayn comes into a bar…), but not so much bureaucrats. The foreshadowing for book two is delicious. The Dark Elf Dynasty File doesn’t overstay its welcome, doesn’t have a soggy middle, and after the first 20% the flashbacks I initially didn’t like become both interesting and important. In case Phil Parker is reading this, can I join your ARC team when book two is ready?