Synopsis – Alek Fitz is a reaper, a collection agent who works for the supernatural elements of the world, tracking down debtors and solving problems for clients as diverse as the Lords of Hell, vampires, Haitian loa, and goblins. He’s even worked for the Tooth Fairy on occasion. Based out of Cleveland, Ohio, Alek is the best in the game. As a literal slave to his job, he doesn’t have a choice. 

When Death comes looking for someone to track down a thief, Alek is flung into a mess of vengeful undead, supernatural bureaucracy, and a fledgling imp war. As the consequences of failure become dire, he has few leads, and the clock is ticking. Only with the help of his friend Maggie—an ancient djinn with a complex past—can he hope to recover the stolen property, save the world, and just maybe wring a favor out of the Great Constant himself. 

It’s a hell of a job, but somebody’s got to do it . . .

Over the last few months I had heard news through the grapevine that Brian McClellan was working on an urban fantasy, upon hearing this I was instantly interested in reading it. Over the years I have had a funny relationship with urban fantasy books as I love the thought of the genre but find it difficult to find a book / series in the genre that truly grips me, so when I heard Brian McClellan was writing one I knew it was something I would love because I previously read some of his Powder Mage books and loved them.

One aspect that seriously impressed me is that Brian McClellan is very much well known for his epic fantasy Powder Mage books, yet here he is writing an urban fantasy that manages to cram all the aspects of a great book into a novella. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for Brian McClellan to have gone from writing bigger books to something of this size without sacrificing what makes his style of writing and story telling so great.

Uncanny Collateral is one of those reads that will keep you wanting to come back for more, it starts on such a strong footing and only ever slows down to tell you information that will become important later on and possibly in subsequent books. Due to this factor I highly suggest you set aside some time and read this in one sitting as not only will you not want to put it down but it is such as exhilarating, fun and gripping read that you will not see the time pass until you read that final page.

There was not a single aspect of this book that I didn’t like as it had great action scenes, an interesting story and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the final reveal.

I find it hard to review books of this size as I find it difficult to discuss anything without giving anything away so all I will say is that….

If I had to describe Uncanny Collateral I would say it is a “Detective gang mystery with demi humans, multiple races, death and magic. Whether that peaks your interest, your a fan of urban fabtasy or already a fan of Brian McClellans work then I would highly recommend you read Uncanny Collateral, it is gripping wild ride of action and mystery that is a must read. Also if you like this book  and haven’t already read Brian McClellans other work then I would also highly suggest you do so.