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The Inside Story of the British Bureau for the Arcane: the Dark Elf Dynasty File
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.
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.
162 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2024
22 people want to read
About the author
Phil Parker
10 books31 followersPhil Parker herds words around the page. Sometimes they cooperate. Usually they don't.
He loves reading speculative fiction of all kinds, blogs and reviews at https://www.philparker-fantasywriter.com
Author of:
* The Chronicles of the Bastard, Robin Goodfellow (a prequel anthology leading into the Knight's Protocol trilogy)
* The Bastard from Fairyland
* The Bastard in the Dark
* Revenge for the Bastard
which form the Knights' Protocol trilogy - re-issued 2021
* The Valkyrie of Vanaheim (2022)
* City of Onyx (2023)
* The Inside Story of the British Bureau for the Arcane - The Dark Elf Dynasty File (2024)
He loves reading speculative fiction of all kinds, blogs and reviews at https://www.philparker-fantasywriter.com
Author of:
* The Chronicles of the Bastard, Robin Goodfellow (a prequel anthology leading into the Knight's Protocol trilogy)
* The Bastard from Fairyland
* The Bastard in the Dark
* Revenge for the Bastard
which form the Knights' Protocol trilogy - re-issued 2021
* The Valkyrie of Vanaheim (2022)
* City of Onyx (2023)
* The Inside Story of the British Bureau for the Arcane - The Dark Elf Dynasty File (2024)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 4, 2025
The Inside Story of the British Bureau for the Arcane: The Dark Elf Dynasty File by Phil Parker surprised me, in a good way. From the title and cover, I expected something along the lines of a light, witty urban fantasy, maybe noir with a wink. What I actually got was something much darker and more serious, with grim undercurrents and a solid dose of grit.
The story opens with a particularly grim and bloody scene set during World War II. It felt a bit gratuitous for my taste, but it does serve to establish the harsh world and shape the main character, Arlo, who later emerges as the classic "strong and silent" type, traumatized, capable, and carrying a heavy past. I do wish it didn’t take a rape scene just to set up a male character, but at least the narrative moves past it quickly.
If you are going in expecting lighthearted banter and magical hijinks, be aware that this is very much on the darker side. That said, I enjoy both ends of the spectrum, from cosy to grimdark, so I was more than happy to go along for the ride.
One thing I really appreciated was the absence of the "male gaze" that so often creeps into noir-style stories. There is no unnecessary lingering on women’s bodies or awkward innuendo. There are only a few female characters, but they are treated with respect.
At under 200 pages, this is a tight and punchy read. The pace is quick, with enough action to keep things moving, and just the right touch of dry banter to offset the darker moments. It never overstays its welcome, and that made it incredibly engaging.
The worldbuilding is solid and well thought out. The story incorporates different races, magic, political scheming, prejudice, and power plays. I particularly liked the contrast between the familiar British setting and the brief but meaningful detour to New Zealand. It gave the book a sense of wider scope without dragging the pace down. The inner workings of the British Bureau for the Arcane felt suitably shady and complex, full of secrets and slow-burning conspiracies that kept me intrigued.
Arlo himself is not your usual charming rogue. He is blunt, gruff, and very much not trying to win anyone over, but he is competent, morally grounded, and fiercely principled. I respected him all the more for how he stands firm in a system stacked against him, facing down both overt racism and institutional mistrust. He does not grovel, he does not flatter, and he does not back down from those in power. That quiet defiance made him a compelling lead.
The side characters could be a bit more fleshed out, but the main characters, Arlo foremost, more than made up for it, so I did not mind.
Overall, this was a fast, dark, and surprisingly thoughtful read. It is a gritty urban fantasy with weight behind it, and one I did not expect to like as much as I did. If you are up for a darker take on magical agencies and do not mind some grim themes, this is well worth picking up.
Content warnings: torture, racism, witnessed (not graphically described) rape. These are not lingered on, but they are present and worth noting.
The story opens with a particularly grim and bloody scene set during World War II. It felt a bit gratuitous for my taste, but it does serve to establish the harsh world and shape the main character, Arlo, who later emerges as the classic "strong and silent" type, traumatized, capable, and carrying a heavy past. I do wish it didn’t take a rape scene just to set up a male character, but at least the narrative moves past it quickly.
If you are going in expecting lighthearted banter and magical hijinks, be aware that this is very much on the darker side. That said, I enjoy both ends of the spectrum, from cosy to grimdark, so I was more than happy to go along for the ride.
One thing I really appreciated was the absence of the "male gaze" that so often creeps into noir-style stories. There is no unnecessary lingering on women’s bodies or awkward innuendo. There are only a few female characters, but they are treated with respect.
At under 200 pages, this is a tight and punchy read. The pace is quick, with enough action to keep things moving, and just the right touch of dry banter to offset the darker moments. It never overstays its welcome, and that made it incredibly engaging.
The worldbuilding is solid and well thought out. The story incorporates different races, magic, political scheming, prejudice, and power plays. I particularly liked the contrast between the familiar British setting and the brief but meaningful detour to New Zealand. It gave the book a sense of wider scope without dragging the pace down. The inner workings of the British Bureau for the Arcane felt suitably shady and complex, full of secrets and slow-burning conspiracies that kept me intrigued.
Arlo himself is not your usual charming rogue. He is blunt, gruff, and very much not trying to win anyone over, but he is competent, morally grounded, and fiercely principled. I respected him all the more for how he stands firm in a system stacked against him, facing down both overt racism and institutional mistrust. He does not grovel, he does not flatter, and he does not back down from those in power. That quiet defiance made him a compelling lead.
The side characters could be a bit more fleshed out, but the main characters, Arlo foremost, more than made up for it, so I did not mind.
Overall, this was a fast, dark, and surprisingly thoughtful read. It is a gritty urban fantasy with weight behind it, and one I did not expect to like as much as I did. If you are up for a darker take on magical agencies and do not mind some grim themes, this is well worth picking up.
Content warnings: torture, racism, witnessed (not graphically described) rape. These are not lingered on, but they are present and worth noting.
November 20, 2024
“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?
My ratings:
5* = this book changed my life
4* = very good
3* = good
2* = I should have DNFed
1* = actively hostile towards the reader*
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?
My ratings:
5* = this book changed my life
4* = very good
3* = good
2* = I should have DNFed
1* = actively hostile towards the reader*
October 10, 2024
A great start to new series of urban fantasy based in the uk. Really well thought out plots darker in style and mood.
Well rounded main characters, side characters are a bit vague but I am sure we will learn more about them in the future.
Nicely setup for book 2.
Well rounded main characters, side characters are a bit vague but I am sure we will learn more about them in the future.
Nicely setup for book 2.
August 12, 2025
This book, I think, wins the award for the longest title of any book I’ve read. And that cover just draws you in with a promise of a tale of the seedier side of the arcane. I have to admit, other than that, I didn’t know what to expect, coming in blind. What I got was a dark tale, where the central character, Arlo, is revealed to us piece by piece throughout the book. Much of this is grim, a background of persecution and deception that has left him holding on to the memory and beliefs of his father and thus a key role in the Bureau. For Arlo is of dark elf origin, and therefore reviled and hated by most arcane races, but also the humans he works for. This is central to the character as well as the plot ‒ that not-quite fitting in, and the racism he is subjected to on all sides for trying. Parker draws you in slowly, and though Arlo is a simple soul filled with anger, he continues to battle the forces both within and without the Bureau that threaten to pull it down. I’m a sucker for the honourable veteran, especially those that have a grudge against the world, and this dark elf sure does take it out on those who get in his way!
The author has added a warning to the book. There are some very dark moments and violence, which perhaps the cover doesn’t convey, but these are moments and not persistent throughout the book. The plot focuses on internal divisions, the realisation that there is something rotten at the heart of the Bureau, and that there may be a war brewing with the remnants of the arcane races. This leads to a fraught investigation, murder, set-ups and double-crosses that keep the story moving along at pace while laced with flashbacks of Arlo’s past that never quite seem to fit together (and that’s all I’m saying). Amidst this, the reader doesn’t get much chance for a breath, and there are the odd plot elements that perhaps are not foreshadowed enough, so feel like a leap rather than an ‘aha’ moment. However, I read this book in a day and a half because I just wanted to know.
Is it for you? If you are in the mood for a modern-day, arcane-drenched tale with a dark British folklore flavour, then yes.
The author has added a warning to the book. There are some very dark moments and violence, which perhaps the cover doesn’t convey, but these are moments and not persistent throughout the book. The plot focuses on internal divisions, the realisation that there is something rotten at the heart of the Bureau, and that there may be a war brewing with the remnants of the arcane races. This leads to a fraught investigation, murder, set-ups and double-crosses that keep the story moving along at pace while laced with flashbacks of Arlo’s past that never quite seem to fit together (and that’s all I’m saying). Amidst this, the reader doesn’t get much chance for a breath, and there are the odd plot elements that perhaps are not foreshadowed enough, so feel like a leap rather than an ‘aha’ moment. However, I read this book in a day and a half because I just wanted to know.
Is it for you? If you are in the mood for a modern-day, arcane-drenched tale with a dark British folklore flavour, then yes.
September 28, 2024
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.
Arlo, a grizzled veteran of the Bureau, nearly dies on what should have been an easy mission. After another Bureau member is murdered in horrific fashion, he begins to suspect there's a plot within the Bureau to bring down the institution. Rumours also start flowing that the arcane races are aligning with a mysterious leader in preparation for bringing down humanity. Against all odds, Arlo must make a terrible choice. Does he stand with the humans who despise him? Or should he give into his darker nature and deface the legacy of the man who raised him?
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 with this exciting Fantasy read!
Arlo, a grizzled veteran of the Bureau, nearly dies on what should have been an easy mission. After another Bureau member is murdered in horrific fashion, he begins to suspect there's a plot within the Bureau to bring down the institution. Rumours also start flowing that the arcane races are aligning with a mysterious leader in preparation for bringing down humanity. Against all odds, Arlo must make a terrible choice. Does he stand with the humans who despise him? Or should he give into his darker nature and deface the legacy of the man who raised him?
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 with this exciting Fantasy read!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews