Rust: Harvest of the Hidden

by Scott Taylor

Harvest of the Hidden

A hilarious, fast-paced fantasy adventure set in the far north of the Scottish Highlands.

When Angus Stewart returns to his sleepy hometown of Thurso, he expects nothing more than a quick and quiet farewell to his late Uncle Huey. But his uncle’s mysterious past with RUST — a covert government organization that oversees and protects all human-fae interactions — soon thrusts Angus into a whirlwind of magic, danger, and unexpectedly fast-moving toilet cubicles.

Now, guided by a hulking man in rainbow-coloured trousers, a psychotic (and telepathic) cat, and a tall, horror-movie ghoul who just wants to be your best friend and perhaps share with you his chocolate biscuits, Angus is forced to uncover his own hidden powers whilst helping to stop a rival group from exploiting fae magic for their sinister ends. With time running out, Angus may be the only thing standing between Scotland’s hidden fae and their inevitable extinction.

A fresh take on urban fantasy, Harvest of the Hidden combines Scottish folklore, unforgettable characters, and laugh-out-loud humour for an adventure like no other.

Perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, and Billy Connolly. Dive into a world where the line between reality and fantasy blurs, and the only thing more dangerous than fae magic… Is human ambition.

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2025

Reviews

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely loved reading this book. It is one I can see myself returning to read again and again. I have such high hopes that the door is open for a sequel. A very clever and fresh take on the Scottish folklore that I have grown up with. Despite being folklore and fiction, vegetarian me has a new outlook on some of our traditions and I may be paying closer attention when Im next in the Highlands...just in case 😋

For me, the writing style is spot on. It's real and true and in a way that I can clearly play out in my imagination when I read it and perfect humour placement on almost every page! More please!

[Bill Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book, one wouldn't believe that this is Scott's first foray into fiction. It is a fantastic mix of humour, action, and suspense, and maybe delving into his own experiences growing up in the North of Scotland too. He seamlessly combines Faerie creatures from Old Norse, The Highlands, and America and sprinkles a few new 'wee beasties' of his own. I was captivated by the storyline and sub-plots alike; keeping me up way past my bedtime! I hope he carries on with the tales of RUST. Maybe he can take over from Terry Pratchett? A definite must read.

[Alex Gauntt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this book going to win a Pulitzer or change your outlook on life? No.

But it does what it says on the tin, an irreverent, amusing, modern fantasy romp, painting modern Scotland through the author’s authentic lense with a healthy bit of original fantasy story thrown in. Enjoyable to the end.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Taylor’s first full length novel is an entertaining romp featuring intrigue, mystery, sexy selkies and badly behaved pot plants. Very enjoyable, especially if you know the locations in the Far North of Scotland. (I always wondered what was up with those toliets at the back of the kirk..)

[Clare Louise Muirhead · Rating 2 out of 5]

Different from what I would normally go for. Just not for me.

[Nigel Code · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Makes you laugh at the most stupid things, most of all it was fun to read. Simply bonkers. I hope it will be followed up with something equally as ridiculous.