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The Terminus Of All Things: A mind-bending urban portal fantasy adventure
First his heart broke. Then reality did.
Imagine a place where nothing truly dies, where the discarded remnants of human progress find a new existence. This is Endland: a vibrant, chaotic realm built from the cast-offs of our world, a dizzying collision of forgotten fashion, outdated technology, and lost ideologies.
When Jack Gardener stumbles into Endland, reeling from being dumped in a London railway station, he learns that this world, and the one he has left behind, are teetering on the edge of chaos.
With the help of Piper, a seasoned traveller between realities, Jack must risk everything to stop a plot that could either save or destroy not just Endland, but also his home, and the final resting place for all human existence, at the terminus of all things.
Perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, China Miéville, Terry Pratchett, Robert Rankin and Jasper Fforde. The Terminus Of All Things will have you revelling in nostalgia, questioning what sparks human creativity, and asking yourself whether the end is truly the end, or just a new beginning.
Imagine a place where nothing truly dies, where the discarded remnants of human progress find a new existence. This is Endland: a vibrant, chaotic realm built from the cast-offs of our world, a dizzying collision of forgotten fashion, outdated technology, and lost ideologies.
When Jack Gardener stumbles into Endland, reeling from being dumped in a London railway station, he learns that this world, and the one he has left behind, are teetering on the edge of chaos.
With the help of Piper, a seasoned traveller between realities, Jack must risk everything to stop a plot that could either save or destroy not just Endland, but also his home, and the final resting place for all human existence, at the terminus of all things.
Perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, China Miéville, Terry Pratchett, Robert Rankin and Jasper Fforde. The Terminus Of All Things will have you revelling in nostalgia, questioning what sparks human creativity, and asking yourself whether the end is truly the end, or just a new beginning.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2025
9 people want to read
About the author
Jay Neill
1 book10 followersJay Neill is a British author of high-concept Urban Fantasy, specialising in the collision of the mundane and the magical. After 25 years in the corporate sector, he pivoted to writing fiction to build worlds hidden just beneath our reality.
His published novel, The Terminus Of All Things, is a standalone urban portal fantasy that explores the concept of Endland, a chaotic, mirror-dystopia built from the obsolete remnants of our own world.
Jay’s upcoming series is The LineFolk of London, a separate venture into British mythology where all UK mythological creatures are forced to live within the restricted boundaries of the London Underground's Circle Line, surviving only by harnessing a unique magical energy source: Linether.
Jay’s witty, structured approach to modern fantasy has seen him compared to authors like Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London) for his use of real-world infrastructure and Robert Rankin for his eccentric, inventive British comedy and urban mythologising.
His published novel, The Terminus Of All Things, is a standalone urban portal fantasy that explores the concept of Endland, a chaotic, mirror-dystopia built from the obsolete remnants of our own world.
Jay’s upcoming series is The LineFolk of London, a separate venture into British mythology where all UK mythological creatures are forced to live within the restricted boundaries of the London Underground's Circle Line, surviving only by harnessing a unique magical energy source: Linether.
Jay’s witty, structured approach to modern fantasy has seen him compared to authors like Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London) for his use of real-world infrastructure and Robert Rankin for his eccentric, inventive British comedy and urban mythologising.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 28, 2025
I loved this book which had twists and turns aplenty. I became a little confused early in the book in the early stages of Jack arriving in Endland. Once I grasped the concept, however, the place being called Endland made the sense it needed to.
The characters are well developed and it is very well written and edited.
I had this book as an ARC and really appreciated being one of the first to read this. I am looking forward to the next book.
The characters are well developed and it is very well written and edited.
I had this book as an ARC and really appreciated being one of the first to read this. I am looking forward to the next book.
October 6, 2025
A charming book with a very original idea. It doesn't matter that the philosophy can feel patchy in some places - the whereabouts of a memory stick and a manuscript had my mind churning with possibilities, and the geographical restriction to England left me scratching my head -, because that's entirely beside the point. The Terminus of All Things is, essentially, a humorous attempt at dealing with inexorable change.
September 10, 2025
This was a quiet surprise.
I wasn’t sure what I was getting into at first. It opens in a very ordinary way, and then slowly, things start to feel… off. Not in a bad way, just slightly tilted. The kind of story where the world feels familiar but wrong around the edges. I really liked that.
It’s not fast-paced. The writing gives things room to breathe. The setting is strange but grounded, it feels like something you could actually fall into if you took a wrong turn at the wrong time. And I liked how it didn’t over-explain the rules. You pick things up as you go, just like the main character does.
The relationship at the centre of it really crept up on me. It’s not big or dramatic, but it felt honest. By the time I reached the end, I cared more than I expected to. There’s a moment near the end that really got me.
There were a couple of parts in the middle that dragged slightly for me; a lot of political discussions and shifting allegiances I found a bit hard to track. But even then, the tone and the ideas kept me engaged.
It’s one of those books that leaves you with something. I kept thinking about it afterwards.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. I really enjoyed this: thoughtful, unusual, and quietly moving.
I wasn’t sure what I was getting into at first. It opens in a very ordinary way, and then slowly, things start to feel… off. Not in a bad way, just slightly tilted. The kind of story where the world feels familiar but wrong around the edges. I really liked that.
It’s not fast-paced. The writing gives things room to breathe. The setting is strange but grounded, it feels like something you could actually fall into if you took a wrong turn at the wrong time. And I liked how it didn’t over-explain the rules. You pick things up as you go, just like the main character does.
The relationship at the centre of it really crept up on me. It’s not big or dramatic, but it felt honest. By the time I reached the end, I cared more than I expected to. There’s a moment near the end that really got me.
There were a couple of parts in the middle that dragged slightly for me; a lot of political discussions and shifting allegiances I found a bit hard to track. But even then, the tone and the ideas kept me engaged.
It’s one of those books that leaves you with something. I kept thinking about it afterwards.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. I really enjoyed this: thoughtful, unusual, and quietly moving.
September 9, 2025
Thanks to the author, Jay Neill, for the privilege of reading this book before release through his ARC program.
Overall, I really enjoyed this! I was a little concerned, as someone who misses a lot of pop culture references, that the whole concept of a place where old brands and ideas go to die would go straight over my head, but there is a lot more to this story! The protagonists are well fleshed out and easy to root for. I was keen to keep reading to find out what happened next, and the latter parts of the story did not disappoint.
Looking forward to seeing what Jay has coming up next!
Overall, I really enjoyed this! I was a little concerned, as someone who misses a lot of pop culture references, that the whole concept of a place where old brands and ideas go to die would go straight over my head, but there is a lot more to this story! The protagonists are well fleshed out and easy to root for. I was keen to keep reading to find out what happened next, and the latter parts of the story did not disappoint.
Looking forward to seeing what Jay has coming up next!
November 7, 2025
In the Terminus of All Things by Jay Neill, Jack finds himself stumbling through a portal into Endland, an alternative reality where all the things that have gone out of fashion, or become obsolete in England end up – old tech like dial telephones, old shops like Woolworths and things that never got off the ground in England, like the Sinclair C5. And it’s not just things. It’s ideas and ways of thinking too, so there’s no racism in Endland and they don’t understand the concept of ‘innocent until proven guilty’.
Jay Neill has put so much thought into Endland – what you will and won’t find there, how it works and how society operates. On the whole, all this is shown in subtle ways, as and when it’s appropriate to the story, so you don’t feel things are being introduced just for the sake of it. As the story goes on, you learn that the relationship between Endland and England is a symbiotic one. So England needs Endland. And it is just England in our world that is connected with Endland. It’s made clear that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland aren’t, and nor is the rest of the world.
Although it’s a while since I’ve read any Jaspar FFord, I think that’s what Jay Neill’s writing and ideas reminded me of.
There’s a well thought out plot with plenty of twists and turns that carries you through the story and changes your perspective on Endland (and perhaps England) and includes some subtle social commentary along the way.
The narrative is shared between Jack – the Englander who stumbles into Endland – and Piper, a Endland ‘scout’ whose job it is to travel between the two. So you get a few chapters from Jack’s perspective and then it switches to Piper for a while, and so on. I did sometimes forget whose head I was in as I read, which perhaps hints at the fact that these two could have been made to sound and feel more different. Also, the first time we switch to Piper, it felt like there was perhaps a little too much retelling of the story from her point of view.
The name ‘Endland’ felt a bit cheesy as the name for the other world, but I think it had purpose. There was also a third reality which was referred to as the ‘third world’ which I felt was unfortunate because to me ‘third world’ is an outdated, somewhat derogatory term in our world for what people now more often refer to as the ‘developing world’, the ‘two-thirds world’, the ‘global south’, or other more politically correct names.
So I was thinking that The Terminus of All Things was a four star read for me, but by the time I got to the end, it was definitely much closer to a five. I enjoyed it, it was clever, it was entertaining and it was satisfying, and I would definitely consider reading more from Jay Neill.
Jay Neill has put so much thought into Endland – what you will and won’t find there, how it works and how society operates. On the whole, all this is shown in subtle ways, as and when it’s appropriate to the story, so you don’t feel things are being introduced just for the sake of it. As the story goes on, you learn that the relationship between Endland and England is a symbiotic one. So England needs Endland. And it is just England in our world that is connected with Endland. It’s made clear that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland aren’t, and nor is the rest of the world.
Although it’s a while since I’ve read any Jaspar FFord, I think that’s what Jay Neill’s writing and ideas reminded me of.
There’s a well thought out plot with plenty of twists and turns that carries you through the story and changes your perspective on Endland (and perhaps England) and includes some subtle social commentary along the way.
The narrative is shared between Jack – the Englander who stumbles into Endland – and Piper, a Endland ‘scout’ whose job it is to travel between the two. So you get a few chapters from Jack’s perspective and then it switches to Piper for a while, and so on. I did sometimes forget whose head I was in as I read, which perhaps hints at the fact that these two could have been made to sound and feel more different. Also, the first time we switch to Piper, it felt like there was perhaps a little too much retelling of the story from her point of view.
The name ‘Endland’ felt a bit cheesy as the name for the other world, but I think it had purpose. There was also a third reality which was referred to as the ‘third world’ which I felt was unfortunate because to me ‘third world’ is an outdated, somewhat derogatory term in our world for what people now more often refer to as the ‘developing world’, the ‘two-thirds world’, the ‘global south’, or other more politically correct names.
So I was thinking that The Terminus of All Things was a four star read for me, but by the time I got to the end, it was definitely much closer to a five. I enjoyed it, it was clever, it was entertaining and it was satisfying, and I would definitely consider reading more from Jay Neill.
September 14, 2025
The Terminus of All Things is an exciting fantasy adventure that had me intrigued from the very first page.
We meet Jack in the exact moment that his world implodes on him when his girlfriend of 5 years breaks up with him in a train station, just moments before they’re supposed to catch a train together to visit his mum for the weekend.
As she walks off, leaving him in the lurch, Jack decides to get the train on his own anyway. After a couple of drinks, he falls asleep, and when he wakes up, it’s the end of the line and he’s missed his stop.
Except when he gets off… everything is… a little bit different.
It turns out he’s unknowingly followed a specific series of events that led him to another world, an alternate reality of England called Endland, where all ideas, things and fashions from England go to live once they fall out of fashion in England.
The streets are an eclectic mix of fashion spanning hundreds of years, the sky is filled with blimps, and horse and carriages and penny farthings all coexist together in an easy peace.
Before he knows what’s happening, Jack finds himself caught up in a criminal plot to throw off the balance between the worlds. Teamed up with Piper, a scout who travels between the two worlds, Jack has to find a way to get out of trouble and find his way home.
A compelling and intriguing story of adventure, friendship and fantasy, the Terminus of all Things draws powerful reflections on our current existence, gives all the feelings of nostalgia (although it probably helps if you grew up in England as I had to stop to Google lots of the references!), and asks the question - what would you sacrifice to save the world you love?
We meet Jack in the exact moment that his world implodes on him when his girlfriend of 5 years breaks up with him in a train station, just moments before they’re supposed to catch a train together to visit his mum for the weekend.
As she walks off, leaving him in the lurch, Jack decides to get the train on his own anyway. After a couple of drinks, he falls asleep, and when he wakes up, it’s the end of the line and he’s missed his stop.
Except when he gets off… everything is… a little bit different.
It turns out he’s unknowingly followed a specific series of events that led him to another world, an alternate reality of England called Endland, where all ideas, things and fashions from England go to live once they fall out of fashion in England.
The streets are an eclectic mix of fashion spanning hundreds of years, the sky is filled with blimps, and horse and carriages and penny farthings all coexist together in an easy peace.
Before he knows what’s happening, Jack finds himself caught up in a criminal plot to throw off the balance between the worlds. Teamed up with Piper, a scout who travels between the two worlds, Jack has to find a way to get out of trouble and find his way home.
A compelling and intriguing story of adventure, friendship and fantasy, the Terminus of all Things draws powerful reflections on our current existence, gives all the feelings of nostalgia (although it probably helps if you grew up in England as I had to stop to Google lots of the references!), and asks the question - what would you sacrifice to save the world you love?
September 29, 2025
Usually when I read a book I take twenty four hours to digest it, take in the story and any plot twists and then write my review. I read this as an arc reader a number of weeks ago and I’m still thinking about it now! How a simple foot in a train door can alter your life, your reality and your understanding of the world, or should that be worlds? The characters a incredibly written, the world, Endland, is so detailed. Everything you can imagine that has gone out of fashion is there. The currency, the sizes, the shops from the high street that we know and loved, if you are of a certain age like me, the fashion, it never ends. Woolworths pick and mix, bovril, camp coffee……sheesh I miss that. It made me think of childhood sweets I missed, clothing items I wore. But the story, it has highs and lows, plot twists, heart racing moments and moments of sadness and humour. One thing that stuck with me more than anything was the missing people. Could this alternate reality really exist and that’s where they are? If you want a story that grips you from the beginning, where you are backing the main characters one hundred per cent then this five star read is for you. Jay Neill has written a work of art. A book that will have you thinking for a long time after reading it.
September 29, 2025
I had the unique opportunity to read early drafts of The Terminus of All Things and provide feedback to Jay Neill (who also happens to be my old boss!). Having read the first two-thirds twice in slightly different forms, I can say the final version published today is not only refined but also a genuinely enjoyable read.
From start to finish, the story pulled me in with its engaging pace and well-developed characters. The nostalgic references added a playful, distinctive layer that made the world feel both familiar and fresh. The fantasy elements were refreshing, offering a perspective that felt original while staying immersive and consistent.
What really impressed me was the balance: the book weaves together action, mystery, suspense, romance, and that ever-compelling clash of good versus evil ideologies. It delivers a little bit of everything without losing its focus.
Congratulations to Jay—this is an exciting debut, and I hope it’s only the beginning. I’d be very glad to see more books like this on the shelves!
From start to finish, the story pulled me in with its engaging pace and well-developed characters. The nostalgic references added a playful, distinctive layer that made the world feel both familiar and fresh. The fantasy elements were refreshing, offering a perspective that felt original while staying immersive and consistent.
What really impressed me was the balance: the book weaves together action, mystery, suspense, romance, and that ever-compelling clash of good versus evil ideologies. It delivers a little bit of everything without losing its focus.
Congratulations to Jay—this is an exciting debut, and I hope it’s only the beginning. I’d be very glad to see more books like this on the shelves!
September 28, 2025
I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this book. I wasn't even 100% sure i knew what the genre 'urban fantasy' even meant. Well I was hooked from the very beginning and it didn't take me long to read it at all because the impatient reader complex, where I have to immediately know what's happening, kicked in and I binged the whole thing.
It's a wonderful fantasy story split between modern day England and another parallel world. A tale of love, heartbreak, betrayal, a totally bizarre justice system, new friends and a race against time to protect life as we know it.The twists and turns keep coming but read to the end to see if its all worth it.
It's a wonderful fantasy story split between modern day England and another parallel world. A tale of love, heartbreak, betrayal, a totally bizarre justice system, new friends and a race against time to protect life as we know it.The twists and turns keep coming but read to the end to see if its all worth it.
September 19, 2025
Wow - I love to read something that is unlike anything you’ve read recently, or in fact ever!
The terminus of all things was a fantastic read, in a time when so many books are similar or inspired by other works - Jay Neill’s debut novel was original and thought provoking.
In a time when progression is expected to happen at warp speed I now wonder what things we may have lost before we really had time to appreciate them, all in the name of innovation.
Look forward to seeing what he writes next!
The terminus of all things was a fantastic read, in a time when so many books are similar or inspired by other works - Jay Neill’s debut novel was original and thought provoking.
In a time when progression is expected to happen at warp speed I now wonder what things we may have lost before we really had time to appreciate them, all in the name of innovation.
Look forward to seeing what he writes next!
September 20, 2025
I had the privilege of reading an ARC of this book. From start to finish, the twists kept me on my toes. Every time I thought I had the story figured out, another turn came along and proved me wrong. It is gripping, fast moving, and genuinely enjoyable all the way through.
The author is from the UK, so I even picked up a few new words which made the read feel fresh and engaging in unexpected ways.
If you like stories that balance surprises with strong pacing and keep you invested until the last page, this one deserves a spot on your shelf or e-reader.
The author is from the UK, so I even picked up a few new words which made the read feel fresh and engaging in unexpected ways.
If you like stories that balance surprises with strong pacing and keep you invested until the last page, this one deserves a spot on your shelf or e-reader.
September 17, 2025
Brimming with ideas and a thoughtful dilemma at the heart of the book.
The narrative flows beautifully, so much so I didn't realise I'd read 20 pages at one point. The story gathers pace towards the conclusion and I wanted it to go on for longer and linger in Endland. I do hope to revist for a sequel and as some of the characters seemed to have hidden depths which are hinted at.
Fantastic read.
The narrative flows beautifully, so much so I didn't realise I'd read 20 pages at one point. The story gathers pace towards the conclusion and I wanted it to go on for longer and linger in Endland. I do hope to revist for a sequel and as some of the characters seemed to have hidden depths which are hinted at.
Fantastic read.
October 21, 2025
As a lover of parallel and alternate world stories (City in the City, His Dark Materials, Babel) I wasn't disappointed by this debut novel by Jay Neill. A fast paced, highly original, weaving story that will leave you possibly as spun as the characters you'll come to love. In an age of excess, The Terminus Of All Things offers a timely reflection on our own trajectory, giving some pause for thought. I highly recommend it.
September 24, 2025
A very enjoyable read.
Loved the premise and even more the writing. The story keeps you hooked throughout and the twists are well planned. Easy to read, hard to put down.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Jay and I hope that there is a sequel to Terminus of All Things.
Loved the premise and even more the writing. The story keeps you hooked throughout and the twists are well planned. Easy to read, hard to put down.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Jay and I hope that there is a sequel to Terminus of All Things.
October 26, 2025
A great debut. I thoroughly enjoyed this. I was also tickled to see Woking (where I grew up) mentioned in the first chapter.
September 27, 2025
The Terminus of All Things, an urban/portal fantasy, is a captivating read that kept me hooked from start to finish. From the very first pages, the story pulled me in with its intrigue and sense of urgency. I found myself wanting to read on, eager to discover how it would all unfold.
The idea that nothing dies; instead ideas and "things" find themselves in a middle world, where they become a part of everyday life, is a fascinating concept. I found the story about Jack and Piper (no spoilers here) very original and compelling. The world building was amazing and the fictional world of Endland was not only creative but credible, as were the apparent power struggles that evolved within this world, as the story progressed.
Jay Neill is a first time indie author that I came across on TikTok. His passion for the story he wrote was evident in the quality of the prose, and I found myself eager to read on. I was lucky to become an ARC reader and very honoured to read his book before publication. I felt his approach to the task was very professional and it showed in the quality of the story he produced.
What struck me most was the way the book balanced tension with heart. Jack and Piper’s journey was compelling, and their ultimate sacrifice for England felt both moving and meaningful. Yet, the story doesn’t leave the reader in despair, although for more about that you will have to read the book.
Overall, I loved this book. It was gripping, emotional, and deeply satisfying. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience.
The idea that nothing dies; instead ideas and "things" find themselves in a middle world, where they become a part of everyday life, is a fascinating concept. I found the story about Jack and Piper (no spoilers here) very original and compelling. The world building was amazing and the fictional world of Endland was not only creative but credible, as were the apparent power struggles that evolved within this world, as the story progressed.
Jay Neill is a first time indie author that I came across on TikTok. His passion for the story he wrote was evident in the quality of the prose, and I found myself eager to read on. I was lucky to become an ARC reader and very honoured to read his book before publication. I felt his approach to the task was very professional and it showed in the quality of the story he produced.
What struck me most was the way the book balanced tension with heart. Jack and Piper’s journey was compelling, and their ultimate sacrifice for England felt both moving and meaningful. Yet, the story doesn’t leave the reader in despair, although for more about that you will have to read the book.
Overall, I loved this book. It was gripping, emotional, and deeply satisfying. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience.
September 27, 2025
A very good read, original, dystopian... No, no fae, magic, vampires etc... no supermodels as mc... Just a really good plot, rounded characters, fast paced and well written.
Definitely recommend this.
Definitely recommend this.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews