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The Uncanny Ink #6
Bad Memories
The endgame is here. Trust will be broken. Lives will be cut short.
When Erin Banks was nine years old, her whole life was capsized. Her baby brother was abducted by a mysterious man with burning red eyes, and her family torn apart. Since that day, Erin has sworn to discover what happened to her brother and reap bloody vengeance on his kidnapper.
To ready herself for the fight, she thrust herself into the world that exists alongside our world, the hidden realm of magic and monsters known as the Uncanny Kingdom. It was there that she acquired her Uncanny Ink: tattoos infused with magic that make her stronger, faster, fit to operate in a city overrun with inhuman gangsters and vile demon-spawn.
Now, at long last, Erin has the Red-Eyed Man in her sights. Taking him on won’t be a one-person job, she knows that, but can she overcome her trust issues and accept the help of another despite her lack of faith?
And why is it all coming together now? So many years of nothing, and suddenly, from out of nowhere, her enemy chooses to make himself known? It stinks, but what choice does she have but to follow her nose?
The memory of the Red-Eyed Man is a piece of shrapnel that Erin has had lodged in her brain since the day he took her brother. Will facing him allow her to dig that shrapnel out and heal, or will pulling the shard free be the death of her?
Magic, scares, and acid-tongued snark collide in this thrilling urban fantasy series set in the Uncanny Kingdom. Buried secrets and whiplash twists will keep you riding the edge of your seat. Read Bad Memories now for a pulse-pounding tale you won’t be able to put down.236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2019
13 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
David Bussell
37 books180 followersDavid Bussell is a best-selling British author renowned for his contributions to the urban fantasy genre. He is the co-creator of the Uncanny Kingdom, a series that explores a secret Britain teeming with paranormal suspense stories. His notable works include the "Spectral Detective" series. David's writing prowess has been recognized with the P.G. Wodehouse New Comic Writer Award. Beyond his literary achievements, he is an avid fencer, a lover of synthwave music, and a committed comic book fan.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 5, 2019
I received an ARC of this compelling and inventive tale in exchange for an honest review. I simply can't believe this is the last scheduled book in the Uncanny Ink series, I am going to miss these guys way too much!!!
As the final book in this irreverently captivating series, this is The Big One. The book we finally get all the answers to our questions in. We discover fully how that fateful hidden night in Erin's memory shaped her future. We get caught up and swept away in a story of revenge and what it costs, Uncanny justice both poetic and straight up, and the lengths one person will reach for to achieve both for the people who matter most.
With something new happening on every page, with all the twists and turns, surprises and revelations, this book practically forces you to read at superhuman, or Uncanny, speed just so you can uncover what happens next. This was an amazing story in an incredible series and I reaaaaaally hope it won't be the very last time we see Erin Banks and Co. kicking Uncanny behinds and taking Uncanny names.
Dudes, read this!!!!
As the final book in this irreverently captivating series, this is The Big One. The book we finally get all the answers to our questions in. We discover fully how that fateful hidden night in Erin's memory shaped her future. We get caught up and swept away in a story of revenge and what it costs, Uncanny justice both poetic and straight up, and the lengths one person will reach for to achieve both for the people who matter most.
With something new happening on every page, with all the twists and turns, surprises and revelations, this book practically forces you to read at superhuman, or Uncanny, speed just so you can uncover what happens next. This was an amazing story in an incredible series and I reaaaaaally hope it won't be the very last time we see Erin Banks and Co. kicking Uncanny behinds and taking Uncanny names.
Dudes, read this!!!!
January 10, 2019
This book is a triumph from the Uncanny boys
I have loved all five previous books in this series but this is definitely my favourite. David and Matt have outdone themselves with this latest book. Erin is still trying to find out what happened to her brother and has been gradually putting the pieces together. This book sees the whole picture falling into place, with a little help from her friends. and a large dose of violence and death along the way.
Erin struggles with her health and strength throughout but never gives up, even in the face of heartbreak and betrayal. She fights ceaselessly, searching for the truth, wherever it may take her, and you cannot help but be dragged along with her. We see familiar characters from previous books, which is always a bonus, and while some characters act true to type, others took me by surprise, but each and every one of them had an important part to play in Erin's story.
I don't want to give anything away because you really just have to read this book, and the rest of the series if you haven't already, for yourself. As always, there are blood and guts, swearing and sarcasm, death and destruction, love and loss, all thrown together in inimitable style by these two impressive authors. I laughed out loud more than once, but also will confess to getting something in my eye several times.
I know that it is strange to say this about a series about a magical assassin who thrives on violence and death (obviously) but I hope that Erin will return to brighten my life soon. She is a truly unique character and I love her.
I have loved all five previous books in this series but this is definitely my favourite. David and Matt have outdone themselves with this latest book. Erin is still trying to find out what happened to her brother and has been gradually putting the pieces together. This book sees the whole picture falling into place, with a little help from her friends. and a large dose of violence and death along the way.
Erin struggles with her health and strength throughout but never gives up, even in the face of heartbreak and betrayal. She fights ceaselessly, searching for the truth, wherever it may take her, and you cannot help but be dragged along with her. We see familiar characters from previous books, which is always a bonus, and while some characters act true to type, others took me by surprise, but each and every one of them had an important part to play in Erin's story.
I don't want to give anything away because you really just have to read this book, and the rest of the series if you haven't already, for yourself. As always, there are blood and guts, swearing and sarcasm, death and destruction, love and loss, all thrown together in inimitable style by these two impressive authors. I laughed out loud more than once, but also will confess to getting something in my eye several times.
I know that it is strange to say this about a series about a magical assassin who thrives on violence and death (obviously) but I hope that Erin will return to brighten my life soon. She is a truly unique character and I love her.
January 11, 2019
I was an ARC proofreader. All I had to do was note any errors as I read the book, and write a review. I really enjoyed Book 6. I would have bought it anyway, since I love the Uncanny Kingdom stories.
If you read Books 1-5, you'll be pretty much up to speed for the start of this book. If you haven't read them yet, start there before reading Book 6. The first chapter does a good recap of the first 5 books, but without all the humor, repartee, outrageous descriptions and similes, gore and background to the many interesting Uncanny characters. We'll meet up with many of those Uncanny characters throughout the book, and knowing their background augments the enjoyment of their interactions in this book.
Erin still has very poor anger management skills. Especially when her friends or herself are threatened, her anger burns lethal. She is still wondering about her relationship with Kirklander, can she trust him, what does she feel, what does he feel.
Erin and Kirklander finally meet the Red-Eyed Man, and are lucky to escape with their lives. She and Kirklander have to figure out who/what he is, and how to kill him. Carlisle also has an interest. The three of them meet the pig and the Red-Eyed Man at stonehenge, and things get really interesting. The finale, resolution and denouement are a breathtaking climax to Erin Banks' search the the who and why in the kidnapping of her baby brother.
If you read Books 1-5, you'll be pretty much up to speed for the start of this book. If you haven't read them yet, start there before reading Book 6. The first chapter does a good recap of the first 5 books, but without all the humor, repartee, outrageous descriptions and similes, gore and background to the many interesting Uncanny characters. We'll meet up with many of those Uncanny characters throughout the book, and knowing their background augments the enjoyment of their interactions in this book.
Erin still has very poor anger management skills. Especially when her friends or herself are threatened, her anger burns lethal. She is still wondering about her relationship with Kirklander, can she trust him, what does she feel, what does he feel.
Erin and Kirklander finally meet the Red-Eyed Man, and are lucky to escape with their lives. She and Kirklander have to figure out who/what he is, and how to kill him. Carlisle also has an interest. The three of them meet the pig and the Red-Eyed Man at stonehenge, and things get really interesting. The finale, resolution and denouement are a breathtaking climax to Erin Banks' search the the who and why in the kidnapping of her baby brother.
January 14, 2019
David Bussell and MV Stott are my “go to” authors for high quality and super fun urban fantasy. They consistently put out stuff that is frankly superb. That’s certainly the case in The Uncanny Ink Series, their first collaborative effort in the “Uncanny Universe” shared story world they created for their several other series. And now, with Bad Memories: An Uncanny Kingdom Urban Fantasy (Book 6), this wonderful series comes pretty close to a conclusion (I actually thought it had ended but for a teaser about there being another book in the series to come). Erin Banks is the perfection of the type of snarky kick-a** heroine I love. She finally has the Red-Eyed Man in her sights after a lifetime of chasing her after he stole her brother. There are lots of surprises here, in a book full of the promised “[b]uried secrets and whiplash twists” but also providing a fully satisfying story addition (and near conclusion) for this series’ wonderful story arc in one heck of an exciting and wonderfully written story. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
September 9, 2023
"Bad Memories" draws the 'Uncanny Ink' series to a very satisfactory close (though still leaving the possibility that it could continue in the future).
It ain't great literature but it is highly enjoyable paranormal fiction featuring an amoral anti-hero with a suspiciously soft core.
With Porter dead Erin's magic-enhancing tattoos are draining quickly.
As she nears the end of her quest to find out what happened to her young brother James all those years ago, she knows that her chances of survival are dwindling fast.
Kirklander's wizardry has unexpectedly reached new heights but he's very coy about the explanation. The answer, when it emerges, leaves Erin with only one choice - a deal with the Long Man.
I've really enjoyed the series and will certainly be looking at some of the other Uncanny Kingdom books.
4 Stars.
It ain't great literature but it is highly enjoyable paranormal fiction featuring an amoral anti-hero with a suspiciously soft core.
With Porter dead Erin's magic-enhancing tattoos are draining quickly.
As she nears the end of her quest to find out what happened to her young brother James all those years ago, she knows that her chances of survival are dwindling fast.
Kirklander's wizardry has unexpectedly reached new heights but he's very coy about the explanation. The answer, when it emerges, leaves Erin with only one choice - a deal with the Long Man.
I've really enjoyed the series and will certainly be looking at some of the other Uncanny Kingdom books.
4 Stars.
January 22, 2019
It is written...
Cupid turned up a lead on the mysterious ones who stole Erin's brother James, just as her old flame Kirkland turned up with new enhanced wizardly powers. That comes in handy when the evil crime family Galoffi robs Erin of her source of magic by killing her tattooist friend Parker.
Together with the Great Carlisle the three of them track down the final piece of the puzzle and do what only they can do-- which is break the key off in a lock they don't want open.
Best of all is that the grand finale will result in many more Uncanny Ink books to come.
Cupid turned up a lead on the mysterious ones who stole Erin's brother James, just as her old flame Kirkland turned up with new enhanced wizardly powers. That comes in handy when the evil crime family Galoffi robs Erin of her source of magic by killing her tattooist friend Parker.
Together with the Great Carlisle the three of them track down the final piece of the puzzle and do what only they can do-- which is break the key off in a lock they don't want open.
Best of all is that the grand finale will result in many more Uncanny Ink books to come.
March 29, 2021
Finally
3.5!
I liked this. Whether it's the end or not, I'm glad she finally got answers to her brother's whereabouts. It did seem to be one big climax but most weren't boring so I appreciated it.
A bunch of things tied up basically. I still don't like Erin and it always seems to increase when she does something. If there had been some kind of payoff to all the bad ways she acted without remorse, I would've enjoyed the pain more.
3.5!
I liked this. Whether it's the end or not, I'm glad she finally got answers to her brother's whereabouts. It did seem to be one big climax but most weren't boring so I appreciated it.
A bunch of things tied up basically. I still don't like Erin and it always seems to increase when she does something. If there had been some kind of payoff to all the bad ways she acted without remorse, I would've enjoyed the pain more.
April 16, 2021
Brilliant
I loved this series, plenty of action and magic. When's baby brother James was kidnapped by a man with red eyes and a pig man. These books all follow on as Erin goes on a quest to find out why. There are lots of magical evil creatures she puts out of their misery and there is some romance. It was well worth five stars in fact I'd have given ten the books were that good.
I loved this series, plenty of action and magic. When's baby brother James was kidnapped by a man with red eyes and a pig man. These books all follow on as Erin goes on a quest to find out why. There are lots of magical evil creatures she puts out of their misery and there is some romance. It was well worth five stars in fact I'd have given ten the books were that good.
January 10, 2019
Wow, this is the end of the series but not I hope of Erin. I do want to to see A LOT more of her that’s for sure. Brilliant end to a fantastic series. Roll on the next ones, I hope. Very highly recommended.
January 11, 2019
What an ending, or is it? This one will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what's going to happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this installment of "An Uncanny Kingdom Urban Fantasy" and think you will too.
February 7, 2019
Omg I love Erin and Kirk this series as had me grip from the very first book I'm sad what happened to Erin's brother but finally glad she has the closure she need and now her and Kirk can be the lovely dovey musy stuff great read loved the book
June 22, 2020
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It is just as good as the others but she could have done a lot better on the long man deal.
It is just as good as the others but she could have done a lot better on the long man deal.
January 2, 2022
Does Erin find her brother James, after all she is the closest she has ever been to her search?
Will there be a happy ending? A must read to get all the answers!
Will there be a happy ending? A must read to get all the answers!
January 12, 2019
Well that was unexpected! Everything was unexpected! Why Erin’s brother was taken, Kirklander, Parker...wow. I really have no words to describe that ending...Just that these two authors are genius magical writers!
September 8, 2020
Pretty good ending for that thread and a setup for a new series. Really hope they write it. This is a great literature but it's a lot of fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews