I just finished reading Uncanny Collateral, by Brian McCellan.
This is fast and easy urban fantasy. If you’ve read anything in this genre, you know the steps it takes: main character with supernatural powers of some kind works as a detective/mercenary/private investigator/whatever in the shadows of the world, moving through a hidden magical society that normal human beings know nothing about. It’s gritty, it’s got detective noir and pulp crime novel trappings, it’s great. I love this sort of shit.
In this case, the main character is a supernatural repo man who gets sent to collect souls when contracts with demons (or other eldritch entities) come due. His latest job has him working for Death Himself, trying to find a whole bundle of stolen souls that aren’t where they were supposed to be. Along the way, our repo man tangles with imps, necromancers, shitty company policies, lawyers, and one or two ancient vendettas.
I really, really liked this story. Good urban fantasy hits me right in the sweet spot. I wish Uncanny Collateral were longer, and my heart is gladdened at the sight of the words “Valkyrie Chronicles book 1” on the cover, thus implying that there will be more.
Honestly, I don’t think I have much else to say here. If you enjoy things like The Dresden Files, Sandman Slim, Daniel Faust, October Daye, or similar urban fantasy noir, then you’ll like Uncanny Collateral. It’s more of the same, served up fast and hot, exactly how it should be.