The Banned Underground ( The Amulet of Kings) by Will Macmillan-Jones

What could be worse? Having to take a holiday in the (rainy) Lake District in the North West of England with an aunt who turns people into frogs for a hobby? Or battling the local dark lord, whose attempt at world domination starts with the nearby underground dwarf mansion and its enormous collection of used pizza boxes? Or getting involved with a jazz-loving bog troll and his dwarfish R&B band? Or is it being miles from a McDonalds? Join the teenagers and find out in this comical adventure where jazz and magic make a tongue-in-cheek laugh riot! Book Description.

You start the journey into the world of the normal jargon of who printed it, who wrote it and who helped.. However even this has been written as if the author is speaking solely to you with a slight humorous twist. This in my world makes me hopeful as I start to expect a story to be written with the same wit and personal touch. Like all story books that have a plot involving many different characters Wil MacMillan Jones straight away breaks them down into a cast with brief descriptions of each character - which are also gave me cause to chuckle. Wil, the writer has managed to write in a way that tells the story whilst almost having a conversation with you! Little quips throughout the book added as footnotes, mini conversations between characters behind the main action. Similar to Terry Pratchett but has defiantly made his own mark on the writing world.

You join Banned Underground in the Lake District, United Kingdom (and it is raining) with one of the main characters, a witch called Grizelda. Who has an upset broomstick, and is also muttering to herself. It also doesn't help her mood that she finds it rather hard to land.

Wil then takes you on to meet our two typical teenagers Chris and Linda, whom are Grizeldas' Nephew and Niece. They are also majorly involved in the story as they have now been informed that they are being sent to stay with their "creepy" Aunt Dot and long suffered Uncle Ben.

So the scenes are set, and the story line splits into two. One with Aunt Grizelda, Uncle Ben and men randomly in dark hoods, whilst the others with Chris, Linda with Fungus and a few hundred dwarfs! As once at their aunts farmhouse they start their adventure with strange hooded men, spells, magic and a dangerous fridge! Shortly after arriving Linda and Chris flee down a trapdoor into the world of the Dwarfs "Helvyndelve" with Fungus (who loves his Sax) the Bog Troll and due to the fact that he always glows green they need never find themselves truly in the dark! 

As the story leads on, both teams encounter danger and political red tape as they tackle the various and different attacks from the Grey Mange and Ned!. Look out for the moment when the fridge gets upset, and you may wish to take notes on how to rid yourself of the Tax Man! You are taken on a journey deep into the world of the Dwarfs, Bodgandor and Edern ending in a fight between them all for all of mankind!

The story lines are detailed so you are always able to follow each characters story line. The jumps between them are smooth, easy to follow and not too long that you forget who was doing what in another part of the plot. With magic, sarcasm, dry wit and typical teenager moments Wil takes us into a believable fantasy world.

Whilst being easy to read and follow, Banned Underground is also suitable to a varied age range due to its ability to mimic the children's films and stories out there on a par with Shriek, where they may be aimed at children but has many little subtle moments and comments that adults of all ages will appreciate. Easy to get involved with, laugh with and relax with Banned Underground is well worth a read. Detailed enough to keep you reading, but written so you are able to put it down and comeback to it later.. and still understand what is going on! The ending is much better than I thought it might be with not stereotypical cliffhangers but something a little bit different.

Out of 5 stars I would rate it 4 stars.

 Published by Safkhet Publishing 


You may purchase "The Banned Underground" here : Darkiss Reads bookstore

You may find Will Macmillan-Jones here : https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Banned-Underground/222107091139685

Reviewed by Midnight Star