'A zany urban fantasy series that blends the bureaucracy of The House in the Cerulean Sea with the action-adventure sequences of Dungeon Crawler Carl' BookPage
Return to a magical Singapore where every supernatural disaster generates paperwork, in Strange Promises, a new adventure in the DEUS Files, an urban fantasy series by author Jared Poon that is equal parts humoir, action and charm.
Benjamin Toh is a middle manager in the Division for Engagement of Unusual Stakeholders (DEUS), so he's used to handling extradimensional incursions, dangerous demigods, and ambitious bosses. Routine, until a cargo ship crash exposes a cache of smuggled magical artifacts, and two crew members are found sealed in impenetrable pearl.
Senior Management is eager to close the case quickly, pin the blame, and move on. But the details don't add up.
Old records reveal a decades-old smuggling pipeline, a paper trail of investigations leading nowhere, and signs that the city's supernatural criminal underclass - the wulin - may be involved.
As rumors stir and old rivalries fester, tensions between wulin Sects threaten to spill into open conflict. To uncover the truth and stop the bloodshed, Ben and his coworkers (plus one boyfriend, plus one cat) must use all their wits to navigate underworld politics, survive esoteric martial arts duels, and reckon with systems that may be failing those who depend on them. Piece of cake.
Praise for the series:
'Heartfelt and laugh out loud, City of Others is urban fantasy as you've never seen it before . . . I smiled my way through this entire book. An absolute breath of fresh air'
Eliza Chan, author of Fathomfolk
'I absolutely loved this book - couldn't tear myself away from it. A delightful and engrossing read, with a knowing wink to best office practices. Loved it'
Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library
'Full of wonder, tenderness and breathtaking adventure, City of Others is a fresh and captivating fantasy that will grow roots in your heart'
Kylie Lee Baker, Sunday Times bestselling author of Bat Eater
'Full of action and heart and wonder, this book is an absolute delight!' Melissa Caruso, author of The Last Hour Between Worlds
'City of Others is a delight . . . I enjoyed this book enormously and am tapping my fingers impatiently in anticipation of the next' Locus
