Strange Promises

'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

Magical bureaucrats work in plain sight and Southeast Asian myth comes alive in this urban fantasy from author Jared Poon that is equal parts thrilling action and heartwarming charm

In the sunny city of Singapore, the government keeps a watchful eye on all citizens-especially its supernatural ones.

As a middle manager in the Division for Engagement of Unusual Stakeholders (DEUS), Benjamin Toh is used to juggling deadlines and mediating between stakeholders both magically inclined and utterly mundane. It's all in a day's work - until his to-do list is thrown awry by news of a cargo ship crash that has exposed the smuggling of dangerous magical artifacts aboard. What's worse, the damaged goods have infected two crew members, encasing them in impenetrable pearl shells.

Ben's boss is eager to pin the blame on the two people in front of her who conveniently can't defend themselves. But if there's one thing Ben loves to do, it's annoy the higher-ups. Digging into old records reveals a redacted paper trail of investigations leading nowhere, an old co-worker who disappeared into thin air, and the suspected involvement of the city's supernatural criminal underclass. As rumours stir and accusations fly around, Ben and his co-workers must use all their wits to not just find an antidote for the infection, but to stop an all-out magical war from breaking out.

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