Price: $19.99 - $17.31
(as of Nov 15, 2024 02:11:12 UTC – Details)
A HAUNTING IN THE DESERT
Rival investigators Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao embark on a diplomatic journey westward, hoping to build a key alliance that will stand against the power-hungry Eastern Khaganate. But they get more than they bargained for when they stop to rest at the oasis city of Qiemo, where they find a haunted inn, a beleaguered Sui magistrate, and the city divided between two powerful self-styled rulers.
Despite their larger mission, Cui Buqu has an audacious idea—one that will turn the city upside down and bring Qiemo back under Sui control if he succeeds. Even Feng Xiao must admit that, while Cui Buqu’s schemes are outrageous, there’s something increasingly intriguing about this sickly chief of the Zuoyue Bureau. Yet more is at stake in the city than petty power struggles: as the investigative duo digs into the underbelly of Qiemo, they uncover evidence of a conspiracy that stretches across Great Sui and beyond.
ASIN : B0CX8FKNSY
Publisher : Seven Seas (November 5, 2024)
Language : English
Paperback : 380 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8891602632
Item Weight : 1.04 pounds
Dimensions : 5.87 x 0.79 x 8.26 inches
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Diana Kitteh –
Honestly, such a great book. The MLC banter and witty comebacks made laugh out loud throughout. The intricacies of the politics involved is very interesting to read and I am in awe with the author for being able to come up with something like this.There are some additional secondary chadacters that pop up that add to the intricacy of the story and it might be a little confusing at times as to their role in this second novel but it will all make sense by the end – tbf, would be weird if it didn’t hah.All in all, great read, love the style of writing, the humour and the storyline, I am definitrly looking forward to the 3rd book.
A. K. S. –
Gaining speed
Second volume of Peerless sees Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao, the brilliant leaders of Sui empireâs secret agencies, embark on their journey to west to form an alliance with one of the khaganates there. With them is the khanâs favourite concubine, and Cui Buquâs trusted underling. But since two women and two men who are not married or related travelling together is seen improper, the group poses as two married couples, though not in obvious kind of pairings.The journey through the desert is arduous and the small group pauses at Qiemo, the remotest outpost of the empire. They soon discover, that the actual power in the town isnât in the hands of the empireâs representative, but a former bandit and a descendant of a former king who have divided the town between them. Since they have a bit of time in their hands, Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao decide to do something about it, with their now familiar method of causing chaos and seeing whatâs what once the dust settles. What emerges is a discovery of a secret organisation that neither agent had heard of before.From there, the journey continues to the khaganate. There they discover that the favourite concubine has lost her position and the enemy and the khanâs second son now have the khanâs ear. Theyâre determined to see the representatives of the empire dead, concocting a scheme after another. The pair prevail, though not unscathed, turning the tides for the empire. But just as theyâre about to form the alliance, bad luckâor a hidden enemyâstrikes again, ruining everything. The book ends at this cliffhanger.This was in some ways better book than the first. The story was more straightforward, and the dynamics of the odd pair started to settle in. Cui Buqu wasnât sick the whole time, so his brilliant mind could shine. Feng Xiao wasnât quite as obsessed with his own beauty and excellence, and he got to show off his martial arts skillsâand his acting skills as a woman, which he made the most of. But the power struggle between the pair wasnât so prominent, with fewer funny scenes between them, and there were more battle scenes, which paused the story several times. Not as many as in Thousand Autumns though. Nevertheless, the grumpy-sunshine(ish) pair is wonderful and I canât wait to see how they get out of the latest scrape and where theyâll head next.
Soru –
Arrived in good conditions
I need to re read quickly