Middle manager Benjamin Toh works for the Division for Engagement of Unusual Stakeholders, established as part of Singapore’s governmental “policy to count our spirit mediums and sorceresses, our hantus, our devas and asuras, as citizens to be served and regulated rather than monsters to be suppressed.” One of his colleagues flags a “ghosty” feeling at a nearby housing development, and the last time one of his colleagues flagged something unusual—well, more unusual than their day-to-day oddness—”it had cost [him] three nights of sleep, four email reports, and one pair of perfectly good shoes.”
When Benjamin arrives to investigate and a “wave of unreality” washes over the entire block, dragging dogs and memories into another dimension, he realizes this situation may cost everybody much, much more—especially when his handsome new boyfriend reveals magic connected to the unreality.
Debut author Jared Poon launches 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 in City of Others.
This expansive universe (with occasionally muddied world building) features enough types of magic that readers will surely find one that resonates with them: ambient magic, mythological magic, magic of the soul or magic that transcends the physics of the known world. An excellent cast of characters, including a time-traveling cat and a community of competitive yet charming jinn, rounds out the fun.
Though Ben is supposed to be clever, almost all of his plans fail in predictable ways, which is more a fault of clunky writing than an intentional narrative subversion. However, his emphasis on the importance of community alongside his realization that he needs to trust the abilities and desires of his colleagues, friends and battle-ready boyfriend create a fulfilling and warming character arc.
City of Others is worth a jinn’s bargain for urban fantasy readers looking for a fun romp.
