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Between Ghosts and Gods
Not yet published
Expected 2 Mar 27From a rising star in the realm of YA dark fantasy comes an evocative and fast-paced feat of world-building—infused with Chinese mythology, macabre humor, and an enemies-to-lovers romance.
Having sold her soul to a demon lord, Kasu works the exchange desk at Camellia House, a high-stakes gambling den in the under-realm. Here, in Ghost City, Kasu keeps her head down, following the strict moral code of the Heavenly Principles in hopes of one day achieving reincarnation. Night after night, she dispenses gambling tiles to customers who surrender their treasures—jewelry, limbs, dreams—which Kasu stores in a ghoulish cabinet for her mistress. Into this regime drops Arun, a brash mortal prince in search of his mother. Desperate to honor her code and spare the foolish young man—as innocent as he is arrogant—a fate worse than death, Kasu enlists her companion “curse” Ruo, a wise-cracking cat with an appetite for eyeballs, and mounts a rescue. As danger and deceit engulf her, Kasu must reexamine her beliefs about the gods she worships . . . and the mortal she was. At once wry and poignant, teeming with masked demons, hungry ghosts, and high atmosphere, this dazzling dark-fantasy adventure draws from the deep well of Chinese mythology while crafting a richly appointed world like no other.
Having sold her soul to a demon lord, Kasu works the exchange desk at Camellia House, a high-stakes gambling den in the under-realm. Here, in Ghost City, Kasu keeps her head down, following the strict moral code of the Heavenly Principles in hopes of one day achieving reincarnation. Night after night, she dispenses gambling tiles to customers who surrender their treasures—jewelry, limbs, dreams—which Kasu stores in a ghoulish cabinet for her mistress. Into this regime drops Arun, a brash mortal prince in search of his mother. Desperate to honor her code and spare the foolish young man—as innocent as he is arrogant—a fate worse than death, Kasu enlists her companion “curse” Ruo, a wise-cracking cat with an appetite for eyeballs, and mounts a rescue. As danger and deceit engulf her, Kasu must reexamine her beliefs about the gods she worships . . . and the mortal she was. At once wry and poignant, teeming with masked demons, hungry ghosts, and high atmosphere, this dazzling dark-fantasy adventure draws from the deep well of Chinese mythology while crafting a richly appointed world like no other.
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 2, 2027
About the author
Ann Sei Lin
6 books183 followersAnn Sei Lin is a writer and librarian with a love for all things fantasy. She writes YA fantasy that seeks to bring readers on magical and whimsical adventures through other worlds. When not writing, she can be found reading, gaming, or trying to make origami rabbits.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 28, 2026
3.5 ⭐️s
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I loved the storytelling because it felt brand new and the plot though dark with heavy fantasy elements, somehow maintained a cozy outlook. The concept and plot was refreshing and very much new.
However, the characters kind of felt stagnant throughout with no sign of development and it seemed to rush at the end.
The purpose and the plot remained solid. I will recommend for lovers of fantasy especially the ones with morally grey characters, ghosts, curses and a nice plot.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I loved the storytelling because it felt brand new and the plot though dark with heavy fantasy elements, somehow maintained a cozy outlook. The concept and plot was refreshing and very much new.
However, the characters kind of felt stagnant throughout with no sign of development and it seemed to rush at the end.
The purpose and the plot remained solid. I will recommend for lovers of fantasy especially the ones with morally grey characters, ghosts, curses and a nice plot.
Displaying 1 of 1 review