The Girl with No Face

A Daoist priestess able to see the spirit world fights supernatural threats in this thrilling historical urban fantasy sequel set in San Francisco. It’s the end of the Nineteenth Century. San Francisco’s cobblestone streets are haunted, but Chinatown has an unlikely protector in a young Daoist priestess named Li-lin. Using only her martial arts training, spiritual magic, a sword made from peachwood, and the walking, talking spirit of a human eye, Li-lin stands alone to defend her immigrant community from supernatural threats. But when the body of a young girl is brought to the deadhouse Li-lin oversees for a local group of gangsters, she faces her most bewildering—and potentially dangerous—assignment yet. The nine-year-old has died from suffocation . . . specifically by flowers growing out of her nose and mouth. Li-lin suspects Gong Tau, a dirty and primitive form of dark magic. But who is behind the spell, and why, will take her on a perilous journey deep into a dangerous world of ghosts and spirits. With hard historical realism and meticulously researched depictions of Chinese monsters and magic that have never been written about in the English language, The Girl with No Face draws from the action-packed cinema of Hong Kong to create a compelling and unforgettable tale of historical fantasy and Chinese lore. Winner—First Prize in the Colorado Authors League Award, Science Fiction and Fantasy Category “Martial arts and Asian magic set in Old Sn Francisco . . . A fresh take on urban fantasy that kept me up late to finish.” —#1 New York Times–bestselling author Patricia Briggs “Boroson’s second Daoshi historical fantasy...again brings Chinese folklore vibrantly to life. . . . Elements of Chinese culture are integrated naturally into the story, and the imagery can be breathtaking. Readers will be delighted that this exhilarating chronicle ends with the promise of more adventures in store for Li-lin and her allies.” —Publishers Weekly “Fans of urban fantasy, Chinese martial arts, magic, and elements of the supernatural will enjoy this second series installment, which captivates readers from the opening pages. . . . A true page-turner not to be missed.” —Library Journal, starred review