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The second volume in a noirish, gritty urban fantasy for adults from the bestselling author otherwise known as Darren Shan. The Cardinal is the City and the City is The Cardinal. They are joined at the soul. When Al Jeery is seconded by The Cardinal from guard duties at Party Central to investigate the murder of a woman at a hotel he little suspects that the dead woman will turn out to be his girlfriend. Soon he is involved in a terrifying mystery that draws in the dead, the city's Incan forefathers, the imposing figure of The Cardinal himself, and the near-mythical assassin, Paucar Wami. Wami is a law unto himself, a shadowy, mysterious figure who can apparently kill anyone he chooses without fear of punishment or retribution. And Al is about to find out that he has a lot more in common with Wami than he could ever have imagined...
When Al Jeery discovers his girlfriend is the victim of a brutal murder, he is thrust into a dark conspiracy that threatens the very soul of his city. Tasked by the enigmatic Cardinal to investigate the crime, Al navigates a landscape where the living and the dead coexist under the shadow of ancient Incan influence. He faces opposition from powerful, near-mythical figures and must confront the unsettling realization that his own identity is inextricably linked to the legendary assassin Paucar Wami. The narrative unfolds through a gritty, noir-infused lens, emphasizing the claustrophobic and interconnected nature of the urban environment.
This work is characterized by its blend of hard-boiled detective tropes and supernatural world-building, creating a distinct tone that separates it from standard urban fantasy. The narrative relies on a bleak, atmospheric tension that mirrors the protagonist's internal and external struggles. Readers likely find the connection between the city and its ruler to be a central, compelling hook that drives the mystery forward. The presence of the enigmatic assassin serves as a catalyst for the protagonist's development, suggesting a focus on the blurred lines between law and chaos.
Page Count:
400
Publication Date:
2009-01-01
Publisher:
Harper Voyager
ISBN-10:
0007261322
ISBN-13:
9780007261321
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