Strange Alliances

Xinyue, a treasure hunter turned guardian of a baby deity, has escaped death—and awakened in a strange new land. Qiliu, the boy he once called brother, has been captured by enemies—and must tamp down his rage long enough to make his next move. Faced with wolf raiders, frog royalty, and killer plants, both young men will have to choose allies carefully as powerful forces emerge. In Seekers of the Aweto, a poetic adventure across medieval China, roguish bands of "seekers" chase a plantlike treasure that may lead to fortune and even eternal life. Acclaimed artist and storyteller Nie Jun (My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder) presents an environmental fantasy rich with mystery, betrayal, and an adorable baby deity.