A river kingdom of haunted ruins, ruled by crocodiles.
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A bestiary of 75 imaginary animals and plants, native to the SEA.
The Sacred Agarwood longs to be free. Burnt as incense, it smells of spiced honey; of the peel of tangerines; of the snows falling in distant cities. Japanese monks hear the cosmos speak in its smoke. According to the Sahih al-Bukhari, its aroma accompanied the first people to enter paradise.
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In Creatures of Near Kingdoms, find 75 imaginary plants and animals, indigenous to Southeast Asia:
Trees with the souls of birds, longing for flight;
Pangolins, as enduring and invulnerable as stone;
Vampire snails, that steal blood from your shadow.
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Creatures of Near Kingdoms is a bestiary / herbiary inspired by the landscapes and living cultures of Malaysia, both human or otherwise. A 156-page book of descriptions and stories by Zedeck Siew — modelled after naturalist guidebooks; kitabs of herblore; RPG monster manuals. Lino-cut illustrations and pattern designs by visual artist Sharon Chin on every spread.
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Reviews:
” Siew takes local myths and superstitions and stretches them within the inner edges of possibilities … Creatures of Near Kingdoms is an imaginary world built with materials taken from this land. For readers who ordinarily journey to worlds built in distant shores, this proximity is a balm for the imagination. “
– Kathy Rowland, Arts Equator
” An inventive and delightful illustrated bestiary of imagined Malaysian flora and fauna, threaded through with sly humour. “
– Zen Cho, Goodreads
A river kingdom of haunted ruins, ruled by crocodiles.
Essays and fiction about hantu, the monsters of Malaysian lore.
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A highland kingdom ruled by parasitic royalty.
An island full of sorcerers and shipwrecked souls.
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