Call number
Publication
San Fransico : Night Shade Books ; 2008.
Pages
375
Description
Introducing Singaporean DI, Wei Chen. "This exotic amalgam of police procedural, SF, comic fantasy, and horror is a delight from start to finish" (Locus). When the fourteen-year-old daughter of Singapore Three's most prominent industrialist dies of anorexia, her parents assume that Pearl's suffering has come to an end. But somewhere along the way to the Celestial Shores, Pearl's soul is waylaid, lured by an unknown force to the gates of Hell. To save their daughter from eternal banishment, they come to Detective Inspector Wei Chen, whose jurisdiction lies between this world and the next. A round-faced cop who is as serious as his beat is strange, Chen has a demon for a wife and a comfort with the supernatural that most mortals cannot match. But finding Pearl Tang will take him further into the abyss than ever before--to a mystifying place where he will have to cooperate with a demonic detective if he wants to survive. It's easy, Chen will find, to get into Hell. The hard part is getting out. Snake Agent is the first of the five Detective Inspector Chen Novels, which continue with The Demon and the City and Precious Dragon. … (more)
Awards
Locus Recommended Reading (2005)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2005
Physical description
375 p.; 6.8 inches
ISBN
978159781072
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User reviews
LibraryThing member teawithducks
The setting is A Singapore of the future: Singapore III (There are 5-6 I think.) The protagonist is Detective Inspector Chen who is currently not-so-favored by his patron goddess Kuan Yin because he went against her wishes and married a demon woman. Being that this focuses on the Asian style of
I will add that Snake Agent (and sequels) are one of the few Chinese themed English language books I've read that is written by a Westerner that manages to bypass some of the "exotic orient" pits that tends to leave me with a strong sense of distaste. Williams avoids the 'suffering women' Joy Luck Club tones, the 'crazy/exotic/totalitarian/dominating orientals!', or any Confucious-style speech patterns that set my teeth on edge. Any passive traditional women also have their own Asian brand of strength that often gets ignored in stories. There isn't a single samurai sword in sight! No Way Of The Warrior!
This is a story about persons in a futuristic alternate Singapore, dealing with non-Western mythologies in a straight and authentic manner.
The fact that this book exists at all has me curling my toes. The fact that it's an engaging and well written story has me ecstatic. I'm in love with Chen and the Demon-- Irhz(?) and their interactions/chemistry.
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bureaucratic heaven and hell, it has come to the attention of several authorities that souls are ending up where they shouldn't be. Chen is sent to investigate, and along the way, picks up a demon adjunct who helps his investigation.I will add that Snake Agent (and sequels) are one of the few Chinese themed English language books I've read that is written by a Westerner that manages to bypass some of the "exotic orient" pits that tends to leave me with a strong sense of distaste. Williams avoids the 'suffering women' Joy Luck Club tones, the 'crazy/exotic/totalitarian/dominating orientals!', or any Confucious-style speech patterns that set my teeth on edge. Any passive traditional women also have their own Asian brand of strength that often gets ignored in stories. There isn't a single samurai sword in sight! No Way Of The Warrior!
This is a story about persons in a futuristic alternate Singapore, dealing with non-Western mythologies in a straight and authentic manner.
The fact that this book exists at all has me curling my toes. The fact that it's an engaging and well written story has me ecstatic. I'm in love with Chen and the Demon-- Irhz(?) and their interactions/chemistry.
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LibraryThing member patrickgarson
All you need to know about Snake Agent is: Bladerunner meets Bridge of Birds. If the idea of of dystopian near-future merged with the Chinese afterlife appeals to you, the book won't disappoint.
Detective Inspector Chen works out of the city of Singapore 3, but he's not your usual Inspector. Chen
Williams has done a wonderful job of world-building in Snake Agent. As reader, you feel plopped down amidst a story already in motion. Chen - and the city of Singapore 3 - have their own narratives and problems well underway by the first page. In addition to a sense of nascent possibility, it gives the book a very nice pace that rarely lets up.
Indeed, this pace, coupled with Williams' affectionate and largely understated characterisation, and finally the beguiling nature of Singapore 3 and Hell, disguise a few coincidences and some raggedy plotting. Some may find it bothers them - especially a deus ex machina at the end. But personally, I found these weaknesses minor and *most* of the plotting is definitely up to scratch.
But really, the pleasure of Snake Agent is in the world Williams creates, and her weary, jaded - and surprisingly funny - characters. There's a jovial humour running through the novel that rarely breaks out into jokes but maintains a nice sense of the inherent insanity of the Chinese Afterlife and the fervid pace of life in Singapore 3.
Ultimately, Snake Agent is a great introduction to a fabulous and potential-filled setting. Satisfying in its own right, at the conclusion I nonetheless wanted more time with these people and their realms. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Detective Inspector Chen works out of the city of Singapore 3, but he's not your usual Inspector. Chen
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covers the supernatural. Between the circles of Hell and the Celestial Plains, there's a lot of places a soul can go astray, and the wandering spirit of a wealthy industrialist's daughter is just the latest.Williams has done a wonderful job of world-building in Snake Agent. As reader, you feel plopped down amidst a story already in motion. Chen - and the city of Singapore 3 - have their own narratives and problems well underway by the first page. In addition to a sense of nascent possibility, it gives the book a very nice pace that rarely lets up.
Indeed, this pace, coupled with Williams' affectionate and largely understated characterisation, and finally the beguiling nature of Singapore 3 and Hell, disguise a few coincidences and some raggedy plotting. Some may find it bothers them - especially a deus ex machina at the end. But personally, I found these weaknesses minor and *most* of the plotting is definitely up to scratch.
But really, the pleasure of Snake Agent is in the world Williams creates, and her weary, jaded - and surprisingly funny - characters. There's a jovial humour running through the novel that rarely breaks out into jokes but maintains a nice sense of the inherent insanity of the Chinese Afterlife and the fervid pace of life in Singapore 3.
Ultimately, Snake Agent is a great introduction to a fabulous and potential-filled setting. Satisfying in its own right, at the conclusion I nonetheless wanted more time with these people and their realms. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
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LibraryThing member FicusFan
I just finished The Snake Agent by Liz Williams. It was ok, but for some reason it just never grabbed me. The writing was good, and the setting was interesting, I don't know if the story wasn't right or the characters were a little off.
It is the first book in a new series about Detective Inspector
Chen is not merely a police officer, he is their supernatural liaison. So he gets any crime that involves the supernatural, the gods or goddesses, or heaven or hell ( the Chinese versions). Both places exist and are run by bureaucratic ministries. Chen is feared and avoided by his co-workers, and has a complicated personal life with a big secret. He isn't a bad character, but is rather featureless and bland - perhaps he isn't the best choice of POV.
He works with a demon from Hell, Zhu Irzh, who is with the Vice Squad - they encourage it, but want to make sure all the taxes are paid. The demon is a good character, as is Chen's wife, and her servant.
The story is lacking in focus - first it is a murder and then it becomes soul stealing, then it becomes a plague that some in hell are planning to unleash on humanity, then it becomes about Chen's wife who takes off, and then it becomes a chase when Chen and the Vice Cop are tracking the criminals and his wife in hell. There is a mad human demon-killer that is running around the city while Chen is away, and the whole plot involves the Bio-Web, like our internet but channeled through the brains of drugged and sleeping humans.
It took me a while to finish it, the story just had no traction. Still it wasn't bad, it just wasn't as good as I was hoping for. It was billed as police procedural, SF, Comic Fantasy, and Horror all in an exotic futuristic, Far Eastern setting.
I will probably try the next one, The Demon and the City, when it goes into paper, I think Zhu Irzh, is the POV for it.
It is the first book in a new series about Detective Inspector
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Chen, a franchise police officer. It is set in the future where successful cities have franchised themselves. The story takes place somewhere in China on the coast in a franchise called Singapore 3. Chen is not merely a police officer, he is their supernatural liaison. So he gets any crime that involves the supernatural, the gods or goddesses, or heaven or hell ( the Chinese versions). Both places exist and are run by bureaucratic ministries. Chen is feared and avoided by his co-workers, and has a complicated personal life with a big secret. He isn't a bad character, but is rather featureless and bland - perhaps he isn't the best choice of POV.
He works with a demon from Hell, Zhu Irzh, who is with the Vice Squad - they encourage it, but want to make sure all the taxes are paid. The demon is a good character, as is Chen's wife, and her servant.
The story is lacking in focus - first it is a murder and then it becomes soul stealing, then it becomes a plague that some in hell are planning to unleash on humanity, then it becomes about Chen's wife who takes off, and then it becomes a chase when Chen and the Vice Cop are tracking the criminals and his wife in hell. There is a mad human demon-killer that is running around the city while Chen is away, and the whole plot involves the Bio-Web, like our internet but channeled through the brains of drugged and sleeping humans.
It took me a while to finish it, the story just had no traction. Still it wasn't bad, it just wasn't as good as I was hoping for. It was billed as police procedural, SF, Comic Fantasy, and Horror all in an exotic futuristic, Far Eastern setting.
I will probably try the next one, The Demon and the City, when it goes into paper, I think Zhu Irzh, is the POV for it.
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LibraryThing member slothman
Barry Hughart's Bridge of Birds meets the police thriller in a near-future world where the detective handling supernatural crimes regularly phones and e-mails with colleagues and bureaucrats in Heaven and Hell.
LibraryThing member Shrike58
I liked this mix of modern-day setting with Chinese myth and legend a great deal. However, the folks who found it disconcerting that the initial mystery was tossed over the side in favor of a more apocalypic plot have a point. This is not to mention that it just seemed as though the book should
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really be a bit longer, even with the nifty little twist that Williams gives to the conclusion. Perhaps this is the downside of starting out to write what appears to be intended as an open-ended series; the author just winds up holding back developments that seem as though they organically belong to a given book. Show Less
LibraryThing member MaryRobinetteKowal
I love the world creation and the characters in this book, but was annoyed by the plot. Now, it might just be me, but it seemed like "coincidence" played too big a role in the book.
[Spoiler]
For instance, when Inari is rescued by the mysterious monk woman, who later turns out to be the Goddess of
I would have liked to see Chen make his own luck more often, but it seemed like there was a lot of "he is stuck in an awful predicament when someone/something arrives to save him."
Still, I have to say that the combination of chinese fantasy with SF is pretty fun. I just wish that I had been able to invest more in the story.
[Spoiler]
For instance, when Inari is rescued by the mysterious monk woman, who later turns out to be the Goddess of
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Plague. First of all, that was very lucky. Secondly, why the heck would the Goddess of Plague care about Inari at all? It just doesn't make sense.I would have liked to see Chen make his own luck more often, but it seemed like there was a lot of "he is stuck in an awful predicament when someone/something arrives to save him."
Still, I have to say that the combination of chinese fantasy with SF is pretty fun. I just wish that I had been able to invest more in the story.
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LibraryThing member Space_Cadet
Really enjoyable setting, plus a talking badger. What's not to like?
Ok, so there were some coincidences, but it was a terrific tale.
It does leave me really looking forward to the next book in the series...
Ok, so there were some coincidences, but it was a terrific tale.
It does leave me really looking forward to the next book in the series...
LibraryThing member dalmador95
Interesting premise, but it didn't hold my interest.
LibraryThing member ragwaine
Got this on bookmooch and I'm really liking it so far other than the occasional modern element connected with the spiritual elements (like sending the government in hell an e-mail).
This was a fun romp through hell with a well developed comological scheme. It's funny because it was a dark plot but
This was a fun romp through hell with a well developed comological scheme. It's funny because it was a dark plot but
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never seemed to get too serious or disturbing. It was more like an action adventure novel than anything deep. The characters and magic were interesting though. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, it was only just so-so for me. I don't know if was because I wasn't in the right state of mind to appreciate it, or if it was not my kind of book.
The writing was complex, not too slow, not too fast. The characters were very human. Its an odd
I also quite liked the demon, Zhu Irzh. He reminded me a lot like Algy, form the Importance of Being Earnest (an unusual comparison, I know).
Maybe that the story seemed to go on and on forever that I felt this way about this book or maybe it was the characters names- The characters kept combining into a different person, and only half way through the story was I able to put them in the right setting.
My one and only big critique is the prologue- I'd skip it completely. It doesn't really add anything to the story, and you encounter, almost word for word later in the book.
The writing was complex, not too slow, not too fast. The characters were very human. Its an odd
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thing to say, but most of the humans just wanted to go home to their significant other, or were concerned about the daily grind of life. And Chen, our hero, is such a sweet person. He worries so much about being good for his Goddess, but he is also willing to make the sacrifices needed to keep the love of his life. I also quite liked the demon, Zhu Irzh. He reminded me a lot like Algy, form the Importance of Being Earnest (an unusual comparison, I know).
Maybe that the story seemed to go on and on forever that I felt this way about this book or maybe it was the characters names- The characters kept combining into a different person, and only half way through the story was I able to put them in the right setting.
My one and only big critique is the prologue- I'd skip it completely. It doesn't really add anything to the story, and you encounter, almost word for word later in the book.
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LibraryThing member rivkat
Detective Inspector Chen of Singapore Three has a special assignment: deal with problems arising from Hell. In this high-tech future, email and other innovations make communicating with Heaven and Hell much easier. Chen has personal troubles: abandoned by his goddess for taking a demon as his
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bride, Chen (and his wife) are now the target of a powerful vendetta. But Chen does his duty when a young girl’s ghost turns up in a brothel in Hell, rather than safely in Heaven as she was supposed to. He teams up with demon Vice cop Zhu Irzh (Vice cop meaning rather the opposite in Hell of what it means on earth) to solve the mystery. Both Hell and Singapore Three feature very traditional gender roles, which made me a bit itchy, but the combination of tech and myth was intriguing, and I will probably check out the next book in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member JJbooklvr
Book jacket describes it as John Constantine meets Chow Yun Fat. I think that says it all. This is book 1 of 4 in the series. Detective Inspector Chen is a snake agent. He investigates cases that have supernatural or mystical origins. His latest case starts out investigating the disappearance of a
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young girl’s ghost. Aided by Seneschal Zhu Irzh, a demon vice cop from Hell, Chen journeys to the depths of Hell itself to solve the mystery. Show Less
LibraryThing member kusine
It's nice to read a book that doesn't use Western mythology for a change. It was a little confusing at times, I'm guessing because Eastern mythology/religions aren't my thing, but it was a nice change from the usual fairy/vampire/werewolf fare. Good.
LibraryThing member sensitivemuse
I liked this book because it’s different from the myriads of urban fantasy novels I’ve read in the past. It’s different because it contains Eastern mythology, mysticism and religions. The setting takes place in Singapore (which earns bonus points from me, as this is the first book I’ve read
The plot itself is interesting. There’s a lot of twists and turns and as Wei Chen investigates further into the mystery, he realizes there’s more to it than just soul trafficking. There’s also the second plot which involves Zhu Irzh and his case which takes place in Hell. I liked his plot more, as it had an element of intrigue and explained in detail the hierarchy of Demon politics and how they relate to one another. Zhu Irzh also provides the comic relief. Unlike Chen, his approach is more laid back and he provides a witty comeback every so often. It’s a well written plot and interesting enough to keep you reading. The action is good and makes the pace go faster, not to mention the sub plot involving Inari was also really interesting as well. I especially liked the overall tone of the story. It’s really dark and has a very ‘noir’ feel to it. The setting descriptions add more to the tone of the book - especially describing the humidity and heat in the city. It added more to the feeling of the story and takes the reader to the setting. So, it’s like you’re there following the characters.
It’s a great start to what looks like a really good series and I’m definitely going to continue reading it. It shows great promise and it looks like things could go really complicated with Chen and Zhu Irzh. I do recommend this to those that love Harry Dresden, and Felix Castor, but with an Asian setting and with a much more dark and grittier tone. Fans of urban fantasy should also get a good read out of this book.
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with a setting there). Also, the story line is very dark, noir and very gritty. It’s an interesting blend of fantasy and science fiction and by putting to two together gives you a unique world. I also thought it was interesting how characters can travel from hell, to Singapore, and back again. The plot itself is interesting. There’s a lot of twists and turns and as Wei Chen investigates further into the mystery, he realizes there’s more to it than just soul trafficking. There’s also the second plot which involves Zhu Irzh and his case which takes place in Hell. I liked his plot more, as it had an element of intrigue and explained in detail the hierarchy of Demon politics and how they relate to one another. Zhu Irzh also provides the comic relief. Unlike Chen, his approach is more laid back and he provides a witty comeback every so often. It’s a well written plot and interesting enough to keep you reading. The action is good and makes the pace go faster, not to mention the sub plot involving Inari was also really interesting as well. I especially liked the overall tone of the story. It’s really dark and has a very ‘noir’ feel to it. The setting descriptions add more to the tone of the book - especially describing the humidity and heat in the city. It added more to the feeling of the story and takes the reader to the setting. So, it’s like you’re there following the characters.
It’s a great start to what looks like a really good series and I’m definitely going to continue reading it. It shows great promise and it looks like things could go really complicated with Chen and Zhu Irzh. I do recommend this to those that love Harry Dresden, and Felix Castor, but with an Asian setting and with a much more dark and grittier tone. Fans of urban fantasy should also get a good read out of this book.
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LibraryThing member shevdon
Initially, I chose Snake Agent because of the cover. It's a fantastic image and reveals more detail as you look into it. I was hoping that the contents would live up to the jacket.It took me a little while to get into the setting, which is very different from either the modern western setting of
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most Urban Fantasy or the pseudo-medieval setting of heroic fantasy. It does grow on you, though, and the book is very atmospheric. Williams stays away from the temptation to make Inspector Chen a martial arts expert or to endow him with magical powers. Instead, Chen relies on his charm, wit and the protection of his beliefs to preserve him against powerful foes.One of the things that I really liked was the way Williams uses humour in the book. There are some wry moments. Also, the way certain aspects of the story emerge (I'm avoiding spoilers at this point) is handled with a beautifully light and subtle touch as we gradually see deeper into Chen's complex motivations. He makes a very believable hero.I found the book a very enjoyable read, refreshingly different with both a male protagonist and an Oriental setting, well paced and full of interesting characters that lives up to the subtle splendour of its cover.It's in my list of best books of 2010. Show Less
LibraryThing member JohnnyPanic13
Confession. I bought this book for the cover. But have you seen the cover? it's frikkin gorgeous. Maybe the most beautiful book cover I've ever seen. The book was good, it might not have been one of my all time favorites, but the plot was good the characters had a little depth - though I'd argue
And the world that Liz Williams creates is one that sticks with you.
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they could have evolved more as the book(s) progress.And the world that Liz Williams creates is one that sticks with you.
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LibraryThing member JohnnyPanic13
Confession. I bought this book for the cover. But have you seen the cover? it's frikkin gorgeous. Maybe the most beautiful book cover I've ever seen. The book was good, it might not have been one of my all time favorites, but the plot was good the characters had a little depth - though I'd argue
And the world that Liz Williams creates is one that sticks with you.
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they could have evolved more as the book(s) progress.And the world that Liz Williams creates is one that sticks with you.
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LibraryThing member Murphy-Jacobs
This book is delicious. I read it with a group last year and we had a lot to talk about it, which I won't recount here. I'll just list off what I liked about it (enough to buy the next 3 books in the series).
First, I enjoyed a book set in a mythos/culture not my own. I can't speak to how accurately
Second, I loved the SF elements, which kept the book from falling completely over into fantasy. They are small, tucked in here and there, sometimes quite subtly, which made them all the better. I liked the 'weird fiction' vibe, the refusal to be easily tossed into a genre hole.
Third, I really enjoyed how the characters interacted with each other. I loved their alien-ness, their ways of viewing the world that were not predictable for me or even all that familiar to me.
I haven't dived into the rest of the series yet, but they sit on a shelf awaiting their turn.
First, I enjoyed a book set in a mythos/culture not my own. I can't speak to how accurately
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this mythos is represented, but it is markedly different from the Western based ones usually found in similar novels. I really found delight in the way the supernatural was interwoven in the lives of the characters.Second, I loved the SF elements, which kept the book from falling completely over into fantasy. They are small, tucked in here and there, sometimes quite subtly, which made them all the better. I liked the 'weird fiction' vibe, the refusal to be easily tossed into a genre hole.
Third, I really enjoyed how the characters interacted with each other. I loved their alien-ness, their ways of viewing the world that were not predictable for me or even all that familiar to me.
I haven't dived into the rest of the series yet, but they sit on a shelf awaiting their turn.
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LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
An enjoyable first foray into a fantastic alternative world, in which the realms of heaven, hell, and earth - and their inhabitants - are closely linked in an unending dance of conflict, confrontation, and negotiation. On earth, in the city of Singapore Three, Detective Inspector Chen Wei is the
I found Snake Agent, the first of Liz Williams' Detective Inspector Chen Novels, to be an engaging story - highly readable, with interesting characters. Chen was likable, if a little bland, and Zhu Irzh was entertaining, in that "seductive sophisticate with a well-hidden heart" kind of way. I know that some thought Inari's characterization was somewhat lacking, but I myself found her sympathetic and believable - she was a being out of her depth, struggling to do the best she could with the circumstances in which she found herself. Her guardian teapot-badger was completely adorable - particularly as he remained (cat-like) aloof and unknowable.
I wouldn't say that this was a terribly well-written book, as I found the narrative somewhat uneven, but there were moments where I needed to stop and reread some particular passage, and think about what Williams was saying. When she writes: "Yet Chen suspected that Hell lay somewhere contained in the group soul of a people, delineating its pathways in accordance with their dominant beliefs," I found myself nodding in agreement. It is clear that the author worked many Taoist and Buddhist beliefs into her story, but as someone with only a passing familiarity with those religions, I am unable to really comment on her understanding of them, although I definitely feel that they gave the story added intellectual depth.
My only real complaint lies in the occasional feeling, especially when her characters comment disparagingly about western beliefs, that Williams intruded too much on her narrative. But that is a minor irritation, and all in all, I am glad to have read this, and thank my friend Sherri for recommending it
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police department's specialist in mystical investigation. When a case involving the ghost of a young girl - meant for the Celestial Shores, but somehow trapped in Hell instead - comes to his attention, Chen finds himself caught up in a shadowy conspiracy involving the theft of innocent souls, and the creation of a sinister new drug. Now, with the help of Seneschal Zhu Irzh, of Hell's Vice Squad, Chen must confront the immensely powerful Ministry of Epidemics, with the safety of his own demon-wife Inari, as well as the balance of the Tao itself, at stake...I found Snake Agent, the first of Liz Williams' Detective Inspector Chen Novels, to be an engaging story - highly readable, with interesting characters. Chen was likable, if a little bland, and Zhu Irzh was entertaining, in that "seductive sophisticate with a well-hidden heart" kind of way. I know that some thought Inari's characterization was somewhat lacking, but I myself found her sympathetic and believable - she was a being out of her depth, struggling to do the best she could with the circumstances in which she found herself. Her guardian teapot-badger was completely adorable - particularly as he remained (cat-like) aloof and unknowable.
I wouldn't say that this was a terribly well-written book, as I found the narrative somewhat uneven, but there were moments where I needed to stop and reread some particular passage, and think about what Williams was saying. When she writes: "Yet Chen suspected that Hell lay somewhere contained in the group soul of a people, delineating its pathways in accordance with their dominant beliefs," I found myself nodding in agreement. It is clear that the author worked many Taoist and Buddhist beliefs into her story, but as someone with only a passing familiarity with those religions, I am unable to really comment on her understanding of them, although I definitely feel that they gave the story added intellectual depth.
My only real complaint lies in the occasional feeling, especially when her characters comment disparagingly about western beliefs, that Williams intruded too much on her narrative. But that is a minor irritation, and all in all, I am glad to have read this, and thank my friend Sherri for recommending it
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LibraryThing member teckelvik
This is a mystery/fantasy novel, set more or less in the Chinese pantheon. The Chinese concepts of Heaven and Hell don't map exactly onto the Western concepts, so this makes for a nicely off-kilter setting. The protagonist, Chen Wei, is a detective inspector in Singapore 3, in a reality not quite
Chen is trying to figure out who is mis-routing souls who should be in Heaven to Hell, and finds himself working in tandem with a demon who is trying to find out who is creating problems for his patron noble. As Chen starts putting the pieces together, he finds himself hiding out in Hell. In the meantime, his wife is kidnapped, Kuan Yin stops speaking to him, and his demonic "partner" clearly has his own agenda.
I enjoyed this, and immediately ordered the next volume in the series from interlibrary loan.
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ours. He solves cases which involve incursions into the human realm from either Heaven or Hell, with the occasional assistance of Kuan Yin. As goddess of mercy, she has compassion on all victims, but as a goddess, her decisions on who receives compassion don't always make sense to humans. Chen is trying to figure out who is mis-routing souls who should be in Heaven to Hell, and finds himself working in tandem with a demon who is trying to find out who is creating problems for his patron noble. As Chen starts putting the pieces together, he finds himself hiding out in Hell. In the meantime, his wife is kidnapped, Kuan Yin stops speaking to him, and his demonic "partner" clearly has his own agenda.
I enjoyed this, and immediately ordered the next volume in the series from interlibrary loan.
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LibraryThing member steadfastreader
Decent writing and a novel concept, that the substance between one world and the next are infinitely thinner than we could ever imagine them to be.
The detective story itself is a bit blasé, but the colorful cast of characters and scenery that envelopes the reader is thrilling. There's more
The backdrop of modern China also leads this American reader to feel like I'm exploring a place not just supernatural, but exotic.
(This review is based on an advance review copy supplied through NetGalley by the publisher.)
The detective story itself is a bit blasé, but the colorful cast of characters and scenery that envelopes the reader is thrilling. There's more
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backstory I'd like to hear about Detective Inspector Chen (and his wife), so I guess you might say I'm looking forward to the next book. The backdrop of modern China also leads this American reader to feel like I'm exploring a place not just supernatural, but exotic.
(This review is based on an advance review copy supplied through NetGalley by the publisher.)
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LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
I read this back in 2006 and just reread it for a review for a reissue.
here is the original review I had on my journal.
Well reading the short story that composes part of this novel sent me reading the full length novel ASAP. I had it but had been saving it. I don't know why I do that but
And now reading it 7 years later it was just as fun and now I want to dive right back into this world.
here is the original review I had on my journal.
Well reading the short story that composes part of this novel sent me reading the full length novel ASAP. I had it but had been saving it. I don't know why I do that but
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sometimes I do, silly yes I know. Well I liked it so much that I got the paperback so I could finish reading it on the plane without dragging the hardcover with me and having something happen to it. I really like the world setup in this. The in depth setup of the underworld's government and dealings was wonderful. As much as I liked Chen, the hero I really liked Zhu Irzh, the cop from the underworld. He almost seems to be more of a fish out of water than Chen. Of course it is just manifesting with him versus Chen who has been dealing with being on the fringe for a long time. Now to find where I left the sequel somewhere around the house. And now reading it 7 years later it was just as fun and now I want to dive right back into this world.
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LibraryThing member mamzel
Detective Inspector Chen serves in Singapore Three with a particular focus. He can travel between this world and Hell (all levels) and has a partner demon named Zhu Irzh. He is even married to a demon named Inari and they live on a houseboat with a badger/teakettle.
Chen and Zhu are called on to
Williams gives us a totally new world with new situations which play on Oriental theologies. There is no lack of gore, horrid smells, and terrible characters as you might well expect. Through it all Chen banks on his relationship with the goddess Kuan Yin who helps in travel between worlds.
Something different.
Chen and Zhu are called on to
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investigate the mysterious disappearance of an industrialist which calls attention to the disappearances of many young women in recent days. Williams gives us a totally new world with new situations which play on Oriental theologies. There is no lack of gore, horrid smells, and terrible characters as you might well expect. Through it all Chen banks on his relationship with the goddess Kuan Yin who helps in travel between worlds.
Something different.
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LibraryThing member pwaites
For whatever reason, I never connected to Snake Agent. Even when there was something about it that I normally would have found interesting, it just never drew me in.
Snake Agent is an urban fantasy, science fiction, mystery mash up set in an alternate universe where Singapore’s started
The part that I would normally find interesting was the world building. Even from the brief description I gave above, it’s clear that there’s a lot going on within the world of Snake Agent. Probably my favorite detail was that modern technology has speed up the bureaucratic processes within Heaven and Hell. I could imagine the settings clearly, and Hell was inventively disgusting. However, none of this really got me engaged with the book. And unfortunately, I never connected well enough to the characters or cared enough about the plot for those aspects to make the book worthwhile for me.
Chen was the normally by the books detective who was becoming conflicted due to associations with those who would normally be his opponents. In this case, it was primarily Seneschal Zhu Irzh, his counter part in Hell who he winds up working with as a partner, and his demonic wife Inari. Zhu and Inari both had POV sections in addition to Chen, as well as even some more minor characters like Sergeant Ma. I don’t think all of these POV characters were necessary to the book. In particular, I don’t know what Inari’s POV sections added as they didn’t tie strongly to the plot and Inari herself was not a very active character. In the end, I’m not sure what Inari contributed, besides having her existence be a conflict for Chen.
The plot has many different threads to it, and it did end up coming together as I predicted. However, I was hoping that the book would become more exciting or that I would care more once it drew closer to the climax. Neither occurred. I also wasn’t fond of the device where the author shows a snippet of the climax right at the beginning to try and get the reader immediately involved. It feels like clumsy manipulation. Obviously, a book should be manipulating a reader’s emotions (or else what is the point?), but in this case I found it blatant and ineffective.
I don’t think Snake Agent was bad exactly; I just didn’t find it very interesting. It’s unlikely to be a book I recommend in the future, and I’m not planning on continuing with the series.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Snake Agent is an urban fantasy, science fiction, mystery mash up set in an alternate universe where Singapore’s started
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franchising. Detective Inspector Chen handles supernatural cases for the Singapore Three police. He regularly deals with Heaven, Hell, and the spirits of the deceased. He soon becomes unwittingly embroiled in an investigation involving the trafficked souls of young girls and a conspiracy within Hell’s Ministry of Epidemics.The part that I would normally find interesting was the world building. Even from the brief description I gave above, it’s clear that there’s a lot going on within the world of Snake Agent. Probably my favorite detail was that modern technology has speed up the bureaucratic processes within Heaven and Hell. I could imagine the settings clearly, and Hell was inventively disgusting. However, none of this really got me engaged with the book. And unfortunately, I never connected well enough to the characters or cared enough about the plot for those aspects to make the book worthwhile for me.
Chen was the normally by the books detective who was becoming conflicted due to associations with those who would normally be his opponents. In this case, it was primarily Seneschal Zhu Irzh, his counter part in Hell who he winds up working with as a partner, and his demonic wife Inari. Zhu and Inari both had POV sections in addition to Chen, as well as even some more minor characters like Sergeant Ma. I don’t think all of these POV characters were necessary to the book. In particular, I don’t know what Inari’s POV sections added as they didn’t tie strongly to the plot and Inari herself was not a very active character. In the end, I’m not sure what Inari contributed, besides having her existence be a conflict for Chen.
The plot has many different threads to it, and it did end up coming together as I predicted. However, I was hoping that the book would become more exciting or that I would care more once it drew closer to the climax. Neither occurred. I also wasn’t fond of the device where the author shows a snippet of the climax right at the beginning to try and get the reader immediately involved. It feels like clumsy manipulation. Obviously, a book should be manipulating a reader’s emotions (or else what is the point?), but in this case I found it blatant and ineffective.
I don’t think Snake Agent was bad exactly; I just didn’t find it very interesting. It’s unlikely to be a book I recommend in the future, and I’m not planning on continuing with the series.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I'm still not sure about this one. One of the comments on the cover describe it as "John Constantine meets Chow Yun-Fat" and that's not completely unfair. It's a futuristic world, a world with liquid computers (a wonderful sequence) and franchised cities but also a world where the paranormal is
In the middle of this is Detective Inspector Chen, the Singapore Three police department snake agent, the detective in charge of supernatural and mystical investigations. A man hiding a demon wife, and trying to keep on the good side of his patron goddess Quan Yin. He ends up helping a vice officer from Hell to investigate some illegal soul trafficking.
Interesting but it somehow lacked something. I'm not completely sure what it was that it lacked. It was almost that the author had a great idea for characters but couldn't work out a great way to get them together. There were things left hanging that may be resolved in the next but might be left for a while and all in all although a good read not a great one although it did show a lot of potential to be a great read.
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closer than might be comfortable, where Heaven and Hell are a few blood-drops away and the Gods animate their statues in temples.In the middle of this is Detective Inspector Chen, the Singapore Three police department snake agent, the detective in charge of supernatural and mystical investigations. A man hiding a demon wife, and trying to keep on the good side of his patron goddess Quan Yin. He ends up helping a vice officer from Hell to investigate some illegal soul trafficking.
Interesting but it somehow lacked something. I'm not completely sure what it was that it lacked. It was almost that the author had a great idea for characters but couldn't work out a great way to get them together. There were things left hanging that may be resolved in the next but might be left for a while and all in all although a good read not a great one although it did show a lot of potential to be a great read.
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