Harbour of Hungry Ghosts

coming 28th July 2026

cover artist Toma Nguyen

art director Ella Garrett

"My name is not Kim, it's Kiamling. It means Sword Spirit. I was forged to cut down the undead. Demons and monsters aren't just in your storybooks, they walk among us."

The Au family serve the people of Hong Kong: blessing shrines, honouring the dead and dealing with dangerous monster incursions. The expectations on eldest daughter Kiamling are high, which is not something her strict grandmother will let her forget.

When the British disrupt the Hungry Ghosts festival and her grandmother is seized by a strange new monster, Kiamling must step up and lead the search. She is aided by unexpected allies: Archie, an earnest civil servant, Hoi gor, childhood sweetheart turned merchant-pirate and Jingling, her younger sister keeping secrets of her own. Kiamling must figure out who is behind the incursion and more importantly, how to defeat them.

With British fables mingling with local Chinese monsters, can Kiamling prove herself, when the old rules no longer seem to apply?

Babel meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer - a family of demon hunters find their hands full when unfamiliar monsters start stalking the streets of Opium War-era Hong Kong, in this historical fantasy adventure from No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller Eliza Chan.

Early Reviews:

Chan creates a winning combination of magic-infused martial arts action, historically informed plotting, and vivid characterization for a splendid beginning to this series. Readers will be eager to follow Kiamling for many adventures to come. — Publishers Weekly starrred review

Eliza Chan has outdone herself! Filled with action, humour, and sassy women, HARBOUR OF HUNGRY GHOSTS is a glorious tribute to Eastern and Western mythologies, and to Hong Kong's richly vibrant history. — Sunyi Dean, bestselling author of The Book Eaters.

A rip-roaring romp through 19th Century Hong Kong infested with monsters, and the belligerent hunter who must take them down. Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is hilarious, whip-smart and action-packed, with a dysfunctional but devoted family at its emotional core. — Frances White, bestselling author of Voyage of the Damned

With a vibrant world, non-stop demon-slaying action, and a stubborn mess of a main character you can't help but root for, Harbour of Hungry Ghosts explores colonialism and the weight of familial expectations, set against the backdrop of a Hong Kong where Chinese folklore clashes with the intruding British. Propulsive, fun, and complex: this is the monster-hunting fantasy I've been craving. — Genoveva Dimova, author of Foul Days

If you're looking for kickass adventure, snarky humour, vivid settings, important history, and flawed but charismatic characters that grow throughout the story, don't miss this gem!
— Emma Sterner-Radley, author of Snowblooded

Harbour of Hungry Ghostswas such a fantastic adventure down memory lane, with the familiar yet vibrant setting of a Hong Kong that has been immortalised by its cinematic golden age. Hopping zombies controlled by yellow talismans is an absolute classic! This is one action-packed fantasy that will leave you at the edge of your seat! — Amber Chen, author of Of Jade and Dragons

Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is a fast-paced fusion of fantasy and historical Hong Kong absolutely packed with monsters, mythology, and the best kind of mayhem. — Cameron Johnston, author of First Mage on the Moon

A cinematic tour de force from Eliza Chan about a family of demon hunters set in Opium War era Hong Kong, Chan imbues her signature high stakes action with cutting social insights on colonialism, othering, and generational shame. Be prepared for tears; Chan excels at tugging those heart strings to breaking point then cushioning broken hearts with bittersweet tenderness. — A.Y. Chao, author of Shanghai Immortal