Archibald Lox and the Empress of Suanpan — Darren Shan

Archie thought he was finished with the Merge, but he was wrong. Teaming up again with Inez, they must pit their wits against the infamous Empress of Suanpan. In a city of gamblers, Archie must stake everything he owns, even his freedom... Book two of the Archibald Lox series, by Darren Shan, the New York Times bestselling YA author of Cirque Du Freak and Lord Loss. This second instalment in Shan's new series is even more pacy and exciting than the first. The Bookbag. This series just gets better -- makes you want to read Book 3 immediately. Rajiv's Reviews. Archibald Lox and the Empress of Suanpan is non-stop adventure from the very first page and once again transports readers to magical realms beyond their wildest imaginations... will appeal to even the most reluctant young readers. Five out of five stars. Addicted to Media. Filled with fantastic characters, true to form description, and Shan's distinct writing style, Archibald Lox is sure to enthrall readers of all ages. The Haunted Wordsmith. I believe that the Archibald Lox series has the potential to be the author's best work since The Saga of Darren Shan, it has the magical, dream-like overtones of Lewis Carroll's Alice books and the captivating, world-hopping drama of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. I can't recommend it highly enough, perfect for fantasy fans of all ages. Books, Films & Random Lunacy. High fantasy that allows you to step away from the real world and into a vivid space of wonder. The Reading Corner For All. Perfect for fans of adventurous fantasy stories! Mind of Luxe.