Daisies & Dragon Slayers of The Equator by Penny Singham

It's a historical fantasy set in Malaysia that tells the story of its beginning, composition of its people and historical and geographical wealth, largely unknown to the world, and how its history is deeply linked to ancient India, China, Indonesia including Europe from 16th century onwards that was responsible for its current modern state especially by the British who held court for 150 years until independence in 1957. The main story, depicts drama of an Indian family with the bread winner working for the prestigious civil service left behind by the British; of schools friends and childhood friendships; of characters gifted with supernatural abilities; of espionage and lurking dangers of 21st century; trial and tribulations of life in the so-called modern Malaysia; and the thing called love - all told with an element of dark humour.