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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
3.5. It was lovely to return to this world, but this one wasn't nearly as impressive as the first, for me. I still loved the worldbuilding and the themes, but unfortunately, I didn't find Muna a particularly compelling character.
The True Queen is a beautifully-imagined fantasy, rich in detail and imagery and with a really diverse cast of characters. Its an absorbing and engaging read, and it almost reminds me of The Invisible Library series of books by Genevieve Cogman. If you enjoy fantasy with stunning descriptive writing, then definitely add The True Queen to your TBR.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is definitely not a case of a sophomore slump! If anything, The True Queen is even better than Sorcerer to the Crown! The story of two sisters who’ve lost their memory and a British lady sorcerer who practices magic despite her family’s wishes is seamlessly interwoven with the mystery of a missing magic amulet. The characters are written with care and a superb level of detail and the story is taut and spellbinding. If you have any interest in feminist fantasy, check this book out immediately!
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The ending had me crying happy tears.
So good. Funny and sweet and lovely and clever.
The cross cultural fairy tales/magic really worked well. The main character is a Malay Muslimah> who travels via Fairy/the Unseen Lands to England to break a curse and save her sister.
I thought I was going to miss Prunella and Zacharias, but I was so involved in Muna and Henny and everything going on that I really didn't mind only seeing them in cameos. The way it was written also means you could read this as a standalone.
CW: battling sisters, some characters eat each other to gain magic, one kiss, discussion of racism and sexism
So good. Funny and sweet and lovely and clever.
The cross cultural fairy tales/magic really worked well. The main character is a Malay Muslimah
Spoiler
or is she? dun dun dunI thought I was going to miss Prunella and Zacharias, but I was so involved in Muna and Henny and everything going on that I really didn't mind only seeing them in cameos. The way it was written also means you could read this as a standalone.
CW: battling sisters, some characters eat each other to gain magic, one kiss, discussion of racism and sexism
4.5 ⭐️ this is a highly underrated queer sapphic fantasy novel wtf I love it!!!! Zen Cho I love ur writing
Unfortunately at the moment I am having to mark this as a DNF, the writing is interesting and the world building is strong, but it's just not gripping my attention right now.
I think I definitely need to read the first book before trying this one again.
Hopefully in the future I will pick this up again and love it.
I think I definitely need to read the first book before trying this one again.
Hopefully in the future I will pick this up again and love it.