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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
relaxing
fast-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:
Yes
Every bit as delightful as its predecessor, if not more. Cho nails the Regency (-esque?) tone perfectly alongside magic, cultural differences, and the ongoing battle for women's rights. I love a sequel that expands on the worldbuilding of the previous book, rather than merely continuing it.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I think I might've enjoyed this more than the first book? Don't get me wrong, I LOVED the first book and it was exactly the kind of funny book I wanted at the time. This one has much of the same wit of the first one, but it feels a lot more serious - maybe because prunella isn't the main POV character this time ? Muna and Henrietta feel much more grounded as characters. Anyway, I loved this book. I liked that though it isn't a direct sequel as such, it still follows chronologically and with many of the same characters. I loved the plot and I'm so happy about the resolution - I read somewhere that endings need to have done kind of sacrifice following a big showdown; there must be *some* kind of loss (not necessarily of life) to go with the resolution. I've seen it in other books and sometimes it works! However I am REALLY happy we didn't get that kind of ending here. On the whole, everyone came out of it unscathed (and some, better off) and ALSO we got the happy sapphic romance I'd been hoping for at the end too. Perfect. Excellent. Exactly what I wanted.
Rather disappointed. I remember her previous book as being impossible to put down. This one seemed impossible to get into. Second half was better, but still left not feeling crazy about it.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve been waiting for a follow up to Sorcerer to the Crown, by Zen Cho, since I turned the last page. The book was such a breath of fresh air yet, at the same time, gave me so many things I already knew I loved in historical fantasy. The True Queen, I am happy to report, is well worth the wait. I honestly can’t recall the last book that I finished with such a strong feeling of satisfied happiness...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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:
Yes
In the follow up to the Sorcerer of the Crown, The True Queen followed two sisters, Muna & Sakti, who had woken up one day with no recollection of who they were & their past except for their names & the possibility that they had their magic stolen. With the help from the incredible Mak Genggang & Prunella, spanning from Janda Baik to England via the Unseen Realm, the two tried to solve the mystery revolving their state which may be rooted in a power struggle amongst powerful magical creatures.
The start of the story was aptly slow paced, reflecting the confusion the sisters went through with their amnesia. But the acerbic & sharp-witted nature of the casts of strong women made for a highly entertaining read; Sakti, Prunella & Mak Genggang, even the polong, have the tendency to quite literally took life by the horns. This was especially true when it came to shooting down any attempts by others to stifle them for their gender, "class", or race. I just loved how they either tried to bulldoze their way through the unjust system or play the system at its own game. But I also adore how we had the likes of Muna & Henrietta, though they were more subtle, they were just as revolutionary.
The series depicted the concept of culturally-different views & approaches to magic. I loved how there were contrasts being made between the Western & Eastern (i.e. Malay specifically) views on the magical system. If there is one thing that I adore most about Cho, it is how unapologetically Malaysian she is with her writings: in this story, she imbued Malay myths & beliefs into the plot to depict Muna, Sakti & Mak Genggang's background. Those familiar with the Malay culture may recognize the significance of "fine creatures" aside from the proverbs mentioned including references to mulut tempayan and nasi sudah menjadi bubur translated into English or mentioned in some form of Bahasa Rojak; as a Malay Malaysian, it was a joy to see.
The True Queen was a fun, light read in a fantasy that recognizes & celebrates magic beyond the Western world. Towards the climax of the story, Cho successfully evoked a sense of awe, quenching one's thirst for adventure as the mystery involving the sisters was resolved. But the characters' astute commentaries about the problems with elistism & feudalism were ever so relevant, & I found their sarcasms to be an exceptional balm especially in lieu with what's going on currently.
If you want to read a fantasy that provides a different approach/view to magic, I highly recommend you picking up The True Queen as well as its accompaniment, Sorceror to the Crown.
The start of the story was aptly slow paced, reflecting the confusion the sisters went through with their amnesia. But the acerbic & sharp-witted nature of the casts of strong women made for a highly entertaining read;
The series depicted the concept of culturally-different views & approaches to magic. I loved how there were contrasts being made between the Western & Eastern (i.e. Malay specifically) views on the magical system. If there is one thing that I adore most about Cho, it is how unapologetically Malaysian she is with her writings: in this story, she imbued Malay myths & beliefs into the plot to depict Muna, Sakti & Mak Genggang's background. Those familiar with the Malay culture may recognize the significance of "fine creatures" aside from the proverbs mentioned including references to mulut tempayan and nasi sudah menjadi bubur translated into English or mentioned in some form of Bahasa Rojak; as a Malay Malaysian, it was a joy to see.
The True Queen was a fun, light read in a fantasy that recognizes & celebrates magic beyond the Western world. Towards the climax of the story, Cho successfully evoked a sense of awe, quenching one's thirst for adventure as the mystery involving the sisters was resolved. But the characters' astute commentaries about the problems with elistism & feudalism were ever so relevant, & I found their sarcasms to be an exceptional balm especially in lieu with what's going on currently.
If you want to read a fantasy that provides a different approach/view to magic, I highly recommend you picking up The True Queen as well as its accompaniment, Sorceror to the Crown.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Racism, Colonisation
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Grief
Moderate: Cannibalism
Do you want a delightful and charming Regency-era fantasy novel with a diverse cast and a f/f romance subplot? A story focused on sisterhood? Dragons with manners? Then you need to read The True Queen, a loose follow-up to Zen Cho’s previous novel, Socerer to the Crown!
Muna and Sakti wake up on the beach of Janda Baik, knowing only their names and that they’re sisters. They quickly learn that they’ve been cursed by an unknown sorcerer — Muna’s lost her magic, and Sakti has started to fade away. Clues lead them to believe that the answers lie in England, so Muna and Sakti head to visit Sorceress Royal’s academy for female mages. But along the way, they run into trouble, and it’s now up to Muna to save her sister.
Just like it’s predecessor, The True Queen is a gem of a novel, sparkling with humor and brimming with heart. Multiple sections made me laugh out loud, and I kept reading bits and pieces out to anyone around me. I’m so glad this book exists. If you haven’t read Socerer to the Crown, I think you could read The True Queen without it (although the first book is wonderful too). The protagonists of the first book only appear in supporting roles here, and the plot of The True Queen stands on its own.
Of course, the events in The True Queen are influenced by what came before. As Muna’s staying at the school for female mages (and desperately pretending to have magic herself), you see the struggle of getting English society to adapt to magical women. One of the other major characters, Henrietta, is a teacher at the school and lying to her family about it, trying to avoid their disapproval.
I guessed some of the book’s plot twists but it still had plenty of surprises in store for me. Besides, the pleasure was in the journey more than the destination. I love Cho’s writing and the world she presents, a Regency England infused with magic and where multiculturalism is actually recognized. And have I mentioned the dragons? I love dragons, and this book has QUEER DRAGONS. It doesn’t get any better than that.
When I first read The True Queen, I immediately popped onto Twitter to scream about how I’d just read the sequel to Sorcerer to the Crown and how it was amazing and had queer Malaysian witches. This book made me so happy, and I’m glad it’s releasing soon so everyone else can read it too!
I received an ARC in exchange for a free and honest review.
Review from The Illustrated Page.
Muna and Sakti wake up on the beach of Janda Baik, knowing only their names and that they’re sisters. They quickly learn that they’ve been cursed by an unknown sorcerer — Muna’s lost her magic, and Sakti has started to fade away. Clues lead them to believe that the answers lie in England, so Muna and Sakti head to visit Sorceress Royal’s academy for female mages. But along the way, they run into trouble, and it’s now up to Muna to save her sister.
Just like it’s predecessor, The True Queen is a gem of a novel, sparkling with humor and brimming with heart. Multiple sections made me laugh out loud, and I kept reading bits and pieces out to anyone around me. I’m so glad this book exists. If you haven’t read Socerer to the Crown, I think you could read The True Queen without it (although the first book is wonderful too). The protagonists of the first book only appear in supporting roles here, and the plot of The True Queen stands on its own.
Of course, the events in The True Queen are influenced by what came before. As Muna’s staying at the school for female mages (and desperately pretending to have magic herself), you see the struggle of getting English society to adapt to magical women. One of the other major characters, Henrietta, is a teacher at the school and lying to her family about it, trying to avoid their disapproval.
I guessed some of the book’s plot twists but it still had plenty of surprises in store for me. Besides, the pleasure was in the journey more than the destination. I love Cho’s writing and the world she presents, a Regency England infused with magic and where multiculturalism is actually recognized. And have I mentioned the dragons? I love dragons, and this book has QUEER DRAGONS. It doesn’t get any better than that.
When I first read The True Queen, I immediately popped onto Twitter to scream about how I’d just read the sequel to Sorcerer to the Crown and how it was amazing and had queer Malaysian witches. This book made me so happy, and I’m glad it’s releasing soon so everyone else can read it too!
I received an ARC in exchange for a free and honest review.
Review from The Illustrated Page.
adventurous
lighthearted
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:
No
I think the author thought she was writing a more affecting and epic book than she actually was (the big emotional moments fell a bit flat bc we didn't rly know the characters involved well enough), but this was a fun read, and I loved the lavender marriage at the end.