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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Such a fun and fast read. While I could see the conclusion pretty early on, I very much enjoyed the journey there. Sometimes, knowing the road map makes the journey even more satisfying.
This was delightful! I really loved Muna and Sakti, and I definitely understand all the comparisons to Diana Wynne Jones. I definitely figured out where it was going almost immediately so part of me wanted the characters to catch up faster, but the very last bit of resolution was still a surprise, so I didn't mind too much.
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first one in the series. All the characters seemed to spent a lot of time running around and not communicating with each other and making poor choices, which kind of got on my nerves. I still love Zen Cho and am making my way through all her lovely short stories, but perhaps her speculative fiction agrees with me more than her pure fantasy.
Considering how long it had been since I read The Sorcerer to the Crown this was a fairly easy drop back into the world. It helps that we start with two characters who never appeared in the first book, and in fact are unfamiliar with the world - much like the reader.
It's an incredibly cute and engaging little adventure. Once I was acclimated to the story, which was about the time Muna was getting used to her own new settings, I didn't want to read anything else. I loved seeing more of the dragons, and seeing new parts to the Fairy side of things. If you enjoyed the first book, this is one you should keep an eye out for.
It's an incredibly cute and engaging little adventure. Once I was acclimated to the story, which was about the time Muna was getting used to her own new settings, I didn't want to read anything else. I loved seeing more of the dragons, and seeing new parts to the Fairy side of things. If you enjoyed the first book, this is one you should keep an eye out for.
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
The Sorcerer Royal series is such a delight. It's so funny and witty and charming and heartwarming and I actually can't say enough good things about these books. The True Queen is all of these things, but it's also queer, and that made me all the more pleased. I felt that at times the pacing did flag, but it wasn't ever enough to detract from my enjoyment of the rest of the book. Also, I loved seeing Zacharias and Prunella married, even as they exist mostly on the periphery of this book. I was just so happy reading this, my cheeks hurt from smiling.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence
Minor: Death
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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:
Yes
adventurous
adventurous
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:
Yes
Borrowed this from the library as an eBook so I had a 3 week deadline to read this. I haven't read the first book and while I feel that would have provided further context to the actions of a few characters this was fine - I understand that this book focuses on different characters and has a central plot that is not particularly connected to whatever took place in book 1.
Things got off to a bad start as I did not enjoy the first fifty to a hundred pages at all and it took me almost two weeks to get through them but then the plot takes a turn and I enjoyed it much better! The main reason for my lack of enthusiasm is that the beginning of the book has strange pacing and I really couldn't stand Sakti.
If you pick this up because of the 'fake it till you make it in magic school' element of the synopsis then you'll probably be disappointed as the book actually takes a fairly different direction (one I personally preferred but I am aware a lot of people are fond of their magic schools). This story is more focused on the central mystery surrounding our main characters, Muna and Sakti, which actually turned out to be pretty interesting.
What really redeemed this story for me was the setting: I have a massive weak spot for Regency period fantasy and the Malaysian aspects of the story were extremely interesting (though certainly not the focus of the story!) - I certainly wouldn't object to reading more Malaysian fantasy! I also really enjoyed Muna and Henny's relationship which was pretty cute and the way Henny's family problems were solved was very entertaining.
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
This is a delightful return to the Sorcerer Royal world but this addition concentrates on two entirely new characters; twin sisters Muna and Satki. I really enjoyed the interplay between the two sisters and I really loved the introduction of a sapphic romance between Henrietta (who is a gold star cinnamon roll) and Muna – even though it seemed to only make itself apparent in the 11th hour!
Once again, the writing is Regency based so it tends to take 2-3x longer to get to the point, particularly during any dialogue between British characters; which is why it was so refreshing having the first third of the book based in Malaysia. The main eventual plot twist was quite obvious but credit to Zen Cho for still making the experience of getting there enjoyable.
A fitting sequel
This book is the perfect companion to SORCERER TO THE CROWN. I enjoyed every minute of it, as I expected to!
This book is the perfect companion to SORCERER TO THE CROWN. I enjoyed every minute of it, as I expected to!