A review by caprica
Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho

5.0

A terrific book. Sure to be of interest to anyone who is already a fan of Naomi Novik's wonderful Temeraire books, or other texts that involve magical historical fiction.

The characters are compelling and interesting, not least because they offer a chance to revisit historical settings through the eyes of minority characters. Zen Cho does an admirable job of handling difficult issues in a way that is both intelligible and sensitive.

The pacing of the story itself occasionally feels a bit off, but this is a minor criticism compared to the work as a whole, which is genuinely delightful. The final act alone would be worth it, as it offers unexpected turns in the story alongside truly funny writing.

On the whole, an extremely pleasant read and highly recommended.