Zen Cho’s debut novel, Sorcerer to the Crown, was a delightful and inventive entry into the world of magical fantasy in the setting of the British Regency. It masterfully and quirkily dealt with issues of the patriarchy and feminism, plus there were dragons. This March, the next delightful saga in Zen Cho’s magical Regency world, The True Queen, enters the world.

The True Queen takes place two years after Sorcerer to the Crown. It is a standalone novel about two magically-cursed sisters from the Malayan isle of Janda Baik. The book is a separate story and follows new characters not found in the Sorceress Royal’s tale. But, it is beneficial, and perhaps more enjoyable, to have read Sorcerer to the Crown prior to undertaking The True Queen. Regardless, Zen Cho masterfully weaves another tale that touches on issues of race but mostly focuses on the importance of sisterhood, friendship, and acceptance of self. Plus, there are more dragons. Or as Zen Cho puts it:

 “Hijinks with Dragons (my brand)”

If you’re a fan of magical fantasy, fully developed characters who continue to grow, mysteries, adventure, and of course dragons, make sure to check out the excerpt and pre-order your copy of The True Queen.

The True Queen by Zen Cho will be available from Ace Trade on March 12th.

Enter to Win a copy of The True Queen

Iggle Bookworms will be reading Sorcerer to the Crown in the month of March. Now, is the perfect time to enter to win an advance reading copy of The True Queen.

https://sweeps.penguinrandomhouse.com/enter/the-true-queen-giveaway

You have until March 6th to enter to win a copy of The True Queen.

book cover for The True Queen

About The True Queen

When sisters Muna and Sakti wake up on the peaceful beach of the island of Janda Baik, they can’t remember anything, except that they are bound as only sisters can be. They have been cursed by an unknown enchanter, and slowly Sakti starts to fade away. The only hope of saving her is to go to distant Britain, where the Sorceress Royal has established an academy to train women in magic. If Muna is to save her sister, she must learn to navigate high society, and trick the English magicians into believing she is a magical prodigy. As she’s drawn into their intrigues, she must uncover the secrets of her past, and journey into a world with more magic than she had ever dreamed.

About Zen Cho

photo of Zen Cho by Jim C. Hines

image courtesy of Jim C. Hines and Zen Cho

Zen Cho is the author of a short story collection (Spirits Abroad, Fixi, 2014) and two historical fantasy novels (Sorcerer to the Crown, 2015 and The True Queen, 2019, both published by Ace and Macmillan). She is a winner of the Crawford Fantasy Award and the British Fantasy Award for Best Newcomer, and a finalist for the Locus Award for Best First Novel and the Campbell Award for Best New Writer. She was born and raised in Malaysia, resides in the UK, and lives in a notional space between the two.

Connect with Zen Cho on twitter @zenaldehyde and via her website https://zencho.org/