The True Queen

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Fairyland's future lies in doubt... The island of Janda Baik, in the Malay archipelago, has long been home to witches. And Muna and her sister Satki wake on its shores under a curse - which has stolen away their memories. Satki plots to banish it in London, as Britain's Sorceress Royal dares to train female magicians. But the pair journey there via the Fairy Queen's realm, where Satki disappears. Distraught, Muna takes her sister's place at the school, despite her troublesome lack of magic. Then the Sorceress receives an ambassador from the Fairy Court, which has incarcerated her friends - for supposedly stealing a powerful talisman. Their Queen is at her most dangerous, fearing for her throne. For the missing trinket contained the magic of her usurped sister, Fairyland's rightful heir. Mina must somehow find Satki, break their curse and stay out of trouble. But if the true queen does finally return, trouble may find her first... The True Queen is Zen Cho's spellbinding second book, following her award-winning The Sorcerer to the Crown. This standalone is set in that same wonderful Regency world with a fairy tale twist. PRAISE FOR THE TRUE QUEEN "Totally immersive, an utterly enjoyable experience. Here East, West and the Realm of Fairy meet: three vivid and vastly different societies steeped in the paradox of belonging and alienation. A story full of humour, heartbreak, and hope Cho captivates once more" Karen Lord, author of The Best of All Possible Worlds "A joyous mash-up of Jane Austen and high fantasy" M. R. Carey, author of The Girl with All the Gifts "intricate, inventive and joyful. What a five-star treat!" Vic James, author of the Dark Gifts trilogy "A sheer delight from beginning to end. Cho perfectly conjures the opulence, absurdity and conflict of the period, and her magical societies are so wholly interwoven with history that you'll start to believe there really was a Sorceress Royal - and that centuries ago, you really could travel through Fairyland from one side of the world to the other " Samantha Shannon, author of The Bone Season series.

Reviews

Totally immersive, an utterly enjoyable experience. Here East, West and the Realm of Fairy meet: three vivid and vastly different societies steeped in the paradox of belonging and alienation. A story full of humour, heartbreak, and hope Cho captivates once more -- Karen Lord
I sat up all night racing to finish it (again). Another magnificent outing from Zen Cho, this is like a Blandings castle with dragons (and I can't think of higher praise!). I selfishly hope for a new novel in the series every year from now till the end of time. Clever, funny, and compulsively readable - I loved it! -- Lavie Tidhar
A joyous mash-up of Jane Austen and high fantasy -- M. R. Carey
A sheer delight from beginning to end. Cho perfectly conjures the opulence, absurdity and conflict of the period, and her magical societies are so wholly interwoven with history that youll start to believe there really was a Sorceress Royal and that centuries ago, you really could travel through Fairyland from one side of the world to the other -- Samantha Shannon
Just finished this beauty intricate, inventive and joyful. What a five-star treat! -- Vic James
Complex and rich the sort of book that if it was a MasterChef dish, all the judges would be asking for more -- Genevieve Cogman
A delightful follow-up to Sorcerer to the Crown! Cho applies her characteristic wit and charm to a tale of cursed sisters a story I found as enchanting as her Faerie Court -- S. A. Chakraborty
A captivating debut . . . tells an entertaining story with wit and consummate skill -- Guardian on The Sorcerer to the Crown
An enchanting cross between Georgette Heyer and Susannah Clarke, full of delights and surprises. Zen Cho unpins the edges of the canvas and throws them wide -- Naomi Novik on The Sorcerer to the Crown
A winning combination of magic and thrill -- Washington Post on Sorcerer to the Crown

Author Bio

Zen Cho was born and raised in Malaysia and now lives in Birmingham. She was a finalist for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer for her short fiction and won the Crawford Award. Her debut novel, Sorcerer to the Crown, won the 2016 British Fantasy Society Award for Best Newcomer.