A review by momotack
The True Queen by Zen Cho

adventurous hopeful informative 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? It's complicated

5.0

The pacing at the beginning was a little slow but that's partly because its so atmosphere and character based and I was reading it in dribs and drabs. Zen Cho is such and incredible writer and this book does what Sorceror did (examines British society from the perspective of a colonial nation and without accepting it as the baseline) even better. Muna is such a fascinating character and the themes of sisterhood and women running through the novel are incredible - I loved both Muna's knowledge that her and Sakti are sisters regardless of whether they're actually related, and also was really moved by her mourning the discovery that her and Sakti were two halves of a whole because it meant she had recognised her other half and longed for it rather than loved a sister - it was a beautiful place to take that realisation. Also, Henrietta was so well developed from book one (and the parallels between magic and queer love between Henny and Muna were beautifully drawn) amazing 👏