I read Sorcerer to the Crown back in 2015 and I don’t think it’s that much of an exaggeration to say I’ve been waiting an age (3 years and 2 months) for this book. And it was totally worth the wait. I’m going to say it right now: this is probably one of the best books I’ll read all year.

The True Queen introduces two completely new characters to this world, Muna and her sister Sakti. When they wake up on a beach in Janda Baik with no memory of their past and who they are, Mak Genggang takes them in. But it turns out that they’re both cursed by some spell and in trying to discover who put the curse on them, they are forced to travel to England, via the Unseen Realm. Sakti gets lost along the way, and Muna shows up on the Sorceress Royal’s doorstep alone and with only one desire: to rescue her sister from Fairy Land.

One of the things I loved most about this book was how quietly magical it was. You know, like magic slipping into the world more on the fringes than it being an epic fantasy level magic. Yes, there was a magic system and it wasn’t wholly understated but it was still quietly magical if that makes sense. And it fits so well into the historical setting.

The second thing I loved was the characters. Muna and Henrietta are both great characters and I loved them and their relationship so much. I don’t know how to describe how much I adored them, which is always a good sign. And the surrounding side characters are also great. Particularly Zacharias and Prunella, obviously, because they were the initial reason I wanted to continue this series. I kind of wish there had been more of Zacharias because he was my favourite from the last book, but I also didn’t need any more because of all the new characters. Prunella grew on me more in this book too. I’ll admit I wasn’t her biggest fan in book 1 (past me was foolish), but I loved her in this one.

I also really really loved that this book was f/f. Because I’m always craving good f/f historical fiction, and this one satisfied that. (And there’s nowhere near enough of it.)

One thing I will note briefly: it’s fairly easy to predict where the plot is going on the whole, once you learn the right information. But it’s got a great, slowburning unfolding of the plot, so that felt more like an oh moment for the reader rather than actual predictability.

So yeah. In summary: read the book please. (And also Sorcerer to the Crown, because that’s amazing too.)

A great sequel to Sorcerer to the Crown. This time the main characters are two sisters – Muna and Sakti – who have been curse by the great Malaysian witch and sent to England to be helped by the Sorcerer. Cho once again conjures a world that is absurd, opulent and all immersive. I read it in two days and could have happily read as much again. This was sheer delight.