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Sorcerer to the Crown (A Sorcerer Royal…
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Sorcerer to the Crown (A Sorcerer Royal Novel) (original 2015; edition 2015)

by Zen Cho (Author)

Series: Sorcerer Royal (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
1,71010610,093 (3.82)149
The Royal Society of Unnatural Philosophers, one of the most respected organizations throughout all of England, has long been tasked with maintaining magic within His Majesty's lands. But lately, the once proper institute has fallen into disgrace, naming an altogether unsuitable gentleman--a freed slave who doesn't even have a familiar--as their Sorcerer Royal, and allowing England's once profuse stores of magic to slowly bleed dry. At least they haven't stooped so low as to allow women to practice what is obviously a man's profession... At his wit's end, Zacharias Wythe, Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers and eminently proficient magician, ventures to the border of Fairyland to discover why England's magical stocks are drying up. But when his adventure brings him in contact with a most unusual comrade, a woman with immense power and an unfathomable gift, he sets on a path which will alter the nature of sorcery in all of Britain--and the world at large.… (more)
Member:Literate.Ninja
Title:Sorcerer to the Crown (A Sorcerer Royal Novel)
Authors:Zen Cho (Author)
Info:Ace (2015), 384 pages
Collections:Read but unowned
Rating:
Tags:Fiction

Work Information

Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho (2015)

Recently added bysawcat, private library, Bookbrained, GavinSteyn, GaiaDemocratic, Jamielea414, ardaiel, amakdani
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    Jean_Sexton: Both take place in a Regency England where magic works.
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    Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones (lquilter)
    lquilter: I picked Dark Lord of Derkholm almost at random, but I would recommend any of Diana Wynne Jones's books to folks who enjoyed Zen Cho's "Sorcerer to the Crown". There's a similar sort of dry, wry, whimsical humor that is ticklishly familiar. Sorcerer to the Crown: "She started awake when Mr. Wythe entered the room, but before she could decide what to do, he began to talk. After a moment's confusion Prunella realised he was not speaking to her. Indeed, he did not seem to be addressing anybody that she could see. This was pleasingly sorcerous of Mr. Wythe." If that line tickled you, then Diana Wynne Jones' writing will also tickle and delight.… (more)
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» See also 149 mentions

English (104)  Swedish (1)  All languages (105)
Showing 1-5 of 104 (next | show all)
This is one of the most feminist fantasy books I have ever read. It has a slow pace and magical element reminiscent of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, but is not nearly so long, thank goodness. The male protagonist is a gentleman: kind, polite, and thoughtful - a stark contrast to the Mr. Darcy's of the world of romance books. ( )
  mslibrarynerd | Jan 13, 2024 |
3.5. There's a lot to like here - a pitch-perfect Austenian voice, rewarding characters, very twisty plotting, pleasingly fiendish fairies, and an extremely strong conclusion (quite rare in a first novel). And of course, this book is getting deserved attention as a historical English fantasy in which slavery and colonialism are central to the story.

However, I felt like I never really settled into this novel. The quasi-omniscient narration dragged after a while, getting in the way of the storytelling. I wonder if the voice needed to be even MORE mannerly - more like Gaiman's Stardust or, indeed, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, which it's compared to on the book jacket. Instead it's a restrained narrative voice, and that artistic compromise didn't work for me.

I also wished the story had been given more space to breathe. Every scene delivered a new plot twist, sometimes at the expense of plausibility. I wanted to slow down, explore the world, and linger with the characters. I also felt like the complex plot would have benefited from some more window-dressing to distract us from some of the coincidences and contrivances that drive the story. I wonder if this book wasn't over-edited, but maybe Cho was just following her instincts and delivering a lean, publishable first novel.

That said, I'm glad I stuck with this book - the ending was very rewarding, and Cho's Fairyland was refreshing after so many Charles Vess knockoffs. If you enjoy historical fantasies, it's worth a read. ( )
  raschneid | Dec 19, 2023 |
Light as a feather, with lots of wit and humour that keep the reader happy. “Sorcerer to the Crown” is very obviously a fantasy pastiche of Regency romances. The characters are exceedingly likable. When they find themselves in danger, you know that things will sort themselves out in a couple of pages (because it would be absolutely shocking if they did not). You will have a lot of fun with this book, I promise - just don’t go in expecting something like “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell” (don’t trust that blurb!). ( )
  Alexandra_book_life | Dec 15, 2023 |
Känns lite som en blandning mellan Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell och Gail Carrigers böcker. Regency England magi = sant. ( )
  kattriarkatet | Jun 21, 2022 |
Showing 1-5 of 104 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (2 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Zen Choprimary authorall editionscalculated
Lagerman, JudithCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Sterlin, JennyNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Williams, EricCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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The meeting of the Royal Society of Unnatural Philosophers was well under way, and the entrance hall was almost empty.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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The Royal Society of Unnatural Philosophers, one of the most respected organizations throughout all of England, has long been tasked with maintaining magic within His Majesty's lands. But lately, the once proper institute has fallen into disgrace, naming an altogether unsuitable gentleman--a freed slave who doesn't even have a familiar--as their Sorcerer Royal, and allowing England's once profuse stores of magic to slowly bleed dry. At least they haven't stooped so low as to allow women to practice what is obviously a man's profession... At his wit's end, Zacharias Wythe, Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers and eminently proficient magician, ventures to the border of Fairyland to discover why England's magical stocks are drying up. But when his adventure brings him in contact with a most unusual comrade, a woman with immense power and an unfathomable gift, he sets on a path which will alter the nature of sorcery in all of Britain--and the world at large.

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