Zen Cho (2015)
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3.75/ 5(11,040 reviews)
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11 min
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12 Minutes
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A freed slave and Sorcerer Royal must team up with a woman of immense, untamed power to solve England's magical drought, uncovering a conspiracy that could change sorcery forever.
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Zacharias Wythe, a former slave, becomes Sorcerer Royal after his predecessor, Sir Stephen, dies mysteriously. He faces intense pressure. The British magical establishment, especially the Unnatural Philosophers, shows him racism and doubt. England's magic supply is also shrinking. Many believe his appointment was a mistake, so he is constantly watched and undermined. His attempts to investigate the magical decline are met with resistance and a lack of help, leaving him isolated and burdened with keeping England's magic stable while dealing with a prejudiced society.
Prunella Gentleman, an orphan with a mysterious past, has an undeniable, if unusual, magical talent. She lives at the Atheneum, a school for gentlewitches. Unlike the other girls, Prunella's magic is raw and untamed, often appearing in ways that defy traditional English sorcery. She wants to practice magic openly and gain recognition, but strict societal rules and the Atheneum's headmistress, Mrs. Daubeney, constantly suppress her abilities. Prunella dreams of leaving the school and proving her worth in a world that mostly dismisses female magicians, especially those without proper family lines.
The King orders Zacharias to act on the magical drought. He must find a solution, which makes him suspect Fairyland is involved. Despite the dangers and warnings from the few who remember the old ways, Zacharias decides to journey to the border of Fairyland. He hopes to find out why the magical flow from the Fae land has decreased, as it is a main source for England's sorcery. His journey is dangerous and unknown, as direct contact with Fairyland is considered very risky and often forbidden.
Driven by ambition and a desire to escape the Atheneum, Prunella uses her unique magical abilities to flee. She disguises herself and sets out to make her own way in the world of magic. Her escape is bold and unusual, showing her untamed power. During her flight, she unexpectedly meets Zacharias Wythe near the border of Fairyland. This meeting is important, as their magical paths and individual quests begin to merge, despite their different backgrounds and approaches to magic. Their first interaction is careful, marked by curiosity and a hint of suspicion.
Together, Zacharias and Prunella go into Fairyland. They discover that the Fae are indeed holding back magic from England, but their reasons are complex and based on an old complaint. The Fae are unpredictable and powerful, and negotiating with them is a delicate and dangerous task. They meet various Fae creatures and lords, each with their own plans and magical quirks. Prunella's unusual magic and her ability to interact with the Fae on a more basic level prove very helpful, often surprising Zacharias and unsettling the Fae. Their journey through Fairyland tests their combined magical skill and diplomatic abilities.
The Fae eventually state their demands: they want a 'gift' from England, a magical tribute, in exchange for restoring the magic flow. More importantly, they suggest that Sir Stephen, the previous Sorcerer Royal, made a pact with them that was never fully honored. This revelation casts doubt on Stephen's legacy and suggests a deeper conspiracy within the British magical establishment. Zacharias realizes that the magical drought is not just natural but a result of past dealings and broken promises, further complicating his mission and challenging his understanding of his predecessor.
During their time in Fairyland, Prunella's unique magical abilities and her understanding of the Fae lead to a surprising discovery about her origins. It is revealed that she is half-Fae, the daughter of a powerful Fae lord and an English sorceress. This explains her untamed magic and her natural connection to Fairyland. Her past, which had always been a mystery, suddenly becomes clear, explaining her great power and often-misunderstood magical manifestations. This discovery greatly affects how she sees herself and her place in both worlds.
Upon their return to London, Zacharias and Prunella find themselves caught in political schemes within the Unnatural Philosophers. News of their expedition, especially Prunella's involvement, causes a stir. The conservative members of the magical establishment are appalled by Prunella's presence and her unusual magic, seeing her as a threat to their traditional ways. Zacharias faces renewed scrutiny and attempts to undermine his authority, as his association with Prunella and his unorthodox solutions to the magical crisis are seen as scandalous and dangerous. The stakes for both of them are higher than ever.
Zacharias tries to present his findings and solutions to the Unnatural Philosophers, but he meets strong resistance and open hostility. His efforts to introduce more inclusive and practical magical practices are dismissed, and his authority as Sorcerer Royal is repeatedly challenged due to his race and his unconventional methods. The establishment remains focused on outdated traditions and will not accept that a woman, especially one of Prunella's background, could possess such powerful magic or help England's magical well-being. Zacharias must contend with deep-seated prejudice and the inaction of a resistant institution.
To prove her abilities and challenge the restrictive magical laws, Prunella, with Zacharias's reluctant support, decides to enter the Grand Magickal Contest, an event traditionally dominated by men and conventional sorcery. Her entry is met with outrage and ridicule from the establishment, but she is determined to display her unique Fae-touched magic. The contest becomes a battle not just of skill but of ideas, a way for Prunella to show that powerful magic can exist outside traditional English practices and that women are equally capable of wielding it. Her performance will redefine the future of British magic.
During the Grand Magickal Contest's peak, an unforeseen magical threat emerges, endangering all of London. Traditional English sorcery cannot combat it. It is Prunella's raw, untamed, and Fae-infused magic that saves the day, showing its great power and necessity. Her actions undeniably prove her worth and force the magical establishment to face their prejudices. Afterward, Zacharias, with his authority now solidified, creates new policies allowing for a more inclusive and open practice of magic, integrating Prunella's unique abilities and acknowledging the importance of diverse magical traditions.
With the magical crisis resolved and the Unnatural Philosophers forced to acknowledge the changing magical world, Zacharias and Prunella form a partnership. Zacharias, now firmly established as Sorcerer Royal, begins to make reforms, opening up opportunities for women and those with unconventional magic. Prunella, no longer an outcast, becomes a powerful and respected magician, contributing significantly to the new magical order. Together, they represent a new era for British magic, one that is more diverse, inclusive, and attuned to the true sources of power, promising a brighter and more dynamic future for the magical community.
The Protagonist
From an isolated and traditional Sorcerer Royal, he evolves into a more open-minded leader, championing inclusivity and embracing unconventional magic.
The Protagonist
She transforms from an overlooked orphan into a confident and powerful magician, embracing her unique heritage and challenging societal norms.
The Antagonist
She remains largely static, representing the entrenched resistance to change, though she is ultimately forced to confront the validity of Prunella's magic.
The Supporting
His character's 'arc' is revealed retrospectively, showing a shift from a respected leader to a figure whose past actions inadvertently caused a crisis.
The Antagonist
He remains a static antagonist, serving as a symbol of the pervasive prejudice and resistance to progress that Zacharias and Prunella must overcome.
The Supporting
She provides consistent emotional support to Prunella, demonstrating loyalty and a quiet willingness to challenge norms.
The Supporting
His actions initiate the central conflict, but he remains a distant, authoritative figure.
The Supporting
She demonstrates a gradual but consistent support for Prunella, symbolizing the shift in societal acceptance.
The Supporting
His character's 'arc' is revealed as the source of the magical drought and Prunella's heritage, ultimately playing a role in the resolution.
The novel explores various forms of prejudice, mainly racism against Zacharias Wythe as a black Sorcerer Royal and sexism against Prunella Gentleman as a powerful female magician. Zacharias constantly battles the skepticism, insults, and hostility of the white, male-dominated magical establishment. Prunella faces constant suppression of her abilities and dismissal because of her gender and unusual background. This theme shows how societal biases limit individual potential and hinder progress, especially in a world that needs diverse magical talent.
“It was not enough to be Sorcerer Royal; one must also be white, and male, and preferably of ancient lineage.”
A main conflict in the book is the clash between the Unnatural Philosophers' rigid adherence to old magical traditions and the need for innovation to solve modern magical crises. The established order, represented by characters like Lord Coyle and Mrs. Daubeney, resists any change from conventional English sorcery, even as England's magic dwindles. Zacharias and Prunella, with their unique backgrounds and unusual magic, represent the innovative spirit needed to adapt and evolve, showing that relying only on the past can lead to stagnation and disaster.
“The old ways were dying, and if they did not find new ones, all of England's magic would die with them.”
Both Zacharias and Prunella struggle with their sense of identity and belonging. Zacharias, a freed slave, navigates a world that accepts his title but constantly questions his legitimacy due to his race. Prunella, an orphan with mysterious origins, feels like an outsider due to her untamed magic and lack of a proper family. Her discovery of her Fae heritage further complicates her identity, forcing her to reconcile her human and Fae sides. The novel explores how they find belonging not by conforming, but by embracing their unique selves and making their own paths.
“She was Prunella Gentleman, and she was not entirely of this world, nor entirely of the other.”
The theme of power and responsibility is central, especially for Zacharias as the Sorcerer Royal. He has great magical power but also the heavy responsibility of keeping England's magic stable, often without the support of his peers. The novel also examines the responsible use of power, contrasting the Fae's unpredictable use of magic with the more structured, if flawed, approach of English sorcery. Prunella, too, learns to use her immense, raw power responsibly, understanding its potential for both creation and destruction, and its impact on the world around her.
“With the Sorcerer Royal's mantle came not just power, but the crushing weight of a nation's magical fate.”
A mysterious decline in England's magic.
The dwindling supply of magic in England serves as the primary inciting incident and central conflict of the plot. This drought forces Zacharias to act, leading him to Fairyland and to his encounter with Prunella. It is not merely a natural phenomenon but a consequence of past actions and broken pacts, slowly revealed throughout the narrative. The drought raises the stakes for the entire nation, emphasizing the urgency of Zacharias's mission and the need for innovation in magical practice. It functions as a macroscopic symptom of the deeper, systemic issues within British magic.
The capricious realm of the Fae, connected to England's magic.
Fairyland acts as a critical external force and a source of both power and peril. It is revealed to be the origin of England's magical decline, due to a deliberate withdrawal of its influence. The Fae themselves are not merely antagonists but a complex society with their own grievances and rules, embodying a more primal, less structured form of magic. Fairyland serves as a catalyst for Prunella's self-discovery and a challenge to Zacharias's traditional understanding of magic, forcing him to confront unfamiliar magical systems and diplomatic complexities.
A public competition that becomes a stage for challenging norms.
The Grand Magickal Contest is a classic plot device used to showcase magical abilities and resolve conflict. Initially a traditional event, it transforms into a crucial arena for Prunella to demonstrate her powerful, unconventional magic and challenge the restrictive rules of the magical establishment. It provides a public platform for her to prove her worth, not only to the Unnatural Philosophers but also to herself. The contest builds tension and culminates in a dramatic climax where Prunella's unique abilities are indispensable, ultimately forcing a shift in societal and magical perspectives.
A hidden lineage that explains her unique magical abilities.
Prunella's discovery of her half-Fae parentage is a significant reveal that acts as a major plot twist and character development tool. It explains her extraordinary, untamed magical abilities, her intuitive understanding of Fairyland, and her feeling of being an outsider. This heritage not only provides a backstory for her unique powers but also positions her as a bridge between the human and Fae worlds, making her crucial to resolving the magical drought. It validates her unconventional magic and empowers her to embrace her true identity.
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Zen Cho is a Malaysian author known for her contributions to the fantasy genre. Her notable work, "Sorcerer to the Crown," blends elements of magic and historical fiction, exploring themes of race and gender in a Regency-era setting. Cho's writing often incorporates her cultural background and has garnered attention for its unique perspective within the genre.
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