Book Review: Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho

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UK Edition
Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho
Publishing Information: Hardback; 416pages
Publisher: MacMillian; 1 Sept 2015
ISBN: 9781447299455
Series; Book #1
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Amazon

Synopsis: "Magic and mayhem clash with the British elite in this whimsical and sparkling debut.

The Royal Society of Unnatural Philosophers maintains the magic within His Majesty’s lands. But lately, the once proper institute has fallen into disgrace, naming an altogether unsuitable gentleman as their Sorcerer Royal and allowing England’s stores of magic to 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, ventures to the border of Fairyland to discover why England’s magical stocks are drying up, an adventure that brings him in contact with Prunella Gentlewoman, a woman with immense power and an unfathomable gift, and sets him on a path which will alter the nature of sorcery in all of Britain—and the world at large…"

For what seems like a lifetime ago, I read Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell and enjoyed it.
US Edition
When I learned that Cho's novel is written in a similar vein sans footnotes, I figured I would give it a go.

The story opens up with Zacharias Wythe having recently become the leader of the Unnatural Philosophers, a group of magicians and sorcerers in England. He is not a popular leader as there are rumors that he may have murdered the previous Sorcerer Royal and he is also not from a noble family. Needless to say, life for Wythe is not easy and learning that Fairyland is slowly cutting off the magical energy that England needs to perform magic only adds to his woes. With war on the horizon, he will need to do something and fast.

While I enjoyed Cho's humor and prose, I found the book a little slow and at times things seem to drag on. However, there are some brilliant moments in the book that I think anyone who enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell should find themselves at home with The Sorcerer to the Crown.

Overall 6.5/10
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