Sorcerer to the Crown – Zen Cho

This book has a really interesting set up – a Regency England in a world with magic, where England has been losing their ability to work magic. The Sorcerer Royal, Sir Stephen, realized that there are plenty of other powerful magicians in the world, including Zacharias, a young slave that he bought because he sensed his potential power. He emancipated and adopted Zacharias, and it’s been his fondest wish for Zacharias to follow in his footsteps as Sorcerer Royal. Well, Sir Stephen has died, and Zacharias has succeeded to the Staff, and naturally, being an African sorcerer in Regency England is not at all easy.

While trying to figure out why their access to magic is blocked, Zacharias ends up at a school for young gentlewitches , and naturally, Regency England frowns on its women doing magic as much as they do a young African man. But one of the girls there, Prunella Gentleman, shows incredible power, and Zacharias makes arrangements to make her his apprentice, sensing that educating girls just may be England’s magical salvation.

High jinks in London quickly ensue. The story works out the way you probably think it will, but the characters are different than what this kind of story often has, and that’s what makes it. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read.