Sisters torn apart by war. Shapeshifters fighting to regain their long-lost magic. And an empire in need of a leader. In this dark, sweeping fantasy perfect for fans of Girls of Paper and Fire and Wicked Saints, two princesses must save their home, no matter the cost.
Princess Lu knows that the throne of the Empire of the First Flame rightfully belongs to her. After all, she is the late Emperor's firstborn and has trained for the role all her life. And she can't forget made a promise to shapeshifter Nok, the boy she came to love, to win justice for his now powerless people. But even with an army at her side, Lu will need to face down a major obstacle: the current sitting Empress, her once beloved younger sister, Min.
Princess Min used to live in Lu's shadow. But now she can control a powerful, ancient magic, and she's determined to use it to forge her own path and a strong future for the Empire, even if that means making enemies in court. But Min's magic isn't entirely under her control, and she must learn how to tame it before it consumes her . . . and the entire realm.
Lu and Min are set for a confrontation that can't be stopped. But the Empire faces threats greater than their rivalry, and even if they choose to stand together, it could cost them both the throne-or their lives.
The Girl King is everything I want in a high fantasy. Yu draws fluently from history to create an exquisite world, brings it to life with gorgeous and atmospheric prose, and populates it with fascinating characters. - Samantha Shannon, bestselling author of THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE
A beautifully written epic replete with magic, shapeshifting characters, complex political intrigue and the obligatory battles between good and evil . . . Strong female characters and a helter-skelter plot make for a compelling read - Guardian
Fierce and unforgettable, THE GIRL KING is an epic fantasy of tremendous lyrical power; that rare novel that leaves you breathless, as though your dreams and heart are bigger than your body. - Marjorie Liu, New York Times bestselling author
Mimi Yu is an alumna of the Popular Fiction workshop with Marjorie Liu at Voices of Our Nation's Arts (VONA)/University of California at Berkeley 2014, and VONA/University of Miami 2015. She also has a BA in liberal arts from Sarah Lawrence College, New York, and an MFA in fine art from Parsons School of Design. THE GIRL KING is her first novel.