Picture a Malaysian storyteller who weaves magic, history, and heart into every page—meet Zen Cho! Born in 1986, this fantasy and romance author has enchanted readers with her vivid worlds, from the Regency-era magic of the Sorcerer Royal series to the ghostly family drama of Black Water Sister. A lawyer by day, Cho’s multicultural roots and love for storytelling shine in her award-winning works, blending Southeast Asian folklore with sharp social commentary.
With a knack for crafting tales that feel both timeless and fresh, Cho has earned accolades like the Hugo and British Fantasy Awards. Her stories aren’t just escapist fun—they explore identity, culture, and resilience, making her a standout voice in speculative fiction. Ready to dive into her magical universe?
The Making of Zen Cho
Born in Selangor, Malaysia, Zen Cho grew up immersed in a vibrant mix of cultures, languages, and stories. A brief childhood stint in the U.S. at age six broadened her perspective, but it was Malaysia’s rich folklore—think pontianaks and orang bunian—that sparked her imagination. She moved to the UK at 18 to study law at Cambridge, a path that led to her current career as a lawyer in Birmingham. Yet, her heart remained with storytelling, inspired by everything from Jane Austen to wuxia films. Cho began writing genre fiction in 2010, self-publishing her first novella, The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo, in 2012, which set the stage for her meteoric rise.
Zen Cho’s Unforgettable Stories
Cho’s debut novel, Sorcerer to the Crown (2015), is a Regency fantasy brimming with dragons, spells, and postcolonial wit. Often described as “Jane Austen with magic,” it follows a Black sorcerer and a spirited heroine navigating a magical England, earning a British Fantasy Award for Best Newcomer. Its sequel, The True Queen (2019), expands the world with a tale of sisterhood and fairy intrigue. Black Water Sister (2021) shifts to modern Malaysia, where a young woman grapples with her grandmother’s ghostly vengeance and a local deity, blending humor with family dynamics. Her short story collection, Spirits Abroad (2014, expanded 2021), showcases her range, with tales of teenage pontianaks and Hugo-winning novelettes like “If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again.” Cho’s style is lyrical yet accessible, weaving domestic mundanity with magical realism and sharp cultural insights.
Her works often explore identity, diaspora, and the tension between tradition and modernity. Whether it’s a bandit nun in The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water (2020) or a lawyer-turned-romance-heroine in Behind Frenemy Lines (2023), Cho’s characters are vividly human, their stories grounded in her Malaysian-Chinese heritage and global perspective.
Why Zen Cho Matters
Zen Cho’s impact lies in her ability to make speculative fiction feel deeply personal and profoundly universal. By centering Southeast Asian voices and exploring themes of belonging, she’s expanded the genre’s boundaries, earning praise from authors like Naomi Novik and Karen Lord. Her awards—Hugo, Crawford, and LA Times Ray Bradbury Prize—reflect her influence, while her storytelling resonates with readers navigating their own cultural identities. Cho’s work is a bridge between worlds, inviting everyone to find magic in the everyday.
- Birth Date: 1986, Selangor, Malaysia
- Key Works: Sorcerer to the Crown, Black Water Sister, Spirits Abroad
- Awards: Hugo Award (2019), British Fantasy Award (2016), Crawford Award (2015)
Snag Black Water Sister or Sorcerer to the Crown and dive into Zen Cho’s spellbinding blend of fantasy, folklore, and heart!