The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang
After six years of waiting, will justice be served?
Kate Quinn and Janie Chang are the masters of historical fiction, and they take us on another whirlwind journey in The Phoenix Crown. This time, it’s set in San Francisco in 1906. We follow Gemma and Suling, two women of very different backgrounds who find their lives intertwined as they work hard to change their fortunes.
Two Wronged Women’s Paths Cross
Gemma heads to San Francisco as the newest member of the San Francisco Opera and by chance meets Suling, an embroideress from Chinatown who is desperate to escape an arranged marriage. Without realizing that they have a mutual connection, they both become wrapped up in the world of Henry Thorton, who has a lot of money and loves Chinese antiques. His most prized possession is the legendary Phoenix Crown.
While both women realize Henry can change their lives, they need to keep their wits about them to make sure he follows through. And just as everything starts falling into place, an earthquake decimates San Francisco and Henry Thorton disappears into thin air.
Six years later, a suspicious American millionaire attends a costume ball in Versailles with his future bride (whose family just happens to be loaded). And this millionaire is wearing the Phoenix Crown. The party of the century begins, and you better believe that Gemma and Suling are there, with a plan to take down Henry Thorton.
This Duo’s a Force to be Reckoned With
I love all things Kate Quinn, and this was a breath of fresh air. Her writing style is impeccable, entertaining and always thrilling. And this is my first experience reading Janie Chang, and I am hooked. A lot of historical fiction these days is centered around World War II and this has both the US element and European thrills.
Focusing on a different part of history, this book brought a lot to my attention that I wasn’t previously aware of. The way that the Chinese population was regarded during this period and the way that women were still viewed as the property of men is something that I loosely knew about, but reading in detail about characters like these makes it all the more real.
Men like Henry Thorton existed in the world long before this book, and likely still exist today. There are those, like Thorton, who are focused on their legacy and making a fortune while standing on the backs of others. He is the perfect villain, it’s truly terrifying to imagine getting tangled up with him.
But Kate Quinn is reliable for many things, especially strong female characters, and I know I can depend on Janie Chang for the same. The band of women in this story warm my heart, make me feel like part of the gang, and absolutely kick butt.
About Kate Quinn:
Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, and The Diamond Eye. All have been translated into multiple languages. Kate and her husband now live in San Diego with three rescue dogs.
About Janie Chang:
Janie Chang’s historical fiction often has a personal connection, drawing from a family history with 36 generations of recorded genealogy. Her first novel, Three Souls, was a finalist for the 2014 BC Book Prizes Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, and her second novel, Dragon Springs Road, was a Globe and Mail Canadian bestseller. Her third book, The Library of Legends, was also a Globe and Mail bestseller and a Book of the Month Club pick. Her fourth novel, The Porcelain Moon, was named one of the 5 Top Historical Novels of 2023 by the Toronto Star.
Born in Taiwan, Janie has lived in the Philippines, Iran, Thailand, and New Zealand. She now lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada with her husband.
