Los Angeles Times Book Prize
1 appearances
-
Edition 42 (2021) Winner
Zen Cho
ゼン・チョー
Zen Cho
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- Malaysia
- Nationality
- Malaysia
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Based in Birmingham, United Kingdom
Career
- Occupations
- Author, Lawyer
- Active Years
- 2015-
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | — | Law | 法学士 (LLB) | — | United Kingdom |
University of Cambridge
Law
Degree:
法学士 (LLB)
Country:
United Kingdom
Holds a law degree and has worked as a lawyer.
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Crawford Award | Spirits Abroad | — | Locus (associated) | Won |
| 2016 | British Fantasy Award (Newcomer) | — | Newcomer | British Fantasy Society | Won |
| 2019 | Hugo Award (Best Novelette) | If at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again | Novelette | World Science Fiction Society | Won |
| 2016 | Locus Award (Best First Novel - finalist) | Sorcerer to the Crown | First Novel | Locus | Nominated |
| 2022 | Locus Award (Best Fantasy Novel) | Black Water Sister | Fantasy Novel | Locus | Nominated |
Crawford Award
2015
Work:
Spirits Abroad
Organization:
Locus (associated)
Result:
Won
British Fantasy Award (Newcomer)
2016
Category:
Newcomer
Organization:
British Fantasy Society
Result:
Won
Hugo Award (Best Novelette)
2019
Work:
If at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again
Category:
Novelette
Organization:
World Science Fiction Society
Result:
Won
Locus Award (Best First Novel - finalist)
2016
Work:
Sorcerer to the Crown
Category:
First Novel
Organization:
Locus
Result:
Nominated
Locus Award (Best Fantasy Novel)
2022
Work:
Black Water Sister
Category:
Fantasy Novel
Organization:
Locus
Result:
Nominated
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Spirits Abroad
2014 Short story collection / Fantasy 284 pagesA collection of short stories incorporating Malaysian and Southeast Asian elements; notable for multicultural perspectives, humor, and spirits/ghosts.
Immigration and identityEthnic cultureGhosts and spirits
Sorcerer to the Crown
2015 Historical fantasy 371 pagesA novel set in 18th-century England dealing with magic and social themes, exploring race, class, and the institution of magic.
Race and classPower and magicTradition vs reform
The True Queen
2019 Historical fantasy 371 pagesSequel to Sorcerer to the Crown, continuing adventures and political tensions between British society and the magical world.
Empire and coloniesPolitical intriguePersonal freedom
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water
2020 Novella / Fantasy 160 pagesA novella blending Southeast Asian folklore with contemporary themes, questioning faith, family, and the nature of power.
Faith and ritualFamily tiesStructures of power
Black Water Sister
2021 Contemporary urban fantasy 384 pagesAn urban fantasy featuring a Malaysian protagonist entangled with an ancestral spirit; intersects religion, family, and immigrant experience.
Immigrant experienceReligion and spiritualityIdentity
Bibliography
- Spirits Abroad (2014)
- The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo (2012, ebook)
- Sorcerer to the Crown (2015)
- The True Queen (2019)
- The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water (2020)
- Black Water Sister (2021)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Witty and satirical narrative voiceDetailed worldbuilding with historical settingsMulticultural perspectives in character portrayals
- Recurring Motifs
- Conflict between magic and social institutionsImmigrant and ethnic identityAncestral and spirit presences
Legacy
Zen Cho is a Malaysian-born, UK-based contemporary fantasy author recognized for blending multicultural perspectives and social themes. She has received and been nominated for multiple international awards, notably for her short and novellettes.
Trivia
- Holds a law degree from the University of Cambridge.
- Malaysian-born author based in Birmingham, UK.
- Won the 2019 Hugo Award for Best Novelette for "If at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again."