One empire, warring politics, mysterious magic… and two sisters wielding great power. You have to explore this new universe by Mimi Yu.

It can be hard to find a mix of fantasy and political intrigue that feels brand new, but The Girl King by Mimi Yu does it perfectly. I was initially drawn to it through my love for Asian historical dramas; I just love all the political machinations, deadly sharp swords, and exquisite silk outfits… and to my joy, The Girl King gave me all of that, and much, much more.

This universe is clearly Asian-inspired, but holds its own as a fantasy world where real life mixes with magic. Yes, there’s politicians, money, addiction, violence, family tensions — but there are also shamanesses, shapeshifters, demons and invisible cities. It’s a cleverly crafted world that still feels completely believable, and, even better, new.

Princess Lu knows she is destined to become Empress; she is the only person capable enough of inheriting her father’s empire. But when her family and her people suddenly turn against her, she has to flee for her life — and find allies in old friends who have lost everything to her ruthless family.

The story is told through three perspectives. First of all, there’s Princess Lu; a captivating, powerful character that knows exactly what she wants at all times. I love that Yu didn’t give us an incapable, wide-eyed main character; it feels great to be dropped right in the middle of the action, knowing that we’re in capable hands. Lu is far from perfect — she’s impulsive, privileged and not very touchy-feely — but her drive carries the story, and you instantly love her.

Next is Nokhai, whose childhood has been saturated with trauma. Now, having taken refuge in a village where no one knows his true identity, he’s finally beginning to find his footing when the escaping Princess crosses paths with him and turns everything upside down… again. As a profoundly traumatized character — Yu definitely doesn’t shy away from the horrors of genocide, abuse and labor camps — his journey is one from cynicism and despair to hope. He’s an excellent character that doesn’t quite fit into any typical fantasy role, and his relationship with Lu is fascinating to watch.

There are so many amazing women in this story, and as the third point of view, Minyi is one of the best. She’s completely unexpected and yet utterly realistic. She’s Princess Lu’s younger sister — the obedient, submissive, impressionable girl who is truly a victim of circumstance. But in Lu’s absence, her struggle to find herself becomes the fiercest out of all the characters, and you find yourself rooting for her — even when her victory can mean overwhelming loss.

Yu crafts a ruthless web of politics between the magical and the non-magical, and throughout it all, manages to keep the book from falling into the typical clichés of the fantasy genre. The characters are gripping, the magic is mysterious, and the dialogue is very well written. She also does a great job of breaking down interesting issues like sexism, privilege and trauma. There’s a lot of blood in this book, and at times it’s described in great detail, so make sure you have a stomach for it.

While this book isn’t a romance, it does have a few elements of romance here and there, and I loved seeing how different the main couple was from what we usually see. There’s no foolish flirting, annoying bickering or bashfulness. Here it’s the woman who kisses first — and the connection feels authentic, just engaging enough while not feeling overdone.

This is the first book of two (as far as we know), so fair warning: this book won’t end with everyone living happily ever after. But it does end very well, leaving a lot to look forward to in the next one. The story promises many unexpected turns, and I can’t wait to see where Lu’s journey (and Minyi’s, and Nokhai’s) will take her next.

The Girl King is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore. Also, don’t forget to add it to your Goodreads “to read” list!