The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu

The Kingdom of Back

Marie Lu

Penguin Young Readers Group · Paperback · March 2, 2021

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu comes a historical YA fantasy about a musical prodigy and the dangerous lengths she'll go to make history remember her.

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Who it’s for
A lyrical historical fantasy where musical ambition meets magic and the costs of being remembered.
Themes
Music and ambition, Brother-sister bond, Gender barriers
Genres
Historical YA Fantasy, Music Stories for Teens, Magical Realism for Teens

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About this book

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu comes a historical YA fantasy about a musical prodigy and the dangerous lengths she'll go to make history remember her. Now in paperback. Two siblings. Two brilliant talents. But only one Mozart. Born with a gift for music, Nannerl Mozart has just one wish--to be remembered forever. But even as she delights audiences with her masterful playing, she has little hope she'll ever become the acclaimed composer she longs to be.

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She is a young woman in 18th century Europe, and that means composing is forbidden to her. She will perform only until she reaches a marriageable age--her tyrannical father has made that much clear. And as Nannerl's hope grows dimmer with each passing year, the talents of her beloved younger brother, Wolfgang, only seem to shine brighter. His brilliance begins to eclipse her own, until one day a mysterious stranger from a magical land appears with an irresistible offer. He has the power to make her wish come true--but his help may cost her everything. In her first work of historical fiction, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu spins a lush, lyrically-told story of music, magic, and the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister.

Music and Magic

A lyrical historical fantasy where musical ambition meets magic and the costs of being remembered.

Come here for

  • An imaginative blend of eighteenth-century Europe and fantasy
  • A sister’s musical ambition and bond with her brother

Expect

  • A story of talent constrained by the expectations placed on women
  • Lush, lyrical storytelling with a high-stakes magical bargain

Where it sits

Historical YA Fantasy90%
Music Stories for Teens66%
Magical Realism for Teens39%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • YA Sibling Stories
  • Historical YA Fantasy
  • Music Stories for Teens
Authors
Marie Lu
Publisher
Penguin Young Readers Group
Published
March 2, 2021
Format
Paperback
Theme
Music and ambition · Brother-sister bond · Gender barriers
Reading lane
YA Sibling Stories