In 18th-century Dresden, beauty, power, and ambition are as fragile-and deadly-as porcelain.
Johann Kändler, a young sculptor, is summoned to the royal court, where King Augustus the Strong demands a lifelike porcelain menagerie. Every chisel mark could secure his future-or destroy it. Meanwhile, decades earlier, Fatima, a Turkish handmaiden turned royal mistress, must navigate court intrigues and reclaim her identity in a world where survival means mastering appearances-and power.
Two lives. One king. A deadly obsession.
Why readers can't put it down:
- A richly detailed, page-turning story of artistry, obsession, and survival
- Dual timelines exploring ambition, love, and the cost of perfection
- Intrigue, danger, and the human stories behind Meissen porcelain
- Perfect for fans of Sarah Penner and Emelia Hart
Advance Praise:
"An engrossing, page-turning historical novel. I could not put it down." -Jess Armstrong, USA Today Bestselling Author
"A dazzling tale of art, power, and survival... Forsberg paints history with a vivid hand." -Nancy Bilyeau, Author of The Blue
From the author of The Rhino Keeper-a 2025 Kansas Notable Book-The Porcelain Menagerie is historical fiction at its most immersive, delicate, and unforgettable.
