Dresden is ruled by King Augustus the Strong and he values porcelain above gold or h7msn lives. He is a cruel man who treats women terribly. Johann Kändler has skills as a sculptor and is tasked with the creation of a Porcelain Menagerie. Life under the rule of Augustus is complex and unsafe. You must keep the King happy no matter the personal cost.

Very well written and well narrated historical novel (I listened to the audiobook). Excellent characters in this novel set in the 18th-century. We follow two timelines, 5he first with Fatima when she becomes the King’s mistress and the second when Johann starts to create the menagerie. We follow the King’s obsession, ambition, art and human dignity. Well paced and very informative.

The narrator in this could not have been more perfect. She is up there in the Moira Quirk, Julia Whelan, Natalie Naudus category for audio narrator for me. The narrator's ability to transition seamlessly from one language to another and nail the accents, added a layer or richness to a story already steeped in artistry! She beautifully brought the characters, their emotions and the environment to life. I will absolutely be looking for more audio narrations from Caroline Hewitt.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 x infinity
ARC Reader Review – *The Porcelain Menagerie by Jillian Forsberg

I had the absolute honor of receiving this physical ARC directly from History Through Fiction, and let me just say—it means the world. My *first ever* physical ARC, and it couldn’t have been more special. Following Jillian’s journey over the years has been nothing short of inspiring, and this book is the perfect example of how she pours heart, detail, and historical richness into every page.

*The Porcelain Menagerie* is a spellbinding tale that lingers. I found myself utterly attached to Fatima—a character so vividly alive and full of silent resistance, grace, and strength. Her quiet rebellion against the shadows of power-hungry men, particularly King Augustus, is both heartbreaking and deeply empowering. She doesn’t fight with swords or loud speeches—she transforms her world through love, compassion, and her connection to the delicate animals in the menagerie. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I still can’t.

King Augustus was a brilliantly written contradiction—one moment captivating, the next deeply unsettling. His obsession with “white gold” (*porcelain) felt like a character of its own, symbolic of greed, control, and a desire to possess beauty rather than understand it.

And then there’s Johann—the silent thread holding it all together. He bridged the emotional gap between Augustus, other porcelain masters, and the court, embodying both the awe and tragedy of their world. His arc was masterfully woven and ultimately, painfully inevitable. His bond to his brother was a touch of purity, and his determination through his art whether sketching or sculpting from his impeccable memory, you could feel connected to this character wherever your path in life.

Important note: This book contains very distressing topics including forced intimacy, fox tossing (which hurts my soul to even think about), and physical abuse. These scenes are difficult but handled with care to reflect the brutal historical reality and emotional depth of the characters. If you're a sensitive reader, it’s worth being prepared—because this book will grip your heart and twist it.

This book isn’t just historical fiction—it’s a portrait of obsession, beauty, control, and resistance. Jillian Forsberg’s writing is lush, immersive, and emotionally *stunning*. I feel lucky to have held this one in my hands early—and I’ll be recommending it to everyone.

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✨ Thank you to **History Through Fiction**, the **author Jillian Forsberg**, and the team behind this incredible story for this physical ARC. I’m beyond grateful. ✨

Let me start by saying that Jillian Forsberg’s stories never disappoint. The Porcelain Menagerie was one of my most anticipated releases of the year after reading the companion novel and author’s debut, The Rhino Keeper.

Right off the bat, the tone is set to be much darker than its predecessor. We first meet Johann Kändler as a young boy alongside his family. Throughout the first chapter, we see Johann grow into a curious young man who yearns to make art. From this point on, the book slowly gets darker and feels heavier on the soul as the story progresses.

While this book covered dark themes and faces the atrocities that happened in this court in the 18th century, I can’t help but note how Forsberg’s writing makes scenes jump off the page. Every scene in the menagerie itself was written in such a way that I could see it vividly in my mind. This location almost felt whimsical - like an enchanted forest full of creatures. A true escape for Fatima, Johann, and other characters. And as a zookeeper, I related to Fatima’s love of her animals and her determination to offer them the best life she could in such a cruel world.

The last 10 or 15 chapters bring the reader face to face with many of the cruelties of King Augustus the Strong. While this is historical fiction, history has a funny (or maybe not so funny) way of repeating itself. I found many quotes to be hard hitting and sadly relatable to what is going on in our world today. I don’t wish to spoil anything, but one quote I would like to highlight is quite simple, but very impactful:

“We are foxes, aren’t we?”

This story was heartbreaking, haunting, and beautiful in so many ways. I cannot wait to see what Jillian has in store for us next.

The audio performance was superb and I can’t imagine a better narrator choice for this story.

Thank you to Jillian Forsberg and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Porcelain Menagerie is a historical fiction novel following two timelines: one follows Johann Kändler, an artist, and the other follows Fatima (also known as Maria), a handmaiden who is forced to become the king’s mistress. Both these characters must survive the reign of King Augustus the Strong and his obsessions with women, porcelain, and control.

I really enjoyed this book! Forsberg’s prose is beautiful. I really enjoyed both timelines/POVs and how they seamlessly intertwined with one another throughout the story. Both characters were interesting, and I was invested in their stories, though I found Fatima’s story more compelling. The premise of the book was fascinating and felt really unique, though that may be because I am not familiar with the historical figures/events that inspired this book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it! I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator. She did a much better job of pronouncing the character and place names than I would’ve been able to!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review.