The Porcelain Menagerie

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.