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. "Forsberg's evocative sophomore novel, The Porcelain Menagerie , is an engrossing, page-turning historical novel which plumbs the depths of possession, resistance and survival against the backdrop of 18th century Dresden. I could not put it down." -Jess Armstrong, USA Today bestselling author of The Curse of Penryth Hall "Jillian Forsberg's The Porcelain Menagerie is a dazzling tale of art, power, and survival set in the glittering yet cutthroat world of 18th-century Dresden. Young sculptor Johann Kändler dreams of creating beauty, but when he's thrust into the secretive world of porcelain-making, he learns that perfection isn't just expected-it's demanded. Behind the grand facades of Albrechtsburg, danger simmers: spies lurk, rivalries turn deadly, and the King's obsession with porcelain could cost Johann far more than his freedom. Forsberg paints history with a vivid hand, crafting a world where every chisel mark could change a life. The Porcelain Menagerie is historical fiction at its most evocative." -Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Blue "In her heart-wrenching and hopeful sophomore novel, Jillian Forsberg brings 18th-century Saxony to life in vibrant detail, from the deceptive glitter of the royal court to the porcelain factory where the king, consumed by the pursuit of 'white gold, ' keeps his artisans imprisoned. The Porcelain Menagerie is historical fiction at its best: impeccably researched and weaving historical fact seamlessly with enough imagination to give the characters real, beating hearts. Like the flawless porcelain whose formula her characters so desperately chase, Forsberg has created her own white gold-a finely-wrought story of ownership, obsession, and love." -Molly Greeley, author of Marvelous The Porcelain Menagerie is a propulsive page-turner steeped in history, a must-read for those interested in thoughtfully exploring issues of the past that still resonate today." -Laurie L. Dove, author of Mask of the Deer Woman , an Instant USA Today Bestseller "Jillian Forsberg breathes life into the forgotten artisans of Meissen porcelain, crafting a tale as intricate as the small treasures they created. When Johann Kändler is summoned to sculpt a menagerie of porcelain animals for Augustus the Strong's infamous collection, he becomes entangled with the king's obsessions, including a dangerous alliance with his mistress, Fatima. Forsberg takes us into the sweltering kilns and fiercely guarded secrets of Albrechtsburg Castle, where the making of each priceless masterpiece brings with it a life-changing human cost." -Laura Morelli, USA Today Bestselling Author and Art Historian "Forsberg excels at crafting historical fiction that centers the lives of fascinating but lesser-known people and events, and with The Porcelain Menagerie , she brings readers an intriguing tale of obsession, desire, and human resilience. As luminous and brilliant as the porcelain that inspired it." -Paulette Kennedy, bestselling author of The Artist of Blackberry Grange Jillian Forsberg is a historian and author with a master's degree in public history from Wichita State University. Her fascination with overlooked stories and hidden histories led to her debut novel, The Rhino Keeper. With a deep passion for 18th-century Europe, she brings to life the forgotten artisans, courtiers, and survivors of a dazzling yet dangerous past. When she's not writing, Jillian enjoys antique-hunting, gardening, and reading every label at a museum. She lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband, child, and pets. The Porcelain Menagerie is her second novel.