In Off the Throne, eleven-year-old author Zara Duong invites readers into a vivid, enchanting world where fairies, gnomes, and destiny collide. It’s a story that feels both timeless and refreshingly new — a tale about finding strength in unexpected places, discovering one’s voice, and learning that true power often comes from the heart rather than a crown.
The novel centers around Princess Cece, a thirteen-year-old fairy who has yet to awaken her elemental power — a rare and deeply embarrassing fate in a kingdom where every fairy is born with a gift. Her impatience and temper soon lead her to a disciplinary school for rebellious young fairies. What begins as a punishment quickly turns into an adventure when Cece and a group of unlikely friends uncover a dark force threatening their world.
At its heart, Off the Throne is a story about potential — the kind that hides beneath doubt, frustration, and fear. Cece’s journey is both whimsical and deeply relatable: she longs to belong, struggles with failure, and ultimately learns that leadership isn’t about power, but about courage and compassion. When she and her friends take on the impossible task of saving their world, the novel transforms from a charming fantasy into a rousing adventure about unity, friendship, and self-belief.
Zara Duong’s writing shines with imagination and sincerity. Her descriptions are filled with color and motion — you can almost feel the flutter of wings, the shimmer of fairy dust, and the quiet mystery of the gnomes that Cece adores. The world-building, especially for such a young author, is remarkably confident: it balances humor and tension with a keen sense of pacing that keeps young readers engaged while still offering depth for adults who appreciate the allegory beneath the magic.
Beyond its narrative, Off the Throne carries a powerful message about identity. Cece’s lack of powers becomes a metaphor for anyone who feels different, overlooked, or “late” in discovering who they are. It’s a reminder that greatness doesn’t always arrive on schedule — sometimes it grows quietly, in defiance of expectation.
That a writer as young as Zara Duong could craft such an emotionally aware and thematically layered story is nothing short of impressive. Born in Vietnam and fluent in multiple creative languages — from writing to music — Zara brings a global and artistic sensibility to her work. Her experiences as a pianist who has performed at Carnegie Hall, Harvard University’s Memorial Church, and Spain’s Palau de la Música Catalana lend her storytelling a natural rhythm, a musicality that carries through every line.
Off the Throne marks not only the debut of a talented young author, but also the arrival of a fresh voice in children’s fantasy literature — one that blends the wonder of classic fairytales with the emotional honesty of modern storytelling.
Available now on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and retailers worldwide, Off the Throne is a heartfelt adventure for readers of all ages — especially for those still searching for their own hidden magic.
Publication Details
- Author: Zara Duong
- Language: English
- Publication Date: August 15, 2025
- Softcover: ISBN 9781665780575
- Hardcover: ISBN 9781665780599
- E-Book: ISBN 9781665780582
📚 Read it on:
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/off-the-throne-zara-duong/1148063803
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/OFF-THRONE-Zara-Duong/dp/1665780576/