Six Crimson Cranes

Six Crimson Cranes is a fairytale retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “Wild Swans,” but also integrates elements of East-Asian folklore. The story follows Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, a land that has outlawed magic. When her stepmother Raikama discovers that Shiori possesses magical ability and Shiori discovers Raikama’s own secret magic, Raikama curses Shiori into silence, turning her six brothers into cranes and exiling them from home. If Shiori so much as utters one word, one of her brothers will die. Thus begins Shiori’s quest to break the curse.This book was a joy to read! It was actually a bit nostalgic: Lim’s writing style, plot and characterization reminded me of some of my favorite books growing up, Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted and Shannon Hale’s Goose Girl. They’re all fairytale retellings featuring young female protagonists who are shaped by the consequences of magic and come into their own as a result. There are hidden identities to be disclosed, earnest romances to root for... There's a beautiful simplicity to the storytelling that feels so comforting to read.The really lovely thing about Six Crimson Cranes is that I felt like I had my own “version” of these kinds of stories as an Asian reader; Lim weaves in many allusions to Asian culture: pickled cabbage with minced pork over rice (my favorite meal), plum blossoms, lantern festivals... The intricate details come together to create an immersive world that is both new and familiar. (Here I should note that this book is set in the same universe as Lim’s first duology, which I haven’t read yet, but will have to now!).If I had any criticisms, I felt the pacing moved along too quickly in the first act, but I think the book found its footing once Shiori makes her way to Iro. I also found that the magic system was maybe a bit nebulous. However, this is probably because I read another fantasy book right before, and that book was very specific and consistent about how magic worked in its world down to a science. I don’t think this book promises to be that nor has to be that to still be thoroughly enjoyed!But I loved the complexity of Shiori’s character arc: her impulsivity is tempered by the consequences of acting and speaking carelessly, so that she more carefully assesses her circumstances; she also learns about the danger of blind stubbornness in overlooking what is good and beautiful. But what clearly rings through from beginning to end is the love she has for others even if it means making her own sacrifices. The relationship she has with her brothers is heartfelt, and though there are six of them, Lim does a great job of giving each distinct traits individually and in how they interact with Shiori. The arranged marriage trope is present (kind of!) in Shiori's romance with Takkan, who is a kind and gentle love-interest, and a lover of story and poetry which is a bonus in my eyes! I’m looking forward to seeing how Shiori will continue to develop along with these relationships in the sequel.-------------------------------------Thank you to Random House Children's Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Six Crimson Cranes is a young adult fairytale retelling set in an East Asian-inspired world. Full of magic and adventure, with a touch of sweet romance, this was a fun and entertaining read.When Princess Shiori's forbidden magic goes awry and she finds herself and her beloved brothers under the curse of a powerful sorceress, she must embark on a harrowing journey to free her brothers and save her kingdom from the dark forces that seek the throne. Taking inspiration from multiple different fairytales, the author weaves the magical elements together into a unique story. I really enjoyed following Shiori on her journey as she learns new skills that help her break the curse. She grows a lot as a character; in the beginning, she came across as spoiled and judgmental, but by the end, she had changed so much and I was rooting for her 100%. Some of the side characters were a lot of fun as well, and I liked the sweet romance that develops. The few complaints I have about this book are minor and probably won't be an issue for most readers.I recommend Six Crimson Cranes to readers looking for their next YA fairytale fantasy adventure!Content:Romance - hints of a sweet attractionFoul Language - noneViolence - mild fantasy violence including non-graphic descriptions of war, blood, and death

What an amazing read! I enjoyed this book so much that I binged read it in a few days! It was so hard not to put it down. I loved the asian folk tale. Definitely recommend this book to friends!

Shiori is a princess who is betrothed to marry someone she has never met. She was also born with magic, something that she has to keep a secret. She's done well keeping her magic a secret until the day of her betrothal ceremony, when her stepmother, Raikama, witnesses her using magic. Raikama curses Shiori and her brothers, turning her brothers to cranes and telling Shiori that if she speaks, her brothers will die. Alone and voiceless, Shiori wanders the kingdom trying to find her brothers and seek out justice.The author did an excellent job retelling a classic fairytale and setting it in an Asian-inspired culture. Although I knew the fairytale well, the plot was done in a way that was still unique and interesting. The pacing of the work was perfect. The worldbuilding was also well done - it was straightforward but unique, the magic made sense, and the world's history was included in a way that added depth to the story.Overall, the characters were well written. Shiori was an excellent protagonist who underwent some meaningful character growth throughout the book. The secondary characters were lacking the same depth but were still engaging enough to add to the story. While there was romance included, it wasn't one of the primary plot points and didn't feel forced. But more importantly, the story emphasized a strong bond between siblings despite the bickering and their struggles - this was well incorporated and was a lovely theme to include.This was an excellent, easy read that I highly recommend!

I was enthralled with this story from start to finish, so immersive and well-written. I felt like I was along for the twists and turns of adventure with Shiori and Kiki.

very happy with book

Ugh, my heart. I loved this book! It completely swept me up in its adventure, magic and heartache. I loved Shiori’s rebellious and independent nature. I loved her strength and heart that continued to grow despite the challenges she faced (and there were many). I loved the bits of romance weaved throughout the book and the way it made me laugh with the character’s banter. I can’t wait to dive back into this world again when I read the second instalment.

Llego anticipado, en muy buenas condiciones y es simplemente hermoso. Tanto la portada como la historia son bellísimos.

"We were seven, and seven was a number of strength. An uneven number that could not fold unto itself, large enough to withstand many threats, yet small enough to stay devoted."If you have read or heard someone talking about how good this book is, this person is right. There’s something about the way Elizabeth Lim writes that makes the book shine among others, as if she was using magic.Worldbuilding is fantastic because of its coherence: as the story goes on, you can really picture the things and how they relate with each other. But, in the same way she can describe the grandeur of certain things, she also pays enormous attention to the details, making the story even richer. The little things matter even more than the big ones.The fantastical side comes as the great glitter to the story, as it perfectly combines Western fairy tales with East Asian folklore. The magic aligns with the story and progress as the protagonist delves deeper into the various situations (the end, my friend, you have to read the end). The writer also throws a lot of stories within the greater plot, making you wonder about them as well.And the characters are incredible, especially the protagonist - Shiori. She is the one who goes through the major changes, and, because of that, grows a lot during the whole story. It’s a well-written, curious, strong and resilient female main character. She is not afraid to try, make mistakes, fall down, and get up to try again until she gets it right. It's really inspiring. The other characters just add more layers of greatness, even the ones who you don’t like at first sight. The way they interact with each other and with their past, it’s just really beautiful. Family is a central theme and you get to develop more and more affection for them as the story goes on.Oh, and that’s also romance if you’re the person who, just like me, loves these types of things. It’s beautifully portrayed as good romance scenes have to be, but it’s not cliché in my opinion - it’s refreshing. The love development is the thing that sets it apart from other books, as it’s really surprising. I’m sure you’re gonna love it.There are many symbolisms throughout the book, which makes the story and the characters even richer. They truly enrich the plot, especially the romance and one of the main characters' interactions (stick till the end, my friend, you’re gonna love it).It all comes down to the way Elizabeth describes things, from the tiny objects to the inner emotions and sensations of the characters. The words she uses makes things way more interesting than merely objective descriptions, and it’s the thing that engulfs you to keep reading.As I said earlier, it is a book about magic and woven with magic. Who said that writing is not a type of magic?I can’t wait to read the continuity of this incredible story.

Recomendable ❤️ enamorada de la historia, desde el principio hasta el final.

Such a beautiful story, I loved everything about this novel, and I can't wait to find out what happens next.