broccoli_j's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think this book has to grow on you! It has a relatively slow start, but I have never read a book with such an original take on the „chosen one“ Trope.
The worldbuilding, the characterarcs and the magic system are just insane and the story uses the found family trope in such a unique way!
This was a great first book and I’m excited for the rest of the series!!!
The worldbuilding, the characterarcs and the magic system are just insane and the story uses the found family trope in such a unique way!
This was a great first book and I’m excited for the rest of the series!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Moderate: War, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Child abuse
kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, War, Physical abuse, and Slavery
squisheebee_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book literally had me completely spellbound from the first page. Literally ran to order the sequel AND the authors book for a separate series. Like omfg. Yes it’s YA. Yes the pros is super easy to ready but god is it beautifully written AND the story!? Don’t get me started. I will not take slander about this book. If it was not for you that’s fine, but it was certainly for me. 😇
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Classism
Moderate: Medical content and Grief
Minor: Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, Blood, and War
lilly_reads98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
3.0
I liked Shiori, Takkan, and Kiki’s characters, but I have issues with the story and writing. It was frustrating, sad, and would make me angry for Shiori that people were just always looking down on her, I just thought this would be a happier adventure. I don’t like how most of the characters are just mean to her and there’s just so many conflicts for the sake of having conflicts throughout the whole story.
In the beginning, it was amusing to see the interactions between the dragon boy. Seryu, and Shiori. I liked how he teaches her magic and brings her flowers and she makes them bloom. I started really enjoying it around then because of their interactions. Before that I was having a hard time getting through the beginning. I found really cool art of Shiori and the dragon on Pinterest. I was enjoying reading about them but I found it weird that they just get separate and then don’t interact much in the rest of the book. I enjoyed how Kiki could talk and waa Shiori’s companion. Also I LOVE the UK cover for this book.
My favorite parts were her interacting with Takkan. I really like Takkan he’s so sweet to Shiori, and Megari too. I like when Shiori teaches her to fold paper cranes while it’s storming and then she thinks of wishing she were a sister. Then they go see the plum blossoms and have fun. I like that part. It’s so frustrating though how Shiori can’t talk and can’t even try to convey who she is. Most of the story was just not enjoyable.
“She made the ocean out of her tears and painted the sky with her dreams.” - 288.
I don’t get why so much of the story is characters being so mean to Shiori, like that’s not enjoyable to read about so I don’t get how people can give this such a high rating and say it’s so good. It’s not enjoyable to read about people constantly being mean to her. And her being under a curse. (Spoiler thoughts ahead)
The best part was her relationship with Takkan and their romance. I also enjoyed how strong Shiori is. The action scenes at the end with the wolf were just kind of stupid like they had already crossed so many dilemmas and I just wanted to see her being with Takkan. Then the thing with the stepmother was interesting. Then the ending was disappointing because I was expecting them to all be back home together but Shiori chooses to leave without them even though we just spend this whole book trying to v er everyone home, it’s so frustrating. I’m so disappointed that she’s just going to the dragon kingdom without all of them.
I have very mixed thoughts as you can see, I do want to read the sequel because I want to see more or the characters, but I am worried that I won’t like it because of the violence that’s sure to also be in that one. There were also times where the writing just wouldn’t make sense, like when Takkan and her brothers were traveling together at the end and then her brothers show up but Takkan isn’t there. And it’s not even explained or said where he is. And then she just goes to sleep and when she wakes up they’re all there. Something like that also happened whenever Shiori saw her brothers flying and she stopped all of the hunters by grabbing all of their bows, and then she’s talking to her brothers and hugging them yet none of the soldiers are within seeing or hearing distance of them all of a sudden? But it wasn’t said like she walked away so they wouldn’t see her. Like I think those are flaws in the writing, it should have been said because it was so confusing that I was just like what?
I just read The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea and wanted to read something similar, so I chose this and I am just disappointed. It was similar because it has a dragon, a main character who can’t talk for some of the story, and it’s Asian literature, so I am glad that I read it because I wanted to read something similar.
In the beginning, it was amusing to see the interactions between the dragon boy. Seryu, and Shiori. I liked how he teaches her magic and brings her flowers and she makes them bloom. I started really enjoying it around then because of their interactions. Before that I was having a hard time getting through the beginning. I found really cool art of Shiori and the dragon on Pinterest. I was enjoying reading about them but I found it weird that they just get separate and then don’t interact much in the rest of the book. I enjoyed how Kiki could talk and waa Shiori’s companion. Also I LOVE the UK cover for this book.
My favorite parts were her interacting with Takkan. I really like Takkan he’s so sweet to Shiori, and Megari too. I like when Shiori teaches her to fold paper cranes while it’s storming and then she thinks of wishing she were a sister. Then they go see the plum blossoms and have fun. I like that part. It’s so frustrating though how Shiori can’t talk and can’t even try to convey who she is. Most of the story was just not enjoyable.
“She made the ocean out of her tears and painted the sky with her dreams.” - 288.
I don’t get why so much of the story is characters being so mean to Shiori, like that’s not enjoyable to read about so I don’t get how people can give this such a high rating and say it’s so good. It’s not enjoyable to read about people constantly being mean to her. And her being under a curse. (Spoiler thoughts ahead)
The best part was her relationship with Takkan and their romance. I also enjoyed how strong Shiori is. The action scenes at the end with the wolf were just kind of stupid like they had already crossed so many dilemmas and I just wanted to see her being with Takkan. Then the thing with the stepmother was interesting. Then the ending was disappointing because I was expecting them to all be back home together but Shiori chooses to leave without them even though we just spend this whole book trying to v er everyone home, it’s so frustrating. I’m so disappointed that she’s just going to the dragon kingdom without all of them.
I have very mixed thoughts as you can see, I do want to read the sequel because I want to see more or the characters, but I am worried that I won’t like it because of the violence that’s sure to also be in that one. There were also times where the writing just wouldn’t make sense, like when Takkan and her brothers were traveling together at the end and then her brothers show up but Takkan isn’t there. And it’s not even explained or said where he is. And then she just goes to sleep and when she wakes up they’re all there. Something like that also happened whenever Shiori saw her brothers flying and she stopped all of the hunters by grabbing all of their bows, and then she’s talking to her brothers and hugging them yet none of the soldiers are within seeing or hearing distance of them all of a sudden? But it wasn’t said like she walked away so they wouldn’t see her. Like I think those are flaws in the writing, it should have been said because it was so confusing that I was just like what?
I just read The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea and wanted to read something similar, so I chose this and I am just disappointed. It was similar because it has a dragon, a main character who can’t talk for some of the story, and it’s Asian literature, so I am glad that I read it because I wanted to read something similar.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Physical abuse, Death, and Death of parent
bones_jackson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Achei incrível, eu não sei porque eu não continuei a ler ele antes, a história é muito criativa e bem escrita, e o romance é maravilhoso.
Agora que acabou nesse clifthanger gigantesco eu preciso ler o próximo urgentemente
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: War
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
camiclarkbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Six Crimson Cranes” by Elizabeth Lim was an absolute nail-biter of a fairytale retelling!
When I started “Six Crimson Cranes” by Elizabeth Lim, I expected a fun, light-hearted fairytale retelling. I was way off, but in the best way possible! It was an absolute nail biter that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Princess Shiori’anma has magic inside her, which is strictly forbidden in her kingdom. Normally, Shiori is able to control her magic and keep it hidden, but on the day of her betrothal ceremony, she loses control and draws the attention of her stepmother, Raikama.
Raikama—a powerful sorceress—banishes Princess Shiori and turns her older brothers into cranes. She warns her that there will be dire consequences if she tries to tell anyone of the curse: for every word Shiori speaks, one of her brothers will die.
Alone, penniless, and unable to speak, Shiori relentlessly searches for her brothers. Along the way, she discovers a conspiracy to seize her father’s throne, which only she can prevent. Shiori uses the resources she has at her disposal—an enchanted paper bird, a temperamental dragon, an unexpected ally, and the magic she was taught to hide—to put the kingdom back to rights and to undo the curse on her brothers and herself.
Shirori is one of the strongest heroines I’ve encountered in a YA fantasy novel. She overcomes adversity again and again and continues to fight to find her brothers after they are cursed by their stepmother. Through it all, Shirori remains largely positive about her situation, looking for the silver linings, and never lets herself stay discouraged for long.
I was not as optimistic as Shiori while reading “Six Crimson Cranes.” I remained in a state of anxiety for her and her brothers. There were many times I thought it was impossible for them to get out of the newest impossible scrape they found themselves in—especially given what they’d just gotten out of. It was an endless loop of “out of the frying pan and into the fire” for the poor princess and princes.
Lim wrote an amazing East Asian retelling of “The Wild Swans.” It’s so clever and creative and I can’t believe it took me so long to read it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
monniebiloney's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book really reminded me of the movie BRAVE (Disney)
It's definitely its own thing, but it is weirdly similar on the bases of it's exciting insidient.
If you liked Brave, you will LOVE Six Chrimson Crains.
I love that I didn't read the back of the book, cuz some of my favorite plot points that grabbed me by surprise were greatly spoiled on the back of the book.
So please, just read the first page to see if you'd like the book
It's definitely its own thing, but it is weirdly similar on the bases of it's exciting insidient.
If you liked Brave, you will LOVE Six Chrimson Crains.
I love that I didn't read the back of the book, cuz some of my favorite plot points that grabbed me by surprise were greatly spoiled on the back of the book.
So please, just read the first page to see if you'd like the book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Body horror, Bullying, Blood, Classism, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Violence, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Animal cruelty, Murder, Abandonment, Slavery, War, Grief, and Emotional abuse
saintyeehaw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I think I was so entranced by the gorgeous cover art that I set my expectations too high. The writing in this book has a huge problem with telling rather than showing, which robbed all the key moments of their tension and emotional impact. Shiori never really develops as a character, either. We are told that she is stronger, smarter, tougher but that is never shown to be true. In fact, she constantly sees a bad choice, recognizes it as a bad choice, and chooses it anyway literally just because and then acts surprised that it turned out poorly. Rinse and repeat for the entire book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, and Torture
cateemma's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse, Blood, and Death of parent
lmaloney's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
An adventure.
.
It was so fun! I really enjoyed the pace and the twist at every turn !
Liked: magic, cultural landscape, the map, hidden indentity trope, stacrossed lovers, humour, revelations!
Disliked: pace, why was Shiori seemingly competing with every girl she met besides her sister in law and a paperbird, very boy centric, very cishet…
4 stars xxxx
.
It was so fun! I really enjoyed the pace and the twist at every turn !
Liked: magic, cultural landscape, the map, hidden indentity trope, stacrossed lovers, humour, revelations!
Disliked: pace, why was Shiori seemingly competing with every girl she met besides her sister in law and a paperbird, very boy centric, very cishet…
4 stars xxxx
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Gore
Minor: Slavery, Blood, Sexual harassment, and Trafficking