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A review by booksbythewindow
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
(Full review to come)
Summary: Six Crimson Cranes follows Shiori, a princess with a secret affinity for magic, whose life is saved by a dragon. As the mysterious dragon teaches her about magic and the secrets that lie at the heart of her family, Shiori finds herself propelled into a nightmare as she and her six brothers fall under a curse. Far away from home and with no-one to recognise her, Shiori must find a way to rescue her brothers and save the rest of their family. However, it soon becomes apparent that the curse is not what it might seem, and there is more happening under the surface than Shiori knows.
Overall Thoughts: I really enjoyed my time in Six Crimson Cranes, finding it an engaging and entertaining narrative that was perfect for a lighter read. As with the first instalment in Lim's other duology, Spin the Dawn, the strength of Six Crimson Cranes lies in the voice of the first-person narrator. Shiori is not quite as engaging a character at the start of the narrative of Six Crimson Cranes as Maia at the start of Spin the Dawn; in particular, she is a much more passive protagonist, who is often reacting to the things around her. However, the reader is able to see Shiori grow and mature throughout the novel, driven by her concern for her family as the layers of politics and magic become clear. I would definitely recommend this for those who have enjoyed Lim’s The Blood of Stars duology and for anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy. Overall, I am glad I picked this up and I am looking forward to reading The Dragon’s Promise in the future.
Summary: Six Crimson Cranes follows Shiori, a princess with a secret affinity for magic, whose life is saved by a dragon. As the mysterious dragon teaches her about magic and the secrets that lie at the heart of her family, Shiori finds herself propelled into a nightmare as she and her six brothers fall under a curse. Far away from home and with no-one to recognise her, Shiori must find a way to rescue her brothers and save the rest of their family. However, it soon becomes apparent that the curse is not what it might seem, and there is more happening under the surface than Shiori knows.
Overall Thoughts: I really enjoyed my time in Six Crimson Cranes, finding it an engaging and entertaining narrative that was perfect for a lighter read. As with the first instalment in Lim's other duology, Spin the Dawn, the strength of Six Crimson Cranes lies in the voice of the first-person narrator. Shiori is not quite as engaging a character at the start of the narrative of Six Crimson Cranes as Maia at the start of Spin the Dawn; in particular, she is a much more passive protagonist, who is often reacting to the things around her. However, the reader is able to see Shiori grow and mature throughout the novel, driven by her concern for her family as the layers of politics and magic become clear. I would definitely recommend this for those who have enjoyed Lim’s The Blood of Stars duology and for anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy. Overall, I am glad I picked this up and I am looking forward to reading The Dragon’s Promise in the future.