Wow what a beautiful cover. I began this book with high hopes of a great read. The author does a wonderful job of describing the setting and world in which it's taking place. Unfortunately, I wasn't at all invested in this beautifully discussed world. There is supposed to be danger and court intrigue and risk of death for treason but ..... I wasn't feeling it at all. I was being told this but I just didn't buy into it. None of the characters were that fleshed out either. After an interesting start it just sort of settles down into mumbling along without seeming to go anywhere. I set it down a few times and had to remind myself to pick it back up again.

While I'm delighted to see more fantasy books utilizing worlds other than European ones and with protagonists who aren't somehow The Chosen who then rescue the world along with their ragtag band of outcasts, this just isn't the book to grab me by the hand and pull me into it.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the arc but this just wasn't the book for me.

Wow, this was fantastic! A book I could not put down. The ending makes me want to go back and read the entire book all over again, a great debut!

This was an absolutely gorgeous book. This was the first time I've even read anything with Chinese influences to it and I REALLY enjoyed it. It took on a different feel than all the other fantasy books. More like a political intrigue, court workings book. But definitely enjoyable.

Descendant of the Crane is exactly the kind of book that you inhale in one sitting, and then absolutely regret doing it because you never wanted the story to end. Where do I even begin to sing my praises for this fantastic piece of work?

This is easily one of the best fantasy novels I have read in quite some time - and why wouldn't it be? The story is so well plotted, set in some of the richest world building I've seen, with absolutely complex characters that keep me on my toes from the first page to the last. 

It is less a story and more a fast paced and confusing game of chess, one where you don't really know who the winner is until it's too late. I have a hard time keeping up with political plots unless they actively engage the reader. This book does such a good job of letting us become a part of all the dirty tricks and court ploys that turn the tides in the favour of the multiple characters.

And speaking of the characters, what a fantastic cast of them. I can't think of one single character who felt unnecessary, token or flat. Each and every person was well fleshed out, with a realistic story - no matter how big or small - and each one played their roles till the very end. A good story told by good characters is a winning point for me, and Descendant of the Crane took the trophy home.

By the end of the story, while I was aware of whom I was rooting for, there was no clear-cut hatred for any "villain" or "hero". There is nothing absolute about this series' characters and their individual stories. It is simply a group of people struggling to make the most of their sad lives, and wading through all the muck that comes their way. What impressed me are the difficult decisions the characters inevitably have to take, and the role it plays in their character development. What made it even better is the moments in which these decisions are taken, leaving the reader shocked with every new chapter, right until the very end. 

I think what ties it all neatly together is the gorgeous parcel it comes packaged in. The world-building is so intricate and intense, rich with real world inspirations yet unique in its own ways. If I could put an image to a tapestry, it would be the universe this book is set in. I am hard pressed to find anything I did not like about it.

All in all, I don't think I need to even say it: you absolutely have to give this book a shot when it comes out on April 9th. Although plot-heavy and full of conniving games, this is a fantasy story that talks about ordinary people in an extraordinary setting. There are morally grey characters who do the best they can with what they're given. There is history and oppression, war and bloodshed, painful truths coupled with lies and deception. There is honour and promises, and love and loss. Descendant of the Crane shoots itself onto the Number One spot on Anticipated 2019 Releases with a power-packed punch - one you cannot miss.

This book came onto my radar simply because so many of my fellow bloggers loved this so much and were just so excited to talk about it. And then my two dear friends buddy read it too and they couldn’t stop gushing. That settled it and I had to pick it up next and despite it taking me three days to finish, it was such a fascinating book and I’m still reeling from that ending.

I enjoyed the world building here a lot. I really like it when we get a little bit of history about the world throughout the story and the author does a great job of it here. We get to know a lot about the kingdom of Yan and how it came to be. While there are three more neighboring kingdoms and there is ongoing conflict with one of them, we don’t know much about them and I have a feeling that will be remedied in the sequel. We also get some details about the soothsayers and their magic, but because they are the oppressed class, we only get bits and pieces of how the magic actually works and more about their lives and the hardships they face.

The plot is definitely the best part of this book. The author thrusts us smack dab in the middle of the story after the King’s death and it’s just twists upon twists after that. There are not a lot of action packed scenes but this book is full of court politics and intrigue at its best. You never ever know who to trust, what anyone’s motives are and I felt totally baffled when revelations happened. I’ve heard a lot about this book being called Chinese inspired Game of Thrones and it definitely has that feel to it. The pacing is actually quite slow throughout, with some very unexpected situations thrown in between, but I never got bored and felt very interested all through the story. The book also has a couple of intense and absolutely wonderful trial scenes and I thought the author did such a brilliant job in them. I also loved the usage of Chinese language words throughout the book and I always enjoy it when POC authors do this. And that ending —— wow did those two chapters stun me. Within the last few pages, everything that I thought I knew was upended and I was left flabbergasted. I never saw that coming and the direction the story seems to be going next is so unexpected, it’s just excellent plotting.

There are so many interesting characters here and it was such fun figuring them out. We get Hesina’s POV, so she is the only one who’s motivations we are sure of. She unexpectedly becomes the Queen after her father’s death and she thinks she is prepared because of his teachings and his trust in her. However, as she sets on the path for truth and justice, so many of the truths that she thought she knew are shattered and she feels overwhelmed. She constantly has to battle her longing for her father with the revelations about his identity, she has to be the queen for the people who are seething with hatred for an entire community and hell bent on mob justice, and she has to learn who to trust every step of the way. What I loved most about her is the way she questions the oppression of the sooths that has been going on for three centuries and her desire to bring about an end to it, though she doesn’t know how. She is strong in her own way, compassionate and thoughtful, but definitely needs some more caution before trusting people - that’s her good quality but also her downfall.

There are a host of other characters but they are not as developed as Hesina. Caiyan and Lilian are her adopted siblings - her constant companions and support systems, with whom she feels the most safe and wants to protect them. While Caiyan is stoic and reserved and very smart about political situations that Hesina never thinks through completely, Lilian on the other hand is feisty, bringing a little cheer to gloomy situations and always there whenever Hesina needs her. I loved their dynamic a lot. Hesina’s relationship with her brother Sanjing is slightly more antagonistic, owing to years of non communication and jealousy and just hurting each other with words. Akira is the mysterious stranger who is her representative at trial and while there is a developing romantic dynamic between the two, I would have loved to see them together more. There are also other players in the court and outside and it was very fascinating to know the intent behind each of their actions and betrayals. None of the characters are evil just for the sake of it and while it doesn’t erase their wrongdoings, it’s always interesting to know why they are committing those acts.

Finally, I just want to say that this is a wonderful debut novel with an interesting world and fascinating characters and all the twists and turns that you never asked for. It’s slow paced and more of a political fantasy story than an action packed one, but it still packs a punch and will leave you wanting to know immediately what happens next. It’s not going to be an easy wait.

I'm sad that I'm not able to give this one more stars. I'm very grateful for the ARC and was so excited to read Descendant of the Crane, but I just had a difficult, unengaging reading experience. I think the author has great potential and I'll be looking for more from her in the future.

Here's a condensed version of my review:

I was so excited when I was approved for this one. I saw a bunch of glowing reviews come across my feed, and it really sounded like exactly my jam–YA fantasy, complex and badass teenage Queen! There was a lot of potential to the world, and some of the settings were marvelous. I loved the Chinese-inspired but still totally original world.

My biggest problem is this: with such an engaging setting and exciting story, how can this book be the blandest thing I have ever read? This was a book about power and murder and romance… and friends, I was bored.

I think the best word for it is flimsy. The whole thing was so thin… sure, the settings had beautiful and interesting imagery, but the bottom of the cultural iceberg just wasn’t there. I didn’t really understand how this society was any different from mine beyond aesthetics. The characters all have creative names and wild backstories, but they’re paper thin. They all felt like slightly tweaked stock characters. I didn’t feel that any of them, least of all Hesina, were real.

Hesina baffled me until the very end. I still can’t really describe her as a person. From the first chapter, her choices made no sense to me (not in a “what a stupid teenager way,” in a “how does A lead to B” way). There are glimmers of hope in more interesting characters (like the King’s consort, for instance) but they take a backseat to the love interest, an inexplicable teenage outlaw-turned-attorney that I am still so confused by.

This book had a lot of potential, and I’ll be interested in more from this author. She may write some amazing stories when she gets over the debut hump. For now, I’m just not a fan. Joan He seems to be trying so hard to be poetic that the book ended up a choppy, confusing, strangely-paced mess that felt like work to read.

It's really surprising how much this book made me cry and sob. I was crying for practically the last half of this book.

Other than that, it's no wonder I loved this. I mean, how can't you love a story all about political intrigue, betrayal, sibling love, deceit, old gods and much more? Plus, I got attached to these characters because they're all wonderfully written and they surprise you at every chance the get.

Joan He's writing really elevated this book to a whole other level and I couldn't get enough of it. One thing's left to be said: where's the sequel?

This book!!
I am so lucky I got to read an early e-ARC and I DEVOURD IT.

Everything in this book is so original, from the world building to the magic to the twists that just hit you out of nowhere. Also THAT ENDING--I'm still reeling from it. Just when you think you've figured it out, something else surprises you.

If you like:
- a confused queen trying her best
- complicated and wonderful sibling relationships
- an immersive world
- political intrigue
- TWISTS

Then this book is for you!

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. The writing is great, the story line is full of twists and turns that you don't see coming, and the characters are fleshed out. On those alone I'd give this book a five star rating, but as I sit here thinking about it, I just don't relate to the characters. None of them stood out and left a lasting impression for me. The story as a whole though is great. Ms. He has woven an intricate design of intrigue and corruption into her tale that the plot comes off the pages and is like a movie inside my mind.

(I am super excited to disclaim that I received this free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review).

<b> "I'd like to think that my choices are my own, but how many truly are?" </b>

I will definitely be in the minority for saying this, but I found <u> Descendant of the Crane </u> to just be okay. I was honestly expecting to fall in love with it due to the description and other reviews I have read - an historical fantasy murder mystery with world building influenced by Chinese history/culture? Yes please, sign me up. I love, love, love fantasy worlds inspired by east asian cultures. This novel, however, fell short of my expectations.

I think the biggest knock that I have against this book is that I did not feel invested in the characters or storyline at all. I was disconnected the entire time, right from the first chapter. My mind kept drifting from the page. The mystery and political intrigue were subtle and quiet, which will appeal to many readers, but I found myself getting bored. I wanted something to pick up so I would feel more involved and empathetic for the characters. I do not think that this is necessarily the author's fault; perhaps politically based novels are just not my cup of tea. I encourage others to give it a shot, however, because I may be one of only a handful of people who feels this way on this one - it would be best to form your own opinion!

This book was by far the most amazing, engrossing, and overall best-written books I've read this year. The plot is incredibly intricate and well thought out. Characters are so relatable and enjoyable, we are able to see them grow so much throughout the story. Speaking of the plot and characters....there are some amazing plot twists revolving around certain characters, making the reader unsure of who to trust.

I loved that the Chinese culture was not simply mentioned int he book, it was woven throughout every aspect of it...including the use of paper lanterns. I wish I could be more conscious with my review but I need time to recover from this amazing journey. All in all, you will love this book!

I liked this book but I’m not sure why I liked this book. I don’t like courtroom dramas too much. I’m not a big fan of mysteries; I can always see the end coming. Court intrigues, for me, are meh. This book is all of them and none of them at the same time; it will lull the reader into a catatonic state in which he or she will not care to try to figure anything out—only continue reading it.

Character development here tends to seamlessly integrate with the plot. The writer does not use extra words to do either, which I feel is a mark of a budding master storyteller. At no time did the characters or the plot feel predictable. This is a definite recommend for readers of fantasy who are exhausted with overused devices and character/plot gimmicks.

My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, for which I give my own opinion.

I received this free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

“…we fear what we don’t know.”

Princess Hesina of Yan finds herself thrust into a tricky political world after her father dies and she takes the throne as queen. In an act to discover more about her father’s death, she seeks help from a soothsayer- one who practices magic. In a kingdom where magic and the people who practice it are outlawed, this action pushes Hesina down a path where she discovers that much of what she thought she knew might not be true. With the help of her remaining family and Akira, a mysterious convicted criminal, Hesina strives to make sense of her father’s death while also exposing the flaws within the court and the prejudices of her own beliefs.

Joan He knows how to take readers on an emotional roller coaster. Throughout the twists and turns in Hesina’s story, I found myself switching alliances and trying to guess at the mysteries sprinkled into the story. There were moments where I was genuinely shocked about a well placed plot twist. Though there were plenty of surprises as characters showed their true nature and plots were uncovered, none of it felt forced or untrue to the story that we were being told which made for an enjoyable read.

Hesina was a believable and likable character, her reactions and actions made me want to cheer for her. The characters all felt fleshed out enough that I found myself imagining their goings on after the book ended. My one critique would be the pacing. The beginning of the book seemed to drag with pockets of action that had me picking it up again after having abandoned it for a few days. I often found myself confused about how much time had passed between scenes. Once I reached the halfway mark, however, I wasn't able to put it down. It also wasn’t clear when a new scene was beginning but this was most likely a formatting issue that has more to do with the fact that this is an ARC than the author’s writing.

I would definitely recommend this once it is released (April 9th 2019)! Joan He mentioned that there’s a possibility of companion novels told from different points of view which I will be picking up as they are released.

3. 75 stars

I was initially drawn to this book based on the cover (I mean look at it, it's beautiful), the description and the fact that it was a Chinese-inspired fantasy, something I have not really had the opportunity to read.. Although the book went in a completely different direction than I thought it would, I still really enjoyed it!

Descendant of the Crane follows Hesina, and her rise to power after her father dies in a mysterious fashion. She decides to investigate the death of her father. She goes to see a sooth, a person who can see the future and is an outcast in this society, who told her to find a convict with a rod. From there she finds Akira, who she works with to discover not only the truth of what happened to her father, but also ancient secrets and treachery that has been hidden for centuries.

The premise of the plot was really interesting! I didn't realize how much the murder mystery would play into the plot, and I really enjoyed all the twists and turn it took. There were a lot of reveals in this book and most of them were really fantastic and really threw me for a loop. I also really enjoyed the commentary on blind hatred and discrimination. It was something that I felt was dealt with really well and is super relevant to a lot of situations today. The one problem I had with the plot was the pacing towards the middle/end of the book. I feel like the story started very quickly and had great pacing, then just slowed right down in the middle, which made it a bit of a struggle to get through at times.

I really enjoyed Hesina as a character. I felt she was very complex and I like being able to see her thoughts on what was going on in her country. I enjoyed seeing her struggle with the moral dilemmas she faced quite often in the book, and how she wasn't a perfect queen for her country. She had to make a lot of moral sacrifices to do what was best for her people, and I really like how that affected her character throughout the book. A lot of the characters in this book fell really flat for me. We were not given a lot of time with some of them, and I found it hard to relate with them and empathize with their situations.

Overall this was a really interesting mystery, and I am interested to see what happens if a sequel is going to be written.

Interesting read. I loved the unique plot line. It kept me entertained through the whole book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rounding up for this review but in terms of personal enjoyment, it was probably less. The story and pace were uneven, there was no real depth to the characters and I couldn’t really care about any of them. I found the blend of fantasy/ legal/detective mash up confusing. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

“But in trying times, truth is the first thing we betray.”

Friends, this book gripped me from the first page to the very last. Descendant of the Crane is a stunning debut fantasy that delivers on the “Chinese version of Game of Thrones” comparison that I’ve seen. This is a fast paced and action packed book that you cannot miss!

The plot of the book seems simple enough: the king died mysteriously and his daughter launches an investigation because she’s convinced it was murder and is determined to uncover the truth. But it is so much more than that. It turns out the truth is more than just with the king’s death, but the 300 year history of the country following the revolution against the previous empire. The oppressed rose up to make things more equal for everyone… except for the sooths. I appreciated Hesina’s sympathy for the sooths and the moral dilemma she faces while having to also not increase tensions and fear for her people.

“A dead king. A deceived populace. A truth seeker. Sounds like a story that could end very well or very poorly, and I want to spectate.”

The thread that runs throughout this narrative is essentially the philosophical debate on whether the ends justify the means and how far we are willing to go in order to fight for what we think is right. Hesina’s dogged pursuit of the truth causes her to commit treason by seeking the guidance of a sooth, and in a court where everyone’s motives are questioned trust is hard to come by. A friend of mine said in her review that she “suspected herself, and she isn’t even in the book” — if that isn’t the most accurate representation of the unease and stakes that Hesina faces, I don’t know what is.

“Justice was her only way to say thank you. To say goodbye. To say I love you too.”

He manages to weave lush descriptions and heart-warming character development alongside this story. I fell in love with Hesina, Caiyan, and Lilian immediately and their sibling banter brings me to life. Her close friendships with them, and a budding friendship with Akira, acts as a foil to the tough relationship that she has with both her mother and brother Sanjing. The complex relationships and emotions all play into the decisions that Hesina makes and feel very authentic.

We all know that I am all about worldbuilding, and I was not disappointed here! There is a complex backstory and hundreds of years of history but it is given to us in small doses, never really leaving the reader in the dark for long. While we dive straight into the story from the beginning, my hunger to read more was out of intrigue rather than confusion. One funny anecdote that lies SOLELY on my own lack of reading comprehension is that I thought someone died that wound up alive and well several chapters later. 😂😂😂 I went back and clearly saw that I missed the word “messenger.” I am glad I was wrong!

I think the reason this book spoke to me so deeply is that it deals with the very real anxieties of seeking truth and justice, and just how far we will go to achieve those ends. It’s the anxiety-ridden coming-of-age story that translates really well to my life presently. (Of course, I am not ruling a kingdom and trying to avenge my father’s death.) Hesina’s story parallels well with my own loss of idealism and my internal struggle to buck against these structures to fight for what’s right.

Overall there are not enough positive things that I can say about this book: it’s fast paced and captivating from the first page with intricate worldbuilding that is doled out in just the right doses and characters that you cannot help but love. The twists and reveals will keep you guessing and gasping until the very end, and then have you craving more of this story. I sincerely hope that He gets to share more with us, and I will be anxiously waiting to read it & anything else that she writes.

Many thanks to Albert Whitman Company for sending me an eARC via NetGalley for my honest review! Quotes are taken from an unfinished ARC and may not match final publication.

This plot was incredibly well woven, incredibly gripping. I was left guessing right up until the end. I loved the characters, I loved the dynamic between everyone, I loved the friendships.
The only thing that left me a little dissatisfied was the ending. I still can't believe that this was a standalone novel because I was just left with the feeling that this was unfinished.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book. Wow! This book is stunning. It is not your typical YA novel of cliches and Katniss type characters. This book is well written and plotted. The setting is beautiful. I was drawn into the story from the first sentence. I will definitely be purchasing it for the library and actively sharing it with students.

Between my evolving taste in books and feeling like YA is inundated with fantasy these days, I have to admit I approached Descendent of the Crane with trepidation. I knew I wanted to love it (I mean, look at that cover you guys) but within the first few chapters I knew how I’d most likely feel about it by the end and I was right. Princess Hesina becomes Queen of Yan when her father is found dead but while others decree it a natural death, she believes it was murder and opens a formal investigation to prove it. Doing so opens up a pandora's box, especially when she turns to a soothsayer for help in spite of magic being outlawed and enlists a criminal named Akira to be her investigator. She’ll stop at nothing to get the truth but what price will she and others have to pay for it? A solid premise was there, which is why I wanted to read it in the first place, but unfortunately nothing wowed me. The characters were underdeveloped and the catalyst poorly introduced, and yet there was this expectation for the reader to immediately latch on and connect to Hestina’s journey for truth. Due to the lackluster writing and world plus character building, I never once felt connected to Hestina, nor anyone else in the book for that matter, and as a result I cared little for her ordeal. The second half does improve pacing-wise but it still wasn’t enough to raise my opinion.