Reviews posted
Goodreads: June 25, 2021
Storygraph: June 25. 2021
TikTok @meghanlew_: June 25, 2021

I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK. Was it perfect no, but I really don’t care. The characters, plot, and romance were all amazing to me and I kept putting off finishing it, because I wanted to live in the world longer.

While I loved the plot and found it incredibly intriguing, it was definitely a little all over the place. The first half of the book is a slow to medium pace and the second half picks up real quickly. The plot twists were well laid out and while I didn’t guess them, they all mad sense with what Lim had laid out in the book. Overall the plot was fun and exciting and I couldn’t put it down.

Shiori was a great character to read about and I felt that she had great character development throughout the whole book. She is constantly learning and growing from her past mistakes and you get see her go from a naive young girl to a strong adult. I loved seeing her relationship with her brothers and I do wish their dynamics were explored more. Lastly her chemistry with her love interest was natural and I never felt like it was being forced on us as a reader to believe I them.

I also think that Lim did a fantastic job and not info dumping the magic system. She really shows us through character interactions, rather than just telling it all at once. This also made the book more interesting to read because I kept wanting to know more about the world.

Number 1: have you seen this beautiful cover?!?!
Number 2: have you preordered/added this book to your TBR yet?? If not, you should!

Six Crimson Cranes has those authentic YA fantasy vibes if you know what I mean. I was super engaged in the story and I was so into all of the plot twists! I also loved that the romance wasn't a big part of this first book and it mainly focused on the main character and her relationship with her family!

I am so excited for the sequel! I can definitely see this becoming a favorite series and I have high hopes for book 2!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Immersive in its lore, engrossing in its characters, and engaging in its plot - this book is a true pleasure to read from cover to cover.

Shiori, the princess of a land that has banished magic, has always been able to access small magics. When one escapes her during a critical moment, Shiori sets off a chain of events that quickly ends with her brothers transformed into cranes and her ability to speak taken from her. Shiori must quickly grow and determine how to reunite with her brothers, fight against those who would overthrow her family, and defend her country from its ancient enemies - demons - all without a word crossing her lips, or one of her brothers will die.

There is so much to love in Six Crimson Cranes, from familiar elements to Western readers (dashes of Cinderella, the legend of the 1,000 paper cranes) to those that are not (dragon pearls and so much more). In particular, I loved how Lim didn't hesitate to interweave elements from numerous legends and still made the story so accessible. I felt like I walked each step with Shiori, growing fonder of her throughout the book, rather than feeling lost at any point.

I also found the relationships in this book to be completely believable. Yes, there is an eligible bachelor that is rather... ahem, attached... to Shiori rather quickly, but there is also a significant backstory and even a shared history there. The book dances with a love triangle but never really does it, a move that I found to be very palatable.

I was struck how much of this book was really about family, both the elements of family we take for granted and those that we don't miss until they're gone. Shiori fiercely loves her family, and her striving to help them never ceases. I admired her tenacity and persistence most of all.

This book is extremely strong, with the only real downside being a bit of a slump in the middle for which it lost its fifth star. I don't love the female bully trope and even though it is eventually explained, it just went on too long. Otherwise, this would be an easy five-star read.

I am eager for the next book - what a great ending that will keep readers wanting more. Pick this one up, just as soon as you can. You'll want to journey far and wide with Shiori, and luckily, we get to do so.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free eArc in exchange for a honest review!

I had high expectations for this book and Elizabeth Lim definitely delivered! The writing is an atmospheric story inspired by Christian Anderson’s “Wild Swans” and the Grimm Brothers’ “Six Swans”. I’m in love with the characters and the journey they’re all intertwined on. Also, can I just mention that the plot twists are AMAZING. It’s beautiful, captivating, and leaves you wanting so much more.
This is perfect for fans of The Wrath and the Flame or Strange the Dreamer.

Six Crimson Cranes is an epic, refreshing start to what I whole heartedly believe will be an amazing series. To say I’m in love with this world would be an understatement. This felt both like an amazing fairytale adventure full of magic and intrigue but was also one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read. The stories within the story we’re so beautiful, this world was so vivid and my heart broke and was put back together several times. I had goosebumps, giggles, frowns and total awe from this story.

This story about a young, brave if not sometimes brash Princess who has to find her way in a world out to get her will capture your heart from the VERY start. The family bonds are so strong in this book and so so very refreshing from other YA Fantasies that you can’t help but to feel the love. Also have I mentioned there may or may not be a slow burn romance?

This book is amazing from the very start until the very end and guess what? I’m pretty sure this will be a series and I’ve noticed something strange mentioned.. Blood of Stars. Several times throughout this book, could it be that it is attached to Lim’ Blood of Stars series?? Now I have to run and read that! Lol

I can’t say more positive things about this amazing story besides don’t walk, RUN and buy this the moment it releases, or even better… preorder it! You seriously will not be disappointed. If the cover doesn’t sell you alone then please trust my very chaotic review.

Read if you like: YA fantasy like Flame in the Mist and The Wrath and the Dawn.
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Shiori is a princess who has secret, forbidden magic. When her stepmother banishes her and turns her brothers into cranes, Shiori is sent on a journey to save her brothers and defeat her stepmother.
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I loved this story. The plot was fast paced and fun, full of adventures. Shiori was a great protagonist; strong willed and kind. There is a sprinkle of romance, which is great for a YA fantasy! I also loved the connection to Japanese folklore and the thousand cranes.
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CW: violence, death, torture, impersonation.

“I was completely enthralled by Lim’s previous book and this one was certainly one of my highly anticipated reads of the year - and it certainly did not disappoint! Once again, the world building is incredible and rich with cultural influences. I am so grateful to have been able to go on this journey with a character like Shiori, and cannot wait to see how the rest unfolds.

I LOVED "Spin the Dawn"- it was one of my favorite books of 2019. I found its sequel "Unravel the Dusk" to be lacking... but I loved the first book in Elizabeth Lim's duology so much that I was quick to want to read an ARC copy of her new work. Not only that, but her books get the most amazing covers! Can't help but judge a book by its cover, especially when the cover is so beautiful.

"Six Crimson Cranes" is a book I wish I could have read as a teenager. Shiori, the main character, is the right amount of spunky, cute, annoying, loyal, and endearing. There is a sweet romance, but it isn't the absolute center of the story. As a teenager, I can remember very few books that were as addictive and obsessive-worthy as this one. As a parent, this is also the type of story that I would highly recommend to parents with children that read YA. There are no explicit scenes.

Lim has brought Shiori's world to life with beautiful descriptions of the world. She is poetic without being over-the-top, which is very refreshing in the YA genre.

My only complaint with this book is in the actual plot of the story. Without giving spoilers, I found the character/villain of Shiori's stepmom to be poorly played out, especially towards the end of the story. I try to avoid spoilers in all of my reviews, so all I really want to say is that her villain-ization is ultimately unbelievable and frustrating.

A solid 4 star, even 4.5 star book. Lim's storytelling really makes this book special, and I look forward to reading the sequel/conclusion to this work. Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Pleeeease consider me for review of the sequel as well? ;)

Shiori is a princess, but she’s rarely the center of attention. Her six older brothers have been ignoring her lately, and all she does is take her lessons and do her sewing, both of which are incredibly dull. But her dull life is turned around when she starts taking magic lessons from a dragon, and then when her stepmother puts a curse on her and her brothers. All six of her brothers are turned into cranes, and Shiori is told that only she can break the spell, all without uttering a single word. Unfortunately, with the princes and princesses missing, her country has been thrown into chaos.

I received an advanced reading copy of Six Crimson Cranes in exchange for an honest review.

Six Crimson Cranes is a young adult fantasy novel by Elizabeth Lim. If the author’s name sounds familiar to you, it might be because I’ve read and reviewed her other fantasy duology, the Spin the Dawn series, on this blog. I really enjoyed that series, and when I heard about her new books, based on one of my favorite fairy tales, I knew I had to check it out!

Six Crimson Cranes was incredibly unexpected. I feel like I read so much fantasy nowadays, I can often guess where it’s going. With Six Crimson Cranes, however, I never knew where it was going. But that was a good thing! It was exciting, and the twists were plentiful but satisfying. I closed the book thrilled with the adventure on which it had taken me, and I actually read it pretty quickly too! Sure, part of the reason was that I didn’t have power one day, so I spent quite a while just sitting and reading rather than getting distracted by the TV or my computer, but it was still a quick read by my standards.

This book is more than just its plot, however. Another huge part of it are the relationships between the characters, both familial and romantic. We start off the book knowing a few facts about the people surrounding Shiori – she misses her brothers and how they used to spend time with her, and she and her stepmother have a mutual hatred thing going on even though they apparently used to love each other. We also learn that Shiori is engaged to a young lord in an isolated part of the north, and she hates the idea of this marriage because it’s going to take her far away from everything she knows and loves. Already, from the very beginning, we’re thrown into some very complex relationships with several sides, and I just had such an amazing time reading to see how they changed and developed.

If I have any complaints about this book, it’s that I would have loved to spend more time with Shiori’s brothers! I’m going to admit, I had a hard time keeping them straight (there were SIX of them, after all), but I absolutely love sibling relationships in books, and I would have loved a lot more interaction between them.

There’s two other unexpected and more magical relationships that take place in this book, but I kind of don’t want to reveal them. They’re so surprising! There’s one in particular, where one character becomes incredibly vital to the book. I loved this character, and while she was pretty small in size, she certainly made up for it in personality! You’ll have to let me know what you think of her when you read the book.

Shiori herself is changed through these relationships, as well as the experiences she’s been through. We get to see her change from an impetuous princess to the hero her brothers need. After all, she’s the only one who can break the curse and save them, and yet she’s cursed herself! She’s thrown into one tricky situation after the other, but Shiori never gives up, even when she gets really low. She has to accomplish her goal.

Six Crimson Cranes was an excellent adventure into a world that completely sucked me in. The fairytale-like qualities were a perfect introduction, and the rest of the magic, the risk, and the story kept me reading until I didn’t want to stop. I think fantasy lovers everywhere would enjoy a book like this, and I certainly recommend it, especially if you, like me, enjoyed the fairytale it’s based on.

Six Crimson Cranes will be released on July 6. You can pre-order your copy from Knopf Books at Penguin Random House here.

4.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Six Crimson Cranes is a loose retelling of Hans Christian Anderson's "Wild Swans" and The Grimm brothers "Six Swans". The author also pulled from Asian folklore to create this really unique story. This was one of the few books that I felt transcended "age genres". Meaning, this is categorized as a YA novel but it felt like it was meant for everyone...the way folklore stories touch everyone.
For me the pacing of this book felt perfect, being slower in moments that needed it, and faster paced when I craved that too. I also really appreciated the relationships between the characters and Shiori's character development throughout the novel. Overall this is probably my favorite YA fantasy that I have read in a really long time and I would be interested in reading more from this author as well!

Six Crimson Cranes
by Elizabeth Lim

I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this beautiful book! I never heard the bedtime story of this but THIS story certainly is not a bedtime story! It's too beautiful and touching! A beautiful princess, a dragon, six princes, a stepmother that is a sorceress, and a groom-to-be that is shamed are most of the key players.

Nothing works out as planned for the princess. There is so much she doesn't know and she is young and brash. She only thinks of herself. This gets herself into all this trouble, and her brothers! It's a sad, scary, and suspenseful, but things end up ok, sort of. The book ends up leaving it open for book two. Not really a cliffhanger, because this book was solved but it gave us a glimpse of what to expect in book two.

I loved the dragon character and the groom-to-be. The dragon was a bit rebellious but that was being a dragon. The groom-to-be was very devoted and perfect for her (everything she was not). Our princess was a bit hollow but I couldn't help feel sorry for her. She grew as she went.

The writing style seemed to try to stay with the myth-type but did have a distinctive flair that added interest. I liked the Oriental take, I don't know if the original had this or not. I loved the cover!!!

It's supposed to be for teens but I am certainly past teen years and I really enjoyed it. Middle grade ages would probably like this too! Highly recommend! Wonderful adventure, fantasy, and love story.

Six Crimson Cranes is based on The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Andersen and East Asian folklore and legends. The author uses elements from various fairy tales, myths, and legends to create
a thoroughly unique story. I look forward to recommending this book to teens who enjoy retellings. There is plenty of action for those who enjoy adventures and can be recommended to even the youngest teen.

Six Crimson Cranes is a retelling of Western fairy tale "Six Swans" in an Asian-inspired setting. Shiori and her six older brothers are the children of the emperor of Kiata. Dreading her upcoming marriage to a nobleman's son in the remote north, Shiori longs to stay at home with her brothers and Kiki, a paper bird she has brought to life with forbidden magic. When she discovers that her stepmother is secretly a powerful sorceress, the consequences are terrible. Her brothers are transformed into cranes, and Shiori wakes up alone far from home. If she utters a sound or reveals her identity to anyone, her brothers will die. Shiori bravely takes on a painful, arduous task in an attempt to break the curse as she finds an unlikely ally in her erstwhile fiancé, but encounters danger and enemies all around her.

Six Crimson Cranes reminded me a lot of Juliet Marillier's Daughter of the Forest, as they are based on the same tale. It's a premise with so much great dramatic potential that I did not mind the superficial similarities. In both versions, the crucible that the heroine must undergo is truly harrowing and makes for some nail-biting tension. An interesting love story develops when she is taken under the wing of a sympathetic and kind man, but cannot speak to him or explain her predicament, and encounters members of his household who wish her harm.

Naturally, Lim puts her own spin on the tale in several key ways, the most obvious one being the magical East Asian environment filled with shapeshifters, demons, and dragons. With its descriptions of festivals, oceans, forests, palaces, fortresses, and snow-capped mountains, Six Crimson Cranes would make a visually striking fantasy film. There's also bit of political intrigue and mystery which helps ground the more otherworldly elements. In the end, the story takes a detour from the usual trajectory to make a truly inspired and emotional plot twist, with the groundwork carefully laid throughout the novel.

Lim's characters are interesting and memorable. I loved Shiori's passion for food (plus the mouthwatering descriptions!) and zest for life. The headstrong princess trope has been done to death, but Shiori's characterization feels fresh because her irrepressible nature is both an asset and an actual detriment. Her indefatigable spirit is necessary to keep her from despair as she strives to break the curse, but she also eventually realizes how her immature, self-centered actions have negatively impacted others. Her personality nicely contrasts that of her love interest, Takkan, a kind, strong, quiet type. Supporting characters such as Takkan's funny kid sister and Shiori's magical companions also had a lot of life to them.

I raced through the book and thoroughly enjoyed most of it, but a few issues kept it from a 5 star rating. I was a let down by the ending, which immediately shifted to tee things up for the sequel, whereas I had been under the impression that the book was a standalone. I just needed some more catharsis to help me recover from all the tension! A lot of magical rules are thrown at the reader, occasionally lacking enough explanation about how and why they exist. Of course not everything in a fantasy/folklore novel needs to be explained, but at times "that's just the way it is" is insufficient.

I highly recommend this novel to fans of fairy tale/folklore retellings and East Asian mythology!

There’s no way I can skip commenting on this cover – it would be a disservice to the designer. It’s a work of art and perfect for the story.

Before learning this novel is based on a fairy tale I’m unfamiliar with, I was thinking how it reads just like a fairy tale. Shiori could easily be a future Disney princess. She’s strong, curious, loyal, and determined not to let anyone else define her. Having six older brothers, she easily holds her own with them and is probably the most mischevious of the bunch. She’s also hiding her forbidden magic. After learning her stepmother possesses dark magic of her own, Shiori is banished and her brothers turned into cranes. Even worse, if she speaks to anyone, one of her brothers will die for every word she utters. I needed to know how this princess would survive and overcome the odds.

The sibling bonds are strong in this story, and I liked how protective Shiori’s brothers are of her even though she didn’t always need it. Takkan is honorable and astute from the beginning, and I loved that he crafts stories for his little sister (who’s pretty feisty herself). Encouraging people to look beyond appearances or misunderstood actions is an important theme this book brings to the forefront.

The first quarter of this book had me riveted. I was angry with Shiori’s stepmother and the people that treated her so badly when she was only trying to survive and anxious for her to find her brothers. She knew her mission and was fixated on it. Then things took a turn. The next half of the book mainly focused on the romance, and Shiori’s urgency to undo the curse wasn’t the driving force I’d expected. Toward the end of the story I didn’t see how plot lines could fall into place for some kind of resolution, but over the span of a few pages, several reveals come to light. Some are easy to predict, but others come out of left field and left me scratching my head because of the lack of hints along the way.

I’m a reader who doesn’t mind romance in a book as long as it’s not the primary focus, but this novel spotlighted it more than I’d expected from the description. That’s just a personal preference and in reading other reviews, I’m definitely in the minority on this. Fans of fairy tales, magic, and romance will be thrilled with Six Crimson Cranes, and while I enjoyed the story, it wasn’t exactly what I’d anticipated.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Much like her previous "Blood of Stars" duology, Elizabeth Lim's Six Crimson Cranes is a beautifully written fantasy that effortlessly incorporates East Asian legends and folklore in a way that makes her work immediately stand out from other YA stories hitting shelves this summer. (Plus, there's this gorgeous cover!)

The story may be loosely based on Hans Christian Anderson's "The Wild Swans", but Lim makes the basics of the tale into something entirely new, forging them into a story about identity, family, and the (often incorrect) assumptions we make about others. Plus, there are dragons, magic, cursed cranes, a sassy talking paper bird, and an enforced betrothal that turns out to be true love.

Lim's prose is lush and evocative, effortlessly weaving Asian folklore and culture into what is often traditionally presented as a very Western sort of story. The settings are beautifully described, from the run-down fishing village the disguised Lina initially finds herself in to the frigidly beautiful Northern territory of Iro, where she unexpectedly becomes a guest of the very family whose daughter-in-law she was meant to become.

Shiori's slow-burn romance with Takkan - because fate always has its way, of course - is utterly charming, and somehow completely unexpected, despite being a twist that was spoiled in the original synopsis for this book! A completely heartfelt soft boy who composes poetry and loves food, Takkan is Six Crimson Cranes' most delightful surprise and I can't wait to see how his relationship with Shiori develops in the next book.

I loved this! The story pulled me in and kept me hooked. I thought the characters were well done and interesting, the story had some surprises I didn't see coming and I definitely wanted to keep reading to know how it was all going to end. I'm excited for the sequel and definitely plan to read it.

*Thank you NetGalley for sending me an eARC in exchanged for an honest review* This is my first time reading anything by Elizabeth Lim and I think I fell completely in love with her. Six Crimson Cranes is a gorgeous retelling with beautiful writing and a whimsical setting. Lim's world-building is stunning and I felt immediately immersed in this brilliant world she's created.

Shiori and Takkan have quickly become two of my new favorite characters! Shiori is an excellent narrator and the journey she takes throughout this book is brillaint. Not only does she intend to break the curse set upon her & her brothers but she also strives to become a better person. Shiori's relationships with her brothers and stepmother were easily the highlight of this book for me. I loved reading all of their interactions and witnessing the complexities of their relationships.

If you're thinking about picking up this book, I definitely recommend! The cover is also absolutely gorgeous. Now I just need the second book to be released lmao

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.
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Thank you to Random House Children's Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Drawing inspiration from The Six Swans and The Wild Swans, Six Crimson Cranes tells the story of Shiori, the Princess of Kiata, trying to get away from her arranged marriage to Lord Takkan Bushian, and on the day of the betrothal ceremony, loses control over her magic. Magic is forbidden in Kiata, and her stepmother Raikama, a powerful sorceress in her own right, curses Shiori and her six brothers by turning her brothers into cranes, banishing Shirori, and cursing her such that every sound she speaks causes one of her brothers to die.
The worldbuilding was absolutely stunning - I loved the way that the myths and fairytale elements blended together. The introduction of magic, dragons, quests, curses, and demons all blended so well in this fantasy land of Kiata. Even the two festivals that were showcased in the book were so different from each other but both had Asian elements that felt so familiar to me as I read it.

And the descriptions, especially of the food! I don’t often get to read about persimmons in fiction, so it was great to see one of my favorite fruits spotlighted in a book. Shiori is a foodie, and I found myself salivating over all the brilliant descriptions of the food that Shiori encounters, as well as the memories she associates with various dishes and recipes.

I loved the sibling dynamics, both between Shiori and her brothers as well as between Takkan and Megari. I wish Seryu and Shiori’s relationship had been explored more, but I know it was mostly set up so that it could be explored more in the upcoming sequel. I loved how Raikama wasn’t just reduced to the “evil stepmother” trope, but their relationship was filled with complexities that had me crying at the end of the book. And I loved Shiori’s companion Kiki, who was incredibly hilarious.

I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the sequel.

A thank you to Random House Children’s Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the ARC.

Yes, Lim always delivers amazing enchanted stories that suck me and drag me into adventures full of heartbreak, strength, and hope. Six Crimson Cranes is no exception. To say I loved it would be an understatement. Lim sucked me in and tore me apart on this journey with Shiori in the most wonderful way. Can I have book 2 now?!