As someone who didn’t love her first duology I wanted to give this author another shot. As always, the covers are gorgeous! They really draw you in with the, “read me!” voice that happens with any cover that stands out. When it comes to the story I did like it much more than her previous book but it still lacked that spark to take it to the next level.

Shiori is the daughter of an Emperor and was surrounded by brothers. I am always into seeing sibling relationships as I grew up with five myself. I did like her interactions with them even if it sometimes felt minor. She is also strong-willed and a rebel to the rules. It made for good moments that helped carry the plot along.

There are other characters that I liked, especially Takkan. He wasn’t what I was expecting but I liked to see the growth between him and Shiori. Shiori also has growth of her own when it comes to not judging others before you meet them. I guess you could also say she learned to be humble as well but to me she didn’t seem overly spoiled although it was mentioned in words from her stepmother.

The plot is filled with forbidden magic, an arranged marriage, and the bonds of those that Shiori holds dear. There are plot twists that keep it interesting and some were quite surprising. Sometimes it would be hard to keep track of all the plot lines and it did feel like there was a few that overpowered the others. Just like in her last duology, my one bigger complaint is the world-building. This author writes great storylines and has interesting characters but I just need more from the world around them. I can’t ever get fully invested.

Overall, this was good and I am sure fans of hers will like this new series.

Six Crimson Cranes was one of my most anticipated releases of 2021, because it’s a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales: The Six Swans. And wow, this was a fantastic story. It had all the hallmarks of a fairy tale complete with a richly realized world, endearing characters, and a story that was engrossing from the first page to the last.

Six Crimson Cranes was the kind of story that gradually eases the reader into the world. It spent a good enough amount of time on the characters and the world before the bulk of the story began. At times tragic, yet always hopeful, Six Crimson Cranes took the essence of The Six Swans. But it gave the story unique spin set against the backdrop of a detailed historical setting. I loved all the little nuances with the food, manner of dress, traditions, magic, and the architectural keywords that made the setting come alive.

The characters were another high point of the story. Lim did an excellent job on them, and I liked all the individual arcs that each one went through.

Shiori was, by far, one of my favorites. She had the most character growth among all of them. Toward the beginning, she was reluctant to fulfill her role as a princess. However, I felt like that had more to do with the changes coming to her life—getting married, moving away, and feeling like she was growing apart from her older brothers as they settled into their respective royal roles. The fear of the unknown was an early source of tension. She felt unheard, but it wasn’t until she couldn’t tell anyone anything—not even to ask for help—that she began to face the truths about her own secrets, and the truth about people she thought she knew all her life.

Six Crimson Cranes was an excellent story. It was a highly enjoyable read, and I was a big fan of the way the mystery played out. And in some ways the conclusion was satisfying for part of the story. Yet, there were also several outstanding questions that will likely be answered in the sequel.

If you like retellings, then I can’t recommend this one enough.

Disclaimer: This copy of the book was provided by the publisher (Knopf) via Netgalley for this review, thank you!

I love everything Elizabeth Lim writes and this was no exception.
This story combined an old fairytale which I didn't know much about before reading it, and a new story with an amazing world and characters.

This story was great once it got going but I had a really hard time getting into it. The first few chapters are slow and the main character very immature. I understand she is young and is supposed to grow throughout the story, but she acts like she's 12 when she's a princess engaged to be married. Once the story got going and the description in the blurb started to happen the story got a lot better. It was an interesting twist that she couldn't speak either which made the story interesting. I think I will read more by this author but it depends what the story is about.

What I've been telling people about this book is how it feels like a fairytale. There are fantasies that attempt, and fall short, and there are fantasies that set themselves apart from the idea of a fairytale, but Six Crimson Cranes feels cozy and familiar even as it tells a wholly original story. As I read, I felt transported back to fifth, sixth grade, when all I wanted to read was Ella Enchanted and other books with that kind of flavor. Something that swept me off my feet and placed me in a world apart, taught me through magic some important lesson about being alive. Six Crimson Cranes does not disappoint for readers who are looking for that kind of experience. My only quibble was that I had a hard time thinking of the MC as being as old as she was -- the first several chapters feel like I'm reading through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old rather than an almost-seventeen-year-old. However, during the course of the book, as the character grows and changes, it becomes more obvious that the version of herself at the beginning of the story is supposed to be childlike because she's coddled and has never really known strife (other than the loss of her mother). I really loved this and I already have some students in mind who will love it too.

Six Crimson Cranes is a delightful fairytale. Shiori, the princess, grows into a wise brave heroine. In the beginning the character development was well crafted but left me with a few puzzles, but by the end I liked them so much I cannot wait for the next book in the series. There are 2 main characters who have not completed their part in the story and a beautiful love story to revel in yet.

I am waiting for the next book impatiently. You will enjoy this book as you follow the retelling of a story within a story.

Elizabeth Lim is quickly becoming an auto-read author for me. Her synopses are spare and do not give much of the major plot lines. so I'm always excited to get in and let her surprise me.

Six Crimson Cranes features a princess with forbidden magic and must contend with a secretive stepmother. If you think you know the journey Princess Shiori will undertake, you are mistaken.

Tight plots and very real stakes just serve to enhance the relationships Shiori has with her lost brothers and the fiancee she never took the time to meet. A must-read for anyone who enjoyed Lim's The Blood of Stars duology, or someone looking for a fairytale as you've never experienced before. I will not be able to wait a year for the conclusion of Shiori's story!

I received this as an early review copy from NetGalley and Random House Children's. All opinions are my own.

Shiori is the only daughter and youngest child of the royal family and she has a secret that is forbidden at all costs. She can practice magic and is soon found out by her stepmother, Raikama.

When Shiori finds out about Raikama's magic, she is sent far away by Raikama along with her six older brothers who are turned into cranes. She must find a way back but there's a catch. For every word she speaks, one of her brothers dies.

Shiori travels across the kingdom to find an answer that she longs for in hopes of saving her brothers and herself. Along the way, however, she stumbles across a plan that threatens not only her and her brothers but also the entire kingdom.

Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5) ♡

I absolutely loved the writing! The author's descriptions were so precise and the excellent use of imagery created an amazing world in which the story took place. I loved everything about the setting and the creatures and people that helped Shiori along her way.

The plot was steady from the beginning but the ending was spectacular. The pacing was great and I loved each unique part that painted a bigger picture in my head.

Overall, Six Crimson Cranes was wayyyy beyond my expectations and quickly became one of my favorite books. I can't wait another year for the second book to come out! It's definitely a must-read of 2021 and I recommend it to everyone to try.

Six Crimson Cranes is a fantasy-must read! Join Shiori as she tries to break a curse and save her country from the demons trapped in the Holy Mountains. Lim takes inspiration from The Six Swans with Shiori's curse, from Snow White with an evil stepmother, and a dash of Cinderella when a handsome suitor who picks up Shiori's slipper tries to find her. Yet Lim finds a way to take these retelling tropes and turns them into an utterly charming and unique new tale.

Shiori is everything you could ever want in a main character—she's head-strong, loyal, and caring. She's creative and clever and best of all she's not afraid to trust and she's brave enough to admit when she's wrong and learn from her past. Watching her face adversity and grow was an absolute pleasure.

After the success of Elizabeth Lim's previous duology (The Blood of Stars) and now this stunning beginning to a new series, Lim has become an auto-buy author for me!

Everything about this book is delicious. Lim creates a magical and detailed world that I was gladly lost in. Her attention to details, characters, and culture is superb. This is a book I will be reading again after it's publication. I already have it pre-ordered for my library.

Thank you to Random House Children's and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'll be honest, it was the cover of a beautiful Asian women that drew me to it. I couldn't resist! That being said not only does the wonderful book have an amazing cover but a fantastic story! It did not disappoint!

A retelling of the Wild Swans fairytale, Elizabeth Lim creates such a refreshing and beautiful story of Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, whos magical abilities are forbidden. She tries to keep it in control but its still noticed by her stepmother Raikama, who has powerful magic of her own, who curses Shiori and her six brothers, who turn into cranes.

I was immersed into this wonderful tale, loved the romance, ached for the struggling Shiori, as she tries to break the spell, and am dying for the second book. *sigh* It will be a long wait.

Shiori is the spoiled little princess who longs to find her freedom before her arranged marriage to a boys she is sure she hates in a place she does not want to go. That all changes when her stepmother Raikama curses her and her brothers and her whole world is upended. I loved this story of bravery, perseverance and go I g people second chances that was woven with mythology and magic. Not everyone is what they seem in this book and characters I was convinced were evil (hello when are dragons trustworthy) turned out to be some of Shiori’s greatest allies.I am READY for the next book in the series to come out today!

I loved this book and was so happy that it lived up to its gorgeous cover. The world building was exquisite and I enjoyed seeing the fairy tale influence. Shiori is engaging and even though she can’t speak for most of the book, her personality comes through very strongly. I loved reading about the relationships between her and her brothers, as well as her love interest. There were many twists and turns that I didn’t expect, and I’m excited to read the sequel.

This book is about a magical girl in a world where magic is forbidden. What she doesn’t know is that her step mother also has magic and curses her and her brothers.

The main character, Shiori, couldn’t speak for most of the book so I was expecting some plot holes, but everything that happened was well explained.

I thought the story was good, but sadly, I fell into a reading slump while reading it. Despite that, I still really enjoyed the book.

I was provided with an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Elizabeth Lim's writing style is an absolute DELIGHT. Her stories are a love letter to the tales/legends that inspire them, and Six Crimson Cranes is no exception. Shiori was a wonderfully written MC and the perfect narrator. Kiki was the perfect "familiar" and I kept forgetting she was a paper crane and not a real person. Takkan was so endearing and I loved him from the moment he appeared on the page, and Shiori's brothers were a colorful patchwork of personalities. I literally could not put this one down, and read it in one sitting. This book had so many twists and turns, and even when I though I had the story figured out, the author still surprised me. I am VERY much looking forward to the next book, and can't wait to have the finished copy of this one in my hands!

Oh, my! What a beautiful, lovely book. This is the story of a young princess who has been betrothed to someone she believes she does not want to marry. She is cursed by her stepmother, who turns her 6 brothers into cranes. The princess, Shiori, is unable to speak of any of this or her brothers will die. Nice fantasy, based on fables, and a well told story. I really enjoyed the book, finishing it in 2 days! Looking forward to the next book. Highly recommend!

I enjoyed this one. I really appreciated the main protagonist's character growth, I think that was my favorite part. I liked the shifting loyalties and the characters not being who they seem to be. We don't actually get to see the brothers' adventures so that felt a bit too convenient but that's not a huge complaint.

Six Crimson Cranes is, at its core, a story about family. Shiori and her brothers are cursed when they discover that their stepmother is a demon— Shiori to not speak, and her brothers to transform into cranes in the day. If this sounds familiar, it’s because Cranes is a blended retelling of many fairytales, including The Wild Swans, Cinderella, and the Chinese legend of Chang’e.

The beginning of the book felt very middle-grade to me; the main character is a stubborn princess who refuses to marry the son of a third-ranked lord so she opts to jump into a lake instead. However, as the book progresses, the stakes get higher as she discovers that her stepmother possesses dark magic and is suddenly transported far away from her kingdom and her brothers. For every word that she speaks, one of her brothers will die so she is forced to survive without uttering a single sound. I was truly engaged in the story once we got deep into the curse; I was so desperate to know how the curse gets lifted and what happens to the characters in the end! Although this is my first Elizabeth Lim book, I’m quite excited to read her Blood of Stars duology now if she can keep me this captivated and emotionally invested in her characters.

Shiori grows so much as a character during this time. We meet her as an impulsive and coddled princess, yet she quickly adapts to surviving. Although she loses much of her pride, being in her head gave us a deeper understanding as to her end goals and how she attempts to accomplish it. I will admit that I cried at Shiori’s and her stepmother’s interaction at the end. Even as the villain, Raikama’s motivation for driving the story was incredibly impactful, even if it was for the wrong reasons.

As another #ownvoices book, I enjoyed so many aspects of the author bringing her own culture into her writing. I was quite excited to not only see western fairytales that we all know, but ones I recognized from my childhood, such as the red thread of fate and the moon goddess and her rabbits. Cranes was a wonderful read and I am excited for the next book to see where Shiori goes next.

I really enjoyed Six Crimson Cranes. I am a sucker for fantasy with fairy tale aspects, people who can change from humans into animals, and cinnamon rolls for the main romantic interest, especially when said cinnamon rolls don’t die. This is a return to the same world as Spin the Dawn, but the characters are new and it incorporates other myths, legends, and magic than The Blood of the Stars duology. I enjoyed Shiori just as much if not more than Maia. While she is a privileged little snot in the beginning as her tale of resilience and sacrifice unfolds, she grows to be quite lovable.

I’m not sure if I would say that Shiori holds her own in a group of relatively likable characters. Her six brothers all fall into some sort of overarching character cliches, i.e. the leader, the scholarly, the warrior, but I found them each to be likeable. I just wish we’d seen more interaction between them in Shiori. I would say the relationships that really stand out here are the ones between Shiori and Seryu, Shiori and Takkan, and most of all Shiori and Kiki, her animated paper bird. Shiori and Seryu have such a friendly banter, while her and Takkan are actually quite sweet to one another. Kiki is the best though because she constantly helps to keep Shiori from dying. Having an animated paper bird is apparently quite useful in this world of inherent danger.

As I mentioned before, this is the same world as The Blood of the Stars duology. However, Kiata is a place that I believe was not on the map provided in either of those books. It’s an island off the map, which takes inspirations from Chinese and Japanese culture and myths. That being said, the author does rely heavily on the readers background knowledge of these two cultures when it comes with what a lot of things are supposed to look like. I don’t remember most buildings or the scenery really being described at any point in the novel other than for a completely made up volcano. It didn’t really hinder my personal enjoyment of this book, it’s just not as richly described as some other worlds that I have dipped my toes into.

Personally, I really enjoyed the pacing and the plot as a whole, however, I could see where some would say that the story feels a little disjointed, which was something that I complained about myself for Spin the Dawn. There is definitely a point in Lim’s books where you can go, here is where the book is going to turn and take a totally different path, for better or for worse. I liked both halves of this novel, which is something that I had a problem with in Spin the Dawn, though it grew on me with my reread. This one has a slower first half, but there is almost too much going on in the second half. The ending also feels super chaotic and there is a tie there that readers who didn’t read The Blood of Stars duology won’t understand. I would say that, based on this book alone, readers should be fine reading this one, but not Lim’s first duology. This is supposed to sort of be a prequel anyways, so there isn’t a real need to have read them.

Overall, I would recommend this to fans of retellings, snarky animal side kicks, sibling bonds, and characters growing through hardships. If you’re looking for something with super detailed world building, a lot of romance, or a lot of ‘palace intrigue’ this is not going to hit those points for you. If you liked Spin the Dawn, you’ll probably like this. I personally think it’s better than both Spin the Dawn and Unravel the Dusk, but you’ll have to decide for yourself. I’m excited about Lim’s writing just continuously improving and I look forward to what she puts out in the future.

Six Crimson Cranes will be released on July 6, 2021! Pre-order a copy if this sounds like something you’ll enjoy! Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf for providing me with an e-ARC of this book, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's no surprise that I loved this one. Six Crimson Cranes is a retelling of my favorite fairytale, and I absolutely adored The Blood of Stars Duology. Six Crimson Cranes follows Shiori, a princess with forbidden magic, whose stepmother curses her and her brothers. Other fans of the original fairytale will find this retelling close enough to be satisfying but different enough to keep them intrigued.

One of my favorite things about The Wild Swans and Six Crimson Cranes is the strength Shiori finds in her silence. She is such a strong and resilient protagonist, and I loved following her in her journey. I also loved that this is a companion series to The Blood of Stars, and the little nods to the former series delighted me.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I have no doubt that I will continue to read everything Elizabeth Lim writes.