I received an advanced copy of this via Netgally in return for a review.

This book was one of the best reads I have had so far. Full of mystery and intrigue in a world completely different from what I know of. It involves murder, secrecy, traitors and romance. The way the story was written was so poetic and paced remarkably well. I was hooked and could not stop reading (often staying up all night saying just one more chapter). I knew this would be a 5 star read when I read the description, but I didn't know it would blow me away as much as it did. Highly recommend!!!

3.5*

With the combination of a historical fiction novel and murder mystery, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into The Red Palace. But if you’re looking for a well-researched historical fiction novel with incredible world-building, I recommend this book to you.


The palace setting (and the mystery that lies within) is so intriguing. From the beginning, you can tell how many secrets are being kept and how untrustworthy many of the characters are. It’s very easy for this kind of setup to fall into unnecessary miscommunication, but that’s avoided in The Red Palace. Instead, we slowly uncover the fears and power that lie in those secrets that motivate each character’s actions. And as we learn more and more, the suspense can very much be felt with each chapter, as we ask ourselves – can this character be trusted?


This might deviate from other readers’ thoughts, but I found the pacing for The Red Palace to be slower – and I really liked that! The author spent so much time creating a rich world and showcasing Korean culture in this time period that it really helped amplify the mystery and other story elements.


The only thing I found lacking was Hyeon herself. I loved following her journey but I do wish the book went more into her backstory and aspirations. While we do know these things, I wish we got more than just being told about them, I think that would have strengthened her as a main character.


But The Red Palace was a very solid read overall, and I Look forward to checking out more of Hur’s books!

A good saeguk mystery and political thriller is no easy feat in any form of media. June Hur achieved this feat -- through well-paced storytelling and complex female relationships. The Red Palace is beyond a whodunnit, though I devoured it like one. Taking after the nurse main character Baek-hyeon, this is a novel about healing. Healing from the unforgiving neo-Confucian patriarchal and monarchial systems that rule Joseon. Healing from intergenerational trauma. Baek-hyeon's personal growth is not externally motivated by the male main character Eojin; it stems from her spirit to survive. And in the bloody chessboard that is palace politics, Baek-hyeon hits the lowest of lows, yet still manages to survive. From dysfunctional families to vivid fight scenes, this novel hits all the right spots that I look for in historical fiction. My greatest hope is that one day it is adapted into a drama.

What a soft and lovely book with a horrifying murder plot.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Red Palace. I knew I would going in because our narrator is Hyeon, a palace nurse who has validation anxiety but knows her skills. At the very beginning we are barely given a breath before Hyeon is swept up into a conspiracy: four women including a court lady have been murdered and someone is trying to frame the Crown Prince. The main suspect is Hyeon's mentor nurse and so Hyeon finds herself dealing with royals and a compelling young police inspector to clear her mentors name.

Pros:
Wonderfully complex lead
Soft and Lovely romance
Genuine intrigue over WhoDunIt

I thought Hyeon was a spectacular lead. Hyeon is a bastard which means she knows she can only rise so far in life but one place she can is at the palace as a palace nurse. She does this to subconsciously get the approval of her Father, a powerful Lord who rarely acknowledges her. She has every reason to keep her head down and keep her job but her sense of justice comes from her mother, a woman who has more layers than it originally seems. Hyeon believes in doing what is right no matter what and her belief of Justice > Revenge is echoed beautifully in her romantic partner, the young police inspector Eojin. He is surprised to find Hyeon posing as a crime scene nurse when he first arrives at the massacre and together they work as partners to find out the truth and bring the right people to justice. Their relationship was so quiet and understated and romantic in only the way that fairytales can be. I fully enjoyed watching their development as equals in this way.
Lastly, the crime and solving of it was well done and if you are able to piece things together you may figure it out sooner but otherwise I think there are many aspects to the incredibly layered murder mystery that will surprise you.

Cons:
Not long enough
Wraps up quickly

I would've liked a bit more to happen in our third act where they discover the murderer. It skips very quickly from a Confrontation to an Epilogue but otherwise the pacing was well done throughout.

I highly recommend this novel. It is lovingly written and contains descriptive dialogue about food which is my favorite and Hur did a wonderful job putting you there with the characters.

This was my first June Hur book, and I loved it. I learned that you don't need to read her books in order (though I do have a copy of one of her earlier books on my bookshelf!) This was richly atmospheric, and an interesting mystery too. I learned about a period of Korean history that I didn't know much about. I enjoyed following the story and the characters. I will definitely be reading Hur's backlist after this. This is definitely a book I recommend.

The Red Palace was one of my most anticipated releases because I have loved June’s previous works and this one was described as a murder mystery set in Joseon period with slow burn romance and that’s absolutely something I would be interested in. The murder mystery mixed with the atmospheric setting, beautiful writing with enthralling characters had me fall in love with it right from page one.

The Red Palace is a story about the palace nurse Hyeon who has worked so hard to reach her position and is a stubborn and determined person who will go through something once she sets her mind to do it. She was smart and empathetic and I also loved how we got to see different sides of her through all the relationships she had: a complicated relationship with her mother and as a loyal friend to Jieun. And then there is Eojin, the prodigy and youngest inspector at nineteen who is virtuous and fighting for justice. He is always respectful and treats everyone equally and with consideration. There were many distinct and intriguing side characters too which only make the book better. The crown prince’s character was also fascinating and I loved how his story was weaved with the plot and other characters.

When a series of murders take place and Hyeon’s mentor is blamed for them, Hyeon makes it her mission to help clear her name. Through this, she crosses paths with Eojin and after some reluctance they both agree to help each other in the investigation. The mystery was well written and it had some thriller elements too. All these elements along with the historical fiction setting and the romance which will have you smiling so wide worked really well together to make an enjoyable read which will keep you captivated.

Hyeon and Eojin’s gentle and delicate friendship to romance was beautiful to read. The romance wasn’t front seat and it was woven really well with the mystery aspect of the book. The book is just a little over 300 pages but it was so easy to fly through it and I was engrossed throughout the book.

The author mentions how the story is inspired by Crown Prince Sado and it was really fun to read how she incorporated this part into the plot and she does an amazing job at blending the historical fiction with murder mystery aspect. The setting was atmospheric and it gives you the feeling of watching a k-drama. As a fan of k-dramas, this was just another things I loved about this book. I genuinely feel all of June’s books (The Silence of Bones, The Forest of Stolen Girls and this one) would make for amazing k-dramas. She has become an auto-buy author for me and that’s how good her books are!

Overall, The Red Palace was an atmospheric and beautifully written murder mystery in the Joseon era with amazing characters and a sweet friendship to romance which will make you smile so hard and a plot which will keep you intrigued till the last page. I highly recommend this book!

I was sent an eARC of the book from the author through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

(ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.)

4 EXCITING STARS

Three Minute Thoughts:
The Red Palace was a fast-paced, exciting, adventurous mystery, and I loved every moment of it! The setting of 1758 Korea was fascinating to read about and thankfully free of any info-dumping, and the mystery was captivating and surprising, leaving readers with dawning expressions of understanding as the powerful main characters unravelled the intricate murder mystery. A soft romance just added a sweet touch to the novel overall, and all-round the book was an absolute pleasure to read – I’m certain I’ll now have to read the author’s other books!

The Extended, Long, and Very-Probably-Messy Review:
This book was such a pleasure to read! Fast-paced and reasonably short, I flew through most of this in one sitting, and was left satisfied and content at the end. I forgot what a pleasure it is to read standalones that don’t leave me with cliffhangers at the end!

A good book requires many different components, but the main ingredient to a captivating story is always the characters (for me), and The Red Palace definitely did not let me down here! Hur’s characters were easy to fall in love with and easier to relate to, from the harsh parental expectations that Hyeon was constantly trying to meet, to the loneliness that filled Eojin, even when surrounded by people. Hyeon was a powerful and brave protagonist, kickass despite being untrained in any martial arts, and a true example to women everywhere that there is more to strength than physical ability.

“We are women… and nothing short of death stops us from doing precisely what we wish to do. That is what the laws and restrictons binding our lives breed: determination and cunning.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)

Eojin was a similarly captivating character, and I loved him from our first introduction – he’s an absolute cinnamon bun, and I will accept no other label for that cutie pie. I honestly wish we got more of him, he was such a sweetheart! And the slowburn, delicate romance that blossomed between the two MCs… positively heartbreaking. So precious and pure, I loved each minimal moment of it, and for once I actually don’t believe more romance was necessary – Hur sprinkled just the right amount in, so as to not draw attention from the mystery but still add some heart-fluttering moments.

“When the time comes…You watch out for me. And I will always watch out for you.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)

Another strong and incredibly well-written section of The Red Palace was the mystery and action itself, heavily emphasised by the beautiful setting of Korea in the Joseon Period. I won’t say too much about the mystery – but let it be known that I was shocked by the ending – but I will say that I really, really loved the 1700’s Korea setting. I found the historical titbits fascinating and wonderfully interesting to read about, from the honourifics and the class system to the clothing and jobs, and when I read that the story was loosely based on a real Korean Crown Prince, I admired the historical accuracy even more! Jane Hur definitely has a stunning way of blending fact and fiction, and I will be sure to keep an eye out for more of her books.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and Colored Pages Tours for the free copy of this splendid book in exchange for an honest review! A special thanks to Colored Pages Tours for organising the book blog tour❤.

The Red Palace is my first June Hur book, and I absolutely loved it! I am a big fan of historical fiction, especially if they have a mystery storyline. From the very beginning, the mood is set for the rest of the book, and you can see that the story is wrapped in mystery and tension. Hyeon, the main character, is a palace nurse, who quickly discovers that her dream job can turn into a nightmare. She finds herself tangled up in the web of political and palace intrigue, that features a cunning concubine, tongue-tied coworkers, and a prince with a dark secret straight out of a horror film. I was rooting for Hyeon and her journey to justice throughout the whole book, and I loved unraveling the mystery of who was the murderer with her. It was not too confusing, but that didn’t make it predictable, and I appreciate that so much. The family dynamics, especially the discussion of family relationships and how they affect us, were spectacular and left me heartbroken and emotional. All of this, combined with Hyeon’s personality, her wit, her flaws, and her strengths, made her a very solid character that I loved. The romance in the book was subtle but no less adorable. I was grinning and giggling with their interactions and little romantic gestures here and there. Another thing that I loved about this book was how compelling the writing was, and how I could see the whole story play in my head like a film. Overall, this was a fantastic book and I cannot recommend it enough. If you enjoy murder mysteries, political intrigue, complex family dynamics, the main character you will root for and adore, and a dash of romance, The Red Palace might be the perfect book for you. I’m so excited to read more June Hur books, as this author has turned into one of my auto-buy authors!

(3.5 stars rounded up)

I loved the historical setting, and the author’s note at the end mentions the real people who in part inspired this story, which was so intriguing.

This was a great pick for a YA mystery outside of the usual contemporary mysteries I read, and the added intrigue of palace drama and never being sure who could be trusted heightened the tension and sense of danger.

This was a slow start for me though. It took me some time to get into it and I found overall the pacing was slow, for me.

But it was overall another great read from June Hur. Recommended!

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Red Palace

Author: June Hur

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: Korean MC and characters

Recommended For...: young adult readers, own voice, historical fiction, murder mystery, thriller

Publication Date: January 25, 2022

Genre: YA Historical Fiction Mystery

Recommended Age: 15+ (death, murder, violence, gore, torture, parental abandonment)

Explanation of CWs: The book is a murder mystery novel and shows violence, death, murder, and gore. There is some torture mentioned in the book and a scene of parental abandonment shown and some mentioned here and there.

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Pages: 336

Synopsis: Joseon (Korea), 1758. There are few options available to illegitimate daughters in the capital city, but through hard work and study, eighteen-year-old Hyeon has earned a position as a palace nurse. All she wants is to keep her head down, do a good job, and perhaps finally win her estranged father's approval.

But Hyeon is suddenly thrust into the dark and dangerous world of court politics when someone murders four women in a single night, and the prime suspect is Hyeon's closest friend and mentor. Determined to prove her beloved teacher's innocence, Hyeon launches her own secret investigation.

In her hunt for the truth, she encounters Eojin, a young police inspector also searching for the killer. When evidence begins to point to the Crown Prince himself as the murderer, Hyeon and Eojin must work together to search the darkest corners of the palace to uncover the deadly secrets behind the bloodshed.

Review: This was another out of the park read by June Hur! I absolutely love her work and this one is probably my favorite. I loved the story and I love how June weaves in the mystery and bases it on historical people and places. The book was well plotted and had me guessing until the end. The characters are well developed as is the world building. I also loved how evenly paced the book is.

The only issue I really had with the book is that I felt some of the details were quickly skimmed in the book and I wish that we spent more time figuring out the whodunit.

Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend!

June Hur's incredible prose will captivate you with its beautiful imagery, filled with cultural details, that will want you aching for a follow-up story of Eojin and Hyeon's dynamic and the dangerous, dark world of court politics and crime. I couldn't recommend this more! Five stars to The Red Palace ✨

Thank to Fierce Reads for sending me an e-arc!

4.5 Stars

In 1758 Korea, Hyeon, a young palace nurse, finds herself tangled within the webs of finding out who was behind a massacre that took the lives of multiple young nurses and left the nurse who trained her and helped raise her as the main suspect, but things begin to get tricky once the Crown Prince is accused of the massacre. Hyeon works closely with a young inspector, wanting nothing more than to prove the woman she deeply cares about as innocent.

June Hur’s writing is amazing, and quickly pulled me into Hyeon’s life, making me feel like I was with her as she tried to connect the dots and solve who was behind the massacre. I’ve never read any of her other books, but I definitely plan to after reading The Red Palace.

While I typically don’t enjoy romance in fantasy books, the romance within this book was something I loved. It didn’t take center stage from the plot, and the characters were two people you could tell cared for each other, even after knowing each other for such a short time. They had similar goals, which made them a great pair.

Overall, this was an amazing read, and I think anyone who likes historical fiction or mysteries, especially murder mysteries, should read this!

I was sold immediately by this book, a murder mystery set in Josen era Korea. I need more historical k-drama books like this! I live for court politics and drama so much, I eat it up every time. This novel was so fun to read. I really enjoyed the complex characters, family relationships, and antagonists. It had amazing story telling, an engaging mystery with a subtle slow burn romance, that it was so easy to get wrapped up in the story. I don’t know if it just me but loving history I always really appreciate an authors note with come historical context. The information about the prince, finding out that it was inspired by real people in history was really interesting. I’m definitely going to read more books by June Hur in the future.

*Thank you NetGalley, Feiwel & Friends, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing a copy of the book*

In 1758, Korea, Hyeon is the illegitimate daughter of a lord who seeks to earn her father’s approval. She has worked tirelessly to earn herself a position as a palace nurse. However, she finds herself entangled in a web of lies when four women are murdered in the palace … and her beloved mentor is believed to be responsible.

Determined to prove her mentor’s innocence and to free her from the brutal police force, she launches her own private investigation, but she’s met with dark secrets and impossible choices when the Crown Prince himself becomes a suspect.

The Red Palace by June Hur is a riveting historical murder mystery filled with court intrigue, compelling characters, and a touch of romance.

This is my first time reading once of June Hur’s books, and it won’t be my last. She has a knack for painting complex characters and getting into inner psyches—their desires and motivations—, making for one heck of a gripping read.

On top that, I really adored the slow-burn, swoon-worthy romance between Hyeon and the young police inspector who is secretly helping her investigate. I actually didn’t mind this aspect since it advances the plot as oppose to distracting from it.

Lastly, I want to point out how well-researched this story was. It’s based on the real-life historical figure of Prince Sado and sheds light on the Joseon Period from the perspective of a lower-class nurse, which I found utterly fascinating.

All in all, in The Red Palace, Hur crafts an immersive story with a well-wrought world and characters—perfect for fans of period k-dramas.

The Red Palace takes us to mid-1700s Korea, in the middle of a mysterious murder investigation. I find it interesting that even though a massacre took place and the characters are trying to figure out who committed these crimes, it doesn't feel like a typical mystery to me. It felt like a contemporary story with magnifying glass elements and not a Scooby-Doo and the gang chase.

What I like most about this book is the historical content. I had no idea that The Red Palace incorporated real-life historical figures, such as Crown Prince Jangheon. After reading Hur's author's note, it made me want to find out more about him and his tragic life. I also appreciated the lack of modern technology in this novel.

I liked it very much. It's not all of what I expected, though. It didn't read as a Young Adult to me, and there were many elements besides a murder investigation highlighted in the book. If I had a chance to sway you from the "mystery aspect," I'd say that there is a slow-burn romance, classism, family expectations, and elitism that ruled the pages.

The Red Palace, by author June Hur, is a story takes place in 1758 Joseon-era Korea. The story surrounds 18-year old, Baek-Hyeon, who works as a palace nurse, a position she has worked very hard to attain. After overcoming a difficult childhood, with a mother who looks down on her, and a father who won't acknowledge her existence, she’s accomplished more than anyone expected a girl from her background would do. In Joseon-Era Korea, nurses are handpicked to serve in the palace.

Normally they are attached to women princesses, concubines, and court ladies since it is illegal for a man to touch a female. As the illegitimate daughter of a powerful man, who just happens to be Minister of Justice, Hyeon was limited in her options. But all that Hyeon has done is threatened one night when she’s summoned to watch over a member of the royal household, then sworn to secrecy to what she sees. Upon leaving the palace that same day she learns that a massacre has taken place at her former nursing school, and her beloved mentor, Nurse Jeongsu, has been arrested for the crime.

When Hyeon's beloved mentor, Nurse Jeongsu, gets arrested for the crime, Hyeon knows there's been a mistake. There is no way her caring teacher, a woman who has dedicated her life to helping others, including taking her in when she was discarded by her mother, could possibly be capable of the callous brutality of this massacre. Hyeon's desperate to save Jeongsu from the clutches of the police force, known for their brutal interrogations, and she doesn't have much time. Therefore, Hyeon decides she needs to begin her own secret investigation into the murders.

Along the way she meets Eojin, a young police inspector, who teams up with her to uncover the truth behind the Hyeminseo Massacre, but will anything they find actually make a difference? Eojin had his own complex backstory and motivation for wanting to get to the bottom of these crimes, which added to the general mystery. In the face of the dark secrets they begin to uncover involving every level of palace politics, Hyeon and Eojin seem so small, young and inconsequential. They're both willing to take incredible risks in the pursuit of justice though and that should count for something.

Hyeon was a powerful and brave protagonist, kickass despite being untrained in any martial arts, and a true example to women everywhere that there is more to strength than physical ability. Eojin is the youngest investigator from the capital that is tasked to investigate the murders. He is calculative, trust worthy, and the calm that is the perfect balance to Hyeon’s chaos. The Red Palace is an amazing stand alone mystery thriller that will transport you to the darkest depths of the Joseon dynasty filled with murder, political scheming, cover ups, and gripping crime solving.

The Red Palace is loosely based on the life and death of Crown Prince Sado, also known as Crown Prince Jangheon, was the second son of King Yeongjo of Joseon Feb 13, 1735 - Jul 12, 1762 (age 27). At the age of 27, he was executed at order of his father and died of starvation by being confined in a rice chest. Brutal way to die.

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the.shybrarian
[REVIEW TIME!] THE RED PALACE by June Hur (@junehwrites)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So initial thoughts: [external screeching]
In case you can’t tell, I absolutely adore this book.

THE RED PALACE is a historical mystery set in 1758 during the reign of King Yeongjo of Joseon. The illegitimate daughter of a noble, 18-year-old Hyeon has worked hard to become a palace nurse in hopes of making her father proud of her. But when four women are massacred and Hyeon’s mentor is implicated, she’s driven to clear her name. She teams up with a young (and hot!) police inspector named Eojin who needs her help to get palace insider info, and they’re determined to uncover the real culprit. Their investigation is hampered on all sides, and is made even more complicated by the growing evidence that the Crown Prince is involved in the murders.

This is fantastic story all around with compelling characters and a fascinating historical backdrop. I love Hyeon and all her stubbornness and determination. She’s badass without wielding a weapon, using her wits, nursing skills, and just plain bullheadedness to find out the truth. Eojin is another great character who matches Hyeon in determination, and watching them work together to build their case is so enjoyable and satisfying. And of course there’s Crown Prince Jangheon (later known as Crown Prince Sado), a real historical figure who’s equal parts troubled, sympathetic, and terrible. Seriously, I went down a Wikipedia rabbit hole and don’t regret a thing, and Hur brings him to life with such nuance.

And of course there’s the romance. It’s a lovely slow burn and even though they don’t even do anything spicy, Hyeon and Eojin’s interactions are painted with electricity and longing that makes even a hand touch feel intimate. Honestly, it’s the yearning for me. And like…he respects her brain and her skills and that’s just so 🤌

TL;DR if you like historical mysteries with a touch of romance and a lot of court intrigue, I’m begging you to read this book (and then come scream about it with me here).

THE RED PALACE releases Tuesday, January 25 (this week!!!!).

A haunting, rich and evocative historical fiction, The Red Palace is indeed one of June Hur's best work yet! With the same quality of an immersive atmosphere of The Silence of Bones, as well we the meaning and purpose behind The Forest of Stolen Girls, The Red Palace tops it up with incredible historical and political intrigue with such a compelling main character. Truly a young adult novel in 1750 Korean to treasure!

The first thing you need to know about this book is that it is INTERESTING. It’s unlike any other book I’ve read in this genre and in the YA category in general for as long as I can remember. For that alone, this book would bring this book three stars, simply for attempting something outside the status quo and putting the time and effort into researching this era in Korean history and these historical figures enough to create an interesting historical fiction mystery around them.

The second thing you need to know is that it gets to five stars by being utterly EXCELLENT at telling this story. The prose is elegant. The characters are well-developed and easy to identify with. The mystery is intriguing and well-plotted. The culprit is well-hidden. The subplot romance is understated the right amount and developed organically. The pacing and editing is well-done. There seem to be no plot holes and little to no loose ends. The book is neither too long nor too short. It’s all just so well-told and interesting I couldn’t find it in myself to put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley for this opportunity.
I would like to start off by saying that I believe that June Hur is taking back historical fiction and placing it in what I believe my controversial opinion- that historical fiction is a genre that should be populated and run by BIPOC authors. There is so much history that evolves around us where we don't get to fully grasp and be indulged in such different timelines. For example, schools will talk about the Holocaust and Europe during WW2 but don't fully acknowledge Japan's reckless nightmare while having occupancy of Korea.

I am lucky to have some background in Korean History, and I am lucky to be an educator that tries to provide different perspectives when it comes to Language Arts and Social Studies, so I wholeheartedly recommend this book- as well as June Hur's other books.

I am not the right demographic, therefore since this is not an own-voice review I do recommend looking at others' insight before engulfing what my thoughts are.

This book is okay. There is a lot of intersectionalities that cross paths with each other when it comes to Korean historical fiction- especially taking place during the Joseon era. There is classism, feminism, family trauma and even more playing its cards on top of the main premise of solving a murder.

However, I did feel like this book was slow and was hard to not put down. I found myself a bit in a deja vu type of vibe with The Silence of Bones- which also is about solving a murder and the male character being falsely accused of the crime.

I may try to listen to an audiobook version when it comes out, and hopefully having that as a privilege may change my thoughts.

Regardless, I do recommend reading this book, and keeping an eye out for June Hur- as I believe she is only going to get better from her greatness so far.

Just because the book did not work out for me, does not mean it will not work out for you.