I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Women were permitted to roam the streets during the curfew hours; only men were forbidden, for men were considered a danger to the capital at night."

To be honest, I typically don't read a ton of historical fiction or a ton of mysteries, but I'd heard great things about June Hur so decided to request this. I get it now though because man, this bish can write!! I'll definitely be going back and reading her other two novels.

One of the things I loved most about The Red Palace is the strong sense of place. Even being very unfamiliar with the historical setting, I always felt really anchored to the world. Hur also did a fantastic job weaving a foreboding, oppressive, atmosphere.

In terms of the plot, I wasn't blown away by the mystery, but I did enjoy it. I was kind of reminded of The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton in that I had more fun reaching the destination then actually arriving.

The best part of this novel were the characters. Ever character felt real and multifaceted - the horrible people weren't all-encompassing evil, no one was stupid just so the author could have a chance to verbalize a plot point (a pet peeve of mine), and the relationships were moving and well developed.

Some other things that really worked for me:
- This is a YA novel, with the main characters being young adults and the prose very accessible to younger readers. However, this novel does something very few YA books do, in that our MC, Hyeon, acknowledges how odd it is that such young people are investigating a massacre.
- I loved the friendship between Hyeon and Jieun. They respected each other's decisions and helped each other out when possible. I really liked Jieun's character in general, being smart and competent and romantic and dealing with trauma but still hopeful. She was definitely not your classic trope-y side character.
- While I don't work in healthcare myself, I come from a medical family and really connected to a nurse as an MC. It was cool seeing forensic medicine in such an historical context.
- The relationship development between Hyeon and her mother was an absolute chef's kiss.
- The romantic subplot was sweet and believable and well balanced among the other plotlines.

Now don't get me wrong, I do have some little nitpicky quibbles - like people having whole ass conversations by mouthing the words - but overall this was solid and I recommend it for anyone wanting a quick, atmospheric read.

Last but not least, I recommend reading the author's note once you've reached the end. The Red Palace is somewhat based on the true story of Prince Sado, who I'd never heard of before, being largely uneducated on Korean history before the 20th century. I was very interested in this historical incident, and will be learning more about it!

What an absolutely fun and delightful read! This is the perfect historical mystery to curl up with if you’ve been suffering from withdrawals after bingeing all of Kingdom on Netflix. Set in Joseon era Korea (specifically the year 1758), this book plunges the reader immediately into the brutal and shocking quadruple-murder of four women who work in the palace hospital. The protagonist of the story is Hyeon, a palace nurse who receives a crash course in court intrigue and the deadliness of power and politics as she investigates the deaths to clear her beloved teacher from suspicion.

The characters at times feel too modern, which can take the reader out of the story, but it’s a wonderfully paced and riveting story full of secrets and enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages until the very end. The setting is beautifully rendered. I always love to see more Asian historical fiction that’s not set during a modern war, and this book fit the bill perfectly.

[Review will post on Reader Voracious 1/9/2022.]

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS, EVER. Reading this book was truly magical and I loved every moment of it; I found myself savoring every sentence and taking my time to read because I just didn't want it to be over. These characters, this setting, this mystery have my whole heart.

There's something uniquely melancholic and beautiful about Hur's writing. I find myself being swept away by her words and moved to intense emotion: her writing resonates deep within my bones and speaks to my soul.

"To enter the palace means to walk a path stained in blood, our medical teachers had whispered. There will be bloodshed. I only hope it will not be yours."

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and how it unfolded, but more importantly I love the timid partnership of justice that Eojin and Hyeon embark on. There's something so perfect about a main character who's sought approval their whole life getting it for the first time from an unlikely place. From sarcastic rebuttals to a timid alliance to potential and soft feelings, their development is a treasure.

"I could never call myself a nurse again, not in good conscience, if I turned my eyes away from injustice. I must do something."

The mystery and our main characters are at the forefront of this tale, both of which driving the plot forward, but I appreciate the quiet discussion of classism and sexism present. Hyeon stands to lose not only everything but potentially even her life for stepping outside of her role and going against the Powers That Be. Her soft resolution in face of her fear is admirable, and I appreciate that she carefully considers the consequences before doing it anyway. (I bet she is a Capricorn like me!) Her quiet determination and soft-spoken bravery is beautiful.

"I did not want to be like this, a girl too afraid to do what was right for fear of what others would think. And I did know what was right. I recognized it as clearly as I did the sun in the sky."

There's something refreshing about Hur's approach to teenagers standing up and challenging the status quo. Just as in life, they haven't had their rose-colored glasses ripped from them and they haven't quietly become resigned to The Way It Has Always Been. It's obvious that there are issues with the systems in place, but due to disenfranchisement everyone not in power is too afraid to do something - but what I especially appreciate is that the other adults don't outright tell her to sit down and know her place (excepting the ones in power, of course). Hyeon finds support in unlikely places which I think gives her hope and is something that we adults could do better about in real life.

Let me tell you that I think I found my *chef's kiss* trope: I am a sucker for when someone makes the main character feel seen and worthy, especially when there's a class difference. This shit makes me go feral. Eojin sees Hyeon and I swear that I felt Hyeon's every elevated heartbeat each time he breaks with social convention and Confucian morality.

"Jieun set the book aside and walked off, her steps determined; I had planted a ridiculous idea in the head of a girl who spent all her earnings on purchasing romantic literature."

Oh and I would be remiss not to mention how much I adore Jieun and her unending love for romance books. Even though Hyeon's life was a lonely one, I am glad she had One Good Friend and a Great Mentor in her life before crossing paths with Eojin.

Both hands on the handle, he rushed forward with startling speed, closing the twenty feet of grass between them quickly. His blade flashed as he struck, but the gentleman parried, steel clashing against steel.
This book should be adapted into a movie or Netflix miniseries, full stop. It reads in a way that played it in my mind's eye for me and this book is written for the screen. Could you imagine the stolen glances as Eojin and Hyeon get to know each other better? MY GOD, PLEASE.

Words genuinely cannot do my love of this book justice. I sincerely hope that everyone who enjoys historical fiction and mysteries pick this book up, because it is June Hur at her best: which is saying a lot. The book brought tears to my eyes because of Hyeon's growth as a character and while I am sad to no longer be in the world I am so thankful for the beautiful ending. Seriously: read this book.

Per the author's note, the book is loosely based on the life and death of Crown Prince Jangheon (also known as Crown Prince Sado), and let me tell you that I took to Google when finishing the book to learn a bit more about him!

eARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This has not impacted my reading experience or the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.

I’ve been itching to get my hands on a copy of THE RED PALACE since the moment it showed up on my Instagram feed. Historical mystery and romance? I could read that everyday!

First, the mystery. I really enjoyed the mystery even though I was a little confused at times with all the victims and suspects, etc. I wasn’t at all familiar with this time period in Korea so I really didn’t know what kind of outcome to expect. Was the crown prince bad? Was he misunderstood? Or was something else going on with his mind? I really didn’t know. I will say that I 100% could not predict a single thing about this story.

Second, the romance. The romance was sweet. Hyeon was never going to allow herself to be used by a man and I loved that about her. And it was obvious to the reader that Eojin would never intentionally hurt her. I enjoyed reading the slow development of trust between them, and acceptance of each other.

Last, the characters. They came across as flat on the page with very little personality. I acquired a copy of this book for review so I pushed myself forward with reading it. But I struggled connecting with Hyeon, she was so boring. Her naiveté and stubbornness really didn’t endear her to me either.

Overall, I enjoyed the mystery, but the book as a whole was kinda dreary.

The Red Palace is a thrilling novel filled with mystery, romance, and adventure. Following the story of a young Hyeon who is struggling to find her footing in the world, is a string of mysteries involving gruesome murders that she intends to solve. In a world dominated by men, she does her best to break out of the chains binding her to the roles that society saw fit for her.

This book is one of my most anticipated reads for 2022, and I am extremely grateful for having been given a chance to read it at an earlier time. I started this book with a lot of expectations, and it's safe to say that they were all met. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. This is my first Jane Hur book and I'm definitely interested in reading more of her previous work.

I found the plot and the characters amazingly loveable. The plot twists were enough to keep my mind curious and invested, while the characters were so well rounded that it was incredibly easy to relate and empathize with them--especially Hyeon. I loved how the book managed to focus both on the mystery, and the romance at the same time without out-doing the other. Every interaction between Hyeon and Eojin had me internally screaming, and every surprising plot twist had me audibly gasping. It was a whole rollercoaster ride.

If you want a book that keeps you on your toes while making your heart flutter, this is definitely the book for you. If you love solving mysteries with a hint of romance, The Red Palace offers just that.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my opinion.

Working as a palace nurse Hyeon who is an illegitimate daughter has made the best out of her less than desirable circumstances. All she wants is to keep her head down and out of trouble and to make her father proud. However, when a series of murders occur and rumors start to fly Hyeon finds herself entangled with the royals their secrets and their lies. Hyeon with some help gets sucked into the murder investigation determined to prove her mentors innocence and determined not to become the next victim herself.

This story takes place in Joseon Korea in 1758. Immediately readers are sucked into massacre and from there things keep running. I loved being immersed in a culture that I don't really know anything about. Its mystery and intrigue which I like but with a different flavor. I loved this book!

In 1758, Joseon-era Korea, 18-year old, Hyeon works as a palace nurse, a position she has worked very hard to attain. As the illegitimate daughter of a powerful man, Hyeon really didn't have a lot of options. She enjoys her profession, however, and hopes that through it she may one day earn her father's approval.

Hyeon keeps her head down, does her job and tries to avoid any conflicts that would reflect negatively on her, but when she and a fellow nurse are called to the bedside of the Crown Prince Jangheon late one night, Hyeon is thrust into a wicked web of palace intrigue that she cannot avoid.

That very same night, at the same time she is in the Prince's chambers, a viscous attack occurs at the Hyeminseo that Hyeon used to attend. The attack leaves four women brutally murdered. 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, 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?

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.

The Red Palace grabbed me and never let go. This was such a surprising read for me, a little outside of my comfort zone, but such a delightful way to spend the weekend. Hur 100% succeeded at sweeping me away to another time and place. I felt transported!

There are so many things to love about this book that I fear I may just begin swooning here. Let's start with Hyeon. She had such incredible depth of character. I felt like I knew her. I had such empathy for her and her situation. In spite of her challenging family life though, Hyeon showed such strength and dedication to task, even in the face of terrible danger. It was admirable.

Then there is Eojin, speaking of swooning. Calm, quiet, strong and respectful of Hyeon, he made a great partner for her during the investigation. Eojin had his own complex backstory and motivation for wanting to get to the bottom of these crimes, which added to the general mystery. I enjoyed his steadfast nature and the evolution of their relationship was so satisfying.

Lastly, let's talk about the atmosphere. I can't even describe how great it was for me. The dark, dangerous streets. The secrets of the royal family hidden around every corner. As I said earlier, I was transported. When I was reading this, I could picture it all playing out in my mind. Granted, I'm no cinematographer, but I think Hur did an incredible job leading me on my imaginative journey into the heart of this story.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Feiwel & Friends, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I enjoyed this so much and cannot wait to pick up Hur's other two novels. Apparently, YA Historical Mysteries are now my thing!

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Feiwel & Friends in exchange for an honest review.

June Our does it again, this time readers find themselves in Joseon in 1758 for another Korean historical fiction. Hur's last novel, THE FOREST OF STOLEN GIRLS was really good but took me awhile before I got into it. This time? I was hooked to THE RED PALACE before the first chapter was over and found myself on more than one evening reading well past my bedtime because I was finding it impossible to put this book down.

The mystery was intriguing, and as the pieces started to fall into place, I was surprised at some of the reveals (which is a good thing). Hyeon is a great protagonist, she's smart and clever - and is able to be both while still being realistic as someone from the society and time period the novel is set in. I loved the dynamic between Hyeon and Eojin and their storyline was just as engaging as the murder mystery.

This is definitely my favorite Hur novel yet and even if it's a standalone - I can still hope for another novel to know what happens to Hyeon and Eojin next because I don't want their story to end!

This book was well written with an interesting and engaging mystery. I didn't have the best time with it, it didn't really keep my attention, but I really feel like that was me not in the mood for this sort of book than any fault with the book itself.

Immediately The Red Palace hooked me with intrigue. There's a magical blend of mystery and history all wrapped up into one. In what I've come to associate as a signature June Hur style, The Red Palace is intriguing from the very beginning. Hyeon is competent, clever, and compassionate. She's instantly endearing not only in her dedication to justice, but also in the ways she's also seeking approval. At the same time, Eojin was a grumpy, caring, and fascinating side character.

I was swept away and could not stop reading The Red Palace. While it's easy to get lost in the mystery and the murder - because there are some BIG twists - what I loved was Hyeon. She's so intelligent and caring, but at the same time also unsure of how to do what's right. Of what she will do for the approval of her family. I ended up reading The Red Palace in a few days I was so captivated.

I had a hard time getting into this book. It had a few ally slow start and I had to “walk away” from it a couple of times. In the end it wasn’t a book for me but is one I’d prob buy to have in my high school library.

A historical mystery with romantic elements and thorny plot set in Korea. I haven’t read a lot of books set here so it was like a breath of fresh air. The time period and setting of the book was unique and on par with my tastes, but the mystery aspect fell a bit short. It wasn’t bad per se, there were just times it felt like the characters were going in circles with their investigation or a lot was left off page.

As I mentioned the presence of romance, I did not think it was very well fleshed-out. The good thing is that is wasn't the focus. It was the atmosphere of the book that set the tone and definitely kept me reading. This was a very “who did it” type of novel and I genuinely wanted to know who was behind the murders and why. As for the writing itself, I don't have qualms with it but it was only good for me, not great. The characters also felt a bit shallow, there could have been so much more to them and all we were shown was the surface.

The Red Palace is still something to look forward to. I recommend if you like atmospheric writing, a unique setting, and a good short mystery.

A historical mystery set in Korea with romantic overtones and a tangled narrative. I haven't read many books set in this area, so it was a breath of fresh air. The book's time period and setting were distinct and appealed to my interests, but the mystery element fell short. It wasn't horrible per se; it simply felt like the characters were running in circles with their investigation at times, or there was a lot was left off the page.

I said that there was romance, but I didn't think it was well fleshed out. The good news is that it wasn't the main focus. It was the book's atmosphere that created the tone and kept me turning the pages. This was a "who done it" type of book, and I was eager to find out who was responsible for the murders and why. I have no qualms to the writing itself, but it was simply good for me, not fantastic. The characters were also a little superficial; there could have been so much more to them than what we saw.

The Red Palace is still something to look forward to. If you enjoy atmospheric writing, a distinct setting, and a decent short mystery, this is the book for you.

This book was really good! My first mystery/thriller in a while. This story kept me on me engaged from beginning to end. I feel like this was reasonably paced and well written. I didn’t think anything was obviously predictable and the MC, Hyeon, was very likable. I also liked the duo she made with the inspector Eojin. Hyeon and Eojin are such an innocent pair that worked well together. Despite the grimness of the plot at times - I feel like they added a sense of innocence and lightheartedness to the story. I also liked the insight to Korean history and palace life in that time period. Honestly, reading this book is like watching a Kdrama but on paper. I would read this again and would love to see more from this author. My rating is more like a 4.2/5⭐️.

I received this an ARC from Books with Friends via Netgalley and leave this review voluntarily.

If you enter the palace, you either die or you survive and become another monster within its walls …

ARC provided by the publisher Feiwel & Friends and the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Red Palace is a stunning Joseon era mystery thriller that will grip you in beautiful suspense. With that I am a new June Hur stan.

Defining November as the month that I will read my pile of ARCs in ambitious notion. I recently acquired the ARC of The Red Palace after applying for it through Twitter. In all honesty, I’ve never read any book by June Hur but I have seen her books circulating around bookish friends. I trust their judgment so I picked this book as my fifth ARC to read. As reflected on my rating it is evident that June Hur didn’t disappoint at all. This books holds the title for the most gripping and fast paced ARC that I’ve ever read, I finish it within a day which never happens. Before I dive deeper into my review I would like to gush about the gorgeous cover of this book done by Park Sunga and designed by Liz Dresner. Can I just point out when June revealed the cover and back cover designed I gasped because if you watch Korean dramas you know that the woman on the cover looks like Seo Ye-ji and the man on the back looks like Woo Do-hwan. The resemblances is uncanny! The style also makes the cover stand out adding the Korean period vibes with the brush strokes.

“I chose this path,” I said, my voice rising a notch.

“This is the only path I can take now, and you must let me walk it.”

The Red Palace is a young adult historical fiction and mystery thriller set in Joseon year of 1758. Following the success of her debut novel Silence of Bones and her recent 2021 The Forest of Stolen Girls, The Red Palace is Hur’s third highly anticipated third novel that will be released early 2022. The story revolves around an eighteen year old girl named Hyeon that works as a palace nurse. Working in the palace comes with its benefits and hardships but also the dark secrets within it’s walls. One day Hyeon and another palace nurse is called to assist the palace physician late in the night, an odd occurrence and especially dangerous as they are sworn to keep it a secret. The next day she discovers that four women were murdered on that same night she was called into the palace and that her teacher is placed as the prime suspect. Hyeon is frantic and is determined to clear her teacher’s name with the truth. On her courageous path to uncover the truth she meets a young investigator named Eojin that is tasked to solve the murders. Working together Hyeon and Eojin works together to find the real culprit behind the murders and drag the dark truth into the light of justice.

“One doesn’t always need a sword to find the truth.”

“Like you,” he whispered.

June Hur’s writing is magnetic, highly addictive, and easily accessible in building the tension and stakes by transporting readers to the unforgivingly cruel inner palace dynamics of the Joseon era. Through the eyes of Hyeon we get to see a lot of the twists and turns of maneuvering around nobility and their scheming to gain power. Hur’s atmospheric writing accounts the vivid details of the setting that will tempt your eyes to wander seeking out any kind of hint that will break the bubble of mystery. I didn’t expect how beautiful a mystery thriller can be written, the story deals with grim topics such as death and murder but it is enticing and eloquent. The plot is well balance and flowed smoothly in between each reveal that gradually pushes readers to the edge of their seats with dread I associate with Korean period dramas. The way Hur pulls the strings of tension is slow, deliberate, and full of intent that by the end when the string is pulled taut, it snaps with a satisfying reveal. With every page I am gripped on to the page as the book gets more and more unputdownable leaving me in a frantic mess of suspense thirsting for answers. Hur’s pacing worked wonders in strengthening the grip of tension and suspense as the mystery is revealed slowly as Hyeon and Eojin draw closer to the truth.

Our heads nearly touching, so lost in the moment, so consumed that I could not tell where he began and where I ended. We seemed to have, in that moment, merged into one mind with one purpose: find the killer, find the truth.

An aspect of The Red Palace that got me so engrossed and invested in the mystery are the characters, specifically Hyeon and Eojin. Hyeon is an ambitious nurse that has carved a path for herself to secure a position at the palace, she has worked long and hard to get where she is especially with the hardships of being the bastard child of a noble. Hur cleverly writes Hyeon’s perspective with innocent yet experienced eyes that hones her abilities and skills that she learned to its maximum potential. Hyeon is smart, feisty, and stubborn when she has set determination to clear her mentors name. Surely, Eojin has his hands full in dealing with her which makes their dynamic all the more endearing and fun to see manifest on page. 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. Both characters are well fleshed out with distinct personalities and believable voices proving Hur’s masterful ability with characterization. What made me enjoy The Red Palace is their dynamics and antics throughout the story. There are underlying themes of trust, righteousness, and comradery that is weaved in their relationship dynamic that I find intriguing. The romance that developed between the two manifested beautifully and it got me craving for more of their banter.


Whatever awaited in the future, I had to trust that he would watch out for me, as I would always watch out for him.

Final thoughts, 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. It is a story that I wish to see adapted as a drama or a movie on the big screen with the Korean actors on the cover play Hyeon and Eojin. Overall, I really enjoyed June Hur’s beautiful prose and phenomenal writing that got me addicting in a softer form of suspense that unique to Hur’s writing style. Everything is clear and crisp word for word that readers will grip readers the moment they start reading. Honestly, mystery thrillers isn’t a genre I normally would reach out towards but Hur changed that by weaving historical fiction into it that made the story the more interesting. June Hur has gained another fan as I will make sure to read her other works in 2022 such Silence of Bones and The Forest of Stolen Girls. If you haven’t please add all of June Hur’s book on to your Goodreads because you don’t want to miss out on any of her books. I highly recommend as well to read and pre-order The Red Palace if you’re looking for a fast paced gripping mystery thriller that is set in a certain period and has loose K-Drama romance vibes.

The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

Decided to take a break from reading bloody historical fantasies by reading this bloody historical thriller. 🗡🩸

June Hur is one of those authors I’ve heard nothing but great things about, but I still had never gotten around to reading before. And maybe it’s because the phrase ‘YA historical mystery’ doesn’t quite do her books justice. Absolutely all of those descriptors are true in this case—The Red Palace is a novel from a YA imprint set in 18th century Korea centered around multiple murders, and yet it felt like so much more than that while I was reading.

A driven young nurse, Baek-Hyeon, has finally achieved her dream position working in the palace. After overcoming a difficult childhood, she’s accomplished more than anyone expected a girl from her background would do. 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. 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.

Not believing her caretaker and teacher could have ever done something so heinous, Hyeon devotes herself to clearing Nurse Jeongsu’s name by investigating the killings herself. Her persistence and meddling draw the attention of a young police inspector, Seo Eojin. And despite early mistrust and disagreement, they begin to work together to unravel the web of secrets at the heart of this violent crime.

I think the most surprising thing to me while reading was how engaging and exciting The Red Palace was. Other historical fiction I’ve read, even ones centered around similar deadly events, have the tendency to drag or slow down intermittently. It’s not a particularly long book at 336 pages, but it’s jam-packed with action and suspense. June Hur also allows those tender, quiet moments for the characters to be explored on a deeper level. You can definitely try to solve the mystery by tracking the clues and evidence, but these are crime(s) best understood by following the motives.

I also loved the balance between historical record and the portions invented by the author and how they were seamlessly blended together. Some may or may not know this, but The Red Palace is actually based on the story of Prince Sado, a famous Korean figure from history. I’m not going to write too much about him, because I don’t want to potentially spoil anything for other people who are going in blind like I did, but also because though a lot of the story references the Crown Prince, he’s not the main focus. We are primarily following Hyeon and Eojin’s investigation, wherever that may go, and how their lives are impacted by interfering in various political maneuvers.

I really recommend reading June’s Author’s Note at the end of the book once you’ve finished. It’s so enlightening in addition to the novel, plus it demonstrates how deliberate and well thought-out her writing is. If you’re a sucker for crime shows “based on a true story” or historical dramas pieced together through old documents and court gossip or maybe are just looking for a break from a formulaic YA thriller set in a high school, I’d recommend giving The Red Palace a shot!

Now the only question is do I read The Silence of Bones or The Forest of Stolen Girls next?? 🤔

I really liked this historical mystery set in Joseon during the mid-18th century. Hyeon is a palace nurse, an impressive position for the illegitimate daughter of a lord and his concubine, and she has just turned 18. Right at the start of the story, she stumbles upon the brutal murder of four women and the arrest of her friend and mentor for the crimes. Determined to free her mentor and find out who the real killer is, Hyeon pairs up with a young police inspector, Eojin, who is just 18 as well. Things get increasingly dangerous for Hyeon as her father warns her to stay away from the case and she is drawn into dangerous situations involving Crown Prince Jangheon, who has been anonymously accused of the murders. While I liked Hur's Forest of Stolen Girls, I think I preferred this one for the really enthralling mystery set in the Joseon royal court that's based to some extent on historical fact. I don't know that I would categorize this as YA, personally. The main characters are both 18, but there's a great deal of disturbing violence throughout the novel.

More of a 4.5 but I’m rounding up.

I have always heard great things about June Hur’s books from my fellow blogger friends but never did pick her previous two books because mystery thriller is not my go to genre. But I couldn’t resist adding The Red Palace to my tbr because it sounded like a mystery with a palace drama kind of backdrop and you all know how much I love my palace dramas these days. And I’m so so happy that I got to read this book in advance.

The book is a little over 300 pages and it went by so quick that I didn’t even realize how much time had passed. It is immediately immersive from page one and then the tension just builds up until we are swept away in its magic, not bothering with what’s happening around us. I’m actually not a kdrama watcher nor do I listen to much kpop, so I had trouble initially to keep track of the names and other Korean terms but once I got into the story, I found it very easy to absorb it all. The writing is perfectly descriptive, letting me feel like I was exploring the palace and hiding from the killers myself, creating a very lush and mysterious atmosphere - which definitely makes for a great setting for a multiple murder mystery. I had also read the author’s newsletter where she mentioned her inspiration for this story, Crown Prince Sado and I was quite intrigued to see how she would incorporate his tragic life into this novel. And I have to say, the way she seamlessly blends fiction and history is masterful and there were many times I felt this book would make for a great drama.

Hyeon is a palace nurse who has worked really hard for years to achieve that position. It was heartbreaking to see her strive for the approval of a father who never treated her like his daughter just because of her mother’s class status. But I was also glad to see her always try to stand up for truth and justice, even if it meant that she would lose whatever she had earned, and maybe even her life. She is stubborn that way - once she has decided on a path, she doesn’t let anyone or anything deter her from her decisions. I loved how competent she was at her job and so intelligent at figuring out various clues and solving mysteries. I also enjoyed how the author showed us her various relationships - the admiration and love she had for her mentor, her complicated feelings for her mother, and a sweet friendship with Jieun.

And then there is Eojin - child prodigy extraordinaire who is a police inspector already at the age of nineteen, full of ideals about fighting for justice and never for revenge. Also a shining light in this very hierarchical kingdom because he never lets his higher class or gender dictate his behavior and treats Hyeon with all the respect and consideration that she deserves. Theirs is a very organically progressing friendship to romance, but the author treats it very subtly, because they are two intelligent individuals with goals in life and not the type to demonstrate their feelings in a big manner. It’s a calm and quiet kinda love, steady and unwavering in the face of danger.

The crown prince is a very small presence in person, but he is an ever running thread across all subplots. After having read about the historical prince, I could see how the author decided to depict his character - an only son of the emperor who can never live up to his abusive father’s expectations and takes out his anger on helpless people who can’t fight back. We know he is on a downward spiral but we only get to see glimpses of it and I was fascinated by own reactions to him - sad at times at his tragic home and political situation but also angry at his actions. It’s really to the author’s credit for being able to depict such a character so deftly.

There are quite a few other side characters but most of them have limited page time. But everyone has a distinct personality that shines even through the few dialogues they have and it was impressive. I also don’t want to giveaway any spoilers about the suspects and killers but the way the author developed their characters was very skillful, giving us enough hints that might lead us to the perpetrators but also not making it too easy to guess. I never did and it felt nice seeing the way Hyeon and Eojin deduced it all towards the end.

To conclude, this is a great mystery novel which has the perfect combination of thriller novel tropes as well as an immersive historical setting that is absolutely adaptation worthy. If you are in the mood for some sleuthing in Joseon era Korea with smart and competent characters who you would want to be friends with, don’t miss this one. And I’m especially looking forward to the author’s next novel because I loved her nods to its title in this story.

“She said you are like a crane among wolves.”

I wasn’t wrong in predicting that this is going to be a 2021 favorite of mine. And after turning the last page I immediately knew I had to read it again.

I regret to say that this is my first June Hur book. (I know, I know. I’m sorry.) I don’t normally gravitate towards thriller and/or murder mystery novels, but upon learning about The Red Palace and its slow-burn romantic element, and seeing its gorgeous cover, there was no way I could resist this.

What did I love about The Red Palace? Absolutely everything. (And I really don’t mean that lightly.)

I’m going to be the first to admit that I don’t know a lot about Korean history. But I make sure to never miss the chance to learn more about it whenever the chance presents itself.

I found the real-life story of Crown Prince Sado intriguing. It’s terribly tragic and sad and definitely something I would want to learn more about. Elements of this piece of history were present in The Red Palace. But instead of focusing on the prince’s tragic life, the author chose to explore the other side of the story.

The Red Palace on every page is both captivating and haunting. With 1758 Korea as a backdrop, it delves into the darker side of human nature. How far will you go for revenge? For love? For family? What are you willing to sacrifice for the truth? Who are you willing to betray? It explores how our every action can trigger a ripple affecting all those around us in unexpected ways and with unimaginable consequences.

I love the author’s writing style. I was so easily swept away from page one. June Hur has a certain finesse in crafting an enthralling story that is filled with mystery, court politics and tender romance. And all the while delving into family dynamics, the complexity of grief, loss and love, second chances, finding one’s self and personal growth.

I can’t not say it. But this has what is probably the sweetest romance ever written. I want more. *cries* I can’t even with how perfect Hyeon and Eojin are for each other. I would die happily sailing on this ship.

The Red Palace is a fast-paced YA historical mystery that delivers atmospheric worldbuilding, incredible and vivid writing, political intrigue and conspiracies, and the gentlest, most subtle romance. This is an absolute must-read!

Ever have a list of books you badly wish weren’t standalone? The Red Palace is a new addition to mine.

June Hur is such a master storyteller, and I've been a follower/reader since her debut, The Silence of Bones. The Red Palace is set in 1700s Joseon where a series of murders took place during the time of Crown Prince Sado. Hyeon, a palace nurse, and Eojin, a young police inspector, team up to solve the murders and to save Hyeon's former mentor who is accused of the crime. June's third book is just as immersive and atmospheric as her first and second books, packed with mystery, incredible worldbuilding, and the classic whodunnit. I highly recommend this one.