“A girl who hunts her nightmares yet cowers from her dreams."

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This is the story of two sisters born to a family cursed by a Demon Witch. One is blessed as the most beautiful with a radiant light that surrounds her, she is a boon to her family and they expect she will marry a king. Meanwhile, her older sister has been cursed with a serpent's face and poisonous blood. The two sisters adore one another and are bonded by their circumstances. When the competition begins for beautiful Vanna's hand, her sister, Channi, crosses a king who sets his own monster upon her. When Channi realizes that this monster is key to her fight against the Demon Witch, she needs to free him and get him on her side to save Vanna.

I loved this story. The beautiful sisterly bond. The lush and vivid world building. The bond of the snakes as a community. The slow burn I’ll fated love story of two "monsters" with better ethics than most "good" people. It all just hit the perfect note for me. I love stories based in mythology and folklore but this one resonated so beautifully in the modern world of YA fantasy. I loved the weaving of the present story with the ancient magical stories of their land. I haven’t read the first two books set in this world, so I’m excited to go back and do so.

Thanks to Random House Children's and Knopf Books for Young Readers for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own. I have purchased a copy of this novel.

I was super surprised by this one. Not by the writing, Elizabeth's writing is always fantastic, but by the worldbuilding. Everything was just *screams*

Better review to come out when the book is released and my library owns it.

First things first, I love that this is a standalone. I sometimes feel so overwhelmed starting book one in a series, that I sometimes don't even bother reading them. I love the Asian folklore, descriptions of the characters, and the bond between Channi and Vanna. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Channi and Ukar; it was something understated, yet special. Hokuh was an interesting character; if there as a sequel to this book, I'd enjoy to hear his story.
One thing I did not see happening was the ending! It is so hard to find a book ending that will surprise me, but it wrapped up wonderfully.
Thank you NetGalley & Knopf Books for Young Readers!

EL has done it again! A few weeks ago I had finished Six Crimson Cranes and it was a five star read! Her Radiant Curse did not disappoint. It was action packed and perfectly paced. I opened this book expecting a story mainly about Vanna but ended up loving Channi! I also liked how you could read this as a standalone!

Elizabeth Lim’s best book yet! I tore through this book, it was so good! I enjoyed Six Crimson Cranes and the sequel but Her Radiant Curse draws you in and doesn’t let go until the last page. The writing and world building is beautiful. Descriptive and gorgeous in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are there with the characters.

Channi is the oldest of two daughters. Her sisters birth is complicated by the death of their mother and a curse that comes along with the process. This leads up to an event that is supposed to take place on the younger sister, Vanna’s 19th birthday. I can’t go more into detail without giving away more of the story but read this book!! It is so good ! You won’t regret it! I loved every sentence! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!

Title: Her Radiant Curse
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Rating: 4 out of 5

One sister must fall for the other to rise.

Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent’s face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna—the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn’t see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts.

Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who’s had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath—launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi’s heart to its breaking point.

I enjoyed this like I’ve enjoyed Elizabeth Lim’s other novels. The rich cultures and diverse settings fascinate me, and she’s skilled at depicting intricate relationships of all sorts. I love Channi and Vanna’s relationship with all its history and complexity. I was engrossed in watching the sisters come into their own and become who they were meant to be.

Elizabeth Lim is a bestselling author. Her Radiant Curse is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Random House/Knopf Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.)

ARC from NetGalley—
I spent this afternoon engrossed in this story. I don’t believe I have read the other books this author has written, but am looking forward to doing so after this book.

It stands on its own, tho it is somewhat related to “Six crimson cranes”. I liked the world building and the characters, and wanted more of a happy ending (again having no idea about the other books or their plots until I finished the book.) Difficult choices and consequences, magic curses and more curses. It’s a good way to spend a late summer afternoon.

Channi wasn’t born a monster but was sacrificed by her father to save her sister, causing her to be cursed by the Demon Witch. Now her sister is gorgeous and radiant, while Channi is terrifying to look at and is often hidden from view. But when she reveals herself while defending her sister, she becomes the target of much larger plots and schemes, forcing her to become separated from her sister and fear for her life. When Channi finds herself faced with painful decisions, she knows she will always choose her sister – but what prices will she have to pay along the way?

The world building of this one was good. The mythology and monsters of the world were well incorporated and added some interesting aspects to the story. However, there were times when it was a bit too much and wasn’t particularly relevant to this book, which made me wonder if the author was including it to support things that happened in Six Crimson Cranes. As it’s been some time since I’ve read SCC though, I can’t provide a definite answer to that.

I liked the characters overall. They weren’t anything particularly special, but they were decent enough. Unfortunately, the author did include a romantic aspect that I didn’t find compelling and it felt unnecessary. The author was also quite repetitive about just how beautiful Vanna was, which bogged down the work unnecessarily.

While you don’t have to read SCC to enjoy this one, the ending will be more impactful if you’ve read it as it provides some insight into a character from the other work. However, the characterization shifted dramatically between the two books, which was odd and unexplained. As this story was essentially the backstory for that one character, it felt like having that unexplained shift somewhat defeated the purpose. I honestly ended up enjoying this read more when I viewed it as something entirely separate from SCC.

This was a good read, but I didn’t find it to be anything particularly special. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for allowing me to read this work, which will be published August 29, 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This follows the tale of Channari- the woman who will come to be the step-mother of Shiori (the main character of Six Crimson Cranes). I would definitely recommend reading the duology before reading Her Radiant Curse, though I am now tempted to read them again to see how well the stories connect.

We begin the book with a curse: Where one sister will rise, the other will fall.

I do love these kinds of prophecies, especially when they could be fulfilled through a variety of ways. I, of course, won't spoil it for you. Just know that Channari was "cursed" with the ability to speak to snakes, that her blood would be poisonous like snake venom, and that her face would be marred with snake-like features. Her sister, Vanna, has a literal radiance that has lead many to believe she's been touched by the gods. Their father favors one over the other, but mostly because he's greedy and he knows he can make a lot of money off Vanna's beauty. Here we see further evidence that the sisters are not on even footing in life, despite their love for one another. Through their love, the story unravels.

In the course of the tale, there are two characters that I care most about. One is Channi's best friend, a snake named Ukar. He's a wonderful companion who offers insight and humor. The other is a half-demon/half-dragon named Hokzuh. For those that have read the duology, yes- it's that dragon. This book definitely goes into a topic that's very important in The Dragon's Promise. (In fact, it gives that book title a whole other meaning.) I wound up cross-checking the information given in The Dragon's Promise and it holds true.

My biggest complaint, however, is the inciting incident for Hokzuh's part of the tale. We're either not given enough information or the author failed to account for the connection shared between Hokzuh and another character. Wasn't there a connection between these two characters? Wasn't there CHARACTER GROWTH? Why did we just chuck that all out? Honestly... It should have been rewritten or expanded upon. If the duology didn't already exist, Hokzuh would have gotten a different ending. (His journey leads us to believe it would all transpire differently.) Of course, the duology does exist and this has to directly connect... As such, Hokzuh is faced with a completely unfair and short-sighted ending.

It is because of how things transpired with Hokzuh that I'm giving this only 4 stars. It could have been 5, but apparently some characters aren't allowed to grow and other characters aren't allowed to be seen as something more than their monstrous side. It completely changed my understanding of a few characters. There was no compassion to be found when there should have been.

WHAT WOULD HAVE MADE IT FIVE STARS: (Some may find this to be spoiler-y)
With the power this other person (A) had, they could have isolated the character (B) and then gone in search of a NEW means of helping the character (B) gain control. If something existed once, it could exist again. The character (B) was not a lost cause. In fact - it would have made for a better ending if they then realized that the character (B) would then want to be after the other character (A), and for THIS reason character (B) needed to be isolated. Not... "YOU BROKE OUR AGREEMENT! *cries*"

This book was a lot darker than the Six Crimson Cranes duology. Which is neither good nor bad, just a heads-up for readers. Channi faces a lot of abuse, particularly from her father. The book starts out with him abandoning her in the forest as a sacrifice to the demon witch. She manages to survive the encounter but is cursed with the face of a snake while her sister is unnaturally beautiful and pursued by many suitors. Channi strives to protect her sister no matter what, a decision that takes her on quite the wild ride over the course of the book.

I enjoyed how the plot of this novel focused on family, particularly sisters, and not a romance. (There are a few dashes of romance but not much.) While the theme of being a monster but also a human is not new to fantasy, I enjoyed the way it was explored here. Elizabeth Lim's prose is also so crisp—beautiful yet concise. I highly recommend, although if you haven't read the Six Crimson Cranes duology, I would start there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have adored all of Elizabeth Lim’s previous books set in this universe, and I was very excited to read this history of Channi and Vanna, and it did not disappoint. It answered any question I might have had at the end of Six Crimson Cranes/The Dragon’s Promise I. A satisfying manner, while also making me so, so sad.

I think this book would also be satisfying as a standalone read, but it would definitely spoil major plot points from the Six Crimson Cranes duology if you read it first. I may have been a little surprised that this wasn’t a duology, like the other series in this universe, but I’m glad for that, because I couldn’t see this story dragged out over two books.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of HER RADIANT CURSE by Elizabeth Lim. I've loved some of Lim's other books that I've read before, but this one didn't do it for me. It may have been the simple fact of the romance being a bit lackluster and nothing else about the story really grabbing my attention. I found it a bit of a slog to get through. The mythical feeling of the narrative and the intricate, magical world was interesting, but nothing about the characters or plot made me want to keep during pages. Most of the story was depressing, most of the characters were unlikable and there was nothing about any of them that kept me wanting to know more. The half-dragon character was ok, but also a bit odd for me. I had a hard time picturing him. There were generally some odd aspects to the story that just kind of took me out of the realm of believability, or relatability—though that's probably more a me problem than anything. All in all, this book wasn't for me.

Elizabeth Lim's writing is always magical and easy to follow. I love every legends and myths she wrote on her books they were really fun. I was feeling really sad for Channi, she was mistreated by her own family and her surroundings for a very long time, and as I already knew how the Channi and Vanna would turn out my heart was aching....
I was glad Channi had Ukar by her side. Ukar was really a lovable character. The banter between him and Channi was a sight to see, you just couldn't hate him! I also was surprised by the romance plot, truthfully I didn't expect that. It was wrapped pretty good, another heartwrenching story to look out for!

If you like Six Crimson Cranes duology, you can't miss this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's, Knopf Books for Young Readers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Elizabeth Lim once again crafts an immersive Asian-inspired fantasy, further expanding the world she built in her previous books. While Her Radiant Curse works as a standalone, it’s also basically a prequel to a previous work, Six Crimson Cranes, and it was a treat getting to see the events that preceded that story specifically.
As the blurb promises, the relationship between sisters is a pretty prominent part of the book. Channi is a somewhat dark character, with poison in her blood, and she has an unique bond with snakes as a result, with them being the only ones immune to her poison. I loved the morally gray element there, with her literally being a monster, with her sister, Vanna, being the only one who doesn’t see her that way. Channi’s life revolves around Vanna and doing right by her as a result, ensuring her sister is protected as she enters the betrothal contest. While I did want a bit more development for Vanna in her own right, and not as a counterpart for Channi, I did like that the story highlighted what the two sisters mean to each other and enrich each other’s lives.
While there’s a marriage aspect to the plot and there’s a promise of some romance, I was pleasantly surprised that this one did not depend on romance to move the plot forward. It is there, as the blurb notes, but it’s much less pronounced than the sister relationship.
Pacing wise, this was incredibly absorbing, and I could not put it down. There’s a lot of action, and while it does come at the expense of character depth, especially for the supporting cast, at times, the action and intrigue kept me constantly turning pages, wanting to know what would happen next and how things would all come together.
This is another winner from Elizabeth Lim, and I can’t wait to see what she writes nex! If you enjoy Asian-inspired YA fantasy, I recommend checking this one out!

When starting this book, I expected a tale of a mythic quest, but what I got was far more powerful. Disguised in the lore of a fairytale, I found a story of power infused with longing. The book, seemingly a lightweight novel with a tale of two sisters, rather aptly explored deeper thematic topics. The bonds of sisterhood, the fight against abuse, the exploitation of women, the inherent power of females, and the mythic bonds between good and evil are just some of what this author includes. The novel itself is easily approached by those young and old due to its fairytale-esque atmosphere, but those looking to engage in more thoughtful exploration will be able to do so. The ending (no spoilers; don't worry) is a testament to heartfelt love that will have you rethinking many of the protagonist's actions. Initially, I thought this would be too much of fairytale fluff, but I found myself sucked in to its charm. This is a totally clean novel with only one kiss in the entire book and no profanity, so it can be shared widely. Enjoy, my friends.

thank you to the publisher, author, and netgalley for the chance to review this book.

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim is so heartbreakingly beautiful and heart wrenching. We know how this story plays out. We learn about it throughout six crimson cranes and the dragons promise, but having to read it and find out all of the finer details really is difficult (in a good way). There's something so emotionally taxing about reading a beautifully written book that is set up for and ends in heartbreak. I was a sobbing, emotional wreck by the end of this book.

Two sisters, two curses, and only one of them can survive it all. Will Channari be able to protect everyone or will Angma's curse reign true?

I really loved learning about Channari's journey and how she handled all of her challenges. I think her friendship with Ukar was so pleasant, they're extremely witty and it was lovely. Channari's protectiveness over her sister is so well written and the storyline we follow to protect her sister is amazing.

The friendships, betrayals, and hardships that develop throughout this story are SO emotional. I love it. I can't get over it. I already want to reread this book and the entirety of this world EL has created. This was most definitely a 5 star read for me and I'd recommend it.

Thank you for the ARC! I had enjoyed Elizabeth Lim's first two books on Shiori and now I get to read the back story on her stepmother, Channi.

It tells the tale of two sisters who grew up tight as thieves but raised differently by their parents who treated them differently because of their looks and whatever curses and blessings they believe each one will bring them.

As Channi grows up training herself to kill Angma in the hopes of protecting her sister, Vanna, whom Angma had sworn to kill when she comes of age. Channi, with her cursed snake-like features and with poison tainting her blood battles through wild animals, witches, demons, and fellow human beings in her bid to fulfill her oath to her dying mother to protect her sister. However, at the end, in order to truly save one of them, another has to "fall" as the book's tagline states. It is a gripping tale of sisterly love peppered with fast-paced action and adventure that fans of Lim's other books will find entertaining.

I couldn't move those pages fast enough as I took in all the action.

Despite not having read Six Crimson Cranes, I was excited to read Her Radiant Curse after loving Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim. And while I liked her Radiant Curse, it did not come close to how I felt about the other book. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, even though I did like Channi and wanted her to be happy. I liked her relationship with her sister and how we learned more about Vanna throughout the story, I just wish there was more. I also wanted more romance!
I mostly kept reading because I wanted to see what happened and despite some of the beginning of the book being predictable, the ending was not at all what I thought would happen. In some ways I liked that, but in other ways I thought some of the decisions Channi made really didn't make sense, especially when the reason's for other character's actions had already been explained.
Maybe I would've enjoyed the story more if I had read the other books even though this is prequel. It did make me slightly interested in reading the other series and seeing how they connect.

I have been obsessed with Lim’s works since reading Six Crimson Cranes. When I found out we were getting Channi’s backstory, I squealed with delight. Lim didn’t disappoint with weaving the tale of the two sisters and dropping in Easter eggs from Channi’s life to come with our cast of characters from SCC. The characters were complex and lovable. The love and bonds of sisterhood made for a compelling story. Overall, I highly recommend this book.

Elizabeth Lim blew me away with her storytelling ability in this book! It was well written and beautifully complex, but not overwhelming world and story. She also makes sure to pack in plenty of action and drama so that you’re never bored while reading. It felt like something big happened every chapter that made me want to keep reading. This story has the essence of mythology and folklore, with the focus on the relationship between sisters Channi and Vanna, whose love for each other is the strongest bond they have. It’s told from Channi’s perspective, who is seen as this monster by everyone but her sister, who she’s doing everything to protect. Channi really goes through a lot in this book and I really enjoyed it, even if she didn’t. This is also a prequel to the Six Crimson Cranes duology, which I haven’t read yet, but it does read as a standalone. However, after reading this I want to read more!

Overall, this was a great ya fantasy that I recommend you read when it comes out!

Read if you like…
•sibling bonds
•mythology/folklore
•monstrous mc
•YA fantasy