This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it definitely won’t be the last.
The intriguing storyline, combine with great writing style, vivid setting, and loveable characters, kept me flipping the pages for more!

The plot was easy to follow despite a lot of things going on like saving Iseul’s sister, the murder mystery investigation as well as defeating the tyrant king.
However, I found the timing of the big reveal for the murder mystery slightly odd.

Initially, I found Iseul slightly annoying due to her spoiled behavior, but as the story progressed and she faced the harsh realities of her world, Iseul grew on me.
I’m a huge fan of found family trope and I loved seeing Iseul find hers with Yul and Wonsik!

The romance as a subplot added a nice touch to the story, seeing Daehyun and Iseul, who are opposites, find comfort in one another throughout the story.
The author successfully played with my feelings over and over again; with so many deaths throughout the story I kept wondering about the fate of these two….

Overall, this is a beautifully well-written story which offers insight to the Korean history.
The last few chapters are quite intense and very emotional keeping me on the edge of my seat.
If you’re looking for a historical fiction with political intrigue, found family and light-hearted romance then grab this one!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Murder, violence, death, rape, kidnapping, sexual violence and brief mention of suicide and incest.

This was a nice, satisfying read. The author was very knowledgeable about Korea and that was obvious in the writing, which helped paint a vivid and compelling setting. The plot was intriguing enough, albeit predictable. The characters however seemed a bit bland.

One of the best fantasy books I read this year!! It is so good and the pacing is just right. It is really good.

Original review posted on Forever Young Adult's blog on 10/14/24.

Cover Story: A Monet

There’s a lot going on with this cover, and when I just glance at it, I think I like it. But when I look for too long, it feels a bit too jumbled. The title practically disappears, and I’m left pondering why these two are about to kiss under a canopy of bird wings.

The Deal:

Tyrant King Yeonsan’s power in 1500s Joseon is absolute, and he himself is absolute terror. Iseul’s life has been turned upside down by his corrupt government, but the last straw is when he abducts her older sister, Suyeon, right from the village streets to be a part of his harem. Desperate and alone, Iseul arrives at the capitol with nothing but the clothes on her back and a monolithic desire to break her sister free from his clutches. But the actions her desire sets into motion could topple kingdoms…and anyone could pay the ultimate price.

BFF Charm: Destiny’s Child, Let Me Love You

Iseul didn’t start off a survivor—in fact, she was kind of a horribly pampered rich-bitch growing up—but that only makes her character arc shine as she slowly molds herself into someone she’s proud of. Doing so is not without issues, being that it’s the 1500s and it’s very women should be seen and not heard, and even then, we probably shouldn’t see them that much.

Daehyun also had a “pampered” upbringing, being a literal prince, but that was tempered by such horrific moments like his mother and brothers being murdered by his half-brother. The thing he’s struggling with is trying to keep his humanity in an inhumane world where doing so would get him killed. Someone get him a hug and some therapy, STAT.

Swoonworthy Scale: 6

This is definitely Hur’s most romantic-forward novel thus far. Iseul initially thinks they are on separate sides because Daehyun is the king’s brother and a trusted member of the royal family, so how can he be anything but complicit in so many atrocities? The secrecy and high stakes of their connection make their relationship fraught with complication, which isn’t fun in real life but great to read about.

Talky Talk: Dependably Hur

Hur once again takes a real time period and real events and weaves her own characters within a complicated history. There’s not much I can say that I haven’t already about her evocative writing. She transports you in time to a lived-in world with all its flaws and harsh beauty. While I can’t claim any of her books have been “light”, I feel like this one in particular was pretty heavy; it wasn’t my favorite of what I’ve read of her, but even a third-favorite Hur book is still a GREAT historical fiction piece.

Bonus Factor: Family Dynamics

Most of June Hur’s protagonists have layered, complicated family situations, often with their fathers. That’s not really the case here (though lest ye worry, Iseul’s mentor-mentee relationship with one of the side characters does kind of tick this box). Iseul’s biggest regret is her one-sided relationship with her older sister, and the guilt she feels about being the selfish, needy sibling her whole life. Prince Daehyun’s challenge is a bit more unusual, as he needs to refrain from acting on his violent fantasies about ending his sociopathic brother’s reign in blood.

Bonus Factor: Mystery Solving

Another constant in Hur’s writing is some kind of mystery, often about a murder, and the process of mystery solving. There’s a masked vigilante killing prominent people in the government, which is infuriating King Yeonsan. Ostensibly, this person should be an ally to Iseul, but some things happen that make this a bit murky.

Factor: Revolutions

The road to revolution isn’t smooth, and the outcome of a coup is often not exactly beneficial for the majority of citizens either way. Essentially…same shit, different year. If you’ve done even a cursory study of world history, you will not be surprised about where the state of politics in Joseon ends up by the end of the book.

Anti-Bonus Factor: Violence

Hur said in her author’s notes she had to intentionally tone down the violence because the actual crimes of King Yeonsan were super horrific. I think she did a good job of conveying the brutality of the people’s situation without giving too many specifics to turn stomachs and stray too adult for her YA novel.

Relationship Status: Guest Lecturer

I always learn something about real history when you show up, Book. We may not have connected on a deep, personal level long-term, but you fascinate me and keep me hanging on your every word until you’ve said what you came to say.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from Feiwel & Friends. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. A Crane Among Wolves is available now.

This book read like a k-drama! I was so invested from the beginning and it truly delivered. It is especially notable the amount of historical research that went into it. Thank you for the opportunity

I don't read a ton of historical fiction, but I couldn't resist this book. A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur is beautifully written with excellent characters and it will likel.y make you cry. I enjoyed it immensely.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

TW: blood, gore, body gore, violence, kidnapping, rape, grief, sexual violence, and misogyny

June Hur always delivers a complex and heartbreaking story that leaves wishing it there was more to read.

She writes the perfect mix of historical fiction with compelling and loveable characters, but each book is better than the least. A Crane Among Wolves is no exception.

We follow Iseul, who had up until now lived a sheltered and privileged life until her older sister, Suyeon, is kidnapped by the cruel King Yeonsan. It is known and feared that the king will kidnap and torture women in his palace. Iseul decided to do whatever she can in order to free her sister until she crosses paths with Prince Daehyun, the king's half-brother.

I absolutely loved the dynamic between Iseul, Daehyun and the characters around them at the inn. We see Iseul develop from someone who can only thing of herself, to become more self-conscious and selfless. I always love how June Hur develops sibling relationships, and the romantic ones.

As with The Red Palace, these books show the difficulties and darkness with how the King overuses his power and the people around them. I found myself researching more about this era and stories about the royalty, something that still fascinates me.

I had no doubts this would be a no favorite, and I am grateful that I can experience this beautiful story.

While this story is fictional, the setting and King Yeonsan are based on real historical events. June Hur has not tidied up his tyrannical behavior, so there are a lot of atrocities to witness in Iseul and Daehyun’s path. This did make for a difficult read for me, but there are other shining moments that make it an enjoyable read.

Iseul’s life has been flipped upside down, and she now understands that she didn’t value her sister as much as she should have. Now that she’s on her own, she’s making courageous yet impulsive choices, seemingly ignorant of the true danger and potentially fatal consequences. It can be challenging to witness some of her actions, but as she stumbles and finds her way, she also forms connections with inspiring individuals.

It is equally troubling to watch Daehyun make decisions when there really are no  actions to choose that feel truly right. I empathized with both of them, understanding they were making the best of a difficult situation. Regardless of their selection of the most favorable course, they consistently encounter overwhelming frustration, loss, and disappointment. Many characters in this story, in addition to so many Korean people in that time period,  dealt with a feeling encompassed in the word han. The book defines it as the intense need for vengeance, fueled by outrage and overshadowed by the despair of our unlikely quest for justice.

Even though the odds are stacked against them, Iseul, Daehyun, and their allies are determined to keep fighting and making sacrifices in their pursuit. Their inspiration comes from the Korean people, their families, and the desire for a more peaceful world. Some of these allies are so wonderful and even though they are side characters, they managed to worm their way into my heart too. In the midst of all of the effort of so many people, there are also intrigues and mysteries to puzzle out so it’s definitely a page turner.

Historical K-drama fans, this is a must-read for you. Anyone who enjoys a mix of history, romance, and political intrigue will find this appealing. Despite the depiction of trauma and hardship, June Hur’s characters will deeply resonate with readers.

A Crane Among Wolves is a remarkable novel that stands out in the historical fantasy genre. June Hur’s ability to blend historical accuracy with imaginative storytelling creates a reading experience that is both engaging and enlightening. The novel’s exploration of personal and cultural identity, combined with its richly drawn setting and dynamic characters, makes it a memorable and impactful read.

Fans of historical fiction and fantasy alike will find much to admire in A Crane Among Wolves. It’s a testament to Hur’s talent as a writer and her skill in creating a story that is both captivating and thought-provoking. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to be transported to a beautifully realized world filled with magic, mystery, and emotional depth.

A Crane Among Wolves was one of my top anticipated reads for this year and it did not disappoint! When I got the ARC, I wanted to cry because I love Hur’s books and I got to read this one early. I know what you’re thinking “Taylor, you didn’t read this on time…” LISTEN, I did NOT want to finish this book because then I would be sad that I finished it and then I would have to wait a couple more years for the next one!

This book was everything!! I love that in Hur’s books she has sister bonds, romance, and political intrigue. I loved the found family of the Red Lantern Inn and how Iseul came to accept people’s friendship and trust as time went on. I also loved Daehyun’s POV and how it showed what he went through with the king and how he felt in certain situations especially with Iseul. The ending was shocking and made me tear up with all the feelings. I loved loved this book and seriously can’t wait for her next book, Adoration.

I will never stop singing the praises of June Hur’s Korean Historical YA! All of the mystery, horror, and romance of watching a historical k-drama rolled into a book. It’s like watching a show in my head every time!

4.5 stars

I've been sitting on this one for more than a minute, despite being intrigued by the blurb and the cover. I finally was motivated to read and finish it after a couple of false starts because the FMC takes some warming up to.

This is a dark historical fantasy. I read the author's note at the end, and sadly, a lot of it is based on true events.

I did enjoy the writing, the atmosphere and setting, the FMC had some good growth, and the MMC was great.

Recommended.

“If by any chance we do not meet again in this lifetime, then I will find you in the next—or as many lifetimes as it takes to see you again.”

A Crane Among Wolves is a historical novel set in 1506 Korea under the rule of the tyrant King Yeonsan following Iseul, a fairly sheltered girl until her sister is taken as the latest of the king's concubines, she travels from her village to try to set her free. On the other hand we have prince Daehyun - the half brother that's trying to start a coup to overthrow his brother and end his cruel reign.

After arriving at the capital Iseul learns of a serial killer - the nameless flower, that is targeting the king and those around him. In exchange for his capture the king is offering a favor, and Iseul wants to solve the mystery to free her sister. Daehyun has been in his cruel brother's shadow all his life and while he knows that his rule is wrong and destructive - a coup only has one chance to succeed. Alongside that, he has no idea who he can truly trust with this secret.

When these two meet - it truly is an enemies to lovers situation but the emphasis of this book is SO much more on family and political intrigue. We see these two fall for each other while plotting to be as strong and cunning as possible. Iseul's love for him only blooms after she knows she can trust him with not only her life, but her sisters' well-being as well.

Like with all of Hur's books, there's a slow build up. This isn't a fast paced story where each chapter has a cliffhanger but rather one where we see these distrustful characters grow bonds slowly while the plot builds up. Planning a coup while catching a killer is no small task so the pacing makes it all the more realistic.

I truly do not read that much historical fiction but June Hur will ALWAYS be my exception. I love her murder mysteries, the atmosphere and how well she crafts complex bonds between her characters. Truly a one of a kind author and I can't wait to read more.

rep// Korean cast & setting, lesbian side character

cw// sexual abuse, implied rape, kidnapping, sex trafficking, animal cruelty, murder, suicide, violence, misogyny, psychological trauma

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Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC!

4.5 stars! This book was so well done. Not only did I learn so much because of the historical context, but the author was able to perfectly weave in historical context to make her story so memorable. I absolutely loved how this story touched upon family, found family, first love, justice, freedom & so much more. I just don’t have the right words to express how much I was invested in this story. Emotionally this story is a lot because of some of the topics addressed because of the historical context, but the way the author handled it was so well done. I just have so much appreciation for this story

A beautiful cover and interesting concept. This was not a bad book and I can understand why people enjoy it, but it's not really for me. It was a bit slow for me, considering the plot, and I did not connect with either character very well. I liked it well enough, but I just wish there had been *more* to it. More action and emotion and tension. The stakes were pretty high, but the follow-through not quite there.

**3.5 Stars**
I was really excited for this book, the synopsis sounded amazing and I was ready to jump in. Unfortunately, this was nothing like the synopsis and I floundered a little.
The book is dual narrated, which was great on audio since there were 2 different narrators. Iseul was incredibly unlikable for me, a self centered girl who spent her whole life thinking only about her needs until her sister was abducted by the king and she feels responsible. Talk about being in over her head with legit no skills or training, yet she thinks and acts like she knows everything and is an expert. That girl would have been dead multiple times over if others had not jumped in to help, yet she still thought she was some magical untouchable creature. The other main character Daehyun, the bastard brother to the evil king, has noble intentions to take down his brother but does some awful things in the story as part of his cover, which was hard to take.

Overall this book was long, complicated and really sad, full of death, heartbreak, and no change in the world really for the better. I'm not sure that I recommend this book but I can understand that someone else would enjoy this historical fiction tale about a terrible time period.

I read this book back in December over the holidays, and I’ve been waiting (im)patiently to share this with you. Hur is one of my favourite historical authors, she does them so well- it feels like you are there witnessing everything yourself.

I also love that she has chosen to set this novel at the Joseon court. In terms of seeing different royal courts in historical fiction, we almost always see the English/British court, or perhaps the French court. However, the Joseon court is just as fascinating, and I think makes for a more exciting read- it feels fresh and new rather than returning to the same.

Iseul is one of the most complex protagonists that I’ve come across in a while; she is neither wholly good nor wholly bad like so many are written. Sometimes you want to yell at her to stop, but that is the sign of a good book to me. And she is joined by some wildly entertaining supporting characters who truly round out the story.

I also have to say- you do not need to know the history behind this story at all to get caught up in this beautiful novel! (Though you very well may end up doing a deep dive like me once you’ve finished it.)

A glimpse into another time. This was beautifully written. I care about the characters so much. The emotions and pain they face was very well conveyed.

I was initially drawn in my the cover and stayed for the incredible story. The world they live in is unfair and dangerous because of their king. I can't imagine living in that kind of fear as a woman. The FMC was relatable and interesting. Even when she was stubborn and headstrong, you're always rooting for her. She is learning and growing. Her character arc was very satisfying.

All of the main characters and supporting characters were amazing.

Highly recommend to everyone!

I enjoyed the setting and learning more about a piece of Korean history I did not know much about, but the main character Iseul was so unlikeable and spoiled and just self absorbed so I couldn't make it through. I was disappointed because this book had a lot of promise.