**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.

"History moves its course...But it is the youth who point the current in its direction." -Wonsik

Thank you to NetGalley, Feiwel & Friends, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and June Hur for the opportunity to read A Crane Among Wolves in exchange for an honest review.

A Crane Among Wolves has it all: history, romance, murder mystery, family bonds, and political intrigue, to name a few. Hur's writing craft is a testament to the genre, wrapping the reader in her lavish world.

The Cruelty of King Yeonsan
In 1506, during the reign of King Yeonsan, the people of Joseon endure great suffering. The tyrant king exploits their land for his leisure, while also banning and destroying literature, executing any who demonstrate the power of writing. His horrific actions include kidnapping and abusing women and girls, leaving the populace powerless against his cruelty, for none with to face death from the king, even for their loved ones. Seventeen-year-old Iseul, despite living a sheltered life, is thrust into the turmoil when her sister, Suyeon, is taken by the king to add to his collection of women, of which he has over 1,000 removed from families to address his every desire. Determined to save Suyeon, Iseul ventures into the king's land, heading towards the capital to save her sister.

A Dangerous Alliance
Prince Daehyun, the king's half-brother, has long lived in the shadow of his despotic sibling. He is tormented by the king’s blatant cruelty and seeks a way to dethrone him. However, staging a coup is fraught with peril, and trust is scarce. When Iseul and Daehyun's paths cross in the happenstance of a hunting accident, their mutual disdain transforms into a shared goal: to overthrow the king. Together, they muster their strengths—her family connections and his royal access—to attempt a daring plan to save her sister, liberate their people, and end the king's reign of terror.

Murderer on the Loose
The king's territory is even more dangerous for Daehyun and Iseul, as a murderer with the moniker of "Nameless Flower" is on the loose. His targets: high officials close to the king. This is a major political statement that may turn in Daehun's and Iseul's favor. With the help of Investigator Wonsik, Iseul seeks the identity of Nameless Flower in the hopes that she may trade him for her sister, as the king has one fear: death. As Iseul gets to know Daehyun and some of the king's people, she soon learns that saving her sister, no matter how, may be a complete impossibility.

Final Thoughts
I absolutely love Hun's writing craft. The construction of the narrative is pristine, making for a masterful display of an excellent young adult stand-alone novel. The characters have so much depth to them. The reader gets Iseul's first-person narrative, while alternating with Daehyun's third-person limited view, an intriguing choice in craft that connect the reader more to Iseul, but also give just enough of Daehyun's plotting to give reason behind his actions. The murder mystery is a fun element that connects the two main characters while also keeping the reader on their toes. The political intrigue adds dashes of fact into an intense aspect of fictional Korean history (see the historical note at the end of the novel, which I read before I started). And of course, the romance. While the intention is not there between them, their time spent together leads them down that path to a heart-wrenching choice when it comes to what they both must do to save their families, themselves, and each other.

This novel is a phenomenal, mind-blowing experience that feels like reading history. The intensity in combination with the craft itself makes for a must-read for an older teen audience, educators, and lovers of history and historical fiction.

I was so excited for this book. I love June Hur’s twists on historical fiction meets murder mystery and didn’t know much about this time in Korean history.

Overall, I liked this book but I didn’t LOOOVE it the way I thought I would. The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning and the ending felt rushed.

I did love the investigation element of the story as well as the romance. I also love that this was a stand alone story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Included as a top pick in weekly May New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

I absolutely adored this new title by June Hur. Iseul is an absolute spitfire of a character who simply will not take no for an answer, and it is so wonderful to see her be accepted in her totality by Daehyun. The plot is compelling and thick, and I couldn't put the book down once I started! I laughed, I cried, and I REALLY cried through the course of this novel. I would even argue that this is June Hur's best work yet! I can't wait to see what else this wonderful author has for us in the future!

Absolute power corrupts absolutely whether it’s in the Roman empire or present day dictatorships or 16th century Joseon. I’m not usually a June Hur fan, but immediately from the description, I was interested in this piece of Korean history not really well-known. The plot is not focused on describing the horrors King Yeonsan inflicted on his people, but the terror and fear is shown adding to the suspense and tension of the narration. Iseul is a commanding heroine doing everything she can to right her world and if it makes others’ better as well, that’s a bonus. Her constant courage and determination counters the usual Western stereotypical views Asian female characters in a way that is subtle and refreshing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Feiwell & Friends, and June Hur for the e-arc of A Crane Among Wolves in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In 1506, Joseon, the tyrant King Yeonsan ruled like a madman. Books are banned and burned, and every woman lives in fear of being taken captive and added to his collection. When Iseul’s parents are killed as traitors, she and her sister, Suyeon, are forced to live a less privileged life than they were used to. When Suyeon is taken by the king after the sisters have an argument, Isuel travels through forbidden lands to attempt to rescue her. Along the way, she enlists help from an unlikely source, the king’s own half-brother, Daehyun, who has his own reasons for wanting to overthrow his brother.

This was pitched as being in the same vein as historical K-Dramas and I feel like that is exactly what we got. I loved every minute of it. The romance between Iseul and Daehyun was so so good. Enemies to Lovers is one of my favorite tropes if it is done well, and this was done so well. The evolution of their relationship felt organic and natural and not forced or instant.

There was enough tension to keep me engaged, and the secondary characters were amazing as well. There were definitely parts that ripped my heart out, but I can’t wait to check out more of Hur’s books.

I am impressed by this book. I had expectations for it, and all of them were met. The characters were beautifully written, as well as the storyline, which was able to capture my attention very well. June Hur never disappoints!

June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace, crafts a devastating and pulse-pounding tale that will feel all-too-relevant in today’s world, based on a true story from Korean history.

June Hur is back with another rich and fascinating historical fiction novel! Thank you to the publishers for my review copy.

A CRANE AMONG WOLVES is set during the reign of one of Korea’s cruelest tyrants: King Yeonsan. When seventeen-year-old Iseul’s oldest sister is kidnapped by the king, she embarks on a desperate journey to save her sister. Her path crosses with Prince Daehyun, the king’s traumatized half-brother who seeks to stage a coup. As they join forces with the rebellion, they risk death to take down the king and save their people.

I’m a longtime fan of June Hur’s writing and I’m glad to say her latest work does not disappoint! As always, the setting is meticulously portrayed and I’ve come away knowing so much more about Korean history than I did before. I also appreciated how complicated and nuanced this story is… Even the rebels are not the perfect “heroes” you would expect.

I was on the edge of my seat during my entire reading experience! You can really feel the characters’ desperation and longing seeping off the page. The romance was also sweet and moving. But I must admit, my one quibble with the book was I wish it focused more on Iseul’s relationship with her sister rather than the romance. I know this is ironic considering I’ve been begging June Hur to write more romance but I needed more about the sisters!!!

Please note that although this book maintains its YA status and nothing is explicitly described on page, the majority of this plot depends on violence against women and its aftereffects.

I love that June Hur has consistently churned out solid historical fiction set in Korea, works that stand out in a sea of contemporary and fantasy YA. Her novel Red Palace was one of my favorite reads last year, an imaginative take on the tragic figure of Crown Price Sado, whose mental illness led to a murderous rampage and was ultimately executed by means of confinement inside a rice chest. A Crane Among Wolves, her newest novel with similar elements, tackles the reign of tyrant King Yeongangun with a plucky, determined heroine determined to save her sister who has been kidnapped by the king to become a concubine among the other 1,000 women he has already stolen away.

A Crane Among Wolves, like Red Palace, is darkly atmospheric and features a central mystery that must be solved. One of the reasons this book works so well is how well Hur is able to convey an ominous tone and sense of dread, while balancing this with determined characters who strive to do good, seek justice, and bring things in the dark to light. I really enjoyed this one and would say that while many aspects of the writing and plotting felt similar to Red Palace, Hur does a great job presenting historic details of this time period and using them to frame the book while her original characters remain at the heart of the story.

"A Crane Among Wolves" has a few things going for it--detectives hunting a vigilante serial killer, courtly drama with a corrupt king, a dark and brooding prince, a dramatic search for a loved one. But for this reader, it had a little too much going on to organize the structure of the book in a meaningful, engaging way. I didn't mind the main character, although many other readers found her a little "bratty" or "whiny". I thought her motivation for setting out on her grand adventure to rescue her sister to be a little weak and the narrative structure of that plot awkward, making this entire plot line boring for me. I liked the prospect of the romance, but didn't feel like there was enough development of the connection early on for it to warrant the intense feelings that quickly arrive for the main love interest. What's more is that he always seems to be in the right place at the right time, which is either a weak plot structure issue or he's the creepiest stalker in the entire book (and there were at least like three or four of those). The detective aspect of this book was the most intriguing for me, and I wish it was the central focus and motivation of the story rather than the split focus with the sister. I think there could have been other ways to get the FMC involved in that plot (and arguably the only side characters I found interesting). While those parts of the book were engaging and the historical influence was interesting, overall this book wasn't my favorite.

3.5 Stars

This book was a bit slower-paced and calmer than I expected but I still enjoyed it for the most part. I found it interesting how June Hur was able to keep so many things drawn straight from history while telling the story from the P.O.V. of completely original characters. I find myself interested in reading up on the actual history. The character work in this book was quite well done and their motivations were shown quite well throughout the book. The political aspect of planning a coupe was quite interesting and I wish more was shown on the page. I do think the emperor's reign was wrapped up a little too neatly with him just running away and acting like a scared puppy. Overall, this was an interesting read.

I won't lie - I tried to read this but got not even 10 pages in and had to DNF it. I just wasn't vibing with it I guess but I will try again later.

CW: This book has scenes that depict violence and sexual assault.

Finished this book back in April, this book definitely reads as a historical/period drama and it was extremely enjoyable!

I thoroughly enjoyed June Hur's newest work! It is so lusciously crafted with gorgeous, lyrical, writing. My hear was so full finally reading this. The characters themselves as well as they individual development sharply contrasts to Hur's previous title's. It also sheds light and provides an insightful lens for readers to understand the harshness of the 'not-so-k-drama-glamorous' side of the history at a particular time of the Joseon period.
The writing, oh my goodness, I absolutely loved it. I devoured chapter after chapter and mind you, I work a ridiculously busy job, I wasn't able to put the book down to catch the much needed sleep.
If you love something different, if you appreciate period style writing (but make it Joseon style), love a hate-to-love romance, then this gem is for you!
Thank you to the author for providing me a netgalley copy for review. Lots of love and I cannot wait for your next work!
Full, more in-depth review to come on my blog soon.

June Hur blows me away every time, her writing is just so captivating and beautiful. This story is full of mystery, political intrigue and romance and while it's historical it also feels so unique. I was engaged the whole time and didn't want to put it down