This book took me a second to get into, but then was very enjoyable. After reading the Author's Note at the end on the historical context, the intertwining of historical events and fictional events became much more clear and I felt like I left having learned something about Korean history.

1506, Joseon. After Iseul’s sister is kidnapped by a tyrannical king, she sets out to track down a serial killer in order to gain the king’s favor and win her sister’s freedom.

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur paints a compelling Korean historical drama filled with deadly court intrigue and a hint of romance.

Now, this wasn’t my first Hur book and it certainly won’t be my last. She truly excels at crafting flawed, believable characters alongside vivid and well-researched historical settings.

The ending felt a little too neatly wrapped up for my personal tastes, but it was still overall an emotional and riveting read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am not usually a big reader of historical fiction but I did really enjoy this overall.

It started out a bit too slow. I know world building needed to happen but I felt like it could have been done a little better. It was hard for me to really get into it at first.

That being said, I enjoyed the book and will definitely read more by this author

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher MacMillan Children’s Books for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

TW: sexual abuse, implied rape, kidnapping, sex trafficking, mentioned incest, animal cruelty, murder, implied suicide, violence, injury, misogyny, psychological trauma, panic attacks

Set in 1506 in South Korea during the reign of the tyrant King Yeonsan, the book depicts the terrible crimes he commits against his people including stealing people’s land to use as his personal hunting grounds, burning and banning books, executing anyone who disagrees with him and kidnapping women and girls to use as playthings. Seventeen-year-old Iseul has led a life of privilege and protection in the family mansion despite what’s happening outside. However, when her elder sister Suyeon is taken during one of these hunts and her parents executed, Iseul is determined to get her sister back, no matter the cost. She travels through forbidden territory, forced to face the realities faced by the regular people, with the hope of stealing Suyeon back. Upon arriving in the capital, Iseul realises there will be no negotiating with Yeonsan and that any attempt to cross him will lead to death; the only way to gain his favour is to solve the mystery of the Nameless Flower serial killer, tormenting the King with victims as he hunts, but this is harder than it looks. At the same time Prince Daehyun can only watch in desperation as his half-brother grows all the terrifying and deadly, particularly towards the common folk he’s supposed to protect. Daehyun and a group of other nobles ache to overthrow Yeonsan once and for all but only the appearance of Iseul- and her family’s connections throughout the kingdom, along with Daehyun’s well hidden plans- mean it might finally work. The two have no reason to trust each other and a relationship built entirely on hate must be put aside to do what’s right to save South Korea, and it’s people, from the rule of Yeonsan before it’s too late.

“A Crane Among Wolves” is the first book I’ve read by June Hur and I’m definitely going to read more since I finished this one. This moves so quickly from the first page as we follow Iseul from her life of shelter and privilege across the deadly hunting grounds of the King seeking the sister she always benefited from. Iseul is a complicated character, she has to learn a lot in those early chapters as she realised just what the King has done to her country and that the simple solution of getting her sister back is much harder. I loved how the murder mystery of this was woven together and how deeply out of her depth Iseul was at the beginning. I found Daehyun’s experiences of being detested because of his brother to be really important and they definitely impacted his character throughout this book, especially as he seeks to be seen as ‘good’. The initial relationship between Iseul and Daehyun is so fraught and tense, but when they start working together things begin to change. I didn’t know anything about the Joseon Dynasty or the history of South Korea before reading this but it didn’t matter, the story was excellent and I loved the characters and deeply tense atmosphere of the writing. I’m definitely going to read up more on this period of history since finishing “A Crane Among Wolves” and more of this author’s work.

Was not expecting to like this book so much. It was such a quick read. The enjoyed the mystery aspect to the historical fiction. I didn’t realized how very close to the actual history of the coup of the king was until I read the author’s note. Iseul was a girl that grew up from prominence but lost everything when her parents were killed. She resented her sister and the position she ended up in. However, when her sister was kidnapped to become one of the king’s many consorts, Iseul realized how much she needed her sister. She puts aside her old life in pursuit of saving her sister. Along the way, she meets new friends and possibly a love interest. Daehyun is a prince who is conspiring to take down the tyrant king. Together, Iseul and Daehyun work together with their friends and corrupt leaders of the coup to take down the king not realizing that maybe it was not just the king that was corrupt and vying for power.

A Crane Among Wolves is a dark and emotional book, however, the extremely slow start and flat characters kept me from engaging with the story. I feel like the story tried to juggle too many different plots in a short amount of time. The politics felt weak and I didn't find the romance compelling. The historical setting and exploration of Korean culture carried the story and I wish the plot had the same depth.

Review: 4.5 ⭐️

“We mortals exist for but a season, and yet we love as though we are bound by eternity”

Ahh, June Hur did it again! This time bringing my wish of seeing more romance into her next book.

The pacing is slow for the first half given that the world building needed to occur and the characters to become more dimensional. I wasn’t a huge fan of Iseul, she is the prickly and stubborn type of heroine that you just want to shake her. Daehyun on the other hand, lacks abit of personality until we hit 50% the book and everything picks up! I could not put the book done since I was so eager to know what’s next and it was so intriguing to see everything come together in the end.

I admire Iseul’s resilience and Daehyun’s humility - both characters have courage in spades even after everything that happened to them. And gahhh, the slow burn and the little teases! The assembly of side characters like Yul, Woonsik and Crow are solid with intricacies of the world building thrown in.

As always with the author, there were some murder mystery present. While it is not the main theme of the plot, it’s still a key driver to use. Honestly, the author’s unique writing style is just wonderful to read.

You can tell soo much research went into this book and it shadows close events throughout Korean history. I learned so much…

Ps: Chapter 42 wrecked me in a good way - godd, this author knows how to throw punches…

Overall, I’m still partial to The Red Palace and can’t wait to see what the author curns out next.

Thank you to Netgalley, June Hur and her Publisher for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I'll read anything June Hur writes. The Red Palace is one of the few books I've rated 5 stars in the last 5 years tbh. I so wanted to LOVE this book just as much. But there were just a few things that couldn't get it over the finish line.

The MC Iseul was so unlikeable I almost put the book down at some point. She had some growth by the end but my gosh, it was touch and go there for a while.

Prince Daehyun. My heart. End of scene.

Now let's get to the only thing that matters in this review: Chapter 42.

Do yourself a favour, and read this book for Chapter 42.

June Hur.

June goddamn Hur.

I am so glad that I ventured beyond my typical reading to discover this hauntingly beautiful love story set in the darkest period of Korean history. Hur doesn't shy away from the atrocities and perils of power, urging readers not to look away from it, because "books that confront disturbing historical events are crucial. It is imperative to confront history because it repeats itself when ignored."

At the same time, Hur highlights the incredible resilience of the human spirit and the lengths to which we'll go for the ones we love. The friendships forged through suffering are just as important to the story as the romance. That said, the relationship between Iseul and Daehyun is so romantic! There were key moments in the story that reminded me of the film adaptation of "Last of the Mohicans." (If you liked that movie, you'll absolutely swoon over this novel. )

I'll be thinking about this book long after the final page.

"When someone you love is taken, you go into the den of the tiger. You go to the ends of the kingdom and across. You go to where they are. You find them—no matter the cost." —June Hur, A Crane Among Wolves

Prior to reading this book, based on what I'd read about it online, I had described A Crane Among Wolves to my followers as being an enemies-to-lovers, YA historical fiction set in Joseon Dynasty-era Korea, that follows a girl who becomes entangled in a political conspiracy and must team up with an enemy prince to rescue her sister from King Yeonsangun, the worst tyrant in korean history. I realize now that this book is way more than just an enemies to lovers story and to lead with that and market it as such, while effective, is, in my opinion, a great disservice to the brilliant story that June Hur has crafted.

It is evident in her portrayal of what it's like to live under a tyrannical regime that June Hur thoroughly researched the subject of King Yeonsan's reign, as unsettling as it must've been, and I appreciate that she did not shy away from including many of the atrocities committed during that time in this YA novel. I'll admit that it was hard to read at times and I would often find myself weeping over the pain and the horrors that these people endured during this regime, but as she said in her author's note, "books that confront disturbing historical events are crucial. It is imperative to confront history because it repeats itself when ignored."

Having said that, while the romance was heart achingly slow-burn, it was well worth it, and so, so precious. June Hur didn't lie when she said that this book read like a historical K-drama!

The exploration of family and the lengths one is willing to go to for those we love, as well as how crucial friendships can be during trying times, were also topics I enjoyed within this story, and I love a good puzzle, so I had a great time with the murder mystery elements in this book.

thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC of this book. all opinions are my own.

I wish I could put into words how much I enjoyed this. What a great book. Highly recommend.

A Crane Among Wolves is a must read for anyone who watches historical k-dramas and ever thought what if this was based on real history? Iseul finds herself teaming up with a prince to rescue her sister, who's been kidnapped and enslaved by King Yeonsan, one of the worst tyrants in Korean history. An attempt to overthrow the King simmers in the background.

While the story is told in dual POV between Iseul and Daehyun, the scene stealer for me in the story is Wonsik, a man Iseul meets early in her journey. This guy is an operator, often guiding the impulsive Iseul as she tries to track down her sister.

I love that this book is opening doors to Korean history (which was all new to me), and that eventually a bit of sweet romance develops that Iseul tries to resist initially. Priorities! For me personally, there were a couple of lulls in storytelling, like, can we just get on with it?! But overall, a fantastic read. 


I ordered myself a copy for my collection.

Do check the content notes provided by the author. King Yeonsan's crimes were the ugliest and most depraved, and June Hur doesn't shy away from them. They include kidnapping, rape, animal cruelty, sex trafficking and suicide. So while this is YA, it won't be for younger YA readers.

I was so happy to receive an ARC from NetGalley. This was such a fascinating read, rich with a beautiful mix of history and fiction. June Hur created so many wonderfully complex characters. There were so many twists, I was sure I had figured them out several times just to be completely shocked at the end. Thinking back, every clue was woven so perfectly. I look forward to reading more by June.

Immediately this book is everything I have ever wanted. It has murder mystery, it has romance, and political drama. I was absolutely captivated and completely sucked in by this book. A Crane Among Wolves is a MUST READ!

I loved "The Red Palace" and I was so excited about June Hur's new book. It did not disappoint! "A Crane Among Wolves" is set during the 1500s in Korea during the rule of a tyrant king. Iseul is not looking to make a political difference, she's just trying to free her sister who is one of hundreds of women kidnapped by the king. Iseul and her sister weren't close, and that regret motivates Iseul to risk everything to save her. When Iseul meets Prince Daehyun, who is desperate to get out of the web of his brother, she's drawn into a political plot, but it may be the only way to save her sister.

"A Crane Among Wolves" is a historical mystery with political intrigue and a slow-burn romance. If you're a fan of historical fiction or K-dramas you should read this book.

"A Crane Among Wolves" by June Hur is a literary masterpiece that deserves all the praise it receives and more. From the very first page, I was captivated by the intricacies of the plot and the depth of the characters.

The characters were, dare I say, all strategically placed like game pieces on a board, with their own peculiarities and flaws to complement each other that fueled this story to the end. June Hur has a remarkable talent for crafting multidimensional characters who feel incredibly real, each with their own motivations and secrets.

June Hur's writing is as enchanting as ever, effortlessly transporting readers to a bygone era filled with political intrigue and forbidden romance. The pacing is perfect, keeping me hooked from the very first page until the shocking conclusion. Her prose is lyrical and evocative, painting vivid images of the Joseon Dynasty and its people.

Overall this book is a masterfully crafted tale that seamlessly blends history, mystery, and romance. It's a story that not only entertains but also challenges societal norms and celebrates the resilience of women. I would, with no hesitation, always recommend this to anyone looking for a gripping and thought-provoking read.

I enjoyed this book a lot. The story balances the character relationships and the larger political plot with its murder investigation and coup preparations really well. I felt like I truly got to know Prince Daehyun and Iseul, so it was easy to root for them to achieve their goals.

I love sister stories, so I couldn’t help investing in Iseul’s desperate mission to rescue her sister. Though the girls weren’t close before her sister was kidnapped, losing her made Iseul realize how much she appreciates and needs her sister. It makes her realize how much her sister protected her, and she wants to protect her sister now, too. I love that.

Another thing I really enjoyed is the enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romance between Iseul and Daehyun. I giggled through the moments where they would be like, hmmm, I can’t stop thinking about [the other person] for some reason.

The author’s note at the end clarifies some of the story elements that depart from the historical account and why those changes were made. This is the first book by June Hur that I’ve ever read, but I definitely want to read more. I liked this a lot. Readers who enjoyed Descendant of the Crane by Joan He should check this one out.

I have been into Korean culture and history for over 10 years. This book hit all of my happy places. Such a beautiful story. It will be up there with Pachinko for me.

I absolutely love what June Hur has been doing, writing YA historical mysteries that explore Korea's history. In A Crane Among Wolves, Hur takes the reader to 1506 Joseon. There is a tyrant King being taunted by a serial murderer, and a 17 year old girl who gets caught in a coup attempt while trying to catch the killer in the hopes that she can use her boon to get her sister back.

There are so many threads Hur weaves through this story which makes the start a little confusing as the reader tries to figure out where the story is going. But the way it all comes together in the end was really satisfying. I also really appreciated Hur's author's note that explains the historical figures and events that this story lifts from.

I loved the relationship between Iseul and Daehyun, and I think their characterization along with the atmosphere Hur created really makes this book shine for me. That being said, I struggled a bit to get into the book, partially because the intricacies of the plot requires a lot of legwork to set up in the beginning and partially because I never really bought in to the sisterly relationship between Iseul and Suyeon. The narrative says repeatedly that Iseul was spoiled and never seemed to care about her sister, so it never really made sense to me that she would go through all of the effort and put herself in so much danger to get her sister back.

That being said, I overall really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! I know there are a couple of backlist books I haven't gotten to of Hur's but I look forward to checking those out too.

I thought this was a really great read! And I'm saying this as someone who doesn't read a lot of historical fiction.

I went in thinking it wouldn't be that dark of a novel, but this was deliciously atmospheric without absolutely drowning in its darkness. It treated the topic of living under an oppressive tyrant with the gravity that it deserves. Too many times, the YA novels I've read don't seem to understand that serious situations like this aren't just set dressing to sprinkle some flavor on a tropey story.

Anyway, on to the characters and plot.

It's usually hard for me to connect with a character like Iseul (pampered younger sister types), but the author really made me care for her and her problems. I wanted Iseul to reunite with her sister. I wanted Iseul and the prince to get together and live happily ever after. I wanted Iseul and her found family to end up as a happy, thriving family unit working at the inn.

I won't lie. I barely know anything about Korean history, but the setting was described adequately enough that I felt immersed both in time and space. I wish there was more time spent on describing the mundane, but Google helped fill me in.

I liked the murder mystery plotline for what it was, but I did wish the book focused more on the rebellion. But then again, that's just me being a huge fantasy nerd who loves books about rebellions.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited to tackle more of June Hur's works!

Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for this arc.