I have yet to read the Blood of Stars duology, however reading Six Crimson Cranes has me wanting to read them even more.

Six Crimson Cranes follow Shiori who is the princess of Kiata who is trying to save her brothers and the kingdom. I loved the world building and enjoyed following Shiori throughout.

The characters were all interesting and loved the pacing of meeting new characters. Shiori is such a strong character and loved her interactions with all the people she met. Her relationship with her brothers Hosho, Reiji, Yotan, Wandei, Benkai and Anadahai were all unique and different which was a joy to see.

I loved meeting her fiancé as well as Sergu and liked how these relationships changed. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next.

I loved diving back into the world of The Blood of Stars Duology.

Six Crimson Cranes is set before The Blood of Stars duology but you don’t have to read the other books to understand the story.

Six Crimson Cranes follow Shiori who is the princess of Kiata who is trying to save her brothers and the kingdom. I loved the world building and enjoyed following Shiori throughout.

The characters were all interesting and loved the pacing of meeting new characters. Shiori is such a strong character and loved her interactions with all the people she met. Her relationship with her brothers Hosho, Reiji, Yotan, Wandei, Benkai and Anadahai were all unique and different which was a joy to see.

I loved meeting her fiancé as well as Sergu and liked how these relationships changed.

I throughly enjoyed Six Crimson Cranes and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

It took me some time to figure out what was going on, but after I did, I really enjoyed me time reading Six Crimson Cranes. Elizabeth Lim does an amazing job at world building, while making it read like a fairytale. Also, her writing is what really makes her stand out, in my opinion. It was whimsy and beautiful, with a perfect mix of angst. In addition, I also loved the characters we met in this book, and I'd like to have the next book in my hands immediately, because Lim really knows how to pull our heartstrings and make us hurt for her characters, and I just want everyone to be okay!

Six Crimson Cranes is the first instalment in a new young adult fantasy series and is part thrilling adventure, part coming of age tale. Shiori’anma, the only princess in the kingdom of Kiata, has a secret. The youngest of six children fathered by Emperor Hanariho, she has forbidden magic surging through her veins. Normally she conceals her abilities well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. She is 16 years old, about to turn 17, and has been promised to wed warlord’s son Bushi’an Takkan to strengthen alliances with the North. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted, but it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother. Raikama has dark magic of her own, and she banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes, and warning Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.

This is a captivating, absorbing fantasy retelling of the folktale The Wild Swans and a story packed with rich imagery and luscious descriptions from cover to cover. It features spellbinding and dangerous magic, wicked curses, sibling dynamics and a cunning conspiracy to clinch the throne; a conspiracy more twisted and deceitful, more cunning and complex, than even Raikama's betrayal. It's an evocative and richly imagined world in which Lim seamlessly weaves together elements of Western fairy tales and East Asian folklore. Vibrant and fast-paced, it explores the complicated family situation for Princess Shiori who is a gutsy and endearing protagonist you can't help but get behind when she is squaring up to the might of what is effectively her evil stepmother. The romance aspect of the story is pitch-perfect adding to the whole bewitching, magical adventure, and there are more than a few strategically placed twists to top it all off in style. Highly recommended.

In Kiata, people with magic are exiled. This is a problem for Shiori, Kiata's only princess, who discovers she has magic when a paper bird can suddenly fly. When Shiori sees something she shouldn't have in her father's palace, she and her six brothers are cursed and banished. Her brothers turn into cranes, and people no longer recognize Shiori. Even worse, every word she speaks will kill one of her brothers. Vowing to not make another sound, Shiori must find her way back to her father to warn him of the danger lurking nearby.

This was an engrossing story and I enjoyed every minute of it! The very first scene instantly reminded me of Spirited Away, one of my favourite Studio Ghibli movies, and I'm happy to say the rest of the book was just as good.

I really loved the characters. Shiori is a great heroine to follow, because she's pro-active and can't stand being on the sidelines. Recklessly impulsive but also brave, loyal, and determined to save her family, she lures readers into a whirlwind of a plot. And it's not just her; despite there being 6 brothers, they all have distinct personalities and different relationships with Shiori. Raikama is fascinating and I enjoyed trying to figure out the motivation behind her actions. Even Kiki, a paper bird, was a delightful character. This, too, reminded me of Studio Ghibli, because her voice resembles Jiji's from Kiki's Delivery Service. And of course, Takkan, the love interest, although there is so much more to him than that. There's a lot of depth to him as a character, and I liked how we got to see both the gentle side and the side that shows he will be a firm ruler someday.

Speaking of the romance, if you're looking for a combination of arranged marriage and slow burn, look no further. I loved the development of the relationship between Shiori and Takkan. It was sweet and heart-warming and very fulfilling, and I can't wait to see where this goes in the 2nd book. I did detect a whiff of a potential love triangle, but I really hope that's not the case, because I am hardcore rooting for these two.

The pacing is really good too. There are no boring moments, and everything feels purposeful. I loved the reveals and plot twists, loved the world the story is set in, the fairytale vibes, the writing. This is exactly the kind of YA fantasy I like, and I can't wait for the next book.

I loved everything about this, including but not limited to:
- the Eastern culture and mythology
- the precious family bonds
- the magic system and worldbuilding
- all the freaking feels on this emotional rollercoaster
- our kickass and brave heroine Shiori
- a very slow burn and believable romance
- that gorgeous cover
- the beautiful storytelling and flow of the story
- the excellent villains and unpredictable storyline
- dragons
- Kiki

This wonderful book was released yesterday.
If you weren't planning on picking this up, you don't know what you're missing!

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim is an Asian retelling of a fairy-tale about princes who are cursed by their evil stepmother into swans. Their sister has to knit nettle shirts for her brothers to free them while unable to speak. There are several variations of the fairy-tale, but Lim follows the main story fairly faithfully.

Shiori is the youngest child and only daughter of an emperor, with six brothers and a mysterious stepmother. She’s arranged to marry a son of a Northern lord, but she’d rather learn magic with a dragon who’s saved her life by giving her a piece of his essence. But magic is forbidden in the empire and pursuing it puts her at odds with her stepmother, who curses her brothers into cranes and her into wandering the empire with a wooden bowl covering her face. No one recognises her and she’s unable to utter a word, as every sound she makes will kill one of her brothers.

Feared and hated as a demon, she sets out to find her brothers and perform the task that will set them free, knitting a net of demon nettles to capture their stepmother. By chance—or fate, as many of the plot twists rely on it—she ends up in the castle of her betrothed as a lowly kitchen maid. Evil forces are afoot there too, and Shiori finds herself tangled in them. But she perseveres in her impossible task, until everything is in place for her to face her stepmother again.

This was a wonderful retelling of the old story. The setting worked perfectly, and Asian myths and culture added depth and richness to the fairy-tale. Since the story was familiar to me, the beginning of the book felt too long, as it took a while before the curse happened. But once it did, the story progressed in a good pace. The additional plot of the empire under siege worked well too.

The book ended up being more than a retelling. I expected a black and white moral, but little by little shades of grey began to emerge, making the familiar story new. Things weren’t as they seemed and the curse wasn’t what it appeared either.

Shiori was a great character. Rather annoying at first as a selfish princess, but once cursed, she grew up and managed to do what needed doing. I especially liked that she wasn’t cursed to be mute but she had to remain so by the strength of her will. Her brothers remained distant, but since they didn’t have a proper role in the story, it didn’t matter. Takkan, Shiori’s fiancé, was likeable, and the blooming of her friendship with him worked well. Only the dragon boy seemed an odd addition, as he didn’t really fit in beyond teaching Shiori magic.

The story had a satisfying ending, but it wasn’t at all what I expected—and a good thing too. The ending also set the next book, so Shiori’s story isn’t over yet. I’m looking forward to reading it.

I loved every moment of this book. The fantasy, the family bond, the brother-sister relationship, the action (and the a good bit of it). Even the romance, subtle as it was it's perfect. I had my doubts about the villain but I loved the way everything happened. I highly recommend if you want something atmospheric, dreamy with awesome kick-ass characters.

Let me start off by saying that this book is totally worth the hype!

The story is on point, fast paced and plot driven without being too overwhelming for the readers.

There are so many interesting factors in this book that will keep you constantly invested in the story. Here are a few -
1- Forbidden magic
2- Dark curses and Ancient Evil Powers
3- Sibling Love
4- A Quest (Magical journey)
5- Talking Dragons! (So fricking cool)
6- Sweet love story
7- Politics and Foul Play

Besides this there were a lot of twists and turns in the story, which will just keep you at the edge of your seat. Now I was able to correctly guess a few of them, but there were a few unexpected twists as well.

The ending was kind of unexpected because I had thought that this was a standalone. But it's definitely a series, atleast a duology.

I devoured this book and enjoyed every minute of it and would definitely recommend this to everyone!

I sat down to read the first few chapters of this book, but I was drawn in immediately because the book starts in a very engaging way, and before I knew it, I had finished the entire book in one sitting. It's a chunky one too, but I just couldn't put it down. This book gave me all the magical fairytale vibes you might be expecting from the cover, and it turned some tropes on its head in a really interesting, fresh way that I adored.

I LOVED this book. It's been a while since I read a fantasy and to that a young adult. In the first 30 pages it didn't pick me up too much but then it suddenly picks up in speed extremely and so much is happening. The first twists I saw coming but it was still enjoyable and also to the end the story got so twisted, I want to meet the person who sees such stuff coming. This book also made me feel many different feelings (especially anger and sorrow for our main character). Also the portrait of loveinterest is lovely, it's light and I love that so far the love interests aren't any toxic ones.
Let's come to the part how the author worked with Japanese elements in this story. We have for example the story of the 1000 cranes you fold to get a wish granted. As a person who once did this it made me feel insorbed. Also The winterfestival with the description of snowfigures reminded me very much of Snowfestival (yukimatsuri) in Sapporo. And the way fate is connected by red strings is also a trope that often appears especially in Japanese romance. The pictures drawn of the cranes, the foods and the overall country gave me an Asian vibe. In this case I would want to say that I do not want to pinpoint all that only on Japan as Japan has incorporated many traditions from China into their own culture and would therefore say it has an Asian vibe.
The interactions with other tales that are in this story made me feel kinda remembered on my childhood as as a german I grew up with grimm's tales and similar stories.
In combination with this story being a tale with tales in itself every different tale overtook a special part to tell you about the story. And it's magical.
Also last I want to mention I couldn't put this book down because so much was happening, the pace is so qucik and it still works perfectly. I was really overwhelmed after finishing it and I needed to kinda process what all happened in this book and especially in the last 100 pages.

My best book of 2021 so far, and already preordered a proper signed copy.

Six Crimson Cranes is perfect if you like fairy tale retellings. The whimsical writing and fast pace drew me in so much I couldn't put the book down. The drawback to that is that the character development isn't amazing and some plot points feel overshadowed, but the book itself is so inviting & magical that it didn't detract too much from my overall enjoyment.

First things first, when I was reading Unravel the Dusk and started to see Edan mentioning Shiori… I was already excited. I love how these two duologies are connected. It makes Six Crimson Cranes read a little like a prequel in a sense and considering I adored The Blood of Stars, I found that perfect. (Top tip, if you’ve yet to read that duology I recommend buying it alongside Six Crimson Cranes to fill the wait time before the second in the SCC duology!)

Anyhow, moving onto Six Crimson Cranes (which is simultaneously a perfect side story and can stand on its own to great effect), we’re introduced to Shiori straight away as a Princess who wants to evade her betrothal, to the extent where she’s ended up on a lake and come face-to-face with a dragon. In the story, dragons are similar to demons in that they can change their form to humans, but for the most part they’re water-bound creatures. There’s an indication that they will be far more important to the next part of the duology, but their introduction into the world was very intriguing and they were still an important part of the story, even if they weren’t prominent in terms of appearance throughout.

“Find the light that makes your lantern shine.”

Shiori is a Princess with a secret, she has magic. Unlike in Alandi (The Blood of Stars land), magic is forbidden in Kiata and so she hides it as well as she can. She doesn’t understand why she can do things, and at the beginning the only real example is the creation of what becomes one of the most adorable characters ever – Kiki. Kiki is a crane but a paper crane who Shiori has somehow given life to. She can communicate with Shiori and she is the sassiest little thing! The story is full of their her little remarks but she also does her utmost to protect Shiori throughout, whilst the Princess counts her as her best friend. She’s a super cute little addition and it really shows how magic isn’t always evil.

Her stepmother Raikama, the Nameless Queen, though… she’s a little more dangerous with her magic. Through Shiori’s friendship with the dragon (who tries teaching her magic) she finds out her stepmother gives off a sense of magic and goes to investigate. Honestly, the biggest telltale sign to all should have been Raikama’s affinity for having a garden filled to the brim with all types of snakes (although I’d love one of those of my own) but alas when Shiori sees proof her stepmother is filled with apparent rage. The Princess tries to tell her six brothers and that leads to the curse upon them. Her brothers are turned into the cranes and she’s told that one brother will die for each word spoken, as both her and her brothers are sent to faraway, separate lands. Oh, and no one can recognise any of the royal children either.

Fear is just a game… you win by playing.

If you’ve read my review for Spin the Dawn, you’ll know my favourite part was the budding relationship between Maia and Edan… Six Crimson Cranes has less emphasis overall on the romance side but it is still SO swoon-worthy. Essentially, his name is Takkan. He’s a brave, sweet cinnamon roll who writes stories and poetry and creates art.

There’s a return back to family doing everything they can in their power for loved ones. And from start-to-finish that’s basically the main plot. Shiori does all she can to get her brothers back to their human forms, even though it puts her in incredible danger throughout. Vice versa, her brothers do the same for her – risking being hunted in their crane forms day after day. The character development for them all is clear to see as they go from being pampered to fighting for their survival, it forces them to all grow up quickly.

My curse was easy compared to theirs, and I would gladly take on any burden if it gave them relief.
We also have one character who you’ll recognise from The Blood of Stars… and I spotted them from the first mention. In a sense, it kind of gives a little away but they were a fantastic character in the first duology so I’m excited to see more of their story!

Six Crimson Cranes is filled with songs also, with Shiori regularly singing them in her head to help herself feel better. It’s a beautiful addition and makes a remarkable amount of sense to the story.

And that ending… I cried so much. I cried because it was beautiful and simultaneously because I didn’t want it to end.

“Kites are meant to fly, some higher than others.”

I'll be updating with a link when the blog review is live tomorrow!

I’ve been a fan of The Seven Ravens/The Six Swans fairy tale. I've always loved the bravery of the main protagonist and the bond with her brothers. Well, this book gave me that too, and more.

Shiori is a likeable (at least as the story progresses) heroine who has to overcome herself to save her six brothers. She has magic in her veins, ends up cursed not to utter a single word, otherwise her brothers will die one by one, and finds herself banished from the royal city. She is alone, voiceless, with a walnut bowl fixed to her, and in the part of the country where she never wanted to go.... up in the north, close to her betrothed's home. She needs to take care of herself, find her brothers and a way how to break the unspeakable cursed and save her brothers from turning into cranes each sundown. I loved her journey, by which I mean the characters' development. In the beginning, you are introduced to a rather spoiled and very impulsive princess who has everything she can imagine. As she has to overcome hardships of the curse and life as nobody, that is a mute girl with a weird bowl about whom other people say that she consorts with demons and who has to do hard manual labor, she matures. She starts to think about her actions and consequences of them. In the end, you really see her grow into an inspiring young woman. She is no longer a reckless princess.

I also loved the romantic plot of the story. I really enjoyed their moments together, When Shiori meets Takkan, he cannot see her face properly, he cannot even look her in the eyes because of the bowl, and she does not even know that it's the man she secretly wishes dead because she hates the idea of marrying some northern barbarian. She is hell-bent on avoiding this marriage. Takkan really grew on me. He is kind, loves telling stories and singing and wants to find love and happiness. He is VERY sweet. Plus, he has an amazing younger sister who was a breath of fresh air. She is funny and very mischievous, I would say. Her love for persimmons and persimmon cakes made me want to try this fruit in the future (yeah, there is a lot of food in the story). I felt really invested in Shiori, her brothers, Takkan and his sister.

Importantly, let me tell you how much I loved how the author dealt with the fact that Shiori cannot speak for most of the book. She communicated with her origami bird Kiki, which Shiori enchanted and made her alive at the start of the story. I loved Kiki very much. It is fairy-tale like, whimsical, adorable and fun aspect of the story. Talking about romance and Shiori´s silence, it is important to mention that Takkan understood Shiori even without words :-). It is even mentioned by another characters who does not understand how Takkan knows what Shiori wants to say. Plus, Shiori clearly started to care for Takkan, and I think she did not have to tell him for him to know, I think her actions spoke for her. I feel like it made their connection even deeper.

And let's not forget the shape-shifting water dragons. Seryuu, a dragon prince with green hair and ruby eyes., was a great addition to the story. He brought a fresh into this retelling as well as Kiki. I am excited to learn more about this version of dragons in the future since I think the second book will center around them, taking us to the Undersea. I can't wait to explore the new underwater setting and meet the Dragon King and his court.

The only thing that was kind of confusing was the bowl curse. The bowl cover's Shiori´s eyes, nevertheless, she can see through it and nobody questions that. Nobody express concerns how can she see her surroundings. Well, there is magic in this world, but it is still rare, so I would expect some more explanation. Especially since Shiori at least once covers her head and hence the bowl with a scarf not to attract attention.

Overall, it was really unputdownable and well thought fairy tale retelling. It's heartwarming and I really recommend you to read it. You do not have to know the original story to fully enjoy this gem. If you don't, It's going to be more unpredictable for you and if you do, you can be pleasantly surprised of the author's take on it. I can't wait to read the second book in the series.

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

So I had a great time reading this! One of my favourite things to read is a fairytale retelling done well. And six Crimson Cranes does not disappoint. If you have read The Six Swans by Brothers Grimm than you will be familiar with the basic premise of this story. But in my opinion Lim took it and definitely elevated it.
It begins with Princess Shiori the emperor's only daughter, on the day of her betrothal, trying to hide the evidence of her forbidden magic. but an accident with a magical paper crane, exposes her to her stepmother and takes her away from the life she thought she knew and straight onto a path full of enchantresses, magical creatures(dragons!)demons, curses and quests. A story that weaves fantasy and folklore seamlessly into an engrossing tale of fueds, power grabs and ancient demons long thought to be vanquished.
We witness Shiori go from a foolhardy naive sheltered princess, to a strong resilient person who discovers all that she is truely capable of. One who is determined to free her brothers from the curse that sees them turned into cranes. And all while voiceless for if a single word leaves her mouth one of her siblings will die.
A fast paced action packed story which with twists you most likely wont see coming. There is alot of subturfuge and trickery at play. No one is who they first appear to be. A quick mention of Takkan (her spurned betrothed!) He was a perfect blend of tough soldier and poetry loving cinnamon roll)
I thought this was a lovely retelling of the The Six Swans fairytale, the execution was perfect and drawing from East Asian Folklore added a fresh unique twist to it, making it a beauitful story in it's own right. I am interested to see what direction book 2 takes. Highly recommend it to all those who love fairytale retellings.

“Find the light that makes your lantern shine. Hold on to it, even when the dark surrounds you. Not even the strongest wind will blow out the flame.”

First of all, I don't know where to quite start this review. I'm so in love with the world and characters. So in awe of the magic Elizabeth has weaved. This is my first book by this author and you bet it won't be my last. This duology is a retelling of the "The Wild Swans" mixed with Chinese folklore. The world building is so amazing and whimsical. The imagery it creates in your mind is absolutely stunning.

The characters, whether they are bad or good, are shrouded in mystery and intrigues. Fully fleshed out and amazing. Shiori, our FMC, is a princess with a secret. Something that gets her and her brother into a lot of troubles and also exile. Her journey of searching for answers and accepting her own self was great.

I want to rave about the plot and world building but I truly don't think I can make you understand what I felt while reading it. The narration is intriguing but at the same time soothing, if that makes sense. It's so elegant and effortless. I have already pre-ordered it and can't wait to read the second book. There's not a single aspect or line I would change in it. If you love mythical creatures, YA and fantasy then please read this!


NOTES I MADE WHILE READING IT-

1. Seryu is such an enigma. *Goes to watch the character cards* Oh he's so stunning in his form😍 I want more of him

2. Megari "Keep to yourself and drink tea" Bushi àn is such a Queen. I'll fight demons for her and Kiki.

3. I hope the river swallows Zairene & Hasege. Bitch, how dare you insult my Shiori!

4. Set an alarm 30 mins before the INTL pre-order swag form opens up(I did manage to put mine within 3 minutes of the form opening, YAY)

While I am hoping that anyone who read Elizabeth Lim's gorgeous The Blood of Stars duology has had this one on their radar for a while, here's me throwing my two cents in. Actually, for a book this lovely, I'm willing to totally up the denomination.

I am, I will freely admit, a complete sucker for a fairy tale or mythic adaptation. Seriously, bring it on. I want all of the queer, black cinderellas. I want the great heroes of Hindu mythology reincarnated as Indian-American tween girls. And I absolutely want a gorgeous Japanese reimagining of Hans Christian Anderson's The Wild Swans.
(Totally hit me up for those first two "completely random examples" btw).

In Lim's Six Crimson Cranes, Shiori is the seventh child and only beloved daughter of the Emperor who would rather spend her time with her six elder brothers than having to sit sewing with her mysterious and nameless step-mother. Oh, and would rather do absolutely anything than finally meet her betrothed. She "might" in fact be a little spoiled and a lot headstrong, but really what trouble can that actually cause? Unfortunately one day "absolutely anything" turns into falling into a pond, meeting an actual dragon, discovering her own magical abilities, standing up her husband to be at their betrothal ceremony (It was the ponds fault!), spying on said mysterious and nameless stepmother, triggering a terrible curse that transforms her beloved brothers into cranes, and being sucked into an adventure that is completely unsuitable for spoiled princesses. So, a LOT of trouble.
It looks like it's time for Shiori to grow up, figure out how to break the curse, and save the day.

To anyone who is familiar with the fairy tale (which I have discovered is known and catagorised as Aarne-Thompson-Uther index type 451 which is something that I didn't know that I needed to know) the general narrative isn't going to hold too many surprises. Although what deviations there are turn out to be absolutely delightful. Where Lim's version really shines is in the details. The subtleties of her own Japanese heritage and knowledge of Japanese history, ideologies, and storytelling permeate the book. Things as simple as a daydream about food, or as complex as the interactions between gods, demons, and other immortals.
Best of all, this is not a one off. While it doesn't end on a dramatic (or thank goodness traumatic) cliffhanger, there are clear plot points that require further adventures, and an epilogue that should bring glee to the hearts of fans everywhere.
No extreme violence, no trigger or content warnings, just a lovely, lovely story well worth spending time with.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

4/5 stars

Spoilers ahead and as always check trigger warnings.

Stunning. Beautiful. The world building was phenomenal. The characters were fleshed out and intricate and I love the writing style- it was so nice to read.

I’ve been in such a reading slump lately and this pulled me right out of it.

I’m going to come back and add more thoughts when I’ve had a chance to process this novel, but I fully fully recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I'm a sucker for fantasy retellings, especially from a female perspective, and this book was no different. Lim transplants the tale of The Wild Swans into an Asian kingdom, with the bored but magically-inclined Shiori as our main protagonist. After her brothers are turned into cranes by her stepmother to protect the secret that she is an enchantress, Shiori must find a way to break the spell without speaking - or her brothers will die. The worldbuilding in this was great considering the plot moved forward so swiftly, and I loved the twist of Shiori ending up in Iro. I'm definitely hooked on the story and can't wait for part two!

I picked up Elizabeth Lim’s Six Crimson Cranes simply because it was billed as a “fantasy retelling of the Grimm brothers' The Six Swans fairytale, set in an East-Asian inspired world”. And although I was unfamiliar with the author, as soon as I started reading, I was swept away. There is a beautiful and lyrical quality to her writing style that I instantly resonated with, and the inclusion of a dragon in the opening pages had me entranced.

Six Crimson Cranes actually takes a variety of fairytales and folk mythologies — both Western and Eastern — and weaves them together in a very readable and fast-paced story, seen from the perspective of Princess Shiori. The youngest of seven, and the only daughter of the Emperor, the high-spirited and rebellious Shiori faces an arranged marriage to the third son of a low-ranking lord, until she bails on her betrothal ceremony — an act which lands her in the Sacred Lake and brings her face-to face with dragon prince Seryu, who recognises the magic in her and offers to teach her how to use it. This incident raises her stepmother’s suspicions, however, as magic has been wiped out in this kingdom and is thought to be the work of demons.

Whilst folding paper cranes, Shiori brings one to life and we are introduced to her best friend, confidant, and voice of reason, Kiki. Sadly, this is proof to Raikama (the stepmother) that Shiori has magic, and she curses all of the children — the six brothers are transformed into cranes, and Shiori is forced to wear a walnut bowl on her head, masking her identity. Worse still, if Shiori dares speak one word, a brother will die.

Cast out from her home, and separated from her brothers, Shiori must find a way to break the curse and return home — all whilst mute, unrecognisable, and in a strange land. There is also the threat of invasion from neighbouring kingdoms which adds tension in the background.

Shiori, however, is not alone: she can communicate telepathically with Kiki, who can communicate with other animals, a talent that comes in handy when travelling and searching for Shiori’s brothers. As a narrator, Shiori initially comes across as spoilt and selfish, but these vices soon disappear as her predicament deepens. Under the name of Lina, she initially takes on the job of cook at an inn, which offers her opportunities to widen her perspectives and build up some physical strength. When she crosses paths with a sentinel (a knight), she sees an opportunity to escape the inn and make her way back home.

Once set upon her path, Shiori first attempts to locate her brothers, who, as cranes, are also searching for her, whilst also searching for a way to break the curse. She is helped and hindered by a variety of characters, some of whom have very shadowy motivations, and she makes some poor choices which raise the stakes even more. The pacing was fast and brilliant, and I really felt for Shiori. I fell head over heels for Kiki. I loved Takkan’s quiet strength and Megari’s bubbly nature. I liked how, through various trials and tribulations, Shiori grew in resilience and strength, and also matured into a well-rounded young woman.

I confess: I didn’t see the twist coming. I suspected, but then a number of events caused me to discard my suspicions — so when the twist came I was pleasantly surprised and heartbroken. There were several characters who I pegged as antagonists immediately, and it was interesting to see how their arcs played out in the larger plot. I loved the inclusion of the dragons and starstroke nettles, and the sacrifices Shiori makes on her journey.

The only thing I would have liked to see was more about the brothers. One or two are more memorable as they’re fleshed out more so than the others, but the rest are largely forgettable. I would have loved a touch more characterisation for them, but, even so, I had my heart in my throat the entire time as I worried about the likelihood of their longevity. Also, I did love how each of the children was named after a star; it added some extra magic.

For some reason, I didn’t realise that this is the first part of a duology, so when I was approaching the end I wasn’t sure how it would all be resolved with only a small percentage left in the ebook … But apparently yes, it’s the first part of a duology and I can’t wait for the next instalment. I fell in love with these characters and this world and its magics so deeply and quickly that I am excited to know there’s more coming from this story.

This is a magical read which really transports you to another world with its court intrigues, forbidden magic, slow-burn romance, familial love and loyalty, and the power of resilience and friendships. Immensely readable, unforgettable, and highly recommended.

I received an e-ARC from the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.