Usually, I am not really a fan of fantasy novels but Her Radiant Curse is an unputdownable and heartbreaking fantasy novel I have read, and a fantasy novel that I actually enjoyed reading it without having any second thoughts.

I haven't read this author's previous books Six Crimson Cranes but Her Radiant Curse is apparently the prequel of Six Crimson Cranes. The story starts with Channi, who was offered as a sacrifice by her father to a tiger witch. Channi was then cursed with a serpent face as a result of the curse. The tiger witch however promised that Channi will get her face back after sixteen years if Channi brings Vanni, Channi's younger sister in return to exchange the curse. Now flash forward, Vanni has grown into a beautiful woman and she and Channi are very close together. When Vanni is auctioned off to find a potential suitor, Channi is then become a wrath of one of the suitors and Channi must learn to survive through her ability to fight and cunningness. Meanwhile, Channi wanted to fight and defeat the tiger witch so nothing will happen to her sister Vanni.

To me this book was an emotional and heartbreaking read. I was rooting for Channi and I really liked the sisterly bond that was shared between Channi and Vanni. Channi's way of protecting her sister against the enemies, despite the fact that she got cursed with a serpent face. Channi in my opinion was brave and courageous. Reading this book, helped me feel like I was in this fantasy world with Channi and Vanni and the author actually did a good job making the reader feel that way. This was fast-paced which is a good thing and I was immensely hooked into the story. The ending was sad but overall, I actually enjoyed reading this book and this became one of my favorite fantasy novels I have read. As a matter of fact, I cannot wait to read more books form this author! Worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my review. Contents in my review are my personal opinion.

Ladies and Gents, Elizabeth Lim cooked and served! and ATE THIS BOOK UP.
This book is a prequel to the Six Crimson Cranes duology, and can be read before or after the duology, depending on how you would like to experience the story.

This book was just enthralling, the magic, action, adventure was amazing and overall, the book is well-written. I highly recommend reading this book and other books from Elizabeth Lim, if you want to read Asian mythology based stories. Have I said that there's magic? yes. Highly, HIGHLY, recommend this book. Probably one of the best books I've read in 2023.

I am incredibly blown away by this story! I have not read any book by this author before so I have no knowledge of what comes after, which I did not have a problem with! I enjoyed the hardships and struggles that Channi has been through. Years of being different and reviled have made her incredibly strong and resilient. Her sole weakness is that she would do anything for her sister. She has spent years preparing for the return of Demon that wants to claim her sister. But she may not have prepared for everything and that could cost her what she loves most. Exciting and heartbreaking and so full of love and devotion. The world building and the lore that surrounds it has me desperate for more! A tale I will always remember.

As the cover might suggest, Her Radiant Curse is a prequel to the Six Crimson Cranes duology. A duology that I quite enjoyed. This prequel however did not live up to that duology.

Her Radiant Curse focuses on Channi, the stepmother of Shiori in her younger years. Which means that if you have read The Six Crimson Cranes duology you will know the basics of this story already as it is told in there. It is something that Shiori discovers. This can be a good thing as the interest of fans is already risen. But knowing what is going to happen meant that the book needed strong story telling and compelling characters. Unfortunately I felt we got neither.

The way the story was told in some places didn't always make sense. Some parts that werent that important dragged on for a while. While there were other parts where we were run through. It didn't make for a very pleasant reading.

Channi also didn't seem to match up with the woman we got to know through stories in the duology. And of course Channi is younger and things change but it was hard to see that they were the same person. I didn't care about her character. I didn't really care about her sister and even our dragon didn't quite come out well. The best bit was Ukar, the snake companion to Channi. He called her out on her bad decisions. Not that she ever listened.

I also had problems with the ending of this book. The reasoning behind Channari's anger and punishment towards the other were weak. And she even seems to know it but she still pushes through. And quite frankly it was a bed of her own making.

This book is also meant to stand alone. For readers that haven't read the duology. I hesitate to say that this is possible. I banked a lot on already knowing the world building from the duology and didn't get it enough from the actual book.

With Her Radiant Curse, Elizabeth Lim delivers the absolutely stunning tale of the origins of Raikama, the nameless queen, stepmother, and at times villain in the Six Crimson Cranes duology. Before she was Raikama, Channi was Vanna’s older sister, abandoned in the jungle by her father and cursed on the night of Vanna’s birth.
It’s a story about the bond between siblings who love each other ‘unconditionally, fully, and with every fibre of [their] being’. Shunned by her village and her father, Channi spends her time tending to the family home and attempting to break the curse that changed her looks and hangs over her sister’s future. For me, the family dynamics were what made this story special – from absolute outrage at the way her father treated Channi to being enchanted at how Lim included small everyday scenes that showed the love between the sisters, the representation of Channi’s family was emotional.
The backdrop against which the story unfolds is vivid and mesmerizing – settings range from the jungle and small island villages to palaces and temples across the sea, with scenes set in battle arenas, and flying with a dragon. I also loved the varied cast of characters, including Ukar, Channi’s snake friend, Hokzuh, the dragon prince, and Hanriyu, the emperor, on whom she takes a chance to find a new family.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for my eARC through NetGalley!

The opening chapter of this book where the infant Channi is left in the jungle by her father as a sacrifice to the demon witch Angma, gripped me and the book didn’t let me go until the very last page. It was an amazing read and I found it so hard to put down.
I loved Channi with her single mindedness and ability to dive head first into disastrous situations. Her character arc through this book as she becomes more insightful and thinks through her actions more was great to read. I really liked her relationships with Ukar and the dragon prince but it is the bonds between the two sisters and Channi’s determination to save her sister that drive her forward and never let her give up.
As with the previous books in this world, the world building and scene setting are incredible and you get a real sense of place whether that’s deep in the jungle or imprisoned below decks on a ship.
The plot twisted and turned like a dragon in flight but it always made sense both in this stand alone story but also with what comes after in the Six Crimson Cranes duology. Everything then comes together in the final few chapters which really pack an emotional punch.
I would definitely recommend this to any YA reader or indeed anyone who loves a good fantasy novel. Huge thanks to Net Galley and Hodder and Stoughton for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to a sacrifice when she was a child, Channi is cursed with a serpent's face. For her curse to be broken she must bring her sister Vanna to the tiger witch before she is 17 or the witch will come for them both. When Vanna comes of age she is to be auctioned off in a betrothal contest. In her attempt to save and protect her sister Channi must face all the challenges that are thrown her way, destiny tripping her up, leading her to a path not of her choosing.
"One sister must fall for the other to rise"

This is a prequel to Six Crimson Cranes, the let's call it origin story of one of its beguiling characters. Channi's perspective picks you up from the get-go and plants you firmly and lovingly in her world. The narrative is inviting and so easy to devour. You 'live' this narrative.

The weaving of this tale has the wondrous fairy tale elements the author is known for as her writing sails into the water of the protagonist's deepest thoughts and emotions. The enchanting way words are used is tinged with bittersweet melancholy.

Channi's determination radiates hope. She has a proud but wounder heart, not a stranger to kindness, also not to anger. The relationship of the two sisters is beautiful to behold, their antithesis not only in appearance, fuelling the story. Ukar is a delight to read, and the protagonist's dealings with an unforeseen enemy/ally/who-knows-what are a lot of fun. This prequel is full of characters that breathe on the page that you can love or hate fiercely.

I love those aha! moments when you are enjoying a prequel and there are things that connect it to a story you already know. Noted are the parallels too: stepmothers, curses, wearing things to hide one's features and taking someone's place.

This book is about the power of love. How everyone deserves the chance to be cared for. What constitutes a monster has nothing to do with appearance. It is about fighting for yourself, finding your inner strength.

I more than adore this thrilling adventure with jaw-dropping revelations and masterful storytelling that makes you feel so much, leading to the heartwrenching finale we know is coming. Wiping the tears from my eyes, Elizabeth Lim, I bow before your extraordinary talent.

Spoiler Free Review

What an amazing story.

Emotional, compelling and surprising.

Serving as a prequel to Six Crimson Cranes, we follow Channi, a girl who's cursed with a snake face and her love and determination to save her beautiful sister Vanna from the clutches of The Demon Witch.

TW: Abusive father.

Elizabeth Lim has done it again with brilliant storytelling.

Perfect for fans of:
*Strong sisterhood
*Strong female protagonist
*Dragons
*Talking snakes
*Traveling to new places
*Magic
*Good vs Evil

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.

The thing about Elizabeth Lim's writing is that it's incredibly whimsical and immersive. I might now like her plot or her characters, but her world will always get me. This book is no difference: I love the setting of the world and of the story. The story's exposition got me invested in Channi's journey, who I really liked at the beginning. Everything down to the 30% mark was a five-star to me.

But as the story progresses, I must confess: I couldn't care less about Vanna and the "sisterly bond", which is the driving point of the plot. I was bored with the endless actions that felt very repeated at some point, and frustrated with Channi's decisions.

See, I think this is more of a "me-not-you" thing because I have been noticing recently that I empathize less and less with the protagonist of YA Fantasy. Maybe it's because of my age (lol) or my taste shifting towards "adult" fiction, but I am increasingly annoyed towards the "righteous hero mentality". I will not detail the events because of spoilers, but Channi "betrayed" people who have risked their lives helping her for the sake of her sister, who, I must say, did nothing to save Channi from the abuse and insults.

Nevertheless, this book got a 4-stars from me because of the last three chapters. It was beautifully heartwrenching, and it really got me to appreaciate the character of Raikama more (Six Crimson Cranes). Overall, if you like Lim's previous works, you would like this one too.

Bottom-line: I still think that Channi is a very well-constructed character: she's strong, stubborn, and brave while still being humane/soft in certain moments; it's just her actions that sometimes exaperate me (her every decision is based around her sister, who I dislike).

In Italiano nei commenti 🇮🇹

🐍I was not born a monster. People forget that. 🐍

🐍Most of the times when you already know the ending the prequels are not necessary but there are times in which they just add depth to the story we already know. I had already met Channi in the Six Crimson Cranes dilogy and even though I knew she wouldn’t have an happy ending I still found myself rooting for her and Vanna and hoping for a different ending. The bond that unites the two sisters is so well described that you can feel the affection that binds the two sisters and how it manages to endure despite being constantly tested.
Moreover, the book managed to show me the compassionate , loyal and determined side of the girl who later becomes Raikama and thus make me understand the choices she will make in the future .

🐍As always Lim's world building is magical and evocative and perfectly interweaves Asian mythology with fantasy thus managing to create a gentle fairy tale full of adventures,friendships and family.

☀️In conclusion I loved Her Radiant Curse: it is a wonderfully tragic story that made my heart clench to see Channi lose what she has always loved and made me several times wish it could have had a different ending. I am therefore glad to had the opportunity to learn Channi's story and I can say that Her Radiant Curse is the author's book that i loved most.

Thanks to netgalley for the arc copy✨

Headlines:
The Snake Queen
Outcast
Connected to Six Crimson Cranes world

I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the Six Crimons Cranes world; it's an interconnected standalone that you could just read without the previous duology. That said, if you've read that duology, you get to know the life prior of an important character from those stories...and I loved that.

Lim has a way of incorporating the concept of 'beauty' or perceived 'ugliness' and being an outcast in her stories in a way that I really appreciated. Channari's beauty is lost at a young age and she is the sister to a legendary beauty. These contrasts, Channari's gracious love for her sister and her love returned is a core part of this story. Channari is an excellent morally grey character, pulling you in with her loyalty, love and dark side.

What makes this book rich and deep are the companions in the shape of a special snake and dragon prince. Honestly, those two characters were so good and their friendship with Channari were everything. The story took the reader on journeys geographically as well as figuratively and no journey in fantasy would be complete without a serious baddie...tiger-witch-demon.

This story swept me away, kept me glued and I was so glad to have that extra story in a world that I thought was complete. It was definitely the story I didn't know I needed. I'm left with feelings of longing for Hokzur (forever).

Thank you Hodderscape for the review copy.

Elizabeth's writing keeps getting better and better. I've read all of her book by now and I'm always surprised at her way of tellings stories. Channari and Vanna's story definitely left me with tears on my eyes and just like Channi I would also protect my siblings with my own life if necessary. Another favourite for sure!!

This book broke me. I thought that I would be okay. I knew how it ended from reading Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon's Promise. I was prepared. Or at least I thought I was. In reality it was so intensely tragic.

The thing I loved most about it was all the little nods to Six Crimson Cranes. The bowl that Vanna sleeps with over her breast to stop the light keeping her awake. Shiori's father coming to see Vanna and offering a crane sculpture. All of it made me so happy, because I loved Six Crimson Cranes so much.

I was really worried it wouldn't live up to my expectations, but it did. It may not have been as perfect as Six Crimson Cranes, but it stood out as a book in it's own right and had the beautiful writing style that I've come to expect from Elizabeth Lim. I loved Channi's character, so different from Shiori, but still someone you could really like and root for.

Honestly it was better than I ever could have hoped for a prequel.

"Never will I apologize for being the monster they made me."

her radiant curse is a prequel to the six crimson cranes duology. it could also be read as a standalone but i think you'll appreciate everything much more if you already know the character from the original story.

the beginning was a bit slow-paced but once it got going, the story became captivating and enthralling. it was adventurous and magical all the same. i'm so glad we got to explore the world a bit more as the story took place in different locations this time.

i just have to say i love the way elizabeth lim writes familial relationships. her portrayal of sibling relationships was already very touching in six crimson cranes, and i was just as moved here. the bond between the two sisters was very heartwarming. channi's driving force throughout the whole book is her love for vanna and her desire to protect her, so it was really easy to root for channi, but i wish we could've gotten to know vanna a bit more.

"Butterflies celebrate all love, Channi, because every love is precious. And mine for you, above all. That love is forever."

also, if you liked the friendship between shiori and kiki in six crimson cranes, i am sure you'll love channi and ukar, her serpent best friend, too :) the callbacks to the duology were beautiful and made me so happy!

"A promise is not a kiss in the wind, to be thrown about without care. It is a piece of yourself that is given away and will not return until your pledge is fulfilled."

highly recommend this book if you liked six crimson cranes! it's a wonderful addition to the story and gives insight into the fascinating character of shiori's stepmother while exploring more of this magical world that elizabeth lim has created.

thank you to netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars I absolutely loved this book. It was so beautiful and filled with magic in every page. I'm in awe of Elizabeth Lim's writing and I literally cannot wait to read more from her. Full review to come soon!

An amazing and incredible prequel to six crimson cranes.
We knew it would be good. But it was better than expected!
Has everything the other books has and more. Lim is one of those authors you crave to read.

Elizabeth Lim has honestly become an auto buy author for me because she has such a beautiful voice when she writes. I loved Six Crimson Cranes so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book and let me say that this book did not disappoint.

Her Radiant Curse follows the story of Channi, after her dying mother gives birth to her sister, Vanna, her father leaves her as a sacrifice to the demon witch in order to save his wife. However, after Channi is bitten by a snake, the demon witch curses her with the face of a serpent. But as her sister is due to turn 17, Channi must do anything she can to protect her sister from the suitors that her father is trying to seek her off too, as well as the demon witch who who stop at nothing to kill Vanna.

Sometimes a prequel can feel unnecessary, especially when you already know the ending but this more about the journey that Channi takes to become that person we know all too well in Six Crimson Cranes, And even though I knew how the book was going to end, I was still rooting for Channi and Vanna. Their family bond is so well written, you could feel the love between the two and how it persevered throughout their lives, You also become to appreciate more of Channi’s character so much more. You can understand why she became the character she did within Six Crimson Cranes.

The world building is absolutely top tier, one that Elizabeth Lim never fails at. It makes me more and more excited to finally get round to reading ‘The Blood of Stars’ duology. You can’t help but be drawn in from the start.

The only issue I had was trying to visualise what Hokzuh looked like based on his descriptions, But that can easily be fixed by looking at some fan art. I would absolutely recommend to anyone who loves

Thank you to NetGalley for proving me with a ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I received this book as an e-arc by NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton/ Hodderscape in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

« I was not born a monster. People forget that. »

Rating: 4⭐️
Genre: Teen & YA
Pages: 432
Series: Prequel to the Six Crimson Cranes duology

When I saw this book available, I was excited. I had planned to read the SCC duology this month and thought this would be perfect to read before!

Elizabeth Lim has a beautiful voice when she writes. She is known for her Asian mythology/fantasy and she does it again in this book. From the start, I was hooked. I loved how she writes and as I have not read SCC, I am so curious to see where the story goes from here!

The story is narrated by Channi who is cursed as a child to have the face of a snake by a demon witch. This is done because her father tries to sacrifice her instead of her sister. Her sister Vanna, is born with light in her chest and her dad decides not to sacrifice it but the witch is not happy. Channis bitten by the snake king in an attempt to help her since his poison protects hers from the demon witch. When Channi is cursed, the witch tells her she will come back on her sister's 17th birthday. She then spends the rest of her life preparing herself for that day. The sisters are incredibly close and the story starts right before Vannas 17th birthday as Channi continues to prepare for the day she will meet the demon witch again.

I was never bored while reading and I enjoyed the descriptive writing. Even though it is over 400 pages, I read it rather quickly. I was hooked right away and didn’t want to put the book down. I was even crying by the end of the book as I was so invested. I enjoyed it and think it would be one that everyone would enjoy!

I went back and forth between 4 and 5 stars for this book. I picked four stars so I can read the duology first. I still loved this book and highly recommend it to all!

« Only it was not my sister that he took into the jungle. It was me. »

5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an e-ARC copy. All thoughts are my own.

As I expected, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Captivatingly tragic, this prequel to Six Crimson Cranes tells the story of Channari, and all that it took for her to become Her Radiance as known in the main series. I grew quite fond of Raikama in SCC that I eagerly awaited this release, and it didn't let me down at all.

Even with the knowledge that things must go poorly for Channari in the end, I was hopeful for her and how hard she fought for her sister Vanna. I actually found myself not a huge fan of her sister - and her father is a real piece of work - but the way Channi would go to the ends of the earth to protect her was praiseworthy. She's easily relatable and admirable for how much she's had to endure and hasn't entirely turned against her family. I also like the comparison of her heart, and how much it hopes and wants compared to the likes of the other entities around her, especially Hokzuh.

Once again, along with family ties being stronger than love, I do like the friendship that is built between characters. That Channari has such kindness towards the captured demons and beasts, her budding connection with Hokzuh, and her long-standing alliance with the snakes and Ukar - it's all so heart-warming. This is a trait of the main series that I liked a lot, so I'm glad to see it return in this story. I also enjoyed the moral ambiguity of the characters, and how Hokzuh, Angma, and even Channi all have done things because they're desperate for what they hope and dream of. The villains of this story are just as tragic as Channi's journey, and I felt really sad for Hokzuh's ending in this.

The world-building is sumptuous and feels just as dangerous as Channari experiences it to be. I've read two series by this author, and have come to expect immersive settings, magical prose, and enchanting descriptions that place the reader in the world. I experienced this again with Her Radiant Curse and was very pleased with the rich depictions of the jungle and the places Channari travels to off her homeland.

Whilst the romance sub-plot remained as such throughout, I enjoyed it and appreciated the way it shaped Channari. It's beautifully tragic and I mourned Channi's loss of love, something she had wanted so much for herself. Knowing how she ended up in Kiata after is bittersweet, and yet, I'm grateful that she was given what she craved so much. The epilogue is poignant to the reader who is well-acquainted with how Shiori feels about her stepmother. I truly wish things could have been different for Channi in many ways. Yet I'm equally grateful Lim gave us insight into this character's backstory and all the easter eggs that are shared for readers of the main series were rewarding.

I really liked all the Asian mythology and how Channari evolves despite all the misfortunes that befall her.
The story is good, although the writing is a bit chaotic. I have the feeling that the descriptions of the characters contradict each other as well as the actions that are happening.
There are some very detailed descriptions and others very little that left me confused. I don't quite get this author's writing style, but over all was a okey book.