Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Sep 18

Having read the masterpiece that is Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim, I followed her closely on her Instagram to see what she had coming up next. Her newest book, Six Crimson Cranes, and the first in a new series, does not disappoint and definitely sets the bar high.

Following a strong character that Lim has obviously crafted with much care, Six Crimson Cranes follows Princess Shiori: a princess, the youngest out of her and her 6 brothers who does not want to marry and let go from the pleasures of royal life. Having been promised to a Prince from another kingdom, Shiori wants nothing to do with him. After a chance encounter with a dragon draws the unwanted attention of her stepmother., Shirori is cursed to not speak or else her brothers will die and her brothers being turned into cranes during the day to then turning back to humans after sunset. Shiori makes a surprising alliance with the one person she hates, finds out the truth about her stepmother and the truth about her blood.

This blend of The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Andersen and East Asian folklore makes for a stunning first book in a new series. Highly recommend for those that want a refreshing re-telling of The Wild Swans with hints of East Asian folklore featuring a strong main character who would do anything to break the curse on her and her brothers and protect her family.