Six Crimson Cranes - Book Review

Six Crimson Cranes (Six Crimson Cranes #1)

by Elizabeth Lim 

What is it about:

Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. 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.

Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and, on her journey, uncovers a conspiracy to overtake the throne—a conspiracy more twisted and deceitful, more cunning and complex, than even Raikama's betrayal. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to contain—no matter what it costs her. 

What did I think of it:

I will confess I had trouble getting into this book, and when a character was introduced I really didn't care for I was close to throwing the book aside. But as the character in question said he was going away for a while, I decided to stick with the story a bit longer.

And it did turn out to be an enjoyable read.

I wasn't a fan of the writing style, but the story was interesting enough to overlook that. It is a re-imagining of the fairytale The Six Swans, and Lim did a good job giving it a unique spin. 

There was one storyline (with the character I didn't like) that felt like it didn't belong, but it looks like it was put in there for the sequel where that particular character will probably have a bigger role. I'm not sure if I'll read it I'll confess.

There was also another pet peeve of mine in this story I didn't much care for, but apart from those two things I had a good time with this book. I will most probably not reread it, but I might try something else by Lim if I run into it.

Why should you read it:

It's an enjoyable Fairytale re-imagining

buy from amazon