Reviews tagging 'Classism'

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

8 reviews

bookscatcoffee's review

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book was way more than I anticipated in the best way possible.  I had to google so much, but I learned a great deal.  Through all of that, the author kept the plot moving at a brisk pace.  I loved the main characters!  And the writing is really good.  “You will not always be the wisest, nor the strongest, nor the bravest. That is why we need friends. They will guide you down the right path, no matter how dark it grows.“. Definitely good messages for our times as well.    “When one is able to differentiate good from evil, it is impossible to accept the way things are.”  Definitely worth reading!  5 stars 

Historical fiction set in Korea featuring Korean characters 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Physical abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Rape

mysterymom40's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, and Murder

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Pedophilia, Self harm, and Pregnancy

spellbindingtomes's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism

cepbreed's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

"History moves its course...But it is the youth who point the current in its direction."

She's done it again! Another irresistible Korean historical romance/mystery fusion by June Hur! I totally fell in love with Daehyun over and over again. There is something so compelling about an exiled prince that I think all girls agree with. From the start the tension between him and Iseul was DELICIOUS. Somehow June Hur could stick to her guns (mystery-solving-slow-burn-couple-with-headstrong-female-lead-and-concerned-but-strong-male-lead) without losing any impact. It's very obvious the tropes are recycled but that isn't to say they're boring. Hur is loyal to what she knows and we love her for it. The formula just works and boy does it work well. The devastation felt once I reached chapter 42 was stronger than my ability to brace for tragedy. All over her social media, Hur has made it known that something happens in chapter 42 but I just wasn't prepared. The entire novel was a lot darker than I expected. I really appreciate the time Hur spent researching this period of Korean history because it really shows. To know so much of the plot was rooted in the actions of real men hurts my heart. I can only hope all those girls found peace in whatever afterlife there may be. 

As much as I love Hur's novels I found myself dealing with the same gripes I had during The Red Palace. Something about her writing can come off as clumsy. I think Hur wants to extend out of her comfort zone but the figurative language often feels out of place because it isn't cushioned by prose of particular note. When the writing is mostly on the level you expect a YA mystery/romance to be on it is glaringly obvious when some overly flowery metaphor is suddenly shoved in the mix. I also love a dual POV but the fact that Hur wrote Iseul exclusively in the first person and then would switch to Daehyun exclusively in the third person gave me whiplash. It was so disconnected. Plus I am a proud lover of the 3rd person POV so if Hur had made that choice consistently I would've been grateful. Daehyun's chapters deserved to be longer!

The cover art is gorgeous and reminds me of La Belle Dame Sans Merci by Francis Dicksee.

Songs: 

• 바라만 본다 - 정세운
• Would've, Could've, Should've - Taylor Swift 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Rape

jartone93's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

lemonwrlds's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation

praxagorathesmophoria's review

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A story of love, both romantic and familial, against a dark and dangerous period in Korean history. The relationship between Iseul and her sister, Iseul and her friend Yul, Iseul and old retired investigator Wonsik, and the romantic relationship between Iseul and Daehyun, are all rich, vivid and create a beautiful story that asks in the face of Evil, what ate you willing to do for those you love.
As the author says, this reads like a period KDrama, and I would love to see it get adapted 1 day, but the visuals the writing created are perfect in themselves.  
Also highly recommended reading along to the author's curated mood playlist on Spotify. Creates the perfect reading environment. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Sexism and Sexual harassment

Minor: Incest, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Torture

This book deals with the historical atrocities committed by a particular king during Korean history. Please read the content warnings in the front of the book. But understand that these are all dealt with inappropriate and well-thought-out and well treated ways..

justinekorson's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

I throughly enjoyed all the characters in this book and the plot (minus the TW aspects of it). Iseul was funny and fiercely confident in an almost foolish way. I loved how she threw herself into things with barely a thought (as I feel I do the same at times). I also loved how she gave the people she didn't like nicknames instead of trying to learn their actual names. I thought that was really funny of her. I also enjoyed Prince Daehyun. He was charismatic and clever when he needed to be. The plot twist at the end really got me there. I was so stressed about the outcome of the story. Wonsik and Yuel were great characters too. 

I'm really glad I ended up buying a special edition version of this book! It's going to look so pretty and I'm excited to add it to my collection.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism