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goldenelegy's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
when the author said this book reads like a historical k-drama, well i guess she was right! this book tells about iseul, a girl in a mission to seek her sister, set in the joseon era around the ruling of king yeongsan. this book describes his cruelty and it was based on the history. it looks like it takes a lot of research just for this book.
the romance in this book was what got me the most. the MC went from trying-to-kill-each-other enemies to i'll-protect-you-even-if-it-costs-my-life lovers, making it interesting, honestly. but aside the romance, this book has such a heartwarming portrayal of sisterhood and friendship. it also deals with grief, how grief could make you so afraid to love anyone ever again. These quotes below was the ones that shattered my heart the most.
the romance in this book was what got me the most. the MC went from trying-to-kill-each-other enemies to i'll-protect-you-even-if-it-costs-my-life lovers, making it interesting, honestly. but aside the romance, this book has such a heartwarming portrayal of sisterhood and friendship. it also deals with grief, how grief could make you so afraid to love anyone ever again. These quotes below was the ones that shattered my heart the most.
I did love my sister. The same way I had loved my parents, the same love that had left me bedridden with grief and depression, the love that left me haunted and sleepless many nights still.
More than ever, now, I was afraid of this love for her, afraid of the intolerable agony that came with loving anyone at all.
my only complain probably is that the plot twist wasn't that shocking. but it wasn't that much of a problem. overall, i enjoyed this book, SO MUCH actually i couldn't stop myself reading it especially near the end. so if you're looking for a romance-historical fiction with enemies-to-lovers and found family trope, try this book!!
p.s. prepare yourself for chapter 42 :)))
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Suicide
gracekuehn's review
adventurous
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Incest, Rape, and Kidnapping
a1exander's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, and Pregnancy
wholelatteproblems'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Wonderful storytelling and romance. The event that the plot had built up to felt too rushed for my liking. But, overall I'm really glad I read this book! Great historical fiction piece that doesn't focus on European/Western areas and cultures. Well-researched and well-written!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and War
This book is not overly graphic, but does allude tothechaoshour's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
laniii_'s review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Rape
Minor: Murder
abbehmelinda's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
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
4.5
THE HYPE AROUND CHAPTER 42 IS REAL Y’ALL.
This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I fell in love with The Red Palace by this author when I first read it last year. The subjects and events that this novel covers are hard to read due to how grim they are and because the events in the novel are based on true events, but they are SO IMPORTANT to read and learn about.
The characters were so lovable, the plot was intriguing, and the transformation of the FMC was inspiring. I’ll have to definitely re-read this book bc it was hard to keep track of all the characters and everything going on, but I can’t wait.
This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I fell in love with The Red Palace by this author when I first read it last year. The subjects and events that this novel covers are hard to read due to how grim they are and because the events in the novel are based on true events, but they are SO IMPORTANT to read and learn about.
The characters were so lovable, the plot was intriguing, and the transformation of the FMC was inspiring. I’ll have to definitely re-read this book bc it was hard to keep track of all the characters and everything going on, but I can’t wait.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
iixxii's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A crane among wolves gives us a historical retelling of a Korean tyrant and how heroes sometimes aren’t truly heroes. The book doesn’t shy away from the atrocities and horrors of human actions while still not being explicit (so quite appropriate for a YA read).
The romance was also quite sweet with subtle but important character developments in both the FMC and ML. However, this book is more of a retelling of history rather than a romance fiction. So don’t expect any focus on romance at all and you’ll enjoy a pleasant read
The romance was also quite sweet with subtle but important character developments in both the FMC and ML. However, this book is more of a retelling of history rather than a romance fiction. So don’t expect any focus on romance at all and you’ll enjoy a pleasant read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Minor: Incest, Sexism, and Suicide
kailanlovescats's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Don't get me wrong, this was a good book. But I think I wasn't prepared for how heavy the book would be, despite the content warnings at the beginning. Actually, once I heard the content warnings I did get a minor sense of foreboding.... knowing some of the things in the book are historically accurate also made it feel heavier, as it was easier to put myself in their shoes! So if you struggle with what's mentioned in the warnings, proceed with caution!
ultimately there is a happy ending! You just may cry rivers to get there. Just ignore ch 42
The story is equal parts detective mystery, historical romance, and rescue mission; and has beautiful writing. It was a bit slow at times.
I do wish some words were written in korean vs English as it would've helped with the immersion. Example, having Iseul refer to her sister as Eonni instead of older sister.
The story is equal parts detective mystery, historical romance, and rescue mission; and has beautiful writing. It was a bit slow at times.
I do wish some words were written in korean vs English as it would've helped with the immersion. Example, having Iseul refer to her sister as Eonni instead of older sister.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual violence, and Blood
Minor: Suicide
nataliebootlah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A historical, Korean whodunit, complete with a mysterious serial killer, a brimming coup, and some romance of course.
Iseul will do anything to stop the ruthless King Yeonsan, who has kidnapped thousands of women for his own pleasure, including Iseul’s sister. On her journey through the forbidden territory into the capital, Iseul crosses paths with Prince Daehyun, the bastard little brother of the tyrant king, who numbingly despises his brother. Together, will they be successful in overthrowing the crown?
Hur masterfully wove fiction into the true historical events of the dark, 1500s Joseon era. Slow burn romance, questionable characters at every turn, a serial killer on the loose, the fatherly-figure found in an investigator, a cold and calculated prince. I loved how the author explains what really happened in the author’s note, but I loved the storytelling even more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault