Scan barcode
jiffygiraffe's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Rape
ciarazard's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I recently read this book in just 4-5 hours, losing sleep in the process. Despite my eagerness, however, I have a couple of qualms that prevented it from becoming the 4⭐ I initially predicted.
The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to care for them. I expected more from Iseul, our heroine who supposedly had a bad and spoiled personality growing up. Her character development felt forced and unsatisfactory, leaving me unconvinced that she was able to redeem herself. What did Daehyun, the prince, see in her? I certainly couldn't see anything.
Suyeon, the kidnapped sister, also felt like a bland character. I wished the book had expounded more on their life before their parents died, showing Suyeon as the perfect daughter suffocating under societal expectations of women during the Joseon era. Confucianism placed men at the head of the family and society, relegating women to subordinate roles. Women were expected to follow their fathers, husbands, and sons without question, had no access to formal education or scholarly pursuits, and had very little say in choosing partners. I wanted the book to delve into these aspects more. I wanted Iseul to genuinely care about these issues, but it felt like she only started caring when it affected her personally.
The latter part of the book, especially the buildup to the coup, was underwhelming. King Yeongsan, based on one of the worst tyrants in Korean history, started off scary and vicious. However, he was barely there halfway through the book, no lines, no viciousness left to him, leaving him practically useless. And the mystery part with the killer? The reveal was anti-climactic. What were all the murders with flowers for? The vengeance motive felt half-assed.
The author relied heavily on telling rather than showing, which was frustrating given the rich historical backdrop. I couldn't help but want MORE from this story. It had so much potential, and that frustrated me SO MUCH.
The author relied heavily on telling rather than showing, which was frustrating given the rich historical backdrop. I couldn't help but want MORE from this story. It had so much potential, and that frustrated me SO MUCH.
That being said, A Crane Among Wolves is still a decent read. The fact that I couldn't put it down speaks volumes about its initial promise and the compelling idea at its core.
However, the execution fell short, and what started as an engaging read sadly fizzled out by the end.
However, the execution fell short, and what started as an engaging read sadly fizzled out by the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Physical abuse, and Rape
jayisreading's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Admittedly, the main reason I decided to pick this novel up was because I was so drawn into the cover, which might be one of my favorites this year. However, the reason I really stuck around was because I appreciated that Hur gave attention to a rather dark period of Korean history that isn’t considered as often as, say, the twentieth century. Perhaps because it is a YA novel, Hur doesn’t get into the specific details of the atrocities committed by King Yeonsan, though she doesn’t shy away from frequently mentioning that they happened. It would be difficult not to mention them, considering that it’s his tyrannical reign that served as one of the reasons as to why the plot progressed the way it did—
Regarding plot, the novel was part-political intrigue, part-murder mystery, and part-romance. This is all to say that Hur had all the ingredients to craft the novel version of a historical K-drama, aha. Even some of the dialogue between characters read a bit too much like lines from a K-drama, but I still found myself engrossed. While I did feel that the mystery portion of the novel wasn’t the strongest, I think it synthesized well enough with everything else that it didn’t leave me frustrated. One other small critique I have is that I found the rapid development of the romance a bit unrealistic, but that’s also the cynic in me speaking. Who knows, maybe there are people who fall in love in a similar fashion as Iseul and Prince Daehyun. And, regarding characters, Iseul isn’t a particularly likable protagonist, especially at the start (in a way, she’s something of an anti-heroine), but I thought it worked well for the novel Hur wanted to craft. I could see how Iseul would drive some readers away though.
Overall, I thought the novel was a solid mix of being plot- and character-driven. Hur writes in an engaging way that will keep you reading, especially when the stakes are raised, and you see how the relationship between the two protagonists develop. I’ll have to check her other works out, especially knowing that she has written other works focusing on Korean history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Misogyny
Minor: Incest, Rape, and Suicide
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
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
kylosten's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
5.0
Written very cinematically where it gives just enough detail to make it easy to imagine what is happening but not so much it feels overly done.
The FMC irritated me a bit before she grew as a person (she was a self centered teenager) but I think that was part of the point of her character development and was a part of what motivated her for the story.
I don't know a lot about the history this is based on but from the author's notes it seems well researched and dealt with some harder topics tactfully.
The story was engaging and had me hooked almost right away.
This is one of my favorite reads so far in 2024.
The audiobook is really well done, too!
I have one nitpick about the end but it wasn't enough to diminish my enjoyment of the book.
The FMC irritated me a bit before she grew as a person (she was a self centered teenager) but I think that was part of the point of her character development and was a part of what motivated her for the story.
I don't know a lot about the history this is based on but from the author's notes it seems well researched and dealt with some harder topics tactfully.
The story was engaging and had me hooked almost right away.
This is one of my favorite reads so far in 2024.
The audiobook is really well done, too!
I have one nitpick about the end but it wasn't enough to diminish my enjoyment of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Rape and Suicide
lizzie_reads2much's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder
Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping
moonlitreading_'s review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Hopefully in the next lifetime, we will meet again,” he said, glancing down at me. “And in kinder circumstances.”
I gazed up and offered him a small smile. “I hope so, too.”
A Crane Among Wolves is set during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty under the worst tyrant in Korean history, King Yeosan. The story follows Iseul as she goes after her sister when the king took her to be one of his consorts. The story also follows the king’s half-brother, Daehyun, who wants nothing more than to dethrone the king. By some twist of fate, their paths cross and their mutual hate for the king might change their lives forever.
This was my first June Hur book and I finished it within a day. I couldn’t put it down because of how invested I was in the story. King Yoseon’s acts were so sickening and the fact that they did happen in real life makes it even worse. I hope his soul suffers for all eternity.
Iseul and Daehyun were really good characters, imo. This book was told from both their POVs and it’s interesting that Iseul’s was in first person and Daehyun’s was in third. I loved seeing how their characters really grew throughout the story. Iseul went from being the pampered little sister to someone willing to sacrifice herself for others. Daehyun went from being emotionally detached to someone who acknowledged his feelings, good and bad.
Content warnings were provided by the author at the beginning of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
avocaho's review
dark
emotional
5.0
This book hurt me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and War
eatsleepreadcat's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Incest, Misogyny, Rape, Suicide, and Murder
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.
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.
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..