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amyteurhour's review
3.75
Content warning: murder, kidnapping, rape, torture, blood, violence, death of a parent, death of a child, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexism, sexual violence, imprisonment, pregnancy, miscarriage, suicide, suicidal thoughts
There's a content warning list at the beginning of the book provided by the author which I appreciated. This is really dark. Maybe it's because I recently read Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, but I found myself getting similar vibes from the two. Things start out kind of slow, and I found Iseul to be a bit frustrating at first (but I think that was kind of Hur's point).
If you're going to check this out, I'd recommend listening to the audiobook narrated by Greg Chun and Michelle H. Lee; I enjoyed their performances and listening helped me visualize what was happening. If you've watched historical k-dramas and are a fan of the political intrigue-y shows, then I think you would enjoy this book.
There's a content warning list at the beginning of the book provided by the author which I appreciated. This is really dark. Maybe it's because I recently read Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, but I found myself getting similar vibes from the two. Things start out kind of slow, and I found Iseul to be a bit frustrating at first (but I think that was kind of Hur's point).
If you're going to check this out, I'd recommend listening to the audiobook narrated by Greg Chun and Michelle H. Lee; I enjoyed their performances and listening helped me visualize what was happening. If you've watched historical k-dramas and are a fan of the political intrigue-y shows, then I think you would enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
whomever_0's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Hur is great at creating an intriguing mystery set in historical setting that I often know little about. Despite the the summary, the novel wasn't as coup focused as I thought it was going to be, but I still enjoyed the plot. I have read other books by Hur and she very formulaic and recycle the same tropes, but I like the formula ~ so if you are interested in reading be aware.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Suicide
hauntedchaossandwich's review
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexism
Minor: Incest, Rape, and Suicide
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
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
phoenixfire88's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Rape, Suicide, Violence, and Death of parent
vani_vee's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Kidnapping, and Grief
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
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
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..