Reviews tagging 'Blood'

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

31 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

kaneebli's review

dark informative mysterious 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

hevlav's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

This was a beautiful example of historical fiction that honors the truth of the time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Blood

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

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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

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. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder

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.

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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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and War

Minor: Rape and Sexual assault

fullnessofjoy's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious 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

5.0

June Hur strikes again! If I can put into words how much I enjoyed this novel, it would be to describe it as a historical time-travel pill into the intrigue and danger and darkness but also the light and love and romance of a 16th century historical Korean tale. It is a heady, dizzying, wonderful feeling. Hur pitches this novel as a bit of a historical Kdrama - and if you know anything about me - that is one of my favourite genres ever! :) This novel combines beautifully the romance and drama and danger and action and loveable, emotional character moments, the soft lingering romance and exciting scenes - with the depth of historical knowledge, perspective and insight to a very difficult, painful period of Korean history. As a history lover, Hur’s attention to historical perspective and knowledge was truly admirable and made me so much more engaged with this story, knowing that these events and even some characters are drawn from real life. But Hur never trumps historical fact over character depth and the beauty of a well-told story. There were so many swoon-worthy, heart-pounding moments in this scene, I was HOOKED!

Can we also talk about the romance between those two loveable characters? Aww, I loved them so much - they were flawed, real and wonderful and I was rooting for them very much. There are some wonderful side characters too ahhh! My review is all over the place, but I just loved this novel SO SO MUCH and will encourage you to read it ASAP.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and War

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