Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim

13 reviews

bellebookcorner's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional sad 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

“All the riches and power in the world cannot buy someone who loves you truly. That’s the greatest treasure.”
 
If you love YA fantasy with Asian mythology vibes, a strong sister bond and a sprinkle of romance then I recommend picking up this book! 
 
I absolutely love following Channari’s story, her story got me hooked right from the beginning making it almost impossible to put down. Plus it comes with an dazzling world building and loveable characters. 
 
I love and admire Channari’s character. She may not be the ‘golden one’ but she definitely has a heart of gold. It was shown with how much she loves her sister and how far she’s willing to fight for her. 
 
My heart breaks reading how the people treated her because of her appearance, even her parents. Fortunately, she has the snakes as her family and best friends to get her through all the judgement and resentment she got. 
(special thanks to Ukar who always bicker with Channari and liven up the story!) 
 
“In spite of my snake face, my heart is human.”
 
Overall, this is a well written prequel. It was heart-warming and also heart-breaking at the same time, I got teared up near the ending. 
I highly recommend reading this one and I’m really looking forward to read what the author’s has in store next! 
 
Her Radiant Curse is a standalone and a prequel to Six Crimson Cranes duology. 
In my opinion, you can read it just fine without reading Six Crimson Cranes first. But if you’ve read it, this book is a story of Raikama – Shiori’s stepmother. 
 
“Find the light that makes your lantern shine. Hold on to it, even when the dark surrounds you. Not even the strongest wind will blow out the flame.”
 
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

chaptersofmads's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

 “Never will I apologize for being the monster they made me.”

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

TW: blood, body horror, bullying, death, death of a loved one, pregnancy, self-harm (it's not for the intent of self-punishment, but it is quite detailed and a large part of the story), slavery, torture, violence.

First things first: Elizabeth Lim supremacy. I've said it a thousand times and I'll continue to say it. No one does it like her.

This might actually be my favorite book she's ever written, which is insane to me because the Blood of Stars has been my favorite duology since I read it. But this book was just on another level. It was everything I wanted and more.

Her Radiant Curse was everything a prequel should be. It was a fantastic, heart-breaking story in its own right but with the context of Six Crimson Cranes? Devastatingly glorious. Not only did I not want to put this book down, it made me want to immediately reread SCC. Every reference was so well-done and never made me feel like they had been included solely for the purpose of being a reference, if that makes sense.

This book is perfect for anyone that loves whimsically dark stories with a thread of mythology that runs throughout, a story that - at its heart - is ultimately about the power of familial love and the strength that it can give us, whether by blood or not. It's the kind of story that transports you, that leaves you disoriented when you're pulled out because you were that engrossed.

I don't rave about books often, but this deserved it.

I am a mess of a emotions that is heartbroken this is over and still so shocked and grateful that I received an arc for it. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year. No contest. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

shainalite's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.5

This is the first book from Elisabeth Lim I read. Six Crimson Cranes is still in my TBR, however I can easily follow the story and world building in Her Radiant Curse. I love the different vibes between the childhood and the current days told from the main character's POV. It showed her improvement and growth so well. I don't really love the adventure part of this book since it goes back and forth among places, even though I really love seeing how different kingdoms/lands are told. The friendship between main character and the snakes is my favorite even though the sisters' relationship seemed not as cool as them, for me. Everyone who loves Six Crimson Cranes, YA fantasy adventure with a little bit romance in it, dragons, curse, and durian trees need to read Her Radiant Curse! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...