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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
The Red Palace is another Joseon-era mystery from June Hur. If this was the first book I've read from her, I would've been really impressed with how she weaves historical aspects into her mysteries and with her plucky heroines who are intelligent and resourceful. However, because this is the third book I've read, I'm starting to realise that Hur has a bit of a formula when it comes to her mysteries: the aforementioned heroine, an older more seasoned partner (who sometimes ends up as the love interest) and court intrigue.
With The Red Palace, I actually found that the historical inspiration behind the novel - Crown Prince Jangheon (also known as Crown Prince Sado) - to be fascinating, much like the author, as she mentions him in her author's note. This prince plays a central role in the mystery:
Hyeon is the unrecognised illegitimate daughter of a nobleman, who hopes to earn her father's acknowledgement by applying herself to her studies and becoming a palace nurse. However, entering the palace brings about dangers of its own - especially one night when she is asked to attend to the prince and to attest to his presence in his own palace. On the same night, the bodies of four women are found and a police investigation commences into their gruesome deaths. The chief suspect is Hyeon's mentor and Hyeon is determined to prove her innocence.
Hyeon's only ally is Eojin, a young police inspector whom she has little choice but to trust. However, rumors begin to circulate that the crown prince could be involved in the massacre and Hyeon's own position could be threatened if she were to continue to investigate.
The Red Palace can be a gruesome book to read, especially in terms of the scenes of violence against women and with its historical inspiration, where vicious acts of abuse were said to have been committed by the prince. The central mystery was extremely compelling as Eojin and Heyon work together to gather clues about the murderer's identity and motive This was nearly a four star read for me, except for Hur's somewhat formulaic approach in terms of how she assembles her cast of characters.
The Red Palace is another Joseon-era mystery from June Hur. If this was the first book I've read from her, I would've been really impressed with how she weaves historical aspects into her mysteries and with her plucky heroines who are intelligent and resourceful. However, because this is the third book I've read, I'm starting to realise that Hur has a bit of a formula when it comes to her mysteries: the aforementioned heroine, an older more seasoned partner (who sometimes ends up as the love interest) and court intrigue.
With The Red Palace, I actually found that the historical inspiration behind the novel - Crown Prince Jangheon (also known as Crown Prince Sado) - to be fascinating, much like the author, as she mentions him in her author's note. This prince plays a central role in the mystery:
The time will come soon, I'd overheard a palace nurse say once, when the Crown Prince will be put to death, either by the hands of the Old Doctrine faction or his own father. Whispers that had immediately clamped into silence at the sight of Jieun and me, for we were new to the palace.
Hyeon is the unrecognised illegitimate daughter of a nobleman, who hopes to earn her father's acknowledgement by applying herself to her studies and becoming a palace nurse. However, entering the palace brings about dangers of its own - especially one night when she is asked to attend to the prince and to attest to his presence in his own palace. On the same night, the bodies of four women are found and a police investigation commences into their gruesome deaths. The chief suspect is Hyeon's mentor and Hyeon is determined to prove her innocence.
Hyeon's only ally is Eojin, a young police inspector whom she has little choice but to trust. However, rumors begin to circulate that the crown prince could be involved in the massacre and Hyeon's own position could be threatened if she were to continue to investigate.
The Red Palace can be a gruesome book to read, especially in terms of the scenes of violence against women and with its historical inspiration, where vicious acts of abuse were said to have been committed by the prince. The central mystery was extremely compelling as Eojin and Heyon work together to gather clues about the murderer's identity and motive
Spoiler
Despite all signs pointing to the prince, the ladies were murdered because of Nurse Inyeong's revenge - where her own mother had been cruelly slayed and with her body hidden due to the prince.
4 stars ⭐️—I so wanted to love this book. But I didn’t.
The Red Palace had everything I love to read—historical fiction, the Joseon dynasty, a gripping mystery. Yet, somewhere between the pages, I realized: maybe I’ve outgrown young adult mysteries. Or was it just this one that didn’t meet my expectations?
The concept seemed like perfection. The execution? Unfortunately, too YA for my taste. The drama, the tone—it screamed teenage sleuth in a hanbok rather than the layered, subtle intrigue I craved.
Still, I’ll be kind: 4 stars. Because the bones of this story are everything I’d ever want. Just not, perhaps, for the me of now.
(But oh, how I wished it were.)
The Red Palace had everything I love to read—historical fiction, the Joseon dynasty, a gripping mystery. Yet, somewhere between the pages, I realized: maybe I’ve outgrown young adult mysteries. Or was it just this one that didn’t meet my expectations?
The concept seemed like perfection. The execution? Unfortunately, too YA for my taste. The drama, the tone—it screamed teenage sleuth in a hanbok rather than the layered, subtle intrigue I craved.
Still, I’ll be kind: 4 stars. Because the bones of this story are everything I’d ever want. Just not, perhaps, for the me of now.
(But oh, how I wished it were.)
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Literally the perfect book, chefs kiss, 10/10
Hur has crafted a book that takes you back in history into the Joseon era, it made me feel like I was watching a kdrama! She brilliantly set the scene and brought us a complex main character with dreams, motivations, twisted family ties, and lots of loyalty and drive.
The mystery really kept me on my toes and I adored the high stakes of the investigation and the cute inspector who was her partner.
The slow burn romance was so gradual and well done and you could see the trust building over time!
The secrets and scandal of the royal family was truly a sight to behold.
Run, don't walk, to your library or book store or wherever and get this book already! You won't regret it
Hur has crafted a book that takes you back in history into the Joseon era, it made me feel like I was watching a kdrama! She brilliantly set the scene and brought us a complex main character with dreams, motivations, twisted family ties, and lots of loyalty and drive.
The mystery really kept me on my toes and I adored the high stakes of the investigation and the cute inspector who was her partner.
The slow burn romance was so gradual and well done and you could see the trust building over time!
The secrets and scandal of the royal family was truly a sight to behold.
Run, don't walk, to your library or book store or wherever and get this book already! You won't regret it
I wish I could give this book a 4.5 because the main leads and their relationship are great as was the story!
The only reason it’s not a 5 is that while I love the way the second to last chapter ends, there is never the less an abruptness to choosing to tell the last chapter as an epilogue. I think it does ultimately work for the drama of the scene, but fits into an overall abrupt pacing found throughout the book.
I know from my limited experience with “palace dramas” from Korean dramas, that there will always be subplots and sideplots that happen concurrently with the main plot that may or may not all tie in together, but I wish in certain instances we got a little more elaboration.
Nevertheless I never felt we didn’t have enough - I just wanted more, but what was included kept the story afloat (just curious for more! Like the character Madame Mun who comes and goes but has significant ties not just to the palace but our main heroine herself).
I do also want to point out the Author’s note as a key thing to read (it can be easy to close the book at the end of the main story) because it made me realize this was not just a historical fiction book in terms of the time period, but actually featured real life Korean royalty and that added in retrospective a deeper appreciation for that character, and understanding why he was not as fleshed out as I imagined he should have been.
The only reason it’s not a 5 is that while I love the way the second to last chapter ends, there is never the less an abruptness to choosing to tell the last chapter as an epilogue. I think it does ultimately work for the drama of the scene, but fits into an overall abrupt pacing found throughout the book.
I know from my limited experience with “palace dramas” from Korean dramas, that there will always be subplots and sideplots that happen concurrently with the main plot that may or may not all tie in together, but I wish in certain instances we got a little more elaboration.
Nevertheless I never felt we didn’t have enough - I just wanted more, but what was included kept the story afloat (just curious for more! Like the character Madame Mun who comes and goes but has significant ties not just to the palace but our main heroine herself).
I do also want to point out the Author’s note as a key thing to read (it can be easy to close the book at the end of the main story) because it made me realize this was not just a historical fiction book in terms of the time period, but actually featured real life Korean royalty and that added in retrospective a deeper appreciation for that character, and understanding why he was not as fleshed out as I imagined he should have been.