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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
N/A
i fear i must read ‘memoirs of lady hyegyong’ now because… woah.
I really enjoyed this book. This is especially great for people who know their Korean history, because at times I was wondering if people who are not Korean history nerds would understand everything, because often times words or phrases are not explained... But maybe I am overthinking this :D
The Red Palace is a great murder mystery set in a world you don't get to explore too often - Korea's Joseon Dynasty. The research for this book was really well done. Korean history is something I do basically as a job and I had no real problems with anything in this book ^^ Quite the opposite actually. Sometimes I felt like I should take notes. I also really loved the author's note at the end where she went a little bit into the actual factual history she uses for her story.
I know this book is marked as a K-Drama in book form. I don't know if I would agree. It is too short for that ;). Which is by no means a complaint. The pacing is really well done and the characters are nicely fleshed out. Even side-characters feel like they have depth and the story overall feels like the characters are living an actual life and this book is just telling an episode within that life.
I also really enjoyed how the love story was subtly interwoven with the murder plot and never took over. It was perfectly balanced with a satisfying end for both. And I love me some good old: this is just one book with one story and when you're done, you're done.
Overall I can only say that I am very eager to get more of Hur's books into my hands and that I will definitely re-read this one.
The Red Palace is a great murder mystery set in a world you don't get to explore too often - Korea's Joseon Dynasty. The research for this book was really well done. Korean history is something I do basically as a job and I had no real problems with anything in this book ^^ Quite the opposite actually. Sometimes I felt like I should take notes. I also really loved the author's note at the end where she went a little bit into the actual factual history she uses for her story.
I know this book is marked as a K-Drama in book form. I don't know if I would agree. It is too short for that ;). Which is by no means a complaint. The pacing is really well done and the characters are nicely fleshed out. Even side-characters feel like they have depth and the story overall feels like the characters are living an actual life and this book is just telling an episode within that life.
I also really enjoyed how the love story was subtly interwoven with the murder plot and never took over. It was perfectly balanced with a satisfying end for both. And I love me some good old: this is just one book with one story and when you're done, you're done.
Overall I can only say that I am very eager to get more of Hur's books into my hands and that I will definitely re-read this one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
june hur is such an expert in this genre oh god. the atmosphere is depicted thoroughly it fitted the different scenes esp about the murder investigation. i seriously gasped and felt chill reading this. june hur also captured the historical korea beautifully and i admired how she actually added an author's note at the end of the book. it's always been intriguing to read something set in past korea esp when the kingdoms reigned.
the red palace took place in 1758 korea, when a murder in a hyeminseo happened. the murder killed four women. our main character, hyeon, found herself joining the secret investigation of this murder with a famous young police inspector, eojin. the characters (esp the murder suspects) are all entangled with each other that i needed to pay attention and take imaginary notes in my brain so i wouldn't miss even a thing. it is a perfectly constructed murder mystery since there were so many things to solve.
i also liked how the romance extended in an unhurried way, emphasizing that the main characters' love story is only a subplot. although the ending was delivered in a common way, i quite enjoyed how things unraveled in the end. the red palace is certainly a well-made mystery story and as i expected, june hur never disappoints <3
the red palace took place in 1758 korea, when a murder in a hyeminseo happened. the murder killed four women. our main character, hyeon, found herself joining the secret investigation of this murder with a famous young police inspector, eojin. the characters (esp the murder suspects) are all entangled with each other that i needed to pay attention and take imaginary notes in my brain so i wouldn't miss even a thing. it is a perfectly constructed murder mystery since there were so many things to solve.
i also liked how the romance extended in an unhurried way, emphasizing that the main characters' love story is only a subplot. although the ending was delivered in a common way, i quite enjoyed how things unraveled in the end. the red palace is certainly a well-made mystery story and as i expected, june hur never disappoints <3
adventurous
mysterious
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
mysterious
fast-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
Really interesting story and well writing, till the end you don’t know who did it. This book is ideal for k drama
I will say that what called to me about this book was that it was set in Josean times. I am a sucker for a good historical k-drama and figured this book would be a good fit. What I had not expected was the suspense felt from the start of this book.
It started and never stopped going until the end. The story keeps you intrigued until you find the truths hidden in its pages.
I loved that it was part murder mystery and a slow burn. I never knew I needed a slow burn love story such as this one. I didn't even care half the time if there would be a love story. The main plot about the finding of the murdered took center stage that when there were scenes of tenderness, it helped ease the tension, and in my opinion, made it that much sweeter.
Hyeon is a strong character, where she isn't perfect. There are multiple times that she reminds herself of past lessons to work through things. Her want for recognition from her father was felt. I felt for her and her situation. They were hard times for women in Joseon Korea, and the way she came to be born was only another luggage she seemed to carry. Her single view of things was not irritating because when she was given the opportunity to see more, she listened and accepted. I like that overall, she grew to love herself for what she is and does not need anyone's approval. She was head strong, but unlike a lot of stories with these kinds of characters, Hyeon had the skills to back up her head strong nature.
Eojin is just ... can korean television and books, please stop making such green flag men that I know are hard to find in real life? Thank you, please. Anyway, Seo Eojin, a worthy man to be called a main lead, and boy, do you just want to give him a big hug. Seeming cold at first but the farthest thing from it. I can picture him as that perfect male lead in a k-drama that seems cold and unapproachable but only because he is a respectable man who has his reasons as to why he is the righteous man he is and I applaud him for it.
Overall, I was surprised to learn that this book is partly historical fiction. I felt for the crown prince, seeing the circumstances he was placed in and how he lived. But it does not forgive the historical facts that follow who he was as a person. Makes me more curious to know who Crown Prince Sado was, and I may pick up the memoirs of his wife to read in the future.
It was an enjoyable read that had me hooked to the end, and although I was slightly surprised at the revelation, I wasn't as much because I recalled the past hints and clues that popped up. Great story. I'll be checking out June Hur's other writings soon.
It started and never stopped going until the end. The story keeps you intrigued until you find the truths hidden in its pages.
I loved that it was part murder mystery and a slow burn. I never knew I needed a slow burn love story such as this one. I didn't even care half the time if there would be a love story. The main plot about the finding of the murdered took center stage that when there were scenes of tenderness, it helped ease the tension, and in my opinion, made it that much sweeter.
Hyeon is a strong character, where she isn't perfect. There are multiple times that she reminds herself of past lessons to work through things. Her want for recognition from her father was felt. I felt for her and her situation. They were hard times for women in Joseon Korea, and the way she came to be born was only another luggage she seemed to carry. Her single view of things was not irritating because when she was given the opportunity to see more, she listened and accepted. I like that overall, she grew to love herself for what she is and does not need anyone's approval. She was head strong, but unlike a lot of stories with these kinds of characters, Hyeon had the skills to back up her head strong nature.
Eojin is just ... can korean television and books, please stop making such green flag men that I know are hard to find in real life? Thank you, please. Anyway, Seo Eojin, a worthy man to be called a main lead, and boy, do you just want to give him a big hug. Seeming cold at first but the farthest thing from it. I can picture him as that perfect male lead in a k-drama that seems cold and unapproachable but only because he is a respectable man who has his reasons as to why he is the righteous man he is and I applaud him for it.
Overall, I was surprised to learn that this book is partly historical fiction. I felt for the crown prince, seeing the circumstances he was placed in and how he lived. But it does not forgive the historical facts that follow who he was as a person. Makes me more curious to know who Crown Prince Sado was, and I may pick up the memoirs of his wife to read in the future.
It was an enjoyable read that had me hooked to the end, and although I was slightly surprised at the revelation, I wasn't as much because I recalled the past hints and clues that popped up. Great story. I'll be checking out June Hur's other writings soon.