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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
✨️ 4/5 ✨️
My first historical fiction and not the last! This book was fun. The main character was smart, and set things in motion. I was enjoying the mystery and the romance as well. The most interesting to me though, was learning so much about Korean history through this book. With a focus on medical history, since the protagonist is somewhat of a royal nurse, I was intrigued every chapter by some new device or medical procedure.
The story was great, romance was a good slowburn, and characters felt very fleshed out.
My first historical fiction and not the last! This book was fun. The main character was smart, and set things in motion. I was enjoying the mystery and the romance as well. The most interesting to me though, was learning so much about Korean history through this book. With a focus on medical history, since the protagonist is somewhat of a royal nurse, I was intrigued every chapter by some new device or medical procedure.
The story was great, romance was a good slowburn, and characters felt very fleshed out.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
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
I always love June Hur's stories. The way she writes is so evocative. If you love Korean dramas, especially historical ones, definitely pick up her books. Honestly, they play out in my head just like one. I could really see Eojin and Hyeon working together and finding solace in one another.
I will say is that I feel like this could have used a bit more meat to it. 336 isn't a small number of pages, but for what the story was trying to do, I think it could have been just a touch longer. Maybe adding in some more details here and there.
Still, despite some of the problems I had, I enjoyed it. It's an easy read and there was definitely a tense, chilly atmosphere to everything. I especially loved Hyeon and Eojin's relationship. I honestly wasn't sure I would, but the way it played out was very cute. Despite... y'know, all the murders and stuff.
I will say is that I feel like this could have used a bit more meat to it. 336 isn't a small number of pages, but for what the story was trying to do, I think it could have been just a touch longer. Maybe adding in some more details here and there.
Spoiler
Also, I know in the author's note that she loosely based the Crown Prince character on Crown Prince Sado (a very notorious and tragic figure in Korean history), but it felt a little... inconsequential? I mean, there was the moment where the Crown Prince comes after her with a bow and arrow because he suspects she's a spy, but I feel like there could have been slightly more scenes with him? Especially because Hyeon supposedly looked so much like his dead younger sister, I thought that might play a bit more?Still, despite some of the problems I had, I enjoyed it. It's an easy read and there was definitely a tense, chilly atmosphere to everything. I especially loved Hyeon and Eojin's relationship. I honestly wasn't sure I would, but the way it played out was very cute. Despite... y'know, all the murders and stuff.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Yes
Loved this story from start to end, the mystery part while important does not outshine the two main characters who are brought together because of the murders that occur. Historical fiction at its best!!
the mystery was really fun and I loved the writing, the only reason I'm not rating it higher is because I wasn't super attached to the characters
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
