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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
June Hur is one of those authors for me that I will read anything she writes. I will say, her first book The Silence of Bones remains my favorite of the three she has written at this point, but I still have enjoyed her other two, including this one.
I really appreciated the sort of plot twist and mystery that was in her first book more I think. The plot of the second one held some interesting points as well as the relationship between the two sisters. I did think Hur did her first foray into romance in her books well here, it was not overpowering to the story as can often be the case. But at the same time, I didn’t get as well of a sense of character for the main character. The plot was also not as interesting to me as in the first two books and didn’t seem to connect quite as well. The reveal was a little lackluster.
But I did enjoy Hur’s writing style as usual, and some of the details brought in like the mention of damos again, and some of the laws and rules from the time period like that men had curfews but women did not and that a man should not touch a woman unless married to them, even in crime scene investigation.
I also always appreciate the historical notes Hur gives at the end of her books. They always provide really pertinent and interesting information on the time period and particular groups/people/places she is basing her story on. I had never heard of Crown Prince Sado before and his is certainly an interesting story.
I really appreciated the sort of plot twist and mystery that was in her first book more I think. The plot of the second one held some interesting points as well as the relationship between the two sisters. I did think Hur did her first foray into romance in her books well here, it was not overpowering to the story as can often be the case. But at the same time, I didn’t get as well of a sense of character for the main character. The plot was also not as interesting to me as in the first two books and didn’t seem to connect quite as well. The reveal was a little lackluster.
But I did enjoy Hur’s writing style as usual, and some of the details brought in like the mention of damos again, and some of the laws and rules from the time period like that men had curfews but women did not and that a man should not touch a woman unless married to them, even in crime scene investigation.
I also always appreciate the historical notes Hur gives at the end of her books. They always provide really pertinent and interesting information on the time period and particular groups/people/places she is basing her story on. I had never heard of Crown Prince Sado before and his is certainly an interesting story.
5 Stars~ ☆
I don't find myself reading historical fiction often but I do fancy myself a good mystery so I gave this book and author a try. Being that it's also set in Korean times, I was interested right away.
I loved the intricacy of the murders and the relationship between Hyeon and Eojin. I was constantly eager to see what would happen next.
The story is loosely based on Crown Prince Jangheon and even I asked my mom about it. The original story is pretty sad but I recommend looking it up. (Don't worry, you won't be spoiled about anything in this book I think at least)
I'm always fond of Korean-based books, most of them have been contemporary romances or K-pop ones, but this was the first one I've read set in older times. I'm glad to have found it because I've always wanted to read one. It reminded me of a historical mystery K-drama but much, much better!
Definitely plan to check out her other books!
I don't find myself reading historical fiction often but I do fancy myself a good mystery so I gave this book and author a try. Being that it's also set in Korean times, I was interested right away.
I loved the intricacy of the murders and the relationship between Hyeon and Eojin. I was constantly eager to see what would happen next.
The story is loosely based on Crown Prince Jangheon and even I asked my mom about it. The original story is pretty sad but I recommend looking it up. (Don't worry, you won't be spoiled about anything in this book I think at least)
I'm always fond of Korean-based books, most of them have been contemporary romances or K-pop ones, but this was the first one I've read set in older times. I'm glad to have found it because I've always wanted to read one. It reminded me of a historical mystery K-drama but much, much better!
Definitely plan to check out her other books!
adventurous
challenging
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Buku pertama di tahun 2025 yang aku beri rating 5/5⭐️
Dari segi premis, penceritaan, plot, karakter, dan plot twist, semua tersusun dengan rapi. Apalagi banyak informasi di era Joseon—dan setelah aku baca Catatan Penulis, ternyata kisah Putra Mahkota Jangheon dalam buku ini diangkat dari kisah nyata—yang menambah pengetahuan aku tentang sejarah dan kultur kerajaan, spesialisasi perawat, pengobatan tradisional, penyelidikan kepolisian, dan forensik di zaman Joseon. Penulisnya melakukan riset dengan sangat apik. Tak hanya mengisahkan intrik politik dan konspirasi kerajaan, tapi juga romansa Joseon antara Hyeon dan Eojin turut membuat pipi merona—efek dari pembaca yang helpless romantic seperti diriku.
Mengisahkan tentang Hyeon, anak haram seorang Menteri Kehakiman era Joseon, yang menjadi perawat istana. Suatu malam, kerajaan dihebohkan dengan pembantaian 4 perempuan dan mentor Hyeon dituduh sebagai pelaku karena tidak memiliki alibi. Demi melepaskan mentornya dari tuduhan pembunuhan, Hyeon bekerjasama dengan Eojin, inspektur muda dan jenius yang tengah menyelidiki kasus ini. Desas-desus dan selebaran anonim pun bermunculan yang menyebutkan bahwa pelaku pembantaian adalah putera mahkota.
Karakter Hyeon yang kuat, pemberani, cerdas, dan mandiri sungguh karakter yang buat ku berdecak kagum. Disandingkan dengan Eojin, di mana mereka memiliki "kekuatan" yang setara. Apalagi ditambah bumbu-bumbu romansa ala drama sageuk, sukses buat pipi pembaca yang helpless romantic sepertiku merona merah muda.
Tapi, dari semua karakter yang ada, aku prihatin kepada [redacted] yang hidup penuh dengan pembalasan dendam. Dan ini semua mengacu kepada satu nama, Putra Mahkota Jangheon. Di satu sisi, aku marah atas kebengisannya, tetapi di sisi lain aku kasihan. Putra Mahkota sebenarnya perlu "ditolong". Menurutku dia sudah terkena mental health issues sehingga menimbulkan perilaku amarah yang berakhir dengan kekerasan. Namun karena latar belakang kisah ini di tahun 1700-an, maka pengetahuan mengenai kesehatan jiwa masih jauh belum diketahui secara mendalam.
Ps. Aku akan membaca Memoar Lady Hyegyeong untuk tahu lebih dalam terkait kisah putera mahkota yang malang ini.
Akhir kata, novel thriller mystery berlatar sejarah korea selatan era joseon yang sangat paket komplit. Bumbu romansanya meskipun tipis, tapi sukses menyemarakkan suasana.
Loved 💐
Dari segi premis, penceritaan, plot, karakter, dan plot twist, semua tersusun dengan rapi. Apalagi banyak informasi di era Joseon—dan setelah aku baca Catatan Penulis, ternyata kisah Putra Mahkota Jangheon dalam buku ini diangkat dari kisah nyata—yang menambah pengetahuan aku tentang sejarah dan kultur kerajaan, spesialisasi perawat, pengobatan tradisional, penyelidikan kepolisian, dan forensik di zaman Joseon. Penulisnya melakukan riset dengan sangat apik. Tak hanya mengisahkan intrik politik dan konspirasi kerajaan, tapi juga romansa Joseon antara Hyeon dan Eojin turut membuat pipi merona—efek dari pembaca yang helpless romantic seperti diriku.
Mengisahkan tentang Hyeon, anak haram seorang Menteri Kehakiman era Joseon, yang menjadi perawat istana. Suatu malam, kerajaan dihebohkan dengan pembantaian 4 perempuan dan mentor Hyeon dituduh sebagai pelaku karena tidak memiliki alibi. Demi melepaskan mentornya dari tuduhan pembunuhan, Hyeon bekerjasama dengan Eojin, inspektur muda dan jenius yang tengah menyelidiki kasus ini. Desas-desus dan selebaran anonim pun bermunculan yang menyebutkan bahwa pelaku pembantaian adalah putera mahkota.
Karakter Hyeon yang kuat, pemberani, cerdas, dan mandiri sungguh karakter yang buat ku berdecak kagum. Disandingkan dengan Eojin, di mana mereka memiliki "kekuatan" yang setara. Apalagi ditambah bumbu-bumbu romansa ala drama sageuk, sukses buat pipi pembaca yang helpless romantic sepertiku merona merah muda.
Tapi, dari semua karakter yang ada, aku prihatin kepada [redacted] yang hidup penuh dengan pembalasan dendam. Dan ini semua mengacu kepada satu nama, Putra Mahkota Jangheon. Di satu sisi, aku marah atas kebengisannya, tetapi di sisi lain aku kasihan. Putra Mahkota sebenarnya perlu "ditolong". Menurutku dia sudah terkena mental health issues sehingga menimbulkan perilaku amarah yang berakhir dengan kekerasan. Namun karena latar belakang kisah ini di tahun 1700-an, maka pengetahuan mengenai kesehatan jiwa masih jauh belum diketahui secara mendalam.
Ps. Aku akan membaca Memoar Lady Hyegyeong untuk tahu lebih dalam terkait kisah putera mahkota yang malang ini.
Akhir kata, novel thriller mystery berlatar sejarah korea selatan era joseon yang sangat paket komplit. Bumbu romansanya meskipun tipis, tapi sukses menyemarakkan suasana.
Loved 💐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder
Moderate: Abandonment
I will read june hur’s shopping list because whatever she writes matters to me. this story is beautifully set out. It had me sitting on the edge of my seat as the mystery of the case unfurled. I was terrified of what the ending might come and omg it was so unexpected. slowburn romance? my kind of book. solving a case together? you’ve got my attention. BEAUTIFUL WRITING? YES AND YES! this is easily one of my favourite books and I really hope it gets made into a kdrama soon
PS I need eojin in my life it’s so unfair
PS I need eojin in my life it’s so unfair
*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book.*
Through years of study, seventeen-year-old Hyeon has finally earned her place as a palace nurse, having worked through every obstacle an illegitimate daughter could face. But everything she’s worked for is threatened when four women are murdered in a single night, and the only suspect is Hyeon’s personal mentor. And Hyeon cannot do anything without jeopardising her position, and any mistake will have her father’s sight set squarely on her. Determined to prove her teacher’s innocence, Hyeon risks it all and in her hunt for the truth comes Eojin, a police inspector with his own hidden agenda. As their search begins to point the blame to the Crown Prince, the two find themselves uncovering the dark secrets behind all the bloodshed.
In her newest release, June Hur returns to the Joseon era, now following the life of palace maid Hyeon. The Red Palace was gripping and mysterious as Hur paints a memorable image of Joseon Korean in another historical mystery. Hur has a knack for highlighting the lives of women in the Joseon era. I felt really immersed in the lives of these women who were considered lower class while playing a pivotal role in running the government. In a similar vein to The Silence of Bones, Hyeon must think on her feet to discover the truth. As an illegitimate daughter, her position is both a hindrance and an opportunity to find information that no one else can. While I found Silence of Bones to be more emotional, Red Palace was far better plotted and well-crafted.
The plot was fascinating, and I loved how the mystery grew as Hyeon and Eojin involve themselves in dangerous business. Not everyone can be trusted, and even Eojin brings an air of danger around him, but Hyeon can’t help but be enticed by his mystery. The romance between them was unexpected but so sweet.
If you’ve read any of Hur’s previous works, then you’ll already know that this one cannot be missed. Hur has improved in her craft, and it shows. The politics and intrigue keep you gripped for hours—a well-developed mystery within a vivid setting of 1700s Joseon Korea.
Through years of study, seventeen-year-old Hyeon has finally earned her place as a palace nurse, having worked through every obstacle an illegitimate daughter could face. But everything she’s worked for is threatened when four women are murdered in a single night, and the only suspect is Hyeon’s personal mentor. And Hyeon cannot do anything without jeopardising her position, and any mistake will have her father’s sight set squarely on her. Determined to prove her teacher’s innocence, Hyeon risks it all and in her hunt for the truth comes Eojin, a police inspector with his own hidden agenda. As their search begins to point the blame to the Crown Prince, the two find themselves uncovering the dark secrets behind all the bloodshed.
In her newest release, June Hur returns to the Joseon era, now following the life of palace maid Hyeon. The Red Palace was gripping and mysterious as Hur paints a memorable image of Joseon Korean in another historical mystery. Hur has a knack for highlighting the lives of women in the Joseon era. I felt really immersed in the lives of these women who were considered lower class while playing a pivotal role in running the government. In a similar vein to The Silence of Bones, Hyeon must think on her feet to discover the truth. As an illegitimate daughter, her position is both a hindrance and an opportunity to find information that no one else can. While I found Silence of Bones to be more emotional, Red Palace was far better plotted and well-crafted.
The plot was fascinating, and I loved how the mystery grew as Hyeon and Eojin involve themselves in dangerous business. Not everyone can be trusted, and even Eojin brings an air of danger around him, but Hyeon can’t help but be enticed by his mystery. The romance between them was unexpected but so sweet.
If you’ve read any of Hur’s previous works, then you’ll already know that this one cannot be missed. Hur has improved in her craft, and it shows. The politics and intrigue keep you gripped for hours—a well-developed mystery within a vivid setting of 1700s Joseon Korea.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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:
No
first book i finished in 2025 and i am so glad!!! the plot was to my liking and the hyeon's character truly fascinate me. i love her personality a lot.