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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
This was so good! The details to the mystery build on each other really well, and the characters have developed motivations and stories. I love love Hyeon and want to give her a huge hug. The historical setting was very well done, and one of the book's big strengths was showing how people might be a product of the time and place they live, but they're people all the same.
My least favorite part of mystery plots tends to be when everything comes together because, no matter what, it always feels underwhelming. That was the case here. But the resolution after everything was lovely.
I definitely want to read more June Hur!
My least favorite part of mystery plots tends to be when everything comes together because, no matter what, it always feels underwhelming. That was the case here. But the resolution after everything was lovely.
I definitely want to read more June Hur!
Stopped reading at 25%. I was not attached to characters or the murder mystery. I want to know more about the historical significance behind the prince. But I was not willing to keep reading to learn more. This just wasn’t for me
This was such an intriguing book! I enjoyed the mystery and all the cool insight to Korean medicine back in the Joseon dynasty. The mystery was well done and kept me interested the whole time and I didn't guess who the murderer was until it was revealed!
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the murder mystery was intriguing. however, wished the writer had spent more time fleshing out depth for characters and focused more of showing their internal conflict; for the murder case & each other, rather than simply telling. the suspect reveal would have been interested if it was not Simply Unravelled right at the end. nevertheless, a good, light read.
Historical fiction mystery romance focused around the time the mentally ill crown prince Sado of Korea ruled during the Joeson dynasty. From the perspective of a young nurse, whose high ranking father does not recognize her since she is low born to his concubine.
When her mentor nurse is suddenly arrested for a murder that the Prince is suspected of, she links up with a handsome young detective to help free her teacher.
Engaging. Postscript tells a but about the real story of the mentally ill prince who had a eunuch beheaded and was eventually killed by his father. He potentially killed around 100
People and his name was not allowed to be spoken for decades.
Story feels highly improbable but still a good read.
When her mentor nurse is suddenly arrested for a murder that the Prince is suspected of, she links up with a handsome young detective to help free her teacher.
Engaging. Postscript tells a but about the real story of the mentally ill prince who had a eunuch beheaded and was eventually killed by his father. He potentially killed around 100
People and his name was not allowed to be spoken for decades.
Story feels highly improbable but still a good read.
This was a great historical murder mystery, with a splash of romance. Set in the Joseon (Korean) dynasty, this novel follows a court nurse and the mystery of murdered women in the palace. Along the way, she joins a young police inspector and they team up. This intricately plotted mystery is sure to keep you on the eve of your seat. I loved that the characters were all well throughout and fascinating to read. Truly a great read.
4.5 stars.
Hyeon, a young palace nurse, is shocked to hear of the murder of three other palace nurses. The police apprehend an experienced nurse, who is also Hyeon’s beloved mentor, on flimsy to no evidence. The woman is tortured to extract a confession, though Hyeon is convinced her mentor is innocent. Hyeon decides to find the truth, and ends up working with a young and unconventional police inspector, Eojin, to find the real culprit.
Hyeon is the illegitimate daughter of an official, and is disrespected by her father, and is also uncertain her mother actually cares for her. This feeds into how she approaches behaves throughout this book, and is also something she works to get past. Hyeon has also worked incredibly hard to achieve her position as a palace nurse, which becomes imperilled as she uncovers clues, evidence, and also corruption and coverups as the Crown Prince is implicated in the women’s murders.
Hyeon, whose determination to investigate, despite threats to her hard-won livelihood, her home, and her life make her riveting to watch. Her experiences leave her changed, affecting her understanding of her family and herself.
I also like the way June Hur delicately develops Hyeon’s and Eojin’s feelings for each other. It’s a gentle, careful relationship with respect on both sides, contrasted terrifically with her own parents’ relationship.
June Hur does it again with “The Red Palace”: her fascination with the history of Korea, as well as well creating well-defined characters and absorbing mysteries makes for another compelling book.
I read most of this book in one day, not wanting to put it down. I await June Hur’s next work eagerly.
Hyeon, a young palace nurse, is shocked to hear of the murder of three other palace nurses. The police apprehend an experienced nurse, who is also Hyeon’s beloved mentor, on flimsy to no evidence. The woman is tortured to extract a confession, though Hyeon is convinced her mentor is innocent. Hyeon decides to find the truth, and ends up working with a young and unconventional police inspector, Eojin, to find the real culprit.
Hyeon is the illegitimate daughter of an official, and is disrespected by her father, and is also uncertain her mother actually cares for her. This feeds into how she approaches behaves throughout this book, and is also something she works to get past. Hyeon has also worked incredibly hard to achieve her position as a palace nurse, which becomes imperilled as she uncovers clues, evidence, and also corruption and coverups as the Crown Prince is implicated in the women’s murders.
Hyeon, whose determination to investigate, despite threats to her hard-won livelihood, her home, and her life make her riveting to watch. Her experiences leave her changed, affecting her understanding of her family and herself.
I also like the way June Hur delicately develops Hyeon’s and Eojin’s feelings for each other. It’s a gentle, careful relationship with respect on both sides, contrasted terrifically with her own parents’ relationship.
June Hur does it again with “The Red Palace”: her fascination with the history of Korea, as well as well creating well-defined characters and absorbing mysteries makes for another compelling book.
I read most of this book in one day, not wanting to put it down. I await June Hur’s next work eagerly.
adventurous
inspiring
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
Ate this book up!! So simple yet entertaining
I haven’t read a YA book this fast in AGES. This was immaculate- the mystery, the historical details, the romance, the need to know EXACTLY what was happening. Such a great story, honestly no notes other than if you love YA mysteries, Korean historical dramas, and/or achey, yearning romance, you better read this ASAP.