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crybabybea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I'm sad because I really wanted to love this but it just wasn't it for me.
This leans more toward the younger side of YA, which isn't bad but means the world and writing is quite simple, and the stakes don't feel as high as they could. The premise of the book is so interesting and unique - a main character who can't speak and uncovers a plot to take the throne. But, her not being able to speak doesn't actually matter at all, except that she can't tell anyone her true identity. People understand her perfectly, and the consequences for her being mute and cursed with an unremovable bowl on her head are nearly irrelevant.
I felt like this book tried to do too much at once. I found the weaving together of fairy tales (the main two being Hachikazuki and The Wild Swans) interesting and a unique take on a retelling. However, being YA, a lot of time was spent on the love story aspect which felt lackluster and caused the pacing to drag horribly in the middle of the book. The story was all over the place with fairytales, magic, love, battles, multiple antagonists, changing settings... it was just a lot and it caused the quality of the main plot to suffer.
The world didn't feel very clear to me, it was a pan-Asian fantasy setting that pulled from Chinese, Japanese, and Korean culture and didn't really have an identity of its own. The magic system still doesn't make all that much sense to me which really makes the last twist for our main character fall flat. It felt like the magic only existed as a plot device to invent either conflict or resolutions for Shiori. Her paper crane familiar, Kiki, is cute but was used to unnaturally move the plot forward. Same for Seryu, the dragon.
The characters were also quite flat and uninteresting. The whole emotional investment of the story comes from Shiori's desire to save her brothers, but we are never introduced to their personalities enough to care, the narrative just tells us who they are and how they act but they spend the entire story as cranes and we rarely interact with them. The main love interest is sweet but he very much falls into the Prince Charming role and doesn't have much complexity. The coolest character is a shapeshifting dragon but he disappears after we meet him and only shows up as a plot device once or twice in the story. I will say I did like our main character, Shiori, and her growth as a character felt satisfying and realistic.
As a fairytale retelling, this is fun and wholesome, and I especially enjoyed the weaving in of East Asian mythology/fairy tales as well as the way the author turned some of the tropes of the genre on its head. I did like the writing and the ideas of the author so I'm not completely turned off from trying something by Elizabeth Lim again though!
This leans more toward the younger side of YA, which isn't bad but means the world and writing is quite simple, and the stakes don't feel as high as they could. The premise of the book is so interesting and unique - a main character who can't speak and uncovers a plot to take the throne. But, her not being able to speak doesn't actually matter at all, except that she can't tell anyone her true identity. People understand her perfectly, and the consequences for her being mute and cursed with an unremovable bowl on her head are nearly irrelevant.
I felt like this book tried to do too much at once. I found the weaving together of fairy tales (the main two being Hachikazuki and The Wild Swans) interesting and a unique take on a retelling. However, being YA, a lot of time was spent on the love story aspect which felt lackluster and caused the pacing to drag horribly in the middle of the book. The story was all over the place with fairytales, magic, love, battles, multiple antagonists, changing settings... it was just a lot and it caused the quality of the main plot to suffer.
The world didn't feel very clear to me, it was a pan-Asian fantasy setting that pulled from Chinese, Japanese, and Korean culture and didn't really have an identity of its own. The magic system still doesn't make all that much sense to me which really makes the last twist for our main character fall flat. It felt like the magic only existed as a plot device to invent either conflict or resolutions for Shiori. Her paper crane familiar, Kiki, is cute but was used to unnaturally move the plot forward. Same for Seryu, the dragon.
The characters were also quite flat and uninteresting. The whole emotional investment of the story comes from Shiori's desire to save her brothers, but we are never introduced to their personalities enough to care, the narrative just tells us who they are and how they act but they spend the entire story as cranes and we rarely interact with them. The main love interest is sweet but he very much falls into the Prince Charming role and doesn't have much complexity. The coolest character is a shapeshifting dragon but he disappears after we meet him and only shows up as a plot device once or twice in the story. I will say I did like our main character, Shiori, and her growth as a character felt satisfying and realistic.
As a fairytale retelling, this is fun and wholesome, and I especially enjoyed the weaving in of East Asian mythology/fairy tales as well as the way the author turned some of the tropes of the genre on its head. I did like the writing and the ideas of the author so I'm not completely turned off from trying something by Elizabeth Lim again though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
oakairi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Animal death, and Violence
Minor: Murder and War
dollwon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Grief, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Car accident, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
necroplasm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.0
this one was soooo up-and-down for me? like it's been a day since i finished it and i'm just still not sure how to feel about it?? i didn't LOVE it but i can't really put into words why that is...... i know at least a few reasons why i didn't hate it, though! shiori honestly rly grew on me as a protag, she seemed kinda flat to me at first but idk that development just started hittin i guess! i'm also a really big fan of the original fairy tale this book is based on, and the spins the author put on it were pretty neat to me, especially the late-game twist with raikama. i'll probably go on to read the sequel, hopefully it'll leave me feeling a bit more satisfied :P
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Kidnapping, Animal death, and Confinement
Minor: Violence and War
blackferrum's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Pertama mau ngucapin banyak terima kasih ke Rakata atas program ORASI selama bulan Desember ini. Waktu pilih buku mana yang mau dibaca, aku langsung kasih suara buat buku ini karena “kupikir” bukunya stand alone. Yep, emang kurang riset banget ini anaknya padahal di X seliweran buku ini direkomendasikan, tapi kenapa bisa kelepasan kalau ada buku keduanya. WHY?! Sekarang aku harus sabar nunggu buku keduanya diterjemahin.
Waktu pertama rilis, di bagian blub buku ditulis kalau Shiori dan keenam kakaknya kena kutukan. Dia nggak bisa ngomong, tepatnya nggak boleh karena kalau ada suara yang keluar, kakak-kakaknya bisa mati. Long story short, habis dikutuk, Shiori kepisah dari keenam kakaknya. Dia nggak tahu harus cari kakaknya mulai dari mana dan harus gimana. Yah, dia selama ini hidup di istana, apa-apa sudah tersedia, tapi begitu ada di dunia luar, dia bingung harus bersikap seperti apa dan harus ngapain agar dapat uang biar bisa makan. Akhirnya, dia nyolong dan berakhir jadi budak pemilik penginapan. Dari situ kehidupan Shiori jadi berbeda, dia berusaha keluar dari penginapan dan mencari kakak-kakaknya. Oh, iya, kakak-kakaknya ini dikutuk jadi bangau.
Aku suka dengan cara penulis masukin deskripsi tempat atau world building-nya tanpa bikin pembaca kebosanan. Malah nggak dijelasin menurutku. Gatal kepengin bolak-balik cek peta yang ada di awal buku, tapi nggak bisa (aplikasinya kurang gercep buat ini hehe). Dianggapnya kayak pembaca udah pasti hafal lah sama latar tempatnya. Nama-nama tempatnya juga nggak familiar (ya iyalah, kan fiksi, May -_-), mungkin pakai bahasa Cina (?) idk, karena begitu baca ini rasanya kayak lagi nonton drama Korea yang Joseon era gitu, ada beberapa yang hampir sama; kebiasaan, makanan, dll.
Karakterisasi Shiori konsisten sampai akhir. Dia keras kepala banget, tapi dalam artian baik dan itu yang bikin dia nggak takut buat menantang bahaya. Yah, beberapa bagian kupikir agak nekat sih, dia, tapi seandainya dia langsung menyerah atau takut lah minimal, kayaknya alurnya nggak akan jalan wkwkwk.
Nggak banyak tahu soal elemen fantasi, sih, tapi buku ini cukup menyenangkan. Setidaknya nggak bikin senewen karena kebanyakan deskripsi nggak perlu, alih-alih cukup ditunjukkan dengan dialog antarkarakter atau pakai cara lain yang nggak bikin pembaca bosan. Oh ya, terjemahannya luwes, cuma memang beberapa kata ada yang jarang digunakan (bukannya nggak pernah, ya), jadi terkesan masih asing dan baru.
Nggak sabar baca buku keduanya!!!
Waktu pertama rilis, di bagian blub buku ditulis kalau Shiori dan keenam kakaknya kena kutukan. Dia nggak bisa ngomong, tepatnya nggak boleh karena kalau ada suara yang keluar, kakak-kakaknya bisa mati. Long story short, habis dikutuk, Shiori kepisah dari keenam kakaknya. Dia nggak tahu harus cari kakaknya mulai dari mana dan harus gimana. Yah, dia selama ini hidup di istana, apa-apa sudah tersedia, tapi begitu ada di dunia luar, dia bingung harus bersikap seperti apa dan harus ngapain agar dapat uang biar bisa makan. Akhirnya, dia nyolong dan berakhir jadi budak pemilik penginapan. Dari situ kehidupan Shiori jadi berbeda, dia berusaha keluar dari penginapan dan mencari kakak-kakaknya. Oh, iya, kakak-kakaknya ini dikutuk jadi bangau.
Aku suka dengan cara penulis masukin deskripsi tempat atau world building-nya tanpa bikin pembaca kebosanan. Malah nggak dijelasin menurutku. Gatal kepengin bolak-balik cek peta yang ada di awal buku, tapi nggak bisa (aplikasinya kurang gercep buat ini hehe). Dianggapnya kayak pembaca udah pasti hafal lah sama latar tempatnya. Nama-nama tempatnya juga nggak familiar (ya iyalah, kan fiksi, May -_-), mungkin pakai bahasa Cina (?) idk, karena begitu baca ini rasanya kayak lagi nonton drama Korea yang Joseon era gitu, ada beberapa yang hampir sama; kebiasaan, makanan, dll.
Karakterisasi Shiori konsisten sampai akhir. Dia keras kepala banget, tapi dalam artian baik dan itu yang bikin dia nggak takut buat menantang bahaya. Yah, beberapa bagian kupikir agak nekat sih, dia, tapi seandainya dia langsung menyerah atau takut lah minimal, kayaknya alurnya nggak akan jalan wkwkwk.
Nggak banyak tahu soal elemen fantasi, sih, tapi buku ini cukup menyenangkan. Setidaknya nggak bikin senewen karena kebanyakan deskripsi nggak perlu, alih-alih cukup ditunjukkan dengan dialog antarkarakter atau pakai cara lain yang nggak bikin pembaca bosan. Oh ya, terjemahannya luwes, cuma memang beberapa kata ada yang jarang digunakan (bukannya nggak pernah, ya), jadi terkesan masih asing dan baru.
Nggak sabar baca buku keduanya!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Death of parent, War, and Blood
dannilmp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Six Crimson Cranes is based on real world mythology, which is exactly why I picked this book up and I don't feel I was disappointed in any way. We follow a young princess, exiled from home and cursed by her own wicked stepmother as she tries to keep her family together as one.
This is a feel good story and comes to a satisfying conclusion following a whole colourful cast of magical individuals with different abilities, strenghts and weaknesses. If I had to fault anything, it would be that Shiori's behaviour did occasionally get on my nerves but then again she is a young adult and is going to have those personality traits that aren't so glamorous.
This is a feel good story and comes to a satisfying conclusion following a whole colourful cast of magical individuals with different abilities, strenghts and weaknesses. If I had to fault anything, it would be that Shiori's behaviour did occasionally get on my nerves but then again she is a young adult and is going to have those personality traits that aren't so glamorous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Violence and Animal death
Minor: War
fragrant_stars's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
My god I am starstruck by this book. I cannot wait to devour the sequel!! I loved the characters, and my heart genuinely ached for the main character as she went through her struggles. The Wild Swans was one of my very favourite fairytales as a child and as a Chinese person seeing this beloved myth retold as a East Asian fantasy was so thrilling to me that I procrastinated for maybe a whole year. I was so nervous because I desperately wanted to love this book, but if I could go back now I'd be shrieking at my past self to dive right in post haste.
One of the things I loved best was how much agency was given to Shiori as a character. The blurb on the back of the book suggested to me that she would be getting a lot more help from Seryu, but as I read the bookthat didn't seem to be the case. Yes, he helped Shiori in some key moments, but most of the time Shiori got on using her wits. I also thought, based on something Seryu had said in an earlier chapter, that Shiori being forced to not use her words would eventually figure out to use wordless magic, and maybe that would be what saved the day- but no, not even that. Mostly wits. I found that brilliant.
My only regret is that the Raikama, the main antagonist / twist villain / antihero of the story, died before all the loose ends could be satisfactorily tied together. Then again, I guess that's just life for ya. Death doesn't really tie things neatly, so I guess that makes sense. Even before she was revealed to be more than she seemed I could already sort of tell- which, trust me, it was a good thing and it felt soooo rewarding when my guesses turned out right!! Made me feel like I'd have loved to see a few more scenes with her before she left the story.
One of the things I loved best was how much agency was given to Shiori as a character. The blurb on the back of the book suggested to me that she would be getting a lot more help from Seryu, but as I read the book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Bullying, Animal death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Murder, War, Misogyny, Violence, Classism, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Alcohol
wpapnik's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.75
I absolutely adored this book! I had read the Hans Christian Anderson in Middle School, and Lim does an amazing job of fusing the fairytale with Asian mythology to create a unique story. I found it so refreshing to read a book with a focus on familial love, although I still loved the moments between Shiori and Takkan
The only reason I deducted 0.25 stars is because there were points where I felt the writing was rushed and I had wished Lim would have added an additional line or two to help better build the scene.
This book was a total page-turner for me, and if you have ever considered dipping your toe into the High Fantasy genre, this duology would be an excellent start!
The only reason I deducted 0.25 stars is because there were points where I felt the writing was rushed and I had wished Lim would have added an additional line or two to help better build the scene.
This book was a total page-turner for me, and if you have ever considered dipping your toe into the High Fantasy genre, this duology would be an excellent start!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: War and Murder
neko_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
4.75 stars.
DAMN this book surprised me. i am taken aback by how much I loved this book and everything from the characters to the plot to the world building to the magic system.
did I mention I love the magic system? it has DRAGONS in it, how could it not be amazing?
also takkan. fbshkakfha we got so much takkan being the kindest person on the planet and yet I NEED SO MUCH MORE
yeah so this was amazing. and I need the next book.
DAMN this book surprised me. i am taken aback by how much I loved this book and everything from the characters to the plot to the world building to the magic system.
did I mention I love the magic system? it has DRAGONS in it, how could it not be amazing?
also takkan. fbshkakfha we got so much takkan being the kindest person on the planet and yet I NEED SO MUCH MORE
yeah so this was amazing. and I need the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Grief, and Animal death
Minor: War and Murder
calicat42's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Physical abuse, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Death, and Death of parent