Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

41 reviews

oakairi's review against another edition

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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

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dollwon's review against another edition

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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

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a_novi's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book is a great example of a classic style fantasy. It isn’t over the top with real world metaphors or super advanced world building but it is a good interesting story that I would consider family friendly. Mentions of dragons, magic, demons, there’s even an arranged married trope romance that doesn’t involve any unnecessary smut or sexual content. I could see myself reading this to my kids one day as it is not very advanced, but it is still entertaining and creative. Something that younger children could understand but could still potentially be a good challenge, and a gateway into more complex fantasies. I love how the plot twist of
Raikama the stepmother being a secret hero and a beloved character with humble beginnings, when she is expected in the beginning to fulfill a evil stepmother trope;
adds a bit of mystery and surprise in the story as well. 
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claudan's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? N/A

4.0

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dannilmp's review against another edition

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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. 
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fragrant_stars's review against another edition

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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 book
that 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.
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neko_reads's review against another edition

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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.
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calicat42's review against another edition

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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

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broccoli_j's review against another edition

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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

5.0

I think this book has to grow on you! It has a relatively slow start, but I have never read a book with such an original take on the „chosen one“ Trope. 

The worldbuilding, the characterarcs and the magic system are just insane and the story uses the found family trope in such a unique way!

This was a great first book and I’m excited for the rest of the series!!!
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squisheebee_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book literally had me completely spellbound from the first page. Literally ran to order the sequel AND the authors book for a separate series. Like omfg. Yes it’s YA. Yes the pros is super easy to ready but god is it beautifully written AND the story!? Don’t get me started. I will not take slander about this book. If it was not for you that’s fine, but it was certainly for me. 😇
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