Scan barcode
jveevers's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Torture, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
aarynn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beautifully written, totally enveloping. Tragic story but wonderfully told.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Religious bigotry, Death, Hate crime, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood, Abandonment, Torture, and Slavery
Minor: Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Hate crime, Medical content, Misogyny, Suicide, Infidelity, and Police brutality
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was one of the most interesting historical fiction novels I’ve read, as, if I recall, it’s the only one not set in a western country. I’d never heard of damos, so in addition to reading an intriguing story, I also learned a few new things.
Hur’s writing was easy to read, and the combination of that and the surprisingly complex mystery kept me turning pages. What seemed like a simple murder case ended up being a complicated one of religion, family and shame with multiple victims, and even though I thought more than once that I’d figured it out, I never had. Props to Hur for that, as I’ve gotten pretty good at predicting twists and solving mysteries.
Another thing I particularly liked was that Seol, the protagonist, was sixteen. While this is ultimately insignificant, it was nice to see a YA book with a main character under the age of seventeen; I can only think of a couple others that do.
Overall, I would recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Representation
Hur’s writing was easy to read, and the combination of that and the surprisingly complex mystery kept me turning pages. What seemed like a simple murder case ended up being a complicated one of religion, family and shame with multiple victims, and even though I thought more than once that I’d figured it out, I never had. Props to Hur for that, as I’ve gotten pretty good at predicting twists and solving mysteries.
Another thing I particularly liked was that Seol, the protagonist, was sixteen. While this is ultimately insignificant, it was nice to see a YA book with a main character under the age of seventeen; I can only think of a couple others that do.
Overall, I would recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Representation
- full Korean cast
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
Minor: Infidelity and Suicide
Those tagged minor happened prior to the story but are mentioned occasionally throughout.kimbekaw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Death, Slavery, Police brutality, Blood, Body horror, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder and Confinement
Minor: Suicide
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
Woah, I loved this much, much more than I thought I would.
I expected something else from the story than I actually got tbh. It was more character driven and introspective than an actual murder mystery. (which, well, was pretty easy to predict) But it was still so good! I absolutely loved the writing and the atmosphere. Sometimes I needed to take breaks just to imagine the mist and the mountains and trees and rivers and the narrow streets and the Hanoks. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters but was sad because there weren't enough for my taste. I was also furious at them most of the time because they were oblivious or didn't talk to each other when necessary... or both. The second half was surprisingly fast-paced and action packed, and I couldn't put it down until the end.
I will definitely read the others books by June Hur.
I expected something else from the story than I actually got tbh. It was more character driven and introspective than an actual murder mystery. (which, well, was pretty easy to predict) But it was still so good! I absolutely loved the writing and the atmosphere. Sometimes I needed to take breaks just to imagine the mist and the mountains and trees and rivers and the narrow streets and the Hanoks. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters but was sad because there weren't enough for my taste. I was also furious at them most of the time because they were oblivious or didn't talk to each other when necessary... or both. The second half was surprisingly fast-paced and action packed, and I couldn't put it down until the end.
I will definitely read the others books by June Hur.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
izzya's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
This book started a little slow but the second half picks up to an amazing pace and delivers a really satisfying mystery. Hur did a fantastic job of presenting so many possibilities and threads of a big mystery, revealing layer after layer through an inquisitive heroine, until the final punches of the mystery came and knocked me off my feet.
It was so well done, and the emotional payoff and bittersweetness was so heartfelt and honest. The handling of the feelings Seol had built up about her family and role in the world was great and always felt natural, never coming across as a speech but rather woven into her observations of the world around her. The end of the book delivers some really strong emotional moments, and my eyes did get a little testy at the ending. It’s beautiful and sad, but very satisfying.
This story is also darker than I expected. The young age of the heroine made me think the violence of the history would be toned down for younger audiences, but Hur didn’t pull punches and it gets a little realistically gory at times, which adds to the seriousness of the main mystery.
I wondered if this story might have some Kdrama vibes, as the summary reminded me of the kind of historical Kdramas I love, but it does get a bit darker and more serious than Kdramas usually do, and there’s not a romance or much comedy to lighten the heavier emotional moments. I found the story really rewarding, just deeper than I expected.
In all, I really enjoyed this one and would love to read another of Hur’s books! Looking forward to her next release “The Red Palace,” it sounds really cool!
It was so well done, and the emotional payoff and bittersweetness was so heartfelt and honest. The handling of the feelings Seol had built up about her family and role in the world was great and always felt natural, never coming across as a speech but rather woven into her observations of the world around her. The end of the book delivers some really strong emotional moments, and my eyes did get a little testy at the ending. It’s beautiful and sad, but very satisfying.
This story is also darker than I expected. The young age of the heroine made me think the violence of the history would be toned down for younger audiences, but Hur didn’t pull punches and it gets a little realistically gory at times, which adds to the seriousness of the main mystery.
I wondered if this story might have some Kdrama vibes, as the summary reminded me of the kind of historical Kdramas I love, but it does get a bit darker and more serious than Kdramas usually do, and there’s not a romance or much comedy to lighten the heavier emotional moments. I found the story really rewarding, just deeper than I expected.
In all, I really enjoyed this one and would love to read another of Hur’s books! Looking forward to her next release “The Red Palace,” it sounds really cool!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, and Xenophobia
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This historical mystery opens a window into 1800 Joseon. With a Queen Regent recently in power, a Catholic purge on the horizon, and brutal murders targeting converts and sympathizers, it is a tumultuous moment in time. The story follows Seol, an indentured servant for the police. With her natural inquisitiveness and broad stubborn streak, she's a gifted investigator in the making, although her gender and class prevent her from fully exercising that gift. Seol loyally assists an inspector whom she idolizes as he works on a challenging murder case. However, her easy trust might not survive the secrets coming to light.
I gleaned a lot of historical information that was new to me from this read, so that was greatly appreciated. The setting and the details of social structures were deftly woven throughout the story. That was easily my favorite part of the reading experience. I also appreciated the audiobook format, which allowed me to hear the correct pronunciation of names and terms throughout.
In terms of plot, I was less enthused. The mystery didn't draw me in, lacking in urgency and emotional timbre for most of the duration. Although I didn't anticipate the identity of the murderer, I also wasn't particularly concerned about it. In addition, the personal aspects of Seol's journey didn't catch my interest. While I appreciated the lack of romantic plot, I would have liked other relationships to be more fleshed-out to anchor me to the story. The big reveals on this front were quite predictable, yet the piecing together of Seol's past is fraught and drawn out. Worst of all, the ending seemed rushed in comparison, not leaving room to resolve any emotional fallout.
In the end, I would recommend this as a piece of historical fiction, but it didn't suit my tastes in terms of mystery or general plotting.
I gleaned a lot of historical information that was new to me from this read, so that was greatly appreciated. The setting and the details of social structures were deftly woven throughout the story. That was easily my favorite part of the reading experience. I also appreciated the audiobook format, which allowed me to hear the correct pronunciation of names and terms throughout.
In terms of plot, I was less enthused. The mystery didn't draw me in, lacking in urgency and emotional timbre for most of the duration. Although I didn't anticipate the identity of the murderer, I also wasn't particularly concerned about it. In addition, the personal aspects of Seol's journey didn't catch my interest. While I appreciated the lack of romantic plot, I would have liked other relationships to be more fleshed-out to anchor me to the story. The big reveals on this front were quite predictable, yet the piecing together of Seol's past is fraught and drawn out. Worst of all, the ending seemed rushed in comparison, not leaving room to resolve any emotional fallout.
In the end, I would recommend this as a piece of historical fiction, but it didn't suit my tastes in terms of mystery or general plotting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Police brutality, Sexism, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent
lilia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Liked:
- The setting and time period—I have never before read anything set in Korea in 1800
- The mystery aspect
- How the story highlighted some interesting women who lived/worked in male-dominated arenas
- How some of the characters were actually real historical figures
Didn't like as much:
- How some of the minor characters weren't developed enough to be very differentiable
- How complex the plot sometimes got (or maybe that was just me?)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Death
Minor: Child death and Suicide
tahsintries's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Police brutality, and Torture
emily_mh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.25
It took about half the book for me to be drawn in, but when it happened I really enjoyed it. The narrator, Seol, was fantastic as the main character, as she was gutsy, bright, headstrong and resourceful. I wasn't expecting the political and religious complexity that this book delivered, which added intriguing layers to the murder mystery. I also liked that on top of the murder mystery, there was a supporting personal mystery surrounding Seol's brother, as this really padded out the plot. Overall, the thriller had all the grittiness of a modern-day crime drama, which I loved. The third act in particular was incredible, and the resolution was satisfying. However, because I couldn't get into this book for its entire first half, I decided to rate it only 4.25 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Kidnapping, and Torture
Minor: Child abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, and Alcohol