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adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A heart-wrenching tale of a cursed older sister who will do anything to protect her younger sister.
When Channi was little, her sister was born with a bright light inside her. But their mother was dying. Their father was to sacrifice the baby for his wife but took the older daughter instead. Angma, the Demon Witch cursed Channi with a snake face and promised to come back for her sister. Seventeen years later, and with the help of her snake best friend, Channi will still do whatever it takes to keep her sister safe, even ally with a half-dragon.
I am not a fan of snakes by any means. So I had to think about it too hard while reading but otherwise this is a beautiful and haunting story about Channi's love for her sister while shrouded in the world's mythology. The world building is incredible, and Channi makes for an excellent anti-hero.
When Channi was little, her sister was born with a bright light inside her. But their mother was dying. Their father was to sacrifice the baby for his wife but took the older daughter instead. Angma, the Demon Witch cursed Channi with a snake face and promised to come back for her sister. Seventeen years later, and with the help of her snake best friend, Channi will still do whatever it takes to keep her sister safe, even ally with a half-dragon.
I am not a fan of snakes by any means. So I had to think about it too hard while reading but otherwise this is a beautiful and haunting story about Channi's love for her sister while shrouded in the world's mythology. The world building is incredible, and Channi makes for an excellent anti-hero.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*Thank you Netgalley, RHCBEducators, and Elizabeth Lim for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!*
Posted to: NetGalley, Goodreads, and The StoryGraph
Posted on: 8 July 2023
4.3 (rounded down to 4) out of 5 stars.
Before Shiori, there was Channari- and Elizabeth Lim does an *amazing* job giving us the past of the stepmother who was once Serpent Queen.
When I saw the NetGalley listing, I KNEW I had to request this title and honestly, I hate that I did because it’s made me want to pause *all* of my current reads to go back and re-read the rest of the books that are a part of the Legends of Lor’yan. I mean, getting a taste of Channari and seeing her past? Beautiful, I absolutely *devoured* this book as quickly as I was able to.
It sounds like I’m entirely biased for this rating, and I’m trying hard not to be, so I’ll get to a few nitpicky parts.
The characters were wonderful! I loved being able to see more of Hokzuh, of Channi, and even a little surprise appearance from a certain emperor. I know a lot of importance was placed on Vanna and how beautiful she was, how she literally *glowed*, but I think this was more often brought up as a reminder to why things tipped the way they had- and why Channari fought so hard to free Vanna from this selection and everything that came after.
There were a few little plot points too that were murky, though I really think that I was so excited to read this that I skipped some key words and moments in my haste to see how it would end. (Mild Spoilers up until the end of the next paragraph!) Like, I can’t entirely remember the reason the Serpent King bit Channari besides being there when the Witch Demon was. I kind of also wish Nakri was explained more/touched on more though she was also more a side character- just an interesting one in my opinion!
Overall, ‘Her Radiant Curse’ lived up to every idea I thought it would be. The flows of time/scene changes were a bit patchy here and there for brief moments, but to unravel Channi’s story and how she became Raikama was *amazing*. Even though readers of the Six Crimson Cranes duology know just how this story will end, you can’t help but sink into the words and hope that somehow, someway, the ending will re-write itself. I loved every page of this book, and I really cannot wait to re-read it whenever my pre-order arrives!
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Blood, Grief
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is the first book from Elisabeth Lim I read. Six Crimson Cranes is still in my TBR, however I can easily follow the story and world building in Her Radiant Curse. I love the different vibes between the childhood and the current days told from the main character's POV. It showed her improvement and growth so well. I don't really love the adventure part of this book since it goes back and forth among places, even though I really love seeing how different kingdoms/lands are told. The friendship between main character and the snakes is my favorite even though the sisters' relationship seemed not as cool as them, for me. Everyone who loves Six Crimson Cranes, YA fantasy adventure with a little bit romance in it, dragons, curse, and durian trees need to read Her Radiant Curse!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail