You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
adventurous
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:
Yes
Somehow too much lore and not enough lore all at once. I also felt like the writing wasn't as good as Elizabeth Lim's other books I've read
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is giving me that pleasant nostalgic feeling when I first discover Six Crimson Cranes and absolutely loving it.
Though, I would say this book particularly is lacking in term of 'dot-connection' since it moves way too fast from scenes to scenes. I finally found myself in comfortable pace after I reached 40 percent of the book and slowly the actions in the book feel a lot better.
You can still feel that whimsical vibes from this book. And also, I find most of the men here are such an as**oles. I don't like it when it seems like most of the FMC obstacles in order to reach her goals are always the *men*. Whether it's her dad, the king she encounter during her journey, and even sometimes the 'supposed-to-be' her love interest.
One last thing, I feel that Ms. Lim is trying too hard to provides bunch of Asian folklore or cultures from different countries and etnicity into one book.
The demon ones, the witch ones, and also the dragon ones, and many more is too much for me. Funfact, Angma (in my knowledge) derives from Korean 악마 (akma in spelling, angma in pronounciation) literally meant 'demon' (iblis in Indonesian). Ai'long is dragon in Mandarin. If you search the word 'suiyak' on seach engine, you will be directed into Wikipedia page about witchcraft practices in Asia.
They're so confusing and felt really shallow at some point because there were too many things happen in the same times but too little infomations or deeper understanding of said infos. I find it conflicting, as a Hindu Chinese-Indonesian with interest in Asian cultures in general, because (this is going to be unpopular opinion) it seems like this book serves more purpose to non-Asian people.
Though, I would say this book particularly is lacking in term of 'dot-connection' since it moves way too fast from scenes to scenes. I finally found myself in comfortable pace after I reached 40 percent of the book and slowly the actions in the book feel a lot better.
You can still feel that whimsical vibes from this book. And also, I find most of the men here are such an as**oles. I don't like it when it seems like most of the FMC obstacles in order to reach her goals are always the *men*. Whether it's her dad, the king she encounter during her journey, and even sometimes the 'supposed-to-be' her love interest.
One last thing, I feel that Ms. Lim is trying too hard to provides bunch of Asian folklore or cultures from different countries and etnicity into one book.
The demon ones, the witch ones, and also the dragon ones, and many more is too much for me. Funfact, Angma (in my knowledge) derives from Korean 악마 (akma in spelling, angma in pronounciation) literally meant 'demon' (iblis in Indonesian). Ai'long is dragon in Mandarin. If you search the word 'suiyak' on seach engine, you will be directed into Wikipedia page about witchcraft practices in Asia.
They're so confusing and felt really shallow at some point because there were too many things happen in the same times but too little infomations or deeper understanding of said infos. I find it conflicting, as a Hindu Chinese-Indonesian with interest in Asian cultures in general, because (this is going to be unpopular opinion) it seems like this book serves more purpose to non-Asian people.
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️
Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim is a young adult fantasy novel that has strong family ties and a dash of romance. Channi is offered in sacrifice to the demon witch by her father and is cursed with a serpent’s face. Vanna (her sister) is the only person who doesn’t see a monster when she looks at Channi. To save her sister from a cruel match Channi becomes the target of his wrath.
Ah! I really knew I was going to love this book. This blended Beauty and the Beast, Asian mythology, and other tales so seamlessly. Channi, was so strong even though she has been ridiculed, cursed, and shunned her whole life even by those she called family. Her sister and her have such an amazing relationship which really shines through the whole book.
This is a young adult novel so the romance is not in your face and it is not spicy but it does just have a wholesome feel. Heartbreaking but wholesome. I would say this was medium-paced and more character driven. It had adventure, action, love, and loyalty! Also dragons!
I would recommend this to those who enjoy young adult fantasy novels with a touch of romance, asian folklore, Beauty and the Beast vibes, and adventure.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
I was familiar with this story and its ending, having already read Six Crimson Cranes. That did not diminish my enjoyment of this book, except that I already knew the twist at the end. I am still in love with Elizabeth Lim’s writing, this whole novel felt like a fairytale with the exploration of sisterhood, fantastical creatures, and lush world building. Highly recommend.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Self harm, Abandonment
adventurous
emotional
Thankyou to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a free e-arc in exchange of an honest review.
This book left me conflicted as its was just very average for me most of the way through.
I struggled to want to pick it up, however when i was reading it, it was easy to read and plodded along fine.
I think this could be due to being YA and my personal tastes being more Adult in writing style.
That being said the last 20% sucked me in and had me hooked.
I'm new to this author and this world (i believe this is meant to be a villain origin story) and because of the ending I'm now going to have to read the Six Crimson Cranes duology as i just cant imagine our characters being the villain.
3.5 stars!
This book left me conflicted as its was just very average for me most of the way through.
I struggled to want to pick it up, however when i was reading it, it was easy to read and plodded along fine.
I think this could be due to being YA and my personal tastes being more Adult in writing style.
That being said the last 20% sucked me in and had me hooked.
I'm new to this author and this world (i believe this is meant to be a villain origin story) and because of the ending I'm now going to have to read the Six Crimson Cranes duology as i just cant imagine our characters being the villain.
3.5 stars!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-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