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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
fast-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
This book hurt so good. It’s a prequel, so if you’ve already read the other two books (which I do recommend reading them first), you know how it ends… but boy does it snag your heartstrings throughout the story because of that knowledge. I desperately wanted to learn more about this character after Six Crimson Cranes, so I feel like this was written for me. However, it doesn’t seem to fully explain some things and I could not tell you what Hokzuh looks like.
ARC Review
Story: 4.5/5 ⭐
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The prequel to Six Crimson Cranes follows the story of Channari who has been cursed with a serpent's face and poisoned blood. Forever shadowed by her beautiful younger sister Vanna, Channari must fight to protect Vanna from the hands of the one that cursed her.
I loved this book by Elizabeth Lim much more than the Six Crimson Cranes duology. While a prequel, it is not necessary to have read the duology before Her Radiant Curse as it follows another character's timeline. Channari's character is unwaivering and strong. Despite her serpentine face she shares an unbreakable bond between her and her younger sister. Their relationship is so heartfelt and endearing. This narrative of this story was so smooth and well written compared to Six Crimson Cranes. The story is well developed and picked up at just the right points. At first I was a tad worried that this would end in a cliffhanger despite having read the duology, but Lim does a fantastic job of wrapping up Channari's story so that it times perfectly with the start of Six Crimson Cranes. The ending, while not a super happy ending, fit the story of Channari and Vanna. It left me a little sad that it was over but content.
***I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to the author/publishing company and netgalley for this opportunity!
Story: 4.5/5 ⭐
---
The prequel to Six Crimson Cranes follows the story of Channari who has been cursed with a serpent's face and poisoned blood. Forever shadowed by her beautiful younger sister Vanna, Channari must fight to protect Vanna from the hands of the one that cursed her.
I loved this book by Elizabeth Lim much more than the Six Crimson Cranes duology. While a prequel, it is not necessary to have read the duology before Her Radiant Curse as it follows another character's timeline. Channari's character is unwaivering and strong. Despite her serpentine face she shares an unbreakable bond between her and her younger sister. Their relationship is so heartfelt and endearing. This narrative of this story was so smooth and well written compared to Six Crimson Cranes. The story is well developed and picked up at just the right points. At first I was a tad worried that this would end in a cliffhanger despite having read the duology, but Lim does a fantastic job of wrapping up Channari's story so that it times perfectly with the start of Six Crimson Cranes. The ending, while not a super happy ending, fit the story of Channari and Vanna. It left me a little sad that it was over but content.
***I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to the author/publishing company and netgalley for this opportunity!
I didn't really like this. The world building wasn't very good. I also didn't like the audiobook reader.
Elizabeth Lim does it once again, she weaves a magical and engrossing story tale that captivates readers from the begging. This is the prequel to the Six Crimson Cranes Duology and it was equally enthralling to read the backstory of one of the supporting characters in the duology. Beautiful story, cover art, and storytelling!!
adventurous
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
This follows the tale of Channari- the woman who will come to be the step-mother of Shiori (the main character of Six Crimson Cranes). I would definitely recommend reading the duology before reading Her Radiant Curse, though I am now tempted to read them again to see how well the stories connect.
We begin the book with a curse: Where one sister will rise, the other will fall.
I do love these kinds of prophecies, especially when they could be fulfilled through a variety of ways. I, of course, won't spoil it for you. Just know that Channari was "cursed" with the ability to speak to snakes, that her blood would be poisonous like snake venom, and that her face would be marred with snake-like features. Her sister, Vanna, has a literal radiance that has lead many to believe she's been touched by the gods. Their father favors one over the other, but mostly because he's greedy and he knows he can make a lot of money off Vanna's beauty. Here we see further evidence that the sisters are not on even footing in life, despite their love for one another. Through their love, the story unravels.
In the course of the tale, there are two characters that I care most about. One is Channi's best friend, a snake named Ukar. He's a wonderful companion who offers insight and humor. The other is a half-demon/half-dragon named Hokzuh. For those that have read the duology, yes- it's that dragon. This book definitely goes into a topic that's very important in The Dragon's Promise. (In fact, it gives that book title a whole other meaning.) I wound up cross-checking the information given in The Dragon's Promise and it holds true.
My biggest complaint, however, is the inciting incident for Hokzuh's part of the tale. We're either not given enough information or the author failed to account for the connection shared between Hokzuh and another character. Wasn't there a connection between these two characters? Wasn't there CHARACTER GROWTH? Why did we just chuck that all out? Honestly... It should have been rewritten or expanded upon. If the duology didn't already exist, Hokzuh would have gotten a different ending. (His journey leads us to believe it would all transpire differently.) Of course, the duology does exist and this has to directly connect... As such, Hokzuh is faced with a completely unfair and short-sighted ending.
It is because of how things transpired with Hokzuh that I'm giving this only 4 stars. It could have been 5, but apparently some characters aren't allowed to grow and other characters aren't allowed to be seen as something more than their monstrous side. It completely changed my understanding of a few characters. There was no compassion to be found when there should have been.
WHAT WOULD HAVE MADE IT FIVE STARS: (Some may find this to be spoiler-y)
With the power this other person (A) had, they could have isolated the character (B) and then gone in search of a NEW means of helping the character (B) gain control. If something existed once, it could exist again. The character (B) was not a lost cause. In fact - it would have made for a better ending if they then realized that the character (B) would then want to be after the other character (A), and for THIS reason character (B) needed to be isolated. Not... "YOU BROKE OUR AGREEMENT! *cries*"
We begin the book with a curse: Where one sister will rise, the other will fall.
I do love these kinds of prophecies, especially when they could be fulfilled through a variety of ways. I, of course, won't spoil it for you. Just know that Channari was "cursed" with the ability to speak to snakes, that her blood would be poisonous like snake venom, and that her face would be marred with snake-like features. Her sister, Vanna, has a literal radiance that has lead many to believe she's been touched by the gods. Their father favors one over the other, but mostly because he's greedy and he knows he can make a lot of money off Vanna's beauty. Here we see further evidence that the sisters are not on even footing in life, despite their love for one another. Through their love, the story unravels.
In the course of the tale, there are two characters that I care most about. One is Channi's best friend, a snake named Ukar. He's a wonderful companion who offers insight and humor. The other is a half-demon/half-dragon named Hokzuh. For those that have read the duology, yes- it's that dragon. This book definitely goes into a topic that's very important in The Dragon's Promise. (In fact, it gives that book title a whole other meaning.) I wound up cross-checking the information given in The Dragon's Promise and it holds true.
My biggest complaint, however, is the inciting incident for Hokzuh's part of the tale. We're either not given enough information or the author failed to account for the connection shared between Hokzuh and another character. Wasn't there a connection between these two characters? Wasn't there CHARACTER GROWTH? Why did we just chuck that all out? Honestly... It should have been rewritten or expanded upon. If the duology didn't already exist, Hokzuh would have gotten a different ending. (His journey leads us to believe it would all transpire differently.) Of course, the duology does exist and this has to directly connect... As such, Hokzuh is faced with a completely unfair and short-sighted ending.
It is because of how things transpired with Hokzuh that I'm giving this only 4 stars. It could have been 5, but apparently some characters aren't allowed to grow and other characters aren't allowed to be seen as something more than their monstrous side. It completely changed my understanding of a few characters. There was no compassion to be found when there should have been.
WHAT WOULD HAVE MADE IT FIVE STARS: (Some may find this to be spoiler-y)
With the power this other person (A) had, they could have isolated the character (B) and then gone in search of a NEW means of helping the character (B) gain control. If something existed once, it could exist again. The character (B) was not a lost cause. In fact - it would have made for a better ending if they then realized that the character (B) would then want to be after the other character (A), and for THIS reason character (B) needed to be isolated. Not... "YOU BROKE OUR AGREEMENT! *cries*"
I loved Six Crimson Cranes and Dragons Promise and I was looking forward reading Her Radiant Curse and it did not diss. Lim has a way with words and storytelling that is engaging and beautiful. They take time to tell the story and you feel the myth come to life.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
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