A review by aielinnae
A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Absolute power corrupts absolutely whether it’s in the Roman empire or present day dictatorships or 16th century Joseon. I’m not usually a June Hur fan, but immediately from the description, I was interested in this piece of Korean history not really well-known. The plot is not focused on describing the horrors King Yeonsan inflicted on his people, but the terror and fear is shown adding to the suspense and tension of the narration. Iseul is a commanding heroine doing everything she can to right her world and if it makes others’ better as well, that’s a bonus. Her constant courage and determination counters the usual Western stereotypical  views Asian female characters in a way that is subtle and refreshing. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings