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kat_the_kitten 's review for:
The Red Palace
by June Hur
I really enjoyed this book. This is especially great for people who know their Korean history, because at times I was wondering if people who are not Korean history nerds would understand everything, because often times words or phrases are not explained... But maybe I am overthinking this :D
The Red Palace is a great murder mystery set in a world you don't get to explore too often - Korea's Joseon Dynasty. The research for this book was really well done. Korean history is something I do basically as a job and I had no real problems with anything in this book ^^ Quite the opposite actually. Sometimes I felt like I should take notes. I also really loved the author's note at the end where she went a little bit into the actual factual history she uses for her story.
I know this book is marked as a K-Drama in book form. I don't know if I would agree. It is too short for that ;). Which is by no means a complaint. The pacing is really well done and the characters are nicely fleshed out. Even side-characters feel like they have depth and the story overall feels like the characters are living an actual life and this book is just telling an episode within that life.
I also really enjoyed how the love story was subtly interwoven with the murder plot and never took over. It was perfectly balanced with a satisfying end for both. And I love me some good old: this is just one book with one story and when you're done, you're done.
Overall I can only say that I am very eager to get more of Hur's books into my hands and that I will definitely re-read this one.
The Red Palace is a great murder mystery set in a world you don't get to explore too often - Korea's Joseon Dynasty. The research for this book was really well done. Korean history is something I do basically as a job and I had no real problems with anything in this book ^^ Quite the opposite actually. Sometimes I felt like I should take notes. I also really loved the author's note at the end where she went a little bit into the actual factual history she uses for her story.
I know this book is marked as a K-Drama in book form. I don't know if I would agree. It is too short for that ;). Which is by no means a complaint. The pacing is really well done and the characters are nicely fleshed out. Even side-characters feel like they have depth and the story overall feels like the characters are living an actual life and this book is just telling an episode within that life.
I also really enjoyed how the love story was subtly interwoven with the murder plot and never took over. It was perfectly balanced with a satisfying end for both. And I love me some good old: this is just one book with one story and when you're done, you're done.
Overall I can only say that I am very eager to get more of Hur's books into my hands and that I will definitely re-read this one.