Off the Shelf: Six Crimson Cranes

Summary:

Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted, but it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.

Raikama has dark magic of her own, and she banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes, and warning Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.

Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and, on her journey, uncovers a conspiracy to overtake the throne—a conspiracy more twisted and deceitful, more cunning and complex, than even Raikama’s betrayal. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she’s been taught all her life to contain—no matter what it costs her.

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I was super excited to finally get the chance to read this retelling of “The Wild Swans.” The idea was so new and magical and I was blown away by how quickly I was drawn into the story. I couldn’t tell if it would be a cliché fairytale storyline, but as the plot progressed I kept wanting more. Some things I assumed, some things caught me off guard, but the writing style and magic kept me glued to the pages. I needed to know how a young princess who had once been naïve to the darkness in her kingdom would now save her family and keep evil from trying to start wars. I read three fantasy novels that were of similar genre in a week, and I have to say this was my favorite of those three. Lim’s style was engaging and kept you guessing on what characters true intentions were, giving you just enough to keep you wondering.

One of the things I appreciated most about the novel was how the main character wasn’t starting off as a super weak or strong character. She was a normal girl living her life and the way she developed through the story felt realistic, not rushed, and that she truly grew into herself as a woman in the world she lived in. It was refreshing having a character that had flaws and growth in a realistic way. She was figuring things out as the reader was, and trying to protect those she loved. Her development was something I really enjoyed over the course of the story and look forward to seeing more in the sequel.

The end was well planned and while I was still left with so many questions, Lim did a good job covering just enough that the major parts were addressed. Coming to the end of the novel I was left still wanting to know more on the full picture of the story’s villain and the relationship between Shiori and her brothers as well–as I have a soft spot for sibling stories. What is the true intention of their nemesis? How will Shiori deal with the curses? How does forbidden magic and a dragon kingdom connect to the realm of Kiata ?

Take a sip of the story and you will wonder if it is poison or a cure as characters race to outwit the enemy as darkness spreads throughout a kingdom. Six Crimson Cranes is a fairytale retelling in a way that is original and