Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

About

I really enjoyed this story. It had very strong worldbuilding, and the plot was amazing. A lot of it was predictable, but it was worth the read. There were also amazing sibling dynamics between Shiori and her brothers.

At the beginning, I struggled to get into the story, but by the end I was binging it in a day and wanting the second book as soon as possible. The relationships and plot twists were intriguing, and I did enjoy it a lot.

Thoughts

Shiori'anma, 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.

A sorceress in her own right, Raikama banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes. She warns 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 uncovers a dark conspiracy to seize the throne. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in a paper bird, a mercurial dragon, and the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to forswear - no matter what the cost.

Content

Romance

• "oh gods" (over 20 times)

Swearing

• A main part of the story is about demons and sorcery

• Undetailed kissing

Other