I have some big mixed feelings about this one. Six Crimson Cranes took my enjoyment of it through a roller coaster of a ride. Six Crimson Cranes follows Shiori, a princess with secret magic who doesn't want to wed the boy her father has chosen for her. Her magic captures her stepmother, Raikama's, attention, and Shiori finds herself banished to the north and her six brothers turned into cranes. If she says a word to anyone about anything, her brothers will die. Shiori's journey takes her all across Kiata into some unexpected places, putting her in the paths of nobility, dragons and demons who all vie to control her magic, and Shiori must break the curse before the kingdom descends into war. I had high expectations for this one, and in some respects those expectations were met, and in others they weren't. I am rating this 3.5 stars, but not enough to get it up to 4. I really loved the gorgeous worldbuilding the author employs in this novel. The way she brings elements of East Asian mythology, culture and folklore to life is nothing short of stunning. Lim's prose is lyrical and lush and very readable, and the plot of this book is super unique and original, unlike any book I have read before. So props to the author on that. Also, can we talk about Takkan for a minute? What a dreamboat. I loved how his and Shiori's burgeoning romance played out through the novel and all the twists and turns inherent to this. I also loved Kiki as a sidekick. She was adorable and a fun addition to the novel. All this being said, I had two major problems with this book that kept me from rounding it up to 4 stars. First, I could NOT stand Shiori for the majority of the novel. I thought she was kind of bratty and selfish, which is a good place I guess to start a character off, but her major character development didn't really kick in until the last like 20% of the novel. I recognize she's a teenager and that's all well and good but characters who just whine and feel sorry for themselves and act that way don't rub off well on me. Secondly is the pacing. The first 3/4 of this novel felt excruciatingly slow at times and I just wanted more of the darker elements of the story and the magic system. The ending was fantastic and really redeemed this book for me. I wanted more foreshadowing throughout the plot though. If there had been more of the type of action, magic and lore that we see towards the end of this book just sprinkled throughout the book, my rating would be different. Also would have loved to see more character driven choices in this book and more Raikama. I think her story is a bit more compelling than Shiori's to be honest and I am kind of sad we only got to see just a little bit of her at the end. So Six Crimson Cranes was a mixed bag for me, but I am sure that there are people who will really love this more than me. And in the end, I liked it. I just wish some things had been improved upon.

Six Crimson Cranes was one of my most anticipated releases this year and it did not fail to meet my expectations. Once again, Elizabeth Lim has weaved a magical tale of adventure, secrets, dragons, enchantments, family, and fate. I was absolutely drawn to Shiori’s story as she navigated the sudden change in her situation from beloved princess to being cursed and cast off with her brother’s lives dependent on her ability to stay silent. This world is sure to enchant readers, just like Elizabeth Lim’s The Blood of Stars duology. Six Crimson Cranes has cemented Elizabeth Lim’s space on my go-to author list and I eagerly await the sequel.

Six Crimson Cranes was a lovely fairytale-like book that was a fun read, but never exceeded my expectations of the genre.
I think I'm learning that fairytale retellings or inspired books tend to not be my cup of tea. Six Crimson Cranes has a lot of wonderful aspects that initially captivated me. The start of the story gives the reader dragons and magic and a fantasy world that is rich and alluring, but beyond the first 100 pages of the book, those elements begin to dwindle away to nearly nothing. The "quest" aspect of the book felt lackluster when more of the world's folklore and mythology could have been explored through the character's journeys.
To me, the book felt like it came to a grinding halt towards the second half of the story, making it difficult to keep myself entertained. The ending, while satisfying, was a whirlwind of chaos with the 'true' villain switching perspectives multiple times.
If you enjoy East Asian fantasies and fairytale-like books, make sure you check this one out!

Six Crimson Cranes is truly the perfect mix of fairytale, court intrigue, soft romance, and humor. It's an epic fantasy based on East Asian folklore, and the atmosphere and charming (but surprisingly unpredictable) story suck you right in. From the first few lines I was hooked, and spent hours lost in Shiori's world of forbidden magic and mouth-watering foods.

Shiori herself is one of my favorite YA heroines to date. She's bold, funny, has a good heart but can be careless and even hurtful, and it's impossible not to admire her determination in the face of despair and agonizing pain--yet she still feels like a 16 year old, rash and overconfident at times but striving to be better for her family. Her growth over the course of the novel is significant, and it's beautiful to watch her mature and strengthen.

And don't even get me STARTED on Takkan. Like Shiori, babe, I get that you don't want to be forced into a marriage you didn't want and get sent north, but he's ruggedly handsome, kind, generous to the point of absurdity, draws/sings/tells stories...I mean. Talk about a heart of gold.

If you, like me, are a sucker for fairytales and folklore, dragons (!!!), lovable side characters (Kiki, darling, you have my whole heart), and a heroine you can't help but root for, this is absolutely the book for you.

I absolutely adored this book! I already knew that I would enjoy this book because I really like Elizabeth Lim’s writing. I think her writing is beautiful, magical, and that she can fit a lot of story into a short about of pages. In my opinion this book was just as beautifully written as her others. I has everything I love: an arranged marriage trope, dragons, quests, curses, and the fairytale vibe.

Six Crimson Cranes. Is an atmospheric retelling of The Wild Swans with magic, curses, sibling dynamics, and a lot of hope. Shiori, the main character, is a strong, curious, and determined young woman. Her character development and growth were very enjoyable! Again all of this told from an author whose writing is magical, makes this book incredible. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoyed her The Blood of Stars duology. I cannot wait for the second and final book in this new series. I’m really looking forward to it.

(6/28/2021) 5 stars.

Six Crimson Cranes is a magical story following a young, impulsive, trouble-maker princess on her quest to save the ones she loves. Along the way she discovers new things about herself and the people she thought she despised and finds within herself the strength she needs to overcome the obstacles thrown at her. Lim has created a charming cast of characters that live in a beautiful backdrop. The mythology sewn within the story is fun to read and discover and the romance is so sweet, although I must admit...... I would've gone with the other choice. Is there a love triangle brewing? I feel like it would be a disservice to the love interest in this story and wouldn't make sense. But it just seems like there's a little bit there with the other character and I cannot ignore it (and I always lose when I pick a love interest so I am gonna keep my mind open - both characters are really great in different ways and I cannot wait to see Shiori spend more time with the other one!)

A jaw-droppingly beautiful adventure. It's a masterful retelling of "The Wild Swans" and "Green Snake," two of my favorite fairytales from childhood. It's about time someone retold them! Princess Shiori's journey is heartbreaking and powerful - I've never seen so much character development in one book. The plot is well paced, the characters all well developed, and the world building is sublime. The reader feels like part of the magical adventure the entire time. This has got to be one of my favorite fantasy novels now.

Elizabeth Lim’s writing is so immersive and atmospheric. I really liked her Blood of Stars series, and this is a great addition the lore of that world. The story is based off the fairytale The Wild Swans, with some Chinese and Japanese folklore woven in as well. It certainly does have the feel of a classic fairytale, but also has some twists and surprises that I found very rewarding. The middle of the book felt very slow to me, but I think the slow burn of the pacing paid off in the climax. I was also disappointed that there weren’t more dragons in the story. The blurb promises the help of a dragon, but he doesn’t actually help that much in this story. The way the sequel is being set up, however, leads me to believe dragons will play a larger role as the series continues. I know I will be eagerly awaiting for it.

First of all, thank you Knopf for an eARC of this in exchange for an honest review!

Six Crimson Cranes follows Shiori, the princess of Kiata. Shiori has magic, but it is forbidden. On the morning of her betrothal ceremony to Takkan, a man she believes to be boring, she loses control of her magic.

When Shiori discovers her stepmother, Raikama, has dark magic, she banishes Shiori and turns her 6 brothers into cranes. Trapped with a bowl over her head, she is told that for each word she speaks, one of her brothers will die.

I lovedSpin the Dawn and Unravel the Dusk, so I was extremely excited to see another book coming from Elizabeth Lim. This has a similar adeventure and trials setup for the story, but if even possible, Lim's writing has become truly magnificent. The imagery and the magic of the story is truly beautiful, and each section of the book really flows into the next. While parts of Spin the Dawn could be choppy, this was really well executed.

And, if you're wondering, there is quite a bit of romance! I loved the romance in this one. It is sweet, and it really takes its time to build. There are lots of spoilers, and an amazing twist at the end, but I cannot recommend this one enough! Can't wait for the next installemnt!

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim was a vibrant story filled with characters bursting with personality! I loved the story Shiori was a powerful protagonist that was easy to relate to and her interactions with the other characters were equally funny and emotional.

The overall setting and story was charming and the influences of the various fairytales and folklore woven into it created something that felt truly magical. Six Crimson Cranes read like a fairytale all its own and I cannot wait to see what happens next!

4.5 Hearts
SJ, Romance Junkies

This is my first book by Elizabeth Lim, and it was fantastic. I’m a huge fan of fairytale retellings, and the sharp characters, wonderful world-building, and clear prose made this a book I had a tough time putting down.

Based on the “The Wild Swans” fairytale, the story revolves around Princess Shiori, who lives in a land where magic is forbidden. She has a father, six older brothers, and a stepmother who doesn’t like her. She’s also engaged to be married to a boy she’s never even met. Shiori practices some forbidden magic, a small thing, and that small thing spirals into something much bigger, ending in a curse that turns her brothers into cranes, and which keeps her silent about what she knows or else they’ll be killed. To protect her family, she’ll have to manage in silence on an adventure that takes her on a journey of self-discovery and magic.

SIX CRIMSON CRANES is a lovely tale that sticks with you long after you finish. Filled with awesome storytelling and wonderful characters, it’s a fantasy not to be missed!

Can I just say, this cover is GORGEOUS. Breathtaking. I am deeply in love with this cover. I would marry this cover. I would adopt three kids with this cover.

Despite the beauty and absolute magnificence of the cover, Six Crimson Cranes was not my favorite- but that’s more of a me problem than the book’s problem. The tone is very fairy tale esque, which makes sense, because it’s built on the myths close to Elizabeth Lim’s heart.

I won’t go too in depth on plot, but Six Crimson Cranes is about a princess who discovers her stepmother is a demon and in retaliation her stepmother stops her from speaking and turns her brothers into cranes. It’s a story about loving yourself and being loyal to your family, as well as what it means to be heroic and what keeps you from becoming a “demon”.

This story is fun. It has all the elements of a good fantasy, with tropes and excitement. If you’re a fan of Katherine Arden, I think you’ll like this one.

For me, it was a bit subpar, mainly because I’m not one for the Katherine Arden style. I think this will also work well with individuals who want easy-to-read YA, because though the prose is beautiful, it’s simple, easy to make your way through.

I will be recommending it to others, even though it wasn’t my cup of tea.

A BIG thank you to NetGalley, Knopf and Ms. Lim for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

This book has had a lot of hype. I mean, I was emailed twice with suggestions that I request an eARC. However, I do love a fairy tale retelling, and I was intrigued by the gorgeous cover, the description, and the high ratings of Ms. Lim's previous books.

Well. For once, the hype doesn't disappoint. This book was FANTASTIC. Easily one of the best I've read this year. Lots of action, characters that grow (both on you as a reader and into themselves), gorgeous setting, and a tight story. Yes, you can guess where the plot is going (I can't say that I was particularly surprised by any of the twists) but you absolutely don't care because the journey is so fabulous. Shiori is a terrific heroine and I am really looking forward to seeing her navigate her way in book #2. I don't want to spoil any plot points but the story potential in book #2 is absolutely huge.

Highly recommended especially to fantasy readers.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Overall, I did enjoy this book quite a bit. I liked the characters and how I was easily able to imagine them as real people. Like in some YA books, I found certain decisions that were made by the main character, Shiori, to be unrealistic, but I can usually forgive them due to the age range of both the characters and who it was written for.

I loved the magic in this book. I found the use of curses extremely interesting and quite unique. I have never read the source material that inspired this book, the Six Swans, but I found Six Crimson Cranes very magical quite immersive.

There were some things that I did not like as much. First, the action sequences weren't clearly written at all in my opinion. There seemed to be too much going on and there was no clear focus. These action sequences seemed to jump around from start to finish and it became confusing more than once. There was just too much going on anytime something exciting happened. I also found the ending a but predictable. There was a twist that I saw coming from a mile away that just sort of left the ending falling a bit flat.

While I did enjoy reading this book, there were times that I was just a tad underwhelmed by the time I finished.

I really enjoyed this book! The synopsis alone intrigued me: East Asian folklore? Evil step-mothers? Forbidden magic? DRAGONS? Yes please! I have learned that I am not really a fan of fairytale retellings, but this one was different. I would highly recommend this book.

Six Crimson Cranes is easily one of the best YA fantasy books that I have read this year, and should be one of the best-selling books of the summer. Although the beginning may seem a little bit slow, as you become immersed in this world, the story picks up rapidly. The details of landscape, magic, and myth are exquisitely incorporated throughout the story, with several twists and turns along the way. Our lead princess learns much about herself throughout the journey, including strength, patience, kindness, and wisdom. I have already recommended this book to multiple people, and will continue to do so. My only complaint? Waiting for book 2!

Elizabeth Lim never disappoints.

Six Crimson Cranes is the perfect read! Set in the same world as her Spin the Dawn series, the story follows a princess named Shiori who lives in a kingdom where magic is forbidden. She loves the life she leads with her six older brothers, even if that means she has to hide her own magic. But on the day she is to be wed to a boy she's never met, instead she finds herself face to face with a dragon. This sets forth a series of events that ends with Shiori cursed with a bowl on her head that suppresses her magic and her six brothers turned into cranes. And if she utters one word, it will mean the end for one of her brothers. Separated across her own kingdom and forced into silence, Shiori must reunite with her brothers and break the curse. With plenty of magic, fairytales, and secrets along the way, Six Crimson Cranes is an adventure you won't want to miss out on.

I absolutely love the tales Lim draws upon. Her world is so vivid and real, I feel like I could step into its pages. Shiori's tale is gripping and exciting, and I couldn't put the book down.

Fairytales, dragons, magic, friendship, family, secrets, love--Six Crimson Cranes has it all.

If you've read Spin the Dawn, then this is absolutely a must read. And, if you haven't read it--well, pick them both because you will not regret it.

Thank you Random House & NetGalley for an eARC of this book!

Four stars from me 😌 Six Crimson Cranes is such a wonderfully woven tale of Japanese and Chinese folklore and fables. Shiori’s adventures were regaled in such an enchanting way and I loved it immensely! The characters were so rich with personality and flaws ~ Shiori herself was at times so frustrating (some of her decisions made me want to yell!!) but her growth over the course of the story really was one of my favorite parts.

Most of the conflicts felt like they were resolved pretty predictably, and a lot of the plot itself was skimmed over ~ certain aspects of Shiori’s adventure that took days (eg her sailing the sea alone for a week being summed up in a couple sentences) were so brief and didn’t have super rich descriptions. At first this felt kind of weak to me but eventually I fell into the rhythm of that kind of writing and realized that it did feel really reminiscent of reading a childhood fairytale because of that. My only major qualms were that the conflicts didn’t feel very high stake because of the writing and how things were resolved a quickly and without any sort of lasting tension.

Overall, I loved Shiori, loved Takkan, and I really enjoyed the experience of reading this story! There were so many really stunning moments and I just loved the author’s combination of a Hans Christian Andersen reimagining + Japanese/Chinese folklore ~ it was so unique, and I’m looking forward to the sequel!

Major thank you to Netgalley and publishers for the ARC!

I’ve been eagerly anticipating Six Crimson Cranes since I heard of the concept, and even more so after finally reading Elizabeth Lim’s The Blood of Stars duology (Spin the Dawn and Unravel the Dusk), and needless to say, it didn’t disappoint.

Six Crimson Cranes is the first in a duology, and I’m honestly so angry/upset/stressed that I have to wait another year to find out what happens to our beloved cast of characters. Six Crimson Cranes follows Shiori, the only princess in a place where magic is forbidden — which would be fine, except for the fact that magic flows through her veins. The morning of her engagement ceremony, however, her carefully concealed gift is made known, setting the following events into motion: postponing the wedding she never wanted and catching the attention of her stepmother Raikama. With secrets and dark magic of her own, Raikama places a curse on Shiori, and her brothers. The curse in question? Shiori has a wooden bowl over her head at all times, and all six of her brothers are turned into cranes. And for every sound Shiori makes, one of her brothers will die. Determined to fix things, Shiori sets off on a journey to reunite with her brothers and to find a way to break the curse. In the process, she realizes that she’ll need help from the suitor she left behind at the altar, and that things are never quite what they seem.

There was so much to love about Six Crimson Cranes. The premise, the characters, the worldbuilding, the pacing, the yearning, the dynamics between all characters — Six Crimson Cranes is truly one of a kind.

Six Crimson Cranes draws from The Wild Swans and East Asian folklore, and while I’m not super familiar with The Wild Swans, I could definitely see the influences from East Asian folklore — most namely, Chang’e. The tale of Chang’e is one of my favorites, and I’m always on the lookout for any and all stories that reference Chang’e. I’ll also say that parts of Six Crimson Cranes reminded me of The Little Mermaid, which I found to be a nice surprise.

Almost immediately, I felt for Shiori. I found myself rooting for her completely. There was so much riding on her shoulders, and I wanted to give her a hug so badly. Shiori is so strong, intelligent, compassionate, and at times, too trusting, and a character that I just found really relatable. I loved watching her grow throughout the book — not just as a character, but also honing her magic skills.

Six Crimson Cranes is gifted with a dynamic cast of characters. I loved how distinct each brother was from one another. As an only child, I’ve always got a soft spot for books with familial relationships, and it was incredibly evident how deeply they all cared for one another. Hasho was definitely my favorite out of all of Shiori’s brothers, but I enjoyed them all, and am excited to read more about them in the sequel. Kiri, Shiori’s magical crane, had such an unique voice as well — you could really tell how much Shiori and Kiri cared for one another, and how deep their bond was. I also loved Takkan; Shiori’s betrothed, who has a heart of gold, and gives off strong Disney prince energy. I found that Shiori and Takkan had a similar dynamic to Maia and Eden in The Blood of Stars in that they’re both linked by the red string of fate — one of my favorite tropes. More importantly, their chemistry, their yearning and pining had me really excited to see how they develop more in the second book.

Lim’s worldbuilding is spectacular, and I loved that Six Crimson Cranes takes place in the same world as The Blood of Stars. I found her lyrical prose to be beautifully written, and I could easily picture all the events that unfolded in Six Crimson Cranes.

With dragons, curses, quests, princesses, and yearning, how could I not recommend Six Crimson Cranes to everyone I know? In other words, I am already apologizing to everyone I know for how much I’ll be talking about this one in the days to come — and how often I’ll bring up that we still have a year until the sequel is released.

"Find the light that makes your lantern shine," she used to say. "Hold on to it, even when the dark surrounds you. Not even the strongest wind will blow out the flame."

This book had a lot, and it was so good! I love fantasy novels, and Elizabeth Lim continues to weave magical tales in every book. Six Crimson Cranes includes forbidden magic, curses, dragons, poison, and more to entice readers.

Shiori uncovers a secret, and in return, her six brothers, Andahai, Benkai, Reiji, Wandei, Yotan, and Hasho, are turned into cranes. Shiori is unable to speak, or she risks it killing one of her brothers. Now being unrecognizable with the bowl on her head, she must set things right again before it is too late.

Shiori, along with her paper crane, Kiki, goes on a journey to break the curse. The princess discovers herself along the way while also growing in strength and discovering what's around her. She stumbles across her betrothed, Takkan, during her journey and ends up in Iro.

Here, in Iro, secrets are kept, and poison is spread. With an assassin on the loose, Shiori sticks to her plans of breaking the curse. But she also finds friendship in Megari, Takkan's little sister.

"Don't teach a dragon history, Princess, especially not magic history."

Seryu and Megari were my absolute favorites! Megari had so much spunk, and I loved that she was not afraid to speak her mind, especially when it came to Zairena. Seeing Megari's interactions with her brother Takkan and everyone in Castle Bushian was so heartwarming. Seryu is one of the best dragons I have read about, and who wouldn't love him and his cheekiness? I am definitely looking forward to knowing more about him in the second book and reading about his backstory.

The Nameless Queen or Raikama was such a compelling character! When you first read about her and all of the deadly snakes in her garden, you are intrigued. Then bam, the curse happens, and your viewpoint of her changes. I enjoyed reading the flashbacks Shiori had that included her stepmother because it showed how she warred with her vision of the current person she saw and who she knew growing up.

Takkan, the prince and future husband of Shiori, was adorable. He writes stories, cares for his sister, protects those around him, and risks his life to find answers. The little bit of romance we got was so cute! It flowed so nicely with the story, and I cannot wait to see what book two has in store for this wonderful cast of characters.

Six Crimson Cranes is such a magical story with family/siblings (her six brothers, and Megari and Takkan) and love at the heart of it. It leaves you asking yourself various questions. How far would you go for the ones you love?

"Sometimes the truth is the hardest poison to swallow."

Thank you NetGalley and Random House (Knopf) publishing for providing me with an advance reader copy!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review posted to Goodreads on 6-27-21