Thank you to Lili at Penguin Random House for sending me an eARC of Six Crimson Cranes in exchange for an honest review!

Shiori, the sole princess of Kiata, holds the secret of her forbidden magic close. However, Shiori's stepmother Raikama takes notice of her magic and places a curse on the princess and her six brothers. Her brothers are turned into cranes and for every word Shiori speaks, one of her brothers will die. Shiori must embark on a journey to locate her brothers and break the curse that has befallen them.

Elizabeth Lim has outdone herself with this book - if I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. This imaginative retelling of "The Wild Swans" features the arranged-marriage trope, morally-gray characters, magic, dragons, and so much more.

As a protagonist, Shiori is strong-willed and independent. She does not encompass any of the more repetitive (sometimes annoying) YA protagonist stereotypes, which makes her all the more lovable and realistic. Her motivations are often much more centered around family rather than romantic love which I feel makes her a much more realistic young adult character. You won't cringe at the things Shiori says or does throughout the novel, because you will feel as if you would have done the same thing in her position.

The writing is mesmerizing and the pacing of the story itself is brilliant. I never felt like the book moved too fast or dragged, it just seamlessly flowed. This book is proof that Elizabeth Lim knows how to craft a story, satisfying the reader while also leaving them wanting more. I genuinely cannot wait for readers to be able to experience Shiori's story on July 7th.

I can honestly say that this is the best book I have read thus far in 2021. I am SO excited for the sequel.

The main thing that I loved about this book was how well the European fairytales were woven with the Asian culture and folktales to produce a wholly new story that was just wonderful! The writing was amazing and at times you could really feel like you were there in the story going through the same hardships as Shiori.

Shiori was also a wonderful character. She went through so much growth, starting as a spoiled and head strong princess, to doing what she must in order to survive a terrible curse. She is the sole narrator and for most of the book we are totally in her head. Besides her being clever and creative, she was also able to see the good in people even when they maybe didn’t deserve it. I also loved her relationship with Kiki, a paper crane that she brought to life and is her friend and confidant throughout the story. Kiki was a times the only comfort that Shiori had and sometimes she was the comic relief we all needed.

I loved her relationship with her brothers, although they could be a problem at times. They did not allow her to grow as she should, trying to shelter her and protect her when she really didn’t need them too. We don’t see a whole lot of the brothers, and they did tend to be one dimensional, but that was ok. They were not the focus of the story.

The romance between Shiori and Takkan was well done. Slow and sweet, with a lot of misunderstandings at the start. I really liked Takkan and how he loved to tell stories. He was also wonderful with his sister. But he could be tough, as well, when he needed to be especially when Shiori or his sister were in danger.

I really liked Seryu, the dragon that Shiori befriends at the start of the story. I would have like to see more of him, but it looks like the second book will be more about the dragons and their role in this world. I can’t wait to see more of him and learn more about his world.

Lots of evil characters in this one, and some who turned out to not be quite what they seemed at the start. Raikama was really good as the evil stepmother, but there was way more to her than anyone suspected. I loved her story and how things were not what you expected.

As always the writing is just suburb, and you will find yourself totally immersed in this world. Although the characters are very much a part of the story and are what drives the plot, the overall story is what will captivate your heart. I just loved the mix of European fairytales with Asian culture and folktales.

Another stunning story from this very talented author. If you loved Spin the Dawn then you really need to get this book. You will end up loving it just as much or more as her first duology.

Thank you to Random House Children's for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Elizabeth Lim has done it again! I was obsessed with Spin The Dawn when I first read it last year, so I was incredibly excited to hear that Elizabeth Lim’s new YA fantasy novel, Six Crimson Cranes was coming out this summer! The story is filled with beautiful storytelling, fascinating mythology, and heartwarming themes of family and love. Overall, I would give this novel 4.5 stars!

Six Crimson Cranes follows Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, who is in possession of forbidden magic. On the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control of her magic and catches the attention of her stepmother, Raikama, who has dark magic of her own. In turn, Raikama banishes Shiori and turns her six brothers into cranes, warning Shiori that for every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die. Shiori flees the kingdom in search of her brothers, and, on her journey, uncovers a conspiracy to overtake the throne. To save her kingdom, Shiori must place her trust in the very boy she fought so hard not to marry and embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to contain—no matter what it costs her.

The original fairytale of The Six Swans has been a story I have known since I was a child and it was really cool to see it adapted and intertwined with Chinese mythology. Elizabeth Lim always does an excellent job of embedding East Asian mythology into her fantasy stories and her lush storytelling is always so much fun to dive into. I also really loved following Shiori’s journey and seeing her relationship with her brothers progress from the beginning of the novel to the end. Even with Shiori’s relationship with Raikama, you can tell that one of the major themes of this novel is family, which I absolutely loved. The romance in this novel was also so sweet. It’s not the main focus of the story, which I think was the right decision because it’s evident that this story is Shiori’s story and hers alone. Nevertheless, I’m so excited for the next book in the series and to see more of Shiori and Takkan in Book 2!

Review to be updated closer to my tour date

A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse... Drawing from fairy tales and East Asian folklore, this original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone.

"A dazzling fairytale full of breathtaking storytelling." --Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval

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.

Weaving together elements of The Wild Swans, Cinderella, the legend of Chang E, and the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, Elizabeth Lim has crafted a fantasy like no other, and one that will stay with readers long after they've turned the last page.

Princess Shiori is filled with forbidden magic, a secret she must not tell. On the morning of her betrothal ceremony, though, she loses control, which leads to Shiori being banished, her brothers being turned into cranes, and her voice costing a brother’s life. She must figure out how to get her voice back, embrace her magic, and work with her betrothed.

This book has the perfect balance of lovable characters and a captivating plot. Also, Elizabeth Lim has a gorgeous writing style that I can’t seem to get enough of. It took me only a few hours to read due to these elements. I highly reommend to anyone who likes fantasy!

5/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Also, I did purchase my own copy after reading it because of how good it was!

On the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Princess Shiori almost exposes the forbidden magic she possesses. The incident causes her wedding to get postponed, which she is thrilled about, and she also happens to meet a dragon. When Shiori sees something she wasn’t supposed to, she finds herself against her stepmother’s dark magic. Shiori’s brothers, the princes, are turned into cranes, and she is told that if she speaks, they will die. Abandoned, alone, and unable to explain her circumstances, Shiori struggles to find a way to save her brothers. However, she stumbles into a dangerous conspiracy that would bring harm to many. Teaming up with her former fiancé, Shiori will have to use her wits and her magic to save everyone.

It has been a long time since I have been this enraptured by a fictional world.

The fairytale aspect of this book is what drew me to it. The idea of a princess without a voice trying to reverse the curse that turns her brothers into cranes was fascinating to me! I wasn’t expecting the world-building and the writing to have me completely spellbound to the story!

My favorite things about this book:
- Unique fairytale that drives the story
- Sibling relationships
- Arranged marriage trope & slow-burn romance
- TAKKAN
- Dragons (who can apparently turn into hot guys)
- The paper cranes
- The descriptive and beautiful settings that transported me into another world (I genuinely want to live in this book)
- Shiori’s character development
- Plot twists
- Side characters (Kiki, Megari, the brothers, etc.).
Okay, that was a lot of favorite things, but this book was just really good! The magic system hasn’t been a huge part of the story yet, and I hope it gets explored more in the next book! I could easily see myself re-reading this book over and over again!

I don’t really have any actual complaints, but I wasn’t happy this book ended with a cliffhanger (I NEED BOOK 2 ALREADY!) I didn’t realize this was the first book in a duology, and I expected a standalone with an ending. As a result, the cliffhanger caught me off-guard, but I have every intention of reading book 2 and am hoping that it is just as spectacular as book 1!

I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes fairytale re-tellings and/or Asian fantasy/mythology! It was also rather clean; violence and death are the only content warnings I can think of.

I make no bones about the fact that DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST is probably my favourite book, from my favourite series, of all time. SIX CRIMSON CRANES is loosely based around the same fairytale, THE SIX SWANS. Marillier puts her own spin on the former and Lim does the same in her story. Comparing the two would be like comparing two different Beauty and the Beast retellings.. except for the fact that I am far more invested in this one!

I liked so much of this particular reimagining, from transporting the tale into an Asian-inspired setting, to the extra fantastical elements the author infused into it, the different direction she took with the main character, and, specifically, one thing I can't mention due the spoilers.

I did, however, find it was a struggle to imagine certain scenes, either because it was hazily described or there were just too many bodies and things bouncing around at once, and it got muddied, which would bounce me right out of the story. I've not read the author before so I'm not familiar with her writing in this way but this is also an ARC so maybe it's just one of those ARC things. That said, the big conflict flies by so quickly, particularly the one I'm familiar with from the story, and some of the impact is lost as a result. Which is unfortunate as I had really become invested up until that point and it was then that I lost steam and pretty much immediately knew I'd not be rounding up the rating.

Also, there's a certain condition of the curse that befalls our main character and the way it's described? I hope some character art gets made to give me a better idea of what that's supposed to look like as my brain struggled to picture something that wasn't.. silly. And even still I'm not entirely sure there's any way to salvage it.

Speaking of picture, though, that cover? S t u n n i n g.

So, yes, there's a lot of good here, and I'm probably biased, but it's not going to be a favourite. I am, however, very interested in reading on and seeing where the story goes as the retelling portion has concluded and it's all new territory from this point on (at least I assume! maybe there's a new fairytale inspiration for book two, who knows, not me). If you need more diverse fantasy for your TBR, I would definitely encourage this as an option.

Side note, to all my DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST fans? Reading this will only make you want to immediately pick up the Sevenwaters series for a reread, so. If you don't have room in your schedule for that kind of thing, beware (or be resigned, and excited, to have an excuse for such a thing).

3.5 stars

An absorbing adventure story based around the Six Swans fairy tale, with inflections of Japanese and Chinese culture and myths. I enjoyed the characters, the twists, and the truly great descriptions of food 😋 I did not realize going in that this was the start of a series, so I was unpleasantly surprised when the story suddenly stopped on some cliffhangers! Will read the sequel

4.5 stars

I love so much about this novel, and if you have any interest in YA fantasy, fairy tale tie-ins, intriguing character development, and some very cool magical elements, you will likely agree!

Shiori, the m.c., is a moderately entitled young lady at first blush, but her adventurous spirit and important secret - magic! - make her fascinating almost instantly; she also has an awesome magical pal whose role in her life becomes vital as the story progresses. As Lim notes in the headnote, there are multiple tales at play in this work, but anyone familiar with "The Six Swans" will notice the prominence of that piece as Shiori has a similar sentence to that heroine, and her six brothers turn into cranes instead of swans. There's also a wicked stepmother, a strangely placed bowl, and a superhuman amount of self-control necessary to meet the requirements of her curse. There are hints of romance at times, but Shiori - and her personal development - remain the priority in this piece.

Because I teach "The Six Swans" regularly, I was particularly taken by the way that Lim adapts this tale, but I enjoy how Lim spins common archetypes and plot patterns in general. There are some unexpected twists, and the misdirections are genius (rather than frustrating). The sense of place and the descriptions of family bonds are also highlights.

While this is a longer YA novel, it is a quick read. The pacing and development work well here, and I cannot wait for future installments. If you're the kind of reader who appreciates a one and done situation, this is not for you as there is a clear sequel setup at the end. I, for one, will be in line to read that as soon as the dragons, cranes, and monkeycakes align! Recommended!

As someone who didn’t love her first duology I wanted to give this author another shot. As always, the covers are gorgeous! They really draw you in with the, “read me!” voice that happens with any cover that stands out. When it comes to the story I did like it much more than her previous book but it still lacked that spark to take it to the next level.

Shiori is the daughter of an Emperor and was surrounded by brothers. I am always into seeing sibling relationships as I grew up with five myself. I did like her interactions with them even if it sometimes felt minor. She is also strong-willed and a rebel to the rules. It made for good moments that helped carry the plot along.

There are other characters that I liked, especially Takkan. He wasn’t what I was expecting but I liked to see the growth between him and Shiori. Shiori also has growth of her own when it comes to not judging others before you meet them. I guess you could also say she learned to be humble as well but to me she didn’t seem overly spoiled although it was mentioned in words from her stepmother.

The plot is filled with forbidden magic, an arranged marriage, and the bonds of those that Shiori holds dear. There are plot twists that keep it interesting and some were quite surprising. Sometimes it would be hard to keep track of all the plot lines and it did feel like there was a few that overpowered the others. Just like in her last duology, my one bigger complaint is the world-building. This author writes great storylines and has interesting characters but I just need more from the world around them. I can’t ever get fully invested.

Overall, this was good and I am sure fans of hers will like this new series.

Six Crimson Cranes was one of my most anticipated releases of 2021, because it’s a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales: The Six Swans. And wow, this was a fantastic story. It had all the hallmarks of a fairy tale complete with a richly realized world, endearing characters, and a story that was engrossing from the first page to the last.

Six Crimson Cranes was the kind of story that gradually eases the reader into the world. It spent a good enough amount of time on the characters and the world before the bulk of the story began. At times tragic, yet always hopeful, Six Crimson Cranes took the essence of The Six Swans. But it gave the story unique spin set against the backdrop of a detailed historical setting. I loved all the little nuances with the food, manner of dress, traditions, magic, and the architectural keywords that made the setting come alive.

The characters were another high point of the story. Lim did an excellent job on them, and I liked all the individual arcs that each one went through.

Shiori was, by far, one of my favorites. She had the most character growth among all of them. Toward the beginning, she was reluctant to fulfill her role as a princess. However, I felt like that had more to do with the changes coming to her life—getting married, moving away, and feeling like she was growing apart from her older brothers as they settled into their respective royal roles. The fear of the unknown was an early source of tension. She felt unheard, but it wasn’t until she couldn’t tell anyone anything—not even to ask for help—that she began to face the truths about her own secrets, and the truth about people she thought she knew all her life.

Six Crimson Cranes was an excellent story. It was a highly enjoyable read, and I was a big fan of the way the mystery played out. And in some ways the conclusion was satisfying for part of the story. Yet, there were also several outstanding questions that will likely be answered in the sequel.

If you like retellings, then I can’t recommend this one enough.

Disclaimer: This copy of the book was provided by the publisher (Knopf) via Netgalley for this review, thank you!

I love everything Elizabeth Lim writes and this was no exception.
This story combined an old fairytale which I didn't know much about before reading it, and a new story with an amazing world and characters.

This story was great once it got going but I had a really hard time getting into it. The first few chapters are slow and the main character very immature. I understand she is young and is supposed to grow throughout the story, but she acts like she's 12 when she's a princess engaged to be married. Once the story got going and the description in the blurb started to happen the story got a lot better. It was an interesting twist that she couldn't speak either which made the story interesting. I think I will read more by this author but it depends what the story is about.

What I've been telling people about this book is how it feels like a fairytale. There are fantasies that attempt, and fall short, and there are fantasies that set themselves apart from the idea of a fairytale, but Six Crimson Cranes feels cozy and familiar even as it tells a wholly original story. As I read, I felt transported back to fifth, sixth grade, when all I wanted to read was Ella Enchanted and other books with that kind of flavor. Something that swept me off my feet and placed me in a world apart, taught me through magic some important lesson about being alive. Six Crimson Cranes does not disappoint for readers who are looking for that kind of experience. My only quibble was that I had a hard time thinking of the MC as being as old as she was -- the first several chapters feel like I'm reading through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old rather than an almost-seventeen-year-old. However, during the course of the book, as the character grows and changes, it becomes more obvious that the version of herself at the beginning of the story is supposed to be childlike because she's coddled and has never really known strife (other than the loss of her mother). I really loved this and I already have some students in mind who will love it too.

Six Crimson Cranes is a delightful fairytale. Shiori, the princess, grows into a wise brave heroine. In the beginning the character development was well crafted but left me with a few puzzles, but by the end I liked them so much I cannot wait for the next book in the series. There are 2 main characters who have not completed their part in the story and a beautiful love story to revel in yet.

I am waiting for the next book impatiently. You will enjoy this book as you follow the retelling of a story within a story.

Elizabeth Lim is quickly becoming an auto-read author for me. Her synopses are spare and do not give much of the major plot lines. so I'm always excited to get in and let her surprise me.

Six Crimson Cranes features a princess with forbidden magic and must contend with a secretive stepmother. If you think you know the journey Princess Shiori will undertake, you are mistaken.

Tight plots and very real stakes just serve to enhance the relationships Shiori has with her lost brothers and the fiancee she never took the time to meet. A must-read for anyone who enjoyed Lim's The Blood of Stars duology, or someone looking for a fairytale as you've never experienced before. I will not be able to wait a year for the conclusion of Shiori's story!

I received this as an early review copy from NetGalley and Random House Children's. All opinions are my own.

Shiori is the only daughter and youngest child of the royal family and she has a secret that is forbidden at all costs. She can practice magic and is soon found out by her stepmother, Raikama.

When Shiori finds out about Raikama's magic, she is sent far away by Raikama along with her six older brothers who are turned into cranes. She must find a way back but there's a catch. For every word she speaks, one of her brothers dies.

Shiori travels across the kingdom to find an answer that she longs for in hopes of saving her brothers and herself. Along the way, however, she stumbles across a plan that threatens not only her and her brothers but also the entire kingdom.

Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5) ♡

I absolutely loved the writing! The author's descriptions were so precise and the excellent use of imagery created an amazing world in which the story took place. I loved everything about the setting and the creatures and people that helped Shiori along her way.

The plot was steady from the beginning but the ending was spectacular. The pacing was great and I loved each unique part that painted a bigger picture in my head.

Overall, Six Crimson Cranes was wayyyy beyond my expectations and quickly became one of my favorite books. I can't wait another year for the second book to come out! It's definitely a must-read of 2021 and I recommend it to everyone to try.

Six Crimson Cranes is a fantasy-must read! Join Shiori as she tries to break a curse and save her country from the demons trapped in the Holy Mountains. Lim takes inspiration from The Six Swans with Shiori's curse, from Snow White with an evil stepmother, and a dash of Cinderella when a handsome suitor who picks up Shiori's slipper tries to find her. Yet Lim finds a way to take these retelling tropes and turns them into an utterly charming and unique new tale.

Shiori is everything you could ever want in a main character—she's head-strong, loyal, and caring. She's creative and clever and best of all she's not afraid to trust and she's brave enough to admit when she's wrong and learn from her past. Watching her face adversity and grow was an absolute pleasure.

After the success of Elizabeth Lim's previous duology (The Blood of Stars) and now this stunning beginning to a new series, Lim has become an auto-buy author for me!

Everything about this book is delicious. Lim creates a magical and detailed world that I was gladly lost in. Her attention to details, characters, and culture is superb. This is a book I will be reading again after it's publication. I already have it pre-ordered for my library.

Thank you to Random House Children's and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'll be honest, it was the cover of a beautiful Asian women that drew me to it. I couldn't resist! That being said not only does the wonderful book have an amazing cover but a fantastic story! It did not disappoint!

A retelling of the Wild Swans fairytale, Elizabeth Lim creates such a refreshing and beautiful story of Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, whos magical abilities are forbidden. She tries to keep it in control but its still noticed by her stepmother Raikama, who has powerful magic of her own, who curses Shiori and her six brothers, who turn into cranes.

I was immersed into this wonderful tale, loved the romance, ached for the struggling Shiori, as she tries to break the spell, and am dying for the second book. *sigh* It will be a long wait.