The worldbuilding here was very cool (loved the southeast asian/Malaysian influences), but the actual plot was a slog. I could not get into it beyond the worldbuilding (and the food).

I have really enjoyed all the books sent in the world of Lor'yan, and I was so excited to return to the Six Crimson Cranes series with this prequel. Raikama was one of my favorite characters in that duology and since I liked that series more than the Spin the Dawn/Blood of Stars series, I was ecstatic when I saw that I had received access to an e-ARC.

This is a beautiful story. Throughout, I was expecting to give it 4 stars or maybe 4.5, but the ending was so heart-wrenching and came so full-circle that I just had to give it 5 stars. I have realized that if a book makes me feel for the characters and the story by the end, it's more often than not a 5 star read because of the visceral reaction I end up having when I'm finished.

Channi was a phenomenal main character. All of Elizabeth Lim's characters have fascinating backstories and internal conflicts, but Channi's was my favorite. The way she thought was so refreshing and I loved how much she cared for her sister. Her grappling with her own curse and the world around her was also so interesting to read about and I think she was an amazing narrator.

I wanted to know everything about all of the characters. Even those mentioned very quickly were ones whose stories I desperately want to explore. King Meguh and Queen Ishirya were such interesting characters; I loved Hokzuh and Angma; Adah and Lintang were really intriguing parent figures; Oshli was an amazing friend for many of the characters; and Vanna was a mysterious yet endearing character; and I absolutely need a book about Ukar because he was the best animal sidekick I've ever read about.

This world was utterly entrancing and I adored every location we explored here. I felt myself visualizing everything so vividly and I just want to explore all the different kingdoms and cities. The way Elizabeth Lim describes settings is enviable and I just love her imagination and creativity that spills onto the page. Her prose is some of my favorites and I love her world-building that's woven throughout and especially all the magic and curses so integral to the story. There's so much lore and legend to this series/world that I loved reading about in this installment.

The plot was so engrossing. It's interesting because when I look back, there weren't a ton of major plot points even though this book is quite long. There would be one main beat of the story stretched over many chapters, but it never felt dragged out because there were mini-reveals and revelations during those beats, and it also never felt too rushed. The pacing was immaculate and I just needed to keep reading at all times.

And the ending wrapped everything up so perfectly for me. Everything came back around in such a stunning way that I knew this book deserved a full 5-star rating. Looking back, I can appreciate so many aspects of this book and I think it is a perfect story and a wonderful addition to the Legends of Lor'yan. I did not expect the ending at all, but I think it was done with such genius and deftness. The epilogue almost made me cry from both joy and sadness during school when I was reading it as well. I cannot wait for more from this world and from Elizabeth Lim in general.

Having read Elizabeth Lim's other series, I completely forgot that this book would be tied into Six Crimson Cranes, and it was such a delight when I finally put it all together! This was a wonderful story about the love between two sisters who were meant to be each other's downfall, and instead used their love for each other to motivate each other to survive.

I especially loved how Channi always viewed herself as ugly, and yet never resented Vanna for being the beautiful one, rather she always accepted their differences as the reason she wanted to protect her sister. Although she assumed Vanna would be weak and unwilling to fight for her the same way she would, the moment she realizes that she was wrong and that Vanna's love for her was also unconditional broke my heart.

The story takes place over a matter of days but is constantly moving forward and paced well considering how much action happens. Although this is a standalone, I hope that there will be further books exploring this universe.

What an incredible story of inner strength, family, love, and survival. I LOVED the endearing relationships between sisters, and the foreshadowing of the the two previously released books! The pacing could have been less prolonged, and fillers at every end of the chapter. Otherwise I loved this story and the end had me in literal tears

I recieved a free e-arc through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Absolutely magical and emotional read. I will see I didn't realize this was a prequel to Six Crimson Cranes and have not read the story. But this story has a wonderful sisterly bond and great adventure. The magic is cool and it's constant motion and a fast read. Great book would recommend although this is my first book from this author in was a fun read! 4.5/5

Holy crap. This book is beautifully written! Exquisitely described was fortunate to receive an ARC from Netgalley for this stunning read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
ed, great plot, amazing characters, with a kickbutt fmc. Curses, Japanese inspired lore, demons, dragons, sprinkles of humor, enemies to lovers to enemies! Lim wove a world that I didn't want to get out of. I couldn't stop reading this, and when I wasn't reading, I couldn't stop thinking about it!

Clean romance wise, damn or damned, and hell are the only curses used. I will be recommending this to everyone.

This needs to be on everyone's tbr list and pre-ordered. You will NOT regret it!

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!
Megan from @pristineprose_reads

This brilliant prequel of the Six Crimson Cranes series immerses readers in the captivating world of Channari's heart-wrenching and epic backstory! If you are already a fan of alum's previous works, this book will undoubtedly exceed your expectations, delivering an action-packed, thrilling, and intense fantasy experience intertwined with exquisitely crafted magical realism. Prepare yourself for heart-throbbing battles, incredibly compelling trials, and the mesmerizing presence of dragons that adorn the pages of this extraordinary tale.

At the core of this enchanting narrative lies the sincere loyalty between sisters, the indomitable strength that emanates from within, and the transformative power of inner beauty. These themes are seamlessly interwoven, resulting in a tapestry of emotions and a deeply gratifying reading experience. Channi, the story's remarkable heroine, effortlessly captures your heart, as you find yourself cheering for her with every life-threatening encounter she bravely faces. Her unwavering determination, fearlessness, patience, and unwavering love for her sister create a compelling dichotomy, where her kind and vulnerable heart remains hidden beneath a facade of sheer strength.

The story centers around Channi, burdened with a curse that has bestowed upon her a serpent face and poisoned blood, all in a desperate attempt to save her sister Vanna's life. As Vanna is bestowed with inner light and beauty, Channi endures the consequences of her sacrifice, enduring a life of isolation, cast out by her own parents. Her only solace lies in the silent company of the snakes that inhabit the forest, patiently awaiting the moment when she can seek retribution for the curse she bears.

However, when Vanna becomes the target of the nefarious Demon Witch, Angma, as she prepares for her imminent marriage at the tender age of seventeen, Channi's unwavering love and loyalty propel her into a perilous journey. Without hesitation, she places her own life on the line to safeguard her sister, plunging herself into a fierce battle with the demon witch and honing her combat skills through rigorous training with her loyal serpent companion.

The gripping narrative held me captive from start to finish, with my heart pounding in my chest as I delved deeper into each chapter, unveiling more heart-throbbing and perilous action sequences. The seamless execution of the storyline further heightened my immersion, as I was transported to a vividly imagined world built with meticulous detail. Drawing inspiration from Eastern mythology and urban legends, the author's world-building is nothing short of dreamy, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's imagination.

As the story reaches its crescendo, the author deftly weaves together all the intricate threads, delivering a satisfying and fulfilling conclusion that leaves readers both satiated and yearning for more. The perfect balance of resolution and anticipation sets the stage for the subsequent books in the series, promising further captivating adventures that fans of the author's duologies should not miss.

I am immensely grateful to NetGalley and Random House Children's/Knopf Books for Young Readers for granting me the opportunity to delve into the digital reviewer copy of this brilliant book. In exchange for my honest thoughts, I am humbled to have been able to embark on this remarkable journey and share my deep appreciation for the masterful storytelling and immersive world created by the author.

Okayyy, this was so much fun! I loved the plot, the writing, the sisters, and I loved our twists and turns. I think the world building was well thought out and immersive. This was a hit for me.

This was a great prequel to the Six Crimson Cranes duology, and I was so excited to learn about Shiori's stepmother's backstory! I didn't remember a ton about her from the first books, but it slowly came back to me as I read. I think this book could be read either before or after Six Crimson Cranes; it's an incredibly engaging story whether you have the background knowledge or not. It was also really sad, which I was expecting given what I already knew of her story, but I wasn't fully prepared. All in all, this was a fun, fast-paced read that added greater depth to the world.

this was a really good! I liked the characters, and they were super well-developed. the plot was super cool and fun to read, and the writing was also smooth and easy to understand
highly recommend

I had thoroughly expected this book to blow me away, but I'm sad to report I find myself underwhelmed. I think the main source of my underwhelmed feelings was the plot and relationships feeling a bit lackluster. The writing was beautiful, and the overall idea of the book has a lot of potential. It was just the execution fell flat for me in someway I can't fully define. Still a very well written book which I believe will be beloved by so many. It just didn't scratch most of my specific book reader itches.

I've enjoyed previous books by Lim and was looking forward to her latest release, it did not disappoint.

One sister must fall for the other to rise, this is the curse of Channi and her sister Vanna. After Channi is sacrificed by her father to the Demon Witch, she becomes cursed with a serpents face, while her sister is blessed with inner light. Vannas inner light comes with its own curse, the Demon Witch intends to kill Vanna for her inner light on her seventeenth birthday. Channi is determined to ensure this does not happen and trains every day in preparation for when she must fight the Demon Witch, Angma.

Channi is a strong character who not only has been cursed with a serpents face and poisonous blood, as a result Channi faces a lot of ostracization from her town and parents. Channi has made friends with the snakes in the town and Ukar is one particular snake who looks out for her and often advises Channi on her training in defeating Angma. I enjoyed seeing Channis journey as she works to save her sister. Channi goes through a lot of trials and tribulations along the way. I also liked seeing Channi learn more about the inner light that inhabits her sister Vanna and the truth behind her lightness.

If you've read previous books by Lim, you will see some tie-ins from her previous books, particularly the Six Crimson Cranes series. That was fun to see the connections.

This was a quick, fast paced read with action, betrayal, curses, and one particular dragon.

"She didn't love me until the end. She loved you from the beginning."

This book was everything I could have ever asked for. My heart was ripped out repeatedly throughout the story. I knew it was going to be heartbreaking just based on my feelings of Channari in the rest of the series and hearing the snippets of her past.

The prologue has me absolutely sobbing because she never deserved that kind of cruelty. I am so glad she at least had one person who loved her unconditionally where her father was cruel.

This was so well done. The storytelling is always so vivid and beautiful, I just love how it perfectly connects with Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon's Promise. We finally get the answers we were looking for in those books and I feel like even though my heart has been pummeled through her losses, it is also full knowing what we have been missing from the other two books.

Elizabeth Lim exceeds her expectation of being my favorite author and her stories continue to warm my heart and feed me with so many emotions.

Having been a long time fan of EL’s Lor’yan verse (SCC and STD duologies) I was terribly excited when she announced she would be writing a prequel about Raikama. It was such a blast to read and pick out little tidbits (easter eggs!) that made into into the other books.

Having read the novels that take place after this one I knew that Channi’s tale was full of betrayal and loss. Nevertheless I enjoyed this deeper look into her character and the strong bond between the sisters. It was very easy to identify with Channi as a protagonist . Who growing up hasn’t felt like they didn’t belong among their peers, that they were set apart for being different, through no fault of their own? But what I enjoyed most was the fierce love the sisters had for each other, and the lengths they both went to in order to protrct each other.

As always EL’s writing style and world building will draw you in, even to the point of surprising you with new details of a story you thought you were already familiar with. For the first time I actually highlighted a quote in one of my books (gasp!).

“Find the light that makes your lantern shine,” I say softly. “Hold on to it, even when the dark surrounds you. Not even the strongest wind will blow out the flame.”

I think this quote perfectly sums up the book. Channi and Vanna were each other’s light, and it was that light that gave Channi back her smile and a family to love.

“Her Radiant Curse” tells the story of two sisters: Vanna, who is beautiful, and Channi, who had been cursed with the face of a snake. After Vanna’s life is threatened by the very same witch who cursed Channi, Channi must fight to save her sister.

This story was wonderful. With vivid storytelling and mythology, and beautiful writing, I was SO impressed by this. The narrative was very face-paced, and I rarely found myself bored. I loved how unique the premise was, and I felt like overall it was just a very fresh take.

I really really loved Channi. It’s hard to put into words, but she was just so refreshing. I loved her determination and fierce loyalty towards those that she loved. The only thing was that she didn’t go through much character growth, because she started out a badass and ended as one too.

I took a star off because of some personal preferences. I found that I wasn’t very emotional attached to this book. Without spoiling anything, the climax and ending did NOT hit hard for me at all, and I found myself not really caring what happened to some of the characters. Which is saying something, because I cry at EVERYTHING. Also, Hoksuk’s ending was… interesting to say the least. I won’t spoil it, but I was not a fan.

All in all, I think this was a very enjoyable book! I’m a sucker for Asian fantasy and mythological stories, and this did not disappoint. Definitely pick this one up when it comes out!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you Netgalley, Elizabeth Lim, and Hodder & Stoughton for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

“A promise is not a kiss in the wind Channi, it is a piece of yourself that is given away and will not return until your pledge is fulfilled.”

"Her Radiant Curse" by Elizabeth Lim is, a spin off to the "Six Crimson Cranes" focusing on Shiori's stepmother Channi and her sister Vanni before "Six Crimson Cranes."

I would give "Her Radiant Curse" by Elizabeth Lim a 4-star review because, I loved learning more about Channi, I love the idea of two sisters one blessed and the other cursed, Lim wrote this novel wonderfully, and I liked how it stayed true from Six Crimson Cranes.

Her Radiant Curse was a great meditation on beauty, love, worthiness, and inner strength. For that, this is the kind of story meant for someone struggling with their own self-worth, and doing everything in their power to take what the world has given them, and create something new from that. With that being said, I very much enjoyed the beginning of Her Radiant Curse, and the end. However, the middle for me seemed a little muddled and confused, with a plot that became meandering, and even boring at times. And even with me saying I enjoyed the ending, there was some haziness there too that couldn't necessarily be ignored. I want to reiterate that this wasn't a bad story by any means, and that my three stars isn't meant as a condemnation. Elizabeth Lim can most definitely craft a world, I only wish some of her characters didn't get a little washed out in the process.

I couldn’t put this book down, it was so good! For starters, the characters are so layered. They have so much depth and life, it made reading this book easy. Her Radiant Curse is written beautifully with really great themes and imagery, I didn’t have any problems envisioning any of the characters or story. Channi might also be one of my favorite characters that I’ve read so far this year as well!

I enjoyed #SixCrimson Cranes, so I was looking forward to reading #HerRadiantCurse by #ElizabethLim. It follows the story of Channi who is cursed with a snake face as a child in exchange for the life of her radiant babysister. Shunned by her father and step-mother, Channi spends her time in the forest, speaking with snakes, training, and waiting for the day to avenge her curse and keep her sister safe. Years later, the time of the curse is at hand, Vanna is to be married off, and Channi must protect her from the Demon Witch.

The story is full of action and multiple varied detailed locations. There are battle scenes, dragons, magic, and demons. There is even a small light romance. Fantasy readers will enjoy the storyline and many other fantasy elements. However, the story seemed a little oddly paced at times with chapters passing in the matter of days and other chapters passing in the matter of years. Some characters appear for the whole book and disappear quickly (which is the point, but still a bit uneven). That being said, teen readers will enjoy the fast-paced nature, and I will be purchasing it for our library.

Many thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for this ARC!

Elizabeth Lim takes us back to before Six Crimson Cranes to delve into the life of Channi and Vanna. It’s a beautiful blend of folklore and hardships. A Beauty and the Beast vibe among the sisters.
It is a lovely and vivid read. The descriptions are painted perfectly for your imagination.

Thank you Netgalley for an arc of Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim