It’s crazy to imagine that someone who reminds me of Joffrey from Game of Thrones existed in history. I am so appreciative of June Hur for opening up a part of history I knew nothing about (even as a Korean American)- a story that needed to be told. I definitely felt the wistful, k-drama moments (I imagined certain moments in slo-mo haha), but readers should know this is not quite as romantic as one would assume based on marketing. It is definitely a historical rebellion/murder mystery, at its core. The high stakes, sacrifices and perseverance were well written. I do wish the dialogue and characters were less stiff, and that we could have gotten to know our characters more deeply, and for more interactions between them. The Nameless Flower plot line sometimes felt like an interruption from the greater conflict. Over all I’m glad I read it, but wish there was more focus on the ongoing interactions rather than flashbacks.

Loved the chemistry and tension between Iseul and Daehyun. Came to the story for the romance, stayed for the murder mystery and political intrigue!

Honestly, June Hur just gets better with every book I read from her. This is my favorite of her books thus far and I’ll do my best to explain why, but it could in part be just vibes. I found both Daehyun and Iseul to be flawed, but easy to root for. They’re both just young people trying to survive in a world that they shouldn’t have to be subjected to. I also enjoyed the mystery, but I had at least in part figured it out before the end and honestly, I think the character work is more the highlight of her books for me than the mystery anyways. I also feel that this book was impeccably researched, but she does mention that she took a few liberties with the timeline. If there is anything for me to pick at it is that I want more from the romance, but there are several very good reasons that I didn’t get that.

I love that she is writing more romance in her books and can appreciate her keeping them clean for the younger audience, though I can’t say that I think that younger readers are ignorant of sex and I don’t believe in policing books that way. I just appreciate that she writes solid books for teens that don’t have or really need sex. Also, for the time period, it probably wouldn’t have been appropriate for them. However, I love Daehyun and Iseul’s dynamic and their banter. The way the story unfolded prevented more pages of them being together and happy, but that’s fine. I still really enjoyed it.

As I mentioned above, I enjoyed both of the main characters of Daehyun and Iseul. Iseul is a bit spoiled, but is learning to be more independent because of her sister’s situation. She’s learning to think and to do things on her own. This means she starts out as being a bit unlikable at times, but as the story progresses and she grows, she becomes a lovely heroine. Daehyun struggles because in order to survive he has given into the King’s terrible whims. Now he’s trying to do the best he can for the people around him, while remaining in his brother’s good graces. Do I believe he is capable of awful things? For sure. Do I think he’s trying his best? Yes. Do I love that he’s willing to do terrible things to prove his love for Iseul? Yes. He falls first and he falls hard and I love it. He just wants to protect her, but she makes it so hard, particularly in the beginning when she shows she is capable of some truly terrible decisions.

The side characters in this were great too. They really help draw you into the court politics and the mystery investigation that are at the heart of the plot. They never overtake Daehyun and Iseul, but they help smooth out their flaws a bit and enable them to achieve their destiny. Each one is also fairly fleshed out to the point where I feel like I would know what they would do in certain situations. Maybe not every situation, but in quite a few. The side character that I feel is fleshed out the least is probably Iseul’s sister, but she also doesn’t get that much page time. We get a feel for her more from Iseul’s memories than anything else. I did appreciate the commentary surrounding her character on victim blaming and in a sense purity culture.

One of the reasons that I continue to read Hur’s books is the sense of place that she instills with every book. They all take place at different points in Korean history and she isn’t afraid to show some of the worst parts of their history. I appreciate that while she doesn’t address all the atrocities, she also doesn’t really sugar coat it either. I think that this book could go too dark, especially with the fact that there are a lot of not great people involved in this segment of Korean history, but she strikes a nice balance with it while still showing how absolutely horrendous those in power truly are. As a side note, this would make a truly excellent K-drama.

Overall, I think fans of Hur’s other books are just going to gobble this one up. I think that if you’re a reader looking for the same dynamics as The Forest of Stolen Girls, that this isn’t quite going to be that, but it’s the closest of all her other books. I don’t think people looking for pure mystery are going to be so taken with this because it is fairly straight forward, but I think that if you like a touch of mystery mixed in with other genres such as historical fiction, romance, and court intrigue… this could be for you. Now I just have to go sit in the corner and cry until her next novel comes out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this novel, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wow those last few chapters were a rollercoaster of emotions lowkey giving kdrama forreal

This korean historical fiction set during Joseon-era is about iseul in search for her sister who was taken by the king. This story is told with an treacherous political backdrop of a dictatorial king along with a little mystery and romance involved. The author was able to combine all these components together to create such a dynamic historical fiction story with accurate historical events that shockingly happened.

the author depicts the horror that is the rule of the dictatorship where i felt the intense energy as a reader. the author revealed that all of the brutal acts done by the king all happened in history as well as some of the characters were also actual historical figures. she also mentioned that she didn’t censor/blur any horrific atrocities of the king to truly capture the hellhole of this era. learning about this part of korean history was not just shocking but also eye opening. with the author’s message in mind “confront disturbing historical events are crucial. it is imperative to confront history because it repeats itself when ignored.” - stories like this are important to read about and to bear witness to

in a desolate environment ruled by a heinous king, there’s bit of romance which i absolutely loved!

Even though, the romance was more subplot, I still adore iseul and daehyun my pookie bears!! slowburn dislike to friends to lovers - the first time they met was very knife-to-neck tension heavy. However, a friendship develops between the two when their alliance take down the king forms. the heavy tension turned into wholesome affection for each other. The way they that solely understand each other’s traumas as well as loneliness GOT ME. they found security in each other in a hostile environment - found love in a hopeless place fr

even tho we don’t see much of iseul and her sister’s relationship, iseul’s love for her sister is evident in her constant perseverance to search and save her sister. iseul’s character development was also evident throughout this book. from spoiled daughter to resilient sister

even though we don’t see much of issuel’s sister suyeon,, her journal entries were impactful where she voices her feelings of the burden of being the eldest daughter.

overall, i wasn't expecting this book to be so impactful and grateful to have the opportunity to experience this story.

I absolutely loved this book. It read like a K-drama and was very entertaining! Can’t wait to read more from June.

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur intricately weaves together a captivating mystery amidst a backdrop of horrifying historical details. Set in Joseon-era Korea, Hur masterfully brings to life the tumultuous political landscape of the time, where treachery and intrigue lurk in every shadow.

The mystery at the heart of the novel is expertly crafted, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow the protagonist's journey to uncover the truth behind a series of gruesome murders. Hur deftly blends elements of suspense, historical fiction, and romance, creating a narrative that is as compelling as it is immersive.

What truly sets A Crane Among Wolves apart, however, are the horrifying historical details that serve as the backdrop for the story. From the strict social hierarchies of Joseon society to the brutal methods used to maintain power. Hur does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of life during this period. Through her vivid descriptions and meticulous research, she transports readers to a world that is both captivating and chilling.

Overall, A Crane Among Wolves is a blend of mystery and historical fiction that will leave readers breathless until the very last page.While the novel offers an engaging story filled with suspense and romance, it's important to note that it contains themes of violence and trauma, which may be triggering for some readers. Hur's impeccable storytelling and attention to detail make this a must-read for anyone looking for a gripping tale set against a fascinating historical backdrop.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc! 4/5 stars, I literally shrieked with joy when I got approved for this arc and I was not let down!

I read june hur's 'the red palace' last year and it was such a great read that I knew I had to get my hands on her next book, and OH BOY I gotta say that I think hur's really found her niche, and it's historical fiction murder mysteries set in korea with a sprinkle of romance. I think marketing this as a romance may be a bit misleading - while we do get a good amount of bickering between iseul and daehyun that had me giggling and kicking my feet, I really think the romance isn't the main focus of this book, even though I liked it, so some readers looking for primarily romance may be disappointed. in addition, I think the strongest relationships we see are actually the platonic and sisterly ones - iseul and suyeon, iseul and wonshik, even daehyun and hyukjin - because they all make you like these characters so much despite their flaws. that being said, I think hur's really found her calling with mysteries - she somehow manages to keep the tension rising throughout the entirety of the book in a way that makes you bite your nails nervously and read as fast as you can so you can see what happens next. she does this a bit in 'the red palace' but here, she does a fantastic job at steadily increasing the tension through the events that unfold and even through conversations between characters. it lends additional seriousness and gravity to the events of the plot, and it's definitely something hur's great at. I'd say that a few gripes I have were mostly the timing/pacing - things happened so fast, it almost felt like no time had passed? - and mostly that what happens to king yeonsan falls a bit to the wayside, which feels almost anticlimactic after the buildup from the very beginning of the book. but overall, a great read that will have you on the edge of your seat, and something I'm definitely recommending to historical fiction fans!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me hooked from start to finish! Not only is this book historical fiction; it is also a mystery and a hunt for a killer. It starts off with a young woman Iseul who is trudging through a forbidden forest in order to get her sister back who was taken by the king to be one of hundreds of courtesans. Along the way she meets some delightful people who aid her in her quest. She risks life and love to free her sister and her journey is incredible!

This is one of those books that will stick with me forever. Reading what these people went through broke my heart, but I also learned so much. I truly loved this book and how much I learned from it. Ill try and write a full review on release day but for now just know that this is a 5 star read for me, full of angst, yearning and a beautiful plot.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this!

When the book first started some thing about it felt detached and flat, which made it difficult to become invested initially and nervous for how the rest of the story would unfold. However, as the story progressed, it became more interesting and the overall quality improved.

The story moved at a fast paced and the writing made it easy to understand what was happening which made the story consistently engaging. The romance was also a highlight, the relationship between the two main characters was nicely developed. However, toward the end the reasoning for their separation felt lacking and forced; aside from that though the ending was good. You could tell from the authors note that a lot of research went into this and I definitely think it paid off.

Overall, despite its initial shortcomings, this book proved to be an engaging read, with good romance, mystery, and suspense.

~Rating: ★ ★ ★ ✰ ✰. 5 (rounded up)~

Okay, I liked it. And I'm shallow and picked it because of the cover, but stayed for the material. It's been awhile since I have read historical fiction. Because of the subject matter, I feel like this book will appeal to an older YA crowd. I really enjoyed the political plot and the mystery with a killer on the loose that threatens their plan to overthrow a tyrant. The book intrigued me so much that I went and did my own research over the time period.

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur is an incredible read. June Hur has such a talent for creating stories that are equal parts thrilling and gutwrenching. She also always does such a good job at capturing the tone of whatever time period she's writing in. This is no exception, I couldn't put this book down. I can't wait to recommend it to everyone.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
June Hur once again delivers another great Korean historical mystery with A Crane Among Wolves. I love how she digs into the historical record, usually during the reign of the Joseon dynasty. This one is no different, with the story being set around the end of the reign of the tyrannical King Yeonsan. His many abuses of his people, especially women, are starkly captured in the text, as is the movement that would culminate in him later being deposed.
Both leads are impacted by the king’s actions in different ways. Iseul has lived a largely sheltered life until her sister becomes the king’s latest target. I admired Iseul’s determination to do anything she could to save her sister, in spite of not having much in the way of real-world experience. As for Daehyun, he’s the king’s half-brother who abhors his brother’s actions and wants to bring him down. With both of them having goals that aligned, I loved seeing them working together, and their chemistry bubbled throughout.
There was a lot of political intrigue and danger, with high stakes that kept me on edge. But I do have mixed feelings about the ending. As a romance reader, I can’t say I mind too much, as these characters deserve a happy ending. But given how the “death trope” ( is this really what it’s called?) is used to play with emotions, only to pull an Uno-Reverse/Just-Kidding-They’re-Alive half the time? I know I’m being contrarian here, but I can mostly like the ending and still think that the mechanism to get there is ridiculous. *shrugs*
Random confused tangent about the ending aside, this was a great read, and I’d recommend it to readers interested in a book that evokes similar vibes to a historical K-Drama.

A HUGE thank you to Nicole at Macmillan for sending me an e-ARC of *A Crane Among Wolves*! This is, without a doubt, one of my new favorite books of all time and I can’t wait to hold a physical copy in my hands a few days from today!

Based on true events that occurred in Korean in the Joseon Dynasty, Hur writes a thrilling story that includes found family, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, grief, and countless other tropes/aspects.

I’m a HUGE fan of K-Dramas - have been since my early teens (so almost ten years now!) and the fact that this book reads just like some of my favorite historical dramas made me love it even *more*. I was absolutely enamoured by Iseul and Daehyun’s chemistry and their heartwarming friendship, which soon turned to a sweet and tender romance.

I always prefer going into a book with very little expectations, so I avoid reading the synopsis if I can help it. In this case, I knew the basic premises of the book, but that was about it. That being said, all the twists and turns in this story made me gasp, look at the “imaginary camera-man” and sit at the edge of my seat multiple times.

The found family element also definitely played with my heartstrings. Wonsik was the perfect ajusshi to help our FMC grow and achieve her goal of saving her older sister from the evil clutches of King Yeonsan.

Speaking of King Yeonsan, I definitely have a new hyper-fixation after reading this book because I want to know EVERYTHING about this man. The fact that this character is based off of a very real person who was alive thousands of years ago and actually committed such crimes made me all the more invested in the story. I love when historical fact is included in a fictional novel, I think it’s something I’ve developed over the years of watching so many crime/lawyer K-Dramas. That said, I couldn’t get enough of this book and felt empty for quite a few hours once I finished reading it.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who’s a fan of K-Dramas, or historical fiction mixed with romance and awful - like, truly awful - rulers.

*Please do check trigger warnings prior to reading this book as it does feature some heavy and graphic content. June carefully states all potential triggers at the beginning of the novel*

A dark and tense historical YA with a mystery and romance woven throughout! I loved Iseul's unapologetic rage and her growth as a character. This actually wasn't as dark in tone as I expected given the content warnings, though those are definitely something to note.

June Hur's previous works are amazing and this one is no exception--I can't wait for more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

Shadows of Sovereignty dives into Joseon-era Korea, where tyranny rules and love is risky business. Iseul and Prince Daehyun team up to take down the tyrant King Yeonsan. Their unlikely alliance is the heart of the story, packed with action, romance, and high stakes. While pacing may hiccup occasionally, and some scenes are intense, this book nails gripping storytelling and deep emotions. If you dig epic tales with complex characters, give this one a shot!

“History moves its course…but it is the youth who point the current in its direction.”

Where to start with this delicious, heart-racing book?? I rated it 5 stars ⭐️ A Crane Among Wolves reads like every historical sageuk k-drama I loved with beautiful prose that had me pause to ponder and mull over the wisdom, especially with all the current events of today. The mystery, the PAIN, the ROMANCE…did I mention THE PAIN??! The stakes felt so incredibly high with a serial killer on the loose and a looming political coup to take down the king. The stakes kept increasing as I quickly realized the author was not afraid to take out characters I loved…sending over my therapy bill for all the tears I shed 😭😭😭😭🥲💔

Based on the true story of Joseon’s tyrant and bloodthirsty king, my heart ached so much following Iseul as she desperately tries to rescue her kidnapped sister. She was the embodiment of all the stabby rage I felt at the injustices 😡 Definitely check TWs cuz the book explores darker topics as the author tackles portraying real historical events while conveying the visceral pain people must’ve felt losing their loved ones.

Iseul is a prickly, driven, and wary girl hell-bent on saving her sister. She starts off spoiled and selfish but grows throughout the book. I was so scared and worried for her as she did whatever it took to find clues. I truly had no idea what to expect with every twist and turn and the pacing kept me on my toes. Chapter 42 wrecked me…😭😭😭😭💔

Iseul and Prince Dahyun’s first meeting was not the meet-cute I was expecting to say the least 😂🙊 I loved their enemy to reluctant allies to lovers in a slow but satisfying romance…their restraint and cautiousness in trusting people had me holding my breath wondering if the two would take a step forward to each other 🥺 I also loved the exploration of found family, friendship, and familial bonds as Iseul and Daehyun slowly open their hearts up to people around them.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Every page propels the mystery and intrigue forward to create an exciting adventure with more than a few dark undertones.

Iseul is determined to save her older sister after the king nabbed her from the village and dragged her to the capital to join his ever-growing circle of concubines. The entire kingdom suffers under the tyrant's cruel rule, one which has left Iseul parentless after the king's last 'purge' on his government officials. With no money and no allies, the task is dangerous and impossible, but even if it means her death, Iseul won't let her sister suffer. When she's set face-to-face with a series of murders which is threatening the king, she realizes that finding the criminal might be the only chance she has to save her sister. But that brings her to the prince, and he will either be her undoing, her greatest ally, or both.

When I picked this up, I was expecting an historical read...which this is but not with as many details as I expected. Instead, the setting radiates through the little things, which demonstrate the aspects of the daily life, ideologies, and cultures around 1506. This was a tumultuous time in Korean history, where the king lost his mind in greed and power. The author doesn't numb the cruelty, which also means there are more than a few triggers in this read. Still, it doesn't settle into the gore of details, but rather, lets the situations hit with the seriousness and emotions they deserve.


It's a darker read, which even goes beyond the cruelty of the king and heads into a string of murders and mystery. There's quite a bit of intrigue thrown in, which when mixed with the planning of a coup, creates a heavy weave that thickens and thickens. There's a lot to work through, and that in just this one novel. It creates a quick-paced read with little time to take a breath before the next twist arrives. The general world building does slide back in terms of scenery and surroundings, and this will be an easier read for those who have already sunk into Asian culture before. But it's a tale, which grabs and stays tense the entire way through.

On the character end, the author has placed the leads in two, very different realms before bringing them together. The tale switches back and forth between Iseul and Daehyun, and they don't meet until several chapters in. This gives the reader time to get a feel for both personalities as well as gain the needed foundation of life inside and outside of the palace. When the two meet, it's not insta-attraction by any means. Romance isn't high on the list when lives are at stake on so many levels. It was refreshing to see the main issues remain in control over the romance in a YA read. This strong flow of plot did mean less on character depth and reflection, but that also makes it a lighter read...if it can be called that.

While this didn't have as much of the historical flair as I expected, it is an exciting read. The intrigue, mystery, and dangerous situations drive each moment forward and add many tense moments. The characters are determined and easy to root for as they try their best to turn everything around. Add the powerful ending, and it's well-worth a read for those who enjoy darker adventures set in historical times. I received a DRC and enjoyed reading this one quite a bit.

Firstly, THANK YOU SO MUCH JUNE for writing this book and for the e-arc (thank you netgalley as well)!
I think it’s going to be my favourite of the year tbh.
I really appreciate those little snippets of historical truths from June as well. She mentioned at the end of the book that although the story is fiction it’s inspired by true, historical events and I love that she included that.

Back to Iseul and Daehyun’s story. I smiled. I cried HARD. My heart stopped multiple times. My emotions were everywhere. Although Iseul was hard to love at first, I really admire her bravery and love for her sister!
I was rooting for her the entire time! And the romance… oh it was so sweet, heartbreaking at times and just so beautiful. And that epilogue… it ended on such a gorgeous note. I love that last sentence…


Ahh at this point, I really would read anything June writes. I’m so excited for her Jane Austen retelling in 2026!!

Again, thank you June, publisher and netgalley for the arc. I had an amazing time reading A Crane Among Wolves. 🤍

Ok, I read this book a few weeks ago and have more or less completely forgotten it. That said, on the whole, it was good. I don't read a ton of historical fiction so I'm probably not the target audience for this sort of thing, but I read The Red Palace, also by June Hur, and enjoyed it. And I liked this too! It was fairly similar to The Red Palace, and I didn't need the romance, but it was entertaining. The mystery is largely ignored and felt pretty unnecessary, and I wish the author had chosen to either exclusively focus on that with the coup in the background, or to just dispense with the mystery and focus on the coup. It felt like two different stories that didn't really come together for me. That said, I think readers of historical fiction will find a lot to like here. 3 stars - I mostly liked it.