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.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the early copy. This book had my emotions running wild. The amount I felt for these characters had me flying through to find out what would happen next and whether or not it would all be ok in the end. Which is not always an easy task in a historical fiction novel. I really enjoyed this one, which is my second book to read by June Hur, and look forward to reading the rest of her work.

I really enjoyed the tenderness of this book—not just in the main romance, but in all the character relationships, especially with Iseul and her sister. The writing itself is so beautiful, and the descriptions of weather in particular contributed to the breathtaking vibes. A lot of the time I felt like important details were going over my head (which is probably my fault) so I sort of wished for a deeper dive into the political machinations in order to get a better understanding. But I recognize the delicate balance at play here between the coup, the mystery of the killer, and the romance. Hur manages to make it so no aspect completely overshadows the others. I loved all the twists and turns and would definitely recommend this book.

<i>First, a thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book.</i>

I had never read anything by Hur before, and this was a good introduction!

I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, and have been really enjoying the wave of East Asian books (and their authors) getting recognition and getting mainstream attention.

This period in Korea’s history is not something I was familiar with beforehand, so I had to assume Hur’s notes at the end of the book were accurate as far as artistic liberties taken and whatnot.

With that being said, I loved this delicious slow-burn coup, watching all the pieces fit together, and seeing our two main characters learn about one another (and themselves).

Hur does an excellent job of making her characters feel incredibly <i>real</i>; their struggle was my struggle. Their hopes were my hopes. I spent the latter half of the book on pins and needles as while I <i>assumed</i> how things would go, I had no way to know for certain; and at the end, it still wasn’t perfect (as history itself is often not).

My only real complaint was I felt like the epilogue wasn’t necessarily needed, but that is a bit nit-picky of me.

Joseon has been under the rule of a tyrant, King Yeonsan, for years. The king is overtaxing, purging officials, committing acts of unspeakable violence, and taking girls from their homes. Iseul (이슬)'s older sister is one of those stolen, and as her sister one of her last family members left alive, Iseul is going to get her back. Enter an inn, a bubbly innkeeper, a brooding old investigator, and a prince planning a coup, mix in a murderer, and you've got yourself A Crane Among Wolves.

The SECOND I heard Queen June Hur was writing another novel, I was so ready. I love her writing, I love her stories. I love Korean history. It was a match made in 천국. I actually read about Yeonsangun and wrote a bit about him for one of my Korean projects because he banned the use of hangul (한글) during his reign. He was deposed after the coup and it's quite hard to find any images of him from that time period (there have since been some made after the fact, I believe). My professor told everyone he was despised in Korea, and for good reason.

Like all of June Hur's books, there's an element of feminism, of girls breaking outside of the Confucian frame in which they are meant to be suspended, it's always something I love to see, as a feminist and documented Confucianism hater. Iseul might just be the most complex of Hur's heroines, as she's dealing with a lot--guilt, grief, getting involved in a treason plot... Iseul is booked and busy. She's smart, witty, and kind. We love Iseul.

Daehyun is cold. He has to be. His brother's a tyrant and constantly threatens his life. He has to pretend to be loyal while planning to get his brother off the throne. But Iseul breaks down his defenses, and he has some great development. Even if he is an idiot. A lovable idiot, but an idiot nonetheless.

The side characters are great, I wish we got to see more interactions with them. Iseul speaks about memories with some of them, but we don't see these memories unfold, so the emotions of the scene don't hit as hard because the reader hasn't had a chance to grow to love them as much as Iseul has.

The plot here is great, it doesn't feel like time passes but apparently it does? It feels like it takes place in a couple weeks, but supposedly takes place in months. Perhaps not, but if it does take place in a couple of weeks, the memories Iseul reflects upon never come up. It's just a bit confusing.

Overall, I loved this book, I love June Hur, and I eagerly await anything else she cooks up!!

Many, many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)

A CRANE AMONG WOLVES retells the story of a coup to overthrow a tyrant through the lens of a girl trying to save her sister and a prince trying to do the right thing surrounded by corruption.

This is an engaging tale of fighting for justice and survival when personal gain is prioritised. There is a mystery, scheming, a bit of romance, and a lot of complicated characters bundled up within this tale.

The heart of this book is about sisters, how much you can do for them and love them even as they annoy you and you fight with them. Iseul is trying to save her sister from a tyrant who steals girls because of the power inherent in the act. The book explores the tangle of love, frustration, and guilt that comes with being a sibling, and just how far we can go for them when they are threatened.

I also liked that this book does not gloss over how corrupt many of the men involved in the coup were. They are not in it for the common good, no matter what they might say, but there for themselves. It is particularly clear in their plans and treatment of the stolen women, and the horrible justifications they use.

Like June Hur's other books, there is a murder mystery in the mix. It is not as central as in other books like THE SILENCE OF BONES, but I liked the common thread through the books. This time, the murderer is attacking palace officials, calling out the king's crimes. It was an interesting set up as this person was against the tyrant but also causing death and destruction. I enjoyed how that thread was concluded, a look at how grief can turn to rage that only harms.

I’m always on the lookout for books that introduce me to new perspectives. Although I’m a historian, my area of focus is Medieval Europe; I have quite a few historical blindspots when it comes to non-European history. As a result, I was particularly excited to pick up A Crane Among Wolves: although 1506 is right at the tail end of my focus, I was completely unfamiliar with the Jungjong coup.
Don’t be afraid, though: this isn’t some stuffy history textbook. Far from it: this is an action-packed mystery with very little politicking. The main instigators of the coup are side characters; King Jungjong himself doesn’t even appear on-page. I think this is a smart decision for several reasons. First, as June Hur notes, the instigators of the coup were hardly the heroes we’d like to paint them as - it’d be very difficult to find any of them sympathetic. Second, this is a YA novel. This is a book aimed at a younger audience, and as a result, it’s not going to have the complicated worldbuilding of a historical fiction book aimed at older audiences. I don’t think that’s a bad thing! As an introduction to a period of history unfamiliar to most Americans (myself included), I think this works great.
In terms of the mystery element: honestly, I wish there was more. I was reminded of The Fox Wife, which I loved, but every time the book crept closer to being an honest-to-God historical mystery, the damn coup had to swoop in and yank the plot to a screeching halt. This was especially true towards the end of the book, when the coup really starts ratcheting into high gear. I found myself wondering: were we meant to solve this mystery? The third-act twist felt so out of left field that I found myself thinking: “sure, this might as well happen.” Maybe more clues were sprinkled throughout the novel and I just wasn’t paying enough attention. At any rate, I couldn’t help feeling distracted. I wanted a full commitment to the mystery element. The resolution of that particular plotline felt half-hearted, as if the author suddenly remembered there was a mystery we were meant to be solving.
As for the characters - as I mentioned earlier, I think it’s an interesting choice to make the main love interest and secondary POV Daehyun, but, on the whole, it works. Wonsik, our detective, was a delight and a highlight. I especially loved his relationship with Iseul, our protagonist. At the same time, this is a book that is absolutely bogged down by the secondary characters. At a certain point, I had to pull out a piece of paper to keep track of which officials were aligned with which parties. A character list or dramatis personae would definitely have benefited things here, as would a map. I’m not sure if either of these elements are going to be included in the final release, and maybe I’m yet again showing my ignorance when it comes to Korean history, but there were a few moments when I had to pause, open Wikipedia, and skim through a few paragraphs before I returned to the book.
Really, if I had to summarize this book, it would be: it was fine. It was pretty good. I don’t think I’ll be thinking about it for any longer than it takes for me to finish up this review, but it was an easy read, and I polished it off in a day. If you’re at all interested in Korean history, why not give it a go?