This was such a good book!!! I don't usually go for historical fiction, but the cover and overall vibes drew me in and it was so worth it!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy!!! I'm not one for historical fiction, but this was a blast. There is a coup, romance, murder mystery, and a lot of interesting characters. With a tight deadline to solve the mystery, and not just because of more victims, this one kept trying to make stay reading when I had a real world to return to.

This is definitely a darker YA historical fiction novel, but it sheds light on one of the more tragic parts of Korean history and in a really engaging and compelling way. ITT took me some time to warm up to Iseul, but her character growth was a really amazing journey. Daehyun’s chapters were my favorites. I liked that there was romance in the story, but it never overpowered the main plot. The big reveal of the main mystery definitely surprised me, but I wasn’t completely shocked and that’s okay. I very much enjoyed the author’s note at the beginning, telling us the history behind this story and also the historical note at the end going over what happened to Korea after the events of the book. I think this is a very important read, especially for a look at a lesser known part of history to some of us.
CW: rape, kidnapping, violence, suicide, animal death, infant death, murder, domestic violence

Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

As a huge fan of The Red Palace, I was really looking forward to A Crane Among Wolves and it did not disappoint. I recommend this book to readers who like young adult fantasy, Korean inspired stories, romance, and political intrigue.

Iseul is a selfish, pampered teenager. Not until her older sister is kidnapped to become a concubine for the cruel King Yeonsan, does she begin to grow up and look outside of herself. Of course, first she has to run headlong into trouble, multiple times, and run headlong into the illegitimate Prince Daehyun. Meet cute, slow burn, history, and politics, this book has it all, including a wonderfully rounded account of someone slowly coming to terms with the person they really want to be.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this DRC.
#ACraneAmongWolves #NetGalley

King Yeonsan has the dubious honor of being considered one of the worst kings in Joseon's long history. This novel is framed around his eventual overthrow, after a bloody reign infamous for its cruelties.

Central is Iseul, a young noblewoman from a disgraced family. Her sister is one of the many young women (and not so young, for that matter) dragged away for the king's pleasure. Iseul is determined to rescue her. Iseul is hard to like, but she slowly begins to accept those trying to help her, and eventually learns that a circle of mutual trust is far stronger than acting on one's own.

I think the way to sum up this fast paced, unflinchingly vivid novel is to say that it's a sageuk in prose. It really has all the tropes of a sageuk--the historical setting based on fact, if rearranged to make it accessible to the modern reader--including a lovely romance.

But be wary. This novel, based on a very terrible moment in Korea's long history, has far too many content warnings to count. It serves as a warning about the worst of human nature, but that is balanced with the slow learning to embrace the best.

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"A Crane Among Wolves" by June Hur is a captivating historical mystery centered in the heart of Korea's darkest periods, bringing together elements of suspense, romance, and historical intrigue. If you have enjoyed Hur’s books in the past, you will definitely enjoy this one as we are introduced to brand new characters in a story centered around an enthralling mystery. Also, the cover for this book is absolutely gorgeous, and I am definitely buying a physical edition to put on my bookshelf as soon as the book is released.

Set against the backdrop of the tyrannical reign of King Yeonsan, the story follows Iseul as she embarks on a dangerous journey to save her kidnapped sister, and Prince Daehyun, who is determined to dethrone his half-brother and end his tyrannical rule. This book also includes aspects of the found family troupe, which I absolutely adore as the characters bring together those who wish to rebel against the king. There was one specific character death I was not prepared for, but I appreciate how Hur doesn’t pull punches with the emotion brought into the book. You may find yourself quickly becoming attached to the different characters.

One of the standout aspects of the novel is the character development, particularly that of Iseul. While she may initially come across as spoiled and selfish, her journey throughout the story is one of growth and redemption. As she witnesses the devastation wrought by the king's tyranny, she becomes a more empathetic and resilient character; her transformation was definitely a highlight of the book. I initially found it difficult to connect to Iseul (probably due to her spoiled personality at the beginning of the book), but I loved her discovery of inner strength and her never-ending curiosity. The dynamic between Iseul and Prince Daehyun is also a strength as Hur expertly navigates their gradual transition from enemies to allies. Their relationship is nuanced and well-developed. There are some standard romance troupes in the book (he treats her wound, they find themselves stuck together overnight, etc), but I did enjoy how they progressively came together rather than having an insta-love moment. The twist at the end of the book, however, is not a troupe I particularly enjoy, though I still like how everything wrapped up nicely in this standalone book.

Overall, "A Crane Among Wolves" is a beautifully written tale of mystery, romance, and political intrigue. I loved the setting, the details, the unflinching brutality of the politics in the book, basically everything that Hur created.

Read this book solely because of the cover which looks like a Korean drama movie poster. I love saeguk just fine. Armed with curiosity, I read this book to the end with mixed feelings.

First, the Goodreads tag said it was a fantasy. So I was expecting the fantasy element when I started this book. It never been there. It's really just historical fiction reimagined.

I didn't find anything fantasy here other than King Yeonsan's cruelty-which is too cruel for being real. But it turns out that Yeonsan was indeed a tyrant who really existed in Korean history.

The book itself actually tells the story of Iseul, an orphan girl who was raised by her grandmother. Her only sister was captured by King Yeonsan while walking. Iseul is determined to go from her village to King Yeonsan's place with the mission of freeing her sister.

The problem is, it's not safe for women to leave home in this era. Let alone wandering around, even at home, you can be kidnapped by soldiers on the king's orders. In this era, women were commoditized. Government officials of various ranks could easily have many wives. Even worse, in this era, the wives could be used as an exchange tool for business and politics.

With this threat, Iseul remains determined. He disguised herself as a man and traveled the streets of the capital until he met Daehyun, the Prince of the regime.

Was this story a Korean drama-style romance story? Yes, it was. Similar to saeguk in general. There were the main conflict and lovey-dovey spices. Is this story a Korean drama-style romance story? Yes, it is. It's similar to saeguk in general. There's the main conflict and there's the lovey-dovey spice.

Broadly speaking, there is no problem with this book, but for my personal taste, this book is still lacking here and there. I am aware June Hur is a successful writer through The Red Palace, but I really didn't find anything extraordinary through A Crane Among Wolves other than the retelling of King Yeonsan's cruelty.

First, the world building. For those who have never seen saeguk, don't expect a lot of detailed descriptions of the Joseon era atmosphere that the author brings in this book. Lack of detail here and there. I need vivid description of the Joseon in this book, the houses, the people, the food, etc. But I rarely found those things.

Second, the plot. There were so many inconsistencies within the plot. A bit example happens with Iseul's circumstances. This girl described herself as a noblewoman who fell into poverty. It was told that she was pampered since childhood and couldn't take care of chores. Well, but there was a scene when she suddenly got on a horse. Like how?

There was also this scene where she visited her uncle whose house described as magnificent and heavily guarded. Anyway, the narrative about the guards and security were heavily described. So I just thought "Oh, this is an important person with a tight security" but when Iseul arrived in front of his house, she only said to the gatekeeper that she was the niece of the owner of the house, and shortly she was allowed to enter. I mean after all the guards and securities, is it all? Without showing any ID, without any proof???

And there are many more scenes where the causality collides.

Is it still worth reading?
Like I said, I have mixed feelings.

It's still worth reading if you don't expect anything and just close your eyes to the small details. It's fun, and can be a source of additional information about history.

Another plus point, this book really highlights the dark history of Korea, especially about the women. How women had to survive even with limited resources and support systems. Inadequate education and housing, inhumane treatment even from their own closest people, whether they want it or not, they have to normalize.

The execution for retelling, in my opinion, is sufficient. Not bad.
But not that good. The purpose and message of the book are well conveyed. So 3,5 from me.

Thank you NetGalley for provided me this e-ARC.

Wow. I'm totally blown away by this. Loved everything about this book. This has everything I have enjoyed as a long time Korean drama fan, and the ending was satisfying.

Oh my god the cover of this book is insanely gorgeous I must say! And this book has been quite interesting to read as well.

The premise is very captivating, set in 16th century Korea with an evil tyrant, a serial killer, a girl risking everything for her sister, and a prince planning a coup. It's an intriguing mix. Although I was excited to explore a new author's work, I found the execution of this promising plot a bit lacking in the end, unfortunately.

This novel delves into treacherous court politics and a slow-burn romance, reminiscent of The Red Palace trope. However, the detached narrative voice hindered my emotional connection to the characters. Despite glimpses of complexity, the main characters felt like one-dimensional figures, and the side characters were quite forgettable. The dialogues seemed forced, and the emotional impact of the story fell short due to these shortcomings for me. The romance I felt like had potential to be explored more! But the book does not shy away from portraying the atrocities committed by the king and the government members.

On a positive note, the story highlights the bravery and resilience of women, challenging misogyny and sexual abuse. The characters, though strategically placed like game pieces, had their own unique traits that complemented each other throughout the narrative. So I do recommend this!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

I will basically read anything June Hur publishes sight unseen, I've loved everything shes written and this book is no different. This book does mark a bit of a shift in Hur's formula, moving away from a mostly investigation driven plot to one where the catch the killer quest often becomes the B plot to the political drama overhanging the story. Set during the reign of a tyrant, the story is driven not only by a need to find a serial killer, but also a growing need/desire to overthrow the current king. This book is also the first of Hur's to have dual povs, switching between main characters Iseul, a girl searching for her sister and Daehyun, a prince seeking to overthrow his own brother. The two are set up to hate each other from the start, yet find themselves working together despite their misgivings. I loved Iseul's character, she's determined and angry and prone to making knee-jerk reactions in her attempts to take action instead of investigating. I've seen some reviews saying it takes too long to get going, and while the lead up is a bit slow, the payoff is absolutely worth it.

For a historical fiction set in Joseon age, which is also billed as a historical Korean drama worthy, A Crane Among Wolves is one of the clunkiest novels I've ever read. I appraise the plot for being singularly focused on one specific era of an emperor with a cast of characters who are generally unlikable, but the writing of these elements is uninspired at best; the plot to "save the sister and bring down the tyrant" is written as if it's only a summation or a backdrop, which fails to conceptualize the harrowing condition of the era. The main characters are painfully flat, no development in terms of personality or wit. In the end, as the novel is finished, it only leaves a growing dissatisfaction that you have wasted your time reading it.

I will always enjoy a June Hur novel, and I recommend her everywhere I go - schools, book clubs, private parties. Her standalone novels are full of atmosphere, mystery, and solid historical narratives. 'A Crane Among Wolves' did not disappoint. The writing was rich and beautiful, the plot thrilling, and the romance believable and beautiful. I greatly appreciated Iseul, Yul, Wonsik and Iseul's sister. I wasn't crazy about Daehyun's POV chapters, but I understand their purpose for the plot to unfold.

I'll definitely recommend this book for purchase for my library, and it will be included on bookwagon visits to local high schools. A winner!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 4.5 stars
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
A Crane Among Wolves follows Iseul, who travels towards the capital in the hope to find her sister and bring her back home, after her sister was taking by the king.

“Mun-gyeong-ji-gyo. A friendship worth sacrificing one’s life for, without any regret.”

I fell in love with June Hur’s writing after devouring The Red Palace when it came out. I adored the historical romance she had written and when learning about A Crane Among Wolves I couldn’t be more excited to dive into this story!

I’m a big fan of mysteries within a story and tie this with the rich history of Korea and you have the makings of a hit! It makes the story so much more layered and intriguing, because all the technology of the modern world has yet to be discovered!

The plot is very straightforward, a murder to be solved along Iseul’s sister who has been taking by the mad king. I really liked this and even though it was straightforward, it was still very unexpected and full of all kinds of twists! It is an engaging plot that makes it hard to put the book down once you start. Even though the story has a slow start, the tension gradually gets higher the moment Iseul and Daehyun meet!

I really liked Iseul and Daehyun! Both were such fun and well-developed characters. Iseul might be a bit naïve in the beginning, but her loyalty, determination and curiousness were really awesome! Daehyun has multiple faces, but his true face is admirable, and you can’t help but root for him.

The romance really fits the book and the time it takes place. You don’t expect the fast-paced, insta-love or a lot to happen between the two, but that doesn’t make the romance any less! It makes it so believable and fitting and made me really root for the two. I loved how they went from enemies to tentative partners to lovers! It felt real and I just loved the two of them together.

The twists at the end really make this book what it is! The stakes are super high, and the twists and reveals were so cleverly written! I really enjoyed how it all played out and how well the ending fitted the book! But I have to say; damn that ending though!!

Overall, A Crane Among Wolves is an amazingly written historical romance that really takes you back and doesn’t let go until you read the last word.

AHHHH!!!! i felt like i was waiting for YEARS to be accepted! i was so madly excited that i was! i had to drop everything else i was reading to read this and i did so in roughly 4 and a half hours! i couldn’t put it down!!

I had a good time and June Hur's novels are always a pleasure to read. The characters were well done and the plot was maybe a little too fast but it had good worldbuilding. 3 stars.

It was alright. I did not finish. Couldn’t really get into it!! Love the cover though! It is Gorgeous

“We live in a terrible time. An era when the truth is a crime. And there is nothing we can do about it—”


♡ A Crane Among Wolves is dark, gripping, and heart-wrenching. The main story is based off true events from Korea's devastating history, and Jane Hur doesn't shy away from showing us the heinous deeds of King Yeonsan.

I often found myself reflecting on the story and its similarities to events from both of the cultures I associate with (Filipino and Chinese). I'm sure every nation has experienced (or is currently experiencing) ruthlessness, selfishness, and unjustness from people in power. This story highlights how these gruesome times should not be forgotten, and how there are crimes that should never be forgiven.

There's a lot of sub-plots woven into the story as well, including the planning of a secret coup, the mystery of a murderer, and the pining of two young characters. Fair warning: If you're looking for something fast-paced and action packed, this isn't for you. This book focuses a lot more on the bigger picture rather than the individual events that were going on.

♡ Iseul and Daehyun are likeable characters, and I was definitely on this journey with them, the whole way through. Neither were perfect by any means, but they both fit perfectly into this story.

Iseul. Iseul's character goes through a lot of character development. She starts off as a spoiled (but self-aware) girl who has no choice but to grow up and toughen up when she realizes how cruel the world can be… even to young girls like her.

Daehyun. He's very much the poster boy of a Historical K-drama — a tad stoic, very mysterious, and overall just the good guy. I would have loved to get to know him more (his chapters were half as short as Iseul's), but a liked his character well enough. He had this honesty to his character that I really appreciated.

Tomorrow, the kingdom could sink into the sea.
Tomorrow, all the elders we trusted could betray us.
Tomorrow, the fog might consume everything we loved.
But I had him today. And he had me.


♡ Iseul and Daehyun together? This was enemies-to-lovers done well. I found their relationship to be slow and realistic. We got a few he's-touching-me-and-that's-making-my-stomach-tickle-but-idk-why scenes before we got the I'll-scarifice-my-life-to-keep-you-safe scenarios. I don't think you'd get attached to their romance at first (at least I didn't), but by the end, you'll feel your heart just bursting for these two. The angst and the yearning were so good.

“In dark times, every mother becomes your mother, every child your child, every sister your sister… and every stranger-in-need a friend.”


♡ Iseul and Daehyun also have a gorgeous found family in the side characters. The side characters were all well-written, and I definitely grew to love them. (Special shoutout to my favorite character, Wonsik!) They all had specific roles to play in the story, and I enjoyed watching our main characters grow bonds with them. Like with Daehyun, it would have been nice to have a liiitle bit more of a background for them, but overall, we have a pretty solid cast here.

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


♡ The writing style definitely leans a bit serious for this one. It's not the easiest read in the world (i.e., the writing is far from casual), but it adds to the ambiance. Trust me, if anything, you will feel like you're in 1500s Joseon. The writing also just makes the story deeper and more impactful.

♡ I'm going to leave this review with my favorite thing about the book: the ending is something I will think about and reread over and over again. (In fact, I've already reread it three times!) It's perfect. It's the best way to get off the emotional rollercoaster that is A Crane Among Wolves. No spoilers from me, though, so you'll just have to read it for yourselves.

TLDR: If you're interested in some fantastic storytelling about politics and power, featuring a team of unique characters (and an angst-y romance between the two MCs), please do yourselves a favor by picking this book up.

I’ve adored June Hur’s past books and I was so excited to see another in the works. A Crane Among Wolves is half a murder-mystery, half a palace drama. We follow Iseul in the 16th century Joseon Empire as she searches for her sister, who’s been kidnapped and forced into the tyrant Emperor’s harem. At the same time, Prince Daehyun has been slowly mustering up the resources to throw a coup and end his brother’s reign of terrible. All of this is occurring while in the background, a series of grotesque murders are occurring. In typical June Hur fashion, the writing is an excellent blend of Iseul’s desperation to save her sister and the palace drama of Prince Daehyun. The pacing is very tightly written, giving just enough room to breath at the big emotional scenes. Unfortunately, Iseul’s written as a rathered spoiled girl who’s facing hardship for the first time with her sister gone, so I often found her character quite frustrating to follow compared to some of Hur’s other main characters. I know this is historical fiction and so the main beats of history ought to be followed, but it never made sense to me why a group of guys couldn’t just Julius Caesar the emperor when it seems literally everyone hated him, including the guards. Overall, I rate this book a 3.5/5

Posted to my blog 19 April 2024

This was my first book by June Hur and I was so immersed in the book but our fmc was annoying and it would actually make me stop reading the book. It didn’t really feel like she had much character growth cause she kept going headstrong into every situation not caring who got injured as a result and this is one of the tropes I can’t stand😭 but other than that loved the book.