Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
I was enthralled from beginning to end…and I’m more than ready to dive into the sequel to see what happens next. Actually, I was led to this book through the sequel when I saw its reviews and thought maybe I should give book one a read—it looked different and very interesting.
Turns out, it was one of the most unexpectedly intriguing books I’ve ever read!
It had magic, mystery, betrayal, danger, love—and dragons! Like, who doesn’t love dragons? And paper birds that come to life! Wars and traitors and bad guys and heroes/heroines and plot twists that kept you guessing.
The writing pulls you in and keeps you captivated as you go on this adventure to help a bewitched young girl (Shiori) save her 6 brothers, who were turned into cranes thanks to a vengeful curse. Shiori had to summon the power within to communicate, as one sound from her mouth would kill her brothers one by one. And so she was forced to face so many challenges without a voice, adapting to a harsh, unknown environment.
What she ended up doing was learning about herself and others in the process.
As she experienced these trials, her resilience, determination, and love for her brothers never wavered. She was also a pretty smart cookie—I loved her bravery and wit as she deflected the haters who tried to call her a demon, and let in those who wanted to protect her. I found the main character endearing, and the story sublime.
I can’t wait to see how the story continues! Absolutely fantastic read if you are a lover of magic, fantasy, and powerful storytelling.
To learn more about the author and her book: https://www.elizabethlim.com/