Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Six Crimson Cranes

Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

20 reviews

camiclarkbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“Six Crimson Cranes” by Elizabeth Lim was an absolute nail-biter of a fairytale retelling!

When I started “Six Crimson Cranes” by Elizabeth Lim, I expected a fun, light-hearted fairytale retelling. I was way off, but in the best way possible! It was an absolute nail biter that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Princess Shiori’anma has magic inside her, which is strictly forbidden in her kingdom. Normally, Shiori is able to control her magic and keep it hidden, but on the day of her betrothal ceremony, she loses control and draws the attention of her stepmother, Raikama.

Raikama—a powerful sorceress—banishes Princess Shiori and turns her older brothers into cranes. She warns her that there will be dire consequences if she tries to tell anyone of the curse: for every word Shiori speaks, one of her brothers will die.

Alone, penniless, and unable to speak, Shiori relentlessly searches for her brothers. Along the way, she discovers a conspiracy to seize her father’s throne, which only she can prevent. Shiori uses the resources she has at her disposal—an enchanted paper bird, a temperamental dragon, an unexpected ally, and the magic she was taught to hide—to put the kingdom back to rights and to undo the curse on her brothers and herself.

Shirori is one of the strongest heroines I’ve encountered in a YA fantasy novel. She overcomes adversity again and again and continues to fight to find her brothers after they are cursed by their stepmother. Through it all, Shirori remains largely positive about her situation, looking for the silver linings, and never lets herself stay discouraged for long.

I was not as optimistic as Shiori while reading “Six Crimson Cranes.” I remained in a state of anxiety for her and her brothers. There were many times I thought it was impossible for them to get out of the newest impossible scrape they found themselves in—especially given what they’d just gotten out of. It was an endless loop of “out of the frying pan and into the fire” for the poor princess and princes.

Lim wrote an amazing East Asian retelling of “The Wild Swans.” It’s so clever and creative and I can’t believe it took me so long to read it!

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monniebiloney's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book really reminded me of the movie BRAVE (Disney)
It's definitely its own thing, but it is weirdly similar on the bases of it's exciting insidient.

If you liked Brave, you will LOVE Six Chrimson Crains.

I love that I didn't read the back of the book, cuz some of my favorite plot points that grabbed me by surprise were greatly spoiled on the back of the book.

So please, just read the first page to see if you'd like the book

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saintyeehaw's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I think I was so entranced by the gorgeous cover art that I set my expectations too high. The writing in this book has a huge problem with telling rather than showing, which robbed all the key moments of their tension and emotional impact. Shiori never really develops as a character, either. We are told that she is stronger, smarter, tougher but that is never shown to be true. In fact, she constantly sees a bad choice, recognizes it as a bad choice, and chooses it anyway literally just because and then acts surprised that it turned out poorly. Rinse and repeat for the entire book.

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cateemma's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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lmaloney's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

An adventure.
.
It was so fun! I really enjoyed the pace and the twist at every turn !

Liked: magic, cultural landscape, the map, hidden indentity trope, stacrossed lovers, humour, revelations!

Disliked: pace, why was Shiori seemingly competing with every girl she met besides her sister in law and a paperbird, very boy centric, very cishet…

4 stars xxxx

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soundlysmitten's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Six Crimson Cranes is a balance of adventure, whimsy, and heart. From the intricate customs and traditions of Kiata to the snowy landscape of Iro, the world building is dreamy in its depth. The pacing is quick and mostly consistent, but even when the action lags, there are slower moments of quiet emotion to appreciate. And the cast of characters is endearing, to say the least 💞

Determined princess Shiori narrates the story. She’s a spaz with a kind heart who is just as curious and impulsive as she is compassionate. It’s hard to imagine such a vibrant soul being silenced and sent out into the world alone, but the whole ordeal ends up growing Shiori in some essential ways. Trial after trial, she refuses to be cowed, and each experience helps her learn better what to value and how to discern. The trials do not leave Shiori without scars, but she emerges with a new air of wisdom and agency, assured of both her place and her strength.

While only a small fraction of the content centers on Shiori’s brothers, it’s clear that she has a unique relationship with each of them. Her connection with Hako is especially heartwarming. But odd as it may sound, I found Shiori’s bond with her cheeky little paper crane even more adorable. Their dynamic reminded me a bit of Kiki & Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service. And Shiori & Seryu reminded me a bit of Chihiro & Haku from Spirited Away. It’s possible I’m just too preoccupied with Studio Ghibli, though 😹 The only critical thing I have to say in this area is that while I came to care for all the characters, I didn’t truly connect with any of them. But I can’t put my finger on why, so it might just be a me issue.

As for the romance, I’d call it slow and sweet. Not a whole lot comes of it, but I’m actually glad the book doesn’t make romance the ‘be all, end all’.

Did anyone else feel some love triangle vibes/jealousy from Seryu over Shiori & Takkan, though?? Or am I just a freak?

Overall, I really enjoyed the combination of elements in this retelling. Despite drawing inspiration from a number of old fairytales, Six Crimson Cranes maintains a uniquely magical premise, further enriched by a fusion of East Asian cultures and fares. I’d like to say all good things, but there is one kind of major piece I don't quite understand… so if you’ve read the book, let me know what you think, please!

Were the brothers really cursed to die if Shiori spoke? Seems to be some contradiction regarding that, especially considering they didn’t… And if Raikama cared for Shiori all along, why couldn’t she just tell her what was up?

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teri_b's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I am so glad I waited to finish this book until the last day of December 2021.

This was such an absolute blast of a book.

It holds a beautiful, amazing and in depth retelling of the Wild Swans fairy tale set in an Eastern world.

And it only got better, with twists and turns and shenanigans.

But reader, be aware, the story ain't over yet, so more is to come, and there be dragons, it seems in 2022.

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thewildmageslibrary's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious

4.0

I don't know what I was expecting but this wasn't quite it? However, I still adored it! The princess-in-disguise trope is a fave and I love the added complexity of not being able to speak as she tries to break the curse. Shiori's love for her brothers is touching and I love her own inherent strength as well.

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kbairbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was… chefs kiss. Honestly based off the first couple chapters I wasn’t even sure I wanted to keep reading but as the book went on and behaviors were explained I fell in love with it more and more. The detail and description of food, the character growth, the romance that was a fantastic touch but not the main point, the villain turned hero, the plot twists, I loved it all. This was a pleasure to read and HELLO I NEED BOOK TWO RIGHT NOW.

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alboreader's review

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was fucking immaculate. Wow. There was literally not a moment of boredom. It wasn’t as if too much was happening unnecessarily, it all made sense and I loved it.

I normally don’t like fantasy written in first person but Elizabeth Lim’s writing is so beautiful and the way she writes her books is amazing. Normally I won’t see much characterization through first person, the same goes for world building, but Elizabeth Lim writes in a way that you can see each characters individuality through the main character. I felt so connected to each side side character. Kiki is my favvv 😌 so much character and sass for a paper bird haha.

I loved finding the little Easter eggs that’s linked to ‘spin the dawn’, I didn’t realize it was in the same world. I also knew nothing about ‘the six swans’ which was the fairytale that’s this books was inspired by so I went into this book knowing nothing and I loved every second of it. It was a journey.

I CANNOT wait for the second book😭

I can’t wait to see what the second book will hold omg I’m so excited.

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