Wow, Lim had a chance to build such a wonderful world and she took it. I love worlds that involve Asian mythology so I'm a little biased on this part. But wow, just wow. I'm not just talking about the monarchal regime, but THE CULTURE. I can never highlight how important culture is in a book's setting. You can't be lazy with it, because readers will know. But my oh my, did Lim outdo herself. There were so many traditions, clothes, manners. There were even activities that represent apologies. It was so amazing because in every different location the cultures and beliefs shifted. Not to mention religion was also mentioned. I loved learning about offerings and the relationships between dragons gods, priestesses, and demons. Each race had specific cultures and events that played a big part in their evolution. Lim obviously took a long time to trace the cultures and weave the strings. And learning little tidbits of culture and information on the world made the book ten times more enchanting. I remember the romance felt unbelievable and was mainly comprised of lingering glances, but it’s been a little while since I read this and I don’t remember specifics. Yes, that’s a bit of a lie. But I only really ship the couples that I’m intensely in love with, and Shiori x Takkan didn’t do that all the way for me.

Seryu was also the best I loved him so much. He was so funny and the most adorable person dragon ever. The fact that he has red eyes and green hair makes him even hotter. The way he cared for Shiori was too much for my fragile little heart. I hated how little we saw of him in this book and I'm extremely excited for the next book so I can see more and more of him. Alsoooo, if I were Shiori once i told the world who i was and that i was alive i would see everyone that was rude to me and say OFF WITH THEIR HEADS A stunning remake of a fairytale . Six Crimson Cranes is the perfect blend of whimsy and ferociousness, with twists and turns that will tug at your heartstrings ." -Chloe Gong , New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights But her only problem is not getting house arrest to sharpen her sewing skins with her stepmother. Takkan and his father perceived her attitude as an insult and they left the palace urgently.I had this book called The Wild Swans. It made me so stressed. I'm not sure why. But I fell in love with the story. A sorceress in her own right, Raikama banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes. She warns Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die. But she neither wants to get marry nor wants to know more about her future husband. And she has a big secret to keep: she can do magic by giving lives to paper birds. This is small scale but it’s still threatening when you’re the princess of an empire who forbids the magic. A dazzling fairytale full of breathtaking storytelling.”–Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and uncovers a dark conspiracy to seize the throne. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in a paper bird, a mercurial dragon, and the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to forswear--no matter what the cost.

What was that ending? THEY JUST JUMP INTO THE OCEAN AND NOW I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE 30th OF AUGUST?!?! Find the light that makes your lantern shine,” she used to say. “Hold on to it, even when the dark surrounds you. Not even the strongest wind will blow out the flame.”

Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and uncovers a dark conspiracy to seize the throne. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in a paper bird, a mercurial dragon, as well as the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she’s been taught all her life to contain – no matter what it costs her. It truly transports you to another world and even with all the chaos and evil—I didn't want to leave. She is so smart and helps those who deserve her help, and she loves her brothers with all of her heart.

As far as I know, there aren't very many novels inspired by this tale, one of my favorite folk stories. So when I found Six Crimson Cranes, I fainted and died, and then resurrected when I received an ARC (I LOVE YOU NETGALLEY). Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and uncovers a dark conspiracy to seize the throne. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in a paper bird, a mercurial dragon, and the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to contain - no matter what it costs. Oh my word. You guys, do yourself a favor and get this absolutely amazing book. (Don't blame me if you don't like it tho) It's absolutely amazing and I cant wait for the second book. PHEW I need to breathe now because this book left me breathless.A dazzling fairy tale full of breathtaking storytelling‘ Stephanie Garber, Sunday Times bestselling author of Caraval There were some many things i really enjoyed in this!! 🥰 One of my fav parts was definitely the writing- it was absolutely gorgeous 🥹🥹 Elizabeth Lim just has really beautiful writing and it paints such a good picture of what's going on. Plus the world was so so magical and i felt so immersed in it. It is completely made up but there was asian culture woven in, which was amazing 💗💗 The world-building is comprised of a gradual release of details across the book. This does mean that very little information is revealed at the start, which can put off some readers. However, Elizabeth soon establishes a detailed and creative world that even includes a few unique elements. Megari was hilarious and even though she was minor, I really liked her. She was such a fierce, bright character for a little girl. I’m sorry, but I was super bored while reading Six Crimson Cranes. This was very close to a DNF, and I finished it through sheer will.

If you already enjoyed Blood and Stars duology and became fan of seamstress Maia, it will be easier for you to adore Princess Shiori and her dark magical adventure!Seryu was a bit annoying and I wasn’t sure how to feel about him. I liked his beginning appearance, but I think he’s being built up to be something of an antagonist, or at least an antihero, in the next book. I found him too possessive and brash for me to really like him. A dazzling fairytale full of breathtaking storytelling." --Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval My dumbass didn’t realize that this book is an Asian retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Wild Swans.” I definitely should have known from the synopsis, or even from the fact that Elizabeth Lim’s entire repertoire consists of Asian fairytale retellings. But no. My brain cell doesn’t operate on logic. Fast-paced excitement is balanced with a satisfyingly intricate plot that weaves in elements from Western fairy tales and East Asian folklore." - SLJ, starred review But I loved the whole aesthetic of the world. I love the whole feel that Asian-inspired books have. Maybe it’s because I’m Asian, so I can connect to it more (although anyone who knows me can confirm that I have an unhealthy obsession with Greek mythology).