Six Crimson Cranes (Six Crimson Cranes #1) by Elizabeth Lim Book Review

Title: Six Crimson Cranes
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 6, 2021
Pages: 464

A princess in exile, the boy she left at the altar, six enchanted cranes, and a dragon from the deepest sea... From the author of Spin the Dawn comes a breathtakingly original fantasy inspired by East Asian folklore and perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo or Tomi Adeyemi.

Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted, but it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.

Raikama has dark magic of her own, and she banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes, and warning Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.

Peniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and, on her journey, uncovers a conspiracy to overtake the throne--a conspiracy more twisted and deceitful, more cunning and complex, than even Raikama's betrayal. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in 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.

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My Thoughts

**Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Children's for sending me an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!**

Shiori is the only daughter and youngest child of the royal family and she has a secret that is forbidden at all costs. She can practice magic and is soon found out by her stepmother, Raikama. 

About the size of a rowboat, with glittering ruby eyes and scales green as the purest jade. Not at all like the village-sized beasts the legends claimed dragons to be, large enough to swallow entire warships.

When Shiori finds out about Raikama's magic, she is sent far away by Raikama along with her six older brothers who are turned into cranes. She must find a way back but there's a catch. For every word she speaks, one of her brothers dies. 

I didn't need to be told twice. Like a bird that had finally been released from her cage, I flew out to find my brothers.

Shiori travels across the kingdom to find an answer that she longs for in hopes of saving her brothers and herself. Along the way, however, she stumbles across a plan that threatens not only her and her brothers but also the entire kingdom.

Find the light that makes your lantern shine, " Mama would say. Now, more than ever, Kiki was that light.

Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5) ♡

I absolutely loved the writing! The author's descriptions were so precise and the excellent use of imagery created an amazing world in which the story took place. I loved everything about the setting and the creatures and people that helped Shiori along her way. 

The plot was steady from the beginning but the ending was spectacular. The pacing was great and I loved each unique part that painted a bigger picture in my head.

Overall, Six Crimson Cranes was wayyyy beyond my expectations and quickly became one of my favorite books. I can't wait another year for the second book to come out! It's definitely a must-read of 2021 and I definitely recommend it for everyone to try. 

About the Author

Elizabeth Lim grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was raised on a hearty diet of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth was a professional film and video game composer, and she still tends to come up with her best book ideas when writing near a piano. An alumna of Harvard College and the Juilliard School, she now lives in New York City with her husband and her daughter. Liz’s critically acclaimed novels include Spin the Dawn, Unravel the Dusk, and Six Crimson Cranes. She is also a contributor to the New York Times Bestselling “A Twisted Tale…” series.