Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
Rating: 13+—Scenes of war and violence
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim had been on my reading list for quite some time. It caught my eye on several occasions from bookstore shelves, and I fell in love with the U.K. cover art. The other day I finally checked it out from the library, and I was not disappointed. This book is an incredible read, and I cannot recommend it enough!
I have always been partial to feminist twists on fairy tales, and Lim’s novel was no exception. It provides a fantastic spin on the German fairy tale “The Six Swans,” taking place in an East Asian-inspired fantasy world that is filled with magic, dragons, and demons. This was a book where once I became invested in the plot, I could not put it down. I stayed up way too late to finish the story–but despite my sleep deprivation, I have no regrets!
The story centers around sixteen-year-old Princess Shiori of Kiata. Headstrong, reckless, and spoiled, Shiori has six older brothers that she adores, an aloof and mysterious stepmother, and a doting father. However, as the emperor's daughter, Shiori is soon to be married to a man she has never met, although they have been engaged since they were children. Anxious about being separated from her family, Shiori carries a secret—she possesses magic, which is forbidden in her kingdom. When Shiori and her brothers become cursed, she must find a way to break the enchantment—no matter the cost.
If you’re a fan of YA fantasy, then you should read this novel. This book is a perfect mixture of myth, romance, and adventure. Lim executes spectacular subversions, creating twists you never see coming, and she gives Shiori realistic and meaningful character development. As Shiori goes on her hero’s journey to break the curse, readers witness her go from spoiled but caring to hardworking and wise. I went from smacking my forehead and going “Shiori noooo,” to deeply sympathizing with Shiori and cheering her on in her quest.
Now, I am anxiously awaiting the sequel, The Dragon’s Promise, which will be released in August 2022. If you would like to hear my more spoiler-filled thoughts about Six Crimson Cranes, please feel free to read ahead. Otherwise, I hope you will check out this wonderful novel, whether from your library or your local bookstore.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
I adored Lim’s subversions within the text. For so long I truly believed Raikama was the villain of the story. When she tore up Kiki, Shiori’s enchanted paper crane, I was furious. She seemed the precise definition of the evil stepmother, and as the novel progressed I anxiously waited for Shiori to finally uncover her motives and put an end to her rule—but then Lim executed a masterful plot twist. We discover Raikama is the hero, rather than the villain of this tale. She is not the wicked stepmother, but rather the hero/loving mother in her own right. She regrets the suffering she causes Shiori and her brothers, and the reader learns that Raikama was seeking to protect Shiori by concealing her identity—and it is Raikama who saves Shiori from the demons at the end of the story. The way that Lim subverted the trope of the evil stepmother was incredible and original, and something I deeply appreciated about this work.
Perhaps one of my only critiques is that I wish we knew more about the true villain of the story: the enchanter-turned-demon known only as “The Wolf.” I understand that Lim wanted us to believe that Raikama was the villain for the majority of the novel, but it did leave me wanting to understand more about the Wolf’s motivations. He is only the major villain for the last few chapters, and while I understand he will be returning in the sequel, it felt like a very sudden switch. Nonetheless, I’m excited to see the role he will play in the next book.
Moreover, I love how Lim also twisted the reader’s expectations of Takkan. Shiori is miserable about being stuck in an arranged marriage—she despises the idea of her fiancé, and you sympathize with her. When it seems like Shiori meets Takkan, I agreed with her smug reaction to his apparent cruelty and brutality, her thankfulness that she did not have to marry him after all due to her curse. But then—yet again—Lim executes another amazing twist. It was Takkan’s nasty cousin that Shiori encountered, rather than Takkan himself. Takkan is actually a lovely, thoughtful, and kind individual. He is a strong warrior who is also gentle and wise, who composes poetry and has a beautiful singing voice. Like Shiori, you can’t help but like him. Perhaps the biggest “aww” moment was when Takkan revealed that for years he wrote Shiori fairy tales and mailed them to her, hoping to earn her favor. When Shiori and Takkan said their goodbyes at the end of the story, I was honestly heartbroken.
With the novel ending on such a cliffhanger, it is easy to say that I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, especially so Shiori and Takkan can be reunited. Lim is a talented and innovative writer, and I cannot wait to see where she takes the story next!
