Six Crimson Cranes follows Princess Shiori, the headstrong, only daughter of the king of Kiata, whose life takes a drastic turn when her stepmother curses her.
Princess Shiori is set for an unwanted betrothal to a man she doesn’t care about. Stubborn and defiant, Shiori is determined not to go along with the marriage, but alliances must be made for her safety.
In a desperate attempt to avoid the marriage, Shiori unknowingly unleashes some of the forbidden magic within her —an ability that, if revealed, could cost her life. This attracts the attention of her stepmother, who curses her and turns her six brothers into cranes before her eyes.
To break the curse, Shiori must leave the kingdom and never speak a word to anyone, as each sound she utters will result in the death of one of her brothers. Stripped of her identity and rendered mute, she embarks on a journey with nothing but a bowl stuck to her head as part of the curse.
With only a paper crane as her companion, she sets out to find her brothers in their cursed forms. Along the way, Shiori uncovers a dark conspiracy to seize the throne.
Determined to save the Kingdom and her family, Shiori navigates a world of danger, mystery, and unexpected alliances—including a dragon prince named Seryu and the same boy she fought so hard not to marry.
Elizabeth Lim’s storytelling effortlessly draws you into the magical world of Kiata. The fantasy tale blends with some Asian folklore, and Lim's style strikes a balance between vivid descriptions and fast-paced plot development, making it easy to be totally submerged in a new fictional world.
I personally love fantasy books with strong world-building and maps that bring each place to life. Lim's style avoids long and tedious world-building; instead, she vividly paints the Kingdoms with her descriptions. With each setting in the story, Lim brings a new layer of mystery and beauty.
Shiori's character development was quite compelling.
While she starts off as a naive princess with little to worry about, we get to see her grow with the harsh reality she was thrust into, and she becomes a resilient and self-reliant heroine.
Themes of self-discovery, sacrifice, and loyalty are explored in the plot. This adds more emotional depth to the story, making it almost relatable despite the book's fantasy origins.
Shiori's bond with her brothers drives much of the narrative, and her fierce determination to save them, despite the odds, reveals the depth of family relationship dynamics at play.
Although Six Crimson Cranes is great in its world-building and emotional depth, the pacing can feel rushed in some sections, particularly toward the middle of the book.
Shiori's scenes are filled with high-stakes moments, but at times, the rapid progression of events can leave certain scenes or character interactions feeling underdeveloped.
Additionally, though Shiori's character development is well-executed, her emotional struggles with being mute and stripped of her identity could have been explored more thoroughly. These challenges are touched upon, but a little more insight into how this affects her emotionally and mentally would have added another layer to her growth.
Though the story leaves some elements underdeveloped, the story’s blend of folklore and fantasy makes it a standout read.
In retrospect, Six Crimson Cranes is more than just a fairytale retelling; it’s it's about finding strength during moments of vulnerability and exploring the lengths one will go to protect loved ones. The story combines adventure, magic, and heart, making Six Crimson Cranes an engaging read for fans of fantasy, fairytale retellings, and strong female protagonists.
This is a book I’d highly recommend to those who love folklore-inspired fantasy tales and heroines who face impossible odds. If you’re looking for an enchanting escape, Six Crimson Cranes delivers.
It was an absolute delight from start to finish!
