Elizabeth Lim

A princess in exile. Six enchanted cranes. An unspeakable curse. A beautiful and immersive YA fantasy retelling of the Grimm brothers' The Six Swans fairytale, set in an East-Asian inspired world, by the author of Spin the Dawn. Shiori'anma, 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. A sorceress in her own right, Raikama 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. 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.

Six Crimson Cranes

A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse... Drawing from fairy tales and East Asian folklore, this original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone. "A dazzling fairytale full of breathtaking storytelling." --Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval Shiori'anma, 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. 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. 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. Weaving together elements of The Wild Swans, Cinderella, the legend of Chang E, and the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, Elizabeth Lim has crafted a fantasy like no other, and one that will stay with readers long after they've turned the last page. “A richly imagined landscape . . . vibrant, fast-paced.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

surround yourself with those who'll love you always, through your mistakes and your faults. Make a family that will find you more beautiful every day, even when your hair is white with age. Be the light that makes someone’s lantern shine.

Moira

Learn from my mistakes, learn from my joys. Surround yourself with those who'll love you always, through your mistakes and your faults. Make a family that will find you more beautiful every day, even when your hair is white with age. Be the light that makes someone's lantern shine.

When you die, I die. If you're not afraid, I won't be either. I'll stay with you to the end, Shiori.

If fate is a bunch of strings, I'll carry scissors. My choices are my own. I'll make them as I please.

The answer was simple. When a lie wouldn't work, a diversion would. 

No matter where life takes you, you will be like those stars - connected by the light you shine together. 

Find the light that makes your lantern shine...Hold onto it, even when the dark surrounds you. Not even the strongest wind will blow out the flame.

chiyoko

Find the light that makes your lantern shine. Hold on to it, when dark surrounds you. 

fc ♡

“I only worry that I won’t want to let you go.”

 I threw myself into his arms then, burying my head under his chin. He stroked my hair. “I want to come with you.”

 “You can’t.” I looked up, knowing from his tightly pursed lips that he wished for a different answer. “I wish you could. Don’t worry, I’ll be in good hands.” 

“If the legends I’ve heard about dragons are true, I have reason to doubt that.” Takkan met my eyes, his own unwavering. “But I know you can take care of yourself, Shiori. Better than anyone. I’ll wait for you.”

“Better,” he promised. “So you don’t forget me.” I touched my forehead to his and pressed my lips to his cheek, not caring if my brothers saw. 

“Our fates are linked,” I said tenderly. “How could I forget you?”

"I won’t let you go,” Takkan said through his teeth. “Come on, Shiori.”

Our foreheads touched, and I pushed Seryu’s pearl into Takkan’s hand. It would protect him and my brothers. Kiata too, if I couldn’t defeat the Wolf. 

I grabbed Takkan by the hand, pulling him up. Together, we leapt onto Admiral’s back and raced to join my brothers. “What were you thinking? You could have been killed.” 

“The odds of death were high,” he replied, catching his breath. “But not assured.”

 I wanted to hug him. “You courageous fool.”

 “If that’s what you call me now, rather than ‘that barbarian lord of the third rank’ ”—he passed me Seryu’s pearl with a grin—“then it was well worth it.”

"Wait,” I said. Even now, seeing him with his hat slightly askew and ready to fall off his windswept hair, I was imbued with an involuntary rush of warmth. “Are you going to kiss me or not?” The surprise on Takkan’s face was worth a thousand stories.

 “You know, you’re even bolder when you can speak, Princess Shiori.”

 “I have many months to make up for.”

 Takkan laughed, but he touched his nose to mine, drawing so tantalizingly close that our breaths mingled in the cold air.

“I’m afraid you are stuck with me, Shiori, even if you don’t ever wish to marry me. I pledge to protect you.”

Shiori. I liked how he said my name. As if the syllables were the first notes to a song he loved to sing.

 A small smile touched my face. “How long have you known?”

 “I wasn’t sure until today—when I saw you,” Takkan admitted. “But I thought it. I wondered it many a time. First, when I met you in Tianyi Village, the way your shoulders danced and your feet tapped when you were cooking—as if you were listening to a secret song. I remembered seeing Princess Shiori do that at the Summer Festival when she was eating something she loved.  “There were little things, too, like the way you hide food in your sleeves or how a dimple appears in your left cheek when you smile.” 

“I wanted to notice more. But you never wrote me back, Shiori,” he said, pretending to chide me. “Or else I might have discovered it was you on that first day in Sparrow Inn.”

"I’m not leaving you.” His jaw tightened with resolve. “Don’t you remember what I told you? I would not have you be alone.”

“I’m bound to you first. I always have been.”

 “Bound to me?” I repeated. “All I did was make some crooked stitches over your wound, Takkan. You don’t have to act like you’re indebted to me for life.”

  “I am not the sort of man who reneges on my pledges.”

 “I don’t think you have the authority.” Takkan’s mouth tilted, and his gaze pierced mine. “Not when it’s been in place for eleven years.”

Once I was saddled and strapped, I parted my lips to bid Takkan farewell, but he jumped onto Admiral’s back behind me.  “What are you doing?” I protested.

 “What does it look like? I’m coming with you.” 

“You can’t expect to steal my horse and take off without me.” He kicked Admiral into motion. Takkan’s voice hummed against my ear. “Besides, I have a story I think you may like.”

“Will you be here when I return, Lina?” Takkan’s voice was so soft I almost didn’t hear it.

“... I can’t help but hope you’ll stay.”

 I stared down. My silence was telling, and Takkan bent until our heads were level. His voice trembled when he spoke: “I would not have you be alone, Lina, not in your joys or your sorrows. I would wish your strand knotted to mine, always.”

 I rested my head on his chest, tucking my crown, bowl and all, under his chin. I could feel his breath catch, yet he didn’t say anything. He wrapped one arm around my waist and held me.

“I must be drunk on moonlight to tell you this…but after I left you at Sparrow Inn, I…I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I didn’t know anything about you, and yet I had never met anyone so determined—or brazen. Not even Megari.” He laughed, then his expression turned serious once more. “Somehow, I knew I would see you again. It was as if I could feel our strands crossing. Yet when you came to Iro, you seemed different. Sadder, more withdrawn. I’d look for you in the kitchen as Pao and I walked around the castle. I wanted to make you smile.”

"But you liked my stories. That, I learned.” He touched his lantern to mine, so tenderly my stomach swooped. “Perhaps they served as my wooden comb. I would tell you stories from dawn to dusk if it meant filling your eyes with happiness.”

 I reached out, hooking my arm under his—I didn’t know what possessed me to do it. Maybe it was the story, the beauty of the lanterns surrounding us, or even the cold numbing my senses, but mortification flooded in a moment too late. I tried to pull back, but Takkan didn’t let go. He drew me closer, and my shoulder melted against his.

He heaved a woeful sigh. “But you’ve always been one of my favorites, Shiori,” he admitted, suddenly softening. “If you weren’t so…so human, I’d—”

"You didn’t tell me that one of them was your betrothed.” Irritation prickled Seryu’s voice, which I didn’t understand.

 What difference does it make? For all he knows, I’m nobody.

 “You may have a bowl on your head. But even a fool like Bushi’an Takkan can see that you’re hardly nobody.”

 He isn’t a fool. If I didn’t know better, I would say you sound jealous.

 “Me? Jealous of a mortal?” Seryu scoffed. “Dragons don’t bother with such petty emotions. Besides, I’m the grandson of the Dragon King. I have plenty of admirers of my own.”

I twined my fingers with his, and narrowed the space between us—as much as I dared. 

“Are these tears for the princess, Lina?” he asked gently. “Or are they for yourself?”

 At the question, I looked up. My brush slipped from my grip, and Takkan and I both bent to pick it up. Our fingers touched, clasping either end of the stick. He looked down at our hands. Mine trembled, and he covered it with his, steadying me. 

“I wish you would speak to me,” he said. “Sometimes, the way you move your lips, I swear that you can. Even if I’m wrong, I wish I could at least see your eyes.”

"I was told Shiori was curious, so I’d try to end each story on a suspenseful note, hoping she would write back to ask what happened next.” Takkan had wound himself tight, telling me this story, and now his shoulders finally bowed, and he folded himself over his knees. Quietly, he said, “But she never did. I don’t think she even opened them.”

read this when i had covid and forgot i was sick i was so immersed in this

cassandra

honestly the plot of this book was exactly what i needed with the asian mythology and the fairytale of it all!!!

i was initially apprehensive to start this fantasy book bc i was worried i was going to have trouble with the world building. luckily, the storytelling made it so easy to visualize the story. it was like watching a whimsical drama. the author’s refreshing writing creates an enchanting world of dragons, magic, and sprinkles of young love

another notable aspect of this book that i love was shiori's character development where she is no longer the spoiled princess from the beginning of the story. you get to see her growth throughout the story. also i feel like her quiet strength was truly showcased here through her resilience and love for her family

i also love that the romance is intertwined into the fantasy storyline instead of a subplot like other fantasy novels. even though the romance is more subtle, it was still a cute slowburn friends to lovers.

takkan is such a cutie!! like we love an introvert lover boy <3

lowkey at first i thought this book was going to have a love triangle but then it didn't . . however I'm not sure if the author will continue with this love triangle agenda in the next book but if she does . . i won't be too mad about

honestly the plot of this book was exactly what i needed with the asian mythology and the fairytale of it all!!!

i was initially apprehensive to start this fantasy book bc i was worried i was going to have trouble with the world building. luckily, the storytelling made it so easy to visualize the story. it was like watching a whimsical drama. the author’s refreshing writing creates an enchanting world of dragons, magic, and sprinkles of young love

another notable aspect of this book that i love was shiori's character development where she is no longer the spoiled princess from the beginning of the story. you get to see her growth throughout the story. also i feel like her quiet strength was truly showcased here through her resilience and love for her family

i also love that the romance is intertwined into the fantasy storyline instead of a subplot like other fantasy novels. even though the romance is more subtle, it was still a cute slowburn friends to lovers.

takkan is such a cutie!! like we love an introvert lover boy <3

lowkey at first i thought this book was going to have a love triangle but then it didn't . . however I'm not sure if the author will continue with this love triangle agenda in the next book but if she does . . i won't be too mad about

invisible strings
love story
sweet nothing

turtle

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse... Drawing from fairy tales and East Asian folklore, this original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone. "A dazzling fairytale full of breathtaking storytelling." --Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval Shiori'anma, 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. 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. 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. Weaving together elements of The Wild Swans, Cinderella, the legend of Chang E, and the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, Elizabeth Lim has crafted a fantasy like no other, and one that will stay with readers long after they've turned the last page. "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 "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 "A richly imagined landscape . . . vibrant, fast-paced." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

easy to read. it really is. the writing of this story is digestible, it doesn't make you bored. it's fantasy, but the author did a good job in describing the setting of the story.

also the subtle romance.... gosh it's beautiful

easy to read. it really is. the writing of this story is digestible, it doesn't make you bored. it's fantasy, but the author did a good job in describing the setting of the story.

also the subtle romance.... gosh it's beautiful

the following will be based on my opinion and please don't let it influence the way you will view this book. what doesn't work for me may work for you and vice versa..

i hated this book. and i hate myself for hating it. this has such a good plot but the writing style? i wanna cry. this has so much potential. maybe because i also just read an almost five star trilogy that's why this was such a let down. but yeah, as i've said, the pacing was weird. this is such an easy book to read and i actually considered it a fast paced book but i was really struggling!! especially at the very beginning, it just feels rushed. also, is it just me but most of the time, the book doesn't provide you enough explanation, like some things are just so confusing. idk how to explain it (not good with words im sorry). had such high expectations on this one, and to be honest, i ended up skimming at the ending part..

the following will be based on my opinion and please don't let it influence the way you will view this book. what doesn't work for me may work for you and vice versa..

i hated this book. and i hate myself for hating it. this has such a good plot but the writing style? i wanna cry. this has so much potential. maybe because i also just read an almost five star trilogy that's why this was such a let down. but yeah, as i've said, the pacing was weird. this is such an easy book to read and i actually considered it a fast paced book but i was really struggling!! especially at the very beginning, it just feels rushed. also, is it just me but most of the time, the book doesn't provide you enough explanation, like some things are just so confusing. idk how to explain it (not good with words im sorry). had such high expectations on this one, and to be honest, i ended up skimming at the ending part..

this is like my comfort book tbh!!
it’s so cute, i fell in love with the character and the story as i lived through it with them. this book was very immersive, i felt as though i was with them in the moment, they panicked and i panicked with them!! they were happy and i smiled along, that’s just how this book is, it’s cute, it’s lovely, it’s everything.

when i read this it took me back to when i was younger tbh, it made me feel like i was a middle schooler watching a cartoon show i was obsessed with /pos

 read this book!! you’ll have no regrets, just fun vibes and intense scenes and lovely characters:3

Linara K.S

a couple of thoughts when reading:
Ghibli vibes, i can picture Shiori in a ghibli movie for sureee
I'm not feeling Seryu that much
Takkan and Shiori>>>>>
ngl I shed a tear or two reading this book
where's the next book? I need it at once

Maybe I'm being too kind in giving this book five stars but I enjoyed reading it a lot, and hence atleast in terms of fulfillment it's a five star read.

This is book is so magical and fairytale like, the writing is vivid and expressive. It gave me the feeling of reading a fairytale when I was a child, without feeling childish or oversimplified. I know it is in part a re-telling of a myth and you can definitely tell as the storytelling has the feel of an old myth without feeling dated. 

It was so easy to read, yet the plot was compelling and engaging. I could never predict what could happen next so I was always on my toes. I also don't gravitate towards romance however the romantic elements were so sweet and touching, and importantly for me they don't take away from the main plotline of the book. 

I think this is good lighthearted fantasy read for those who still want to go on an interesting adventure without a lot of angst. It a fun enchanting read.

Marz 

Maybe I'm being too kind in giving this book five stars but I enjoyed reading it a lot, and hence atleast in terms of fulfillment it's a five star read.

This is book is so magical and fairytale like, the writing is vivid and expressive. It gave me the feeling of reading a fairytale when I was a child, without feeling childish or oversimplified. I know it is in part a re-telling of a myth and you can definitely tell as the storytelling has the feel of an old myth without feeling dated. 

It was so easy to read, yet the plot was compelling and engaging. I could never predict what could happen next so I was always on my toes. I also don't gravitate towards romance however the romantic elements were so sweet and touching, and importantly for me they don't take away from the main plotline of the book. 

I think this is good lighthearted fantasy read for those who still want to go on an interesting adventure without a lot of angst. It a fun enchanting read.

Anjorin Molayo 

I REALLY REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!

the characters, world-building, dialogue, writing, imagery were wonderful and i encourage all who are interested in fairytale retellings to pick this up.

not only was the actual plot of the book captivating and had me on the edge of my seat, but the characters were phenomenal as well. I’ve never read a book with the bonds between family written in such a captivating way. i loved how Shiori’s character growth wasn’t a main focus but it was something that was beautiful to watch unfold without it being directly stated.

the pacing wasn’t fast and i wasn’t even bored! i can’t wait to read the sequel.

Bria

I always tiptoed around this book because I thought I wouldn't like it, but I love it. There's not a single thing I didn't enjoy.

i started the book without any expectations at all and i’m still disappointed by it. i felt there was no sense behind shiori’s actions and emotions at all right from the first page, despite it being first-person narration. and she rarely got any meaningful consequences from her “troublemaking” which made it a bore to read through

Nikki

dnf @ chapter five. 

i started the book without any expectations at all and i’m still disappointed by it. i felt there was no sense behind shiori’s actions and emotions at all right from the first page, despite it being first-person narration. and she rarely got any meaningful consequences from her “troublemaking” which made it a bore to read through

Krys C.

hi hello i have no words for how beautiful this book is

Christine

THIS IS IN THE SAME WORLD AS SPIN THE DAWN IW AS TRYING TO FIGRUE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AAHFSFJHAAHASHFA

i love elizabeth lim's books SO MUCH

ALSO IM HURT!!! VERY HURT

also wow now ih ave to wait for a sequel RIP

Isabella 

I had high expectations for this book, and it did live up to it. I love this book! It was easy to read, and I was hooked from the beginning. I found the pacing alright; it kept me captivated and interested. I love the characters so much. I LOVE SHIORI AND TAKKAN SO MUCH, but I wish we got to see more of Seryu (but I guess we'll see more of him in the next book). I am praying that we don't get a love triangle trope in the next book because I will honestly be disappointed. I LOVE the ending so much. I almost teared up. Even though there is a second book coming, I think this book didn't leave it at a cliffhanger. It ended at a good place, and I liked that. Overall, this is a beautifully written book and it is definitely a recommend even for fantasy beginners.

Sheryl

rate: 4.5🌟
my thoughts: really love it. it was fast-paced and fun and i cried at near the ending but that's because im weak when it comes to family and shit. the romance was cute i love takkan. 

my only complaint is that, we barely see the brothers! even thought they're literally in the title!

but yeah other than that i love the story, i really like the characters besides the villain, and i just had a lot of fun reading it.

Janice

This book has officially entered my top three. I cannot express how much I love it!

4.5/5 

The e-ARC provided by Penguin Random House via Netgalley in exchange of honest review. 

Be the light that makes someone’s lantern shine. 

An extraordinary tale about a beloved princess of kingdom of Kiata with her six brothers—and a stepmother that curse them with her dark magic. Six Crimson Cranes is a well written retelling of Brothers Grimms’s The Six Swans. This book is filled with familial love, siblings dynamics, fated relationship, political intrigue, dragons, and doomed magic. 
Shiori’s journey as a royal to cursed and exiled princess, her self-growth when she was doing her mission to break her curse is the part of this book that I loved the most, beside her relationships with her (evil) stepmother, her older brothers, and Takkan. Speak of Takkan, he is my new favorite male character now. He's painfully sweet and perfect my heart hurts. 

Anyway that ending, yeah. I wish i can read the next book now.

nina 

3.75 stars

the thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies

West Shah

need to read the sequel! i love Takkan and Shiori!

fatru tamzil

Well that was a satisfying read. Definitely magical. The prose, the settings,the characters....everything adds up perfectly.

Izzy

the more i think about it the less i actually like it lmao, lets go ✨ first disappointment of the year ✨

the beginning was fine really, it was fun, fast paced. i was genuinely curious where the whole story was going to go, but the second shiori entered that castle in the north, it was literally just 200 pages of NOTHING. it was such  a bore  to read to the point i was ready to skip some chapters because at the end of the day i wouldn't have missed out much. the ending was also very stupid and i smelled the so called ""plot twist"" from miles away which was also hilariously so forced  Spoiler so her stepmother isn't actually evil

annie

i love how magical this book is and i love the characters in book

Six Crimson Cranes

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