June Hur

A palace nurse and a royal investigator team up to look into a pattern of grisly murders when the Crown Prince becomes the prime suspect in this romantic YA historical mystery from the author of The Silence of Bones.

The Red Palace

Autumn 

It seems there is always someone in the family determined to drive us mad.

fc ♡

"Ah, what a handsome couple you two make. Newly married?” 

Eojin cleared his throat, his skin flushing. It was scandalous to be out this late together as we were, unmarried. It would be unwise to draw the attention of the gossips, so I rushed to say, “Yes. We were wed just today.” 

The tips of Eojin’s ears burned even redder. “We are in need of a room, and a hot meal,” he murmured, his usual stoic voice flustered.

My lips fell open to scream in horror. Eojin clamped a hand over my mouth, his heart racing against my back. He was as afraid as I was.

“Eojin,” I said, unable to hide my incredulity, “you are only a servant. You can’t decide this on your own.” 

He halted so suddenly my hands reflexively landed on his back—a broad and strong back, I couldn’t help but note—to keep from crashing into him. I wrenched my hands away and retreated as he turned, his eyes falling on mine. 

“Yes. You are a police servant,” I said. “And it is not your place to do as you wish. You have found evidence, so now you must submit it to the commander—” 

Shaking his head, he slipped the ring into a pouch tied to his sash belt, and the sight of evidence disappearing left my face burning

“I have a very interesting explanation, and if you wish to know it…” I looked at the empty hut, wondering where Physician Khun had gone. “First answer my questions. Why are you disguised as a scholar?” 

 “And why are you here if the police didn’t send you?”

 He paused, and quietly asked, “Are you interrogating me?” 

“No. We are having a conversation—” 

“I unfortunately don’t have time for this,” he said, turning from me.

“I thought I said I never wanted to see you again.” 

“If I remember correctly,” I said in an overly polite tone, “your precise words were I had better not see you lurking around a crime scene again. But is this a crime scene?”

fira

This is another excellent mystery set in Korea's past.  The mystery is intriguing and the characters are engaging.  

shellybn

Winona

It was nice, but certainly not one of my favorites.. I loved the mystery aspect of it, but i think the characters lacked a bit of a personality? Also it was supposed to be set in the 1700s but sometimes it felt a bit modern. Its a good book and the plot was good too! 3.5 🌟

Winona Santiago

sani

“there is only you.” his words caressed me, winding themselves around my soul. “there will only ever be you. i promise, hyeon-ah.”

ahhh. at this point, i am barely surviving on the hyeoneojin crumbs. this book was so insanely good? and oh my god, the romance romanced here at its peak. 


“when we’re together … it’s as though we are like water in the river, my thoughts flowing through yours, yours through mine.”

HE LITERALLY SAYS STUFF LIKE THAT TO HER? strangers to friends to lovers solving a murder mystery has got to be my favourite thing from now on. the chemistry was too good, i forgot to breathe sometimes. 

and i love, love, love how hyeon's relationship with her mother developed. it was so precious as a daughter to experience it. and i love how she gave a second chance to her father, lord shin.

Ellie M.

This book is definitely perfect for fans of historical korean dramas. I’m one of the kdrama girlies, and The Red Palace has so much to offer! I finished it in one sitting because I could not put it down. June Hur is the definition of damn good writing. The mid-paced story and exhilirating prose gives us a strangers-to-friends-to-lovers story about a police investigator and a palace nurse set out to solve a conspiracy and a series of murder in which the Crown Prince is allegedly tied to. In this book, we see Hyeon and Eojin fall in love and have their sweetest, most subtle moments while traversing through a crazy maze of suspects and a killing spree with no possible end to it. I’ve always loved the thrill and action from korean historical fiction and this gave me feelings of nostalgia and longing for the thirteen year-old me who bingewatched kdramas at 3 in the morning because I was literally making up fancasts in my head reading this. Not only that, but this book will take you through the brutal realities of the older Korean dynasties. Moreso, it subtly explores the extremely complex familial relationships and forgiveness in Asian households. I would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a quick, thriller read with the barest bits of romance throughout.

Emily Wisnesky

first 5 star read of the year!!! the investigation was paced in the best way, the romance was CHEFS KISS! i love hyeon and eojin so much, hyeon is such a strong female lead character, I love how she was written. wish I didn’t read it so fast and that I could read it again for the first time ❤️

➺ 
  4/5 🌟

"Revenge begets revenge; the anger is unquenchable. We become the monsters we are trying to punish. Justice, however, brings closure, and that is what I want"


There might be spoiler ahead....

This is quite a fast read for me, or maybe I was just too invested in the story that I didn't realize I already reached the end. 

The Red Palace definitely gave me a historical mystery Kdrama vibe. It served me a good amount of mystery and suspense in such a short book. I wouldn't say that this has a mind blowing plot that has mind blowing twist, but the way the author narrated the story really draws me in. 

A palace nurse, together with a young inspector, solving the murder case. But it's not just a simple murder case because it involved the Crown Prince himself as the suspect. One wrong move, just a slight mistake with their words, it can be regarded as them slandering the future ruler and their heads would probably roll. I was immersed with how the way they're solving the mystery, with outmost vigilance and secrecy, which made even the readers like myself not able to breathe too loudly. I loved the way this sometimes put me at the edge of my seat, especially in the last part. 

For the characters, nothing quite extraordinary from them, nothing too unforgettable. I actually didn't like the female protagonist at first. Her determination to find the truth for her mentor who was accused of the murder is commendable, but the way she did the work is frustrating. She sticks her nose everywhere recklessly. I mean, that was mostly the reason for having suspenseful scenes, but sometimes it doesn't make sense. Like that one time she thought of 'stealing' the murder weapon while waiting alone in the Crown Prince's chamber. For someone who's really afraid and wary of the things that are happening inside the palace, she was being impulsive. That scene though was very intense and it heightened the reading experience so much, but it was a dumb move from her. 

For the plot, I enjoyed the mystery so much. I liked that I was guessing along with the main characters as to who's the real culprit. Nothing very shocking about the revelation but I was focused more on the motive as to why the culprit did it. Surely, I've read more polished mysteries than this, but overall I enjoyed the plot and it kept me invested, so that's what matters. 

Also, I wasn't expecting this to have a hint of romance. I just picked this up without knowing anything about the genre and I was surprised because I thought it was just purely about crime solving and palace conspiracy. The book could do its job even without the romance, but I would say it added depth to the two main protagonists so I am not against it. Overall, I really really enjoyed my time with this. 

Please do take note of the trigger warnings before picking this up.

I love a good mystery, and this was no exception. I adored Baekhyeon and Eojin’s relationship development so much - the way they grew to care for each other was tender, and quiet, and so lovely. So glad this was my first read for 2024.

ang ིྀ 

Read like a period kdrama which was fun :) but it was a bit too fast for me, I like slow suspense and relationship building

nina 

Katie Guo

hyeon & eojin i want u both.. i have two hands for a reason 

jing 🐇

Laurianne

This is my second book by writer June Hur, the first one being The Forest of Stolen Girls and it became one of my most-loved books (even until now). To be honest, I still like The Forest of Stolen Girls better in comparison to this one. But it doesn't mean that The Red Palace is less good, just a matter of preference is all.
I'm relieved that Hyeon has finally found her light in darkness, because she deserves happiness and so much more, so does Eojin. I long for what they have. (let me sob in the corner)

Good story. A bit naive and easy, more for younger readers I guess. 

Ilham Usman

B Sai Sushma

A fantastic historic murder mystery that explores not just an intricate plot but the heavy relationships between parents and children. One of the better female-led books I have read in a long time.

June Hur, critically acclaimed author of The Silence of Bones and The Forest of Stolen Girls, returns with The Red Palace—a third evocative, atmospheric historical mystery perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Kerri Maniscalco. To enter the palace means to walk a path stained in blood... Joseon (Korea), 1758. There are few options available to illegitimate daughters in the capital city, but through hard work and study, seventeen-year-old Hyeon has earned a position as a palace nurse. All she wants is to keep her head down, do a good job, and perhaps finally win her estranged father's approval. But Hyeon is suddenly thrust into the dark and dangerous world of court politics when someone murders four women in a single night, and the prime suspect is Hyeon's closest friend and mentor. Determined to prove her beloved teacher's innocence, Hyeon launches her own secret investigation. In her hunt for the truth, she encounters Eojin, a young police inspector also searching for the killer. When evidence begins to point to the Crown Prince himself as the murderer, Hyeon and Eojin must work together to search the darkest corners of the palace to uncover the deadly secrets behind the bloodshed.

Teeeeeesha

Deliciously written with the right amount of mystery, good pacing and sweet romance that will make you smile. Reads like a historical kdrama as it is loosely based on the life and death of Prince Sado

I really enjoyed 98% of this book. The ending, though, felt incredibly rushed and could have been expanded upon more. I also appreciated the revised romanization for the majority of the Korean names and words--McCune-Reischauer is my worst nightmare. When I did research for my thesis, I came across the realities of Korean women during that time more than once--and those realities appear in this book. Seeing them made me feel vindicated in a sense, as I have discussed the injustices and sexism rampant in the Joseon era (some ideas of which have continued over to Korea in the modern day) with anyone that will listen to me--which would be fine if they had any knowledge of Joseon era Korea lol

A fun historical fiction mystery that is perfect for fans of 

Holly

I really enjoyed 98% of this book. The ending, though, felt incredibly rushed and could have been expanded upon more. I also appreciated the revised romanization for the majority of the Korean names and words--McCune-Reischauer is my worst nightmare. When I did research for my thesis, I came across the realities of Korean women during that time more than once--and those realities appear in this book. Seeing them made me feel vindicated in a sense, as I have discussed the injustices and sexism rampant in the Joseon era (some ideas of which have continued over to Korea in the modern day) with anyone that will listen to me--which would be fine if they had any knowledge of Joseon era Korea lol
A fun historical fiction mystery that is perfect for fans of Stalking Jack the Ripper

Connor 

I love June Hur SO. MUCH. and this book was so good and I know she probably won’t but what I wouldn’t give for sequels!

Christine Bruce

A refreshingly new story in almost every way. I love historical fiction, but there’s not enough non western history that’s casual knowledge. I’m a bit of a true crime buff so I was shocked when I’d never heard of Prince Sado before moving to Korea. 

This book is set against the backdrop of his murders and the world that everyone else had to live in following them. A surprising twist I only put together the page before the characters did, and the added bonus of just a pure and sweet romance, too. Hyeon and Eojin deserve every happiness ever. 

A great mystery and a great story with great history and details that kept me on Wikipedia hours after reading the last page (exactly how I like my historical fictions) 

Content warning for murders, era accurate sexism, and parental abuse of a verbal/mental manner. 

💭 
9/10
Favorite book in February
A lot of Korean history
True crime of a historical nature
A romance B plot

Anna

Great YA mystery set in 1750s South Korea with subtle slow-burn romance. Very atmospheric writing, reading this book was like watching historical k-drama!

I thought the mystery was interesting, but a bit simplistic. I did like the twists and turns though.

I found the prince bit was confusing. I wish there had been more background into all of that, it seemed like the story was started in the middle, which, it kind of was.

The best writing for me, was the romance between Eojin and Hyeon. I wanted a bit more of that, especially at the end.

Still, it was an interesting and enjoyable book.

Megan Lowe

4.5 stars.

This was an interesting book.

I thought the mystery was interesting, but a bit simplistic. I did like the twists and turns though.

I found the prince bit was confusing. I wish there had been more background into all of that, it seemed like the story was started in the middle, which, it kind of was.

The best writing for me, was the romance between Eojin and Hyeon. I wanted a bit more of that, especially at the end.

Still, it was an interesting and enjoyable book.

Lia Yuliana

Update 18/11/2021

Find my reviews on :  An Ode to Fiction
Official Release Date : 25th January 2022
Buy the book :
 Amazon |  Book Depository

4/5 ⭐️

ARC provided by the publisher Feiwel & Friends through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


  
    If you enter the palace, you either die or you survive and become another monster within its walls …
  


The Red Palace is a stunning Joseon era mystery thriller that will grip you in beautiful suspense. With that I am a new June Hur stan.

Defining November as the month that I will read my pile of ARCs in ambitious notion. I recently acquired the ARC of The Red Palace after applying for it through Twitter. In all honesty, I’ve never read any book by June Hur but I have seen her books circulating around bookish friends. I trust their judgment so I picked this book as my fifth ARC to read. As reflected on my rating it is evident that June Hur didn’t disappoint at all. This books holds the title for the most gripping and fast paced ARC that I’ve ever read, I finish it within a day which never happens. Before I dive deeper into my review I would like to gush about the gorgeous cover of this book done by Park Sunga and designed by Liz Dresner. Can I just point out when June revealed the cover and back cover designed I gasped because if you watch Korean dramas you know that the woman on the cover looks like Seo Ye-ji and the man on the back looks like Woo Do-hwan. The resemblances is uncanny! The style also makes the cover stand out adding the Korean period vibes with the brush strokes.


  
    “I chose this path,” I said, my voice rising a notch.

“This is the only path I can take now, and you must let me walk it.”
  


The Red Palace is a young adult historical fiction and mystery thriller set in Joseon year of 1758. Following the success of her debut novel Silence of Bones and her recent 2021 The Forest of Stolen Girls, The Red Palace is Hur’s third highly anticipated third novel that will be released early 2022. The story revolves around an eighteen year old girl named Hyeon that works as a palace nurse. Working in the palace comes with its benefits and hardships but also the dark secrets within it’s walls. One day Hyeon and another palace nurse is called to assist the palace physician late in the night, an odd occurrence and especially dangerous as they are sworn to keep it a secret. The next day she discovers that four women were murdered on that same night she was called into the palace and that her teacher is placed as the prime suspect. Hyeon is frantic and is determined to clear her teacher’s name with the truth. On her courageous path to uncover the truth she meets a young investigator named Eojin that is tasked to solve the murders. Working together Hyeon and Eojin works together to find the real culprit behind the murders and drag the dark truth into the light of justice.


  
    “One doesn’t always need a sword to find the truth.”

“Like you,” he whispered.
  


June Hur’s writing is magnetic, highly addictive, and easily accessible in building the tension and stakes by transporting readers to the unforgivingly cruel inner palace dynamics of the Joseon era. Through the eyes of Hyeon we get to see a lot of the twists and turns of maneuvering around nobility and their scheming to gain power. Hur’s atmospheric writing accounts the vivid details of the setting that will tempt your eyes to wander seeking out any kind of hint that will break the bubble of mystery. I didn’t expect how beautiful a mystery thriller can be written, the story deals with grim topics such as death and murder but it is enticing and eloquent. The plot is well balance and flowed smoothly in between each reveal that gradually pushes readers to the edge of their seats with dread I associate with Korean period dramas. The way Hur pulls the strings of tension is slow, deliberate, and full of intent that by the end when the string is pulled taut, it snaps with a satisfying reveal. With every page I am gripped on to the page as the book gets more and more unputdownable leaving me in a frantic mess of suspense thirsting for answers. Hur’s pacing worked wonders in strengthening the grip of tension and suspense as the mystery is revealed slowly as Hyeon and Eojin draw closer to the truth.


  
    Our heads nearly touching, so lost in the moment, so consumed that I could not tell where he began and where I ended. We seemed to have, in that moment, merged into one mind with one purpose: find the killer, find the truth.
  


An aspect of The Red Palace that got me so engrossed and invested in the mystery are the characters, specifically Hyeon and Eojin. Hyeon is an ambitious nurse that has carved a path for herself to secure a position at the palace, she has worked long and hard to get where she is especially with the hardships of being the bastard child of a noble. Hur cleverly writes Hyeon’s perspective with innocent yet experienced eyes that hones her abilities and skills that she learned to its maximum potential. Hyeon is smart, feisty, and stubborn when she has set determination to clear her mentors name. Surely, Eojin has his hands full in dealing with her which makes their dynamic all the more endearing and fun to see manifest on page. Eojin is the youngest investigator from the capital that is tasked to investigate the murders. He is calculative, trust worthy, and the calm that is the perfect balance to Hyeon’s chaos. Both characters are well fleshed out with distinct personalities and believable voices proving Hur’s masterful ability with characterization. What made me enjoy The Red Palace is their dynamics and antics throughout the story. There are underlying themes of trust, righteousness, and comradery that is weaved in their relationship dynamic that I find intriguing. The romance that developed between the two manifested beautifully and it got me craving for more of their banter.


  
    Whatever awaited in the future, I had to trust that he would watch out for me, as I would always watch out for him.
  


Final thoughts, The Red Palace is an amazing stand alone mystery thriller that will transport you to the darkest depths of the Joseon dynasty filled with murder, political scheming, cover ups, and gripping crime solving. It is a story that I wish to see adapted as a drama or a movie on the big screen with the Korean actors on the cover play Hyeon and Eojin. Overall, I really enjoyed June Hur’s beautiful prose and phenomenal writing that got me addicting in a softer form of suspense that unique to Hur’s writing style. Everything is clear and crisp word for word that readers will grip readers the moment they start reading. Honestly, mystery thrillers isn’t a genre I normally would reach out towards but Hur changed that by weaving historical fiction into it that made the story the more interesting. June Hur has gained another fan as I will make sure to read her other works in 2022 such Silence of Bones and The Forest of Stolen Girls. If you haven’t please add all of June Hur’s book on to your Goodreads because you don’t want to miss out on any of her books. I highly recommend as well to read and pre-order The Red Palace if you’re looking for a fast paced gripping mystery thriller that is set in a certain period and has loose K-Drama romance vibes.

The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

june

l.h.

a compelling plot with memorable main characters and incredibly immersive worldbuilding. the prose was a bit simple at times, though that may have been my own general aversion to first-person; as a whole it was refreshingly clear and direct writing. highly recommended :)

The Red Palace

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