Review of 'Six Crimson Cranes'
Six Crimson Cranes is a lush and magical fairy tale that incorporates East Asian folklore and mythology, creating something unique and wonderful.
This stunningly imaginative fairy-tale mashup combines East Asian folklore with western fairy tales to create a wholly original story of an exiled princess, forbidden magic, and a quest to save the kingdom. YA fantasy fans will delight in the richly crafted world Elizabeth Lim has poured onto the pages.
Review
Elizabeth Lim astounds readers with Six Crimson Cranes, a compelling novel derived from East Asian folklore that will enchant the reader from beginning to end.
Breathtaking Story
Elizabeth Lim is a fantastic writer. One of the things that make her stand out as a writer is her talent for storytelling. Is it any wonder she is a New York Times bestselling author? No, because her storytelling is breathtaking.
Lim draws her inspiration from fairy tales and folklore, folklore derived from her East Asian background. It is refreshing to see her bring to life these unique stories that also resonate with the reader.
Shiori has a wicked stepmother; she loses the power of her voice, is stripped of her identity, and her brothers have been turned into cranes during the day. The illusions to classic fairy tales give the reader something to connect to, and the way Lim brings them to life makes the story unique. There is magic, wonder, dragons, and fantasy that make the story stand out.
What is more, is the momentum of the story. It has such a steady flow to it that perfectly balances the rising tension. Shiori is on a mission to find her brothers; she is on a mission to save her country from war and demons. Furthermore, while she is on this mission, Lim includes folklore throughout the story, giving it those strong fairy tale vibes that keep the reader entertained and grounded from beginning to end.
Great Characterization
I honestly loved Six Crimson Cranes; I thought it was beautifully told. I was entranced from the very beginning; I wanted to follow this reckless princess into the sacred lake where she faced a dragon. It is an incredible moment and opening to the story giving the reader an introduction into who Shiori is, how she fits in, and how she thinks.
Shiori is a good character, and I mean inherently good. However, she is not without her flaws, and her less-than-perfect attitude gives her room to grow.
Her trials, losing her voice and face, make her relatable to the reader because they allow her to be grounded. Yes, this is a fairy tale, and yes, Shiori is a princess, but that does not make her infallible. That is what makes her so refreshing to read. Shiori is determined, she makes mistakes, but she learns and grows. Losing her voice and identity taught her something about herself and allowed her to see beyond herself thoughtfully.
Final Thoughts
Six Crimson Cranes is amazing. I loved this novel as much as Lim’s Blood of the Stars Duology and cannot wait to see what Lim does next.
- Writing Quality : 9/10
- Character Development : 10/10
- "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 10/10
- Intellectual Depth: 9/10
- Originality: 10/10
- Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5.
Like this review?
Don’t forget to follow Cyn’s Workshop on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads | LinkedIn to stay tuned for future reviews.
About the Author
Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband and son and their two cats, Mr. J the Kitten and Nyx.
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Cyn's Workshop and writers in Geeks and other communities.
Review of 'The Black Witch'
Powerful magic. A deadly legacy. A world at the edge of war. Prepare to be spellbound by The Black Witch. Elloren Gardner is the spitting image of her grandmother, who drove back the enemy forces in the last Realm War. But while her people believe she will follow in her grandmother's footsteps and become the next Black Witch of prophecy, Elloren is devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else. When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at Verpax University. But she soon realizes that the university may be the most treacherous place of all for the granddaughter of the Black Witch. As evil looms and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, Elloren's best hope of survival may be among a secret band of rebels…if only she can find the courage to trust those she’s been taught to fear.
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks
The Rachels - 2025
Much to my surprise, I have kept a list of the films I‘ve seen this year. I daresay it isn’t complete. There will be films that snuck in on a late night in front of the TV that I would’ve forgotten to note. Or others, that I went to watch at the cinema, but then had a red wine and promptly forgotten about. But it’s not a bad approximation of the films I’ve seen this year. In total, there are 53 films listed, so an average of one a week and one for good luck.
By Rachel Robbins19 days ago in Geeks
How Lakshya hit the bullseye with The Ba***ds of Bollywood
Lakshya has no qualms admitting that he is a boring guy off set with not much happening around him. “The only fun that I have is when I prepare for characters and shoot,” says the actor, who goes only by his first name. “In the last few days, I have been trying to discover the psyche of the character I am playing. That is the exciting part for me… when I have to play a different person and live a character,” he tells Forbes India in the middle of a hectic 12-hour film shoot.
By Dena Falken Esq2 days ago in Geeks
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.