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Six Crimson Cranes Hardcover – July 6, 2021
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"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
- Reading age12 - 17 years
- Print length464 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level7 - 9
- Lexile measureHL710L
- Dimensions5.87 x 1.46 x 8.5 inches
- PublisherKnopf Books for Young Readers
- Publication dateJuly 6, 2021
- ISBN-100593300912
- ISBN-13978-0593300916
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From the Publisher
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SIX CRIMSON CRANES | THE DRAGON'S PROMISE | SPIN THE DAWN | UNRAVEL THE DUSK | |
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Price | $8.79$8.79 | $11.64$11.64 | $9.79$9.79 | $10.99$10.99 |
Read more from Elizabeth Lim! | A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse. | The sequel to Six Crimson Cranes follows a journey to the kingdom of dragons, a star-crossed love, and a cursed pearl with the power to mend the world. | A teenage girl poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses. | The sequel to Spin the Dawn filled with courtly intrigue, deceitful demons, and breathtaking gowns. |
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Review
"Six Crimson Cranes is a fairytale that feels at once both epic and intimate. "--Sarah Henning, bestselling author of Sea Witch and The Princess Will Save You
"A gorgeous version of an old fairy tale, told with flair and originality. A must-read for lovers of folkloric fantasy." --Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of Daughter of the Forest
"This book is magic. The writing will transport you, and you will love Shiori. I myself loved her from the moment she jumped out the window to escape her betrothal ceremony--which was the very first scene." --Kristin Cashore, NYTimes bestselling author of The Graceling Realm series
About the Author
Spin the Dawn (book 1 in the Blood of Stars duology) was her first original novel, and Unravel the Dusk is her second. She is also a contributor to the New York Times Bestselling "A Twisted Tale..." series.
Visit her at elizabethlim.com
Follow her on Twitter at @LizLim
Follow her on Instagram at @elimpix
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Chapter One
The bottom of the lake tasted like mud, salt, and regret. The water was so thick it was agony keeping my eyes open, but thank the great gods I did. Otherwise, I would have missed the dragon.
He was smaller than I’d imagined one to be. About the size of a rowboat, with glittering ruby eyes and scales green as the purest jade. Not at all like the village-sized beasts the legends claimed dragons to be, large enough to swallow entire warships.
He swam nearer until his round red eyes were so close they reflected my own.
He was watching me drown.
Help, I pleaded. I was out of air, and I had barely a second of life left before my world folded into itself.
The dragon regarded me, lifting a feathery eyebrow. For an instant, I dared hope he might help. But his tail wrapped around my neck, squeezing out the last of my breath.
And all went dark.
In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have told my maids I was going to jump into the Sacred Lake. I only said it because the heat this morning was insufferable. Even the chrysanthemum bushes outside had wilted, and the kitebirds soaring above the citrus trees were too parched to sing. Not to mention, diving into the lake seemed like a perfectly sensible alternative to attending my betrothal ceremony--or as I liked to call it, the dismal end of my future.
Unfortunately, my maids believed me, and word traveled faster than demonfire to Father. Within minutes, he sent one of my brothers--along with a retinue of stern-faced guards--to fetch me.
So here I was, being shepherded through the palace’s catacomb of corridors, on the hottest day of the year. To the dismal end of my future.
As I followed my brother down yet another sun-soaked hall, I fidgeted with my sleeve, pretending to cover a yawn as I peeked inside.
“Stop yawning,” Hasho chided.
I dropped my arm and yawned again. “If I let them all out now, I won’t have to do it in front of Father.”
“Shiori . . .”
“You try being woken up at dawn to have your hair brushed a thousand times,” I countered. “You try walking in a god’s ransom of silk.” I lifted my arms, but my sleeves were so heavy I could barely keep them raised. “Look at all these layers. I could outfit a ship with enough sails to cross the sea!”
The trace of a smile touched Hasho’s mouth. “The gods are listening, dear sister. You keep complaining like that, and your betrothed will have a pockmark for each time you dishonor them.”
My betrothed. Any mention of him went in one ear and out the other, as my mind drifted to more pleasant thoughts, like cajoling the palace chef for his red bean paste recipe--or better yet, stowing away on a ship and voyaging across the Taijin Sea.
Being the emperor’s only daughter, I’d never been allowed to go anywhere, let alone journey outside of Gindara, the capital. In a year, I’d be too old for such an escapade. And too married.
The indignity of it all made me sigh aloud. “Then I’m doomed. He’ll be hideous.”
My brother chuckled and nudged me forward. “Come on, no more complaining. We’re nearly there.”
I rolled my eyes. Hasho was starting to sound like he was seventy, not seventeen. Of my six brothers, I liked him most--he was the only one with wits as quick as mine. But ever since he started taking being a prince so seriously and wasting those wits on chess games instead of mischief, there were certain things I couldn’t tell him anymore.
Like what I was keeping inside my sleeve.
A tickle crawled up my arm, and I scratched my elbow.
Just to be safe, I pinched the wide opening of my sleeve shut. If Hasho knew what I was hiding under its folds, I’d never hear the end of it.
From him, or from Father.
“Shiori,” Hasho whispered. “What’s the matter with your dress?”
“I thought I smudged the silk,” I lied, pretending to rub at a spot on my sleeve. “It’s so hot today.” I made a show of looking out at the mountains and the lake. “Don’t you wish we were outside swimming instead of going to some boring ceremony?”
Hasho eyed me suspiciously. “Shiori, don’t change the topic.”
I bowed my head, doing my best to look remorseful--and covertly adjusted my sleeve. “You’re right, Brother. It’s time I grew up. Thank you for . . . for . . .”
Another tickle brushed my arm, and I clapped my elbow to muffle the sound. My secret was growing restless, making the fabric of my robes ripple.
“For escorting me to meet my betrothed,” I finished quickly.
I hastened toward the audience chamber, but Hasho caught my sleeve, raised it high, and gave it a good shake.
Out darted a paper bird as small as a dragonfly, and just as fast. From afar, she looked like a little sparrow, with an inky red dot on her head, and she flitted from my arm to my brother’s head, wildly beating her slender wings as she hovered in front of his face.
Hasho’s jaw dropped, his eyes widening with shock.
“Kiki!” I whispered urgently, opening my sleeve. “Come back inside!”
Kiki didn’t obey. She perched on Hasho’s nose and stroked it with a wing to show affection. My shoulders relaxed; animals always liked Hasho, and I was certain she would charm him the way she’d charmed me.
Then my brother swooped his hands over his face to catch her.
“Don’t hurt her!” I cried.
Up Kiki flew, narrowly avoiding his clutches. She bounced against the wooden shutters on the windows, seeking one that was open as she darted farther and farther down the hall.
I started after her, but Hasho grabbed me, holding fast until my slippers skidded against the whispery wood.
“Let it go,” he said into my ear. “We’ll talk about this later.”
The guards flung open the doors, and one of Father’s ministers announced me: “Princess Shiori’anma, the youngest child, the only daughter of Emperor Hanriyu and the late empress--”
Inside, my father and his consort, my stepmother, sat at the head of the cavernous chamber. The air hummed with impatience, courtiers folding and refolding their damp handkerchiefs to wipe their perspiring temples. I saw the backs of Lord Bushian and his son--my betrothed--kneeling before the emperor. Only my stepmother noticed me, frozen at the threshold. She tilted her head, her pale eyes locking onto mine.
A chill shivered down my spine. I had a sudden fear that if I went through with the ceremony, I’d become like her: cold and sad and lonely. Worse, if I didn’t find Kiki, someone else might, and my secret would get back to Father . . .
My secret: that I’d conjured a paper bird to life with magic.
Forbidden magic.
I spun away from the doors and pushed past Hasho, who was too startled to stop me.
“Princess Shiori!” the guards yelled. “Princess!”
I shed my ceremonial jacket as I ran after Kiki. The embroidery alone weighed as much as a sentinel’s armor, and freeing my shoulders and arms of its heft was like growing wings. I left the pool of silk in the middle of the hall and jumped out a window into the garden.
The sun’s glare was strong, and I squinted to keep my eyes on Kiki. She wove through the orchard of cherry trees, then past the citrus ones, where her frenzied flight caused the kitebirds to explode from the branches.
I’d intended to leave Kiki in my room, tucked away in a jewelry box, but she had flapped her wings and knocked against her prison so vigorously I was afraid a servant might find her while I was at the ceremony.
Best to keep her with me, I thought.
“Promise to be good?” I’d said.
Kiki bobbed her head, which I’d taken as a yes.
Wrong.
Demons take me, I had to be the biggest idiot in Kiata! But I wouldn’t blame myself for having a heart, even for a paper bird.
Kiki was my paper bird. With my brothers growing older and always occupied with princely duties, I had been lonely. But Kiki listened to me and kept my secrets, and she made me laugh. Every day, she became more alive. She was my friend.
I had to get her back.
My paper bird landed in the middle of the Sacred Lake, floating on its still waters with unflappable calm--as if she hadn’t just upended my entire morning.
I was panting by the time I reached her. Even without the outer layer, my dress was so heavy I could hardly catch my breath.
“Kiki!” I tossed a pebble into the water to get her attention, but she merely floated farther away. “This isn’t the time to play.”
What was I going to do? If it was discovered I had a talent for magic, no matter how small, I’d be sent away from Kiata forever--a fate far worse than having to marry some faceless lord of the third rank.
Hurrying, I kicked off my slippers, not even bothering to shed my robes.
I jumped into the lake.
For a girl forced to stay indoors practicing calligraphy and playing the zither, I was a strong swimmer. I had my brothers to thank for that; before they all grew up, we used to sneak to this very lake for summer-evening dips. I knew these waters.
I kicked toward Kiki, the sun’s heat prickling against my back, but she was sinking deeper into the water. The folds of my dress wrapped around me tight, and my skirts clung to my legs every time I kicked. I began to tire, and the sky vanished as the lake pulled me down.
Choking, I flailed for the surface. The more I struggled, the faster I sank. Whorls of my long black hair floated around me like a storm. Terror rioted in my gut, and my throat burned, my pulse thudding madly in my ears.
I undid the gold sash over my robes and yanked at my skirts, but their weight brought me down and down, until the sun was but a faint pearl of light glimmering far above me.
Finally I ripped my skirts free and propelled myself up, but I was too deep. There was no way I would make it back to the surface before I ran out of breath.
I was going to die.
Kicking furiously, I fought for air, but it was no use. I tried not to panic. Panicking would only make me sink faster.
Lord Sharima’en, the god of death, was coming for me. He’d numb the burning soreness in my muscles, and the pain swelling in my throat. My blood began to chill, my eyelids began to close--
That was when I saw the dragon.
I thought him a snake at first. No one had seen a dragon in centuries, and from afar, he looked like one of my stepmother’s pets. At least until I saw the claws.
He glided toward me, coming so close that I could have touched his whiskers, long and thin like strokes of silver.
His hand was extended, and above his palm, pinched between two talons, was Kiki.
For an instant, I bubbled to life. I kicked, trying to reach out. But I had no strength left. No breath. My world was shrinking, all color washed away.
With a mischievous glint in his eye, the dragon closed his hand. His tail swept over me from behind and encircled my neck.
And my heart gave one final thud.
Product details
- Publisher : Knopf Books for Young Readers (July 6, 2021)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 464 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0593300912
- ISBN-13 : 978-0593300916
- Reading age : 12 - 17 years
- Lexile measure : HL710L
- Grade level : 7 - 9
- Item Weight : 1.25 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.87 x 1.46 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #99,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Six Crimson Cranes
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About the author
Elizabeth Lim grew up on a hearty staple of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Her passion for storytelling began around age 10, when she started writing fanfics for Sailor Moon, Sweet Valley, and Star Wars, and posted them online to discover, "Wow, people actually read my stuff. And that's kinda cool!" But after one of her teachers told her she had "too much voice" in her essays, Elizabeth took a break from creative writing to focus on not flunking English.
Over the years, Elizabeth became a film and video game composer, but she always missed writing. One day, she decided to write and finish a novel -- for kicks, at first, then things became serious -- and she hasn't looked back since.
Elizabeth grew up in Northern California, with a brief stint in Tokyo, Japan, but now lives in New York with her husband and their two daughters.
To learn more about Elizabeth, visit her site at www.elizabethlim.com and follow her on Instagram @elimpix
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This book was a joy to read! It was actually a bit nostalgic: Lim’s writing style, plot and characterization reminded me of some of my favorite books growing up, Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted and Shannon Hale’s Goose Girl. They’re all fairytale retellings featuring young female protagonists who are shaped by the consequences of magic and come into their own as a result. There are hidden identities to be disclosed, earnest romances to root for... There's a beautiful simplicity to the storytelling that feels so comforting to read.
The really lovely thing about Six Crimson Cranes is that I felt like I had my own “version” of these kinds of stories as an Asian reader; Lim weaves in many allusions to Asian culture: pickled cabbage with minced pork over rice (my favorite meal), plum blossoms, lantern festivals... The intricate details come together to create an immersive world that is both new and familiar. (Here I should note that this book is set in the same universe as Lim’s first duology, which I haven’t read yet, but will have to now!).
If I had any criticisms, I felt the pacing moved along too quickly in the first act, but I think the book found its footing once Shiori makes her way to Iro. I also found that the magic system was maybe a bit nebulous. However, this is probably because I read another fantasy book right before, and that book was very specific and consistent about how magic worked in its world down to a science. I don’t think this book promises to be that nor has to be that to still be thoroughly enjoyed!
But I loved the complexity of Shiori’s character arc: her impulsivity is tempered by the consequences of acting and speaking carelessly, so that she more carefully assesses her circumstances; she also learns about the danger of blind stubbornness in overlooking what is good and beautiful. But what clearly rings through from beginning to end is the love she has for others even if it means making her own sacrifices. The relationship she has with her brothers is heartfelt, and though there are six of them, Lim does a great job of giving each distinct traits individually and in how they interact with Shiori. The arranged marriage trope is present (kind of!) in Shiori's romance with Takkan, who is a kind and gentle love-interest, and a lover of story and poetry which is a bonus in my eyes! I’m looking forward to seeing how Shiori will continue to develop along with these relationships in the sequel.
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Thank you to Random House Children's Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Worth a read though!!
The author did an excellent job retelling a classic fairytale and setting it in an Asian-inspired culture. Although I knew the fairytale well, the plot was done in a way that was still unique and interesting. The pacing of the work was perfect. The worldbuilding was also well done - it was straightforward but unique, the magic made sense, and the world's history was included in a way that added depth to the story.
Overall, the characters were well written. Shiori was an excellent protagonist who underwent some meaningful character growth throughout the book. The secondary characters were lacking the same depth but were still engaging enough to add to the story. While there was romance included, it wasn't one of the primary plot points and didn't feel forced. But more importantly, the story emphasized a strong bond between siblings despite the bickering and their struggles - this was well incorporated and was a lovely theme to include.
This was an excellent, easy read that I highly recommend!
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Canada on January 29, 2023
Reviewed in Mexico on July 22, 2022
If you have read or heard someone talking about how good this book is, this person is right. There’s something about the way Elizabeth Lim writes that makes the book shine among others, as if she was using magic.
Worldbuilding is fantastic because of its coherence: as the story goes on, you can really picture the things and how they relate with each other. But, in the same way she can describe the grandeur of certain things, she also pays enormous attention to the details, making the story even richer. The little things matter even more than the big ones.
The fantastical side comes as the great glitter to the story, as it perfectly combines Western fairy tales with East Asian folklore. The magic aligns with the story and progress as the protagonist delves deeper into the various situations (the end, my friend, you have to read the end). The writer also throws a lot of stories within the greater plot, making you wonder about them as well.
And the characters are incredible, especially the protagonist - Shiori. She is the one who goes through the major changes, and, because of that, grows a lot during the whole story. It’s a well-written, curious, strong and resilient female main character. She is not afraid to try, make mistakes, fall down, and get up to try again until she gets it right. It's really inspiring. The other characters just add more layers of greatness, even the ones who you don’t like at first sight. The way they interact with each other and with their past, it’s just really beautiful. Family is a central theme and you get to develop more and more affection for them as the story goes on.
Oh, and that’s also romance if you’re the person who, just like me, loves these types of things. It’s beautifully portrayed as good romance scenes have to be, but it’s not cliché in my opinion - it’s refreshing. The love development is the thing that sets it apart from other books, as it’s really surprising. I’m sure you’re gonna love it.
There are many symbolisms throughout the book, which makes the story and the characters even richer. They truly enrich the plot, especially the romance and one of the main characters' interactions (stick till the end, my friend, you’re gonna love it).
It all comes down to the way Elizabeth describes things, from the tiny objects to the inner emotions and sensations of the characters. The words she uses makes things way more interesting than merely objective descriptions, and it’s the thing that engulfs you to keep reading.
As I said earlier, it is a book about magic and woven with magic. Who said that writing is not a type of magic?
I can’t wait to read the continuity of this incredible story.