Book Review: Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
Six Crimson Cranes, the first book in a duology, immediately plunges the reader into the thick of the novel's story at a breakneck pace. Elizabeth Lim explores a rich fantasy world inspired by East Asian mythology and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, "The Six Swans."
The Craft & Artistry
The heavy reliance on mythology places the fight between good and evil front and center. Because of this, the book portrays creatures like dragons and demons within a distinct East Asian mythological context, which many readers may find different and refreshing; however, some may find it difficult to understand if they are not familiar with general East Asian mythology and its cultural paradigm.
The author also puts great detail into descriptions of food. If you're a foodie, you're bound to love the descriptive writing that beautifully enhances the world-building!
While the rapid speed makes it a great "pick-me-up" read, it is also my one complaint regarding the book's artistry. Sometimes the pace felt too fast, and transitions between scenes or plot developments could feel rushed or vague. Other than that, it was a wonderful book, and I can't wait to jump into the next installment (★★★★).
The Messages & Themes
The themes and messages in this novel are profound, exploring identity and emotional growth through the main character, Shiori, as she navigates trials and tribulations. The book delves into powerful themes of betrayal, misunderstanding, dishonesty and reconciliation, as well as forgiveness. As a novel categorized for YA, its themes and character struggles are highly relatable for younger readers, yet they also resonated deeply with me as an adult. I appreciated being comforted and convicted by the messages, which are truly at the heart of the fairy tale genre.
The book contains a light plot of romance that is highly appropriate for younger audiences. It offers a refreshing, healthy portrayal of a relationship, making it a positive example of romantic development and mutual respect.
I'd also like to alert readers about the portrayal of magic. The novel introduces the concept of magic being banned, only for a character to later discover it is merely a tool that can be used for either good or evil. In this regard, magic acts as a metaphorical concept, encouraging the reader to think critically about real-world beliefs and practices that culture might actively push or reject. I do not believe the author's intention is to equate fantasy magic with real-life witchcraft or divination, as the story is centred on personal growth and the magic system is purely fantastic, not based on real-life practices. However, this distinction is something to be aware of if you are a Christian and or sensitive to portrayals of magic in fantasy literature (★★★★★).
Final Thoughts
Despite any issues, Six Crimson Cranes is a wonderful book with valuable messages, appropriate for older teens, and perfect for fans of YA fantasy. My rating of Six Crimson Cranes is four and a half stars. I highly recommend it!
Content Disclaimers:
Abuse (both physical and verbal), A Magic System, Manipulation, Betrayal, Death, Contempt, Minimal Violence, Light Romance, Fear, An Evil Cult (portrayed as evil and perverted, but appropriate in depiction for younger audiences)
That’s all folks! If you’ve read Six Crimson Cranes, I’d love to hear your thoughts below. ❤❤❤
You can find more of Elizabeth Lim’s work here →
https://www.elizabethlim.com/
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