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Six Crimson Cranes #0
Her Radiant Curse
From the New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes comes a tale of two sisters - one as beautiful as the other is monstrous - who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever.
One must fall for the other to rise.
Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent's face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna-the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn't see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts.
Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who's had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath - launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi's heart to its breaking point.
Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.
One must fall for the other to rise.
Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent's face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna-the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn't see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts.
Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who's had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath - launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi's heart to its breaking point.
Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2023
612 people are currently reading
39986 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Lim
40 books12.5k followersElizabeth 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, and even went so far as to get a doctorate in music composition. But she always missed writing, and turned to penning stories when she needed a breather from grad school. 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 loves classic film scores, books with a good romance, food (she currently has a soft spot for arepas and Ethiopian food), the color turquoise, overcast skies, English muffins, cycling, and baking. She lives in New York City with her husband.
Over the years, Elizabeth became a film and video game composer, and even went so far as to get a doctorate in music composition. But she always missed writing, and turned to penning stories when she needed a breather from grad school. 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 loves classic film scores, books with a good romance, food (she currently has a soft spot for arepas and Ethiopian food), the color turquoise, overcast skies, English muffins, cycling, and baking. She lives in New York City with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,357 reviews
June 2, 2023
EL is known for her duologies steeped in lush asian mythology, so i was excited to see what she could do with a standalone. so imagine my surprise when i started reading and discovered this is actually a spin-off prequel to the ‘six crimson cranes’ series.
i never actually gave much thought to the particular character this follows when i read ‘six crimson cranes,’ but i found this backstory to be very interesting.
as per EL standard, this story delivers in terms of artful world-building, easy-going writing that expertly tells intriguing legends, and strong characters who are worth rooting for. as anticipated, this is a really well-rounded story that lives up to expectations on every front.
fans of ‘six crimson cranes’ will really enjoy being back in this world and seeing it expanded. and readers who have not read the series will come to love ELs storytelling and magic.
thank you, random house/knopf books, for the ARC!
↠ 4 stars
i never actually gave much thought to the particular character this follows when i read ‘six crimson cranes,’ but i found this backstory to be very interesting.
as per EL standard, this story delivers in terms of artful world-building, easy-going writing that expertly tells intriguing legends, and strong characters who are worth rooting for. as anticipated, this is a really well-rounded story that lives up to expectations on every front.
fans of ‘six crimson cranes’ will really enjoy being back in this world and seeing it expanded. and readers who have not read the series will come to love ELs storytelling and magic.
thank you, random house/knopf books, for the ARC!
↠ 4 stars
June 25, 2025
Once again, I requested a book in a series without realizing it. NetGalley, do better. I'm certainly not going to. Obviously not having read SIX CRIMSON CRANES, I wasn't sure how this was connected. I don't care about spoilers, so I looked up exactly how this was connected, and it didn't really surprise me. I've always preferred the villain in the story anyway.
I, too, would die (and maybe kill) for my siblings, so I understand Channi's devotion to Vanna. Their dad is an asshole, but who here is shocked? I was tired of hearing about Vanna's beauty. I get it, she glows. Who cares? The ending is connected to the title, but I suppose everyone that read this in the correct order would know that.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers
I, too, would die (and maybe kill) for my siblings, so I understand Channi's devotion to Vanna. Their dad is an asshole, but who here is shocked? I was tired of hearing about Vanna's beauty. I get it, she glows. Who cares? The ending is connected to the title, but I suppose everyone that read this in the correct order would know that.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers
March 12, 2025
This brilliant prequel of the Six Crimson Cranes series immerses readers in the captivating world of Channari's heart-wrenching and epic backstory! If you are already a fan of alum's previous works, this book will undoubtedly exceed your expectations, delivering an action-packed, thrilling, and intense fantasy experience intertwined with exquisitely crafted magical realism. Prepare yourself for heart-throbbing battles, incredibly compelling trials, and the mesmerizing presence of dragons that adorn the pages of this extraordinary tale.
At the core of this enchanting narrative lies the sincere loyalty between sisters, the indomitable strength that emanates from within, and the transformative power of inner beauty. These themes are seamlessly interwoven, resulting in a tapestry of emotions and a deeply gratifying reading experience. Channi, the story's remarkable heroine, effortlessly captures your heart, as you find yourself cheering for her with every life-threatening encounter she bravely faces. Her unwavering determination, fearlessness, patience, and unwavering love for her sister create a compelling dichotomy, where her kind and vulnerable heart remains hidden beneath a facade of sheer strength.
The story centers around Channi, burdened with a curse that has bestowed upon her a serpent face and poisoned blood, all in a desperate attempt to save her sister Vanna's life. As Vanna is bestowed with inner light and beauty, Channi endures the consequences of her sacrifice, enduring a life of isolation, cast out by her own parents. Her only solace lies in the silent company of the snakes that inhabit the forest, patiently awaiting the moment when she can seek retribution for the curse she bears.
However, when Vanna becomes the target of the nefarious Demon Witch, Angma, as she prepares for her imminent marriage at the tender age of seventeen, Channi's unwavering love and loyalty propel her into a perilous journey. Without hesitation, she places her own life on the line to safeguard her sister, plunging herself into a fierce battle with the demon witch and honing her combat skills through rigorous training with her loyal serpent companion.
The gripping narrative held me captive from start to finish, with my heart pounding in my chest as I delved deeper into each chapter, unveiling more heart-throbbing and perilous action sequences. The seamless execution of the storyline further heightened my immersion, as I was transported to a vividly imagined world built with meticulous detail. Drawing inspiration from Eastern mythology and urban legends, the author's world-building is nothing short of dreamy, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's imagination.
As the story reaches its crescendo, the author deftly weaves together all the intricate threads, delivering a satisfying and fulfilling conclusion that leaves readers both satiated and yearning for more. The perfect balance of resolution and anticipation sets the stage for the subsequent books in the series, promising further captivating adventures that fans of the author's duologies should not miss.
I am immensely grateful to NetGalley and Random House Children's/Knopf Books for Young Readers for granting me the opportunity to delve into the digital reviewer copy of this brilliant book. In exchange for my honest thoughts, I am humbled to have been able to embark on this remarkable journey and share my deep appreciation for the masterful storytelling and immersive world created by the author.
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At the core of this enchanting narrative lies the sincere loyalty between sisters, the indomitable strength that emanates from within, and the transformative power of inner beauty. These themes are seamlessly interwoven, resulting in a tapestry of emotions and a deeply gratifying reading experience. Channi, the story's remarkable heroine, effortlessly captures your heart, as you find yourself cheering for her with every life-threatening encounter she bravely faces. Her unwavering determination, fearlessness, patience, and unwavering love for her sister create a compelling dichotomy, where her kind and vulnerable heart remains hidden beneath a facade of sheer strength.
The story centers around Channi, burdened with a curse that has bestowed upon her a serpent face and poisoned blood, all in a desperate attempt to save her sister Vanna's life. As Vanna is bestowed with inner light and beauty, Channi endures the consequences of her sacrifice, enduring a life of isolation, cast out by her own parents. Her only solace lies in the silent company of the snakes that inhabit the forest, patiently awaiting the moment when she can seek retribution for the curse she bears.
However, when Vanna becomes the target of the nefarious Demon Witch, Angma, as she prepares for her imminent marriage at the tender age of seventeen, Channi's unwavering love and loyalty propel her into a perilous journey. Without hesitation, she places her own life on the line to safeguard her sister, plunging herself into a fierce battle with the demon witch and honing her combat skills through rigorous training with her loyal serpent companion.
The gripping narrative held me captive from start to finish, with my heart pounding in my chest as I delved deeper into each chapter, unveiling more heart-throbbing and perilous action sequences. The seamless execution of the storyline further heightened my immersion, as I was transported to a vividly imagined world built with meticulous detail. Drawing inspiration from Eastern mythology and urban legends, the author's world-building is nothing short of dreamy, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's imagination.
As the story reaches its crescendo, the author deftly weaves together all the intricate threads, delivering a satisfying and fulfilling conclusion that leaves readers both satiated and yearning for more. The perfect balance of resolution and anticipation sets the stage for the subsequent books in the series, promising further captivating adventures that fans of the author's duologies should not miss.
I am immensely grateful to NetGalley and Random House Children's/Knopf Books for Young Readers for granting me the opportunity to delve into the digital reviewer copy of this brilliant book. In exchange for my honest thoughts, I am humbled to have been able to embark on this remarkable journey and share my deep appreciation for the masterful storytelling and immersive world created by the author.
medium.com
January 21, 2026
my newest hyperfixation
this was stunning, spectacular, life changing, beautifully heartwrenching
i love sisterhood <3
best believe, i will be insufferably getting everyone on here to add this to their tbr's
what caraval should have been 😭
➵ debating between 4 and 5 stars, but settling at 4 for now
pre-review
🕯 please be good please be good 🕯
everyone hold my hand and join my 4-5 star manifestation circle
this was stunning, spectacular, life changing, beautifully heartwrenching
i love sisterhood <3
best believe, i will be insufferably getting everyone on here to add this to their tbr's
➵ debating between 4 and 5 stars, but settling at 4 for now
pre-review
🕯 please be good please be good 🕯
everyone hold my hand and join my 4-5 star manifestation circle
October 2, 2023
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.
The thing about Elizabeth Lim's writing is that it's incredibly whimsical and immersive. I might now like her plot or her characters, but her world will always get me. This book is no difference: I love the setting of the world and of the story. The story's exposition got me invested in Channi's journey, who I really liked at the beginning. Everything down to the 30% mark was a five-star to me.
But as the story progresses, I must confess: I couldn't care less about Vanna and the "sisterly bond", which is the driving point of the plot. I was bored with the endless actions that felt very repeated at some point, and frustrated with Channi's decisions.
See, I think this is more of a "me-not-you" thing because I have been noticing recently that I empathize less and less with the protagonist of YA Fantasy. Maybe it's because of my age (lol) or my taste shifting towards "adult" fiction, but I am increasingly annoyed towards the "righteous hero mentality". I will not detail the events because of spoilers, but Channi "betrayed" people who have risked their lives helping her for the sake of her sister, who, I must say, did nothing to save Channi from the abuse and insults.
Nevertheless, this book got a 4-stars from me because of the last three chapters. It was beautifully heartwrenching, and it really got me to appreaciate the character of Raikama more (Six Crimson Cranes). Overall, if you like Lim's previous works, you would like this one too.
Bottom-line: I still think that Channi is a very well-constructed character: she's strong, stubborn, and brave while still being humane/soft in certain moments; it's just her actions that sometimes exaperate me (her every decision is based around her sister, who I dislike).
The thing about Elizabeth Lim's writing is that it's incredibly whimsical and immersive. I might now like her plot or her characters, but her world will always get me. This book is no difference: I love the setting of the world and of the story. The story's exposition got me invested in Channi's journey, who I really liked at the beginning. Everything down to the 30% mark was a five-star to me.
But as the story progresses, I must confess: I couldn't care less about Vanna and the "sisterly bond", which is the driving point of the plot. I was bored with the endless actions that felt very repeated at some point, and frustrated with Channi's decisions.
See, I think this is more of a "me-not-you" thing because I have been noticing recently that I empathize less and less with the protagonist of YA Fantasy. Maybe it's because of my age (lol) or my taste shifting towards "adult" fiction, but I am increasingly annoyed towards the "righteous hero mentality". I will not detail the events because of spoilers, but Channi "betrayed" people who have risked their lives helping her for the sake of her sister, who, I must say, did nothing to save Channi from the abuse and insults.
Nevertheless, this book got a 4-stars from me because of the last three chapters. It was beautifully heartwrenching, and it really got me to appreaciate the character of Raikama more (Six Crimson Cranes). Overall, if you like Lim's previous works, you would like this one too.
Bottom-line: I still think that Channi is a very well-constructed character: she's strong, stubborn, and brave while still being humane/soft in certain moments; it's just her actions that sometimes exaperate me (her every decision is based around her sister, who I dislike).
January 3, 2025
"Never will I apologize for being the monster they made me."
her radiant curse is a prequel to the six crimson cranes duology. it could technically be read as a standalone, but i think you'll appreciate everything much more if you already know the character from the original story.
the beginning was a bit slow-paced but once it got going, the story became captivating and enthralling. it was adventurous and magical all the same. i'm so glad we got to explore the world a bit more as the story took place in different locations this time.
"Butterflies celebrate all love, Channi, because every love is precious. And mine for you, above all. That love is forever."
i just have to say i love the way elizabeth lim writes familial relationships. her portrayal of sibling relationships was already very touching in six crimson cranes, and i was just as moved here. the bond between the two sisters was very heartwarming. channi's driving force throughout the whole book is her love for vanna and her desire to protect her, so it was really easy to root for channi, but i wish we could've gotten to know vanna a bit more. there just wasn't enough room for us to get attached to her, or sympathize with her, really.
"A promise is not a kiss in the wind, to be thrown about without care. It is a piece of yourself that is given away and will not return until your pledge is fulfilled."
another plus point: if you liked the friendship between shiori and kiki in six crimson cranes, i am sure you'll love channi and ukar, her serpent best friend, too :) the little callbacks to the duology made me so happy, especially when we got to see her encounters with shiori's father.
➻ i highly recommend this book if you liked the duology! it's a wonderful addition to the overall story and gives insight into the fascinating character of shiori's stepmother while exploring more of this magical world that elizabeth lim has created. if you haven't read any of the books yet, i recommend starting with six crimson cranes first and then reading this prequel before the second book.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
her radiant curse is a prequel to the six crimson cranes duology. it could technically be read as a standalone, but i think you'll appreciate everything much more if you already know the character from the original story.
the beginning was a bit slow-paced but once it got going, the story became captivating and enthralling. it was adventurous and magical all the same. i'm so glad we got to explore the world a bit more as the story took place in different locations this time.
"Butterflies celebrate all love, Channi, because every love is precious. And mine for you, above all. That love is forever."
i just have to say i love the way elizabeth lim writes familial relationships. her portrayal of sibling relationships was already very touching in six crimson cranes, and i was just as moved here. the bond between the two sisters was very heartwarming. channi's driving force throughout the whole book is her love for vanna and her desire to protect her, so it was really easy to root for channi, but i wish we could've gotten to know vanna a bit more. there just wasn't enough room for us to get attached to her, or sympathize with her, really.
"A promise is not a kiss in the wind, to be thrown about without care. It is a piece of yourself that is given away and will not return until your pledge is fulfilled."
another plus point: if you liked the friendship between shiori and kiki in six crimson cranes, i am sure you'll love channi and ukar, her serpent best friend, too :) the little callbacks to the duology made me so happy, especially when we got to see her encounters with shiori's father.
➻ i highly recommend this book if you liked the duology! it's a wonderful addition to the overall story and gives insight into the fascinating character of shiori's stepmother while exploring more of this magical world that elizabeth lim has created. if you haven't read any of the books yet, i recommend starting with six crimson cranes first and then reading this prequel before the second book.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2023
ELIZABETH LIM??? LETS GO.
-
thank you to netgalley and the publisher!! in arc tradition, here are my no-spoiler positives and negatives, with a summary review at the end:
——
wait! some side notes before we get into it:
⭒ this is a prequel, but i guess you could technically read it without having read six crimson cranes.
⭒ while this has arranged marriage, it’s not an arranged marriage story. tbh, a lot of the tropes mentioned were not present.
⭒ ex: the advertised “romance” between sworn enemies is hardly there. i personally preferred it this way, but reading the synopsis again and seeing that selling point made me add this.
okay, that’s all.
——
(+) so excited to read a “villain” POV.
(-) slow buildup until about halfway through, when a main “plot twist” shows up (the plot twist? i ate up. the time it took to get there? not so much.)
(?) vanna. for channi’s entire life to revolve around her, i wish we got more screen time with her in the beginning! i can’t say i disliked her, but i also can’t say i saw the hype… (side note, but the sister dynamic is EXACTLY like kate and edwina sharma. vanna IS edwina, and it was eating me alive trying to remember who she reminded me so much of.)
(+) every time dragons were mentioned i thought of seryu, so i suppose that’s an indirect plus.
(-) you know when a main character is debating on doing something, and literally every single supporting character says “hey girl, maybe don’t do that”? happens here. everyone (and i mean everyone) told our mc that she should NOT [insert]. and then she went ahead and did it. oh, but then her actions had consequences, so maybe this is actually a (+)?
MAJOR NEGATIVE (-): sometimes you read a book to read! to go through the journey, and the end is simply a consequence of the rest. this time, though, i was reading just to get to the end. this kind of goes along with the book being a slow buildup, but it’s honestly just all buildup to get to the end! if it wasn’t lim’s writing bringing me through, it’d be unbearable.
(+) i actually really liked the callbacks from six crimson cranes (specifically one towards the end). there weren’t tooo many to the point where you’d be lost without having read it- just a pinch for me to say that i understood the reference. (i did, in fact, have six crimson cranes open like an encyclopedia throughout the read).
(+) chapter thirty-nine. AND HOW WELL IT ALIGNS? elizabeth lim, i see what you’ve done!! i love a well written chapter, and i love a parallel even more.
(+) just the ending, overall. well done!!! it made me go back to scc and reread certain sections. the problem is, it hurt knowing i read through 90% buildup.
——
4.0 stars. the ending was everything, the buildup was… there. and as much as i love elizabeth lim, i must be fair!! the only reasons i stayed immersed in the buildup were 1. elizabeth lim’s writing and 2. i’ve read six crimson cranes.
recommend: only if you enjoyed scc, or if you, for some reason, really enjoy getting through a book that just wants to get to the ending.
-
thank you to netgalley and the publisher!! in arc tradition, here are my no-spoiler positives and negatives, with a summary review at the end:
——
wait! some side notes before we get into it:
⭒ this is a prequel, but i guess you could technically read it without having read six crimson cranes.
⭒ while this has arranged marriage, it’s not an arranged marriage story. tbh, a lot of the tropes mentioned were not present.
⭒ ex: the advertised “romance” between sworn enemies is hardly there. i personally preferred it this way, but reading the synopsis again and seeing that selling point made me add this.
okay, that’s all.
——
(+) so excited to read a “villain” POV.
(-) slow buildup until about halfway through, when a main “plot twist” shows up (the plot twist? i ate up. the time it took to get there? not so much.)
(?) vanna. for channi’s entire life to revolve around her, i wish we got more screen time with her in the beginning! i can’t say i disliked her, but i also can’t say i saw the hype… (side note, but the sister dynamic is EXACTLY like kate and edwina sharma. vanna IS edwina, and it was eating me alive trying to remember who she reminded me so much of.)
(+) every time dragons were mentioned i thought of seryu, so i suppose that’s an indirect plus.
(-) you know when a main character is debating on doing something, and literally every single supporting character says “hey girl, maybe don’t do that”? happens here. everyone (and i mean everyone) told our mc that she should NOT [insert]. and then she went ahead and did it. oh, but then her actions had consequences, so maybe this is actually a (+)?
MAJOR NEGATIVE (-): sometimes you read a book to read! to go through the journey, and the end is simply a consequence of the rest. this time, though, i was reading just to get to the end. this kind of goes along with the book being a slow buildup, but it’s honestly just all buildup to get to the end! if it wasn’t lim’s writing bringing me through, it’d be unbearable.
(+) i actually really liked the callbacks from six crimson cranes (specifically one towards the end). there weren’t tooo many to the point where you’d be lost without having read it- just a pinch for me to say that i understood the reference. (i did, in fact, have six crimson cranes open like an encyclopedia throughout the read).
(+) chapter thirty-nine. AND HOW WELL IT ALIGNS? elizabeth lim, i see what you’ve done!! i love a well written chapter, and i love a parallel even more.
(+) just the ending, overall. well done!!! it made me go back to scc and reread certain sections. the problem is, it hurt knowing i read through 90% buildup.
——
4.0 stars. the ending was everything, the buildup was… there. and as much as i love elizabeth lim, i must be fair!! the only reasons i stayed immersed in the buildup were 1. elizabeth lim’s writing and 2. i’ve read six crimson cranes.
recommend: only if you enjoyed scc, or if you, for some reason, really enjoy getting through a book that just wants to get to the ending.
April 24, 2024
➶ 𝟰.𝟱 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀
"𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘪 𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦"
𓆗 a beautiful beautiful story about two sisters who loved each other deeply, i've wanted to read 𝘴𝘪𝘹 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴 for so long, i had no idea this book even existed but I'm so glad i discovered it before starting six crimson cranes, this was the most beautiful prequel i've ever read, a bittersweet tale about 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 who lived her life cursed as a lady snake and will die with the face of her sister..
i was deeply touched by every character in this book but i adored channi and vana i can't wait to read more of this author's work!, the writing style is beautiful and the plot was good (not the best book i've ever fuckin read) but it captured my heart all the same, i didn't expect this ending, i was waiting for channi to end up with hokzuh but the ending shocked me into tears at what happened to all of them, i wish we get more of the demon dragon in the two remaining books tho, I'm still gonna go in blind with six crimson cranes so i have absolutely no idea if he's in them or if even channi is in them but all i can do now is hope, i freaking loved ukar, one thing you should know about me is that i love snakes so much, i wanted a pet snake for as long as i can remember and this book did nothing but remind me ugh
i highly recommend this book 𓆚
“𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦,” 𝘪 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘭𝘺. “𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦.”
“𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪’𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘪 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨.”
“𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳.”
"𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵."
"𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘪 𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦"
𓆗 a beautiful beautiful story about two sisters who loved each other deeply, i've wanted to read 𝘴𝘪𝘹 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴 for so long, i had no idea this book even existed but I'm so glad i discovered it before starting six crimson cranes, this was the most beautiful prequel i've ever read, a bittersweet tale about 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 who lived her life cursed as a lady snake and will die with the face of her sister..
i was deeply touched by every character in this book but i adored channi and vana i can't wait to read more of this author's work!, the writing style is beautiful and the plot was good (not the best book i've ever fuckin read) but it captured my heart all the same, i didn't expect this ending, i was waiting for channi to end up with hokzuh but the ending shocked me into tears at what happened to all of them, i wish we get more of the demon dragon in the two remaining books tho, I'm still gonna go in blind with six crimson cranes so i have absolutely no idea if he's in them or if even channi is in them but all i can do now is hope, i freaking loved ukar, one thing you should know about me is that i love snakes so much, i wanted a pet snake for as long as i can remember and this book did nothing but remind me ugh
i highly recommend this book 𓆚
“𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦,” 𝘪 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘭𝘺. “𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦.”
“𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪’𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘪 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨.”
“𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳.”
"𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵."
June 5, 2023
8.75/10
"I was not born a monster."
Channi, Channari, the moon-faced girl was very young when her sister was born with a light in her chest. Her mother lost a lot of blood at her sister's birth, Vanna. Then her father for saving her mother, tried to sacrifice a child, Vanna's radiance was so powerful that he chose Channi to offer her to Angma, the Demon Witch. He ran into the jungle and offered his girl instead of the health of his wife to the tiger, Angma. But before the tiger arrived, the serpent king poisoned Channi's blood, so she became useless to the Demon, for that Angma cursed the moon-faced girl to never look at her face without feeling pain.
She became a monster and the only way she could undo it was, to bring Vanna for Angma before her seventeenth birthday, If not, she would come for them both.
“One sister must fall for the other to rise,”
Channi with the strongest poison in her blood, can talk to snakes; only snakes are immune to her poison, as she is to theirs. They call her “Lady Green Snake,” raised her, and taught her their wisdom, lore, and ways. She considers them brothers and sisters and her loyal and hectoring closest friend is Ukar.
With green-brown scales on Channari's face, she should have always hidden in the shadows and behind a mask till no one saw her cursed face which is more like a snake than a human, men shriek in terror and her sister Vanna is the only one who fell in love with her. Channi swore never to let the Demon Witch take her. Not ever.
Her Radiant Curse is an individual and a spin-off of Six Crimson Cranes in a land far away from Kiata, the kingdom of the crimson crane, where the magic is more potent than Kiata which the gods suppress.
An Asian fantasy full of red eyes demons, witches, dragon stories, dragon' pearl, and Hokzuh a Dragon Prince whose destiny is tied with the Serpent Queen!
I got a headache when rating this book, I like the love and good friendship in it, enjoyed the snakes much, but sometimes I hated the sense of revenge and despise, and then I hate that I hated it; other times story became a little silly, childish, there should be a red line for magic and fantasy, shouldn't be exaggerated and unbelievable!
So, this was entertaining, enchanting, and heartbreaking but not flawless!
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton via Netgalley for giving me a chance to read Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim, I have given my honest review. Pub date will be 29 Aug 2023.
"I was not born a monster."
Channi, Channari, the moon-faced girl was very young when her sister was born with a light in her chest. Her mother lost a lot of blood at her sister's birth, Vanna. Then her father for saving her mother, tried to sacrifice a child, Vanna's radiance was so powerful that he chose Channi to offer her to Angma, the Demon Witch. He ran into the jungle and offered his girl instead of the health of his wife to the tiger, Angma. But before the tiger arrived, the serpent king poisoned Channi's blood, so she became useless to the Demon, for that Angma cursed the moon-faced girl to never look at her face without feeling pain.
She became a monster and the only way she could undo it was, to bring Vanna for Angma before her seventeenth birthday, If not, she would come for them both.
“One sister must fall for the other to rise,”
Channi with the strongest poison in her blood, can talk to snakes; only snakes are immune to her poison, as she is to theirs. They call her “Lady Green Snake,” raised her, and taught her their wisdom, lore, and ways. She considers them brothers and sisters and her loyal and hectoring closest friend is Ukar.
With green-brown scales on Channari's face, she should have always hidden in the shadows and behind a mask till no one saw her cursed face which is more like a snake than a human, men shriek in terror and her sister Vanna is the only one who fell in love with her. Channi swore never to let the Demon Witch take her. Not ever.
Her Radiant Curse is an individual and a spin-off of Six Crimson Cranes in a land far away from Kiata, the kingdom of the crimson crane, where the magic is more potent than Kiata which the gods suppress.
An Asian fantasy full of red eyes demons, witches, dragon stories, dragon' pearl, and Hokzuh a Dragon Prince whose destiny is tied with the Serpent Queen!
I got a headache when rating this book, I like the love and good friendship in it, enjoyed the snakes much, but sometimes I hated the sense of revenge and despise, and then I hate that I hated it; other times story became a little silly, childish, there should be a red line for magic and fantasy, shouldn't be exaggerated and unbelievable!
So, this was entertaining, enchanting, and heartbreaking but not flawless!
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton via Netgalley for giving me a chance to read Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim, I have given my honest review. Pub date will be 29 Aug 2023.
February 20, 2025
Ta powieść to dowód na to, że Obietnica smoka była wypadkiem przy pracy
December 6, 2023
❝ Never will I apologize for being the monster they made me. ❞
Six crimson cranes is one of my favorites but the sequel was extremely disappointing, so I approached this prequel with some trepidation. Thankfully, it was needless caution; I think I loved this one even more than scc.
Lim weaves a dark and beautiful story about sisterly love and the limitations of both beauty and monstrosity. Remember how you all were complaining about the lack of actually showing the bond between the sisters in Caraval? I love Caraval with my whole heart but Scarlet and Tella’s relationship seems surface-level even to me when I compare it to this. And it’s also not completely one-sided either, with the older sister giving everything for the spoiled and oblivious younger one. They both fiercely love the other and will sacrifice everything for them— and they do. It’s absolutely beautiful and heart-wrenching, especially having both older and younger sisters myself.
Channi was a marvelous character and I loved seeing her grow beyond the limitations both she and the world have given herself. My heart actually broke for her in chapter thirty-nine, and from beyond there… I just wanted to give her a hug 😭 I was a bit hazy on the events in scc that this book was based on, but when I finished it I flipped to the reveal scene in scc and… well, there were tears. Then I kept noticing more things that Lim had incorporated and the parallels between the two books and omg I need to reread scc bc I’m sure I haven’t even caught all of them, but wow. Elizabeth Lim, you are a mastermind.
This isn’t what I would have expected for a prequel on ✨Her Radiance✨ but it was perfect. Told with simple, elegant prose and lovable characters. I wouldn’t change a single thing about it. Lim knows what she’s doing and she knows she does it well.
Lastly, WHERE IS THE HYPE FOR THIS BOOK??? I wouldn’t even have known it existed if I hadn’t seen it at Barnes & Noble. You guys need to go read it so we can scream about it together 🤭🥹💔
❝ Butterflies celebrate all love, Channi, because every love is precious. And mine for you, above all. That love is forever. ❞
Six crimson cranes is one of my favorites but the sequel was extremely disappointing, so I approached this prequel with some trepidation. Thankfully, it was needless caution; I think I loved this one even more than scc.
Lim weaves a dark and beautiful story about sisterly love and the limitations of both beauty and monstrosity. Remember how you all were complaining about the lack of actually showing the bond between the sisters in Caraval? I love Caraval with my whole heart but Scarlet and Tella’s relationship seems surface-level even to me when I compare it to this. And it’s also not completely one-sided either, with the older sister giving everything for the spoiled and oblivious younger one. They both fiercely love the other and will sacrifice everything for them— and they do. It’s absolutely beautiful and heart-wrenching, especially having both older and younger sisters myself.
Channi was a marvelous character and I loved seeing her grow beyond the limitations both she and the world have given herself. My heart actually broke for her in chapter thirty-nine, and from beyond there… I just wanted to give her a hug 😭 I was a bit hazy on the events in scc that this book was based on, but when I finished it I flipped to the reveal scene in scc and… well, there were tears. Then I kept noticing more things that Lim had incorporated and the parallels between the two books and omg I need to reread scc bc I’m sure I haven’t even caught all of them, but wow. Elizabeth Lim, you are a mastermind.
This isn’t what I would have expected for a prequel on ✨Her Radiance✨ but it was perfect. Told with simple, elegant prose and lovable characters. I wouldn’t change a single thing about it. Lim knows what she’s doing and she knows she does it well.
Lastly, WHERE IS THE HYPE FOR THIS BOOK??? I wouldn’t even have known it existed if I hadn’t seen it at Barnes & Noble. You guys need to go read it so we can scream about it together 🤭🥹💔
❝ Butterflies celebrate all love, Channi, because every love is precious. And mine for you, above all. That love is forever. ❞
June 15, 2024
I bought this because I love this author and the cover is gorgeous. What a surprise to find out this was a prequel to six crimson cranes!
The world building (strong suit of this author) was amazing, the characters were lovable, and the plot twists were surprising.
Her radiant curse : 4✨
Six crimson cranes : 5✨
The dragons promise : 3✨
The world building (strong suit of this author) was amazing, the characters were lovable, and the plot twists were surprising.
Her radiant curse : 4✨
Six crimson cranes : 5✨
The dragons promise : 3✨
May 27, 2025
Przepiękna historia, momentami bardzo gorzka. Taka kwintesencja azjatyckiej fantastyki
September 2, 2023
This was pure perfection, just like the Six Crimson Cranes duology. So if you loved that, you'll surely love this too.
It's technically a prequel and a standalone, you could read it before SCC, but I'd recommend after so you can pick up on the little Easter eggs / references included.
It'll also help you see why you should care about Channi and Vanna's story, and the world building will be much clearer.
Not that it wasn't clear here, I was just looking at it from the perspective of someone who is very familiar with it (especially with SCC being among my favourite books) and it feels more like an expansion of it vs a starting point, if that makes sense.
As expected, this book made me cry early on (5% in!!) and I kept crying every once in a while, even though I didn't have that much affection for Shiori's stepmother in her series, in this one I love her.
Channari was similar to Shiori, always looking for trouble so it's no wonder she grew on me. Also, like Shiori she has a companion with her wherever she goes. Ukar is one of my favourite characters, he's so snarky. I think if snakes could talk, they'd for sure sound like Ukar.
There was a splash of romance in this book, which I of course loved, but I knew how it would end, because of the main series.
The real love story here is that of sisterly love between Channi and Vanna. You can feel how much they care about each other, how fiercely they protect one another. At first you think Channi is the one who would give everything to save Vanna, but at the end we see Vanna too would do the same for Channi.
Something I was hoping we'd get more of, is Channari's relationship with Hanriyu. We saw him during the selection, and I thought okay it's not the right time now with all the chaos, hopefully we'll get more of them later, and we did, but not enough.
I'd actually love another book (so this one wouldn't be a standalone then), covering the year long selection AND Channi's early years with Hanriyu and his kids, coming up full circle. Is that possible? Who knows, I mean, in my review of The Dragon's Promise I was hoping for a spinoff, AND LOOK WHAT WE GOT!!!
So once again, I'd love yet another spinoff set in the world, maybe following the same characters maybe not. But I think Seryu's earned his own book by now. I'm just saying. And hoping. Wishing. Praying. MAYBE WE'LL GET SOMETHING, KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED!
Obligatory writing mention, I love it so much, Elizabeth Lim you've enchanted me and you have a reader in me FOR LIFE (and in the next life too).
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
It's technically a prequel and a standalone, you could read it before SCC, but I'd recommend after so you can pick up on the little Easter eggs / references included.
It'll also help you see why you should care about Channi and Vanna's story, and the world building will be much clearer.
Not that it wasn't clear here, I was just looking at it from the perspective of someone who is very familiar with it (especially with SCC being among my favourite books) and it feels more like an expansion of it vs a starting point, if that makes sense.
As expected, this book made me cry early on (5% in!!) and I kept crying every once in a while, even though I didn't have that much affection for Shiori's stepmother in her series, in this one I love her.
Channari was similar to Shiori, always looking for trouble so it's no wonder she grew on me. Also, like Shiori she has a companion with her wherever she goes. Ukar is one of my favourite characters, he's so snarky. I think if snakes could talk, they'd for sure sound like Ukar.
There was a splash of romance in this book, which I of course loved, but I knew how it would end, because of the main series.
The real love story here is that of sisterly love between Channi and Vanna. You can feel how much they care about each other, how fiercely they protect one another. At first you think Channi is the one who would give everything to save Vanna, but at the end we see Vanna too would do the same for Channi.
Something I was hoping we'd get more of, is Channari's relationship with Hanriyu. We saw him during the selection, and I thought okay it's not the right time now with all the chaos, hopefully we'll get more of them later, and we did, but not enough.
I'd actually love another book (so this one wouldn't be a standalone then), covering the year long selection AND Channi's early years with Hanriyu and his kids, coming up full circle. Is that possible? Who knows, I mean, in my review of The Dragon's Promise I was hoping for a spinoff, AND LOOK WHAT WE GOT!!!
So once again, I'd love yet another spinoff set in the world, maybe following the same characters maybe not. But I think Seryu's earned his own book by now. I'm just saying. And hoping. Wishing. Praying. MAYBE WE'LL GET SOMETHING, KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED!
Obligatory writing mention, I love it so much, Elizabeth Lim you've enchanted me and you have a reader in me FOR LIFE (and in the next life too).
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
June 28, 2023
thank you netgalley for the arc !
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 4/5 stars *ੈ✩‧₊˚
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ a prequel to the six crimson cranes duology, her radiant curse winds through the dreamy passages of a magical world steeped in southeast asian culture. it is at its heart a love story - that of sisters and the worlds we’d burn for them. utterly ensnaring, elizabeth lim’s newest work is so evocative in its description, the afterimages will play behind your eyelids long after you close them. it warmed and broke my heart at once, engraving itself indelibly and i wouldn’t have it any other way.
kindly note; further review to come as i was initially unconscious to the fact that this is in fact a spin-off. i’d like to defer a more detailed reaction till i’ve read the original series. this also may have been a five-star read, i would have sat on it a little longer but alas, i'm falling behind with my arcs.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 4/5 stars *ੈ✩‧₊˚
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ a prequel to the six crimson cranes duology, her radiant curse winds through the dreamy passages of a magical world steeped in southeast asian culture. it is at its heart a love story - that of sisters and the worlds we’d burn for them. utterly ensnaring, elizabeth lim’s newest work is so evocative in its description, the afterimages will play behind your eyelids long after you close them. it warmed and broke my heart at once, engraving itself indelibly and i wouldn’t have it any other way.
kindly note; further review to come as i was initially unconscious to the fact that this is in fact a spin-off. i’d like to defer a more detailed reaction till i’ve read the original series. this also may have been a five-star read, i would have sat on it a little longer but alas, i'm falling behind with my arcs.
March 12, 2025
3.5
There were some beautiful moments in this book, and I loved diving into the backstory of Channi.
I just feel like Six Crimson Cranes had this ✨magic✨ and I haven’t been able to feel that in the rest of these books.
There were some beautiful moments in this book, and I loved diving into the backstory of Channi.
I just feel like Six Crimson Cranes had this ✨magic✨ and I haven’t been able to feel that in the rest of these books.
April 3, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! I just wish it was slightly shorter...
August 29, 2023
This book was truly wonderful! I loved everything about it and I’m not sure I have words in me to do it justice. The cover however, is stunning and a perfect package for this beautiful story.
“A promise is not a kiss in the wind Channi, it is a piece of yourself that is given away and will not return until your pledge is fulfilled.”
Elizabeth Lim is a master of storytelling and created a heartwarming story full of love, adventure and magic. The writing is beautiful and completely immersed me in this world. The characters are wonderful and I was fully invested in their journey and outcomes.
Channi and Vanna are exactly the type of female characters I want to see more and I’m glad the new generation of readers will grow reading about them. They are strong, smart and able to fight for themselves, but their greatest strength is their love and bonds.
This book is the prequel of Six Crimson Cranes and it was my introduction to this world. I must say, in no way this affected my enjoyment of the book, and it was probably the twist I was needing to pick up a story that I already know and love.
Her Radiant Curse will be published in August 29th and I couldn’t recommend it more. I hope I can get my hands in one of the Fairyloot exclusive editions (update: I will indeed have the signed fairyloot edition!)
I would like to thank Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. What an immense privilege it was!
“A promise is not a kiss in the wind Channi, it is a piece of yourself that is given away and will not return until your pledge is fulfilled.”
Elizabeth Lim is a master of storytelling and created a heartwarming story full of love, adventure and magic. The writing is beautiful and completely immersed me in this world. The characters are wonderful and I was fully invested in their journey and outcomes.
Channi and Vanna are exactly the type of female characters I want to see more and I’m glad the new generation of readers will grow reading about them. They are strong, smart and able to fight for themselves, but their greatest strength is their love and bonds.
This book is the prequel of Six Crimson Cranes and it was my introduction to this world. I must say, in no way this affected my enjoyment of the book, and it was probably the twist I was needing to pick up a story that I already know and love.
Her Radiant Curse will be published in August 29th and I couldn’t recommend it more. I hope I can get my hands in one of the Fairyloot exclusive editions (update: I will indeed have the signed fairyloot edition!)
I would like to thank Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. What an immense privilege it was!
September 6, 2023
Overview:
🤩 Sibling story
🤩 Adventure story
😍 Romance lite
👏 Chinese mythology
👏 Gorgeous prose
😍Slow burn romance
😍 Monster'fucking' (kissing)
Her Radiant Curse is my first Elizabeth Lim series and will certainly not be my last- as I understand this is a bit of a prequel to Six Crimson Cranes but can be read as a stand-alone.
The story follows Channi, who is sacrificed to a demon by her father to save her sister and mother. Rather than die, she is saved by the serpent king and is transformed into a 'monster' with toxic blood and scales: the serpent queen. Years later, she sets out to save her radiant golden sister Vanna from the same demon coming to collect her heart as was supposed to happen all those years ago.
Elizabeth Lim's storytelling is unparalleled in YA, I ate this book up. I joked in my updates that I had a concussion while reading my ARC on my e-reader and literally suffered to finish it.
The characters...oh wow. Her Radiant Curse is a character's first story. It is not a romance story- and so the cast of characters has a lot of room to breathe and each one gets a considerable amount of attention. You adore the heroes and despise the villains (of which there are many, yep).
Channi and Vanna are amazing, but every character has such light. The siblings have a beautiful, complex relationship twisted up in dedication, jealously, and codependency. Channi is a deeply fleshed-out and interesting protagonist- one of my new all time favorites. Her sister is demure by comparison but you often find yourself curious to know more about who she is and what her motivations are.
Then you have everyone else. The tragic half-dragon Hokzuh who is desperately seeking the pearl that he feels will complete him. The sly and charming snake Ukar, prince of serpents. The monstrous king Meguh and the other villains who color the story in dread. These characters are all brought to life by Lim as larger-than-life fairy tale characters- yet they are all so deeply, painfully human at their core.
There is a romance in this story, but it is quiet and overshadowed by the relationship between the two sisters. Ultimately, the real romance of the story is how these two girls are willing to give anything for each other and how their differences have shaped their relationship for better and worse.
That said, the romance also bangs. Its beautiful and tragic, with a dash of enemies AND lovers. Both characters are monsters with visible "ugliness" aka they aren't just hot people with ears. Channi is a serpent girl and Hokzuh is a literal dragon with some humanoid features. There isn't a lot of blushing and swooning about how "actually you are really hot"- the two characters connect due to a mutual loneliness and experience being an outsider with power far beyond most. If you are a fan of Reylo or other 'soul bond' romances, this one will be really attractive to you.
Her Radiant Curse is for everybody really. I can't think of a single demo that this won't appeal to- especially if you like unique spins on classic 'fairy tales'. I wasn't even bored for a paragraph.
🤩 Sibling story
🤩 Adventure story
😍 Romance lite
👏 Chinese mythology
👏 Gorgeous prose
😍Slow burn romance
😍 Monster'fucking' (kissing)
Her Radiant Curse is my first Elizabeth Lim series and will certainly not be my last- as I understand this is a bit of a prequel to Six Crimson Cranes but can be read as a stand-alone.
The story follows Channi, who is sacrificed to a demon by her father to save her sister and mother. Rather than die, she is saved by the serpent king and is transformed into a 'monster' with toxic blood and scales: the serpent queen. Years later, she sets out to save her radiant golden sister Vanna from the same demon coming to collect her heart as was supposed to happen all those years ago.
Elizabeth Lim's storytelling is unparalleled in YA, I ate this book up. I joked in my updates that I had a concussion while reading my ARC on my e-reader and literally suffered to finish it.
The characters...oh wow. Her Radiant Curse is a character's first story. It is not a romance story- and so the cast of characters has a lot of room to breathe and each one gets a considerable amount of attention. You adore the heroes and despise the villains (of which there are many, yep).
Channi and Vanna are amazing, but every character has such light. The siblings have a beautiful, complex relationship twisted up in dedication, jealously, and codependency. Channi is a deeply fleshed-out and interesting protagonist- one of my new all time favorites. Her sister is demure by comparison but you often find yourself curious to know more about who she is and what her motivations are.
Then you have everyone else. The tragic half-dragon Hokzuh who is desperately seeking the pearl that he feels will complete him. The sly and charming snake Ukar, prince of serpents. The monstrous king Meguh and the other villains who color the story in dread. These characters are all brought to life by Lim as larger-than-life fairy tale characters- yet they are all so deeply, painfully human at their core.
There is a romance in this story, but it is quiet and overshadowed by the relationship between the two sisters. Ultimately, the real romance of the story is how these two girls are willing to give anything for each other and how their differences have shaped their relationship for better and worse.
That said, the romance also bangs. Its beautiful and tragic, with a dash of enemies AND lovers. Both characters are monsters with visible "ugliness" aka they aren't just hot people with ears. Channi is a serpent girl and Hokzuh is a literal dragon with some humanoid features. There isn't a lot of blushing and swooning about how "actually you are really hot"- the two characters connect due to a mutual loneliness and experience being an outsider with power far beyond most. If you are a fan of Reylo or other 'soul bond' romances, this one will be really attractive to you.
Her Radiant Curse is for everybody really. I can't think of a single demo that this won't appeal to- especially if you like unique spins on classic 'fairy tales'. I wasn't even bored for a paragraph.
September 5, 2023
A bittersweet tale of love, friendship and the lengths two sisters will go to protect each other.
I will start off by saying I have yet to read the duology for which this book is a prequel. But I don't think it affected my enjoyment of the story at all. I was able to follow along with ease. The writing for good and the pacing was quick but not overly so.
This was most definitely a story about sisterhood and destiny above all else. There were hints of romance but they were far and few between. I admit I wish there was a little more development in the romance department. And while I enjoyed the story, for the most part, I found things a touch too predictable. I also never quite connected with the characters. That lack of an emotional connection made it difficult to truly fall in love with this tale.
The ending, I would say, is the strongest part. Only at that point did I truly feel for the characters. The hurt and the betrayal. I truly found myself wishing things had turned out differently. Alas, by then it was a little too late.
Long story short, I liked the story enough to finish it but I would not say it was a stand-out book.
Huge thank you to Random House Children/Knopf Books for Young Readers for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I will start off by saying I have yet to read the duology for which this book is a prequel. But I don't think it affected my enjoyment of the story at all. I was able to follow along with ease. The writing for good and the pacing was quick but not overly so.
This was most definitely a story about sisterhood and destiny above all else. There were hints of romance but they were far and few between. I admit I wish there was a little more development in the romance department. And while I enjoyed the story, for the most part, I found things a touch too predictable. I also never quite connected with the characters. That lack of an emotional connection made it difficult to truly fall in love with this tale.
The ending, I would say, is the strongest part. Only at that point did I truly feel for the characters. The hurt and the betrayal. I truly found myself wishing things had turned out differently. Alas, by then it was a little too late.
Long story short, I liked the story enough to finish it but I would not say it was a stand-out book.
Huge thank you to Random House Children/Knopf Books for Young Readers for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
June 16, 2023arranged marriage with asian folklore this is gonna be fucking amazing Elizabeth Lim you magician
May 25, 2023
“Never will I apologize for being the monster they made me.”
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
TW: blood, body horror, bullying, cannibalism (not graphic), death, death of a loved one, human sacrifice, pregnancy, self-harm (it's not for the intent of self-punishment, but it is quite detailed and a large part of the story), slavery, torture, violence.
First things first: Elizabeth Lim supremacy. I've said it a thousand times and I'll continue to say it. No one does it like her.
This might actually be my favorite book she's ever written, which is insane to me because the Blood of Stars has been my favorite duology since I read it. But this book was just on another level. It was everything I wanted and more.
Her Radiant Curse was everything a prequel should be. It was a fantastic, heart-breaking story in its own right but with the context of Six Crimson Cranes? Devastatingly glorious. Not only did I not want to put this book down, it made me want to immediately reread SCC. Every reference was so well-done and never made me feel like they had been included solely for the purpose of being a reference, if that makes sense.
This book is perfect for anyone that loves whimsically dark stories with a thread of mythology that runs throughout, a story that - at its heart - is ultimately about the power of familial love and the strength that it can give us, whether by blood or not. It's the kind of story that transports you, that leaves you disoriented when you're pulled out because you were that engrossed.
I don't rave about books often, but this deserved it.
I am a mess of a emotions that is heartbroken this is over and still so shocked and grateful that I received an arc for it. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year. No contest.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
TW: blood, body horror, bullying, cannibalism (not graphic), death, death of a loved one, human sacrifice, pregnancy, self-harm (it's not for the intent of self-punishment, but it is quite detailed and a large part of the story), slavery, torture, violence.
First things first: Elizabeth Lim supremacy. I've said it a thousand times and I'll continue to say it. No one does it like her.
This might actually be my favorite book she's ever written, which is insane to me because the Blood of Stars has been my favorite duology since I read it. But this book was just on another level. It was everything I wanted and more.
Her Radiant Curse was everything a prequel should be. It was a fantastic, heart-breaking story in its own right but with the context of Six Crimson Cranes? Devastatingly glorious. Not only did I not want to put this book down, it made me want to immediately reread SCC. Every reference was so well-done and never made me feel like they had been included solely for the purpose of being a reference, if that makes sense.
This book is perfect for anyone that loves whimsically dark stories with a thread of mythology that runs throughout, a story that - at its heart - is ultimately about the power of familial love and the strength that it can give us, whether by blood or not. It's the kind of story that transports you, that leaves you disoriented when you're pulled out because you were that engrossed.
I don't rave about books often, but this deserved it.
I am a mess of a emotions that is heartbroken this is over and still so shocked and grateful that I received an arc for it. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year. No contest.
to-read-2023
March 1, 202301/03/23: There's a lot going on in that cover and I love it.
16/01/23: A SIX CRIMSON CRANES SPINOFF???
(I say this like the second book hasn't been on my currently reading shelf for months. I'll get there eventually 🥲)
16/01/23: A SIX CRIMSON CRANES SPINOFF???
(I say this like the second book hasn't been on my currently reading shelf for months. I'll get there eventually 🥲)
September 8, 2023
Considering how much I loved Six Crimson Cranes (the sequel a little less so), I had high hopes for this. Unfortunately it fell a bit flat, but the backstory to the Shiori's step-mother, Raikama, in her childhood and teen years was very interesting!
I definitely think the satisfying weaving together of worldbuilding facts and plot elements that come into play within the Six Crimson Cranes duology is the novel's best quality.
Otherwise, the plot is a little slow. Our main character is likable, but I didn't really enjoy any other characters, even the sister, who is very important to our protagonist, Channi. The romance was barely there, which I'm not complaining about, because what little romance there was, was odd in my opinion. I could have done without. The writing style seems to be a bit dulled from the original duology. The whimsical, epic fairytale element to it that really drew me to Lim's writing was lacking in this, and it was difficult to get pulled in and remain engaged.
tidbits to expect
🐍 Animal Companion
🐍 Dragons, Snakes, Tigers
🐍 Competition/Trials
🐍 Asian Folklore elements
🐍 Raikama's backstory (from Six Crimson Cranes)
🐍 Backstabbing, Betrayals, Unlikely Allies
🐍 Plot Twists
I definitely think the satisfying weaving together of worldbuilding facts and plot elements that come into play within the Six Crimson Cranes duology is the novel's best quality.
Otherwise, the plot is a little slow. Our main character is likable, but I didn't really enjoy any other characters, even the sister, who is very important to our protagonist, Channi. The romance was barely there, which I'm not complaining about, because what little romance there was, was odd in my opinion. I could have done without. The writing style seems to be a bit dulled from the original duology. The whimsical, epic fairytale element to it that really drew me to Lim's writing was lacking in this, and it was difficult to get pulled in and remain engaged.
tidbits to expect
🐍 Animal Companion
🐍 Dragons, Snakes, Tigers
🐍 Competition/Trials
🐍 Asian Folklore elements
🐍 Raikama's backstory (from Six Crimson Cranes)
🐍 Backstabbing, Betrayals, Unlikely Allies
🐍 Plot Twists
November 25, 2024
I have loved every book of Elizabeth Lim's that I've read, so it came as no surprise to me that Her Radiant Curse is beautifully crafted. However, I was taken aback at just how good it is. I think this might be Lim's strongest work to-date. As a whole, I find that not only are Lim's stories unique in their plot, but they're unique in the way she structures her novels and paces tonal shifts as well. And boy, does Her Radiant Curse have some changes in tone.
From page one, I knew this story would be bittersweet. The love between these two sisters is so palpable, and the struggles they face due to the way they're perceived is heartbreaking. That being said, the majority of this book was an enjoyable and engaging fantasy. Even knowing that the end was going to hurt, I was able to enjoy Channi's adventure and root for the bonds she made along the way.
I'm not sure what reading order I would recommend for this series. If you start with Her Radiant Curse, you spoil big twists from Six Crimson Cranes. But if you start with SIx Crimson Cranes, you know how Her Radiant Curse is going to end. Overall I'm content with the order I read the series in, although I now want to reread the original duology.
Overall, this book was so complex and engaging. It's hard to summarize the tone in a review, because this book flips between a fun jungle adventure and a heartbreaking story of lifelong solitude. I think Elizabeth Lim balances these elements really well in the novel, I'm just unable to summarize them cohesively in a review.
From page one, I knew this story would be bittersweet. The love between these two sisters is so palpable, and the struggles they face due to the way they're perceived is heartbreaking. That being said, the majority of this book was an enjoyable and engaging fantasy. Even knowing that the end was going to hurt, I was able to enjoy Channi's adventure and root for the bonds she made along the way.
I'm not sure what reading order I would recommend for this series. If you start with Her Radiant Curse, you spoil big twists from Six Crimson Cranes. But if you start with SIx Crimson Cranes, you know how Her Radiant Curse is going to end. Overall I'm content with the order I read the series in, although I now want to reread the original duology.
Overall, this book was so complex and engaging. It's hard to summarize the tone in a review, because this book flips between a fun jungle adventure and a heartbreaking story of lifelong solitude. I think Elizabeth Lim balances these elements really well in the novel, I'm just unable to summarize them cohesively in a review.
July 29, 2023
Her Radiant Curse
by Elizabeth Lim
Prequel
Fantasy YA
NetGalley ARC
12+
Channi, a young child, swears to her dying mother, that she'll protect her newly born sister, Vanna, the most beautiful child ever born, with a light that glows from within her heart, but her father tries to sacrifice Channi to the Demon Witch save her mother, instead, she is set free but is cursed with a serpent's face by the Demon Witch.
Years later, with greed her their father's eye, spurred on by their villagers' leaders, at the age of seventeen, Vanna is to be sold to the highest bidder, and not all the suitors have Vanna's best interest in mind, and Channi knows the cruelest king is the richest and will win the bidding unless she can do something about it. But saving her sister condemns herself.
This is one of those books that is really good, it took me just over a day to read, but it's easily forgettable. I just finished it yesterday and I'm struggling to remember enough to review. The characters were great, though they could have used more descriptions, especially Channi. She was the MC but it felt as if her 'curse' wasn't brought to the forefront as much as her sister's beauty.
Most of the other characters also lacked details that would make them stand out from each other, but there were a few whose personalities were developed enough to make me detest them. There is one character who was a MC, but I didn't like how their part of the story ended. It could have been worse, but it still felt off.
Even though this is a prequel to a series, (that I have yet to read), which was not included in the blurb, and I didn't find that out until I finished the book, I didn't have any issues with the storyline or the characters, (feeling as if I was missing something), so it can be read at any time.
It was a quick read and a good story, but there wasn't enough to make a deep connection with the characters or the world.
3 Stars
by Elizabeth Lim
Prequel
Fantasy YA
NetGalley ARC
12+
Channi, a young child, swears to her dying mother, that she'll protect her newly born sister, Vanna, the most beautiful child ever born, with a light that glows from within her heart, but her father tries to sacrifice Channi to the Demon Witch save her mother, instead, she is set free but is cursed with a serpent's face by the Demon Witch.
Years later, with greed her their father's eye, spurred on by their villagers' leaders, at the age of seventeen, Vanna is to be sold to the highest bidder, and not all the suitors have Vanna's best interest in mind, and Channi knows the cruelest king is the richest and will win the bidding unless she can do something about it. But saving her sister condemns herself.
This is one of those books that is really good, it took me just over a day to read, but it's easily forgettable. I just finished it yesterday and I'm struggling to remember enough to review. The characters were great, though they could have used more descriptions, especially Channi. She was the MC but it felt as if her 'curse' wasn't brought to the forefront as much as her sister's beauty.
Most of the other characters also lacked details that would make them stand out from each other, but there were a few whose personalities were developed enough to make me detest them. There is one character who was a MC, but I didn't like how their part of the story ended. It could have been worse, but it still felt off.
Even though this is a prequel to a series, (that I have yet to read), which was not included in the blurb, and I didn't find that out until I finished the book, I didn't have any issues with the storyline or the characters, (feeling as if I was missing something), so it can be read at any time.
It was a quick read and a good story, but there wasn't enough to make a deep connection with the characters or the world.
3 Stars
July 16, 2024
4 stars. Written in Elizabeth Lim's signature spellbinding style that marries folktale tradition with modern YA fantasy conventions. Her Radiant Curse is a brilliant example of the rare prequel that serves as both a compelling standalone tale and a narrative that gives interesting depth to the other books in the series.
Want to read
March 1, 2023I will not apologize for the person I will be when this book comes out
September 10, 2024
This was really good
March 13, 2025
⋆.˚✮ 4.25 stars ✮˚.⋆
elizabeth lim never fails to amaze me with her writing and how whimsical it is, even in a story like this that has some darker themes in comparison to sone of her other stories. that might’ve been one of the only drawbacks of this book though, because it felt just a bit surface level and I would’ve loved some more details in some areas. the basics of the story like the magic and mythology, the slight politics, and brief romance scenes were so fun though and very intriguing.
sisterhood is such a wonderful trope to read about, while i don’t have a sister myself it always makes me feel so warm and happy. the connection that these two sisters had was so heartwarming, even if at times i was frustrated with both of them for how they were dealing with situations. their connection was so important for the story and it broke my heart.
i could tell that Channi was supposed to be a dislikeable main character, but honestly i really liked her from the beginning even if she was really complicated. her determination and spark was interesting for the story and i just want to give her a hug because she’s been through so much trauma. i think her decision at the end was heartbreaking and frustrating, but as she was dealing with her traumatic experiences i completely understand why she did what she did.
while i remembered a lot of what happened in six crimson cranes, i wish that i had reread it to remember all the little details, as this is a prequel to that duology. it was good to see specific characters again and understand more about their backstories, but i wont spoil who is in here or not - you should definitely read six crimson cranes first.
↬ trigger warnings: slavery, child abuse and neglect, physical abuse, poisoning and injury, murder and death, human sacrifice, torture, cannibalism, death of loved ones, self-harm
elizabeth lim never fails to amaze me with her writing and how whimsical it is, even in a story like this that has some darker themes in comparison to sone of her other stories. that might’ve been one of the only drawbacks of this book though, because it felt just a bit surface level and I would’ve loved some more details in some areas. the basics of the story like the magic and mythology, the slight politics, and brief romance scenes were so fun though and very intriguing.
sisterhood is such a wonderful trope to read about, while i don’t have a sister myself it always makes me feel so warm and happy. the connection that these two sisters had was so heartwarming, even if at times i was frustrated with both of them for how they were dealing with situations. their connection was so important for the story and it broke my heart.
i could tell that Channi was supposed to be a dislikeable main character, but honestly i really liked her from the beginning even if she was really complicated. her determination and spark was interesting for the story and i just want to give her a hug because she’s been through so much trauma. i think her decision at the end was heartbreaking and frustrating, but as she was dealing with her traumatic experiences i completely understand why she did what she did.
while i remembered a lot of what happened in six crimson cranes, i wish that i had reread it to remember all the little details, as this is a prequel to that duology. it was good to see specific characters again and understand more about their backstories, but i wont spoil who is in here or not - you should definitely read six crimson cranes first.
↬ trigger warnings: slavery, child abuse and neglect, physical abuse, poisoning and injury, murder and death, human sacrifice, torture, cannibalism, death of loved ones, self-harm
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