YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

“Deep world-building, magical family secrets, and intricate palace politics—Descendant of the Crane soars from page one. Its twists and treacheries kept me guessing until the very end.”
—Rachel Hartman, New York Times bestselling author of Seraphina

Tyrants cut out hearts. Rulers sacrifice their own.

Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, dreaming of an unremarkable life. But when her beloved father is found dead, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of a surprisingly unstable kingdom. What’s more, Hesina believes that her father was murdered—and that the killer is someone close to her.

Hesina’s court is packed full of dissemblers and deceivers eager to use the king’s death for political gain, each as plausibly guilty as the next. Her advisers would like her to blame the neighboring kingdom of Kendi’a, whose ruler has been mustering for war. Determined to find her father’s actual killer, Hesina does something desperate: she enlists the aid of a soothsayer—a treasonous act, punishable by
death, since magic was outlawed centuries ago.

Using the information provided by the sooth, and uncertain if she can trust her family, Hesina turns to Akira—a brilliant investigator who’s also a convicted criminal with secrets of his own. With the future of Yan at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high?

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Date changed. Restarting January 9th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[I like how every character is well constructed so far and the plot seems interesting. I want to know where this is leading because I really love political issues in fantasy books. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[This book just keep getting better, Hesina is so strong even when she thinks she isn't, her dad being immortal is just another question I have in my list besides all the others I want to know more about the soothsayers maybe she is part human part them? I love how the authors portraits the bad ones here and every move they do without the mc knowing about it and how the MC keep fighting them until the end.

At this point I still don't know and don't trust no one of the characters.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

6% (view spoiler)[ I'm super confused about who the twins are. Are they born royalty or were they adopted? Is Lilian her actual sister? (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[I loved this book! It was so amazing I loved everything about it I like how the author didn't make a typical happy kingdom at the end instead a queen was overthrown and had to run. The slow burn between Hesina and Akira was so beautiful I like how every move involve the political issues instead of the romance and Caiyan being the bad guy I KNEW IT but I didn't expect him being a soothsayer and also he really tried to protect Hesina?? I'm so confused.

I didn't expect all these plot twists; her father being one of the Eleven (I suspected her mom was but not her father), Caiyan trying to actually protect her and being an oracle also Mei and Lilian dying (OMG I REALLY DIDN'T EXPECT THAT). And Mei being alive at the end (YEII). Also, protect Rou at all costs!! I really love the cliffhanger I don't mind if there is a sequel but I loved this one.

I have so many questions but Hesina and Sanjing are immortals or have like a little immortality with them??

Every chapter was so damn amazing I can't wait to read her new release! (hide spoiler)]

Krystal wrote: "6% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[They were adopted. Lilian and Cayian are bothers by blood and Sanjing and Hesina are bothers by blood (They are heirs to the throne) Rou is Hesina and Sanjing's middle-brother. (hide spoiler)]

— Massiel wrote: "Krystal wrote: "6% [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Thank you for clarifying this!

Krystal wrote: "Thank you for clarifying this!"

You're welcome :)

— Massiel wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Thank you for clarifying this!"

You're welcome :)"

12%, I see it now. I hated feeling confused for that little bit of time!

20% (view spoiler)[ A bit slow starting. Things have gotten more interesting with the man on the horse saying the sooths are back. (hide spoiler)]

Krystal wrote: "12%, I see it now. I hated feeling confused for that little bit of time!"

HAHAHA I hate when I'm still confused at the end.

Krystal wrote: "20% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Totally agree! It was a little slow at the beginning I hope you like it! (hide spoiler)]

I got sidetracked and my hold ended. But, I'm getting it again.

Krystal wrote: "I got sidetracked and my hold ended. But, I'm getting it again."

Hope you enjoy it!

Started this one so I'll comment retroactively

I just started this one!

Ch 1 - 2% (view spoiler)["Well, we might not be here for much longer, since meeting with this person may end in death by a thousand cuts."
"Lilian!"
"Sorry. Sorry. Pretend I didn't say that."

I already love her ahaha (hide spoiler)]

Ch 6 - (16%) (view spoiler)[A crane in flight rose at the end of the white jade length, its wings spread and feathers individually carved, the longer ones tipped in obsidian.
We finally have the title showing up in the book. I love when this happens. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 7 - (21%) (view spoiler)[So Sanjing was right that there was a secret plot that Hesina wasn't seeing. While I'm glad that she came to this discovery herself, I hate the way their relationship is portrayed. Why is he so mean to Caiyan? Why is she so standoffish to him?

Can't wait to see where this goes (hide spoiler)]

Ch 15 - (45%) (view spoiler)[That fight scene was intense! But now I'm annoyed again. Even after Hesina tries to connect with Sanjing by saying that she would have done the same for him, he pushes her away by saying that she's just like the others. What does he want from her?! (hide spoiler)]

Ch 19 - (58%) (view spoiler)[Fresh ones filled Hesina's eyes. She wanted to close the distance between them, smooth down his cowlick, and tell him she was sorry too.
But if she did that, she would be tempted to share the burden of the truth. //
They break my heart. 1 because I hate when familial relationships are broken but also 2 he deserves to know the truth and she deserves to have someone share that pain with her. A lot has happened and she's carrying it alone, aside from Akira of course. Sigh (hide spoiler)]

Ch 22 - (67%) (view spoiler)[Hesina let their voices. Two halves of a whole. Two lies of a truth.
Li Wen.
One of the Eleven.
Actor, legend, sooth-slayer.
King of the new era.
Her father.

Yet another level to this. So many layers in this book. (hide spoiler)]

Up to chapter 10
(view spoiler)[ I really loved the start of this one, but im not as impressed now. Accusations are flying, but we dont know any of the characters, so they hold no weight. I guess im just bored, i want something big to happen (hide spoiler)]

Brinley wrote: "Up to chapter 10
[spoilers removed]"

I agree. (view spoiler)[I also feel like we don't get a full look at the characters. The only character I really cared about at this point is Lilian. Still kinda don't care much about any of the others but I at least want to know how it ends if just to be done with it (hide spoiler)]

Dee Dee wrote: "Brinley wrote: "Up to chapter 10
[spoilers removed]"

I agree. [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ I dont even remember who Lilian is, which says a lot about my this book. Everyone else is just kinda blank, they show up and then leave. (hide spoiler)]

Brinley wrote: "Dee Dee wrote: "Brinley wrote: "Up to chapter 10
[spoilers removed]"

I agree. [spoilers removed]"
[spoilers removed]"

Ahaha she is a minor character. (view spoiler)[But she was the one who tried to keep things light in the beginning, making jokes and stuff. But if you don't remember her it really doesn't matter because she doesn't matter anyway haha (hide spoiler)]

Up to chapter 23
(view spoiler)[ I guess that was supposed to be a huge reveal, and i guess its slightly surprising, but i dont care at all. I just want to be done with this book. The kingdom politics are nonexistent, which makes me sad. I wish we got to see Hesina actually ruling, and the machinations that happen in any kingdom. Instead, we've just got a generic fantasy setting. & (hide spoiler)]

finished
(view spoiler)[ Im so confused. I honestly can't tell you what just happened. like, her brother betrayed her, and then what? I'll admit I was just skimming, I wanted to be done with this. none of the characters were ever fleshed out, and the plot was nonexistent for the first half. not my type of book (hide spoiler)]

Brinley wrote: "Up to chapter 23
[spoilers removed]"

Honestly that was surprising to me in the moment because (view spoiler)[I forgot about the suspicious way he was behaving and I was so focused on her stupid tiff with Sanjing. But in hindsight He definitely left the breadcrumbs there for us to pick up. And the distractions to make us forget about them.

But you're right. I would have loved to see her rule for a bit. Instead it was mystery and discovery more than anything else. (hide spoiler)]

Brinley wrote: "finished
[spoilers removed]"

I wish that all of the threads had started to come together a little sooner than say the 70% mark. I would have loved more time seeing the (view spoiler)[betrayal rather than have Hesina tell us about it in hindsight. (hide spoiler)]

The way it ends also makes me feel like it should have been the beginning of a series...and yet...here we are as a standalone. So much promise.

I would try and discuss with you, but i honestly forgot the entire plot and the reveal 😂

Ahaha