Eastern mythology meets action adventure meets fairy tale. A well executed tale of dragons, curses, quests, and paper cranes; the world of Six Crimson Cranes is sure to blow you away. A stunning take on a beloved fairy tale that is a must read for all fantasy lovers.
— Samantha
July/August 2021 Kids Indie Next List
“This book lives WELL up to the high expectations created after the gorgeousness that was/is Spin the Dawn. With a diverse cast and unique world building, Lim is an author I love recommending to teens who enjoy Laini Taylor and Tomi Adeyemi.”
— Hannah Oxley, Mystery to Me, Madison, WI
Description
A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse... Drawing from 'The Wild Swans' and East Asian folklore, this breathtakingly original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo or Tomi Adeyemi.
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.
About the Author
ELIZABETH LIM grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was raised on a hearty diet of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth was a professional film and video game composer, and she still tends to come up with her best book ideas when writing near a piano. An alumna of Harvard College and the Juilliard School, she now lives in New York City with her husband and her daughters.
Elizabeth is the New York Times bestselling author of Spin the Dawn, Unravel the Dusk, and Six Crimson Cranes. She is also a contributor to Disney's A Twisted Tale series.
Visit her at elizabethlim.com Follow her on Twitter at @LizLim Follow her on Instagram at @elimpix
Praise For…
"A dazzling fairytale full of breathtaking storytelling. Six Crimson Cranes elegantly weaves between whimsical and heart pounding as it takes readers on a magical adventure full of entwined fates, surprising curses, and beautiful mythology. It also has a very sexy dragon.” " —Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval
"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, New York Times bestselling author of Graceling
"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 Timesbestselling author ofThese Violent Delights
"A resilient heroine, a cast of imaginative characters, and creative plot turns make this gem of a novel sparkle." —Stacey Lee, award-winning author of The Downstairs Girl
“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 and Wildwood Dancing "An unputdownable, sweeping fairytale that thrills as much as it delights. Lim is a master storyteller which is apparent with every magical turn of the page." —Kerri Maniscalco, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Kingdom of the Wicked
"Six Crimson Cranes is a fairytale that feels at once both epic and intimate. Shiori’s quest to save her brothers, her kingdom, and herself is heartfelt, riveting, and as magical as the talents the princess tries so hard to hide." —Sarah Henning, bestselling author of Sea Witch and The Princess Will Save You
"Seamlessly intertwining western and East Asian folklore, Lim embroiders a richly imagined landscape in this vibrant, fast-paced duology starter." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Fast-paced excitement is balanced with a satisfyingly intricate plot that weaves in elements from Western fairy tales and East Asian folklore. A must-read for fans of folklore– and fairy tale–inspired fantasy." —SLJ, starred review
"Part exciting adventure, part thoughtful coming-of-age novel, this story retells and overturns familiar tropes." —Kirkus Reviews
“Magic abounds in this mesmerizing YA fantasy based on East Asian folklore and fairy tales.” –Shelf Awareness
“This book lives WELL up to the high expectations created after the gorgeousness that was/is Spin the Dawn. With a diverse cast and unique world building, Lim is an author I love recommending to teens who enjoy Laini Taylor and Tomi Adeyemi.”