If you love fantasy books with rich world-building, slow-burn romance, and heartwarming sibling bonds, Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim is a must-read. This beautifully written novel blends magic, adventure, and an unforgettable journey of resilience and self-discovery. In this review, I’ll dive into what makes Six Crimson Cranes so special and why you should add it to your TBR.
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling
Series: Six Crimson Cranes (#1)
Themes: Magic, Family, Arranged Marriage, Forbidden Powers, Self-Discovery
**I purchased this book with my own money. There was no obligation to post/give this book a certain rating.
Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret—she can wield magic. But in a kingdom where magic is forbidden, she has spent her life hiding her abilities. On the morning of her arranged marriage, her powers accidentally surface, attracting the attention of her stepmother, Raikama. But Raikama is no ordinary queen—she’s hiding dark magic of her own.
To keep Shiori silent, Raikama curses her, stripping her of her voice and turning her six brothers into cranes. Worse still, if she dares to utter a single word, one of her brothers will die. Cast out and believed to be dead, Shiori embarks on a perilous journey to break the curse, uncover the truth about her stepmother, and save her brothers before time runs out.
What Makes Six Crimson Cranes a Must-Read?
A Strong and Relatable Heroine
Shiori is a compelling protagonist—strong, determined, and full of heart. Her journey is one of resilience and courage, as she navigates betrayal, loneliness, and the weight of an impossible curse. Watching her grow from a sheltered princess into a fearless young woman willing to risk everything for her family is truly inspiring.
An Unforgettable Companion – Kiki
One of my favorite aspects of this book was Kiki, Shiori’s enchanted paper crane. Kiki is more than just a magical companion—her sass, sarcasm, and unwavering loyalty add humor and warmth to the story. Every scene with Kiki was a delight, and she quickly became one of my favorite characters.
Twists You Won’t See Coming
Just when you think you know where the story is headed, Elizabeth Lim throws in twists that leave you speechless. The ending, in particular, took me by surprise. If you love books that keep you on the edge of your seat, Six Crimson Cranes delivers plenty of shocking moments.
A Beautiful Slow-Burn Romance
This book features an arranged marriage trope that develops into a slow-burn romance. The relationship unfolds naturally, with moments of tension, misunderstandings, and gradual trust-building. What I loved most is that the romance doesn’t overpower the main plot—it enhances it.
Lush World-Building and Magical Elements
Like any first book in a fantasy series, Six Crimson Cranes introduces a richly detailed world. From enchanted forests and mythical creatures to hidden kingdoms and powerful magic, the setting is beautifully crafted. The descriptions are so vivid that you feel transported into the heart of Kiata.
A Story About Family, Forgiveness, and Courage
At its core, this book is about the love between siblings, the strength of family bonds, and the power of forgiveness. Shiori’s relationship with her brothers is heartwarming, and her determination to save them drives the story forward.
Mouthwatering Food Descriptions
If you’re a foodie, you’ll love the way Elizabeth Lim weaves food into the narrative. The delicious mentions of dumplings, broths, and rice cakes made me crave a feast while reading.
In a gist, here’s what you can expect from this book.
💫Fairytale retellings 💫Strong heroines 💫Found family and sibling bonds 💫Slow-burn romance
Absolutely! Six Crimson Cranes is a magical and emotionally rich story that blends adventure, romance, and fairytale elements perfectly. I’m so excited to continue the series with The Dragon’s Promise! If you haven’t picked up Six Crimson Cranes yet, now is the perfect time to dive into this enchanting world.
Did you know?
Six Crimson Cranes is a retelling of the classic folktale The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Andersen, blended with East Asian mythology. The Wild Swans is a fairy tale about a princess whose eleven brothers are cursed and turned into swans by their wicked stepmother. To break the spell, she must endure great hardships, including weaving nettle shirts in complete silence, proving her love and sacrifice for her family.
Where to Buy Six Crimson Cranes
You can grab a copy of Six Crimson Cranes from:
Find all my book reviews here.
You can follow me on my Bookstagram at Kohleyedreads.
I read this for the 2025 #ReadingWithMuffy Jan prompt – read a book with an animal or bird in the title.
You may also read:
Books with animals or birds in the title
That’s all for now!
Share and connect with me on social media.
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
I really appreciate how you highlighted the blend of Eastern folklore with fantasy—it’s always refreshing to see cultural elements woven so beautifully into storytelling. The way you described Shiori’s character arc makes me even more eager to dive into her journey. Also, I totally get what you said about pacing—it can make or break a book for me too! Your mention of the writing style being lyrical and immersive has me convinced I need to experience it firsthand. And can we take a moment to appreciate stunning book covers? This one is just breathtaking! Thanks for such an insightful and engaging review. I love how you balance analysis with personal thoughts—it makes reading your reviews such a treat.
Great review and well drafted one. The way you divided every aspect of the book in short and crisp paras,, I loved that style. Very good review I must say.
I would have read it just for the name and the word cranes! Anything birds arouses my curiosity. But your review makes it even more enticing. Magic, fantasy, enchanted forest and the heroine out to save her brothers. This is on my mind now.
Your review is truly engaging. You share snippets and your perspective, which is endearing. The title of the book is interesting indeed: Six Crimson Cranes. I like the thought of reading some magic and wondering what all is there in the enchanted forest. I will surely look up the book to read soon.
The idea of magic and an enchanted forest has me curious. I’ll definitely check the book out soon. Thanks for this engaging review.
I am not into fantasy and just as I was about to skim it, I ended up reading your well-drafted book review. The way you divided it with sub-topics made it all the more interesting.
I love how this review captures the heart of *Six Crimson Cranes*! The blend of magic, family, and slow-burn romance sounds irresistible. Plus, Kiki’s sass? I’m sold. Also, food descriptions that make you hungry? That’s always a win!
I haven’t ventured into this genre much. But this books seems interesting. The storyline you shared is quite intriguing. I am adding this to my TBR.
Aditya Sathe recently posted…Along this road || a Hindi Poem | सड़क के किनारे… || हिन्दी कविता
You know when I started reading the story, i thought to myself that this story has hints of old folktales and then was pleasantly surprised to read that it indeed has links to old folklore!
This seems like the perfect book to pull me out of my reading hiatus. It has all the elements that I enjoy in stories. Definitely picking this up. Good review, Shalini!
Haha…as I was reading the review, I kept thinking, I know this story…where have I read it!! And of course, it is the wild swans. So is this a rehashed version of the same story? It sounds very similar, but I’m sure it has its uniqueness too.