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A review by discoverelysian
Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
5.0
A PHENOMENAL AND AN ASTOUNDING DEBUT! This book is perfect for you who are looking for a YA fantasy book that has a remarkable plot and intricate royal politics.
Read my review on my blog Discover Elysian.
If there’s a rating higher than 5 stars, I’d give it all to this book. Even though this is a Young Adult Fantasy, my go-to genre, Descendant of the Crane is totally different from what I usually read. Don’t let the synopsis fool you. The plot took me to yet the most jaw-dropping adventure I’ve ever experienced. The lyrical writing turned the words into beautiful images in my mind. The characters were as interesting as they are suspicious. Seriously, if you haven’t read this book, you’re missing a great deal.
In the first chapter, it felt like I was being thrown into the story with no warning and explanations. The fast pace swept me right into the middle of the problem. This wasn’t an issue for me because I was able to catch up real quick. But if you’re not sure whether or not you should continue reading because you don’t understand a thing, just trust me and keep going. All the secrets will be made known in the end. Yes, the plot twists were dizzying but it made me crave more, and I couldn’t stop reading!
This book is action-packed and I must say the story is darker than what I expected. There were so many moments that made me questioned and reflect on my life because things that happened in the book are also what’s currently happen around us. It may not seem as deep as I described it but if you look closer, the state of the world in this book is also the state of our world. Corruption thrives, people with position and money get to do whatever they want, there are people who are not being treated as human and other sickening truths. We live in such a terrible and ugly world.
Quoting King George III from his song What Comes Next from Hamilton: “Do you know how hard it is to lead?” and “It’s much harder when it’s all your call”, being crowned queen at the age of 17 is no easy task. Throughout the story, I was made aware of how cruel and difficult it is to be a leader in a court full of snakes especially when your kingdom is built on lies. Hesina was too young to be involved in such things but she proved to be a strong, independent, and capable young woman.
The politics in this book is no joke. Each character has their own agenda thus they were not what they appeared to be. But that’s what made me more invested in the story. From the beginning, I could see how there was so much more in the story than the synopsis let on. Betrayals, secrets, history, despair, and heartbreak. I’m totally stunned by how amazing Joan He crafted the court intrigues. Be very careful of who you trust.
Those mind-blowing twists were not going to work well without the awesome characters. Aside from Hesina, there were also two other brilliant women, Lilian and Mei. Both of them were fantastic and smart, my heart was theirs from the start. Akira was the mysterious one, Rou was the sweet one, Sanjing was the brave one, and Caiyan was the one with a big brother role. They have great characterizations and they certainly grew on me. Each of them has a special place in Hesina’s heart and I love every moment I got to see their relationships and interactions developed.
Please, let me warn you, this is not a fairy tale. If you’re looking for something like Spin the Dawn, this is not it. The romance is slowly developed and isn’t the main part of the story nor the one thing that drove Hesina and her main goal. But, you will find other relationships that’ll surely melt and break your heart.
Also, can please someone tell me is this a standalone or the first installment of a series? Because I’d love to know what will happen after THAT ending! And I’m still not satisfied with so many things. And I want to know more about Siahryn because he charmed me with his cunning and manipulate way!
Overall, Descendant of the Crane became a book that is precious to me. This isn’t your ordinary YA fantasy. This book is a mirror to myself, to yourself, to the people around you, to the world, to everyone. It told our story through Hesina’s journey as a new queen. The intricate and breathtaking royal politics completed with astounding writing and incredible characters, Descendant of the Crane is undoubtedly a 5-star read for me. If you’re looking for the next fantasy masterpiece to be added to your TBR, this book is the best choice!
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Read my review on my blog Discover Elysian.
If there’s a rating higher than 5 stars, I’d give it all to this book. Even though this is a Young Adult Fantasy, my go-to genre, Descendant of the Crane is totally different from what I usually read. Don’t let the synopsis fool you. The plot took me to yet the most jaw-dropping adventure I’ve ever experienced. The lyrical writing turned the words into beautiful images in my mind. The characters were as interesting as they are suspicious. Seriously, if you haven’t read this book, you’re missing a great deal.
“Memories are short. History plays out in cycles. Tables turn; the sufferers rise and make their oppressors suffer. This is simply human nature.”
“But that’s terrible.” Terrible to be a sooth. Terrible to be a human. Terrible no matter how Hesina looked at it.
In the first chapter, it felt like I was being thrown into the story with no warning and explanations. The fast pace swept me right into the middle of the problem. This wasn’t an issue for me because I was able to catch up real quick. But if you’re not sure whether or not you should continue reading because you don’t understand a thing, just trust me and keep going. All the secrets will be made known in the end. Yes, the plot twists were dizzying but it made me crave more, and I couldn’t stop reading!
This book is action-packed and I must say the story is darker than what I expected. There were so many moments that made me questioned and reflect on my life because things that happened in the book are also what’s currently happen around us. It may not seem as deep as I described it but if you look closer, the state of the world in this book is also the state of our world. Corruption thrives, people with position and money get to do whatever they want, there are people who are not being treated as human and other sickening truths. We live in such a terrible and ugly world.
Her, against a seasoned court. Her, against the tides of war. Her, against the king’s assassin.
Quoting King George III from his song What Comes Next from Hamilton: “Do you know how hard it is to lead?” and “It’s much harder when it’s all your call”, being crowned queen at the age of 17 is no easy task. Throughout the story, I was made aware of how cruel and difficult it is to be a leader in a court full of snakes especially when your kingdom is built on lies. Hesina was too young to be involved in such things but she proved to be a strong, independent, and capable young woman.
The politics in this book is no joke. Each character has their own agenda thus they were not what they appeared to be. But that’s what made me more invested in the story. From the beginning, I could see how there was so much more in the story than the synopsis let on. Betrayals, secrets, history, despair, and heartbreak. I’m totally stunned by how amazing Joan He crafted the court intrigues. Be very careful of who you trust.
Equality is not the natural way of the world. It must be nurtured.
Those mind-blowing twists were not going to work well without the awesome characters. Aside from Hesina, there were also two other brilliant women, Lilian and Mei. Both of them were fantastic and smart, my heart was theirs from the start. Akira was the mysterious one, Rou was the sweet one, Sanjing was the brave one, and Caiyan was the one with a big brother role. They have great characterizations and they certainly grew on me. Each of them has a special place in Hesina’s heart and I love every moment I got to see their relationships and interactions developed.
Please, let me warn you, this is not a fairy tale. If you’re looking for something like Spin the Dawn, this is not it. The romance is slowly developed and isn’t the main part of the story nor the one thing that drove Hesina and her main goal. But, you will find other relationships that’ll surely melt and break your heart.
“The mind is a timeless teacher and the heart. The past must be filtered through both to mean anything in the present”
Also, can please someone tell me is this a standalone or the first installment of a series? Because I’d love to know what will happen after THAT ending! And I’m still not satisfied with so many things. And I want to know more about Siahryn because he charmed me with his cunning and manipulate way!
Overall, Descendant of the Crane became a book that is precious to me. This isn’t your ordinary YA fantasy. This book is a mirror to myself, to yourself, to the people around you, to the world, to everyone. It told our story through Hesina’s journey as a new queen. The intricate and breathtaking royal politics completed with astounding writing and incredible characters, Descendant of the Crane is undoubtedly a 5-star read for me. If you’re looking for the next fantasy masterpiece to be added to your TBR, this book is the best choice!
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Ko-fi