We don’t know how her fairy godmother can turn a pumpkin into a boujee carriage.

This style allows Lim to weave in magic and myth without having to explain too much. Six Crimson Cranes is complex but approachable in a way that all fairy tales are. Her love of fairy tales shines through her work, capturing its whimsical storytelling and easy reading cadence that gives the reader just enough detail. Lim’s writing style is simple yet breathtakingly intricate. Shiori is nameless and far from home, but she’s determined to carve a path back to Raikama to save her family. And if she were to ever speak a word to anyone, one of her brothers would die. A magical bowl expands over her head, hiding her face from the world and stifling her magic. Her six brothers are turned into cranes, and Shiori is cursed with anonymity. Unfortunately, Shiori’s curiosity leads her to discover a secret about Raikama as well, and it seals a terrible fate for her family. Now confined to the palace as punishment, Shiori believes her abilities remain a secret, but her mysterious stepmother Raikama sees all. As the doors open to her wedding ceremony, Shiori flees to conceal her magic, ruining the alliance and ultimately shaming both families. Shiori is a princess of Kiata and has been promised to marry a northern warlord. But I couldn’t stop the urge to pick up Six Crimson Cranes and I find myself yet again in awe of Lim’s storytelling. I really enjoyed her book, Spin the Dawn, and need to finish the duology. Not only do her books feature the most beautiful cover art I’ve ever seen (courtesy of talented artist Tran Nguyen ), but her storytelling is delicately woven with such care that it’s too precious to describe. Elizabeth Lim is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

The crimson cranes