Her Radiant Curse
Ratings10
Average rating4.1
15
Ratings10
Average rating4.1
From the New York Times bestselling author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a tale of two sisters—one as beautiful as the other is monstrous—who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever. One sister must fall for the other to rise. Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent’s face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna—the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn’t see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts. Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who’s had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath—launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi’s heart to its breaking point. Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.
Featured Series
2 primary books3 released booksSix Crimson Cranes is a 3-book series with 2 primary works first released in 2021 with contributions by Elizabeth Lim.
Reviews with the most likes.
I like the characters the most out of this book the plot was fine.
The relationship between characters was really the driving force of the book and there were something's that were important to the plot but were just repeated for plots sake like we could forget.
I haven't read the Crimson Cranes series and I think that was okay for me, it did make me want to read the other books!
I really wish the summary mentioned that this book is a prequel to Six Crimson Cranes. I haven't read SCC and I didn't know these stories were connected so I went in 100% blind.
Let me start by saying that for about 75% of the novel I was thinking of rating 4 or 5 stars. I enjoyed the fast paced plot, I liked Channi, the world building was decent. But then I got to the ending...and I was so deeply offended with how the author wasted my time that I'm dropping my rating down to 2 stars. The ending legitimately made me angry. Even after ranting about it to two friends and my husband I am still mad about how it ended. I will never stop being mad about the ending. Justice for Hokzuh!! The author did him totally dirty!
I wasn't ever that interested in reading Six Crimson Cranes so I have no idea if that series is much better or about the same as this one. But I do know that the author has totally lost my trust and I'm so upset by this ending that I might never read another novel from her again. I feel like I can't trust the author not to pull the rug out from under me again.
I didn't realize this would be a prequel to Six Crimson Cranes, which I loved! If that duology delighted you as much as it did me, you won't want to miss this one.
The prequel to the Six Crimson Cranes duology, telling the story of Channari's life before she moved to Kiata and became known as Raikama.
Never will I apologize for being the monster they made me.
I find this one a lot more engaging than The Dragon's Promise right from the start, mainly because Channari is such a strong and consistent character. She would do literally anything to protect the people she loves, and this personality trait stays exactly the same many years later. The difference is that in this book, she lives for her sister Vanna. It's an action-packed story about family, though it does have a little bit of romance which I honestly find unnecessary. A platonic friendship would've worked just as good, considering how fast it got dashed anyway. But Channi and Vanna's sisterhood? Channi's friendship with Ukar? Good stuff. 👌✨
What I did not like, though, is how Hokzuh's action was painted as a betrayal. He literally did not have control over himself. He didn't do what he did willingly. It's even made clear plenty of times what would happen if he lost his talisman, so it's not a betrayal no matter how you look at it and it bothers me a lot how the book and Channari insist that it is. If anyone or anything is to blame, then shouldn't it be the pearl instead of him? Speaking of which, it's also never explained how Vanna was born with the pearl either.
I was also under the idea that this book would show more of Channari's ties to Hanriyu, but it doesn't. This particular part was so rushed. Her reason for going to Kiata is crammed in at the last minute, and the selection where she chose him gets entirely skipped. I can't help but feel like some of the scenes in the middle, especially the parts where they hop from Shenlani to Yappang, could've been removed to give more spotlight on their friendship instead. Still, it's an easy book to read and it gives a lot more depth to Channari so it does make a nice addition to the series.
