To be published 29/08/2023…
Spoiler Alert: This book is a prequel to Six Crimson Cranes. It can be read as a standalone, but it does give some spoilers about one of the main characters of the original series.
Channi lost both her mother and her face the day her sister, Vanna, was born. Despite this she loves her sister more than her own life and will do anything to protect her. Unfortunately, with a beauty to rival a goddess and an internal light that glows outwards, Vanna needs a lot of protecting.
Their father is only interested in how much men, ideally kings and princes, will be willing to pay for Vanna’s hand in marriage. Vanna’s suitors are only interested in her looks. And then there is the demon, Angma, whose interest in Vanna stems from something much more sinister.
Some details of Channi’s life are given in Six Crimson Cranes and in The Dragon’s Promise and they were really intriguing so I’m glad Elizabeth Lim decided to explore this in more depth. As usual she has created a cast of wonderfully unique characters and thrown them into a vibrant and chaotic plot. I don’t think I’ve ever loved a snake more! Even side characters had their own distinct personalities and were written in a way that hinted at a hidden depth. A great example of this is the sisters’ step-mother; she sends Channi out the house when a particularly vile suitor visits and the sisters joke about her loving her house more than her husband. The tone of these exchanges show the love and pride she had for her family.
Multiple small plot twists, aided by unpredictable magic and even more unpredictable characters, take this book from engaging to absorbing. Even knowing how it would end, I often found it difficult to see the path to get there. In my opinion this is a sign of true craftsmanship and makes for an un-put-down-able read.
Escape to the Bookshelf 