Having read the Six Crimson Cranes duology, the reader is somewhat aware of how this story might go. Yet, it’s the journey that makes it even more heartbreaking.
Channi is a marvel of characterisation and I’m thrilled we got to deep dive into her backstory. Everything ties in perfectly with the other books and makes me want to re-read six crimson cranes again as it allows us to better understand her actions.

Wow, just wow. It is rare that I give a book a 5/5 star rating but 'Her Radiant Curse' deserves it and way more! This spellbinding novel incorporates the perfect amount of fantasy, action, and love which makes it a story you can't put down! The fact that this story focuses on sisterly love rather than romance is beautiful and very unique! The way this is written is perfect too! I will definitely be reading more novels written by Elizabeth Lim in the future!

This is the first book from Elisabeth Lim I read. Six Crimson Cranes is still in my TBR, however I can easily follow the story and world building in Her Radiant Curse. I love the different vibes between the childhood and the current days told from the main character's POV. It showed her improvement and growth so well. I don't really love the adventure part of this book since it goes back and forth among places, even though I really love seeing how different kingdoms/lands are told. The friendship between main character and the snakes is my favorite even though the sisters' relationship seemed not as cool as them, for me. Everyone who loves Six Crimson Cranes, YA fantasy adventure with a little bit romance in it, dragons, curse, and durian trees need to read Her Radiant Curse!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the eARC in exchange for an honest review
Opinions:
I was so insanely excited to read this book and honestly, it met my expectations. As always, Elizabeth Lim's characterization is absolutely phenomenal. I fell in love with so many new characters and found so many similarities between them and the characters of the main duology. I loved spotting all the references to the previous books (or the ones that follow in this case I guess since it's a prequel). The plot twists throughout the story were also great, I have to admit that I guessed most of them but I had a sense of satisfaction when I found out the truth rather than boredom because it was so obvious, since most of them weren't. I feel like I should be financially compensated for having my heart broken so many times... I'd remembered roughly what Channi's story was supposed to be like from the recounts of it in the other books so I had an idea of where the story had to go but it was too much for my heart to handle and the last few chapters of the book absolutely broke me, I cried for around half an hour straight because each time I stopped there was a line which made me start again. It's insane how many quotes I highlighted because they just hit so hard and overall it's just an amazing addition to this series.

The only qualm I have with this book is that a couple of times the writing felt a bit off, sort of like it was a draft of something she wanted to write. In saying this, I only encountered this around 3-5 times so it didn't really bother me that much in general. And the main issue that I had with the dragon's promise, which was that there was too much being crammed into one book and too much action at all times, wasn't an issue in this either.

I'm so insanely grateful that I've been able to read this book and also the dragon's promise before their release, I love being in this world so much and although I don't really know what she could expand on, I do hope Elizabeth Lim returns to this world and writes more of these characters we know and love.


Final rating: 4.75⭐ rounded up

I didn't read Six Crimson Cranes, and it speaks for the author that one doesn't need to to understand the worldbuilding or follow the story.
I love fairytales, retellings, and curses, so from the start I was hooked although the beginning was a little slow. The premise of Channis curse was also interesting.
Lim's writing is superb, she emerges her readers into her world with adorbable details.
The first 70% were amazing, I especially loved the quest feel of the nook, but later on the fight scenes were a little repetitive and overall there were too much in total for the length of the book. I ended up skipping some fighting near the end, which is actually supposed to be the grand finale. I loved that Channis and Vannas love was the Center, though I did like her love interest. I expected a happy ending for only one of the,, what I didn’t expect was that neither gets one. I think that made the book end on a sadder note than it needed to be, which could’ve easily been fixed if we got a epilogue where the sister meet in the afterlife or are reborn together as that’s what Vanna promised Channi, to wait for her, so we could’ve seen them get the happy life together they wanted so much, but that’s personal preference, so I didn’t let that drag my rating down.

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim is an exquisite and enchanting tale. Lim's writing is lyrical and evocative, painting vivid images of the characters and the world they inhabit. The author's attention to detail and her ability to craft atmospheric settings add an immersive quality to the story, making it easy to lose oneself within its pages. Channi is a remarkable protagonist whose strength and resilience leap off the pages. Despite the cruelty and prejudice she faces, she refuses to succumb to despair. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to embrace her own worth and find the beauty within herself. Vanna, on the other hand, is a complex character torn between duty and her own desires. Lim deftly tackles themes of identity, self-acceptance, and the importance of looking beyond appearances. The narrative also incorporates elements of classic tales like Beauty and the Beast and Helen of Troy, adding layers of depth and familiarity that will resonate with readers. Overall, Her Radiant Curse is an absolute triumph—a spellbinding blend of fantasy, romance, and folklore. Lim's storytelling prowess is on full display, as she takes readers on an unforgettable journey filled with danger, sacrifice, and the enduring power of sisterhood.

<i>I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Please keep in mind this is 5th book in the 'Blood of Stars' universe, but at the same time the earliest one chronologically. If it's hard to understand, imagine 'Shadowhunters chronicles' order of reading kind of problem. I'm writing this review as a person who already read all the others in the series, but that doesn't mean you couldn't start Elizabeth's fantasy world adventure with this one. Do as you like! You can read it chronologically starting with this one, then following Shiori's adventure and later Maia's, but you could also read them in the order they're published (Maia-Shiori-Channari). Choice is yours ^^ just be aware there might be spoilers in this review for the later adventures in Blood of Stars universe.

Back to the review - oh boii, I was so excited for this one! I'm a sucker for all the original characters of Elizabeth Lim, and hearing we're getting Raikama prequel I couldn't contain myself 2023 will be another year blessed by Blood-of-Stars book. And although it didn't mark my 100% perfect score, I've really enjoyed reading abouth young Raikama's "fall".

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<b>"For so many years, I've been focused on saving her life. I forget how many times, in little ways, she's saved mine."</b>
Right from the beginning we get to see the very origin of how Her Radiance came to be who she is. Being the older sister, she's amazed with the toddler wiggling by her dying mother. Sacrifice had to be made, but because of the inner light baby shone with it was Channari who's offered to the merciless god by her father. She survives the night, but becomes scared with snake's face and blood full of deadly venom. Thou she's alive, it was at that moment her life itself became hell. Ostracized from the society and her own family, except her sister, and her mother already in heaven she was lackig human friends. But who need humans when you're "blessed" with snake's face given by the snake king himself? Channari found her own society within snakes themselves. Her life wouldn't be so bad this way, if only her sister wasn't a perfect mare to be sold for marriage. Things get complicated when several mighty bachelors arrive, and auction her off to the most cruel one. Channari took this case into her own hands revealing her monstrous look and standing up for her sister in a fight. Althou she won, they get separated, one leaves with charming prince to become princess, other is being sold as new champion to a menagerie of a foreign queen.

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<b>"If people want to be afraid of your face, let them be. Why should you be the one who's afraid?"</b>
Channari thought she'd always be the unwanted freebie coming with her sister in a deal package, but turns out her monstrous face grabbed attention of a cruel king adding her to his champion lineup alongside half-dragon-half-demon which she gets to kinda befriend. If you're an avid Elizabeth Lim reader you might've noticed how we get a splendid squad of characters with each story, so this not so heavenly dragon completes the team for her radiant curse -- Channari, her BFF snake and this dragon on their way to save the radiant sister from being shut down on the day of her 17th birthday, as it was foretold by the merciless god when she spared Channari's life, as <i>one sister must fall for the other one to rise.</i>

<img src="https://media.tenor.com/N6ipXeAVSbsAAAAd/love-between-fairy-and-devil-dylan-wang.gif" width="400" height="auto" alt="description"/>
<b>"<i>Are you all right? Normally I can sleep through a monsoon,</i> he says, <i>but you... you were screaming."</i></b>
If you've read <i>The Dragon's Promise</i> you might recall a grumpy dragon Khramelan and how he had some past with Her Radiance. I'm really glad we got to see what really happened between them all these years ago, and what exactly caused the whole grudge that made him suffer for so long. If you're looking for romance in this story, you might find some echo of it right here, but I'd rather say that Lim focused on spinning the sisters tale rather than havng some lovey-dovey content we got from other OTP of her series. To say the least - get ready for a waterfall of adventure, with a few drops of delicious flirting-by-teasing.

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<b>"What do you know of Kiata? The kingdom of the crimson crane."</b>
What do I say, we all know we're all here for the prequel-to-six-crimson-cranes aspect. And friends, Elizabeth did deliver. Ofc at the time of these events happening Shiori is just a baby shrimp in her palace at the other end of the world, making everyone's life brighter since de*th of her mother, but we do het to see the emperor's curious advances on her radiance. And the way Kiata content got introduced and wrapped made my cry tears of pure happpiness and anger, considering later events. Don't get me wrong, I found it really beautiful, I just had to have mixed emotions because life's all about up and downs. Anywa, it was PERFECT and I couldn't imagine better introduction than this. My only complain would be about "artificial" way Raikama ended things and called herself iconic Radiance just so it would be a puzzle-perfect-fit with six crimson cranes. It could've been done smoother, but at least it was done the way it makes most sense.

To sum up, I'm still very in love with this universe, and forever grateful that althou it's explored backwardly it's explored and widened anyway because I'm in a NEED to read each book with all the others surrounding me so I could look up every connection between them - it's so! much! fun! All the fates intertwined between different stories to be woven into beautiful story. I wouldn't mind getting another spin-off, so for now I'lll just sit in the corner, leaving the door open, hoping one day I'll hear through them another tale is being spinned within 'Bloof of Stars'.
4.25/5 from me!

HUGE Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating:5/5
First of all, let's take a moment to appreciate the stunning cover..... The color scheme, the details, the snake and the tiger.... it's perfection!
Favorite quote: “Find the light that makes your lantern shine. Hold on to it, even when the dark surrounds
you. Not even the strongest wind will blow out the flame.”
I adore Elizabeth Lim's works for their whimsical quality and studio-ghibli kind of vibes. That, combined with her beautiful writing style, makes them a truly delightful read!
The moment I finished reading the SCC duology, I immediately craved more from the characters. Princess Shiori was a great MC, but it was Raikama who stuck with me. 'Her Radiant Curse' is the story of Raikama, the Nameless Queen(whose original name was Channari) and not-really-evil queen from Six Crimson Cranes.
I loved the bond and the heartwarming interactions between the sisters -Channi, cursed to have a hideous face resembling a serpent, and Vanna, the golden one, whose radiance is adored by all. The book is packed with rich world-building and fast-paced adventure, and also contains splendid descriptions of mouthwatering dishes, pristine forests, islands and temples and much, much more. It's a very visual book and a treat to immerse yourself into.
Seamlessly blending elements incorporated form Western tales like Helen of Troy and Beauty and the Beast as well as Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim weaves a breathtaking tale of the bond of sisterhood and the sacrifices we make for the ones we love. The book had me SOBBING by the end. I wasn't prepared for how devastated I'd be, although I knew the sisters' fate having read the SCC Duology. I'd definitely read anything that Elizabeth Lim writes next!!

i really llive elizabeth lim and her stories because it always creates a sense of wonder about the fantastical elements and the turmoil for the characters.

i cannot believe the ending because it wasn't very happy. in fact it was very unhappy and sad. however it was very in line with the characters and their arc throughout the book. this was very important because many times, authours make their characters do surprising things that come across as weird.


i thought channi's journey around the novel was quite sad but admirable. i really liked it.

i wished we could see more of the book's world because it seems to be quite exciting.

Actually liked this more than Six Crimson Cranes! It's everything I hoped for and more. From page one my heart was aching and breaking for Channari. The side characters are also amazing. I want more!

Actually liked this more than Six Crimson Cranes! I’m not really much of a YA reader anymore but this fairy tale esque story of sisterhood and fortitude was utterly compelling. Lim’s writing is as lovely as ever and overall this was a very satisfying read.

Thank you Netgalley, Elizabeth Lim, and Hodder & Stoughton for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

“A promise is not a kiss in the wind Channi, it is a piece of yourself that is given away and will not return until your pledge is fulfilled.”

"Her Radiant Curse" by Elizabeth Lim is, a spin off to the "Six Crimson Cranes" focusing on Shiori's stepmother Channi and her sister Vanni before "Six Crimson Cranes."

I would give "Her Radiant Curse" by Elizabeth Lim a 4-star review because, I loved learning more about Channi, I love the idea of two sisters one blessed and the other cursed, Lim wrote this novel wonderfully, and I liked how it stayed true from Six Crimson Cranes.

“A promise is not a kiss in the wind Channi, it is a piece of yourself that is given away and will not return until your pledge is fulfilled.”

Her Radiant Curse takes us into the life of a character before Six Crimson Cranes and delves deeper into the background of which was just touched on. Elizabeth again tells a beautiful tale that brings together threads from Asian folk tales and Beauty and the Beast and explores the infinite depths of love between two sisters. Channi who was cursed by the Demon Witch, will do anything to protect her blessed sister Vanna. Elizabeth creates dazzling images with her words and you can almost smell the greenery and feel your feet immerse in a pond. Channi is a well-developed character who is judged for her appearance and you feel her pain of not looking “normal”. This forces her to find her own family to weather life’s hardships with, and the banter between her and Ukar is charming and funny. Her love for Vanna shines through her every action and has you deeply invested in her quest to keep Vanna safe.

It’s an amazing credit to Elizabeth’s skill that despite knowing how the story ends, she still has you wishing that somehow it could be different, that maybe something changes and the end isn’t the end. And in a way, it does exactly that and calms the disquiet that has persisted since Six Crimsons Cranes.

If you are a fan of heartwarming, heartbreaking stories and worldbuilding and magic systems that flow together across different yet interlinking stories, then definitely add this to your TBR. Especially if you’ve already read the Six Crimson Cranes duology and are craving more of that world. However if you have not, perhaps pick up that up first as I feel that would have the most impact.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for allowing me the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Ever since I've read The Dragon's Promise, and got a glimpse of Channari's backstory, I was dying for more tales about her. When Elizabeth Lim announced Her Radiant Curse, I was so happy, and even more when I was gifted the chance to read it early.
And it's everything I hoped for and more. From page one my heart was aching and breaking for Channari. The girl with the snake face and the oh so human heart. The monster that is an utterly good person and queen in her own rights. Driven by the love for her sister and by so many self-doubts, she always tries to do what is right and what protects those she loves.
The side characters are also amazing, not one of them I didn't love (or loved to hate).
Knowing what will happen later - with it being a prequel of sorts - takes away nothing of the story. On the contrary, it even adds to the overall narrative, and made me wanna reread Six Crimson Cranes.
I want more! There is still time and space for more stories of Channari right? Right??

5/5 stars

Thank you so much @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the eARC!

An other fantastic read!


"Her Radiant Curse" is a spin-off of the Six Crimsen Cranes series by Elizabeth Lim and tells the story of Channi.

With "Her Radiant Curse" the author has once again proven that she is a master at creating fantastic worlds. I slid into the story blind and was surprised with quite a Jungle Book vibe.

The story focuses a lot on Channi and her relationship with her sister Vanni. Although "A Radiant Curse" has some romantic moments, it is not a love story in the romantic sense, but one full of fantasy, curses, intrigue and family ties.

Channi is probably one of the bravest and strongest people I know. She is fierce, has a great protective instinct, and absolutely brave. O
I really like her.

Vanni is "the golden one" and is revered by the people of her village. Kings and princes travel in from distant lands to see her. She is not only a beauty on the outside, but also has a kind and radiant nature. However, I sometimes had my problems with her. She often shows herself ignorant and is very naive. But what bothered me most about her is that she never stands up for herself and Channi has to fight that battle for her.

Overall, I liked "Her Radiant Curse" and it gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review

i knew right from the start that i was going to love this book as i was obsessed with the crimson cranes duology. elizabeth lim truly has such a wonderful writing style that captivates you from the first sentence and will never leave you disappointed with what she writes.

i loved the story of vanna and channari so much. normally i am very apprehensive when it comes to prequels and spin offs but this book really stood out to me and missed the curse of the spin-off! this story is about love, not the romantic love, but the love between sisters. for a book that is so breathtakingly beautiful, it caused so much pain. there were moments where tears were streaming down by face as i was ugly crying. but i couldn’t be happier about that.

every book by lim gets better and better each time. her world building is fantastic, and even though you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover… these ones are always beautiful. there was not a dull moment in this book and i urge everyone to go and pick this up.

thank you so much to hodderscape and netgalley for allowing me to read this beautiful book prior to publication. i cannot wait to have this in my hands in august.

4.5☆

I was overjoyed when I received the arc, and I read it right away, relieved that it was better than TDP. Yes, even though HRC is no longer about Shiori but her stepmother Channi/Raikama, it had me hooked from the start. We learned more about Channi. You may have despised Channi before learning of her sacrifice to protect Shiori in SCC, but you will fall in love with her genuineness and love for her sister in HRC.

Lim's writing never ceases to amaze me with a fascinating plot and action-packed sequences that make it impossible to put down. What I like best is Channi and Vanna's sisterly bond.

There is a brief romance between Vanna and Oshli, and Channi’s first meeting with Shiori's father piqued my interest. Hokzuh, Angma, King Meguh, the serpent (whose name I forgot lol), and Channi’s father, who is crueller than Angma, all have an impact on the fast-paced plot. GREAT!

HRC retains a strong magical element, which reminds me of the white snake legend (idk if it's just me) I like the tiny details stated, such as Vanna's wooden bowl, but it reminds me of the dish used to curse Shiori; is it the same bowl? It's written from Channi's pov, therefore I know very little about Vanna. She could have fooled Channi. However, the ending made everything clear. Their sisters' love is beautiful, and it made me cry a lot. Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder for the arc! 💕

Her Radiant Curse

“A promise is not a kiss in the wind, to be thrown about without care. It is a piece of yourself that is given away and will not return until your pledge is fulfilled.”

Thank you Hodder for granting me this e-ARC. After reading SCC duology, i think this book is just right to explain Her Radiant story.

What i like about this author is that her writing is so easy to read! And suddenly you realize you have finished it. Actually, i’m a big fan of sisterhood trope. Here, Channi has a big love for her sister Vanna. She’ll do anything to protect her baby sister. But their relationship feels a bit flat. Not until the end of the story i feel touched by their sisterhood. I love Channi’s relationship with Ukar! One of my fave characters is Ukar.
I think for those who loves SCC duology, you have to read this book to know better about Raikama!

ALL THE STARS!!!!!

this was SOOO good. I had intended to read it slowly, but once i started it, i couldn’t stop reading — it was that good!!! 👏🏼
honestly, i expected nothing less from Elizabeth Lim. Her books are always the best.

the plot was very engaging and interesting. action-packed. there wasn’t a single dull moment.
friendship-based and sibling-relationship-based stories are my favourites. i love love this trope, and this book has both of them. that too, in the most heartwarming of ways!!
the relationship Channi and Vannah shared 🥺❤️ favourite part of the book.

and the characters have my heart 🥺 Channari, Vannah, Ukar, Hokzuh — all of them won my heart!!!! i really liked Raikama's character in Six Crimson Cranes and reading her tale was a delight.

thanks so much to the publisher and netgalley for the free copy.

ps. i don’t know if we are supposed to mention this, but i will mention it any way that i noticed editing mistakes in the arc.

A new Elizabeth Lim novel? You can bet that I hit that request button the moment I saw it.
I don’t trust spin offs. They rarely reach the original. But I only expect the best from Lim and this spin off from Six Crimson Cranes was truly wonderful. It follows the story of the sisters Vanna and Channari, one blessed, the other cursed.

From the very first page I was entranced with the story. It’s a wonderful one, a story about love. It’s not a romance, even though there are romantic aspects in it, but a story of sisterly love and it was heartbreaking and like a warm hug at the same time.
The story of Channi and Vanna is both beautiful and tragic. Readers of Six Crimson Cranes will already know the bones of it, but to read it as a whole novel was amazing and heartbreaking at once. There is magic and dragons, betrayal and trust, islands and jungles and snakes and tigers.

I loved all the characters. Channi is fierce and wild, a serpent queen. But she’s also protective and a loving sister, as well as an insecure girl, knowing that she’ll never be accepted by the world. Vanna is so sweet, both blessed and cursed at the same time and also loves her sister fiercely.
There are other characters as well, awesome ones, lovely ones, tragic and terrible ones. Even the evil characters were amazing and I kind of loved them as well.

Lim’s writing is beautiful as always. I love the incorporation of Asian mythology and the descriptions are so wonderful and lovely. It feels like an Asian fairytale, all magical and glowing. Her writing style is the thing I love probably the most of her books.

Another thing I want to point out is how amazingly Lim incorporates food into the story. I’m a complete sucker for novels with lots of tasty food and just like her other books, this one made me so hungry. Pandan and coconut cakes, mangosteens and rambutans, shrimp noodles and ginger rice. I wish more fantasy books would go for something fancier than bread with cheese and maybe some roasted meat.

The ending was both lovely and utterly heartbreaking and almost made me cry.
This is a truly wonderful story for anyone who’s interested in the story of Channari and Vanna, but I definitely recommend to read Six Crimson Cranes first, as there are spoilers for the duology in this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder&Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.