Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.

The thing about Elizabeth Lim's writing is that it's incredibly whimsical and immersive. I might now like her plot or her characters, but her world will always get me. This book is no difference: I love the setting of the world and of the story. The story's exposition got me invested in Channi's journey, who I really liked at the beginning. Everything down to the 30% mark was a five-star to me.

But as the story progresses, I must confess: I couldn't care less about Vanna and the "sisterly bond", which is the driving point of the plot. I was bored with the endless actions that felt very repeated at some point, and frustrated with Channi's decisions.

See, I think this is more of a "me-not-you" thing because I have been noticing recently that I empathize less and less with the protagonist of YA Fantasy. Maybe it's because of my age (lol) or my taste shifting towards "adult" fiction, but I am increasingly annoyed towards the "righteous hero mentality". I will not detail the events because of spoilers, but Channi "betrayed" people who have risked their lives helping her for the sake of her sister, who, I must say, did nothing to save Channi from the abuse and insults.

Nevertheless, this book got a 4-stars from me because of the last three chapters. It was beautifully heartwrenching, and it really got me to appreaciate the character of Raikama more (Six Crimson Cranes). Overall, if you like Lim's previous works, you would like this one too.

Bottom-line: I still think that Channi is a very well-constructed character: she's strong, stubborn, and brave while still being humane/soft in certain moments; it's just her actions that sometimes exaperate me (her every decision is based around her sister, who I dislike).

In Italiano nei commenti 🇮🇹

🐍I was not born a monster. People forget that. 🐍

🐍Most of the times when you already know the ending the prequels are not necessary but there are times in which they just add depth to the story we already know. I had already met Channi in the Six Crimson Cranes dilogy and even though I knew she wouldn’t have an happy ending I still found myself rooting for her and Vanna and hoping for a different ending. The bond that unites the two sisters is so well described that you can feel the affection that binds the two sisters and how it manages to endure despite being constantly tested.
Moreover, the book managed to show me the compassionate , loyal and determined side of the girl who later becomes Raikama and thus make me understand the choices she will make in the future .

🐍As always Lim's world building is magical and evocative and perfectly interweaves Asian mythology with fantasy thus managing to create a gentle fairy tale full of adventures,friendships and family.

☀️In conclusion I loved Her Radiant Curse: it is a wonderfully tragic story that made my heart clench to see Channi lose what she has always loved and made me several times wish it could have had a different ending. I am therefore glad to had the opportunity to learn Channi's story and I can say that Her Radiant Curse is the author's book that i loved most.

Thanks to netgalley for the arc copy✨

Headlines:
The Snake Queen
Outcast
Connected to Six Crimson Cranes world

I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the Six Crimons Cranes world; it's an interconnected standalone that you could just read without the previous duology. That said, if you've read that duology, you get to know the life prior of an important character from those stories...and I loved that.

Lim has a way of incorporating the concept of 'beauty' or perceived 'ugliness' and being an outcast in her stories in a way that I really appreciated. Channari's beauty is lost at a young age and she is the sister to a legendary beauty. These contrasts, Channari's gracious love for her sister and her love returned is a core part of this story. Channari is an excellent morally grey character, pulling you in with her loyalty, love and dark side.

What makes this book rich and deep are the companions in the shape of a special snake and dragon prince. Honestly, those two characters were so good and their friendship with Channari were everything. The story took the reader on journeys geographically as well as figuratively and no journey in fantasy would be complete without a serious baddie...tiger-witch-demon.

This story swept me away, kept me glued and I was so glad to have that extra story in a world that I thought was complete. It was definitely the story I didn't know I needed. I'm left with feelings of longing for Hokzur (forever).

Thank you Hodderscape for the review copy.

Elizabeth's writing keeps getting better and better. I've read all of her book by now and I'm always surprised at her way of tellings stories. Channari and Vanna's story definitely left me with tears on my eyes and just like Channi I would also protect my siblings with my own life if necessary. Another favourite for sure!!

This book broke me. I thought that I would be okay. I knew how it ended from reading Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon's Promise. I was prepared. Or at least I thought I was. In reality it was so intensely tragic.

The thing I loved most about it was all the little nods to Six Crimson Cranes. The bowl that Vanna sleeps with over her breast to stop the light keeping her awake. Shiori's father coming to see Vanna and offering a crane sculpture. All of it made me so happy, because I loved Six Crimson Cranes so much.

I was really worried it wouldn't live up to my expectations, but it did. It may not have been as perfect as Six Crimson Cranes, but it stood out as a book in it's own right and had the beautiful writing style that I've come to expect from Elizabeth Lim. I loved Channi's character, so different from Shiori, but still someone you could really like and root for.

Honestly it was better than I ever could have hoped for a prequel.

"Never will I apologize for being the monster they made me."

her radiant curse is a prequel to the six crimson cranes duology. it could also be read as a standalone but i think you'll appreciate everything much more if you already know the character from the original story.

the beginning was a bit slow-paced but once it got going, the story became captivating and enthralling. it was adventurous and magical all the same. i'm so glad we got to explore the world a bit more as the story took place in different locations this time.

i just have to say i love the way elizabeth lim writes familial relationships. her portrayal of sibling relationships was already very touching in six crimson cranes, and i was just as moved here. the bond between the two sisters was very heartwarming. channi's driving force throughout the whole book is her love for vanna and her desire to protect her, so it was really easy to root for channi, but i wish we could've gotten to know vanna a bit more.

"Butterflies celebrate all love, Channi, because every love is precious. And mine for you, above all. That love is forever."

also, if you liked the friendship between shiori and kiki in six crimson cranes, i am sure you'll love channi and ukar, her serpent best friend, too :) the callbacks to the duology were beautiful and made me so happy!

"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."

highly recommend this book if you liked six crimson cranes! it's a wonderful addition to the story and gives insight into the fascinating character of shiori's stepmother while exploring more of this magical world that elizabeth lim has created.

thank you to netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars I absolutely loved this book. It was so beautiful and filled with magic in every page. I'm in awe of Elizabeth Lim's writing and I literally cannot wait to read more from her. Full review to come soon!

An amazing and incredible prequel to six crimson cranes.
We knew it would be good. But it was better than expected!
Has everything the other books has and more. Lim is one of those authors you crave to read.

Elizabeth Lim has honestly become an auto buy author for me because she has such a beautiful voice when she writes. I loved Six Crimson Cranes so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book and let me say that this book did not disappoint.

Her Radiant Curse follows the story of Channi, after her dying mother gives birth to her sister, Vanna, her father leaves her as a sacrifice to the demon witch in order to save his wife. However, after Channi is bitten by a snake, the demon witch curses her with the face of a serpent. But as her sister is due to turn 17, Channi must do anything she can to protect her sister from the suitors that her father is trying to seek her off too, as well as the demon witch who who stop at nothing to kill Vanna.

Sometimes a prequel can feel unnecessary, especially when you already know the ending but this more about the journey that Channi takes to become that person we know all too well in Six Crimson Cranes, And even though I knew how the book was going to end, I was still rooting for Channi and Vanna. Their family bond is so well written, you could feel the love between the two and how it persevered throughout their lives, You also become to appreciate more of Channi’s character so much more. You can understand why she became the character she did within Six Crimson Cranes.

The world building is absolutely top tier, one that Elizabeth Lim never fails at. It makes me more and more excited to finally get round to reading ‘The Blood of Stars’ duology. You can’t help but be drawn in from the start.

The only issue I had was trying to visualise what Hokzuh looked like based on his descriptions, But that can easily be fixed by looking at some fan art. I would absolutely recommend to anyone who loves

Thank you to NetGalley for proving me with a ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I received this book as an e-arc by NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton/ Hodderscape in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

« I was not born a monster. People forget that. »

Rating: 4⭐️
Genre: Teen & YA
Pages: 432
Series: Prequel to the Six Crimson Cranes duology

When I saw this book available, I was excited. I had planned to read the SCC duology this month and thought this would be perfect to read before!

Elizabeth Lim has a beautiful voice when she writes. She is known for her Asian mythology/fantasy and she does it again in this book. From the start, I was hooked. I loved how she writes and as I have not read SCC, I am so curious to see where the story goes from here!

The story is narrated by Channi who is cursed as a child to have the face of a snake by a demon witch. This is done because her father tries to sacrifice her instead of her sister. Her sister Vanna, is born with light in her chest and her dad decides not to sacrifice it but the witch is not happy. Channis bitten by the snake king in an attempt to help her since his poison protects hers from the demon witch. When Channi is cursed, the witch tells her she will come back on her sister's 17th birthday. She then spends the rest of her life preparing herself for that day. The sisters are incredibly close and the story starts right before Vannas 17th birthday as Channi continues to prepare for the day she will meet the demon witch again.

I was never bored while reading and I enjoyed the descriptive writing. Even though it is over 400 pages, I read it rather quickly. I was hooked right away and didn’t want to put the book down. I was even crying by the end of the book as I was so invested. I enjoyed it and think it would be one that everyone would enjoy!

I went back and forth between 4 and 5 stars for this book. I picked four stars so I can read the duology first. I still loved this book and highly recommend it to all!

« Only it was not my sister that he took into the jungle. It was me. »

5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an e-ARC copy. All thoughts are my own.

As I expected, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Captivatingly tragic, this prequel to Six Crimson Cranes tells the story of Channari, and all that it took for her to become Her Radiance as known in the main series. I grew quite fond of Raikama in SCC that I eagerly awaited this release, and it didn't let me down at all.

Even with the knowledge that things must go poorly for Channari in the end, I was hopeful for her and how hard she fought for her sister Vanna. I actually found myself not a huge fan of her sister - and her father is a real piece of work - but the way Channi would go to the ends of the earth to protect her was praiseworthy. She's easily relatable and admirable for how much she's had to endure and hasn't entirely turned against her family. I also like the comparison of her heart, and how much it hopes and wants compared to the likes of the other entities around her, especially Hokzuh.

Once again, along with family ties being stronger than love, I do like the friendship that is built between characters. That Channari has such kindness towards the captured demons and beasts, her budding connection with Hokzuh, and her long-standing alliance with the snakes and Ukar - it's all so heart-warming. This is a trait of the main series that I liked a lot, so I'm glad to see it return in this story. I also enjoyed the moral ambiguity of the characters, and how Hokzuh, Angma, and even Channi all have done things because they're desperate for what they hope and dream of. The villains of this story are just as tragic as Channi's journey, and I felt really sad for Hokzuh's ending in this.

The world-building is sumptuous and feels just as dangerous as Channari experiences it to be. I've read two series by this author, and have come to expect immersive settings, magical prose, and enchanting descriptions that place the reader in the world. I experienced this again with Her Radiant Curse and was very pleased with the rich depictions of the jungle and the places Channari travels to off her homeland.

Whilst the romance sub-plot remained as such throughout, I enjoyed it and appreciated the way it shaped Channari. It's beautifully tragic and I mourned Channi's loss of love, something she had wanted so much for herself. Knowing how she ended up in Kiata after is bittersweet, and yet, I'm grateful that she was given what she craved so much. The epilogue is poignant to the reader who is well-acquainted with how Shiori feels about her stepmother. I truly wish things could have been different for Channi in many ways. Yet I'm equally grateful Lim gave us insight into this character's backstory and all the easter eggs that are shared for readers of the main series were rewarding.

I really liked all the Asian mythology and how Channari evolves despite all the misfortunes that befall her.
The story is good, although the writing is a bit chaotic. I have the feeling that the descriptions of the characters contradict each other as well as the actions that are happening.
There are some very detailed descriptions and others very little that left me confused. I don't quite get this author's writing style, but over all was a okey book.

Elizabeth Lim has become an auto-read author. Whenever I see a new book written by her on Netgalley I press the request button before even checking what the book is about. I kinda understood, due to the cover design, that this book was linked to Six Silver Cranes. It took me however way too long, that's what you get for not checking the summary, to understand that this is a prequel! However, I was really happy that Hodder & Stouthton granted me a review copy.

In a way we already know how this book is gonna end when we start it. After all, we already met the heroine in the duology and we heard some glimpses of her story there. But hearing about it and living it are two entirely different things. I really loved that the author took the time to write down this complete story. Not only does it paint a much clearer picture of her character. It's also a wonderful and touching story about love and wishes.

From the very start the magic is very present in this book. Everything is magic. At times that makes the book feel a little overwhelming. There's so much going on. There are so many characters involved. The characters take a lot of detours and have to complete a lot of side quest. And yet the book never feels chaotic or all over the place. On the contrary. The book reads like a fairytale. Just one without a happily ever after.

I also really loved the heroine in this story. Since I didn't realize it was a prequel for a long time I started this storsy without any prejudice. And because of everything that happens, because of everything that's being done to our heroine and her sister, I did understand why she eventually became the character we meet in the duology. And I could only feel very very sad. Sad about the person she could have been. Sad about the person she was forced to become.

I hope the author will return to this world once more. There must be more stories to tell, right?

The whole concept that one sister must fall for the other to rise is great. The sisters contrast so much and the bond between them is explored well. There’s plenty of Asian folklore woven throughout the story and elements of Beauty and the Beast. The witches and magical systems are enchanting. The FMC Channi is a delight to read, her adventures and battles seem endless. The animals in this book are beautifully presented. Channis relationships with them are what made this book for me. The conversations she has with her snake friend are lovely and witty. The snakes sixth sense part made me laugh.
Overall a charming book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an E-ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

While knowing the story behind this from the synopsis and having read Six Crimson Cranes duology, I still felt it was a little pointless in the beginning. Most of the start of this book was explained in the duology, and it didn't really add to the characters having it recited again.

However, as the story progressed, and we learnt more about Channari's journey and motivations, the full picture was weaved, and I came to appreciate her character so much more in-depth.

It's an incredible story about the love and devotion between sisters and how far someone is willing to go, what they will sacrifice, for the person they love most. It's a beautiful story with a heartwarming ending.

While it adds little to the duology, it is a fitting prequel that captures everything you would desire from it.

What can’t Elizabeth Lim do? Her world building is top tier. Her characters are phenomenal and the entire storyline is just so engaging. Am I a No.1 fan? Yes

I was so excited to read this book because of the hype that THE DRAGON PROMISE created but sadly it didn't turn out that well.

There was so much repetitive description about Channi's sister like she is so bright, she is so beautiful, she has some charming heart . I was fed up with this description.

The plot was interesting I think but still it fails to engage and I was skipping and flipping the pages to reach the end.

In the end, this book isn't for me.

**Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this eARC. All thoughts are my own.**

After reading Six Crimson Cranes & A Dragon's Promise last year, when I heard we were going to get Channi's story, I was so thrilled.
This book did not disappoint. I loved every second of reading this, so much so that I finished it in one day.
This tale is about two sisters, one golden, beautiful, and full of light, and the other is called a monster, for she has the eyes of a snake, and scales on her face to match.
When Channi's sister was born her father took her to the jungle and left her for dead, to sacrifice her to the witch Angma in hopes it would save his wife, but Channi was spared and left with a disfigured face. The serpent king gave her gifts, as Angma swore she would return for her sister Vanna on her seventeenth birthday.

I adored the magical elements of this story and the friendships Channi makes along the way. The connections she forges even when she feels she has no one. The love she has for her sister is the one thing that keeps her going.
Her life isn't easy, and her journey reflects that, but I'm so glad we got to hear her story.
She was one of my favourite characters in the Six Crimson Cranes duology.
This book made me cry. It is a heartbreaking, and sad story, but also one of resilience, strength, and courage, as she fights to save her sister, and discovers her true self along the way.
5 out of 5 stars!

Elizabeth Lim strikes again. As a massive Lim fan prior to Her Radiant Curse, I had pretty high expectations but boy was I blown out of the water! Lim's prose is as whimsical as ever, immersing you straight into the world and not letting you go.

The best element of this book is the relationship between Channi and Vanna's relationship. As someone who doesn't have sisters, I could feel the love between the two and how it has persevered throughout their varying lives and of one being too beautiful and one not being beautiful enough by their society's standards.

This book is hugely successful for either giving existing fans of the Six Crimson Cranes duology extra intriguing background of a character they know, or for readers like me who have not read the duology yet (though I have read the Spin the Dawn series, thankfully).

My one issue, which may be on my behalf, is that I couldn't fully visualise Hokzuh based on the descriptions alone until I saw the promotional art. Otherwise, an incredible read!

I suppose it must be said that the mysterious origins of the Nameless Queen in Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon's Promise was intriguing enough that I requested Her Radiant Curse when I saw it on NetGalley, even though I've been telling myself to stop picking up ARCs when I have no time to write reviews.

Here is the story of the two sisters, one beautiful and one hideous, and how their very existence changed the world. It is, thankfully, not one of sibling rivalry and resentment because of the disparity of how they're treated, but one where the two sisters love each other so much that they would give up their own lives for the other.

It is a story that deals a lot with the idea of beauty - how one is treated because of how they look, the expectations and burdens of both beauty and ugliness. Whilst the focus is on Channi as the protagonist, it is also about Vanna and how the beautiful sister has to always act in acceptable ways because everyone expects it of her. It brings to mind Isabela Madrigal from Encanto.

There are beautiful and touching moments in Her Radiant Curse and I think that the relationships in the book are the core of what kept me reading, from Channi and Vanna's special bond, to Channi's close friendship with Ukar and her tumultuous alliance (frenemyship? lol) with Hokzuh. Unfortunately, for it being written in first person from Channi's POV, I did not really like Channi very much at all - which, I suppose, is the reason for this rather detached review.

I will have to say the ending was great though.

Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.