Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim is a prequel to the best selling Six Crimson Cranes duology, telling the story of Channi who readers of the duology will know as Raikama. Channi/Raikama has an integral role in Six Crimson Cranes, which I will not say more about here to avoid spoilers for new readers, but in Her Radiant Curse we really get to see another side of her, and see how her life has often been shaped by forces beyond her control .
Her Radiant Curse is the story of two sisters, and fate has decreed that one must fall for the other to rise, but the bond of sisterhood is strong, and neither is willing to see the other fall.
Channi is sacrified by her father in an attempt to save her mother who has almost died in childbirth. The demon witch Angma is disappointed however, she was expecting to receive the blood of the new born baby Vanna, and when the Serpent King bites Channi the witch is further thwarted in her plans. Instead of killing Channi she curses her with the face of a serpent, and leaves her there for her father to find. Disgusted by her new appearance, he insists on hiding her away to ensure that she does not damage the marriage prospects of Vanna , his beautiful golden child. As the years pass Vanna is the only one who sees beauty in Channi , and in turn she is the only one that Channi cares about. Years pass and Vanna comes of age, meaning that it is time for her to be married off to a suitable suitor, but when it seems likely that the cruellest of the suitors will prevail, Channi is forced to reveal herself as she tries to fight him off. This unleashes a catastrophic chain of events that will see Channi captured and forced into a gladiatorial style combat arena, but will also introduce her to an enemy that could become a friend, and force her to embark on a quest for revenge that will put both Vanna and herself at risk from an old enemy.
This book reads like an epic adventure tale, full of drama and tension, and I found myself falling in love with the characters, especially Channi and her reptilian and sarcastic sidekick Ukar . The book is an emotional read, this author is certainly not afraid to tug at the heartstrings , and it is a testament to how well she has crafted the characters that the reader feels like they are experiencing the highs and lows alongside them. Even though I had read the Six Crimson Cranes books, and so knew to some degree what the outcome of this book must be I never felt like that detracted from the tension of the story or my enjoyment of the book .
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own,

Firstly I just want to thank the author/publisher and NetGalley for accepting my requests to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon’s Curse - I felt like they were very whimsical and magical and the end of TDC hit me so hard in the feels so I had a good feeling about this book

And for the most part I was right! This was a fast paced and fun and engrossing book that kept me glued to the page from start to finish.

However

I am a sook, and didn’t click with which character we were following, and the ending as beyond depressing for me - especially when we see what happens in SCC.

I felt like this book was almost useless in that nothing we are reading and hoping for really happens - it’s just grim and disappointing. I would not want to reread that ending again…. Like ever.

SO

I know the others will LOVE this - and I feel like it’s a bit harsh to take off 2 stars based on my critique but the lasting impression of a book is what I think is most important.

Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for providing an eARC to review!

Something I've really enjoyed about Elizabeth Lim books is that she always portrays her female villains with nuance. So when I heard there was going to be a prequel for the 'villain' of Six Crimson Cranes, I was really excited to see what Lim would do.

Unfortunately, I think this might be my breakup with Lim's books. I never find myself really connecting with her stories or characters, and for me this one felt especially flat. I didn't feel really invested in seeing where Channi went, though it did seem that things picked up towards the end.

I would still recommend her books as a transition point from middle grade to YA, especially with the kind of cozy fairytale vibes her stories have. But sadly I just don't find myself falling in love with her books as much as I'd hoped.

I’d like to start this review by thanking Hodderscape, Elizabeth Lim and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC to review!

Her Radiant Curse is a prequel Elizabeth Kim’s Six Crimson Cranes series, but you don’t need to have read these to enjoy this book! The story follows Channi- cursed with the face of a snake by a demon witch after her father attempts to trade her life for his wife’s, Channi has never known love or friendship. The only person who sees Channi for the person she is underneath is her beloved sister, Vanna. When Vanna is to be married off in a contest, Channi has to take desperate measures to protect her sister from the vile participants. The consequences of her actions force Channi on a quest to reunite with her sister, kill the demon witch and end her curse once and for all.

I absolutely adore the lush, immersive world that Elizabeth Lim has created and the way it is so different yet links to her world in Six Crimson Cranes. The elements of magic and all the mythological creatures were a lovely addition and made reading the book a magical experience. Also, I’m a huge fan of talking animal companions so the fact Channi can talk to snakes and is accompanied by her snake friend, Ukar, makes this book perfect. I also found the lore about the demon witch and dragon pearls fascinating and love how it is inspired by Asian myths and culture. The world is built very well, and we get to see many different parts of it throughout the book!

I think the primary relationship in this book is the sisterly bond between Channi and Vanna and I love how it was developed and tested throughout the book. The sisters are so devoted to each other and their love is a really beautiful thing to read. Channi is an amazing main character- she’s loyal and determined and honestly my heart breaks for her throughout this book. She is constantly judged, feared and outcast by everybody because of her snake face despite being a pure soul and you can feel her longing for someone to just look past her face and see the person underneath. I love her developing relationship with Hokzuh, the half-dragon who she finds herself stuck with on her quest to save her sister. They are both outcasts and, while they mistrust each other and have opposing goals, the comfort they find in each others company is quite sweet and I was always rooting for them.

Overall, this book was incredibly well written. The pace was fast enough to match the urgency of Channi’s quest but still managed to develop a lush world filled with magic. The characters ion this book are incredibly done- all cursed in their own way and I felt sympathy for almost every single one of them. I love how the ideas of sisterly-love, sacrifice and loyalty are explored and Channi’s journey really spoke to me. There are so many twists and backstories and the final twist at the end shattered my heart! I 100% recommend this book, even if you haven’t read Six Crimson Cranes!

This book is a spin-off prequel to the ‘Six Crimson Cranes’ series, and follows the epic backstory of Channari, which is very interesting, not to mention heart-wrenching

The author did an amazing job in creating a story that deliveries in terms of intriguing and artful world-building, strong characters which are worth rooting for and we want learn more about them. The author expertly tells fascinating legends.

It was a great book! If you liked the author previous works, I’m sure this book will be to your taste. It’s very action-packed, thrilling and it’s an intense fantasy experience.

Arc generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

A couple of months back, I completed the Cranes duology. One of the much better celestial mythology-inspired fantasy we have read, very much enjoyed with a good plot and nice mix of battles and drama, humour and romance. I was so pleasantly surprised to find out at that point that Elizabeth Lim will be releasing a prequel to this duology. And this time, circling around one of their titular characters.

In the Cranes duology, we were introduced to Shiori's stepmother who cursed her brothers to be cranes and for Shiori to wear an unsightly bowl, stuck over her head covering her face. We were made to see their stepmother as a serpent worshipper with witchy powers. A villian of sorts, typical stepmother outlook. But as we go on, we learn that was far from the truth. Which is what this book is all about. An epic backstory to she who was once Chiannari.

We learnt through the second Crane book that she actually had a sad past. And boyyy we are not prepared for how sad! One filled with curses and an obsessive need to protect her younger sister, Vanna, from a demon named Angma. A curse that left her with a serpent like face, while her sister shines majestically like gold. From the start, the fantasy in this was just colourfully bursting. Dragons and demons, serpents and shamans. Frustrating baddies and wholesome friendships and bonds. It had everything, an action-packed story start to finish.

This can be read on its own but I'd highly recommend to read the duology first and then move on to this. As everything comes full circle and you fully relate and understand and immerse yourself in all the anger and sadness that happens in the 3 books. If the Cranes duology had a good end, this spin off just made it fully complete. A heartbreaking tale on one's loyalty and faithfulness to the people they love, a sorrowful one filled with yearning and hope.

Thank you @netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for approving this e-arc.

Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton, NetGalley and Elizabeth Lim for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Her Radiant Curse" by Elizabeth Lim is a captivating fantasy that delves into themes of sacrifice, sisterhood, and inner strength. The story follows Channi, cursed with a serpent's face, as she fiercely protects her beautiful sister, Vanna, from a cruel betrothal contest. Lim's enchanting storytelling weaves magic, mythology, and emotion, creating a world where appearances are challenged, and the power of love shines. The narrative's pacing, rich world-building, and compelling characters make it a must-read. As Channi's journey unfolds, her resilience and devotion highlight the beauty of true inner strength.

As someone who hasn't read Six Crimson Cranes, this was a fantastic introduction into the universe. It was beautifully written and an interesting read with many twists and turns that I hadn't predicted. The characters are loveable and well-written - It was refreshing to read characters who balance the line between good and evil. The universe created by Lim is well-built, overflowing with myths and lore, creating a believable and interesting world.

Overall a worthwhile read and another stunning edition to Elizabeth Lims portfolio.

I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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

Her Radiant Curse is a prequel to the Six Crimson Cranes duology, 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. We follow Channi, who is cursed with a serpent's face after being sacrificed to the Witch to try and save her mother. She spends the next years hiding in the jungle with the other snakes, her only friends. The only human who is nice to Channi, is her sister, Vanna. Vanna is the most beautiful girl of the country and was born with a golden light shining from her.
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Her Radiant Curse was everything a prequel should be. It was a fantastic, heart-breaking story! Not only did I not want to put this book down, it made me want to immediately reread SCC.

This book is perfect for anyone that loves whimsically dark stories with mythological elements and Asian folklore, a story that - at its heart - is about the power of familial love and the strength that it can give us!
I loved everything!
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Thank to netgalley hodderscape and Elizabeth Lim for providing me with this ARC!

First of all, a thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was looking forward to reading this prequel after finishing the Six Crimson Cranes Duology.

Having been given a rough idea of what Channari's back story was from Six Crimson Cranes, aspects of this story were obvious. However, I wasn't expecting Hokzuh to play the part that he did. I also enjoyed finding out the initial part of Channi's story.

This book really picked up pace towards the end and I did enjoy the way that this story concluded. I particularly liked the friendship between Channi and Ukar. I also enjoyed reading about Channi's relationship with her sister as well.

Having read this, I find Channi's fate in Six Crimson Cranes even sadder. I enjoyed this book more than I did The Dragon's Promise and I would recommend this prequel to anyone who particularly liked Channi in Six Crimson Cranes.

Her Radiant Curse was a brilliant standalone and an amazing prequel from Six Crimson Cranes.

You don’t necessarily have to read Six Crimson Cranes before going into this as I did, but I will say that the experience of reading a tragic story when you know how it ends is very interesting and quite sad.

The writing was so great that made me care a lot for these characters, despite knowing the fate that awaited them. There’s a big sense of foreboding throughout the book and the author knew how to do it well.

This wasn’t a flawless book but it’s overall a very well rounded story that I would recommend.

maybe it was me or perhaps it was the story, I couldn't find it interesting, having read books by Elizabeth Lim I know she is a fantastic author so I know it's not badly written, it just wasn't for me.

Enthralled by Enchantment – A Review of "Her Radiant Curse" ARC by Elizabeth Lim

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

"Her Radiant Curse" by Elizabeth Lim is an enchanting journey that captures the heart and mind, weaving an intricate tapestry of plot, magic, and profound themes. From its captivating storyline to the richly developed world of mythology and magic, this book is a masterpiece that leaves readers awestruck.

The plot of "Her Radiant Curse" is a mesmerizing dance between light and shadow, following the life of the protagonist, Channari, as she navigates a world of secrets and deceptions. The pacing is expertly crafted, effortlessly blending moments of tension and calm, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Lim's skillful storytelling breathes life into the characters, making their struggles and triumphs deeply resonant. As the layers of the plot unfold, it's impossible not to be drawn into the characters' emotions, feeling their joys and pains as if they were your own.

One of the book's most captivating aspects is the magic, which is both innovative and rooted in folklore. The intricacies of the magical arts are unveiled gradually, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the wonder of the world Lim has created. The manipulation of energy feels natural and enthralling, making the magic as much a character as the protagonists themselves.

The mythology surrounding snakes and dragons adds a layer of depth that is both fascinating and symbolic. Lim masterfully incorporates these mythical creatures into the narrative, infusing them with significance beyond their appearances. The symbolism of transformation, rebirth, and hidden power draws parallels to the characters' personal growth, making every encounter with these creatures a revelation.

At the heart of "Her Radiant Curse" lies a powerful and relevant message: "Don't judge a book by its cover." As the characters navigate a world where appearances can be deceiving, including her own, they learn the importance of understanding, empathy, and looking beyond the surface. This moral underpinning resonates deeply, reminding us all of the value of seeing others for who they truly are.

In conclusion, "Her Radiant Curse" is a triumph of storytelling, blending an enthralling plot, a unique magic system, captivating mythological elements, and a poignant message. Elizabeth Lim's exquisite prose and world-building skills are on full display, creating a reading experience that is nothing short of magical. This book is a must-read for anyone who seeks a tale of adventure, self-discovery, and the power of sisterly love.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I couldn't put it down!

I liked this. but some things were nagging at my mind co I couldn't give this 5 stars.

1. I'm just so tired of how the author torturing her MC without mercy YET AGAIN, where they're almost completely helpless and just followed the drastic plot. Let's focus on Channari this time because this is her story. For example: She was ambushed! sure she attempted to break free! But then something distracted her so the evil guy got her anyway!!
2. the annoying, arrogant entitled men who create the conflicts OMG and this book not only has 1 but THREE OF THEM.
3. the demons superstitions nonsense my God pls give it a rest.

But sure, the connections to Six Crimson Cranes duology were pleasant. The Epilogue made me weep a bit but that's that.

Danke an Netgally für dieses Buch ♡

Ich hab bis jetzt alle Bücher von Lim in diesem "Universum" gelesen. Six Crimson Cranes ist und bleibt dabei mein liebstes. Alle anderen habe ich ehrlicher Weise nicht sonderlich gemocht. Was mir vor allem nicht gefällt ist, dass Lim in ihren Dilogien in Band 2 nie etwas neues bringt. "The Dragons Promise" hab ich sogar abgebrochen, weil es mich so gelangweilt hat und quasi nur eine Wiederholung der Geschichte von "Unravel the Dusk" war. Lange Rede gar kein Sinn: Her Radiant Curse hat mir gerade deswegen gefallen, weil es ein EINZELBAND ist.

Nun zum Buch selbst. Klar haben wir auch hier die bekannten Strukturen aus ihren vorherigen Büchern. Drachen, Dämonen, Flüche, Drachenperlen etc. Was natürlich auch Sinn macht, da dieses Buch Raikamas Vorgeschichte ist. And i love a good villain origin story.
Hier stand keine Liebesgeschichte im Vordergrund, sondern die Liebe unter Geschwistern und das hat mir richtig gut gefallen. Raikama ist eine wirklich interessante Person und ihre Vorgeschichte bricht einem ehrlich das Herz. Vor allem, weil man das Ende kennt, wenn man "Six Crimson Cranes" gelesen hat und das macht beide Bücher umso trauriger. Im Nachhinein überlege ich "The Dragons Promise" nochmal eine Chance zu geben und es fertig zu lesen, weil ich jetzt weiß was dahinter steckt. Auch "Six Crimson Cranes" würde ich gerne mit dem neuen Hintergrundwissen nochmal lesen. Falls ihr die Bücher schon gelesen habt kann ich euch dieses hier auf jeden Fall empfehlen. Aber selbst wenn nicht finde ich, dass sich das Buch auch unabhängig davon lesen lässt. Bzw. ist es sogar besser zu erst das hier zu lesen und dann die anderen beiden :)

Her Radiant Curse starts off throwing you straight into the action, with the mother of Channari (Channi) having a difficult labour whilst giving birth to Vanna, her little sister. Channi’s father does the unimaginable, he tries to sacrifice Channi to try and save the mother’s life. So, we meet Angma, the demon witch, early and within the first chapter. She vows to return for Vanna, cursing Channi’s appearance at the same time.

From chapter two we get a pretty big time skip of 17 years, and Vanna has grown into a woman of renowned beauty, whilst Channi has been hidden by her father and stepmother due to the curse. In spite of their wildly differing upbringings, the two sisters love each other unconditionally and it’s clear that Channi especially will do whatever it takes to keep Vanna safe.

One cool thing that happened when Channi was cursed is that she gained the ability to talk to snakes, which leads to a prevalent side character of Ukar, her best friend who just so happens to be a literal snake. Ukar is an adorable addition, even though he’s small he does everything to protect Channi, and she protects him as much as possible also.

There is a bit of a romance element to Her Radiant Curse, but throughout the story the emphasis remains on family and, with Ukar and other snakes, it’s really found family. When human characters found her less worthy due to her looks, the snakes saw past this and accepted her as one of her own.

There is another character from the Six Crimson Cranes duology who we find out more about, and it makes the events of The Dragon’s Promise a lot more significant.

Ultimately, if you’re already a fan of Lim’s work then Her Radiant Curse adds more depth to the existing stories and you’ll also love this instalment into the world. If you’re unfamiliar with her work then it really is an excellent starting point, and I’d highly recommend investing in the other four books at the same time!

One of the best books of 2023. This was such an amazing read, I love the other books set in this world but 'Her Radiant Curse' finally tells the story I've been waiting to hear about since 'Six Crimson Cranes.' If you want something to tear your heart out and give you background to one of Lim's best characters, I highly recommend this one! Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. 10/5 cups of coffee lolol.

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton, Hodderscape and Netgalley for the arc of Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim.

Her Radiant Curse is the prequel to Six Crimson Cranes, in which we discover so much more about the stepmother queen Raikama, from when she was a moon-faced child named Channari, who was cursed by a demon as a babe.

Once again Lim creates a breathtakingly beautiful world filled with myths, legends, dragons, magic and snakes. She tells Channari’s story, compelling the reader to empathise with her loss and pain, and rooting for her to succeed, despite this being a prequel of which, if you’ve read Six Crimson Cranes, you’ll be fully aware of the outcome.

Elizabeth Lim has achieved something quite marvellous, as she has expanded this world to encompass such an amazing duology and now a prequel. She has delivered a story that totally pulls you in and despite the end of the story being known, manages to pull the rug out from under your feet and surprise you.

My only critique is that I would have loved there to have been more exploration of the supporting protagonists, particularly Ukar and Hokzuh, both of whom are complicated and interesting characters on their own. I felt that the lack of depth and exploration of Vanna’s character was actually a deft approach, as there is a lot to this story told from Channari’s perspective ectove that lays its foundations on a lack of awareness of the perspective of others. Plus Channari’s is pretty damned amazing, she underestimates herself and is totally unaware of just how much of a hero and tal bad arse she really is!

Once I’d started, I couldn’t put this book down and if you loved Six Crimson Cranes, just wait Her Radiant Curse will have you in its grip!

As a fan of "Sic Crimson Cranes" I had to read "Her Radiant Curse" of course and it made Elizabeth Lim's world even more magical.
The cover fits beautifully with the other covers and already sets the vibe for the setting. We follow Channi, the older sister who got cursed by a demon after the birth of her younger sister Vanna, on her mission to break the curse and protect her sister. Channi grows up on a small island, in a small village but since her curse she has been more of an outcast, even within her own family. Only her sister doesn't seem to see the monster Channi has become.

I loved the way Elizabeth Lim described Channi's thoughts and feelings while also not missing out on moving the story forward. Channi isuch a complex character and this backstory of hers really did her justice.
Was was equally interesting was her relationships with all the other characters, from her sister to her future husband. There was a lot of hints to Elizabeth Lim's other stories from the same world but also a lot of new aspects and information.

The first third of the main story could've had a little less action for my taste but it worked out in the end even though it didn't hook me as "Six Crimson Cranes" did, I enjoyed reading it overall as it greatly expands the world.

Note to the publisher who provided me with the earc: the pdf was really difficult to read on my e-reader since the file had the printing margins added, the text block was sitting in the middle with small font. The reading experience wasn't great due to this as the pdf format makes it unable to change the font to a comfortable size. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for being able to read this book prior to it's release!

Well, Elizabeth Lim did it again !
First of all, thank you Netgalley for letting me reading this book, I'm so happy about it.

For Her Radiant Curse it's not an obligation to read her previous series The Dragon promise but, in it you will say hello to Channari and that's our main character so it could be good to do it. And to be honest that's a wonderful duology so what are you waiting for ?

So ! Here's my review !
It's the perfect amount of fantasy, retelling, love and action. From page 1 to the last one, my heart was with Channari and I just so sad to let her go. When I talk about love is about love of two sisters and it's so delicate.
Elizabeth create a spin off of all her other works and she's doing it perfectly.

Just read this book, you won't regret it.