But fast forward a few weeks later, I finally had the chance to read and witness for myself how utterly excellent this really was.ĭescendant of the Crane was a never-ending rollercoaster in the form of a beautiful, well-thought out book. Influenced by Chinese culture, I adored the intricacy in this one. My bookish friends have been constantly raving about this prior to its release and due to overbearing academic pressure, I wasn’t able to keep up with them. So here I am, for the fifth time, attempting to concoct a coherent book review, uncaring if I fail miserably once more because I just need to let everything out, else I might explode. And none of them seem to give the book justice. I have no idea where and how to start because I’ve tried writing a review four times already.

I received an eARC of this book from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. With the future of Yan at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high? Using the information provided by the sooth, and uncertain if she can trust her family, Hesina turns to Akira-a brilliant investigator who’s also a convicted criminal with secrets of his own. Determined to find her father’s actual killer, Hesina does something desperate: she enlists the aid of a soothsayer-a treasonous act, punishable byĭeath, since magic was outlawed centuries ago.

Her advisers would like her to blame the neighboring kingdom of Kendi’a, whose ruler has been mustering for war. Hesina’s court is packed full of dissemblers and deceivers eager to use the king’s death for political gain, each as plausibly guilty as the next. What’s more, Hesina believes that her father was murdered-and that the killer is someone close to her. But when her beloved father is found dead, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of a surprisingly unstable kingdom. Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, dreaming of an unremarkable life.

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He