Review: A Crane Among Wolves

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

A 5-STAR READ FOR REAL, this book was absolutely amazing, and I am now hooked on June Hur's books because, oh my god, was this breathtaking. I have been wanting to read this book for a couple of years now, but I have yet to clean up my TBR, and thus it got buried as more and more things came out, but I am so glad I picked it up. 

Ms girl Iseul is definitely a younger sister, and she has to face the consequences of that, alongside the trauma of other bullshit that is happening but it was very sweet to see her come into the realization that 1) she deserves love and 2) needs to express and appreciate those close to her. It was also very tragic to watch Daehyun, Iseul, and Iseul's sister Suyeon suffer under Yeonsan and all the others' mistreatment and abuse. Given this is historical fiction based on a true story from Korean history, this was extra tragic to know that this is unfortunately not fictional (to an extent) and that people genuinely did experience this treatment from those in power. While I know this is not uncommon, it still pains me to relate to these women as they suffer from those they were forced to follow and those whom they had to rely on. So I was 100% cheering everyone on as they beat everyone into the DIRT, especially Maggot. Like Iseul, I also cannot remember his name, but revenge was sweet. 

Iseul and Daehyon's relationship growth was also amazing, and very interesting to see how trauma impacts relationships and love, yet they persevered through it anyway. I also loved the tension and the banter between the two of them as they grew closer yet feared the feelings between each other. And Wonsik? Crying rivers of tears at his scenes, the warmth that came from that man was so sweet and so tragic. I will think about him every time I think about this book. Anyways, gorgeous read, I absolutely need a physical copy so that I can keep re-reading it forever.