A Crane Among Wolves

June Hur is on my must-read list, and became that way very very early on.

I went into this knowing that there would be more focus on the romantic subplot, and it had me a bit worried whether it would take away from the sheer amount of historical world building and the main plot of the book, but June Hur has managed to blur the fine line and evolve her already amazing story writing a step further.

The plot was difficult to read. Based on true, historic events, we were not spared the more horrific details of what happened in 1506 Joseon. The attention to detail and the delicate ways people and plot were added and altered in order to help with the flow of the story was evident. There is clear respect for what happened, and it wasn't butchered in any way to create a bestseller.

I loved Daehyun, and how much he would sacrifice for Iseul. She became her entire rock, her personality showing how determined she could be after forcing herself to grow up from being a pampered, unrealistic young lady.

I was sad when it ended, yet happy that it did. I know Iseul and Daehyun were characters that June Hur created for the story, yet I would like to imagine that this was the happy ending for many that went through that tyrannical time.