June Hur

Every page propels the mystery and intrigue forward to create an exciting adventure with more than a few dark undertones.

Iseul is determined to save her older sister after the king nabbed her from the village and dragged her to the capital to join his ever-growing circle of concubines. The entire kingdom suffers under the tyrant's cruel rule, one which has left Iseul parentless after the king's last 'purge' on his government officials. With no money and no allies, the task is dangerous and impossible, but even if it means her death, Iseul won't let her sister suffer. When she's set face-to-face with a series of murders which is threatening the king, she realizes that finding the criminal might be the only chance she has to save her sister. But that brings her to the prince, and he will either be her undoing, her greatest ally, or both.

When I picked this up, I was expecting an historical read...which this is but not with as many details as I expected. Instead, the setting radiates through the little things, which demonstrate the aspects of the daily life, ideologies, and cultures around 1506. This was a tumultuous time in Korean history, where the king lost his mind in greed and power. The author doesn't numb the cruelty, which also means there are more than a few triggers in this read. Still, it doesn't settle into the gore of details, but rather, lets the situations hit with the seriousness and emotions they deserve.

It's a darker read, which even goes beyond the cruelty of the king and heads into a string of murders and mystery. There's quite a bit of intrigue thrown in, which when mixed with the planning of a coup, creates a heavy weave that thickens and thickens. There's a lot to work through, and that in just this one novel. It creates a quick-paced read with little time to take a breath before the next twist arrives. The general world building does slide back in terms of scenery and surroundings, and this will be an easier read for those who have already sunk into Asian culture before. But it's a tale, which grabs and stays tense the entire way through.

On the character end, the author has placed the leads in two, very different realms before bringing them together. The tale switches back and forth between Iseul and Daehyun, and they don't meet until several chapters in. This gives the reader time to get a feel for both personalities as well as gain the needed foundation of life inside and outside of the palace. When the two meet, it's not insta-attraction by any means. Romance isn't high on the list when lives are at stake on so many levels. It was refreshing to see the main issues remain in control over the romance in a YA read. This strong flow of plot did mean less on character depth and reflection, but that also makes it a lighter read...if it can be called that.

While this didn't have as much of the historical flair as I expected, it is an exciting read. The intrigue, mystery, and dangerous situations drive each moment forward and add many tense moments. The characters are determined and easy to root for as they try their best to turn everything around. Add the powerful ending, and it's well-worth a read for those who enjoy darker adventures set in historical times. I received a DRC and enjoyed reading this one quite a bit.… (more)

#ReadAroundTheWorld. #SouthKorea

The Red Palace is an historical mystery and romance by South Korean author June Hur. It is set in Joseon (Korea) in 1758.

18 year old Hyeon, illegitimate daughter of Lord Shin and one of his concubines, has worked hard to become a palace nurse, under the mentorage of Nurse Jeongsu. Then on a night that Crown Prince Jangheon secretly snuck out of the palace, four women are found massacred. Hyeon’s mentor, Nurse Jeongsu is taken into custody as she was abroad after curfew with no alibi.

In her desperation to save Nurse Jeongsu, Hyeon runs into police inspector Eojin and with him begins an investigation of the events. Is someone trying to frame the Prince with the massacre or is he somehow involved?

What follows is a story of intrigue, spies and secrets, a slow burn romance and a detailed view into palace life and culture. The book is based on the real history of Prince Sado.

I really enjoyed this story. The cultural and historical details were intricately researched, Hyeon was a brave and likeable character, and Eojin was kind, respectful and romantic in a genuine way. It was a nice change to read a slow burn romance that didn’t involve all the superficiality of so many contemporary romances. I would love to read another book like this. 4.5 stars… (more)

Oh wow. This book was something else. Filled with history and brimming with secrets, I found this hard to put down.
One of the most unique and special parts of this book was Seol. She is an unreliable narrator, learning as the reader learns. She is uneducated but still puts her brain to good use even though she was poking her nose in what she should not have been. She longs for her family and the need is shown throughout the whole story.
Sidenote: this book had no romance. :)
However, there were so many characters that I had to reread the first third of the book to get a decent grasp on who is who.
Despite the numerous characters, I enjoyed reading this novel and fans of mysteries will too.

Rating: 4.5/5
Crude Language: a handful 3/5
Romance: N/A
Spiritual: Religious Persecution
Violence: nothing detailed but mentioned due to the mystery… (more)