This annual countdown goes from December 1st until Christmas with one share per day. In the original challenge, the “rules” were (1)published in 2021 and (2)five-star read with “Red Hot Reads” titles automatically making the list. I kept the 2021 publish year “rule” as I have a lot of recent releases that were amazing. Since I already do my top novels of the year (5 star and sometimes 4.75 stars), I decided to highlight some of my 4.5 star reads as they are still amazing, but often get passed over in my countdowns. The choices are in a semi-random order with some novels that I enjoyed a little more making it a little higher in the countdown.
#Bookvent DAY 14
Six Crimson Cranes (Six Crimson Cranes #1) by Elizabeth Lim
Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted, but it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.
Raikama has dark magic of her own, and she banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes, and warning Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.
Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and, on her journey, uncovers a conspiracy to overtake the throne—a conspiracy more twisted and deceitful, more cunning and complex, than even Raikama’s betrayal. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she’s been taught all her life to contain—no matter what it costs her.
This story is based on The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Anderson, which I have not read, but hope to get around to sometime. There is a lot introduced in this story as there is a dragon, a curse, magic, politics, and romance. I enjoyed that each of these elements was introduced and explored while still leaving the reader in anticipation to want to read the next installment. As this is a duology, it is difficult to wait for the conclusion, The Dragon’s Promise, to be published in August 2022. Six Crimson Cranes was a difficult story to put down and I hope that the finale lives up to my now very high expectations!
Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!
chonkybooksreview.com 
3 thoughts on “~ #Bookvent 2021 – Top Reads Countdown Day 14 ~”