TOUR: Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publishing Date: August 29, 2023
Synopsis:
From the New York Times bestselling author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a tale of two sisters—one as beautiful as the other is monstrous—who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever.
One sister must fall for the other to rise.
Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent’s face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna—the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn’t see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts.
Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who’s had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath—launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi’s heart to its breaking point.

Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.

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REVIEW

Channi's own father offers his daughter as a sacrifice to The Demon Witch and she is cursed with a serpent's face. Her sister, Vanna, born with great beauty, is the only one who really sees Channi after the dark effects of her curse. And yet, the only way to reverse the curse is to bring beautiful Vanna to the Demon Witch before her 17th birthday. With Vanna being married off, Channi must help defend her sister against the evil suitors while knowing one must fall for the other to rise.

Elizabeth Lim is a master at weaving stories with rich folklore and mythology, emotional depth, fantastical elements, and constant action. Six Crimson Cranes was a five star book for me, so I am so happy she decided to keep writing in this universe! This is the story of two sisters who are destined to be pit against each other in order to prosper. It was a beautiful way to capture the spirit of sisterhood and the bond they have, as anyone with a sister could understand. Lim writes some of my favorite world building which always ends up being magical and detailed but also natural and easy to follow. This is a prequel to Six Crimson Cranes but can be read as a standalone.

Channi and Vanna often find themselves in competition and yet they never lose their unconditional love for each other despite their differences and situations. I especially recommend this if you have read SCC because of how much it expands the lore and backstory. Plus there are dragons! Readers will recognize hints of classic fairytales combined with Asian folklore as the characters face thrilling trials in an effort to survive and understand he power and limitations of beauty and loyalty.

*Thank you to TBRandBeyond Tours for my copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author:

ELIZABETH LIM grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was raised on a hearty diet of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth was a professional film and video game composer, and she still tends to come up with her best book ideas when writing near a piano. An alumna of Harvard College and the Juilliard School, she now lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.Elizabeth’s internationally bestselling novels include Spin the Dawn, Unravel the Dusk, and Six Crimson Cranes. She is also a contributor to Disney’s ”A Twisted Tale” series.