Descendant of the Crane: The Masterpiece That Stole My Soul

What do you write about a book that’s already been raved about by every single person you know and which has rendered you absolutely speechless?

I’ve been putting off this review since so long because I’m positive that I’m just going to end up with garbled word vomit including things like ‘I’M DEAD’, ‘ANOTHER PLOT TWIST?!’, ‘YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS BOOK’. Yes, it’s every bit of a masterpiece that it claims to be. I literally love each and every word in this book and stayed up till 2am screaming and gasping and crying at this book.

In the end I’m going with a bullet point review because lists are what I go to when I have absolutely no idea what to do. I still have a very strong urge to abandon this post and just write a review consisting of ‘I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH, JUST GO READ IT‘.

Alright but first things first I need to kneel down and thank the wonderful Joan He for sending me an ARC of this book, she’s my queen now. This was of course in exchange for an honest review, in no way has it affected my thoughts and opinions. Okay, now onto the review!

DESCENDANT OF THE CRANE

Rating: 5/5 stars

Goodreads Summary:

Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, dreaming of an unremarkable life. But when her beloved father is found dead, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of a surprisingly unstable kingdom. What’s more, Hesina believes that her father was murdered—and that the killer is someone close to her.

Hesina’s court is packed full of dissemblers and deceivers eager to use the king’s death for political gain, each as plausibly guilty as the next. Her advisers would like her to blame the neighboring kingdom of Kendi’a, whose ruler has been mustering for war. Determined to find her father’s actual killer, Hesina does something desperate: she enlists the aid of a soothsayer—a treasonous act, punishable by
death, since magic was outlawed centuries ago.

Using the information provided by the sooth, and uncertain if she can trust her family, Hesina turns to Akira—a brilliant investigator who’s also a convicted criminal with secrets of his own. With the future of Yan at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high?

REASONS WHY YOU NEED TO READ DESCENDANT OF THE CRANE

• First off, do you see that cover? It’s making my eyes tear up to even look at it.
• This book has the most intricate, well-designed and mind-blowing world building that I have ever encountered! Everything is laid out so smoothly and step by step for the reader so that they are able to easily take in all aspects of the vast and rich world the book is set in.
• Right from the very beginning we dive straight into the story. There’s no drab explanation or slow paced garbage but instead we’re thrown right into action. I love how from then on the pace is steady and unwavering, keeping you hooked with something or the other. The writing style is also very gripping and makes you want to stay glued to the book forever.
• It’s a Chinese inspired fantasy so I got to read about so many new and different elements along with different cultural aspects! If you don’t know I’m an absolute sucker when it comes to reading about other cultures and their traditions.
• This book needs to be crowned the queen of plot twists right now. I’m absolutely serious. I’ve never in my life encountered so many astonishing plot twists that had me gasping and screeching. My brain literally kept going ‘WHAT?!’, ‘OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD’ and ‘YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME’. Everyone and everything needs to be under suspicion! Whether it’s the main character’s brother or the grass blade that made an appearance when the main character stepped into the garden. EVERYTHING. We can trust no one.
• The characters! I could do a whole post on the complex and beautifully crafted cast of characters starting with the steadfast and determined Hesina who’s struggling to rule with her head and keeps listening to her heart, Sajing who is a mysterious yet lonely boy who needs all the love in the world, sweet Cassian whom I’m going to offer every fiber of my being because he’s a cinnamon roll who protects every single person and I WILL NOT SEE HIM SUFFER, Lilian who is Cassian’s twin and the most supporting, brave and adorable character you’ll find(stifling a sob) and lastly Akira who is a mysterious prisoner acting tough but is actually a soft and freaking intelligent boy. Another character I loved was Mei cause I will never not read about bad-ass and strong female characters!
• I love the political conflicts and legal structures in this book that provide yet another dimension to the world building. Watching the arguments go back and forth was so entertaining!
• All in all this book will break your heart, make you cry and pretty much shock you to the point of a heart attack- in the best way possible!

Oh wow. Looks I survived the ordeal.

I highly encourage you all to go and get your hands on this book right now, you’re never going to regret it. And I mean do you even need to ask? My love for this book goes beyond any rating system, but I’ had to tone it down to a five star rating. Also a huge shoutout to Nandini who buddy read this with me and was there when I needed to yell and cry with someone. I would not have survived this without her. I mean did I really survive? I have no clue.

Have you read DOTC? If yes what are your thoughts on it? If no then are you excited to read it? Which is your favourite character from this book? Do you think the hype is real? Also do you all prefer that I write reviews like I normally do or in this bullet point format?