Six Crimson Cranes

Elizabeth Lim's "Six Crimson Cranes" is a captivating young adult fantasy drawing from East Asian folklore and classic fairy tales like "The Wild Swans." It follows Princess Shiori, who possesses forbidden magic. After her wicked stepmother curses her six brothers into cranes and places a spell on Shiori that will kill a brother with every word she speaks, Shiori is banished. Penniless, voiceless, and alone, she must embark on a dangerous quest to find her brothers, embrace her true powers, and unravel a conspiracy threatening her kingdom. This New York Times bestseller is perfect for readers aged 12-18 who enjoy intricate plots, strong female protagonists, and rich world-building, offering themes of family loyalty, resilience, and self-discovery.

The exiled Princess Shiori must unravel the curse that turned her six brothers into cranes, and she is assisted by her spurned betrothed, a capricious dragon, and a paper bird brought to life by her own magic. Shiori, princess of Kiata, has a secret: Forbidden magic runs through her veins. On the morning of her betrothal ceremony she loses control, and it forestalls the wedding she never wanted-- but it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother. Using a dark magic of her own, Raikama banishes the princess, turns her brothers into cranes, and warns Shiori that for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die. Peniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers-- and uncovers a conspiracy to overtake the throne. Now she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to contain. -- adapted from jacket