June Hur

This is my second June Hur novel. I adored the other novel, A Crane Among Wolves, and while the setting and some themes were similar (Korean historical fiction, a mystery to be solved, females put into peril), I didn't like this one as much.

Maybe it was the romance missing here? Maybe it was the utter unfairness of the system by which there was a "forest of stolen girls"? Maybe the mystery seemed to resolve, at least in my mind, pretty quickly? Maybe, with the cool creepy atmosphere woven in show more to the story, I was expecting a more supernatural resolution?

But, I did love the writing and will pick up more by this author. show less

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 show more 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. show less

If you enjoy romances set in historical Korea, which holds the ancient atmosphere firm but delivers it with an ease fitting to modern readers, this book is for you.

First off, this isn't a true YA read through and through in the sense that the main characters are in their twenties. They are worried about marriages, but this works thanks to the historic aspect. But the book is written in a YA appropriate manner and is steered in a way that will grab this audience level.

Haewon is the second of show more three daughters of a well-off but not overly high-leveled family. Her and her sisters are known to be a bit problematic, although they've never really caused meaningful scandals or ruined the family honor. Haewon loves to read books, which are forbidden, and secretly transcribes works from a 'forbidden' author. Her older sister is facing forced marriage due to an imperial proclamation that all women need to be married by a certain age. Seojun, the other main character, is the son of a very wealthy and long respected and powerful family. He lives under tight constraints and values but is secretly the questionable author. When he accidentally meets Haewon, his biggest fan, he's interested in a female for the very first time. She doesn't know his identity but is also drawn to him, but it's not only their societal rankings that make a relationship difficult. Both have gone directly against royal proclamations and both could face horrible consequences if discovered.

As usual, the author has created a rich world, which is easy to sink into. The historic aspects open wide and embrace with natural flow. There are just enough details to make the surroundings sit without growing heavy, and the ideals and thoughts of the time sit deep in each character. While historical, however, the author delivers the characters with easy-to-read dialogue and scenes. It's historical but takes on enough modern style to make it very accessible and smooth. The characters each carry distinct personalities, and although their worries match historic times, they are understandable and relatable. There's depth to each one and enough arc even in sub-characters to make them enjoyable to meet.

This is a romance and historical fiction drama flow smoothly and keep a steady, grabbing pace the entire way through. Both Haewon and Seojun have their quirks to create a slow-burn relationship with it's stumbles and twists. It's not sappy or quick. The other problems the characters face mount steadily during the read, packing increased urgency as the pages turn...but it's not high-tension until later, and even then, just enough to keep the tale grabbing with a bit of danger. For someone like me, who is a bit more of an action girl, it's very steady but a touch slow, since the first half heavily leans into the situations of Haewon and Seojun as they make their encounters, first friendship steps, and the foundation surrounding the 'forbidden' books and their activities gains depth and momentum. But it's never boring, either. The tale grabs and keeps the reader engaged, since the characters come across so nicely, and it's clear that something has to give, at one point.

I highly recommend this one to historical romance fans, who love world depth and a fog of intrigue to keep things on their toes. show less

In this intriguing historical mystery, one servant girl goes against societal convention to find a killer. An indentured servant given to the police bureau, sixteen year-old Seol is a doma who acts as the hands of officers when a case involves a woman. In 1800s Korea, no unrelated man may touch a woman and so the bureau uses female servants to handle female witnesses, arrest female criminals, and in the worst cases, deal with the female dead. When the body of a murdered noble woman is show more discovered outside the south gate of the capital, Seol is sent to be the lead Investigator's hands. Unable to shelve her curiosity and terrible at holding her tongue, Seol is drawn into the investigation - an investigation that may even lead her to uncovering her own past.

The Silence of Bones is a solid mystery novel, but what really makes this book is how it breaths life into Korean history. Using the early nineteenth century Catholic purges as a launching point, Hur builds a rich and detailed story centering on a lower class woman whose life is so often over looked in these kinds of narratives. Seol is not exceptional, other than in her curiosity. She's tenacious and loyal, but those are never treated as characteristics others of her class fail to have. Hur treats her subject, both the woman and the history, to the care they deserve.

On top of this rich setting, Hur builds a substantive mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Even the most genre savvy readers will enjoy the paths this novel takes on the way to solving not only the murder case, but uncovering Seol's family history. An enjoyable solid read from start to finish, don't give this one a miss.

A digital copy of this book was provided by Feiwel & Friends via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less