Princess Shiori is the youngest child in the royal family of Kiata. Aside from an unwanted arranged betrothal, and having to hide innate magic abilities that are forbidden in Kiata, Shiori lives a relatively charmed life of luxury.

After Shiori gets caught spying and discovers a well guarded secret, a curse is placed upon the royal children of Kiata. To hide what they now know, her brothers are forcibly turned into cranes each day when the sun rises, and remain in that form until the sun sets. Shiori’s curse is even worse: she must be silent, for one of her brothers will die for each word she utters. 

This book reminded me of how great it feels to really fall headfirst into a book. I fell in love with the interesting fairy tale premise (loosely based on The Six Swans by Hans Christian Andersen), and Lim’s writing style is both polished, and heartfelt. It was full of whimsical world building so well pulled together that it appears effortless. Shiori is likable and realistic. Each of the main characters are complicated and their motivations are believable. The details and imagery are nearly perfect.

I can’t wait until book two comes out.