Descendant of the Crane, Joan He
Albert Whitman & Company, 4/2019
Summary:
Princess Hesina of Yan finds herself the queen of an unstable kingdom after her beloved father is murdered. While she is reluctant to lead, Hesina is determined to find her father’s killer. Unsure of who to trust when it seems everyone around her has their own agenda, Hesina enlists the help of a convicted criminal with a reputation for brilliance.
Reflection:
Against the common axiom, I chose this book because of its cover. But in fairness to me and my aesthetic needs, just look at it! It’s gorgeous!
I had a horoscope recently that said, “there is no truth, just varying degrees of complexity,” and while I’m not entirely sure how that applies to my life, it certainly feels apt in describing Joan He’s Descendant of the Crane.
The story deals with themes of justice and truth in a way that accommodates the nuance and evolving nature of human morality. It ultimately seems to ask the question: do good intentions negate bad actions? And it does so in a tender and multilayered way.
I read it twice before committing to reflect on it, and in the first read I missed what made it special. While I still felt the story lagged in the beginning, the world of Descendant of the Crane is vivid and steeped in tradition that He does a beautiful job paying homage to. I’m so used to Euro-centric fantasy, that Descendent of the Crane was a refreshing change.
Even though it took me awhile to get into the story, once it gets going it’s rife with action and compelling emotion just simmering under complex characters that you want to know more about. It seems to set up for a sequel that I’ll be happy to read and am excited to learn more about He’s forthcoming The Ones We’re Meant to Find.
