UK cover illustration for Elizabeth Lim's new standalone "Her Radiant Curse"

Two fantastic book recommendations from a bookseller at Moon Palace Books, plus two others I found 🤩

There are many books coming out this month, and I thought it would be fun to highlights five of them with gorgeous covers that caught my attention. Have any of these caught your eye yet?

Damned if You Do by Alex Brown Page Street

Seven years ago, Cordelia Scott’s abusive father left without a word, and life has been normal ever since. The seventeen-year-old spends her days stage managing the school play (which is going great, if anyone asks), pining over her best friend, Veronica, and failing one too many pop quizzes. She’s never been sad that her father left, but she knows something is...missing. When her school guidance counselor, Fred, reveals during a session that he’s actually a demon, she learns that something is indeed missing: a piece of her actual soul. Why? She unwittingly made a deal with him to make her father disappear – then bargained to have the memory erased. To make matters worse, Fred is here to make another bargain: Help him with a “little” demonic problem, or she’s doomed to spend eternity in Hell with her father. The deal? Help Fred neutralize a rival demon, who means to do more harm in her hometown than your average demon deal. --Cover image and summary via Goodreads

The Dark Place by Britney S. Lewis Disney Hyperion

Seventeen-year-old Hylee Williams didn't ask to disappear. But she did disappear, and not only that, but when she vanished from our world, she materialized in a dark, twisted version of the night that changed her life forever: the night her older brother went missing. Just as Hylee realizes this moment could be the key to unraveling the truth about her brother, she's yanked away from the dark place back to our world. Craving a sense of normalcy, she goes to a party with her best friend--where she meets Eilam Roads. Tall, handsome, and undeniably, inexplicably familiar, Hylee can't help the pull she feels towards him. It's a classic teen girl-meets-boy situation, until it happens again. She disappears, right in front of him. Together, Hylee and Eilam investigate the truth about time, space, and reality, with Hylee increasingly convinced her time travel holds the key to saving her brother. But the more they learn, the more Hylee begins to see darkness lurking in her world--and in herself. -- Cover image and summary via Goodreads

Forged by Blood (The Tainted Blood Duology #1) by Ehigbor Okosun Harper Voyager

In the midst of a tyrannical regime and political invasion, Dèmi just wants to survive: to avoid the suspicion of the nonmagical Ajes who occupy her ancestral homeland of Ife; to escape the King’s brutal genocide of her people—the darker skinned, magic wielding Oluso; and to live peacefully with her secretive mother while learning to control the terrifying blood magic that is her birthright. But when Dèmi’s misplaced trust costs her mother’s life, survival gives way to vengeance. She bides her time until the devious Lord Ekwensi grants her the perfect opportunity—kidnap the Aje prince, Jonas, and bargain with his life to save the remaining Oluso. With the help of her reckless childhood friend Colin, Dèmi succeeds, but discovers that she and Jonas share more than deadly secrets; every moment tangles them further into a forbidden, unmistakable attraction, much to Colin’s—and Dèmi’s—distress. The kidnapping is now a joint mission: to return to the King, help get Lord Ekwensi on the council, and bolster the voice of the Oluso in a system designed to silence them. But the way is dangerous, Dèmi’s magic is growing yet uncertain, and it’s not clear if she can trust the two men at her side. A tale of rebellion and redemption, race and class, love and trust and betrayal, Forged by Blood is epic fantasy at its finest, from an enthusiastic, emerging voice. -- Cover image and summary via Goodreads

I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea Henry Holt and Co.

There will be blood. Ace of Spades meets House of Hollow in this villain origin story. Laure Mesny is a perfectionist with an axe to grind. Despite being constantly overlooked in the elite and cutthroat world of the Parisian ballet, she will do anything to prove that a Black girl can take center stage. To level the playing field, Laure ventures deep into the depths of the Catacombs and strikes a deal with a pulsating river of blood. The primordial power Laure gains promises influence and adoration, everything she’s dreamed of and worked toward. With retribution on her mind, she surpasses her bitter and privileged peers, leaving broken bodies behind her on her climb to stardom. But even as undeniable as she is, Laure is not the only monster around. And her vicious desires make her a perfect target for slaughter. As she descends into madness and the mystifying underworld beneath her, she is faced with the ultimate continue to break herself for scraps of validation or succumb to the darkness that wants her exactly as she is—monstrous heart and all. That is, if the god-killer doesn’t catch her first. From debut author Jamison Shea comes I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me , a slow-burn horror that lifts a veil on the institutions that profit on exclusion and the toll of giving everything to a world that will never love you back.

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim Knopf Books for Young Readers

One sister must fall for the other to rise. Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent’s face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna—the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn’t see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts. Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who’s had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath—launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi’s heart to its breaking point. Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood. -- Cover image and summary via Goodreads

“I can fix her”

Nah, I’d take Channi/Raikama for what she was in whatever form she’s in

She kills or curse people? She’s cold and bitter? She probably had her reason and I’d murder for her anyway

She’s everything and I’d proudly be her Ken

Her Radiant Curse ended so sadly and I will never recover. It's a brilliant example of sibling love and fighting against all odds to protect each other.

The epilogue made me so sad :(

'Her Radiant Curse' by Tran Nguyen.

Cover art for the novel 'Her Radiant Curse', written by Elizabeth Lim, published August 2023.

tw / her radiant curse spoiler

ok but when vanna asked which bird was it on hanriyu’s carving & he answered with “in my land, we call it the bird of happiness. a crane.” do you think that’s one of the reason why raikama cursed the brothers in their form? bc they were her true happiness too, once.

her radiant curse

Review: Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim.

One must fall for the other to rise. Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent's face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna-the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn't see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts. Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who's had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath - launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi's heart to its breaking point. Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.

There is something about Elizabeth Lim's writing that I find so hard to put down. Enchanting, enriching and beautifully woven, this story brings us the story of two sisters yes, but brings us a new slice of the world Elizabeth is sharing with us and new characters brought to life by her incredible way with words, which shines here in her new book.

There is something so sumptuous about how Elizabeth Lim writes about her world. Tangling up perfectly, myths, legends and fairytales, this author crafts a universe that really does bring the story to life. Throughout this book it feels like you are there watching the story unfold as you feel taken in by the story from the moment it begins and it's such a pleasure to fall into.

The characters though introduced a little I think in Six Crimson Cranes a little bit, these characters grow so much throughout this book and really become some of my new favourites. Strong, brilliantly developed and leaves you needing an epilogue as long as the book, Chennai is a fantastic character and her story shines out on every page.

I love this author, I don't think she's ever let me down and Her Radiant Curse is another fine example of her incredible writing.

(I recieved an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher for honest review).

i just finished reading her radiant curse and golly gee wilikers that book is sad

lil book haul 💕

I didn't realize that leigh bardugo also wrote the grishaverse series. I watched the netflix adaptation, and I absolutely LOVED the crows. not to mention, everyone tells me to avoid the original trilogy at all costs LOL. so here we are. I really wanted ninth house, so I said fuck it. looking forward to these. but they'll be on my long line of TBR ☺️

been enjoying reading like crazy lately

Title: Her Radiant Curse | Author: Elizabeth Lim | Publisher: Knopf Books (2023)

I fell in love with Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon's Promise at first read so after reading Her Radiant Cuese I am currently in bits (in the most positive way ever)

Since it's a prequel to the 6CC duology, it just spins another perspective on the world of Lor'yan and I LIVE for that

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb: From the New York Times bestselling author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a tale of two sisters—one as beautiful as the other is monstrous—who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever.

One sister must fall for the other to rise.

Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent’s face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna—the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn’t see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts.

Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who’s had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath—launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi’s heart to its breaking point.

Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.

Review:

A tale of two sisters, one who was sacrificed by their father to save the other and in doing so was cursed with the face of a monster while the other was given a beautiful face and golden light... but one of them must fall for the other to rise. This story serves as a prequel to the Six Crimson Cranes book and follows Channi and Vanna. While her mother was giving birth to Vanna and dying, her father had taken her to the woods to sacrifice her to save his wife... but the witch in the woods only wanted the beautiful sister... she only wanted Vanna, and instead let Channi live but cursed her with a monstrous face that horrified anyone that looked at her and her only true companions were the snakes who named her their queen. On her mother's dying breath she made Channi swear to protect Vanna... and that is the only reason years later she still endures her father's physical and mental abuse, being outcasted and treated like a monster by all, all so she can watch over her beautiful sister who is in turn loved by everyone and is their father's favorite. Yet the time has come for Vanna to be married off, whether she wants to or not, and in an attempt to free Vanna, Channi finds herself facing off against a vampire, making unlikely alliances, and traveling to strange places in order to save her sister. This one started off great but then fell off for me unfortunately. I adored the Six Crimson Cranes books and this one definitely had potential but really fell flat at the halfway point. Channi's love and obsession with her sister didn't really connect with me. Channi herself just wasn't that likable or made me care about her with her bad decision making. She didn't learn from her mistakes and she was just so frustrating at times. I found that I just didn't care all that much for her by the end of the book and I still felt bad for Hokzuh, and the whole love interest/resolution by the end of the book did not feel satisfying at all. I really liked the first half of the book but was left disappointed by the end. You could read this as a standalone but I think it would be a good one to read with the rest of the series as well.

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Knopf Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I wish Channari was into girls. It may not happen but a girl can dream

Considering how much I hated The Dragon's Promise I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I'm enjoying Her Radiant Curse.

It DOES have a talking animal companion but the snake is much more tolerable than that goddamn paper crane so it doesn't make me want to rip my teeth out (although the little sisters voice in the audio book is JUST as bad as the crane in the other two audio books.)

I told my mom to not read The Dragon's Promise since she also read Six Crimson Cranes, but I might suggest she read Her Radiant Curse (unless the second 60% of the book ticks me off, like TDP did when it booted Seryu away).