My intrigue was high for a large portion of this book, but some of the scenes began to feel vague and repetitive. It was refreshing to read a standalone as well, after struggling through many tomes of series this summer. Her writing was also quite enjoyable and I have already added The Silence of Bones to my TBR. June Hur seems to have put a large amount of research into this novel, especially revolving around the Crown Prince. I think the best parts of this book for me were the writing and the logic. I was drawn to this book as a lover of historical fiction, mysteries, court intrigue, and slow burn romance! I chose to read it for Bookopoly where the prompt was 'favorite setting': a palace! Can Hyeon manage to discover the truth of the murders when her job, family reputation, and even her life may be at stake if she does not keep her head down? Her only motives are to maintain her palace position and perhaps win her father's approval along the way, but things quickly go awry as Hyeon finds herself used as an alibi for a member of the royal family on the night of a massacre. The Red Palace follows Hyeon, an illegitimate daughter and palace nurse in Joseon (Korea) in 1758. All thoughts and opinions are my own.Ĭontent warnings: death of a family member, parental death, parental abandonment, mental illness, murder, violence/torture, sexism/misogyny, blood, illness, gore/medical trauma, police brutality Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and Netgalley for a copy of this book for review purposes. books that examine gender roles and classism - the female protagonist’s struggle to come to terms with the way society and her father treat her were my favourite part of the book. a well-plotted murder mystery with a side of slow-burn romance historical YA fiction (with a focus on the dangerous world of court politics during the Joseon period) I wholly recommend this book if you enjoy To prove her friend’s innocence, she launches her own investigation with the help of a young police inspector, Eojin. The Red Palace is about an 18yo royal palace nurse Hyeon whose mentor is accused of committing four horrendous murders in a single night. Having seen that drama and several other royal historical Korean dramas, I could picture the royal court setting of The Red Palace perfectly.

I added The Red Palace by June Hur to my list after watching The Red Sleeve - a Korean royal love story set during the second half of the 1700s (a MUST-watch, especially if you enjoy historical dramas that focus on patriarchy and gender roles)

The red palace book review