![]() What was it like depicting Shiori’s struggles and growth over the course of the novel? Shiori is bubbly, mischievous, and clever, yet she often struggles when exposed to the world beyond her home. Given that both series are fantasies, I didn’t research too heavily and relied a lot on my imagination! Since Six Crimson Cranes is set in the same universe as Spin the Dawn, I referred to the research I conducted for my previous duology as well as my studies from university (I minored in East Asian Studies). What other research did you conduct to write the story? When I first started out reimagining the Wild Swans fairytale, I made this change as an initial step to making the story my own and setting it apart from the version that most readers may know. My answer to this question is a pretty simple one! Cranes are highly symbolic in both Chinese and Japanese culture and represent longevity and immortality. What is the significance of using cranes instead of swans? I also make allusions to Cinderella, Rumpelstiltskin, and Thumbelina! There are plenty of other myths and folktales I drew upon as well, including several Chinese and Japanese stories: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, about a radiant princess whose hand is sought by numerous suitors until her true heritage is revealed, Madame White Snake, about a snake spirit who becomes a human, The Girl with the Black Bowl, and the legend of Chang’e the Moon Lady. The Wild Swans has always been one of my favorite fairy tales-I watched several animated versions of the story when I was a kid, and they’ve stuck with me until adulthood, and since there haven’t been too many retellings of the Wild Swans, I knew I wanted to create my own take on it. Why did “The Wild Swans” in particular appeal to you? Were there any other fairytales or myths you drew upon to write Six Crimson Cranes? It’s hard to pin down a specific historical regime or period, but I’d say the Tang Dynasty and Heian Period probably influenced the setting most. Set several centuries before, Six Crimson Cranes sees the beginnings of the Silk Road, and its setting is inspired by ancient China and Japan. Spin the Dawn was gently inspired by the Tang and Song Dynasties and the golden age during which trade along the Silk Road was prominent. Weaving together elements of The Wild Swans, Cinderella, the legend of Chang E, and the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, Elizabeth Lim has crafted a fantasy like no other, and one that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.Īre there any historical regimes or periods that inspired the setting of Six Crimson Cranes? What are they and why did you choose them? And she must embrace the magic she’s been taught all her life to forswear–no matter what the cost. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in a paper bird, a mercurial dragon, and the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and uncovers a dark conspiracy to seize the throne. She warns Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die. But it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.Ī sorceress in her own right, Raikama banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. ![]() Shiori’anma, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Today we’re pleased to welcome Elizabeth Lim to the WNDB blog to discuss her YA novel Six Crimson Cranes, out July 7, 2021!
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