A Crane Among Wolves

A devastating and pulse-pounding tale that feels all-too-relevant in today's world, based on a true story from Korean history.

Hope is dangerous. Love is deadly.

In the year 1506, during the Joseon Dynasty, the people suffer under the cruel reign of the tyrant King Yeonsan. His regime is marked by the commandeering of land for his recreational use, the banning and burning of books, and the horrific abuse of women and girls who are kidnapped to serve as his personal playthings.

Seventeen-year-old Iseul has lived a sheltered, privileged life despite the kingdom's turmoil. However, her world is turned upside down when her older sister, Suyeon, becomes the king's latest victim. Driven by despair and determination, Iseul leaves the relative safety of her village, embarking on a perilous journey through forbidden territory to reach the capital. Her goal is to rescue her sister, but she soon realises that the king's power is absolute, and challenging his rule is a near-certain death sentence.

Prince Daehyun, on the other hand, has spent his entire life under the terrifying shadow of his despicable half-brother, the king. Forced to witness the king's ruthless executions and the rampant abuse of common folk, Daehyun is desperate to find a way to dethrone his half-brother once and for all. However, in a kingdom where failing to stage a coup is fatal, finding trustworthy allies is fraught with danger.

As the fates of Iseul and Daehyun collide, their initial contempt for each other is overshadowed by their mutual hatred for the king. Combining Iseul's family connections and Daehyun's royal access, they reluctantly join forces to launch the riskiest gamble the kingdom has ever seen:

Save her sister. Free the people. Destroy a tyrant.

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur is an enthralling historical fiction that immerses readers deep into the struggles of a tyrannised people and the unstoppable drive for justice. With vivid storytelling and intricate character development, June Hur brings the past to life with gripping realism.

"June Hur reigns supreme in making the past come alive." - CHLOE GONG

"Gripping and devastating." - ANN LIANG

"There were literally moments in this book where I forgot to breathe." - ELLEN OH