Her Radiant Curse She was born with a radiant curse; a beauty that made everyone stop and stare. Men would stumble over their words as they caught sight of her, while women's eyes would burn with envy. For all the attention she received, she also endured a life of loneliness. She was trapped in a body that attracted others, but never truly allowed them to see her for who she was. Her radiant curse made her feel like an object, a possession to be admired and desired, but never truly understood. She longed for someone who would see past her appearance and appreciate the depths of her soul.
“[A] thrilling fantasy adventure…lush storytelling evokes East Asian folklore mixed with Helen of Troy vibes, culminating in an intriguing tale about one sisterhood that endures against all odds.” —Publishers Weekly
Today I m back with another episode of Elizabeth Lim made me cry with her gorgeous world-building and story telling , see Spin the Dawn , Unravel the Dusk , Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon s Promise reviews for past examples of this. Intriguing departures from the beats of a typical fantasy-quest plot, well-laid red herrings and excellently sown seeds of future complications set Six Crimson Cranes apart.
She longed for someone who would see past her appearance and appreciate the depths of her soul. But every relationship she entered ended the same way - with her feeling used and discarded. She wondered if she would ever find someone who would love her for more than just her looks.
Her Radiant Curse
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the critically acclaimed author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a fantasy 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 at 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.
About Her Radiant Curse
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the critically acclaimed author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a fantasy 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 at 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.
About Her Radiant Curse
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the critically acclaimed author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a fantasy 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 at 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.
About Her Radiant Curse
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the critically acclaimed author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a fantasy 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 at 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.
Listen to a sample from Her Radiant Curse
Also by Elizabeth Lim
See all books by Elizabeth LimAlso by Elizabeth Lim
See all books by Elizabeth LimAlso by Elizabeth Lim
See all books by Elizabeth LimAlso by Elizabeth Lim
See all books by Elizabeth LimAbout Elizabeth Lim
ELIZABETH LIM grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was raised on a hearty diet of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth was a professional film and video game composer, and she still… More about Elizabeth Lim
About Elizabeth Lim
ELIZABETH LIM grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was raised on a hearty diet of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth was a professional film and video game composer, and she still… More about Elizabeth Lim
About Elizabeth Lim
ELIZABETH LIM grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was raised on a hearty diet of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth was a professional film and video game composer, and she still… More about Elizabeth Lim
About Elizabeth Lim
ELIZABETH LIM grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was raised on a hearty diet of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth was a professional film and video game composer, and she still… More about Elizabeth Lim
Product Details
Category: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Children’s Middle Grade Books
Hardcover | $19.99
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Aug 29, 2023 | 432 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593300992
Category: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Children’s Middle Grade Books
Hardcover | $22.99
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Aug 29, 2023 | 432 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593301005
Category: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Children’s Middle Grade Books
Ebook | $10.99
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Aug 29, 2023 | 432 Pages | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593301012
Category: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Children’s Middle Grade Books | Audiobooks
Audiobook Download | $27.50
Published by Listening Library
Aug 29, 2023 | 798 Minutes | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593746226
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Jodi Picoult Paperback $10.99Praise
“Every page of Elizabeth Lim’s masterful writing shimmers with beauty and emotion. With characters who steal your heart, a rich world of legend, and a gorgeous romance, this is a journey you’ll wish had no end.” —Alexandra Bracken, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Silver in the Bone
“Her Radiant Curse glows from start to finish. An origin story that stuns even knowing how it will end, bringing new beauty and darkness alike to Raikama’s tale. Elizabeth Lim’s writing is a marvel.” —Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
“Elizabeth Lim’s worlds and words are always magical.” —Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Iron Widow
“It is…. Lim’s best and most cohesive work yet—mixing the rich world-building of her previous stories with a tightly focused tale of two sisters and the curse that has divided their lives.” —Paste Magazine
★ “A fantasy to savor…. Artfully rendered, precisely paced, and piercingly true. Against the rich folkloric backdrop, Lim’s complexly rendered characters come heartbreakingly alive.” —Booklist, starred review
“[A] thrilling fantasy adventure…lush storytelling evokes East Asian folklore mixed with Helen of Troy vibes, culminating in an intriguing tale about one sisterhood that endures against all odds.” —Publishers Weekly
“Action-fueled fantasy deepened by a compelling setting and well-constructed cosmology.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A spellbinding adventure that focuses on the bond between sisters and the strength it takes to be our true selves.” —School Library Journal
“A high-stakes fantasy with a fully realized world, heart-pounding action, and a hint of forbidden romance….Lim’s tantalizing world and empathetic characters come together in this captivating yet heartbreaking story about sisterly love and facing adversity.” —Shelf Awareness
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the critically acclaimed author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a fantasy 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!
She questioned if she would ever be able to break free from the curse that had defined her life for so long. But deep down, she knew that her true worth lay in the person she was inside, not the beauty that radiated from her face. Through her struggles and heartaches, she learned to embrace her curse as a gift. She realized that her beauty could be used as a tool to bring joy and happiness to others. She became a beacon of light, spreading love and kindness wherever she went. People were drawn to her not just for her looks, but for the warmth and compassion she exuded. She found solace in knowing that her curse had a purpose. It taught her the importance of inner beauty and the power of self-love. She no longer sought validation from others, but instead focused on cultivating her own happiness. And one day, as she was walking down the street, she bumped into a man who looked past her outward appearance and saw the radiance within. He smiled at her, and she knew that she had finally found the love she had been searching for. Together, they embraced her radiant curse and created a life filled with love, understanding, and acceptance. In the end, her radiant curse transformed into a blessing, bringing her the happiness and fulfillment she had always dreamed of. She learned that true beauty lies within, and that loving oneself is the most powerful gift of all..
Reviews for "The Radiant Curse: Embracing Imperfection in a Perfect World"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Her Radiant Curse". The plot was predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. I found myself rolling my eyes at the cheesiness of the dialogue and the lack of depth in the relationships. The concept had potential, but the execution fell flat. Overall, I found the book to be unengaging and unmemorable.
2. John - 3/5 stars - "Her Radiant Curse" was an average read for me. The story had some interesting twists, but I felt like the pacing was off. It took too long for the action to pick up, and by the time it did, I had lost interest. The writing style was also a bit jarring at times, with awkward transitions between scenes. While the concept was intriguing, the execution lacked the necessary finesse to make it a truly captivating read.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Her Radiant Curse", but it fell short for me. The characters were poorly developed, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The protagonist's decisions were frustrating and lacked logic, which made it hard for me to root for her. The romance subplot felt forced and lacked chemistry. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointment and did not live up to the hype for me.
4. Alex - 1/5 stars - "Her Radiant Curse" was a complete waste of my time. The plot was convoluted and confusing, and the writing was subpar at best. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the characters were flat and uninteresting. I found myself skimming through paragraphs just to get to the end. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging story. Save yourself the trouble and pick up something else instead.
5. Emma - 2/5 stars - I wanted to like "Her Radiant Curse", but unfortunately, I couldn't get into it. The pacing was slow, and the story seemed to drag on without much happening. The main character was difficult to relate to, and her motivations were unclear. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me feeling disconnected from the setting. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left a lot to be desired. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable read.