Book Review | The Red Palace

In 1758, Korea, Hyeon is the illegitimate daughter of a lord who seeks to earn her father’s approval. She has worked tirelessly to earn herself a position as a palace nurse. However, she finds herself entangled in a web of lies when four women are murdered in the palace … and her beloved mentor is believed to be responsible.

Determined to prove her mentor’s innocence and to free her from the brutal police force, she launches her own private investigation, but she’s met with dark secrets and impossible choices when the Crown Prince himself becomes a suspect.

The Red Palace by June Hur is a riveting historical murder mystery filled with court intrigue, compelling characters, and a touch of romance.

This is my first time reading once of June Hur’s books, and it won’t be my last. She has a knack for painting complex characters and getting into inner psyches, their desires and motivations—, making for one heck of a gripping read.

On top that, I really adored the slow-burn, swoon-worthy romance between Hyeon and the young police inspector who is secretly helping her investigate. I actually didn’t mind this aspect since it advances the plot as oppose to distracting from it.

Lastly, I want to point out how well-researched this story was. It’s based on the real-life historical figure of Prince Sado and sheds light on the Joseon period from the perspective of a lower-class nurse, which I found utterly fascinating.

All in all, in The Red Palace, Hur crafts an immersive story with a well-wrought world and characters—perfect for fans of period k-dramas.

Thank you, NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Details:

Publication Date : January 25, 2022

Publisher : Feiwel & Friends

ISBN : 1250800552

Pages : 336

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