Setting: Korea

No Rules Tonight / Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada (Illustrator)

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment 
No Rules Tonight
By: Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 208
Published: October 1, 2024
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Dates Read: February 15, 2025 - February 16, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

It’s 1980s South Korea, where political tensions are high and curfew is strict. Luckily it’s time for the annual winter camp at Anjeon University – a full weekend, deep in the mountains, with no supervision.

In the snowy mountains, everyone has different plans for their one night of freedom but of course, everything doesn’t always go as planned. Hyun Sook is dying to figure out how to get her banned book club back up and running, Taehee and Kiwoo are trying to build up their nerve to confess their feelings for one another, while Sujji pines after her crush, ready to risk it all and finally tell someone her biggest secret she’s been keeping secret her whole life.

How will this weekend of freedom end for these university students?

I immediately picked this graphic novel up when I saw it was from the same creators of Banned Book Club and I’m glad I did – learned even more about 1980s South Korea than before. It’s kind of crazy the desire everyone has for freedom, even in the smallest ways. I can’t imagine really having restrictions on something like when I’m allowed to be out and about from my house (even if I don’t usually leave after I get home from work), or what music I can listen to or books I’m allowed to read. Some of these freedoms weren’t given to South Koreans until as recently as just forty-five years ago.

Overall, this is a cutely drawn historical graphic novel that still brings up the timely issues around censorship, regime, and even labor rights. This is bound to bring up a look into the history of South Korea and politics and policies that are trying to be formed today.

*Thank you Penguin Workshop and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

A Crane Among Wolves / June Hur

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment 
A Crane Among Wolves
By: June Hur
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 359
Published: May 14, 2024
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Dates Read: December 5, 2024 - December 8, 2024
Format: Library Book / Audiobook

Trigger Warnings: murder, violence, death, kidnapping, mentions of rape, suicide

Set in Joseon, Korea, 1506, when the people of Korea are suffering under the rule of the cruel tyrant King Yeonsan. He takes their land for his own recreational use, banning and burning books, and kidnapping and abusing thousands of women and girls as his personal playthings.

When seventeen-year-old Iseul’s sister, Suyeon, becomes the king’s latest pretty, Iseul leaves the relative safety of her sheltered, privileged life to reach the capital in hopes of stealing back her sister. But she soon discovers that to challenge the king is certain death, so she must be strategic.

Prince Daehyun has lived his whole life in the shadow of his half-brother, the king. Forced to watch King Yeonsan abuse his power with executions and abuse of his people, Daehyun wants to dethrone him once and for all. When the idea of a coup is raised, he knows failure is fatal and he’ll need all the help he can get.

When Iseul’s and Daehyun’s paths cross, they join forces to save her sister, free the people, and destroy the king.

Yet another novel written about a time in history I was not taught about in my American public school.

I loved both main characters, but I had a hard time with Iseul – she was very bratty (in general) to her sister when they were together and then she suddenly was going through all these challenges to get her back. She was privileged in a way that you kind of hate, so I totally get that was her character. She did have redeeming qualities throughout the book.

Overall, the writing in this novel is more on the serious note, and reads on the slower side, so as long as you’re not looking for something super action packed and that’s about history not usually touched upon, this is for you.

*Thank you Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for a for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review