A Crane Among Wolves – Hur June (2024)

In 1506 Joseon, the people suffer under the cruel rule of tyrant King Yeonsan, who commandeers their land for recreation, bans and burns books, and kidnaps and abuses women and girls. Seventeen-year-old Iseul has lived a sheltered, privileged life despite the turmoil. When her older sister Suyeon becomes the king’s latest prey, Iseul leaves the relative safety of her village and travels through forbidden territory to the capital, hoping to steal her sister back. She soon discovers that the king’s power is absolute, and challenging him means certain death. Prince Daehyun has spent his life in the terrifying shadow of his despicable half-brother. Forced to watch King Yeonsan flaunt his predation through executions and abuse of the common people, Daehyun longs to dethrone him, but a failed coup means death, and he does not know whom he can trust. When Iseul’s and Daehyun’s fates collide, their contempt for each other is surpassed only by their shared hatred of the king. Drawing on Iseul’s family connections and Daehyun’s royal access, they reluctantly join forces in the kingdom’s riskiest gamble: save her sister, free the people and destroy a tyrant.