Descendant of the Crane

A Book of the Month(TM) Selection
A Publishers Lunch Spring/Summer 2019 YA Buzz Book
The Best Young Adult Fantasy Novels of 2019, Forbes
2020 Chelsey Award for Best Cover Illustration Finalist
SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE: The 35 Best YA Books of 2019 So Far
POPSUGAR.: The 20 Best New Books to Read in April
EPIC READS: April is Bringing Us Three of the Year's New Must-Read Fantasy Novels
B&N Teen: "20 of Our Most Anticipated YA Debuts of 2019"
Goodreads: "Spring's Most Epic YA Books"
Buzzfeed: "24 YA Books to Devour During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month"

A gripping tale full of intrigue, unpredictable twists, and betrayal--this is the Chinese fantasy readers have been waiting for. - Hafsah Faizal, New York Times-bestselling author of the Sands of Arawiya duology

Descendant of the Craneis my favorite kind of story: lyrical, romantic, politically complex, but most of all, driven by an iron-willed heroine who will do what must be done--no matter the cost. -Kristen Ciccarelli, internationally bestselling author of The Last Namsara

A beautiful debut with thrilling politics and strokes of magic, set in a lush world that feels real and weighted with its own complex history. -Lori M. Lee, author of the Gates of Thread and Stone series and contributor to A Thousand Beginnings and Endings

Joan He has penned a lovely and intriguing tale of secrets, family, and betrayal. You'll be drawn in by this marvelously vivid world... and keep turning the pages for the plot twists! -Traci Chee, New York Times bestselling author of The Reader

Deep world-building, magical family secrets, and intricate palace politics--Descendant of the Crane soars from page one. Its twists and treacheries kept me guessing until the very end. - Rachel Hartman, New York Timesbestselling author of Seraphina

The plot twists are truly dizzying at times, and everyone, from villain to ally, has an intriguing backstory... With complex world-building and character development, readers tired of cookie-cutter stories will find some surprise twists here. - Kirkus Reviews

A compelling, immersive book. Young adults will find a story and a world that is a joy to explore in this highly original mystery. - Foreword, starred review

A fully realized history helps make this adventure, rooted in Chinese folklore, feel epic, while Hesina will appeal to contemporary readers. - Booklist

Hesina is a heroine for the ages--brilliant, determined, and fierce. It is impossible not to root for her. -Laura Sebastian, New York Times bestselling author of Ash Princess

[A] fast-moving debut... He combines a highly detailed Asian-inspired culture that incorporates Chinese names and traditions, aspects of top-notch thrillers, and complex characters to create a series opener that should appeal to teens and adults alike. - Publishers Weekly