*The Red Palace by June Hur

Eighteenth century Korea comes to life in The Red Palace, a gripping—and gritty—historical mystery for teens.

*The Red Palace by June Hur. Feiwel and Friends, 2022. 336 pages.

Reading Level: Teens, Ages 15-18.

Recommended For: Ages 14 and up.

Nurse Hyeon knows she must not question the physician who requires her and Nurse Jieun to accompany him to prince’s quarters. It’s after dark, and they stealthily walk through the castle compound. She remembers her medical teachers’ whispered warnings:

To enter the palace means to walk a path stained in blood. There will be bloodshed. I only hope it will not be yours.

~p. 2

When Hyeon and Jieun arrive with the physician, they quickly realize they’ve become part of an elaborate stage play: the crown prince is not in his bed, yet they must pretend to tend to him…to give him an alibi. Where was the crown prince? And when they wearily head home, they discover a grisly triple murder. Hyeon’s mentor is the one accused of the crime, but Hyeon knows the prince also doesn’t have an alibi. To reveal the prince’s absence will open her up to revenge from the palace. But watching her mentor suffer terrible torture in the meantime is agonizing. Hyeon determines to investigate as surreptitiously as she can; she’s not the only one determined to investigate, however. There are more secrets that must be unearthed, more than one person affected by the night’s terrible deeds.

Murder mysteries are compulsive reading, and The Red Palace ranks up there with the best. A plot that twists and turns, a setting that includes layers of complexity and intrigue, mysterious characters that alternately seem suspicious or completely innocent… The Red Palace is hard to put down! Set in 18th century Korea, the storyline illumines a far-off time and place for 21st century Western readers. Strict rules govern the interactions between the sexes, religious observances are different, and the practice of medicine is fascinating. Hyeon falls in love even as she tries to solve the mystery, offering an added layer of enjoyment. Indeed, this book reminded me a bit of Dorothy Sayers’ Lord Peter and Harriet Vane mysteries.

In addition to the gripping plot and delightful characters, Hur weaves in truly thought-provoking moments in which characters wrestle with what is right and just. Revenge may be appealing, but it is not the ultimate answer:

“‘If what is right, honorable, and just will cost you your father’s approval, will you still choose that path? Sometimes—oftentimes—we cannot do both what is right and also please those around us…. Count the cost. Do not charge into the future unaware. Remember that, Hyeon-ah. No matter how hard you try to preserve yourself, every important decision in life will come with a price. It will come with regrets.'”

~wise words from Hyeon’s mother, p. 129

“‘Revenge begets revenge; the anger is unquenchable. We become the monster we are trying to punish. Justice, however, brings closure, and that is what I want. It can only be achieved by remaining sober-minded and rational. And, in the end, it is not my place to punish —. It is the king’s, and only the king’s.'”

~Eojin, p. 173

The Red Palace is well-written and will delight fans of the genre. Highly recommended!

Considerations:

• Language: “Damnation” is the only word I marked. (one instance, uttered under distinct provocation)
• Violence: A murder mystery with people bent on revenge will necessarily include violence.
• Sexuality: Concubines are a way of life in 18th century Korea. Hyeon’s mother was one and has since been cast off (essentially) by her father. Concubines are freely discussed, but there are no graphic scenes.

Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5

• Worldview/Moral Rating: 4.75 out of 5
• Literary/Artistic Rating: 5 out of 5

Read more about our ratings here. *indicates a starred review

Related Reading From Redeemed Reader

• A Review: The Lost Girl of Astor Street (another mystery for teens)
• A Reflection: The Golden Age Detective Stories
• A Resource: Mysteries for All Ages (a book list)

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