Okay this was just as great as I was expecting and I think it might be my favourite June Hur book??! I think what I loved about this story in particular was that it's loosely based on some events surrounding the life and death of Prince Jangheon. And while this is historical fiction, I think it was the perfect background and setting for this story: we get a little bit of Joseon Dynasty history, with a splash of murder and romance. 

I love June's writing style a lot. It flows so well and is very quick and easy to read. The story kept me on the edge of my seat. I suck at actually figuring out murder mysteries, so I wasn't expecting the ending, but it made sense and fit together perfectly.

I loved our main character Hyeon a lot. I might be biased because I'm also a nurse, but honestly one of the reasons I was looking forward to this release was because it follows a palace nurse and I was so curious to see what that would be like and the kind of medicine that was practiced during this time. I geeked out at her going to the library to look up medicines, and then making medicine with Jieun, checking pulses, just everything.

Also Eojin. Can I just say the romance in this book was actually so well done. It reminded me of kdramas because the romance is much more subtle, but the feelings and yearning still come across, but in such a soft way. I saw people talking about the "one table" scene on Twitter and honestly this is better than the "only one bed" trope sdfjsdkj THOUGH, not to get into spoilers but

when Eojin and Hyeon arrive at that woman's hut and are planning to share a room, I was like 👀, but then everything had to get bloody and murdery and ruin the moment 🥹

 

But anyway, the ending was cute, though I wish we got a little more because I love these two characters so much. Their dynamic with each other and how they're both so dedicated to solving the mystery was so good, and I also liked seeing how much Hyeon struggles with trusting Eojin because of her history with her family. I really liked how she admits she sometimes just wants to push people away so she doesn't get hurt because that is such a huge mood.

Hyeon's relationship with her parents was hard to read at times, mainly her mother's neglect and her father just being an overall horrible individual. But one thing I am happy about is that Hyeon realizes that some apologies come too late and can't make up for the way she's been treated by her parents. 

Overall, I'm rating this 4.5/5 stars. I can't wait to see what June Hur writes next, and I really hope there's more romance! Y'all know how picky I am, but this book was the perfect balance of mystery and romance for me!