Behind Five Willows - by June Hur (Hardcover)

About the Book

In this swoonworthy YA homage to Jane Austen set in historical Korea, two teens secretly waging a war against government book banning find themselves irresistibly drawn together.

Book Synopsis

AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

From the New York Times-bestselling author of A Crane Among Wolves comes a warm and romantic homage to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice set in historical Korea, about a reader and a writer who secretly fight against government book banning and find themselves irresistibly drawn together.

As the dutiful second-eldest daughter of a poor family, society would have Haewon believe that her only hope of a decent life is to marry well. But during a time of rampant government censorship and book banning, she instead works as an illegal book transcriber to make a little extra money. It's dangerous work, but she loves it--especially when she gets to transcribe the work of her favorite author, known as Black Lotus.

When her older sister becomes smitten with a wealthy young gentleman, Haewon is roped into chaperoning them during their courtship. Which wouldn't be so terrible... if it weren't for the young man's uptight and annoying best friend who also accompanies them.

As the only son of a noble, Seojun has a lot expected of him. Wealth. Status. Respectability. Certainly not frivolous and often illicit activities such as reading fiction. But Seojun loves to do something even more scandalous: writing. He's kept his work secret from his father and friends, but with each passing day, the pressure of being his father's son and the dispiriting actions of the government make Seojun question the purpose of it all. The only thing keeping him going are the encouraging letters he receives from his transcriber, known only as Magpie.

When his best friend falls hard for a girl of lower social status, Seojun finds himself forced to act as chaperone to the infatuated couple--along with the girl's younger sister, who is as irritating as she is judgmental. But as Haewon and Seojun spend more time together, they begin to suspect they may have judged each other too quickly...

Also by June Hur
The Silence of Bones
The Forest of Stolen Girls
The Red Palace
A Crane Among Wolves

Review Quotes

Praise for Behind Five Willows:

A #1 New York Times Bestseller!
A USA Today Bestseller!
An ABA Indies Bestseller!

★ "Hur's latest historical YA work is an homage to Pride and Prejudice that feels devastatingly timely as it shines an unflinching light on the downsides of government-enforced censorship of stories and ideas. ... Despite the historically accurate restrictions on the characters' ability to so much as brush hands, their romance is utterly swoony and heartstopping. ... An engaging, thoughtful Austen interpretation." --Booklist, starred review

"Both an homage to Jane Austen and historical K-dramas, every page of Hur's novel stuns with its absorbing plot, exquisite attention to detail, and breathtaking romance. Behind Five Willows is an instant classic and a book that I will cherish for a very long time." --Axie Oh, New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea and The Floating World

"A delight ... Jane Austen and Joseon-era literary culture (complete with delicious historical details about book production) make for an extraordinarily harmonious blend. This is a lovely romance and paean to the pleasures of fiction, a satisfying but not over-earnest meditation on the power of literature to bring people together." --The Bulletin

"Heartwarmingly beautiful ... A charming love story." --Kirkus Reviews

"Warmly rendered characters navigate a unique and evocative setting, which echoes with sharp societal commentary as well as witty repartee that's reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice." --Publishers Weekly

Praise for A Crane Among Wolves:

A New York Times Bestseller
An ABA Indies Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
An Edgar Award Nominee
A Walter Dean Myers Honor Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Governor General's Literary Award in Young People's Literature finalist
A Goodreads Choice Award nominee
An NYPL Best Book of the Year

"Captivating mystery, political intrigue, and a perilously beautiful romance. A Crane Among Wolves excels at suspense even with true history's outline. June Hur reigns supreme in making the past come alive." --Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of These Violent Delights

"Gripping and devastating, June Hur's lush writing brings history to life in this intricately plotted tale of love, betrayal, and political intrigue, where hope ultimately shines through the darkness. A Crane Among Wolves drew me in from the very first page, and will no doubt become a favorite for readers as it did for me." --Ann Liang, New York Times-bestselling author of I Hope This Doesn't Find You

"BRILLIANT! There were literally moments in this book where I forgot to breathe." --Ellen Oh, award-winning author and co-founder of We Need Diverse Books

"A highly detailed, culturally rich tale that combines elements of mystery, palace intrigue, found family and romance." --The Washington Post

"The romance and found family elements offer moments of hope to balance the darkness. ... An intense mystery and slow-burn romance that highlight a historical moment. Recommended for all YA -collections." --School Library Journal

"Award-winner Hur's latest historical intrigue is well researched and doesn't shy away from depicting elements of this real king's brutal history, and the resulting tale is immersive, intense, and engaging. A page-turner." --Kirkus Reviews

"Twists and secrets, political and personal, propel the intricate plot and keep readers on edge. Which details matter and which are mere coincidence? Hur masterfully allows readers to discover the truth right alongside her protagonists." --Booklist

"Searing." --Publishers Weekly

"A Crane Among Wolves brings attention to a dark time in Korean history while still highlighting June Hur's trademark skill for devastatingly romantic relationships, told in such achingly lovely prose that will capture you from the very first page." --Reactor

"A richly detailed historical thriller about a young woman who sets out to find a dangerous killer in order to free her sister from the clutches of a tyrant, A Crane Among Wolves is unflinching in both its honesty and period-accurate realism. Set in 16th-century Korea and based on true events, Hur's writing is both meticulously researched and emotionally compelling." --Paste

Praise for The Red Palace:

An ABA Indie Bestseller
An NPR Best Book of 2022
A 2023 Edgar Allan Poe Award Winner
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Forbes Most Anticipated Book of 2022 Selection
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2022
A School and Library Journal Best Book of 2022
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2022
A Globe and Mail Best Book of 2022 selection
A YALSA Best YA of 2022 Selection
A 2022 Freeman Book Award Honorable Mention

"Hur is known for her stunning female-centered historical YA novels, and this is arguably her darkest book yet. ... If slow-burn romances, well-paced plots and historical fiction set somewhere other than the West interest you, this book might just be your new favorite read." --Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, New York Times-bestselling author of Ace of Spades

"Compulsively readable and utterly unique, The Red Palace is a must-read murder mystery steeped in royal intrigue." --Jennifer Lynn Barnes, New York Times-bestselling author of The Inheritance Games

"Court politics and hierarchal society are the stunning backdrop of June Hur's page-turning, atmospheric The Red Palace. Hur's meticulous worldbuilding and immersive storytelling will have readers totally obsessed." --Adrienne Young, New York Times-bestselling author of Fable

"Hur's Joseon mysteries are groundbreaking, and this retelling of Prince Sado is no exception. ... Hur set the bar high with her previous works and has cleared it with room to spare. A tense political thriller, a beautiful romance, and a coming of age all in one unique package." --School Library Journal, starred review

"This atmospheric historical mystery will transport and captivate readers ... Hur deftly incorporates the class system, patriarchal restrictions, and court politics, as well as Korean words, into the storyline, broadening the world and cultural richness of the story ... A beautifully written story full of historical and cultural details that will leave readers aching for a follow-up." --Booklist, starred review

"Gripping ... An expertly choreographed mystery with a touch of romance and an emotionally satisfying conclusion that beautifully binds fiction to fact. It's the perfect book to curl up with for a cozy winter afternoon of murder and intrigue." --NPR

"I've devoured every book June Hur has written, so no surprise here that her newest book is one of my favorite reads of the year so far. ... I might as well inject Hur's writing straight into my veins for how quickly I gobble up everything she writes. Seriously, it's that good." --BookRiot

"Steeped in rich historical details, Hur's palace thriller offers a sharp critique of the monarchy's abuse of power while maintaining a quick pace and crafting a captivating murder mystery." --Publishers Weekly

"Deftly celebrates subversive female ingenuity. With captivating cinematic flair, [Hur] transforms true royal drama into a closeup-ready mesmerizing mystery. ... Seamlessly combines court intrigue, multiple murders and forbidden love to create a riveting YA historical thriller." --Shelf Awareness

"Exciting and fast-paced, this unusual detective story transports readers to Korea's Joseon Dynasty, providing (per the author's note) one version of the tragic true story of Crown Prince Jangheon. ... A testament to Hur's dedication in researching Korea's complex history. Romance, adventure, and mystery keep pages turning, and readers will undoubtedly find themselves drawn to Hyeon's smarts, ambition, and strong will." --The Horn Book

"If you are a fan of Korean historical dramas and murder mysteries, you cannot go wrong with June Hur's books. Her atmospheric prose brings Joseon-era Korea to life in all its richness and complexities while elegantly spinning a web of sinister intrigue and suspense. ... I'm excited to experience a mystery unfolding in the Changdeok Palace in its original language, without having to rely on subtitles and Wikipedia articles." --Reera Yoo, co-host of Books & Boba

"If you're going to write a historical novel, I want you to drop me into the details, baby. Hur's writing makes you feel like you've been transported to the streets of 18th century Korea. Her characters are always striving to do the right things with so little, driven to unravel mysteries, and she delicately exposes the corruption and seedy underbelly of the rich and powerful." --Forever Young Adult

Praise for The Forest of Stolen Girls:

A Junior Library Guild Selection
A 2022 Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee
A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection
A 2022 White Pine Award Nominee
A 2022 ALA Rise Selection
A 2022 CCBC Choices Selection

"A breathtaking journey through 1400s Korea. ... The mystery complements the setting perfectly, and the conclusion is well-plotted and satisfying. ... A must for all collections." --School Library Journal, starred review

"Crafting a suspenseful, atmospheric historical mystery, Hur (The Silence of Bones) explores women's lack of bodily agency during this time and the dangers of obsessive protection, adroitly interweaving the historical context of the real horrors that afflicted Korean women from the 13th-century Mongol rule until after 1435." --Publishers Weekly

"Set against the backdrop of fifteenth-century Korea--or Joseon, as it was known then--this tightly plotted historical mystery will please fans of both genres. ... Those who love well-researched historical fiction with darker themes such as Ruta Sepetys' Out of the Easy or Elizabeth Wein's Verity series, will appreciate Hur's attention to detail. Give to fans of Sherri L. Smith's The Blossom and the Firefly or Stacy Lee's Downstairs Girl looking for other well developed Asian characters." --YALSA

"Rich, exquisite, and deeply atmospheric, The Forest of Stolen Girls draws the reader in from the very first page and doesn't let go. A dark and utterly engrossing mystery, beautifully drawn from start to finish." --Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times-bestselling author of Girl in Pieces

"The Forest of Stolen Girls is a haunting, breathtaking tale that will have readers on the edge of their seats. With its lush and atmospheric prose, complex character dynamics, and an immersive mystery I was ravenous to uncover, I could not turn the pages fast enough! Hur is an absolute master of mystery, and I will be reading her gorgeous books for years to come." --Adalyn Grace, New York Times-bestselling author of All the Stars and Teeth

"Haunting and lyrical. Beware, this tale will draw you deeper into the forest than you want to go." --Stacey Lee, award-winning author of The Downstairs Girl

"A brilliant historical fiction mystery that is suspenseful, gorgeous and absolutely riveting! Hur brings Jeju Island during the early Joseon period completely to life in a rich, evocative manner that reminds me of watching my favorite historical Kdrama. ... I adored this book from start to finish!" --Ellen Oh, author of the Prophecy series

"Knee-deep inside Hur's taut, suspenseful snare, I felt the cold touch of secrets poking at my shoulder and sometimes, neck. Disappearances, quests, and family tension? I'm all the way in." --Rita Williams-Garcia, National Book Award finalist New York Times-bestselling author of A Sitting in St. James

Praise for The Silence of Bones:

An ABA Indies Introduce Selection
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A 2021 Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee
A 2021 ALA Rise Selection
A 2020 Freeman Award Honorable Mention
A 2021 CCBC Amy Mathers Teen Book Award Finalist

"At once haunting and evocative, June Hur's The Silence of Bones is a gorgeous, tightly-woven debut. Prepare to delve deep into the lush and dangerous world of Korea in the 1800's for a page-turner you won't soon forget." --Hafsah Faizal, New York Times-bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame

"An intriguing tale that touches on class, honor, the value of one's beliefs, and the lengths one is willing to go for loyalty and family. Hur presents such a vivid portrayal of the Joseon Era that it's like stepping back in time. With its breathtaking prose and complex characters, this mystery novel is sure to keep you guessing until the very end!" --Kat Cho, author of Wicked Fox

"This gripping drama is definitely one you're not going to want to miss." --Buzzfeed

"A total knockout." --Popsugar

"Gripping ... An exhilarating thriller, pitting the powerful against the power-hungry, endowing the powerless with affecting agency." --Shelf Awareness

"This book is beautifully written, and moves at a brisk pace. ... Engaging and dynamic. Hur's first novel does an excellent job of exploring a topic that isn't found widely in YA literature." --School Library Journal

"The Korean concept of han, as well as customs, language, and politics, are woven flawlessly into the narrative ... Seol's determined pursuit of literacy and freedom, as well as the bittersweet ending, make for a memorable and worthwhile read." --Publishers Weekly

"In this striking debut, Hur has crafted an intriguing historical mystery set in a time period often overlooked in YA ... A compelling mystery for lovers of Victorian murder cases who are ready for an alternative to the London setting." --Booklist

"An excellent historical mystery that asks big questions about family, religion, morality, and what it means to belong." --Book Riot

"Read this book if you enjoy: supporting debut authors, Korean history, the 1800s, atmospheric reads, K-drama dramatics, books in which you start suspecting everyone." --Goodreads

About the Author

June Hur is a New York Times-bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author of YA historicals, including The Silence of Bones, The Forest of Stolen Girls, The Red Palace, A Crane Among Wolves, and Behind Five Willows. Born in South Korea, June spent her formative years in the USA, Canada, and South Korea before studying History and Literature at the University of Toronto, and working at the city's public library. Her work has been featured in Forbes, NPR, The New York Times, CBC, and KBS. June resides in Toronto with her family and can be spotted writing in coffee shops.