CapaCapa
Scan Sign in
Cover of Behind Five Willows

Behind Five Willows

June Hur

Ages 13–18

Readers rate it 3.0 (4 on Hardcover)

241 pages · Released May 26, 2026

Content report card

Behind Five Willows parent’s guide: what’s inside

Medium confidence

Language

LGBTQ+ themes

Substance use

What it offers

A note for parents

This historical Korean Pride and Prejudice retelling celebrates reading, writing, and intellectual freedom against government censorship. The romance is warm and age-appropriate, with minimal content concerns. The story emphasizes courage, empathy, and standing up for one's beliefs, making it well-suited for teen readers who enjoy historical fiction and literary classics.

Analyzed by AI · 1 month ago

Read it with your kids?

Rate it and suggest an age to help other parents.

Log in to review

From the publisher

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 d... 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

Shelved under

  • Young Adult Fiction
  • FC Sub YA
  • Young Adult
  • Fantasy

Share this guide

ISBN 9781250348074 · Feiwel & Friends

We use cookies to keep you signed in and for anonymous usage stats. No ad tracking. Privacy