Whilst I immensely enjoyed SIx Crimson Cranes, I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed by its sequel. Don’t get me wrong I’ m really glad I read it, Elizabeth Lim created such a magical world and lovable characters. However, I feel like the plot took such a different turn from it’s beginning, and whilst I enjoyed the first part I wasn’t gripped that much by the second half. And whilst I generally enjoy a fast paced book, I feel like this book tried to cramp too much at the end that certain plot points felt too rushed just to get to another one. I also found certain aspects of this book a repetition of the first book.

Nevertheless I still enjoyed the friendship and family dynamics, and I really really enjoyed the romance. Takkan was my favorite part of the story ❤️

Huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the eArc.

The sequel and concluding volume in Lim’s duology, follows on from Six Crimson Cranes and the death bed promise made by the MC. The writing is just a beautiful as the first book, and I enjoyed seeing more of certain character interactions. I found this story a shade less engaging but it’s still a very good YA book. Wonderful world building and a fresh take on fairy tales. And check out that gorgeous cover!

2.5/5

i really enjoyed six crimson cranes when i read it last year so it hurts to acknowledge how painfully average its sequel is.

the first 30% was completely disconnected from the rest of the plot and felt like a whole other story. the magical underwater dragon city is a pretty nice concept so i don't understand why the author decided to abandon it for the demon plotline, which was frankly lame and boring as hell. the main goal was vague and not as compelling as the one in the first book. the plot after the first 30% felt random and all over the place, especially towards the end - it felt like the author was coming up with ideas on the spot to keep the story going somehow. plus, some ideas from the first book were repeated here - it almost felt as if the author was forced to write this sequel.

personally, i think characters like shiori and takkan can only remain charming for one book - the more i got of them, the more they started to wear me out (although i admit their romance is cute). there were a couple of new characters introduced who had a lot of potential but sadly they turned out to be pointless and played no significant role in the plot.

honestly, the dragon's promise feels a bit of an unnecessary book to me - six crimson cranes would've worked perfectly well as a standalone.

despite it all, i'm being generous with my rating because this is still a fast-paced, compulsively readable book with a nice writing style and if you really really love the characters, i think you'll like it (most of the early reviews are positive so i might be in the minority).

the dragon's promise followed a story about shiori's adventure to fulfill her promise to raikama. in the first chapters, i got to dive deep into the dragon realm, enjoying every bit of shiori and seryu interaction. so many adventurous things happened down there and i slowly began to understand the character of seryu's dragon family. the dynamic between shiori and seryu was starting to unfold in the dragon realm but the adventure didn't end there since shiori hadn't been able to fulfill raikama's wish. i can't really say what happened next since that would be too spoilery but the only thing in tdp that troubled me was the character dynamics. i think it's because it didn't live up to my expectation? however, i was fine with everything else. the execution was remarkably enchanting, i've always been in love with elizabeth lim's style since i read spin the dawn (and the cameo of edan in tdp!! that was one of the best moments for sure). lastly, even though i was a little underwhelmed, i'd still think that six crimson cranes enjoyers will like this book <3

I was thrilled to read Dragons Promise, the sequel to six crimson cranes. I was thrilled to start reading where it ended and was in deep in the story. The book is written with enough recap to not be overwhelming. But keeps the book flowing, the book has 2 distinct parts and 2 adventures which was overwhelming to get through and did affect my rating.
Elizabeth Lim has created a world so fascinating I need more about this world and it characters.
The best looking books released in 2022, beautiful artwork on the UK covers that encourage a reader to get involved in a beautiful story of family, love and committing to succeed.

A must read for anyone who read Six Crimson Cranes, and anyone that didn't needs to start these as soon as possible.

A 4 star read for 2022

#Netgalley #ElizabethLim #DragonsPromise #SixCrimsonCranesSequel #newin2022

I couldn’t wait to dive back into this world and was so excited to experience the dragon’s palace! It was all I hoped for and more. While Shiori’s time in the underwater palace was brief (almost too short, I wish we could have stayed there longer!) the world was beautifully written and wonderfully in depth. I loved seeing little Gen and how mischievous he is but I also wish we saw a lot more of Seryu. Shiori was so harsh on him even though he was trying his hardest to help her.

Shiori and Takkan are still the CUTEST. I love their teasing relationship. Even Shiori’s familial relationship with her brothers is so touching and makes me want to be in her family. I missed Raikaima but I was so happy to see she still features in her own way.

Kiki… I’m not sure about. She came across as too bloodthirsty and domineering for me, but she’s still a cute little character.

Overall 4 stars! I adored this duology and I can’t wait to go read Spin the Dawn again ☺️

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

We follow Shiori and the quest she must take after the events of the previous book. She must travel to the Kingdom of Dragons to fulfill the request she was asked for. I will not dwell to much on the synopsis jsut in case.

I loved Shiori and her growth as a character. The right choice is not always the best and she had to realize it along the way. She suffered and grew and sacrificed things but never forgetting what she wanted as well. She is not that altruist and we love her for that,
Her relationship with her family was explored widely and i loved it soo much. We got to know more sides of her stepmother but we didnt learn it all. Everyone is entitled to have their own secrets, and so wash she.
Her relationship with her father was explored as well and it was so beautiful it amde me cry at times. Shiori loves her family, and her family loves her. Her father and brothers, while they might differ in certain situations or find themselves not happy with certain decitions at the end of they they are all willing to give even their life for their family.

The romance was so swoony, I fell in love with Takkan all over again. It was heart warming seeing them both interact and protect and, above everything else, repect eachother. Their love was so pure it hurted so much.


I cannot say a lot more without spoiling it but i was truly one of the best books i have read in years,

YES - my girl has done it again. I am a total fangirl for Elizabeth Lim and this book didnt disappoint me. It is brilliantly written with a stunning storyline that concludes Six Crimson Cranes, and well developed characters that I have taken to my heart. It was heartbreaking and completely gutwrenching and I was totally here for it.
Princess Shiori has my heart, she is such a strong character and I am devastated that her story is over. I cannot wait for more from Elizabeth Lim, I am sure whatever she does will be golden.

The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim is the sequel to Six Crimson Cranes. I was so excited when I received the book from Netgalley and so lucky to get to read this book in advance.

In this book, Shiori begins her journey by entering the bottom of the Taijin Sea, the dragon kingdom to deliver the dragon pearl to its rightful owner. Her journey becomes more dangerous than what she imagined. It's not easy for her to return the dragon pearl to its rightful owner as she has to face so many challenges including to defeat the demon, Bandur.

The plot was just okay for me. I got distracted a lot and didn't enjoy this book as much as I did enjoy the first book. As much as I loved seeing Shiori and Seryu, I need to accept the fact that everything happens for a reason.

The ending was wrapped up quite well with the famous quote we got from the first book but I wish the story could be better. My experience reading the first book was very different than this one. The first was better than this. But I'd still recommend it, though. Also you need to read it because the first book already gave us the cliffhanger.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advance reader's copy! This book expected to be released on 30 Aug 2022.

The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim is the sequel to Six Crimson Cranes as Shiori embarks on a journey to the kingdom of dragons far below the sea and has to do all it takes to defeat the evil monster, Bandur. This book that is about familial bond, duty and love is pretty interesting although I enjoyed the first book so much more than this one.

I was super ecstatic when Netgalley UK approved my request to read and review this book months before the book is out. I am absolutely so in love with this cover and it truly compliments the first book really well. Unfortunately, the story was just okay for me. I don't know, I just feel like it could be so much better and most of the time, I find really hard to sit down, concentrate and transport myself in this story. I had the opposite effect of the first book.

I was honestly never that into Takkan in the first place, how I wish Shiori would end up with Seryu but it's fine. Things can't always go my way. Anyways, the plot was just okay, it wasn't too slow or fast. But I would still get myself a copy in hardback because it's just too gorgeous to pass up.

I'd still recommend you to read this book as it concludes the end of this duology. I'd say it's wrapped up pretty well and everyone has their happy endings. So, if you loved Six Crimson Cranes, go and read this book once it's out later in August.

The Dragon's Promise concludes Elizabeth Lim's Six Crimson Cranes dilogy.
Princess Shiori's journey in these two books has been adventurous, heartbreaking, and emotional. Elizabeth Lim was able to create a complete three hundred and sixty degree character and story.

Shiori has made a deathbed promise to return the dragon pearl to its rightful owner, but this turns out to be far more dangerous than she ever imagined.
En route to the dragon kingdom, she finds herself navigating political intrigue between humans and dragons, all the while fending off thieves interested in the pearl.
As much as Shiori may have magic coursing through her veins, the pearl is also imbued with malevolent power, helping the princess, but at the same time betraying her by threatening to destroy her family and her true love, Takkan.
Shiori will find herself forced to defend the love and life she fought so hard for.

After finishing Six Crimson Cranes and especially, after an ending like this, my curiosity about what would happen to Shiori in a book to come was through the roof.
I'm endlessly grateful that I had the chance to preview this book and I'm here today to tell you about it.

What Shiori faces in this volume goes far beyond what she has had to endure before. Here she will find herself facing many challenges physically, but more importantly psychologically and emotionally.
It will not be easy at all for her to deliver the dragon's pearl to its owner, she will have challenges to face that will not make her journey full of obstacles.
I appreciated how the author didn't let the romance part prevail over the fantasy one, she gave Shiori and Takkan their space, without overdoing it.
The ending of this dilogy was heartbreaking, definitely Shiori remains one of the strongest female protagonists I've read.