2.5 stars

"You'd do well to remember this: your heart is your home. Until you understand that, you belong nowhere."

I have enjoyed Six Crimson Cranes to no end. It is a book about family ties and devotion and how people aren't always who they seem to be. It was fun, and messy and fantastic.

I had only one tidbit of a difficulty with Six Crimson Cranes, and that was that it had one fairytale too many. But it was good, really good. I wish I could say the same about the Dragon's Promise. It makes me awfully sad to say that it felt more like an improvisation rather than a carefully plotted fairytale. Things seemed to crop up as we go. And Shiori seemed not to grow a day wiser. The book is mostly about how reckless, rash and irrational she can become and get away with it.

The first third of the story was under water in the Kingdom of Ailong in which we spend more time with Seryu. I couldn't help constantly rolling my eyes at teasing out a love triangle (Argh! I hate those). No one can complain it's a love triangle because the third segment is absent. Then the second third is spent on a dragon hunt in which we pick up with Radish Boy exactly where we left him off. And again the teasing of a love triangle with an absent segment. It had an overwhelmingly juvenile tone. And the third third is a renewed fight at the home front with a very peculiar choice at ending the story.

To be honest, I think Six Crimson Cranes would have made a far better book as a standalone. With a few nips and tucks, it would have been the perfect Asian fairytale inspiration for modern times. The Dragon's Promise simply made a mess of things. I love Lim's writing style, I'm just so disappointed in the plot and characterization of this book. I had really high hopes to see the characters I loved so much develop and grow. But regardless, this book remains a highly readable, entertaining adventure story.'

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Six crimson cranes is one of my favorite books of this year. So I was really excited to read the second book. The Dragon's Promise picked up where the first one ended. We were thrown into action immediately. I really enjoyed the world and we got to read about different parts of the kingdom. The ending was amazing but I really felt like there were a couple of loose ends that I wanted to know. Overall it was a lovely duology and I'll definitely recommend giving a chance to this magical world.

Let me tell you beforehand that I love retellings and I loved ‘Six Crimson Cranes’, the first book of the series.

When I started the second book, and for the first part of it, I was really enjoying it. All the story played in Ai’long was fantastic… until the point it was not that much.

I can’t really go into detail without spoiling the review so I’ll just say that the plot had so much potential up to that point and didn’t play out giving the reader the most of the experience. I would like to see more of initiative and action from Shiori & Seryu. I wanted to see them bold, decisive and determined rather than second guessing themselves.

Then the last part and the ending, although was good and I enjoyed reading it, it felt forced to finish and not thought through very much. Long story short, this could easily leave me with a book hangover and the fact that didn’t, I think that it’s what’s bothered me the most.

First of all, if you haven't read the Spin the Dawn series before reading this book, I encourage you to do so. I just read Spin The Dawn and Unravel the Dusk recently, and I'm glad I did because it's a lot of fun picking up all the little Spin The Dawn references in this book.
As with Six Crimson Crane, what really captured my heart with Dragon's Promise is the theme of family. I love Shiori's relationship with her brothers, especially her father in this book. But the book was also packed with the exciting action and high-stakes that I love about YA fantasy. No, but it didn't faint me. It has evolved and taken on a deeper meaning.
Both Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon's Promise romances are built on true understanding and acceptance. This is also one of the things I admire about him in the Spin The Dawn series. And then there is the friendship that warms my heart



It was really fun to see how this story unfolded, how the plot of the first book blossomed and deepened, and how all the relationships in this book deepened. I think that was the appropriate conclusion for the duology. I love Mutsue Crane so I want to start off by saying I was so excited to read Promise of Dragons. I was totally in love with the world, all the characters and the magic system. I am very grateful that I read this so quickly.


It was great!

The Dragon Pledge begins with Shiori traveling to the Dragon Realm with Seriu.

There's a little more action here than in Six Cranes, and Shiori finds herself. I'm glad that I was able to answer many of the questions that were asked in the first book where Shiori found out more about her stepmother.
I'm a huge fan of her family dynamics book and was very fortunate to also meet Siori's father, the Emperor.

Takkan was the cutest and I loved being with Shiori.

A satisfying conclusion to the duology, although not as good as the first book. The writing is atmospheric and it was fun getting to visit the dragon realm, but I feel more time could have been spent there.

This book just wasn't as good as the first. I saw the reviews saying the same thing when I had already started reading and I didn't believe them. The start of the book was so interesting and I loved it, so reading negative reviews then just didn't sit right with me. My review isn't exactly a negative one but I didn't love the book.

The beginning really was great. I was drawn in immediately and totally lost in the world, but after about the first third of the book, it just seems to drag.

For me the worst and most annoying thing was that nothing ever went right. Every single plan they had failed, they couldn't even travel somewhere without something going wrong. This was so bad that every time that this happened, I was rolling my eyes. And these disruptions always happened suddenly, like someone throwing a rock in your face, which, yes, does actually happen in this book. It meant that every single time they came up with a plan, be it minor or major, I knew something was going to interrupt them. So, the plot felt like one thing after another and didn't seem to flow. There was hardly any respite.

I feel like moments of respite are the moments in which the reader gets to know the characters the most, but without these, I felt disconnected from the characters in a way that I hadn't with the first book. I didn't really care for Shiori and Takkan's relationship like I had before. I actually felt as if most of the characters blended into one another, Shiori's brothers were almost one entity. When character names came up that I hadn't read for a while, I had no idea who they were.

Overall, it was worth a read if you enjoyed the first book (especially because of that cliffhanger!). But it really fell short of what I was expecting. I've not been too put off Lim though because I would still very much like to read her other work (the first third afterall was amazing!)

Stunning!

What a fantastic sequel to one of my favourite reads of all time! I missed Shiori and the gang. And this book dived further into the kingdom of the dragon and the love triangle and shenanigans that ensue!

The writing was beautiful as always, and I loved being back in this world. I won't say too much as this is a sequel, but the first book was fantastic and I was scared this wouldn't live up to it, but I'm glad I was wrong! I loved the friendships and the romance. The plot was fast-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I finished this book in 2 sittings and immediately want to reread it all!

I can't recommend it enough!!

This was absolutely the sequel I was waiting for. After adoring the first book (the characters and magical writing were so beautiful) I was very much looking forward to this one. I loved the pace of the story. It was incredibly well written, very whimsical and magical and I very much enjoyed it. I also very much enjoyed reading the characters and seeing their development throughout the story.

4.5

is a sequel to Six Crimson Cranes, and I would highly recommend this duology. I will not go into many details regarding the plot, because this is the sequel and I don't want to spoil too much. I did absolutely love this book, maybe slightly less than the first one and I will get into why, but I still think it's fantastic.

This book picks up exactly where the last book left off, and it's a part of the 'problem' I had with it. We start this book with Seryu and Shiori going to the dragon kingdom, which was super interesting to read about, but as soon as Shiori returns to Kiata it's like a switch to a completely different story. Obviously, there is continuity, but it felt like as soon as that part was done with it was completely cast aside and forgotten. I was under the impression there would be more Seryu and the dragons in this book (mainly because of the cover, but that's on me for assuming), and I was a bit disappointed when that wasn't the case.

Overall, I loved Shiori and the rest of the characters. I love Shiori's brothers, how she communicates differently with each of them, and how much support her brothers give her. I still loved Takkan, as I did in the first book. And obviously, I love Kiki, she is easily my favorite character. I really loved that we got to learn more about Raikama, her life before she married the emperor and I thought her backstory was really sad but so interesting. I also loved the scenes with Shiori and the emperor, seeing how much her father loves her was really heartwarming.

The world-building was great, this book really expanded the world we were introduced to in the first book. I did glance at the reviews, and I noticed some people were disappointed in this book compared to the first one. I will say, I think with the first one being a retelling, I did not expect the exact same thing out of the second one, so maybe that's why I really enjoyed it. This book definitely feels different than the first one. There was more action in this book, more threads this story followed. I really enjoyed how fast-paced it was and I think this book did a good job of not leaving any loose ends that would be annoying, with the exception maybe being what I mentioned about the first part of the book feeling like it was disconnected from the rest of the story.

The ending of the book was definitely not the one I anticipated, and if I'm being honest, it might've broken my heart just a little bit. I might've shed a tear or two, but it truly was beautiful and emotional.

All in all, please read this duology.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was, unfortunately, a very average sequel to an incredible book. The most interesting part of the book was the first 30% when Shiori spent some time in the Dragon Realm with Seryu, but after this, Seryu and the dragon realm were never mentioned again. The rest of the story was a completely different plot. And, unfortunately, it was a more boring plot.

Thank you for my earc of this book!
I really feel like Lim has developed this duology so well. I liked the first book but it felt lacking in some areas so it was great to see a stronger 2nd book!

Look at that cover!! Stunning! The book is lovely, it's like a folk tale and I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me access to the book in exchange for my honest feedback.

While I enjoyed the previous book, there was something missing in it for me. I found the story predictable and as I wrote in my review, it caught my interest, but it didn’t grab me by the heart. I felt like it was a precursor of things to come, an introduction rather than a full story which sometimes happens with the first book in a duology. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just the way it works out and that is definitely the case for the Six Crimson Cranes duology. Read back to back the two books are going to fit perfectly together.

Everything that I felt was missing in book one is in The Dragon’s Promise. From the very start Lim had my attention, she had me on the edge of my seat and oh yes, she most definitely had my heart, and she was ripping it in two at times!

In the first book Princess Shiori and her brothers have been on a whirlwind adventure, their lives turned upside down when they are all cursed by their stepmother. The boys are turned into cranes and Shiori is told that if she speaks one of them will die. On top of that a pot is jammed on top of her head. We eventually find out that all of this was their stepmother’s convoluted way to save them from their enemies, especially since Shiori is special; she has magic in her blood. Her blood can open the mountain doorway to let demons back into the world, and some see her as a living threat and others want to use her as a weapon.

As her stepmother lay dying Shiori learned her stepmother’s full story and her real identity, including that she carried with her a dragon’s pearl. She made a promise at that moment to return the dragon’s pearl to its rightful owner and The Dragon’s Promise starts where the previous book ended, with Shiori headed for the kingdom of dragons with Seryu, the dragon prince she befriended. Those who have read Six Crimson Cranes will remember that Shiori had promised the pearl to the Dragon King, and that is not the only obstacle that she comes across during her time with the dragons.

Once again Lim’s descriptions are magical, bringing the underwater palaces of the dragons to life, and yes I say palaces. The action starts right from the outset as Seryu and Shiori swim into trouble on their way down to the kingdom, and from then on the trouble doesn’t stop coming from Shiori. Despite so much happening everything flows along naturally, I never felt like too much was happening at once. Things are messy and chaotic, but so are the situations that Shiori finds herself in!

When Shiori returns from the dragons, still with the pearl in her possession (you didn’t think it would be that easy did you? 😉 ), she finds herself in a kingdom that she doesn’t recognise but recognises her a bit too much. Magic is returning to her homeland, Kiata, a land which has shunned magic for centuries. While Shiori is away people have realised, and attacks from a powerful sorcerer turned demon who managed to escape the mountain have stoked people’s fear of magic. Ministers of her father’s court are arguing against magic with one suggesting that Shiori be killed to protect the kingdom. Shiori quickly realises that until magic has a place in Kiata, she would not.

Hatching a wild plan to deal with the demon Bandur to save her people, and to get the pearl to the dragon it belongs to, Shiori enlists the help of her brothers once more and this time they are joined by her betrothed Takkan and her brother Andahai’s wife Qinnia. Qinnia is a new character introduced in this book, and it was great to see Shiori bond with a female character that was not a paper crane (as awesome as Kiki is, she is still a magical construct not a flesh and blood person). She’s clever, quick thinking, kind and makes the effort to get to know Shiori at a time when people are shying away from her out of fear.

Kiki is even more fabulous as the last time, and had me cracking up with some of her commentaries. There was more time spent with Shiori’s brothers this time as they were with Shiori more often and in human form most of the time.

And of course, there is much more of Shiori and Takkan! Their relationship is very different from the first book for obvious reasons, and it is beautiful. It is such a strong relationship based on trust and friendship, and what I admire most about it is that Lim has emphasised the way they communicate with each other. It has become a trope in pop culture, especially in YA novels, to have one partner go behind the back of the other, to keep secrets. Usually for some ridiculous reason such as protecting them. Lim has created a healthy relationship with open communication and trust, and I am here for it. That’s not to say that neither Shiori nor Takkan doesn’t want or try to protect the other, but they don’t do something stupid like not trusting their partner. I also felt that the interactions between them were so genuine and reminded me of conversations I’ve had with my own partner.

Shiori grows a lot in this book. She has to with everything that gets flung at her. The Dragon’s Promise deals with a lot of themes and ideas, drawing again on Eastern folklore and this time the ending felt very satisfactory. I am going to miss these characters, and I cried buckets during some of the scenes and at the end, but Lim has given them a proper send off. This is a very solid five stars for me and while I wait to see what Elizabeth Lim has next for us, I’m going to be catching up on her previous duology!

The dragons promise is the second and final installment in Elizabeth Lims six crimson cranes duology. Shiori just started her journey to the dragon-realm with dragonprince Seryu, shes desperate to fulfill her stepmothers last wish and find the Wraith to give him his heartpearl back. On this journey she has to face vicious kings, bloodthirsty demons and her own fears.
I was immediately sucked into the story and loved every second of it, Elizabeth Lims books have a special way of writing and they almost feel like classic tales from my childhood, but with modern fantasy-elements.

Wow... just wow...
I liked the first book and gave it 4 stars, but this is even better!
I was so into it I lost all track of time and place!
I love the way Elisabeth Lim writes, and the setting and plot is just stunning!

Easy 5 stars!

Shiori has begun her quest to the dragon realm with Seryu and her sassy sidekick Kiki. Returning the temperamental pearl she will encounter unexpected dangers. Is it worth keeping her promise with everything she needs to face?

Compellingly paced, this sequel is enticingly unpredictable, so full of gasp-worthy surprises. There is an ambiance of floating in this vivid world perpetuated by Lim's masterful use of words, as he shares her unending imagination with us. There is figurative speech here that should be applauded.

Shiori is as stubborn, courageous, compassionate and morally just as ever. If possible, you will love her even more in this installment. Her POV delves longingly into her emotions but is all-enveloping of whatever is happening around her. Everything isn't coming up roses for our heroine, as she goes through trials of fantastical and malicious obstacles as well as psychological turbulence. The author succeeds in making the story feel like your own personal fairy tale experience.

Witty, sometimes hilariously dry humor highlights the adventurous spark of the narrative. Can a narrative be adventurous, exhilarating and cozy at the same time? And also smile-envoking? If Lim is the author it can. The mythology continues to impress, as does the worldbuilding. The scheming here is on a whole new level, making your head spin with all the ever-changing deals & betrayals.

There are parts in the beginning, in the dragon realm, where I feel as a reader I did not have time to digest every twist and turn, the plot advancements came too close, no time for them to breathe. This evened out as the book progressed. Also some things seem to be implied that they happened or were said and I wish they had been elaborated.

Duty is a theme here as are faith & loyalty. In its own imaginative way, this story shines a light on the issue of being different. Different isn't bad. Being who you really are is of utmost importance. We also ponder the magic of the soul.

This story may have the best sidekick ever. Kiki of course. It is also highly quotable, with phrases of beautiful sentiments and life lessons. On a wisp of a dream, creativity its king, all the while gifting us with brilliant writing it does. This is a more than worthy conclusion to an amazing duology.

I guess I’ll have to begin this with a little disclaimer, I’m definitely biased because I’m 100% in love with this world that Lim has created, I fell in love with it before Spin the Dawn was released in the US in 2019 and I’ve just fallen more and more in love with the world since.

The Dragon’s Promise picks up pretty much right at the end of Six Crimson Cranes, with Shiori headed to the Dragon’s Realm (Ai’long) alongside Kiki and Seryu. The whole story is fairly fast-paced and a lot happens. There aren’t many quiet moments for reflection throughout which is kind of illustrated in how we’re only actually in Ai’long for the first third of the book. Within that time, if you’ve read Spin the Dawn prior to this duology then you’ll come across a certain old friend… (It’s teased in Unravel the Dusk!)

One thing I’d like to note is that if you haven’t read any of this world’s stories yet… start with this duology. Read the Blood of Stars after because otherwise you have a pretty good idea of what needs to happen in The Dragon’s Promise.

It’s clear that Shiori won’t rest until she’s fulfilled the promise she made to her stepmother, Raikama, at the end of the first book – to return her dragon pearl to its original owner. Within Ai’long, she learns that won’t be quite so simple to do…

With the quick departure from Ai’long, we also have a quick departure from the awesome character of Seryu. Honestly, I miss him. He was witty and charming and absolutely would have been a great match for Shiori… but Takkan is still definitely one of the sweetest love interests to be created, so I’m not too heartbroken over her choice!

When she goes home, the reunion with her brothers, Takkan and her father is very sweet and it was great getting to see more of her brothers’ characters show. But then of course she still had to return the pearl and try her best to help with the little demon problem from the end of the first book… so we get another adventure, of course. The adventure also takes Shiori to Raikama’s childhood home, so we have a little insight into her life and some emotional moments.

Lim manages to introduce some new characters too without taking away the majority of the spotlight from the others (though, I have to admit I was still very attached to that particular The Blood of Stars character, even in his very different form he was a joy whenever on the page).

Although I am most definitely extremely sad that this story is over… the ending was just so perfect. I cried a lot throughout the latter end of the book and a lot of that crying involved happy tears. In a sense, it was of a similar nature to the ending of Unravel the Dusk, and even that parallel alone had made me emotional.

All-in-all, this was yet another beautiful story from Lim. I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next, but these two duologies will always be recommended and they’ll always stay on my favourites shelf

One thing I will say is that this was an interesting way to end a duology! I really enjoyed Six Crimson Cranes so I was VERY excited for this book, I will say I liked the first book better but this one wasn't bad at all! The book just picks up straight away form the ending of the first one, I should have maybe re read the last chapter or two just to get myself in the mindset. I adore seeing Shiori, Kiki, and Seryu negotiate the complex political situations and unforeseen issues in Ai'long. I was quite interested to see how the rest of the book would turn out because the action was so exciting. The first 15-18 chapters were fab but it sorta went slightly downhill. The pacing didn't feel as smooth so at some points I was a bit bored. The villain in this book, who fell short of my expectations, was the worst letdown. This, in my opinion, somewhat lowered the stakes, especially since I didn't believe that the characters were in danger. In addition, some of the side characters sounded fascinating, so I would have wanted to see more of them.

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was disappointing. the first book was so good and this was so mediocre in comparison! Elizabeth Lim can do so much better! Even now her writing style is pretty! Things are very quotable. But so much of the book is rushed, characters are introduced and then left behind, her brothers are so bland and it felt like she just had to be rescued.

I did like what we learned about the step mother and I think Seryu (MY BABY) is an example for all men on how to handle rejection because at least he left her alone.

I really liked the book, although the first one was better. Still was glad I read the sequel. We already have the first one in our store and I will be happy to sell the sequel to our customers.