The Dragon's Promise

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.

A magical, action packed read! The perfect ending to Six Crimson Cranes. The story was well-paced. I wished that we explored more of Takkan and Shiori romance together but that is not the main storyline.

(Warning! The Dragon’s promise is the sequel to Six Crimson Cranes, so the following review may contain spoilers regarding the first book.)

In The Dragon’s Promise, Shiori’s journey which began in Six Crimson Cranes continues and the events takes her beyond even her own imagination and into the land of myths.

The safety of the country and everyone she loves is at stake but in her pursuit towards salvation, Shiori may very well doom them all. With so much at stake, betrayals are bound to happen and more than once, the story takes an unexpected turn. Secrets from a forgotten - or maybe not entirely forgotten - past are revealed while the darker powers threatens to break free and destroy everything.

But no matter how dark it gets, no matter how impossible everything may seem, there’s always a little light to brighten the day. In this case, it’s a little paper crane. I must say that although I like several of the characters in this book, Kiki is by far my favorite.
She’s a true and trustworthy companion to Shiori in times she needs it the most. Mostly fluttering around giving snippy comments and hilarious remarks, bringing laughter and joy no matter what circumstances. Despite her being so little, she’s the greatest character throughout this story in my opinion.

I had quite high expectations for this book since I absolutely loved Six Crimson Cranes and pretty much adore everything Elizabeth Lim writes. And I was right to have because once again Elizabeth Lim shows that she never fails to deliver an amazing story told that illustrative, vivid and poetical way of hers. It was an absolute pleasure to read this book!

***Thank you Hodder & Stoughton for providing an eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Firstly I’d like to thank Netgalley for the e-arc ❤️❤️

I had super high expectations for this book as Six Crimson Cranes was just an exquisite read and Elizabeth Lim has not disappointed at all!! This book is amazing!! Shiori is her strong, brave self and there is growth with all of her relationships in the book especially with Takkan and Seryu.

One of the things that I liked about the book is how it’s kinda broken up in to parts. In the beginning we have a large chunk in Ai’Long (The Realm of the Dragons) and then we move on to land 😏😏 (I’m keeping this spoiler free so I don’t want to say exactly where else we go and how we get there…).

Shiori’s travels in the book are long and hard but I’m so glad I went on them with her. Much like her journey in Six Crimson Cranes she learns much about who she is a person in The Dragon’s Promise but, as well as learning about herself, in this book she learns so much about her family too and how much she needs and loves them all. Her relationship with a certain someone deepens and turns into the most beautiful, respectful love. It’s definitely one for the ages and they’re one of my favourites couples now 🥰❤️

Another relationship that continues to grow is Shiori’s relationship with her late stepmother, Raikama. The previous owner of the broken Dragon Pearl seems to be on Shiori’s mind constantly and she strifes to understand her more (which might just happen…).

Dragons, demons, magic, paper and cranes. This book really does have it all. Please pick this duology up. You won’t regret it!!

No doubt this book is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

<i>I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Six Crimson Cranes was one of the loveliest novels I've read last year, so to have an opportunity to dive into the sequel so early was an honour for me. And what can I say? I'm writing this review through tears that block my view, so I'm not sorry for any missspellings lol.

I usually take a different approach to these reviews, but I guess I don't want to spoil the fun to anyone as I assume you're already a fan of the series if you reach for this sequel so I don't have to tell you why it's worth it. I know you know :*

In the beginnig I have to tell you one thing -- <b> PLEASE</b> reread <i>Unravel the dusk</i> before getting yourself involved with Dragon's Promise, I remembered Elizabeth mentioning Spin the dawn character involved, and I guess if you've read second book your wild guess would be Edan's presence, but considering this book comes out in 6 months even if you're the bestest reader with bestest memory, you'd fail just like me to remember few things. And they're crucial to make you fall in love with this story ten times more. (Really, I was mad where's my boii and in the middle of the book simple realization made me hit my head hard several times reconsidering my life choices and priorities. So I guess you'd also need a reread and a bunch of <b>notes with who's who, what location is which and aliases of well known characters</b>. I guess you'll thank me in a few months).

I love how the author intertwined both stories, even thou I think recalculating durations of few events, making some shorter, some longer, wouldn't hurt, after all once again I feel as my life's been complete by finishing another duology set in <i>Blood of Stars</i> universe. Now all I need is a reread of all four, to simply devour everything once again. Let me just go grab several more tissue boxes and I'm ready. Really, if you thought you have no tears left after unravel the dusk, start drinking water now as you might be dead of dehydration by the end of Six crimson cranes two-pack.

Hear me out, I'm not satisfied with the ending, it might feel mild as of what could happen, but I still find it cruel. But why, you either have to wait and find it out yourself, or if you're lucky or broken enough to have read <i>Warrior witch by Danielle L Jensen</i> you might be already prepared for this kind of emotional damage.

I was conflicted in what to rate this book first, as it didn't feel as fast paced as the first one, but after I made that realisation of how stupid I am, and how much I've missed out already I devoured it in one sit and now all is left for me is to sit in the corner waiting for another masterpiece by Elizabeth Lim. So if you haven't already guessed correctly, it's a solid 5 star read and you won't change my mind, If you don't agree with me, please do yourself a favor and google who Gen was. <b>Either your welcome, or please don't slap me on my face for my stupidity and bad memory, I've already done it enough myself</b>.

To Sensei Elizabeth if she's somehow reading this -- can we please get at least one flowery-sugary-happy engding, with no emotional damage to the reader? Thank You, I love you but I'd be forever grateful for one, as I don't know how much of your stories my heart will take before I'll be gone from an attack.

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5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the e-arc for an honest opinion.

Please take in mind it’s my opinion, and everyone is allowed to have one.

This serie was so incredible, I loved it! It was fast pacing, and really easy to understand. I loved how we got to learn more about everything.

The characters were great as well! Seryu is my favorite, do hope we will get to learn more of him.

Quality Rating: Five Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Five Stars

This duology has been a joy to read; the stunning fantasy, the complex characters, the vividly immersive adventure. It has quickly become one of my favourite series of all time and I can't wait to get some pretty hardcovers to go on my shelves (anyone know how to get the US editions to the UK because I'm in love) and read more of Lim's work.

I adore the Asian mythology weaved into what is in its own rite a wonderfully exciting and magical fantasy adventure. As I gushed about when I read Six Crimson Cranes, the fairy tale of The Wild Swans is my favourite fairy tale of all time, so to see it reimagined with full respect to the original as well as boundless imagination to its potential to expand is always a delight when I come across it. And, while the main homage to that fairy tale was wrapped up at the end of the last book, there are still elements dotted throughout The Dragon's Promise, where we get to dive even deeper (pun absolutely intended) into the Asian fairy tales and folklore that inspire a lot of this book's narrative.

Something that is often hit or miss for me is the romance in fantasy adventures; The Dragon's Promise got it perfect for me. I loved how Lim let her characters be tempted by the cliches we're so used to (hiding the truth from significant others, sacrificing themselves completely needlessly, being generally idiotic because 'I care about you too much,') and then had them consciously realise that's dumb and move on to do better. The characters are then so much more tactile, they have healthy relationships even when they're strained, and they recognise the consequences of their actions - that's good storytelling folks!

And that's not mentioning Shiori as the heroine herself. Lim runs a pretty concise masterclass of how to write an active protagonist. Taking into account the fantasy elements and the fact Shiori has magic at her fingertips, it is still her active decisions that move the story forward, which makes it all the more exciting and Shirori all the more impressively brave and beloved.

This whole book was just so satisfying because it acknowledged and took elements from all of Shiori's adventures (has it really only been two books?) to impact her actions in the finale. She really has learnt a hundred lessons, and she really has changed because of it. In only two books, Shiori and her companions feel like such real human beings (and a variety of other magical creatures) to me. I think it was a perfect ending - and yet I don't want it to be the ending. Here's hoping Lim sends some new characters our way to fall in love with soon.

Finished reading 2 - 17 March

Less than 5-word critique; exciting and magical.

"The Dragon's Promise" is like a movie sequel that is just as good as the original. I myself enjoyed this more than its predecessor for reasons I don't want to spoil. On an extra note, this duology would be perfect to see as a film or TV series,

After the events of "Six Crimson Cranes", Princess Shiori must undergo some challenges that will test her on everything she knows and loves, including going to the kingdom of dragons and facing off demons once again.

Lim does it again with her brilliant and beautiful writing.
Excellent characters and character development.
World-building is more expansive than ever and never lets you feel confused. It is a soaring experience.

Recommended to those who enjoy;
*"Mulan", "Dragonheart", and "Raya and the Last Dragon" vibes
*Strong-willed female protagonist who will protect what she cares about
*Complex humans and creatures
*Action-packed sequences that makes you feel you're watching a fantasy action movie
*Dragons
*Magic
*Family bonds
*Sweet romance with a lot of witty and adorable banter

Thank you so much NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this copy. I really loved and enjoyed the story.

P.S. The cover artwork is awesome and beautiful. A lot of praise to the artists as well.

A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this eArc!

An amazing sequel to an exquisite series! So rich with mythology and culture, a world filled with fantastical creatures and amazing characters. I highly recommend this series!!

Can’t wait for my physical copies to arrive when this book releases!!

I recently read Six Crimson Cranes and fell in love with the story, so of course I was thrilled to be giving the chance to review the second book in this series The Dragon's Promise. The story follows on from the events of the first book with Princess Shiori once again fighting against danger on all fronts in order to seek answers and fulfill a final promise, whilst trying to protect her family and people that fear her magic will become their ultimate undoing.
I can honestly say that I loved the Dragon's promise even more than the first book as we get to see the struggle Shiori has between protecting her family and exploring her magic and what it can awaken with not only herself but also within the country.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton Publishers as well as Netgalley for allowing me to review this book.
All thoughts and opinions all completely my own.

Six Crimson Cranes was one of my favourite books of last year, so I had high hopes for the sequel, and I'm pleased to report that it's just as magical and beautiful to read - and what a gorgeous cover, too! This type of mythology inspired fantasy really is my favourite genre at the moment - "safe" enough to recommend to my younger students, but just as magical and enjoyable for me as an adult, too.

Our tale picks up after THAT cliffhanger, with Shiori setting off to fulfill her promise of returning the pearl to its rightful owner. Her adventures take her far and wide to new areas of the world, which were just as fun to explore. All the favourite characters from Six Crimson Cranes are back, along with a special extra cameo that I wasn't expecting and did make me smile.

And I won't go into detail because spoilers, but this style of ending has always been my favourite - it feels earned rather than just given for the sake of a happy ending, but still leaves the reader on an uplifting note.

This series accidentally ended up as one of my fave of all time. Lemme paint the picture: School gets a lil boring and I get A LOT trigger happy and I request this book. I hadn’t even read the first book…
But then I did read the first book and the only thing I could think about was reading this one. So I did!

This holds a special place in my heart. Not only did it feature waaay more of Seyru, the love interest who has my heart, but It was in the sea!! There is no better setting for a book. Jellyfish! Dragons! Court politics? I ain’t too sure about that last one, but hey it worked!

Like always, I’m so friggin proud of how our MC doesn’t die. OBVIOUSLY she isn’t as powerful as dragons. But she suddenly doesn’t gain ridiculous powers to achieve her goals! She is just awesome!! And smart! And yes she got help, but it never feels like plot armour or out of the blue randomness. Thigh at this point, this series is allowed to do whatever it wants and I would still go down swinging for it.

And ohmigosh the ending! It was PERFECT and I will take no objections at this time. Or any other time…

Thanks, Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
O was so excited to see my profile approved for an Arc that I read this in one go.
Magnificent work. You get totally lost in the beautiful world that the author creates. This book takes the world building of Shiori's world, basically the land of Dragons, to a whole new level. It was magical experience. I really wanted for Shiori and Seryu to be an end game ever since book one, but O still appreciate the very special friendship that they formed through all trials that both of them had to endure. Both books really deserve some sort of media visualization - graphic novel, movie or anything. It is real magical experience for the mind and it should be for the eyes as well! Can't wait to read more amazing novels form the author!

Such a beautifully woven fantasy that kept me hooked to the chapters. I love the fantasy elements of dragon, power, magic etc. The characters are well bult and compelling!

OMG, I loved this book. Everything was perfect from beginning to ending. Elizabeth Lim does not disappoint and deliverers a magnificent book. Dragons, demons, magic, gods, angry cultists.. Just all I want in a fantasy book. There's no love triangule (thanks for that \o/). Takkan and Shiori are just the loveliest couple, her brothers have her back and Kiki is the perfect sidekick! Oh, I loved this book so so much!

I just finished this Book and I can absolutely say that I completely fell in love with it. This was amazing.
All the twists and turns this story took kept me wondering how this would end. And I loved alle along the way. Shiori is such a compelling character that I just wanted her to be okay.

I truly enjoyed the first book and this one was no different! I loved the story and it flowed lyrically. These books follow such a beautiful story! Thank you to netgally and the publisher for allowing me an early copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this book. I haven't read Six Crimson Cranes and this is the sequel so I was a little nervous that I wouldn't fully appreciate the storyline and whilst I think reading the first instalment would help me with a little back story, I actually think this book does well as a standalone.
The descriptions of Ai'long was breath taking, tell me why I want to go and live in the dragon realm?!
Shiori was the perfect strong female lead character, I absolutely adored her. Kiki was also a firm favourite of mine, I think the sassy paper bird needs her own book. I have a big soft spot for Seryu and Takkan so I really wasn't swaying for Shiori to be with one or the other. The brothers seemed like the kind of brothers everyone needs.
The world Elizabeth Lim has created is so beautiful and I need to read Six Crimson Cranes immediately as I'm craving more.
Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this arc.

We pick up where Six Crimson Cranes left off….Princess Shiori has to return the dragons pearl to it’s rightful owner but has to go on an epic journey to do it!

We follow her down to the kingdom of dragons where she has to try and foil the dragon emperor himself! I enjoyed this part as there we so many twists that I didn’t see coming and it kept me reading on the edge of my seat!

From her adventure down with the dragons we go on another adventure to reunite the pearl with its rightful owner, but it’s a lot harder than it seems and trouble is always following Princess Shiori, but with Takkan and her family helping her she may just make it out in one piece!

The romance between her and Takkan is lovely and I love their relationship together.

I really enjoyed reading The Dragon’s Promise and thought it was just as good as Six Crimson Cranes! A perfect read for adventure, romance and Chinese Myths fans!

4.5 to 5 stars. The Dragon's Promise is the second and final instalment of the Six Crimson Cranes duology, which is inspired by The Wild Swans and has Japanese influences. We pick up immediately where we left off at the end of the first, with Shiori journeying to the kingdom of dragons, Ai'long, for the first act, before returning to Kiata to regroup with her brothers and going from there to fulfil her stepmother's dying wish.

The first act is pretty solid, which as I said is set in Ai'long. I was simply dazzled by the amount of detail Lim poured into the magical kingdom, and all the worldbuilding surrounding the dragons, their rituals, their pearls and more! But once the second act hits, the story flounders a little, but the third act brought the momentum back. Just like with Unravel the Dusk, my heart nearly gave out at the climax of the book. Note: if you did not like how Unravel the Dusk ended, you will not enjoy this one. Me? I like it; it goes along with the fairytale vibes Lim has with her stories. It cements the fact that what her main characters have done is extraordinary, and as such, there will be some sort of divine recognition. The cherry on top is that, due to what they've done, they will transcend time as legends, but the truth of what had happened to them will only be preciously known by them and a few beloved others. A truth that, funnily enough, is also shared with us, which gives you that giddy feeling of being trusted with a special secret.

Shiori's a bit of a wild child, meaning that she gets into a lot of trouble for her actions and words (especially with her lies), but she's passionate and determined to fight for what she believes in and who she cares for, especially if it's for the sake of her family or her country. That kind of passion makes you want to swell with pride.

In the first book, Shiori went through a 180-degree arc on her perception and feelings for Takkan, and in this book, we see them in the role of lovers who're fighting to stay together despite the dangers they go through, the public pushback against Shiori having magic and Shiori's fear of losing those she loves, including Takkan. I love that Takkan is (of course) a balanced match for Shiori and doesn't easily back down from her attitudes or tendency to act without explaining. He already won my heart back in SCC for being a romantic marshmallow, and he still is here.

We see how Shiori is still coming to terms with Raikama's past, wanting to know more about the stepmother she loved, then resented, then loved again. Her presence is sorely missed by Shiori, and it's fascinating to see how prominent her presence was in this book and touching to see how Shiori's feelings have changed towards her since the beginning of SCC.

Ever since I heard that a certain character was making his appearance in this book, I was jumping up and down on my toes, and boy when he made his appearance I was laughing with glee from recognizing a familiar face! While he does have a small role in the story, I love that we get to see a small part of his backstory. What I wasn't exactly expecting, was to see another character from the Blood of Stars duology, and unlike the other BOS character, he had slightly bigger role. Once again, we got to see more of his backstory, and we finally understand HOW he got to his status quo during Spin the Dawn!

It's so cool to find out that Shiori's and Maia's tales are knotted in more than one way, even though their stories are set centuries apart. It got me thinking: what other character would I like to see leading their own story? I'd definitely be up to reading Seryu's! The poor guy didn't get to spotlight in this book as much as I thought.

Overall, a delightful read!

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers first and foremost as always.

The Dragon's Promise follows Shiori into the dragon realm following her promise of bringing her stepmother's, Raikama, pearl to the dragon king. The dragon king is sure she'll give it to him, but Shiori has other ideas. She intends to reunite the pearl with it's rightful owner, the Wraith, but first she must find him. Before all of that she must escape the Dragon Realm for the Dragon King has no intentions of letting her go free with the pearl.

With the help of her friends, and some newfound ones, Shiori finds a way back to Kiata and her family, and more importantly, Takkan, so she can make plans to find the Wraith. She's faced with further problems when it becomes apparant that Bandur is able to escape the confines of the mountain she once trapped in, and is able to possess the people around her. How can Shiori find the wraith and reunite him with his pearl when she can no longer trust her loved ones?

(4.5 stars) After reading the first installment of the series in February, I was delighted and grateful that I was able to review the second one in advance in exchange for an honest review. The second book picks up right where the first one left off, introducing the reader to the dragon realm.

The book picks up right where the first one ended, introducing the reader to the dragon realm. It was refreshing to learn more about the dragons and their customs, as this plot point was only touched upon briefly in the first book. Observing Seryu over a longer period and in the context of his political and family roles has given his character new depth, which I'm sure I wasn't the only one wishing for, since we only got glimpses of the cheeky dragon prince in the first book.

I have previously read the author’s “Blood of stars” duology which is set in the same world albeit many years later, and with a focus on another part of the world. I love discovering new landscapes, but revisiting old ones makes for a good surprise as well. I also loved that in this book the author gave us a glimpse of the past and beginnings of a beloved character from her previous duology. Also, I love how there is a characteristically whimsical and fairytale-like touch to Lim’s writing that distinguishes her from other authors I have read.

I highly enjoyed the author’s exploration of the meanings of home and the fear of estrangement as well as the answer the protagonist finds for herself along the way. Along those lines, we also get a wider picture of the first book’s most intriguing character’s life and back story. The way the protagonist’s relationship with this mother figure is woven into the story’s plot was lovely to read. Also, I really enjoyed the mythology Lim constructed for this world as well as its consistency throughout the story. Other than that, this story also offers a comforting love story and realistic and heart-warming depictions of family - especially regarding the dynamics between siblings -, as well as mouth-watering descriptions of food.

The only thing that bothered me at times was the perceived inconsistency of the pacing, as it was harder to get through some parts of the book than others. I was also sad that with the amount of action happening in this book I got hardly any time to process farewells and impactful events as the next danger was already lurking behind the corner.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book very much and would certainly recommend the series as well as Lim's work in general. I am very satisfied and content with the way this story wrapped up in the end.

I loved this book so much! It's incredibly atmospheric and intriguing, and a delight for the senses too. The author writes so elegantly and evocatively. The characters are amazing and the setting is one of the most beautiful and interesting fictional realms I've ever entered. It fulfilled all the promise of the first book and was even more magical. Although I had read Six Crimson Cranes (and loved it too), I think this could still be enjoyed as a stand-alone title. The story doesn't end on a cliffhanger but I would definitely read subsequent books in the series if they became available. I didn't want to say goodbye to the characters or their fascinating world.

Six Crimson Cranes is one of my favourite books and I was very excited (and humbled!) for the chance to read an eARC of The Dragon’s Promise so early before its publishing date, thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton.

I do want to start off by saying though, that if you have not read the Spin the Dawn series before you read this book, then I would recommend you do so!* I didn’t realise how many threads are tied between the two series. I only read Spin The Dawn and Unravel the Dusk recently, but I was very glad that I had done so as it’s so much fun picking out all of the small (and slightly larger) Spin The Dawn references throughout this book. (*Disclaimer, it’s perfectly fine to read each series separately to, you won’t miss out on anything).

As with Six Crimson Cranes it’s the themes of family that really captured my heart in The Dragon’s Promise. It’s so wholesome and warming, this series feels like a warm hug when you read it. I absolutely love Shiori’s relationship with her brothers and in this book in particular, her relationship with her father as well.

But this book was also full of the thrilling action and high stakes that I love so much in YA Fantasy. There’s some tense moments, and heart-wrenching scenes and although there’s not as many earth shattering plot twists as there was in Six Crimson Cranes, it still kept me on my toes, and it was interesting to see how the massive revelations in the first book developed and took on deeper meanings too.

The romance in both Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon’s Promise is built on real understanding and acceptance which is one of the things I adored about the Spin The Dawn series as well. And then there’s the friendships too, which again, just warm my heart to witness (I’m looking at you Kiki!)

I also want to touch upon Elizabeth’s writing style too. Her words are so vivid and descriptive. Her writing has so much soul, and she draws from fables and legends giving them a unique, yet authentic, twist. I feel like I can’t get enough of her writing and eagerly await any future releases she might come out with.

Although I didn’t feel this book quite met the mark of the first (but how could it anyway? that book is hard to top!) I really enjoyed seeing how this story developed, how the plot of the first book blossomed and gained more depth, and how all of the relationships in this book deepened. I feel like this was a fitting end to the duology.

Excuse me, where can I find a Takkan? I mentioned in my review of book 1 that he’s a gem of a book boyfriend. Scratch that, he’s the perfect book husband. Takkan is a KEEPER.

Picking up where we left off at “Six Crimson Cranes”, Shiori travels to the dragon’s kingdom to seek the rightful owner of the cursed pearl. While navigating politics among humans, dragons, and demons, she must also fend off those who desire the pearl for themselves. Once again, Shiori has to go through difficult trials to fulfill her promise to return the pearl to its owner, while fighting to keep her loved ones safe, and return peace and magic to her kingdom once more.

Book 2 of this duology is fast-paced and action-packed with danger that comes at Shiori and her loved ones at almost every turn. In the beginning, Shiori comes off as a little annoying, especially during her time in the dragon realm of Ai’long, where she behaved rather like an untrusting spoilt child when others were just trying their best to help her. She’s less annoying in the later half of the book, but still rather rash and impulsive.

I am not a fan of love triangles and my heart breaks for Seryu as much as it beats for Takkan.

Takkan. *dreamy sigh* One of the most perfect fictional specimens of mankind I’ve ever come across (IMHO). Patient, kind, understanding, loving, self-sacrificial, courageous, humble, honest, and I could go on and on. Everything he does and says just makes my heart melt into a puddle of goo.

I loved the insight we got into Raikama’s past and the mother-daughter bond that still remains between her and Shiori.

If you have read “Spin the Dawn” and “Unravel the Dawn”, it will definitely add to your appreciation of this book as we revisit old places and meet with a certain familiar person (I had to flip back to “Unravel the Dusk” to check LOL).

Elizabeth Lim’s writing does not disappoint. It is beautiful and poignant, deftly weaving in the Chinese legend of Chang’E. I had tears in my eyes when I finished the book. The ending is not perfect, but it is still a better alternative to what could have been.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the e-ARC.

I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. This story was an emotional roller coaster. I was happy, sad, angry, grieving, joyous, and bashful. It was an amazing adventure of emotions, love, familial bond, and friendship. Elizabeth Lim has done an amazing job with this duology which makes me want to pick up her first duology now. I look forward to being dazzled by her writing again.

‘Your heart is my own, and where you are is my home. Whatever we face, we face together’

The love I have for Six Crimson Cranes is huge so I had such high hopes going into this book. And I was not disappointed.

The book continues right where Crimson Cranes left off. Which I was so happy about because I hate when books skip ahead! Princess Shiori now has the dragon pearl that was given to her by stepmother, Raikama. We follow Shiori as she keeps her promise to her stepmother, that she will return the pearl to its rightful owner.

There was always something happening in this book that made the whole thing fast-paced and exciting. Even in the quieter parts, you knew something was going to kick-off! The world that is being described by Elizabeth Lim is just beautiful. The underwater realm of the dragons.. I want to live there. It sounds so beautiful and colorful, I just need to see it. We got to learn a little more about Seryu, his family, and where he comes from but my one complaint is that I wanted him to be in it more! I feel like we didn’t get much of him in the first book and I wanted much more of him in this one.

We get to learn so much more about the characters we love. You can really feel Shiori’s relationship get stronger with her family and a certain someone.. I’m not going to say who but they literally are couple goals. I couldn’t get enough of them. Her brothers are the cutest boys. There is nothing they wouldn’t do for their little sister and it just warms my heart.

The ending literally had me sobbing. I stayed up till very late just so I could finish it so I was an emotional mess. But I also didn’t want it to end.

When The Dragons Promise comes out in August, I 100% recommend it. Or please read Six Crimson Cranes now if you haven’t already!

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for this eARC of A Dragon's Promise

I absolutely loved Six Crimson Cranes and couldn't wait to read A Dragon's Promise.

This story follows on from where Six Crimson Cranes left off... Shiori leaving with Seryu the dragon to see the Dragon King.
I absolutely loved this story as much as the first. It was filled with adventure, unexpected outcomes, just like SCC I fell into Shiori's world and enjoyed every minute of it.
The world building and the descriptiveness of the writing knew how to pull you in. Elizabeth Limm certainly knows how to tell a story and it's just fantastic.

The Dragon‘s Promise by Elizabeth Lim is the sequel to Six Crimson Cranes and starts immediately after the first book.

Six Crimson Cranes was one of my favorite books from last year and this sequel could keep up with it and I equally loved it.

Shiori continues to be amazing and during the journey of this book she grows so much of a person and her character develops beautifully. The other characters like her brothers were amazing as well and I loved to see more of Takkan and her romance.

The plot of this book was so compelling and captivating and I couldn’t put it down. You also get to see more of the world and especially the underwater dragon kingdom was so fascinating. The demon plot line was unpredictable and I could share in the excitement and tension of this.

Overall, The Dragon’s Promise was the perfect sequel and this duet is now officially one of my all time favorites. 5 stars.

(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

I had such high hopes for this book, and was not disappointed! It starts off where six crimson cranes left off (I gave six crimson cranes 5⭐️) The book was fast paced and engaging and incredibly hard to put down. I much preferred this book to the first as we learn so much more about the characters in it. I love how well developed they are. Overall, I’d give it 5⭐️As I absolutely loved it. I would definitely read this again, buy it and recommend it

Having survived as an outcast, saved her brothers from their feathery fate, and learnt the truth about her step-mother, Shiori now has a new challenge: return Raikama’s dragon pearl to its rightful owner. With Seryu willing to take her to the dragon realm, it seems simple enough. But nothing about the dragon realm is simple and returning the pearl may be only the beginning. Her magic is no longer a secret and many in the kingdom blame her for the restless demons in the mountain. Fortunately she has Takkan to help her, not to mention six very grateful brothers.

This book was even better than the last, in part because all the world building had already been done. Instead of easing us in to the plot, this time we were thrown straight into the dragon realm and all the mystical mysteries and politics that come with it.

Shiori was alone or unknown for much of the first book, which didn’t leave much room for exploring her relationship with other characters. So it was nice to see that her relationship with Takkan has had a chance to progress and it is surprisingly empowering to see how confident Shiori is about her love now. Her relationship with her father also adds an endearing touch to the narrative. He had quite an air of patriarchal power in the first book, whereas in this one his strength is shown more through his love of his children and his openness to accept them for who they are. Another shift from the first book is seeing Shiori’s brothers treat her as a leader rather than someone who needs to be protected. This shift is reflected in the increased opportunities that Shiori has in making her own decisions and using her own power. Something that, once again, is empowering to see.

In my last review, I commented that the previous book had more of a rushed ending than I would have liked and, whilst things did move quickly, this book made much more of a point to wrap things up neatly and lead us to a satisfying ending.

𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 ?⁣
𝚃𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗’𝚝 𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗. ⁣
𝙳𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚋𝚕𝚞𝚜𝚑 ⁣
⁣
First at all I would like to thank for this arc. This book had been one of my most anticipated on this year tbr. ⁣
And I am so happy I’ve got to read it before it came out. ⁣
⁣
Let’s start by saying that I loved “Six Crimson Cranes” so much and I was not expecting that at all. ⁣
I loved the Blood of Stars duology and I didn’t think this would top it, but apparently I was wrong.⁣
⁣
I loved the world created in this books and the characters so much. ⁣
I loved Takkan, Shiori and Seryu so much and how they developed from book one. ⁣
Shiori made an amazing journey in two books, I’m super happy about them I don’t think there is anything I would change.⁣
⁣
Let’s talk about how the ending broke me in the most perfect way and I was not expecting THAT at all.

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me this book in exchange for an honest review. This book picks up exactly where the last one left off. Shiori now has the task of dealing with the new threat of Bandur and the pearl. Her journey will take her to the dragon kingdom and to the kingdom of demons. There were a few points within the book where I thought “did that really need to happy?” Or “what was the point of that bit?” However, the book still had that same fast, exciting pace SCC had with all the twist and turns I’ve come to love from this author and that ending!! I haven’t read a book recently with a better, well suited ending!! 5 star read for me and a beautifully written duology.

Thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved the first book, so I was really exited for this sequel, and it did not disappoint! I loved how they developed the characters, along with the plot leading up to that ending. I was so excited to find out I received the arc, and immediately read it in less than a day, it was that good. Taking all of this into consideration, I’m going to give this book 5/5 stars because I don’t see any areas for improvement.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing the ARC in exchange of an honest review,

Let's start of with saying I absolutely loved the first book and the Spin the Dawn duology. The Dragons Promise is the perfect sequel and also ties off the two series beautifully. Highly recommend reading Spin the Dawn before this book in case you haven't already, it makes the story even better. This review is spoiler free for the Spin the Dawn duology and The Dragons Promise. There are spoilers for Six Crimson Cranes.

In this book we continue to follow Shiori and her brothers to fulfil the promise that Shiori made on her stepmothers deathbed. She continues to learn more about who her stepmother really was, and the true nature of dragons and demons. Throughout this journey she learns about what is most important in life and finds her companion to share a deep and true bond with. I simply loved all the characters in this book (especially Kiki!), and the last chapters had me in tears. No spoilers on whether they were happy tears or sad tears (or a mix of them).

Another amazing book from the phenomenal Elizabeth Lim. Every book I read by her is just amazing and this one did not disappoint. Kept me hooked til the very end and just look at the cover design how beautiful!

A very beautiful and meaningful closure to the amazing Six Crimson Cranes!

Thank you so much for the Publisher and Netgalley for the e-galley.

I have always loved the writing style of Elizabeth Lim and the worlds she creates effortlessly. I was super excited to dive into The Dragon’s Promise because I really wanted more of Seiru! Although he has appeared little, his presence and friendship to Shiori was meaningful. The hardships m the quests Shiori had to fulfill in order to keep her promise to Raikama , led her to the magical, whimsical kingdom of the dragons — under the sea and then back to the shore. I loved getting to know the brothers and Takkan better.

Everything was timed perfectly, it was full of with tension, kindness, love and hope. A beautiful conclusion to the duology! Please preorder this book because it won’t disappoint you!

A beautifully written book. Really enjoyed reading this. An excellent sequel. Thanks to publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read

Loved this book. Great ending to the story. Loved the while legend premise and that it explained older legends and that this story was to be a new legend. Just an all round great story. One of my favourite of the year!

This is an excerpt of my full review, which can be found here: https://thebooksintheirhands.wordpress.com/2022/05/15/six-crimson-cranes-the-dragons-promise-elizabeth-lim/

The Dragon’s Promise rejoins Shiori in trying to fulfil a promise she’d made by Raikama’s deathbed in Book 1. Shiori will now return the broken pearl only to the dragon with the strength to make it whole once more. Once inside the Dragon Kingdom, Shiori and Seryu realise that a shard of the mirror of truth must be stolen from Lady Solyaza to find the long lost half-dragon (the Wraith) and return the pearl to him. From here, the plot forks out into multiple adventures: keeping the dragon pearl safe, finding the Wraith to return the pearl, and trapping the Wolf to truly prevent a demon uprising in Kiata.

I found that, much to my relief, the Shiori-Seryu-Bushian Takkan love triangle was dispelled almost as quickly as it was implied: whilst in the Dragon Kingdom, Shiori is almost forced to marry Seryu but refuses him by declaring: “I’m no concubine, Seryu, especially not yours.” I was really pleased to see that Seryu remained a respectful friend to Shiori after she had refused his hand, as this made their parting bittersweet.

In The Dragon’s Promise, Lim upholds the endearing romance between Shiori and Bushian Takkan which was set up in Six Crimson Cranes. Takkan is a respectful character with both the patience and strong loyalty to make his blind love for Shiori believable. It was definitely a suprise to see Takkan be unbothered by Shiori bringing an abrupt end to their betrothal for the second time, however, this makes all the more sense when you realise just how Takkan understood her intentions (she ran out of the wedding with him, not from him). Overall, I enjoyed the rosy shade of hope and comfort which their romance brought to the adventure. And I’m glad that Lim achieved this without overwriting the development of Shiori’s independent and headstrong personality.

The Dragon’s Promise, like Six Crimson Cranes, is rooted in all kinds of love: not just romantic but platonic, familial and even self-directed love. It’s love which is found in Seryu’s strong bond to Shiori, their great friendship put to the test when he plans for her success against the will of his own family in the Dragon Kingdom; it’s in Shiori’s love for her brothers, a believable motivation which propels the princess’ fight forwards throughout the story; and finally, it’s in Shiori’s paper bird, Kiki, with her huge presence and humorous comments which speak as if straight from her unconscious. Undoubtedly my favourite element of the story, Kiki felt like the most apt physical manifestation of Shiori’s own belief in herself and her power.

The Six Crimson Cranes duology strikes a perfect balance between imagination and traditional mythology. It was a thrilling adventure – I’d often found myself on the edge of my seat, wondering how Shiori would save herself from trouble (bless her reckless act-now, think-later mentality…!) Where the plot unravels into multiple differing quests, romances and identity plots, be assured that all threads eventually twist back together into a satisfying and beautiful resolution.

Written with huge thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the eARC of The Dragon’s Promise.

This story was just excellent and such an excellent continuation to Six Crimson Cranes (which I also loved). I also adored this book and gave it 5 shiny stars!
The story picked up right where the last book had left, with Shiori about to embark on an epic quest. I was instantly brought into an adventure.
I loved the character growth and enjoyed all of the characters from the first book having their time to shine. I also enjoyed meeting new characters. Kiki was as bossy and hilarious as always and I think may be my favourite character. She was far more vocal in this book and I loved it!
I feel like so many of my questions from the first book were answered. I absolutely loved getting more backstory, I think that was my favourite part.
I really enjoyed getting to know more about the world and the different environments.
During the last 15% of the book I could barely read the words as I was crying so hard (full on ugly sobbing!), but I persisted and was rewarded with a beautiful ending.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ebook in exchange for an honest review. I have this book on preorder and cannot wait to own a physical copy!

The Dragon’s Promise is a great sequel! It only improves on the gorgeous storytelling and world building that we’re introduced to in Six Crimson Cranes.

This book was everything I expected it to be - a heartwarming and beautiful story. I loved it sooooo much and I'm so grateful that I got to read it in advance, I can't wait to recommend it to everyone haha. It was even better than the first book. Elizabeth Lim is such an amazing author and I love her work!

Dragon’s Promise

I had high hopes for this book, and I was not disappointed.

I really enjoyed the character building and the writing is just beautiful.

The Dragon’s Promise is a great sequel. It improves on the storytelling from the first book and I really enjoyed both the character and world building from and world building from Six Crimson Cranes.

Wonderful read.

4,5 stars

“But a promise is a promise,” I said softly. “Not a kiss in the wind, to be thrown about without care. It is a piece of yourself that is given away, and will not return until your pledge is fulfilled.”

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton for sending me this advanced reading copy through Netgalley! This has no influence whatsoever on my review.

I was so glad to be back in Shiori’s world where dragons visit mischievous princesses and where danger, magic, adventure as well as romance lurks at every corner!

This is the sequel of Six Crimson Cranes and you must read the first story before The Dragons Promise.

The Dragons Promise begins right where we left, when Shiori will accompany Seryu, the dragon prince, to find the rightful owner of the dragon pearl her dying mother in law gave her.
Shiori made a promise to reunite the pearl with its rightful owner and she intends to be true to her word!
Even if in the meantime demons threaten to leave the mountain and invade her beloved Kiata.

What will follow is first the journey in the dragon beautiful but also deadly underwater realm. The Dragon’s king is fierce and determined to get the pearl at all costs.
Shiori will face danger after danger and I had to hold my breath more than once thinking all was lost! Shiori has magic but it will truly be her wits and her friends help, that will save her from what the dragon king has in store for her! Her strength of mind and heart is admirable. It will help her endure frightening ordeals!

But the story was far from finished and will go on dry land, in the air, on an island, in the heart of a mountain… There was never a moment of respite for Shiori, her brothers and her beloved Takkan! Oh and lets not forget the magic paper crane: Kiki!

That story races from one magical universe to another, embarking our vivacious heroine on a very dangerous path where she will have to sacrifice many things if she hopes to reach her goal and fulfil her promise.

Shiori is a very likeable character! Always prone to mischief, reckless with a huge love for food, she wears her heart on her sleeve and loves her family and her country dearly. She also would rather sacrifice herself than her beloved ones even if her intended Takkan matched her in stubbornness and dedication.
These two were really made for each other!
“Your heart is your home. Until you understand that, you belong nowhere.”


Family is also a big theme in that story and this is something that I loved reading about seeing how tight the family bonds were between Shiori and her six brothers. For someone without siblings like me, this was really heartwarming and a sweet dream.

What I also loved in this sequel was that we got to see her mother in law not as a villain but as someone who loved Shiori deeply and had made great sacrifices to protect her and her brothers. I was all misty eyes learning about her youth and what she went through. Knowing that she was finally loved was a balm for the heart.
Cherry on top was Shiori’s encounter with a young enchanter that we get to know very well in another duology of Elisabeth Lim!


Elisabeth Lim has created a story filled with magic and action that will sweep you off your feet and make you forget the world for a few hours, wishing that you could make magic paper cranes, go on dangerous adventure and eat rice cake with Shiori while playing prank on her brothers!

I LOVED THIS WITH MY WHOLE ENTIRE HEART AND SOUL.

I adored Six Crimson Cranes and this sequel just smashed my expectations out of the park. I love all the relationships developed in this book (I will give no spoilers but I am SO IN LOVE with the developments and new character relationships!) I especially loved our new comical character!

I really enjoyed the gripping plot line and the cliffhanger ending has ruined my life.

I NEED MORE PLEASE!

This book definitely had a different vibe and strayed away from the fairytale vibes of the first book but I loved the route Lim took with this book and I cannot wait for more.

ARC REVIEW

This book is the sequel to Six Crimson Cranes which I absolutely adored, and I couldn't wait to read it.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book too. The story was gripping and compelling and I think the plot was very well executed.

It was a little bit more fast-paced than the first book; it seemed like way more happened in The Dragon's Promise than in Six Crimson Cranes.

I liked the characters a lot, especially Kiki and Shiori, and I loved the parts that were about Raikama. I do wish there was a little bit more interaction with the brothers in the book, because they blended into one a little bit, but that's just personal preference.

I gave this book 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5 for net galley) and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy. I can't wait to read whatever Elizabeth Lim writes next.

"Your heart is your home. Until you understand that, you belong nowhere."

This was wonderful!

The Dragon's Promise starts out with Shiori travelling to the Dragon Realm with Seryu. The descriptions of everything were beautiful and it was all fascinating but I did start to lose interest a little as it felt like Shiori was there forever.

There was slightly more action here than in Six Crimson Cranes, with Shiori finding herself in many different places.

I love that we got answers to a lot of questions posed in the first book, and that Shiori found out more about her stepmother.

I am a big fan of books with family dynamics and I was so happy that we got to know Shiori's dad, The Emperor, too. His conversations with his daughter and the love he had for his children were heartwarming.

And Takkan was just the sweetest, I truly loved him and Shiori together.

The ending wasn't my favourite - I thought things were going one way, then it all ended up differently with another legend/tale thrown in which possibly wasn't completely necessary. I guess it worked though, and I really loved this book.

Elizabeth Lim simply does not know how to miss. She's just a wonderful young adult fantasy writer, one who has such a clear vision for what she writes and can execute it beautifully. My favorite in a very full pond of writers attempting to do what she always manages to pull off with aplomb.

What an amazing & totally enchanting book . Full of good , Evil, love , passion ,Life & Death as our heroine fights Ghosts & Demon's in order to fulfill a promise made to her dying Stepmother , she encounters Dragon's & even stands up to their King , a book that will enthrall children & adults alike so I highly recommend it #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #FB,#Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/358a5cecda71b11036ec19d9f7bf5c96d13e2c55" width="80" height="80" alt="100 Book Reviews" title="100 Book Reviews"/>, <img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and/or publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. A positive review is not required.

**Thank you to NetGalley, #HodderBooks, and #HodderPublicity for my advance copy!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Note: The Dragon's Promise is Book 2 of the Six Crimson Cranes duology. I advised readers to best read the books in order, starting with Six Crimson Cranes. Although not required, this series can be further enjoyed by reading the Spin the Dawn series since there are some "hints" of things to come that readers may enjoy.

The Dragon's Promise's pace was good and well done! The POV is still only from Shiori'anma. There were many new and "grey" characters in the book, BUT all intentional in shaping Shiori and the story's development. The conflicts were a lot, if not abundant, to digest. There was always something to wedge between Shiori and Takkan's HEA. Some of these were a hopeful suitor/friend, a lost pearl, people wanting the bloodsake (Shiori) sacrificed, and demons, dragons, ghosts, etc., are all thrown in the mix. I don't know where to hug the author or cry my eyes out as many dilemmas, frustration, and grief riddled each chapter! I had little relief at each turn as new characters came forth complicated things - friend or foe is always at the back of Shiori's head, even her beloved Takkan!
There is some slight reference to the Spin the Dawn duology, but readers are not required to read it before diving into this series.

I enjoyed the comedy injection in perfectly timed scenes. Else, I would have been a total wreck! It would have taken me forever to finish the book with the many sobbing and emotional moments that the author wrote. Most of the clever comments and laugh-out moments came from Kiki, Shiori's paper crane. From the witty banter and side comments, Kiki's got spice, spunk, and humor tastefully delivered with a side of sarcasm that is an art form on its own! Each retort or comment will bring out a chuckle in any reader.

I love the author's character development for Shiori. Shiori grew up a lot in this book. She evolved and grew stepped up on empathy, duty, and acceptance of her role in Kiata's betterment. She is far from perfect, and there were many times Kiki would chastise Shiori of her. In Book 1, Shiori, the young, impulsive, and "carefree" princess of Kiata, learns about responsibility, humility, and destiny within herself and her royal duties - consequences and love. In this book, she further explores her magical side and its connection to Kiata. She discovers that she is more than just a princess.
Simply put, she embraces her fate while still holding to her beliefs. She matured to be a brave and honorable princess, even if faced with fierce temptation and times of giving up. She maneuvered the future to how she saw fit for everyone - sacrificing everything for peace in her country, upholding her word, and being impossibly selfless.

Overall, The Dragon's Promise is an enchanting, fantastic read! There is much worldbuilding that I am convinced that places like Kiata, Ai'Long, Tambu, etc., can be seen on the world map with the care and detail provided!
The story is written and developed very well. It honors all the characters as a bittersweet farewell, from the main characters, and from Emperor Hanriyu to temple keeper Oshri. Beautiful people who will imprint themselves into readers' hearts.
Expect a rollercoaster of emotions and a winner's circle win at the end! I am sad to see the end of Shiori and Tekkan's story, BUT I am also happy with how the author wrote the ending. There were still some twists (hint: more waterworks coming), BUT what a spectacular ending worthy of being termed "Happily Ever After" in its truest sense!

*Chef Kiss*

The Dragon's Promise is the amazing sequel of Six crimson cranes and one of my most anticipated read in 2022! I was so happy to have gotten the chance to read it early and this book is as magnificent as the first!
Deeply entranched with intrigues, lies and secrets, dangers and new discoveries, Shiori is determined to mantain her promise to the dragon, but her journey won't be simple at all. Forced to navigate the kingdom of dragons, to fend off thieves, to be involved in politics, as she tries to get the pearl back to its rightful owner. But the pearl itself isn't a simple cargo, willing to help Shiori and betray her at the same time, complicating everything. Shiori will be forced to do anything to protect herself and the love she found.

I loved reading this book so much! The setting is magnificent, Shiori is a wonderful main character, stronger and even more stubborn than the first book, willing to do anything in order to complete her mission, adapting herself in a new world and hiding her dangerous magic. I loved so much The dragon's promise and Elizabeth Lim is such an amazing writer!

Six Crimson Cranes was one of my favorite books of 2021, so I had very high expectations going into The Dragon's Promise. I'm happy to report this was everything I wanted and more !!
Shiori, the main character, is met with new challenges and obstacles; and we witness her grow even stronger. I loved her character arc ! I was also enthralled by the magic and myths inspired by Asian folklore.
Highly recommend this duology, and can't wait to read more by E. Lim !!

I absolutely loved the first book in this series so I was a little bit nervous that this wouldn't match the high standard. How wrong was I this is just as good, if not better. Totally loved being back in this fantasy world and a bit sad the series has ended but looking forward to what the author writes next.

Having survived her fatal curse, Princess Shiori must make good on her promise to her stepmother and return her dragon’s pearl to its rightful owner. But when the journey consists of a time-bending dragon’s den and an island that is the birthplace of demons, Shiori finds herself dealing with matters unheard of. While navigating human politics and its disdain for the magic that runs in her blood, Shiori must also tackle the pearl as its disorderly state threatens to harm those around her. Can she mend all she’s done, or will she sever her threads of fate?

The Dragon’s Promise wastes no time in its pacing, picking up right where the first one has ended. Shiori and her brothers are mourning the death of their stepmother after discovering that her curse was really protecting them all this time. Having spent most of the Six Crimson Cranes traversing her homeland, Shiori must enter the dragon realm and deal with the Dragon King, who is determined to get his claws on the peal at all cost. But her story is far from being over, as she must also make her way to the island of demons, luring the monster Bandur, a familiar enemy from Crimson, who is hellbent on bringing Shiori to her knees.

The theme of family, both found and birth, runs deep in this duology and is one of its most defining aspects. Shiori grows closer with her brothers, finds love with Takkan and even a great friendship with Seryu, her dragon companion. While Takkan is the definitive love interest, I think I might have been part of a smaller crowd who adored Seryu and Shiori’s connection. Nonetheless, Shiroi and Takkan are downright adorable together. We are introduced briefly to new characters within the Dragon Realm, and in moments like then, I mourned that this story was only a duology because the potential runs deep as the dragon realm. Elang, a cousin of Seryu, to Gen, a trapped magic-user, are a few to name. Characters who come and go but make their marks in the scenes they appear in. As with Crimson, the way Lim weaves Asian mythology into this retelling of The Wild Swans is top-notch. Brilliant characters with beautiful writing all wrapped up into a duology that feels well done.

The Dragon’s Promise was enchanting and fantastical. The Kingdom of Kiata is vast and memorable. From the harsh winters of Iro to the Forgotten Isles of Lapzur, Lim brings to life an entire continent with glorious detail and special moments. Elizabeth Lim has gained a forever fan from this duology alone.

I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me this opportunity.

4.5 stars.

Full of high stakes action, beautiful heartfelt moment and delicious food.

This sequel did not disappoint - beautifully written and that ending was so wonderfully written.

I am salty that my favourite character didn't get the ending they deserved but I am so glad we got to explore a dynamic that really drew me in, in Six Crimson Cranes.

Overall a magnificent ending to this duology. For those who enjoy magical journeys with fantastic folklore and wonderful connections - you will enjoy this.

So excited to read this after loving the first book.
The author definitely maintains the world building well and the writing is very familiar. It tells us more about an adventure Shiori must make with the dragons Pearl and the dangers that come with it.
It was an enjoyable read with familiar characters from book one and some new faces. Definitely a recommended read.

A incredibly well put sequel. I loved everything about this duology but especially the universe, the atmosphere and the characters which are absolutely exquisite. If you're looking for a great dose of escapism with a well crafted plot line and a beautiful writing, this book is for you. No this duology is for you, as well as every other book series written by Elizabeth Lim.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. The Dragon's Promise is a well-paced book and a delightful read.
This story is the perfect follow-up to the events in Six Crimson Cranes. Shiori is in the Dragon Realm. But she has to find a way back out. Kiata is in danger and she has to return the Dragon pearl to its rightful owner. We see more of the magical world. While we hope that Shiori, her brothers and Takkan can save their homeland.

Princess Shiori's journey in the dragon's promise carries on the adventure that was left unfinished at the conclusion of Six Crimson Cranes. It was an adventure wrapped up in a big heart. The first half of the book was incredibly enjoyable and heartwarming; I couldn’t help but smiling and grinning the whole time (shoutout to Edan from The Blood of Stars duology’s cameo fr).

The characters’ growth in the first book is good, but their development and relationship progression in this one is just as excellent. Same it was in the first book, the dialogues are still so seamless and appear natural. I love the banter between *coughs* Shiori and Seryu. I miss them so much! This also has its own moments of courageous actions where you find yourself rooting for certain characters, especially in the final chapters, I cried so hard I pulled a muscle in my back.

That isn't to say the story is absolutely perfect. There are some parts of the plot that flow more naturally in some places than others. the main conflict in second half felt a bit dragged on to me (the same issues I had with Unravel the Duak). And for those who anticipated seeing more of a certain character (everyone knows who I’m talking about), while you may not find it entirely satisfying, it was still executed very well, it felt natural, and it was... beautiful.

I think many of Six Crimson Cranes readers & enjoyers would love this especially because so many elements paralleled one another. The finale was brilliantly brought together by the ending. This book serves as a strong capstone to the duology. May the adventures of Shiori, Kiki, Takkan, Seryu, and the six cranes princes will continue to be the light to your lantern or make it shine even more brightly.

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.

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,

I love books about dragons and this one certainly did not disappoint. A headstrong princess’s promise to return a dragon’s pearl to it’s true owner leads her into many adventures. Will she succeed against all odds and at what cost? A wonderful imaginative tale I thoroughly recommend it.

This second book concludes Elizabeth Lim's duology very well.
It's a story that picks up where we left off -cliffhanger hello- and I was dying to know what happens next.
The romance is present but it is placed in the background, I really appreciated that since we focus much more on the environment and the world-building.
I can't wait to read her next novel which I'm sure will be as beautiful and poetic as her previous ones.

I thank net galley and the publisher for sending me this ARC. I loved this reading.

Six Crimson Cranes is one of my favourite reads so farof 2022 and I was so excited when netgalley accepted my request to review the much anticipated sequel 'The Dragon's Promise'... loved it!!!
The Dragon's Promise was quite action packed, Shiori continues to navigate her life's purpose and fulfill promises. The settings were enticingly dreamy, so vividly detailed, particularly loved how the author nourishes us readers with the most delicious descriptions. I felt the characters were developed nicely, Shiori'rama is a lovely selfless and determined main character, and the linked bonds she has with those around her were nurturing. I adored Kiki she's a little soul warmer. Seryu is such a great character and a solace role in Shiori's journey. Her six brothers love and support fluttered my heart. But the two characters that surprised me the most was the endearing Takkan and Shiori's stepmother. I loved the dynamics and love Shiori had with these two characters. Takkan is pure as the driven snow, I'm a little In love with him. The stepmothers background story wonderfully weaves together an engaging plot and an ending perfectly fitting. I did prefer the first book for it enchanted me that little bit more but this 2nd book is absolutely worthy of the same full star rating as it tied together a imaginative story filled with myth and magic.

4.5/5 stars.

Lim delivers a fantastic follow up to Six Crimson Cranes. Picking up right after SCC, it follows Shiori as she sets off on the mission bestowed on her by her late stepmother - to reunite the pearl with its owner. Through twists and turns, we are taken through Shiori's journey - through the dragon world, demon world, and much more.

I enjoyed the journey the novel took me through - there was so much packed in and not a slow or dull moment at all. I adored the action and the exploration of relationships. Shiori and Takkan both have my heart, and I was so satisfied with how their story and the novel overall wrapped up.

(REVIEW will be made available on my Instagram page and on Goodreads on the 1st of August I will add the link to the final posted review on the day of its publication.

This book has me on the fence. I really liked it, and I think it’s a fitting follow-up and end to the first. But also, I think it could have been shorter and added to the first to make a standalone.

I liked that the pace picked up from the first book, and it was much easier to get into.
I think it kept the magical elements of the story, the universe, and the characters. Shiori and Kiki were delightful, Takkan (<3) was just as charming as always. Seeing the MC grow and mature was phenomenal. I think no matter which point of the story I was at, there was always some magical element, character, or environment that kept it all incredibly beautiful and poetic.

I was worried about the seemingly incoming love triangle, but it really isn’t one, and whatever you would call it, it’s really tied up in a nice way, and I’m happy that the second book didn’t end up being some weird conflicting romances, but instead ended up being an adventure full of thrills and magic. I enjoyed the new characters that we got to meet, I LOVED the romance, and I was really drawn in by the complex plot and the adventure and action side of it.

Two things bugged me, a little:
- The synopsis is not fully honest, because it gives the impression that most of the novel happens in the dragon kingdom which in reality is only about 20% of the book, which I didn’t dislike, but I feel like the main plot wasn’t really clear at first, and the story kept pausing to explain what happened and what would happen now.
- The pacing, while good, did this thing where you would have singular plot lines with a beginning, middle and end, and repeat, to a point where I didn’t understand how we had 10 pages of complete peace and quiet knowing that another plot point was coming? It just had several plot points and between them moments where the characters were back to normal for a bit, and it felt like a bit of an exhausting yo-yo. But I think that’s me, I have an issue with pacing if it’s too much back and forth.

I think this is why I would hesitate between 4 and 5 stars, because I also think that the tiny details that didn't work for me won't be a problem for a lot of people. At the end of the day, the reason why it's 5 stars is that this is a legit great book, and as the first book had something new and different about it, the Dragon's promise continued on that streak and made a proper, magical finish. I really kind of want more, it's hard to say goodbye to Shiori and Kiki.

Overall, this felt like a fitting second book. It kept me on the edge of my seat (my heart won’t fully recover I fear, you’ll be hearing from my cardiologist). I read the two books immediately one after the other, and honestly, it’s kept me in a magic haze for two weeks. It probably will for a long time.

The Dragon's Promise begins right where Six Crimson Cranes ended and it starts with a bang! Shiori is on her way to the Kingdom of Dragons having told Seyru she intends to give the pearl to his grandfather the King of Dragons. Shiori has no intention of giving the pearl to the dragons and instead is following the deathbed promise she made to her stepmother - to return the pearl to the wraith.

The following months take her to places she had never dreamed of travelling and we are introduced to many new characters - my favourite of which was Gen although Kiki is 100% the best side character in the duology. The worldbuilding is fabulous and it feels like the book is split into sections, each taking place in a different area (no spoilers!). I loved how we learnt more about Raikama and how she came to be in possession of the pearl. I also felt like Shiori's relationships with her brothers were further explored and each developed a distinct personality. Shiori and Takkan's relationship also matured and developed and it was really lovely to see them grow together.

The last quarter of The Dragon's Promise was unputdownable - I won't lie I did tear up at the ending. It really finished out the duology nicely and I loved the twist. In my opinion this was my favourite of the books, the fight scenes were epic, Shiori really grew as a person and I loved all the different aspects of East Asian folklore and legend featured in the book.

Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Dragons are bound to promises, not the truth.’

The Dragon’s Promise is the second part of a duology and follows directly on from the events of Six Crimson Cranes, and is more than just its gorgeous cover.

After making a deathbed promise Shiori must now keep it and return the dragon’s pearl to the dragons' realm, a feat that is easier said than done. Accompanied by Seryu and Kiki, Shiori’s path does not run smoothly, and it takes every ounce of her strength to defend the life she has fought hard to live.

Gripping action, political intrigue, adventure and friendship…this book has everything you’re looking for in a YA fantasy. I loved the development of relationships and the characterisation in this book, particularly Takkan and the back and forth between Shiori and Seryu, although Shiori was still as reckless as she was in book 1!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an E-arc of this book.

The Dragon's Promise is everything you could ever hope for in a sequel. Lim doubles down on the elements of epic adventure taking Shiori on another wild ride that twists and turns and at its core is full of heart. Picking up right where Six Crimson Cranes left off Shiori is bound to her promise to return the pearl to it's rightful owner and naturally it is more involved than she hoped for. I highly recommend both books in this series for anyone looking for a light fantasy full of adventure, minimal chaste romance and easy, plot-driven prose. It's great!

Spellbinding and utterly beautiful storytelling. This might be the best conclusion to a story that I've read in a very long time and I absolutely loved the time in the dragon world.

Shiori made a promise to Raikama on her deathbed to return the pearl to its rightful owner. Now Shiori must face the Dragon King, her father's council, Priestesses of the High Mountain and demons to fulfill her oath. With the help of her brothers, Takkan and faithful Kiki, Shiori must face her fate as the Bloodsake.

This... oh this book broke me in more ways that one by the end. Yes, there were actual tears. Shiori goes on one turbulent journey through this book, starting with the dragons and then the Holy Mountain then the journey to return the pearl and then back to the mountain - jeez! For a 400 page book I feel like I've been on journey to Hell and back.

Our favourite beloved characters are back - I freaking love Kiki being the sarcastic voice of obviousness, bringing some comedic value, and our Takkan; this story would not be the same without him. I just love him and our heroine deserves him!!

This world just took me by storm and I loved every single second of it and this book is just a treat. I loved it, it was just a fantastic book. Just love.

This gorgeous gorgeous book picks up where Six Crimson Cranes left off as we follow Shiori to the underwater Dragon Kingdom as she’s set on returning the pearl to its rightful owner while trying to prevent a demon from escaping its prison. I loved being able to glean more information about the characters from SCC in this book, especially Shiori and Serhyu, as character growth is important in books and this one is no exception! I managed to whip through this one in 3 hours and the ending left me in tears. Lim is an absolute master at world building and although this was the perfect ending of this duology, I will miss this world so very much.

I loved this book! I really enjoyed where this story went, all the twists and turns made me want to come back for more and more! Shiori is a badass! She’s such a strong female lead character

It’s not a massive secret that I absolutely adored Six Crimson Cranes. It was one of my top reads from last year. The Dragons Promise was one of my most anticipated reads for 2022 🐉

It did not disappoint at all! It followed on from SCC, and focuses on the dragons more, which I loved. Shiori travels with Seyru to Ai’Long, the dragon realm to fulfil her promise to Raikama. Elizabeth has such a beautiful way of describing the world she’s dreamed up, I’m in awe!

My favourite thing about this series is the beautiful connection Shiori has with her brothers. It’s truly heartwarming. I also adore Takken, what a beautiful person he is inside and out.

At this point I think Elizabeth Lim can do no wrong. I adore everything she writes!

I hadn’t read six paper cranes before finding this book, so I read both in a few days. I could put neither book down. The author is a master storyteller, the worlds she weaves come to life so vividly, I felt like I was reading an actual legend.

Character development in both books is so well done, but in the dragons promise, we the reader are given more insight into why the characters behave the way they do. All of the characters we are introduced to are somehow supporting but also characters in their own right. All felt real, as if they were actual people who lived long ago. The growth from the central characters though, Shiori and her brothers, was expertly done. We see the change from playful princess to fierce warrior.

I loved how this story was wrapped up. It felt so bittersweet but I was glad that not everything was wrapped up in a neat bow with the main character receiving everything with ease. I don’t think that would have done justice to the struggles the characters had faced across the two books.

I would read again and recommend to a friend.

I have I soft spot for this duology. I don't know what it is exactly, maybe it's the fairy tale vibes, the dragons, the magic, the reckless MC, or the fact that it's inspired in Asian folklore. Maybe it's how all of that is brought together with writing that feels magical, befitting a fairy tale.

The story picks up right were we left it, with Shiori having to fulfill her promise to her stepmother. In order to do so, she travels to Ai'long (home of dragons), Tambu (home of her stepmother) and The Forgotten Isles of Lapzur. I won't say much more because spoilers, but I will say that in Ai'long she meets a certain future enchanter who I was not expecting to see there (if you've read Spin the Dawn then you know).

I'll admit I was scared going into this. I mean, I've had an arc of this since february and it is now august, so there's that. I was scared of disappointment, of it not living up to my expectations and falling flat. At the beginning I thought that was going to be the case, until the story picked up and I couldn't put it down.

Also, I just really love the characters in this book. I adore Kiki and Hasho, missed Megari and, most of all, gave all my heart to Seryu. Just so you know, I would’ve chosen you, Seryu, damn the strands of fate and all. Maybe it's just the timing of me reading this, but I couldn't stop crying at certain points, not just the ending (which I absolutely loved, btw). I'll just say chapter 15 broke my heart.

First of all, a huge thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Dragon's Promise is the sequel to Six Crimson Cranes, and we follow Shiori as she undertakes her journey to fulfill her stepmother's last dying wish: return the dragon's pearl to its rightful owner, while fighting off those who desire to have the pearl for themselves, in order to return peace to Kiata.

This book was action-packed, full of surprises and made me feel a lot of emotions. As Shiori grows and comes off less likable in my opinion, I have grown to like Takkan and Seryu even more. I would have loved to get to know a little bit more some of the other characters like Elang and Gen. Takkan and Shiori's love story is really cute as they work together through the hardships, and according to me, the love triangle was not necessary or could have been better exploited. Kiki is still one of my favorite characters as Shiori's trustworthy companion and I loved her importance despite the fact that she is a little paper crane (and she is really hilarious). Like in the first book, Elizabeth Lim's descriptions are amazing, her writing is really easy to read and understand, and they made me want to live in their fictional world. Additional East Asian legends and myths have been added to this fantasy duology, including the Chinese legend of Chang'e (the Moon Goddess) and the East Asian myth of the Red Thread of Fate (which is one of my favorite myths). The dragon's underwater kingdom also seemed to be inspired by the Japanese tale of Urashima Tarô. Unexpectedly, I also found some references to the Blood of Stars duology, also written by Elizabeth Lim, and was happy to understand some of the elements and events happening in this duology thanks to The Dragon's Promise. I would recommend reading Spin The Dawn and Unravel The Dusk after this book.

In conclusion, I loved reading this book and I give it 5/5 stars! I love anything Asian-inspired (and such a pretty cover is a real bonus), and Elizabeth Lim is now one of my auto-buy authors, so thank you for writing this book and I can't wait to see and read what she'll write next!

The Dragon’s Promise is just as whimsical, maybe even more so than the first book in this beauitful duology. Lim has created such a vibrant world with developed characters and stakes. Cannot wait to see what she does next

Six Crimson Cranes was one of my favourite books from last years, so I had high expectations for this book but I wasn't disappointed in the slightest.

It took me a little time to remember what had happened in the last book (I was confused for a little while about why she had made the promise to Raikama until I remembered them reconciling), but it quickly came back to me and I fell back in love with the characters once more. Shiori is one of my favourite characters of all time and Kiki has a special place in my heart, so it felt very much like coming home again. I'm really going to miss these characters.

I loved how so many elements of Chinese mythology are bound up in this duology. From the dragons and their pearls to the red string of fate that connects Shiori and Takkan, it is full of Lim's take on these very Chinese elements while adding her own fantasy elements as well.

I also thought it came together in a very satisfying way. I definitely hope this isn't the last we hear from the characters as I know she's had cameos before.

I was so relieved that I still have the Spin the Dawn duology on my shelf to read as I'm so in love with Lim's writing.

I read the first in this duology 'Six Crimson Cranes' and loved it, So when I spotted 'the Dragon's Promise', I had to read it too.
This is a really brilliant book and a very good follow on from the first. However, there is something i found with this book which I also found when I read the 2nd book in Lim's other duology 'Spin the Dawn/Unravel the Dusk' that although the story was completed, and it was wonderful, there felt like a tiny bit of a disconnect in the stories. I think perhaps the first books are a bit more relaxed and laid back (though still very full of an amazing story) and the second books are a lot darker and full of battles. I'm not saying this is really a bad thing, but it's just something I noticed with both series that took me a while to settle into when reading.
I wouldn't read this book unless you've read six crimson cranes, as it'll make no sense at all. It really is very connected to the first book.
It is a wonderful tale. I love the main character, Shiori. She feels very real, strong and capable. Her little paper bird Kiki is her constant companion, and a brilliant character in her own right.
It took a while to get going, as Shiori spends quite a while in the Dragon realm at the start of the book, which I found a tad slow. But once she leaves there, it's just go go go! which kind of made up for it. And without spoilers, the ending is fantastic.
I highly recommend this book and series. It was just wonderful. A truly excellent tale that feels like reading a properly fleshed out legend in the making.

The cover is incredibly beautiful. I immediately fell in love with it. It is a beautiful feast for the eyes and draws all eyes in the bookstore.
The writing style is as fantastic as it was in the first volume. I was immediately drawn into the story again and couldn't put the book down. It is totally exciting and thrilling from the first page. The characters are individual and exceptional. I like their nature and personality. The author manages to create a world full of images. I can recommend this book to everyone. Read it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 /4.5 stars
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Dragon’s Promise is the second book in the Six Crimson Cranes duology. After obtaining the Dragon’s Pearl, Shiori has to bring it back to its owner, which isn’t without its dangers.

“A promise it not a kiss in the wind, to be thrown about without care.”

We learn a lot more about the world by traveling to Ai’long, the Kingdom of the Dragons! It was super interesting and amazing to read about this whole new part of the world and learning more about the dragons themselves. It was almost a shame we returned to the world of the living so quickly. I would’ve liked to stay longer in Ai’long hahaha. it was also a pity that the cast of characters changed quite a bit from before and after Ai’long. I really enjoyed reading the dynamics between Shiori and Seyru.

The plot was very fun to read. The book, just like the first, was more focused on the plot than on the relationships. Still, the relationships were an important foundation for the story to be built on. I liked the storyline a lot!
The characters are quite similar as they were at the end of Six Crimson Cranes. Shiori had become quite mature and she stayed that way during this book. She was determined to keep her promise and started to think for the best of her country. I also liked how Gen was added to the story. He was a fun addition to the cast we already met and knew. The villain was once again depicted quite beautifully and I loved the easter eggs and the connection to The Blood of Stars duology!

The relationships didn’t change much compared to Six Crimson Cranes. The familiar bond between Shiori and her brothers is still very beautiful to read, their sibling bond keeps warming my heart. I also liked how Shiori and Takkan evolved together. I was also really happy how a love triangle didn’t come about in this book! Their relationship was just really sweet and a bit like puppy love haha.

I liked how this book concluded and how the story ended. Both books are quite similar in my opinion, so if you’ve enjoyed the first, you’ll definitely enjoy this book as well!

Overall, it was a delightful duology to read with a satisfying ending to the story. It is a book that is an easy read and fun as well!

I know one thing for sure, this book (and series) was made to break my heart. I hope Elizabeth Lim is happy, because the Six Crimson Cranes series wrecked me.

Both books were so emotional that I kept wanting to cry. This one maybe even more so? I can't tell right now, I STILL WANT TO CRY.

Everything I loved about the first book is present in this one too. Incredible world building, amazing characters, a good storyline and writing style. The only thing slightly different is the lack of Seryu.

Based on the title, cover and about a third of the book, it seemed it was finally Seryu's time to shine (I said in my review for the first book that I hoped he would, since Takkan got his chance before) and it kinda was, but only for that third.

Other dragons do appear while in the underwater kingdom, and then even after, but I really missed Seryu in that after. And it kinda felt like Shiori forgot about him while she was off on another adventure, and we don't see him again till the end.

So my heart broke pretty early on, and stayed that way till now. AND SO IT WILL STAY, UNTIL WE GET A SPINOFF. Not that it was announced or anything, I'm just putting that thought into the universe, hoping it'll come true because this world and its characters are way too good to be contained to only two books.

ALSO, I will never emotionally recover from those Kiki scenes near the end. My poor heart was ripped out and stomped on. That was so cruel. I love all characters equally, but Kiki might just be my ultimate favourite.

I'm BEGGING you to read this series, you won't regret it.

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I was so delighted & excited to be #gifted this e-Advanced Reader Copy of The Dragon's Promise by @elimpix thanks to @hodderbooks & @netgalley

I devoured this one in a few days & it's every bit as fabulous as it's predecessor!

"Find the light that makes your lantern shine"

Brief synopsis ~
Shiori made a deathbed promise to return the dragon's pearl to its rightful owner, but keeping that promise is more dangerous than she ever anticipated.

She must venture to the kingdom of the dragons, navigate the political landscape in both the land of the dragons & humans alike while fending off thieves who covet the pearl for themselves. All while cultivating the appearance of a picture perfect princess to dissuade those who would see her burned at the stake for the magic that runs in her blood.

The pearl is no ordinary cargo; it thrums with malevolent power, jumping to Shiori's aid one minute & betraying her the next...

It will take every ounce of strength Shiori can muster to defend the life and the love she's fought so hard to win.

What I loved 😍
1️⃣ Kiki! She is just so precious & joyous to read!
2️⃣ Shiori - she is just an incredible heroine who I feel most people can relate to as she strives to protect those she loves ❤️
3️⃣ The Plot - so intricately woven! Just such a joy to read! Almost every twist & turn surprised me & left me wondering what would happen next - leaving me desperate to keep reading!
4️⃣ Seryu - I adored him even more in this book! I desperately want a spin off focusing on him & his adventures - I'd buy it immediately 🧡
5️⃣ Shiori's brothers - I loved learning more about them but again I would be so interested in spin offs about them - they're so interesting & wonderful 🧡
6️⃣ Takkan - just an utter delight to read! He's my new dream crush in a book 😍
7️⃣ Elang was so interesting!
8️⃣ The ending- just sublime!

A little fantasy checklist to encourage my fellow fantasy lovers to give it a go ✨️
✨️ magic ✔️
🌍 world building ✔️
💕 romance ✔️
🧡 family & found family love ✔️
⚔️ enthralling battles ✔️
🗡 strong lead character ✔️
🧡 cultural representation ✔️
🔮 mythical creatures ✔️

#TheDragonsPromise #NetGalley

six crimson cranes was my favourite book last year and oh boy did this sequel deliver and meet my expectations in fact exceeded them, i was immediately drawn back into this world and i love that we get to see the incredible workd of the dragons i have so been looking forward to that and it was truly magical , our main character goes on quite the journey and really is devloped so well and the romance was fantastic very happy about who was chooses