This book is for you if you like young adult fantasy & science fiction.



Sometimes sequels don’t quite hit the mark, but this novel was a natural progression of the previous book.

I love the suspense in this novel as well as the mythology. Betrayal is a constant threat and there are sources of danger all around.

I found this book to be quite fast-paced and I’d definitely describe it as exciting.

If you liked Six Crimson Cranes, I don’t think this will disappoint!

I apologise for the lateness of this review!

I absolutely adored this book and the world that Elizabeth Lim created. It was warm and inviting while keeping me on the edge of my seat and engaged in the story.

The Dragon's Promise is a full packed action and adventure of shiori in fulfilling her promise to her stepmother to find the owner of the pearl. Six Crimson Cranes was one of my fave fantasy read last year but I was a bit disappointed with the sequel. I was hoping for more twisty plot. But I still enjoyed the ending even though theres still a lot of questions it seems the book was made fast.

I loved *Six Crimson Cranes*, so I was excited to dive into *The Dragon’s Promise*. While it’s a beautifully written sequel with rich mythology and stunning world-building, it didn’t quite capture the same magic as the first book.

The story picks up right where we left off. The settings are breathtaking—Lim’s descriptions are vivid and immersive. The themes of sacrifice, destiny, and loyalty are woven in well, and the mix of action and quiet, reflective moments keeps the story engaging.

Shiori is as strong-willed and flawed as ever, making her journey compelling. Her romance with Takkan is sweet and heartfelt, but the attempted love triangle with Seryu didn’t really work for me—it felt unnecessary and predictable. I also missed the stronger focus on family and her brothers from *Six Crimson Cranes*.

The ending felt a little rushed and I do wish the dragon realm had been explored more, as there was so much potential there.

Lim’s writing is lyrical, and the world she’s created is enchanting. While it didn’t hit quite as hard as *Six Crimson Cranes*, it’s a solid, enjoyable conclusion to Shiori’s story.

As much as I loved the first book, I didn’t care about this one.aube it’s my fault, because I let so much time slip between books, but I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed it anyway.

I prefer the other duology and the standalone.

the premise is really intriguing, but unfortunately it does fall rather flat and is a big case of telling over showing.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book but then sadly it felt like it lost its way for me! Such a shame as I really enjoyed Six Crimson Cranes!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eArc for review.

3 stars

This is a great sequel to an already amazing first book in the series. I love fantasy and folklore and Lim has the knack for pulling the reader into her narrative and immerse them in it completely. Her writing shines through this story. It's such a good time and I will definitely be recommending this!

Elizabeth Lim’s The Dragon’s Promise, the sequel to Six Crimson Cranes, is a beautifully crafted tale steeped in Asian mythology, rich character development, and heart-stopping adventure. Lim’s lyrical prose and immersive world-building continue to shine, making this book a standout in the fantasy genre.

The story picks up where Six Crimson Cranes left off, with Princess Shiori embarking on a perilous journey to return the dragon’s pearl to its rightful owner. The novel takes readers into the depths of the dragon kingdom, where danger lurks beneath the water’s surface, and into the mysterious, vibrant landscapes of Iro. Each setting is intricately detailed, bringing the fantastical world to life with vivid imagery and cultural resonance.

Lim excels in blending action-packed sequences with quiet moments of reflection, weaving together themes of loyalty, love, and self-discovery. The pacing is steady, though it occasionally lingers in certain sections, allowing for deeper exploration of the richly imagined world.

Shiori remains a compelling protagonist—brave, resourceful, and endearingly flawed. Her growth throughout the novel feels authentic, as she grapples with her responsibilities, her feelings for Takkan, and her connection to the magical pearl. Supporting characters, including the enigmatic dragons and Shiori’s steadfast allies, add depth and intrigue to the narrative.

The romance between Shiori and Takkan is tender and heartfelt, balancing the high stakes of their adventure with moments of genuine vulnerability. Lim’s ability to portray complex relationships, whether familial, platonic, or romantic, is a highlight of the book.

The novel delves deeply into themes of sacrifice, destiny, and the power of promises. Lim’s writing is both poetic and accessible, seamlessly incorporating elements of Asian folklore into the narrative. The dialogue is sharp, and the descriptive passages are evocative, making it easy for readers to lose themselves in the story.

While The Dragon’s Promise delivers a satisfying conclusion to Shiori’s journey, some readers may find the resolution slightly rushed, especially given the buildup of tension throughout the story. Certain plot threads, particularly involving the dragon realm, could have been explored further to add even more depth to the narrative.

The Dragon’s Promise is a mesmerizing sequel that balances lush world-building with an emotional, character-driven story. Elizabeth Lim’s talent for storytelling shines through every page, making this a must-read for fans of fantasy and folklore. Whether you’re returning to Shiori’s world or diving in for the first time, this book offers an unforgettable journey filled with magic, courage, and the enduring power of promises.

I prefer the English version over the German translation. It could grab me way quicker.
With Lim's other books I liked the fairytale retellings, but felt this one was way more exciting.

I really love Lim's writing, and the first in this duology was so wonderful. I do feel that it perhaps could have been done as a standalone, but I definitely don't feel as strongly as others on this :) As always for me, fairytale retellings are just so my thing, and I think there was enough leftover magic in the feeling of this for me to work.

Shiori's back and forth with the pearl and with Seryu and his grandfather was interesting but I think it felt a little overdone at times. And while it was clearly trying to set up a love triangle, I don't think I ever really felt invested in it, and knew where it was heading. I also think that I missed some of the family stuff we got in the first book.

Overall, I love the writing enough to give it 3.5 stars but I think I'd have preferred to add the best bits to SCC to make a standalone.

Some of the highlights of Six Crimson Cranes was the writing, the characters and world building. We get the same in The Dragon's Promise. The writing in this is as expected, beautiful and a little magical, and I really enjoyed the underwater setting for this!

Characters-wise, Kiki is still a stand out character for me, she's still seems so cute but so sassy. Takkan, I still find him so sweet and dedicated (I loved his and Shiori's relationship. We get to learn a lot more about Raikama too.

Being named The Dragon's Promise, I expected much more of Seryu than I got but other dragons and mythical creatures sort of make up for the lack of Seryu. I also expected more from Bandur, the villain, too.

Plot-wise, The Dragon's Promise started off really well. The pacing picks up quite quickly and we get much more action in this book. So much happens and although I loved it, it's possibly a little too much in that some of it feels a little rushed. The ending though is a satisfying end to the duology but I also want spin-off books!

The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim is a captivating sequel that beautifully continues the adventure begun in Six Crimson Cranes. Lim delivers an enchanting world filled with vivid characters, compelling folklore, and rich descriptions. The protagonist, Princess Shiori, embarks on a magical quest involving dragons, treacherous seas, and a struggle for peace, with Lim weaving together action, romance, and emotional depth. The author's talent for storytelling shines through in the book's balance of high-stakes adventure and personal growth. Fans of fantasy with strong heroines and lush world-building will find The Dragon's Promise a satisfying and enchanting read.

Absolutely engrossing and beautiful conclusion to Shiori's and Takkan's story. I am so going to miss the characters that Elizabeth Lim brought to life. I highly, HIGHLY recommend reading Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon's Promise. They are so good I now own them as ebooks and special edition hardbacks and I will revisit their story again many times over the years.

Highly recommend.

A satisfying end to this duology. The first book was so good. This one felt slow in places and less developed. I didn’t feel as swept away. The story was good but the character felt out of place after the events of book 1.

I absolutely love Lims’ story telling.

After reading and loving Six Crimson Cranes, the dragons promise was a highly anticipated read, which for me lived up to its hype.

I did feel like this book dragged and had more filler than book 1 which made it more difficult to read. And I was disappointed by the lack of Seryu.

While i did ultimately enjoy this book. I feel this duology would’ve worked better as a stand-alone that left me wanting more that a duology that ended up leaving me slightly dissatisfied.

I hope one day I will remember reviewing arcs when I finish them :(
I will for sure have a reread of the series, because it was nice. A good sequel to a first book!

A very good sequel to an incredible first book. The characters and storylines were built upon in ways that further heightened emotional interest in the plot.

The final book in the Six Crimson Cranes series, this book packs a serious punch but failed to live up to its predecessor.

Princess Shiori embarks on a perilous journey to fulfill a deathbed promise, returning a powerful dragon's pearl to its rightful owner. As she navigates through the kingdom of dragons, facing political intrigue and thieving adversaries, Shiori must also conceal her own magical abilities to evade persecution. The pearl itself proves to be both ally and adversary, posing a threat to her family and her love, Takkan. With her fate hanging in the balance, Shiori must summon all her strength to protect the life and love she holds dear.

While I loved being back with Shiori and being immersed in this world, I would say it wasn't as strong of a book as Six Crimson Cranes. I did love the way we revisited and expanded on relationships, plus the sweeping descriptions of the world, but I thought the stakes weren't as high and the pacing faltered in the middle making it a slower read.

This was a brilliant finish to a thrilling story! I loved the mix of Asian and western myths, it was done so well and had really vivid portrayals that may the book come to life.

I can't wait to see what this author does next!