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!

I LOVED this book! I devoured the first in the series and I was truly so excited to be offered the opportunity to read the second in this.duology. Based in one of my favourite fantasy worlds of all time, the second book in the series really expanded on the already existing lore and story. Shiori becomes the woman she was destined to be in this book, unravelling family secrets and helping break curses as she goes. It is so rare to have a book be so enchanting and also so accessibly written, and it was for this reason that I flew through this book. Thoroughly recommend.

She is now an auto buy author for me.

This is a sequel. I did like the book but it wasn’t as good as the first one. I liked the world building. The author is very good at writing mythology.
The ending was very convenient

In "The Dragon's Promise" by Elizabeth Lim, we are transported to a kingdom embroiled in political turmoil, where protagonist Shiori finds herself entangled in a web of danger, love, and self-discovery.

At the heart of the narrative lies political intrigue, as the kingdom grapples with factions vying for power. Shiori becomes a pawn in this game of thrones, navigating treacherous waters and facing mythical creatures, hostile forces, and daunting trials.

As Shiori's bond with the dragon prince Seryu deepens, she confronts the complexities of their forbidden romance and the potential sacrifices it entails. Alongside themes of love and loss, Shiori embarks on a journey of self-discovery, unearthing hidden truths about her family, her magic, and her own identity.

The story delves into moral conflicts, as Shiori grapples with difficult choices involving loyalty, duty, and personal desires. Through her journey, readers are invited to explore complex themes of family, sacrifice, identity, and political power.

Positives abound in Lim's tale, with compelling characters taking center stage. Shiori emerges as a strong and relatable protagonist, complemented by a diverse and well-developed supporting cast. Lim's rich world-building vividly brings Ai'long to life, immersing readers in its captivating underwater setting.

The narrative unfolds at a fast pace, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with constant action and suspense. Lim's beautiful prose adds to the allure, painting a lyrical and evocative picture of Shiori's world.

However, the novel is not without its drawbacks. Some readers may find certain plot points predictable, and the presence of a love triangle trope might not appeal to everyone. Additionally, the antagonist's motivations may feel underexplored, and certain sections of the story could suffer from slow pacing.

In conclusion, "The Dragon's Promise" offers a captivating fantasy experience, replete with strong characters, vibrant world-building, and an exhilarating adventure. While it may not be devoid of flaws, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthwhile journey for fans of the genre.

I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Lim's books and after six crimson cranes, I was looking forward to the sequel.
I loved the underwater world and how the story progressed in the sequel and the romance was just to cute.
All in all it was a superb read.

After reading Six Crimson Cranes I really had high hopes from this one. However, the plot seemed pretty slow paced to me and the character development was not upto the mark. A lot of unnecessary details could have been avoided and the book could be made shorter. The part I anticipated reading the most was the marriage ceremony of Takkan and Shiori, however that was the least mentioned topic in the book. I did like the characters of Quinnia and Kiki, but not so much of Seryu and his family.

I found immense pleasure in reconnecting with the characters and witnessing the resurgence of magic in this world. The characters underwent significant challenges and trials throughout the narrative, and the unfolding of their journeys was truly entertaining.

However, in contrast to the first installment, the focus of the story in this sequel seemed less defined. While the initial book had a crystal-clear objective—to break the curse and save the protagonist's brothers—the narrative in this one seemed to deviate. The primary storyline involving the return of the pearl to its owner was diverted by the introduction of the religious fanatic plot, the demon plot, and the dragon world plot. This diversification made the story feel somewhat scattered and occasionally meandering.

Without revealing too much: the exploration of a potential romantic subplot (hinted with the lambda symbol) lacked the expected charm. I never sensed a genuine romantic chemistry between Shiori and any of the male characters, making the idea feel rather forced. Had there been a more emotional connection between Shiori and Seryu, the dynamic might have resonated differently, but from Shiori's perspective, they seemed more like close friends.

Setting aside these minor concerns, my overall experience with the book was highly enjoyable. I particularly appreciated Shiori's exploration of her mother's history, delving into the motivations behind her decisions. This plotline captivated my interest the most.

This book was good, but i am not usually a huge fan of anything that has a fair bit of politics and navigating that, so I wasn't very keen on it. Overall though, the characters made the story enjoyable.

This felt so much like a sequel that had Lim had been forced to write - from the going-nowhere Dragon Palace start, to Shiori making reckless impulsive mistake after mistake, and somehow getting away unscathed, which felt so unrealistic and only served to making every threat feel non-existent as a result. I'm just going to treat Six Crimson Cranes as a standalone instead. Such a shame, as I really enjoyed that story and hoped for more of the same.

🔥 Embark on a Mythical Odyssey with 'The Dragon's Promise' by Elizabeth Lim 🔥

In the alchemy of storytelling, Elizabeth Lim doesn't just mix elements; she forges them into pure magic. 'The Dragon's Promise' is not merely a book; it's a journey – a phoenix rising from the ashes of ordinary tales.

🐉 Scales, Scrolls, and Spellbinding Prose:
Lim's writing isn't ink on paper; it's a dragon's breath, weaving intricate spells that transport you to a world where mythical creatures and human emotions dance a tango. It's a page-turner where every chapter is a scale in a mesmerizing melody.

🌌 Starry-Eyed Adventure Awaits:
This isn't your average dragon tale. 'The Dragon's Promise' is a celestial odyssey where constellations are characters, and every page is a portal to a universe where destiny and desire collide like shooting stars.

👩‍🚀 Heroines That Soar Above Expectations:
Move over, damsels; Yona is in town. Lim gifts us a heroine who isn't just the protagonist – she's the architect of her destiny. It's a narrative where courage isn't loud; it's a silent roar that echoes through every decision.

🔮 Magical Realism on Steroids:
If you thought you knew magic, Lim invites you to think again. 'The Dragon's Promise' is an enchanting brew where reality and fantasy engage in a dance so enthralling you'll question where one ends and the other begins.

🚀 Why 'The Dragon's Promise' is a Literary Treasure:

For lovers of fantasy seeking a celestial escape.
If you adore tales where magic and emotion entwine seamlessly.
Anyone who believes in the power of destiny and the allure of the mythical.
🌟 Final Verdict:
Elizabeth Lim doesn't promise dragons; she promises an odyssey. 'The Dragon's Promise' isn't a book; it's an incantation that beckons you to a realm where every turned page is a step into the extraordinary.

📚 Snatch 'The Dragon's Promise' and be prepared to soar on the wings of Lim's narrative prowess. It's not just a story; it's a promise fulfilled. 🌠📖 #BookReview #FantasyReads #TheDragonsPromise

I was not prepared for how much I would love this. Thank you for the early copy to review. I was not prepared for how much I would love this. Thank you for the early copy to review.