While thoroughly enjoyable, The Dragon's Promise is the weakest entry in this duology. My chief complaint is that there was a moment where it felt as though two novellas were stitched together to create a larger story. Regardless, it was a pleasant and satisfying end to the duology, and Lim continues to be one of the best modern fairytale crafters.

"Princess Shiori’anma embarks on a journey to the underwater kingdom of Ai’long, risking her human life to return the pearl in her possession to its rightful dragon owner. As she navigates this delicate task, the pearl takes on a life of its own, sometimes helping Shiori and other times causing chaos. She must keep it contained by any means necessary, but her magic is still a secret, any use of power a danger to her and her loved ones. Her friend Seryu promises to try and keep her safe in his grandfather’s kingdom, but his personal feelings for the princess are clouding his judgement. When Shiori finds herself bound to the royal family, the circumstances feel insurmountable, and she fears she’ll never return to the surface. Will she be able to keep her promise and survive to tell the tale? Will she make it back to her family and finally marry Takkan? Perhaps forbidden magic and the fate of a kingdom is too great a burden for a teenage princess . . ."

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Knopf Books for Young Readers, imprint of Random House Children’s Books, through NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

For the optimal reading experience, I reread “Six Crimson Cranes” as an appetizer to the entree of “The Dragon’s Promise,” the duology finale and my most anticipated book of 2022. Chapter one begins right where we left off, Shiori following Seryu to his grandfather’s ocean kingdom. I spent much of my childhood pretending to be a mermaid princess with a castle at the bottom of the swimming pool so the idea of spending some time underwater thrilled me, even as an adult reader. Out of nowhere, the dreaded reading slump got ahold of me, and my reading came to a complete halt. I pushed myself to read here and there but made very little progress, taking one whole month to finish a story I initially thought I would devour in one week at most. Yes, the slump did affect my reading experience, but I know for a fact it wasn’t the sole roadblock because I tried my luck with another book and flew through the chapters. Plain and simple, this sequel left me feeling disappointed and wishing the duology was, instead, a standalone book.

There was a lot of ground to cover in order to wrap up Shiori’s tale, and nothing flowed, instead feeling like three separate sections that happened one after the other. It read like “We’re in this place. Now we’re here. Lastly, we’re at this location.” The first book took me on an adventure that felt like a whirlwind, and the sequel took me on a guided tour that made me hyperaware of the seconds, minutes, and hours ticking by. I found Shiori incredibly annoying, even more so than before; I understand that her immature mistakes were meant to grow the character, but at some point she has to stop making those same mistakes to show growth, and I never felt that shift. I also didn’t like her use of the word “snitches”; maybe I’m being too picky, but it felt out of character and out of place in this particular fantasy.

I was rooting for Shiori and Takkan as a couple, but there were too many unnecessary twists and turns. One specific thing that transpired in the underwater kingdom didn’t need to happen, but I would’ve been fine with it had there been some sort of significance; it ended up affecting nothing and was, therefore, a waste of pages. Just when the romance seemed to be back on track, Shiori herself sabotaged the happy ending not once but twice. When I say I felt frustrated with her, I don’t mean the good feeling of frustration while reading that feels like part of the experience; I mean the bad kind of frustration that negatively affects your opinion of a story.

I’m struggling with the intensity of my disappointment, but I’m going to push through that wall and give you a positive: I love the moment when Takkan gifts Shiori with a simple wooden comb painted with memories they’ve shared. He parallels their quiet moment with the hunter who won the Lady of the Moon’s heart with a simple comb amongst suitors gifting her gold and jewels; he gave Imurinya a comb to put up her hair so he could see her eyes and light them with joy. Swoon! That moment gave me everything I was craving from their romance, not to mention their continuous quoting of these words inspired by Shiori’s stepmother: “You are the light that makes my lantern shine.”

I am very open to rereading “The Dragon’s Promise” after a period of time and giving it a second chance with a fresh mind. For now, I’m settling on a 3 star rating and walking away. If you’ve read the first book, please give the sequel a chance and read it for yourself. Just because I had a “meh” experience doesn’t mean you will; I’ve seen reviews from readers who enjoyed it so it does have an audience. I would also recommend you look into Elizabeth Lim’s “Spin the Dawn” duology because there are many connections to the “Six Crimson Cranes” duology, especially after the events of the second book. I’m considering a reread myself which is a relief because obviously my heart still loves this world Elizabeth’s created.

•

Content Breakdown: Abuse, Alcohol, Animal Harm, Blood, Bullying, Claustrophobia/Drowning/Seasickness, Death, Language (very minor), Loss, Magic, Prejudice, Religion, Romance, Self Harm, Sensual/Sexual Situations (very minor), Spirituality, Suicide, Superstition, & Violence

*Disclaimer: This section of my review expands on the content breakdown. It is thorough and might contain SPOILERS.

Abuse: One mention of a child whose father forced her to wear a mask to cover her “disfigured” face & beat her when she disobeyed.

Alcohol: Intoxication & Wine

Animal Harm: Many animal characters are involved in fighting, & some are harmed or killed.

Blood & Violence: Arson, Blood, Choking/Strangling, Death, Demon Attacks, Fights, & Possession, Fighting (one-on-one & large groups), Ghost Attacks & Fights, Mentions & descriptions of hypothetical death (ripped apart by demons, torn to ribbons by sharks, etc.), Mentions & descriptions of demons & ghosts, Mentions & descriptions of wounds, People turned to stone, Poison, Restraints, Self-Sacrifice, Stabbing, Threats of violence & death, Unconsciousness, Various weapons (arrows, beaks, claws, knives, lightning, magic, spears, stones, swords, etc.), & at least one appearance by Lord Sharima’en, the undertaker.

Bullying: A story is told about how Channari/Raikama was mistreated by other children; they threw turtle eggs & called her names like “Monster,” “Snake Demon,” & “Witch.”

Claustrophobia, Drowning, & Seasickness: Be aware that 14 chapters take place underwater! At various times, Shiori is tortured by the dragons, her ability to breathe taken away so that she drowns for as long as they want her to. There are mentions of seasickness & underwater attacks varying in intensity.

Death & Loss - BOOK ONE SPOILER - There are several mentions of Shiori’s stepmother who died in “Six Crimson Cranes.”

Language: D*mn & D*mned

Magic: Mentions of Amulets (the source of an enchanter’s magic), Dragons, Enchanters/Enchantresses, Inspiritation, Sorcerors/Sorceresses, Witches, & Wraiths

Shiori is told that the dragons poured a bitter tea called Sangi down her throat so she could breathe underwater.

While imprisoned, Shiori meets a young teenage boy who’s slowly turning to stone.

Bloodsakes are a major plot point carried over from book one, enchanters who possess the magic to free imprisoned demons from the Holy Mountains with the spilling of blood. There is a brief mention of past bloodsakes who were executed to keep magic out of Kiata; Emperor Hanriyu found the practice barbaric, & it ended with his reign.

Shiori is called a witch & sorceress with derogatory intent, the people of Kiata still believing that magic is evil.

Prejudice: There are quite a few discussions about how the dragons look down on humans & any dragon who is half-human. They call them krill, a derogatory name referring to food for shrimp & whales. Elang is half-dragon, half-human & struggles to find his place, not feeling like he fully belongs to one world or the other; he despises humans, probably as a way to find favor with the dragons, but still they look down on him, believing he doesn’t deserve his title “High Lord of the Westerly Seas.”

Takkan implies that Kiatan nobility is quick to judge outsider & refer to them as “barbarians.”

Religion, Spirituality, & Superstition: Mentions of Altars, Demons, Demon possession, Heaven/Heaven(s), Fate, Food offerings, Ghosts, Gods/Goddesses, Hell/Nine Hells, Incense, Luck, Prayers, Priests/Priestesses, Resurrection, Shamans, Shrines, Superstitions (i.e. avoiding the number 4), Telekinesis, Temples, & Trinkets to ward off demons (i.e. a bracelet)

Mention of the number 9 as the number of eternity

There are constant mentions of “strands,” as in people’s fate/path. For example, “may our strands cross again.”

Shiori uses the magic of the Tears of Emuri’en, water that reveals fate’s possibilities.

There’s a description of a bedroom with mourning sheets in the windows & prayer plaques & scrolls around the bed, wishes for safe passage into the afterlife. Later on, there’s a description of a shrine with ivory banners also representing a wish for safe passage into the afterlife; there are also food offerings on an altar & a wooden statue of the deceased.

Bandur is described as an especially dangerous demon who can command other demons, possess one’s mind & thoughts, & steal a soul with one touch.

The Forgotten Isles of Lapzur are inhabited by demons & ghosts. The ghosts can turn you into one of them with a single touch, & the demons prey on fear, distorting one’s memories until you’re disoriented enough to kill without fighting back.

Gods & Goddesses Mentioned:
-Ashmiyu’en, goddess of life
-Emuri’en, the goddess of fate & love, who becomes Imurinya, Lady of the Moon
-Nazayun, god of Dragons
-Sharima’en, god of death & the Undertaker

Phrases used as curses & exclamations:
-Bane of Sharima’en!
-Blazing Eternal Courts!
-Bubbling, blazing demons of Tambu!
-By the Eternal Courts!
-By the miracle of the gods . . .
-By the sages!
-By the strands!
-Curse the sages!
-Demons of Tambu!
-Demons take me!
-Emuri’en’s Strands!
-Glorious gods!
-Gods!
-Gods knew . . .
-Gods spare me!
-Great gods!
-I hope you rot in the Nine Hells!
-May the luck of the dragons be with you!
-Miracles of Ashmiyu’en!
-Nine blazing hells!
-Nine hells!
-Nine hells of Sharima’en!
-Oh gods!
-Praise the great gods!
-Praise the sages!
-Sons of the wind!
-Strands of Emuri’en!
-Thank Emuri’en!
-Thank the Eternal Courts!
-Thank the great gods!
-Thank the strands!

Romance: A handful of times Shiori blushes while admiring Takkan’s build & muscles.

A handful of moments when a couple is alone but do nothing beyond hugging; they sleep in each other’s arms one time but are traveling in a group.

At least one cheek kiss, One nose kiss, One almost-kiss, & 4 kisses

Sensual/Sexual: Shiori asks how it’s possible for a human companion to have a child with a dragon, & Lady Solzaya explains that after a binding ceremony, the human companion is immortal & no longer human, implying there’s some kind of change that makes mating with a dragon possible.

Self Harm: It’s revealed that a character’s facial scar was self-inflicted, a punishment of sorts because she hated looking in the mirror & seeing a beautiful face instead of her own “disfigured” face. She also tried to cut off the disfigurement, but despite her effort to fight through such a painful procedure, it always came back.

Suicide: Under the control of a demon, nine priestesses killed themselves: four by dagger, three by fire, & two by drowning. This is only mentioned, not described as it’s happening.

An imprisoned priestess pulls out one of her rotting teeth, crushes it into a powder, & throws it in the air, freezing her guards before uttering a few words & dropping dead.

Are you interested in: a continuation of an enchanting tale of magic, royal politics, and dragons?
Love a headstrong protagonist whose perception of their own power is valid and well-utilized?

A sequel book that contains nearly another book's worth of action and adventure, The Dragon's Promise is a novel that lives up the to wonder of Six Crimson Cranes while also leaving a feeling of needing a bit more time to hear the full story.

so just a few things i would have changed when it comes to the structure and narrative of the story. but none of that takes away from the vibrancy of the storytelling itself. i did enjoy this and i think its a nice conclusion to the series.

Love Elizabeth Lim’s writing! I did not enjoy this as much as I enjoyed the first book, but this was a good ending to the duology!

Title: The Dragon’s Promise
Things to know:
Second in duology
Fantasy
Romance
Strong Female lead
Synopsis: (May contain spoilers for Six Crimson Cranes)
Princess 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 imagined. She must journey to the kingdom of dragons, navigate political intrigue among humans and dragons alike, fend off thieves who covet the pearl for themselves and will go to any lengths to get it, all while cultivating the appearance of a perfect princess to dissuade those who would see her burned at the stake for the magic that runs in her blood. The pearl itself is no ordinary cargo; it thrums with malevolent power, jumping to Shiori's aid one minute, and betraying her the next—threatening to shatter her family and sever the thread of fate that binds her to her true love. It will take every ounce of strength Shiori can muster to defend the life and the love she's fought so hard to win.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review:
I am in love with this duology. Shiori was the strong female lead that I didn’t know was missing from my life. She is so relatable. She is sarcastic and unapologetically herself.
All of the characters had such a depth to them. I really wanted to take my time with this one because I knew I would be sad when it was over… and I am.
Do yourself a favor and read this duology. Such a wonderful reimagining of a classic Chinese folktale.

I was able to read about 50% of this book before I hit a huge reading block. I just was not engaged, and I really struggled to pick it back up. After many weeks of waffling, I was able to reach 60% of the way through the book before I totally stopped. I was looking forward to this sequel because I found Six Crimson Cranes to be an interesting retelling, but the pacing in Dragon’s Promise was strange, and difficult to enjoy. Honestly, I thought the most interesting characters (Seryu and Raikama) were overlooked, and their plot lines concluded way too soon.

Thank you again for this ARC, I appreciated the opportunity to read it.

The Dragons Promise picks up where Six Crimson Cranes left off and, honestly the first 100 pages were a little slow. The parts of the book that were underwater were not as exciting as I wanted them to be and I was not a fan of the forced (in my opinion) love triangle. However, once Shiori was back on land, the book definitely picked up and became the wonderful fantasy novel that I loved. I love how Elizabeth Lim creates characters and does world building. Its definitely one of her strengths as an author, in my opinion. I will be looking forward to everything else that she creates in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review,
***
The Dragon’s Promise by Elizabeth Lim is the sequel to Six Crimson’s Cranes which was one of my favorite reads of 2021, so I obviously was very much looking forward to this book, especially since I was going to see more of Seryu in this book.
This book continues where Six Crimson Cranes left off at with Shiori at the water to meet Seryu to fulfill her promise. However she’d made another promise to her stepmother before she passed that meant she wouldn’t be able to fulfill this promise so she’s already scrambling trying to figure a way out of her troubles. All the while the pearl brings more trouble for Shiori and she digs around to learn the history behind it and the last person who wielded it.
***
While this book fell a little flat for me, I still enjoyed Shiori’s adventures in the dragon kingdom and all the wonders she saw there and of course seeing more of Seryu. I also appreciated getting more background on Shiori’s stepmother and how she ended up where and how she did.

Just wow!! This was such a wonderful story. I loved how it all ended and lord I need more stories set in this world. I would love to know how the world has changed since the events in this story. And how everything has come to pass. This was a must read story that I could not put down.

I was very disappointed with this sequel because it felt like a job to finish it. I would have loved if this series was just one book instead m. I don’t think it was necessary to have the love triangle continue. Elizabeth Kim’s writing is well done, but the story isn’t there like it was with the first book.

Holy wow... I absolutely adored this series completely. Elizabeth Lim's writing is beautiful I cannot recommmend this series enough and shall be implementing both books into my curriculum for high school. I've already purchased a few paperback copies of the first part in the series and handed them out to my students. Absolutely stunning read!

The Dragon's Promise was a fun read. Shiori really grew up in the story, her connection to her family really shown in the book. Facing worst fears if anything should happen to her loved ones. I got Kdrama vibes in the first one, with Shiori and Takkan's love story witch I didn't mind. HOWEVER Seryu clearly is a second male lead, and it just didn't work for me. The cheesy trope of fake marriage to see if you really wanted the mortal kinda made it seem cheap. That aside Kiki is the best paper bird soul thing ever. Ending loved. It just gets a little draggy at times but overall adored.

A Dragon's Promise is an outstanding book that has something for everyone. It is an epic fantasy tale, full of action and adventure, but also has a deep emotional journey of self-discovery. The world-building is rich and the characters are compelling, with each character having a unique, believable arc. The writing is beautiful and the pacing is perfect, allowing the reader to be fully immersed in the story. It's a fantastic read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an exciting, heart-warming tale. 5 stars!

The Dragon’s Promise (Six Crimson Cranes Book 2) by Elizabeth Lim

490 Pages
Publisher: Random House Children’s, Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date; August 30, 2022

Fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Teens, Young Adult, Coming of Age

In the first book, Six Crimson Cranes, Shiori made a deathbed promise to return the pearl to the rightful owner. This be the beginning of her journey. Her brothers still turn into cranes and help provide information from the skies. She journeys to the kingdom of dragons. At times the pearl appears to help her then it works against her. She must dig deep to find her own magic to save herself and the ones she loves.

The story has a steady pace, the characters are developed, and it is written in the first-person point of view. The characters have grown from the first book. Shiori’s is a stronger woman as she follows her quest. If you like dragons, sci fi and fantasy books, you will enjoy this book. You must read the first book in the series before you read this book, or you will not understand what and why things are happening.

i found this to be a solid follow-up and sequel to Six Crimson Cranes. just as magical and lyrical as the first and i loved following Shiori's journey.

The second book in the duology, this time it has a different setting that added on beautifully to the magic and whimsy of the second book. I did feel like this was made to focus on one particular character and the MC’s relationship with them, that I did not feel was necessary but I still appreciated. I really liked them though.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random Hosue Children's for approving me for this ARC. Once I finished Six Crimson Cranes, I immediately wanted to pick up the sequel because I absolutely loved how Six Crimson Cranes and was excited to come back into this world. Unfortunately, this book was really disappointing. The book immediately picks up where Six Crimson Cranes ended. Having to go back into the dragon realm and return the pearl to its rightful owner only takes up the first part of the book. I don't even know what happens after that. The story takes a whole different turn, and you don't even know which way to look. There were so many characters and different plot points, you start getting confused. The book immediately takes a sudden halt and the book becomes boring, to say the least. I became very uninterested in the story. I skimmed the last twenty minutes of the book. I was just so ready to be done with it. The ending was good and rounded up the story well, but at that point, I just didn't care. Six Crimson Cranes definitely could have been a stand-alone book and it would have been perfect. As much as I want to have the duology on my shelves, I don't see myself purchasing this one to finish up my collection. If you have read this one, and plan on reading it, I do hope you enjoy it more than I did!

I enjoyed Shiori's journey of healing and self-discovery. Book one is very sweet and adventurous, and I found the Dragon's Promise to be as well. I do think the duology could have been a standalone, but I still had a good time with the sequel, and I think this story is a great entry point into the YA age range.

The Dragon’s Promise I could want in a duology. It felt familiar while giving us more. 10/10 duology. Very complete. No second book syndrome. I nearly cried.