*4.5 rounded up*

ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Even the purest of love is not immune to poison…” “…When love gives way to possession, it is no longer love at all”

I would like to thank Saga Press, Netgalley, and the Author for a copy of this ARC. Katrina Kwan holds a special place in my heart, and I actually got a little bit of a very early draft of this novel. When I read the intro chapter, I was hooked. I struggled with how not to talk about it, knew that it deserved to go to a big publisher, and knew exactly which friends I would shove it into the hands of.

Anyone who reads, writes or watches fantasy should know of the red threads of fate. It is a theme I have seen woven through stories in many different ways, and learning a little bit more about it's origin was a welcome adventure. The way she introduces Sai as into the story as a matchmaker, helping others find their fated ones, while so curious about it own seemed so curious to me. Had I had the ability I feel like I would have tracked down my soulmate without second thinking. But instead he never truly searched. He was curious yes, but he continued to help others, and believed that if he was meant to find his pair, fate would evenutally step in.

I went through so many emotions throughout this book, and sitting here trying to encapsulate this adventure in a short, non-spoilery review feels almost impossible. The banter was adorable and the grumpy sunshine aspect was out in full swing once we found "her". His constant nicknames made me want to punch him in the face for her, or throw him in a river (iykyk).

Once she finally opens up and reveals their history, my heart shattered. I felt so much pain for them both, and so much anger, and struggled to keep reading at times but knew that if I did, I would know their happy ever after. It took a lot to get there and the twist at the end made it so much harder to get there, but I loved every minute I spent with these characters, and am sad that it is a standalone novel.

If I had to find any moment that stopped this from being 5 stars, it would be that I felt that Sai's character took a bit of a 180 toward the end of the book, once he had regained memories. I feel as though he went from helpless and timid, to suddenly having the confidence of a war general. I think this is understandable with learning what he had, but wish there had been a little more build into this. It felt like a very stark contrast between the Sai I spent most of the book with, and the one I would be leaving the story with.

Setting this aside, Kwan wove a beautiful story rich in the lore of her own heritage and is a master at building relationships that are hard to step away from. Friends, enemies, lovers, every interaction felt high stakes and I left wishing for more in this world. Brava on her Fantasy debut, and I cannot wait to pick up what ever she creates next.

The Last Dragon of the East is a fantasy romance (kinda) novel written by Katrina Kwan, a Chinese Canadian author, and is inspired by different Chinese myths - most notably that of the Red Thread of Fate that connects every person to their own "fated one" (soulmate). The book follows Sai, a young man who lives with his sick mother and can see people's Red Threads of Fate and who helps other people with that power by matching them up with their fated ones. Except Sai's own thread is mysteriously gray and frayed and when he is forced by the powerful Emperor out on a dangerous journey to find a legendary green dragon, Sai finds that his own thread is connected to that very same green dragon.

The result is a story that is really delightful, weaving in bits and parts of other Chinese Myths, an adventure to escape from the dangerous corrupt Emperor, and of course a romance between Sai and the Green Dragon Jyn. I said "kinda" romance above, because there really isn't the classic romance arc you usually see in a usual romance (Jyn and Sai are fated to be together as we know from the start after all), but the romance that we have here is very charming and enjoyable, helped along by Sai's voice and the excellent writing of Kwan. There are bits and parts here and there that are predictable and might not really make much sense if you think about it too hard, but I was so charmed by this novel that I didn't really mind.

More specifics after the jump:

Plot Summary:
For most of his 25-year-old life, Sai has lived a life where has largely kept his head down and not tried to make big waves in the world. His biggest care is his mother and the teahouse that his mother and late father once ran...and now, with his mother sick, that burden has fallen to him. But with the teahouse failing, Sai's only way to make enough money for his mother and him to stay alive (and his mother get her medicine) is to use his one special skill: his ability to see the Red Thread of Fate between a person and their Fated One. It's a skill Sai can't explain, but he's been able to use it to match up those who come to him with the ones who are meant to be with them. Alas, Sai's skill presents him with a puzzle as to himself, for the thread attached to Sai himself isn't red...but is gray and fraying, unlike all of the other threads he's seen.

But events soon conspire to send Sai out into the greater world against his wishes: first, he discovers that the only thing that may heal his mother are forbidden green dragon scales, and then he comes to the attention somehow of the dangerous Emperor....who threatens to kill Sai's mother if Sai doesn't follow through a single task: to seek out the last Green Dragon herself and bring her to the Emperor. It's an impossible task, but Sai has no choice, and soon he finds himself with the Emperor's army on his way to parts unknown, in search of what he believed to be only myth.

And yet as Sai goes into foreign lands, he feels for the first time his own gray thread tugging him in a direction, as if his fated one is near. And when he finds the thread tied to the Green Dragon himself, he will discover truths about himself and his own love that have been fated since time immortal...

The Last Dragon of the East is told in the first person voice of Sai, a protagonist who I found to be really charming and delightful. Sai carries this book, because Sai is honest, caring, and well accepting to things in a way that most other people aren't. It's not that Sai is against necessarily keeping a secret (he certainly does at points). But when Sai goes on a journey in this book to find the green dragon and does and finds that his Thread of Fate is connected to her, Sai doesn't fight that (to the extent one can in this story), but goes all in on it. And yet while he's occasionally snarky and definitely a little quirky about it, he never feels rude or annoying, but just someone who I cared about and could carry this journey in full earnest good faith.

And it's a really delightful journey (sorry for reusing that word, it's hard to describe). Sai winds up meeting really two people of interest: a Huntress named Feng who is snarky herself and wants to kill the green dragon for reasons that are later revealed and the Green Dragon herself, who transforms herself into a woman named Jyn. Jyn and Sai's relationship is really lovely, as Jyn tries to push Sai away and Sai pushes but isn't rude or making inappropriate advances in response to those pushes (it helps that he can sense her true emotions). And the story colors that relationship with bits of a myth that reveal the truth about it and that are helped by the story not really trying to hide from Sai too long the truth as to the connection between he and Jyn in the first place, something that other books might do to keep intrigue up and to annoy the reader.

It's not the usual type of romance between Sai and Jyn, as well, there's very little feeling out of their character traits or why they should love each other in this book: they are fated to love each other. But how that love re-blossoms through their adventure is really well done, and the tragic nature of their pasts is surprising but works really well. And before I make this book sound too light and fluffy, it is strengthened by Kwan being absolutely willing to pull off plot twists that the reader might find shocking and disturbing...even though they make perfect sense. There's one moment here that made me go AHHHHHH and it worked really well for doing so.

There are certainly themes here about true love and caring vs a love being manipulative and power hungry as well to add to the plot that I haven't really gotten into here. The novel just works, even if some plot twists and character actions probably don't work if you think about it too much (how the antagonist is defeated is like, "why didn't the antagonist have a plan to deal with that?"). Recommended.

That is a really good reason to not like someone, on the list forever. "The Last Dragon of the East" by Katrina Kwan was much more brutal than I expected.

Everybody needs a side hustle it seems. For Sai it's bringing people in contact with someone they are fated for. He can see red strings that connect two people. His is grey though, not like he can leave to see what's at the end while taking care of an ailing mother. Unfortunately, he finds medication that saves her, but it is illegal and he gets wrapped up in events. Events that end with him either dead or bringing the Emperor a dragon.

Reasons to read:
-Directly to jail, bury in a pit that person
-Unexpectedly brutal, for justified reasons in some cases
-Bonding over fighting off crazy monsters in a pit who want to eat you
-Hey patience works

Cons:
-Well that was rather sad

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I found this book to be somewhat unmemorable and I really think it was because it was trying to do too much. The book starts off with a really fast pace which drew me in. There wasn't a lot of lore or world building, but that was fine because I was enjoying the story for what it was. Then all of a sudden about halfway through it seems that it all of a sudden tried to shift the story to be something more than just a nice young man doing the bidding of an evil emperor. It tries to stay cozy but also work all kinds of tropes into the second half of the book and gratuitous violence that seemed really out of pocket for what the book had already presented so far. I'll be honest I was just confused. It honestly felt like two different authors each penned a half of the book and shoved them together.

The Last Dragon of the East is a breathtaking blend of Chinese mythology, adventure, and fate-driven romance. From the moment I picked it up, I was utterly captivated by Sai’s journey—from struggling teahouse owner to an unwilling hero tangled in a dangerous search for a long-lost dragon. His ability to see the red threads of fate adds a unique layer to this story, creating a beautiful tension between destiny and choice.

Sai is a wonderfully endearing protagonist—charming, a bit awkward, and brimming with heart. His dynamic with Jyn, a fierce and guarded warrior, was an absolute delight. Their grumpy-sunshine dynamic had me grinning, and Sai’s devotion to her was swoon-worthy. Every interaction between them sparkled with chemistry, and the slow unraveling of their bond felt both epic and deeply personal.

Beyond the romance, the novel weaves in themes of sacrifice, legacy, and self-discovery, all set against a richly imagined world. The writing is lyrical, the emotions raw, and the tension builds beautifully throughout the story. While some plot elements were predictable, the execution made every moment feel fresh and impactful.

If you love epic fantasy with heartfelt romance, lush mythology, and dragons (even if they are more legend than presence), The Last Dragon of the East is a must-read. Katrina Kwan’s debut is a triumph, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

I was intrigued about the folklore and dragon origins of this one, however it fell a bit flat and I found it hard to remain interested in since it was a bit slow.

I tried for several weeks with this book and made it to about 20%. Sadly, I will be DNFing at 20%. The premise was interesting with the red threads of fate. The story just didn’t capture me or pull me in. That’s not to say I’ll never come back to this story but I’ve been working on it for over a month and just not picking it up.

The Last Dragon of the East is the story of an epic love spread across many lifetimes. The book focuses on various aspects of Chinese mythology, particularly the red strings of fate.

Sai has spent most of his life taking care of his ailing mother and trying to keep their family tea shop afloat. He also has a unique gift - the ability to see the red strings of fate that tie soul mates together, which leaves Sai as a bit of a romantic. His own string lies dormant, limp and dull grey. When Sai is found in possession of dragon scales he's acquired to try to help heal his mother, the emperor forces him to hunt the last dragon and retrieve more. On his journey, something happens with Sai's string and he's taken on an adventure to find his own Fated One and learn what he'll do to protect her.

The Last Dragon of the East was such a fun read and was so rich in Chinese mythology and even culture. The love story is unique and spans lifetimes and geography. The prose was beautiful and lush and Jyn is such a fun character.

I loved Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Violet Made of Thorns, and Jade Fire Gold, so I had high hopes for this one. And it started out STRONG. I was immediately pulled in but by the middle, I kind of lost interest? I don't know if it's a case of "it's not you, it's me" but even though the rest of the novel didn't deliver on its initial promise, I still feel this can be enjoyed by our readers.

2.5 ⭐️

I wanted to love this book—so much. I went into it with high hopes, but honestly, it didn’t work for me the way I wanted it to. The overall vibe was my biggest struggle. Fantasy can be heavy and intense, or it can be cozy and lighthearted—and both are great! But The Last Dragon of the East tried to do both at the same time, and it didn’t quite work. One minute there’s sarcasm and light banter, and then—BOOM—someone’s head gets chopped off and blood is flying everywhere. The characters also felt all over the place. One was supposed to be this supreme, all-powerful evil, and for a minute, it seemed like that was true… until he felt like just a regular dude. Another character was described as completely useless in combat, but somehow kept diving headfirst into fights and surviving against trained warriors. I just didn’t understand what the book wanted me to believe about them. And then there’s the language. I know this is a personal gripe, but when a story feels ancient or set in another era, I really don’t love it when the characters use modern curse words. It takes me right out of the world.

That being said, there were things I loved. Sai’s ability to see the strings of fate was such a cool concept, and I loved how it tied into his journey. The dragon legends and how they connected to the story were beautiful and emotional. I think what it comes down to is that I wanted something more consistent. There were areas that were strong, but the uneven tone, characters, and worldbuilding made it hard for me to stay engaged. I wish I could say I loved it, but this one just wasn’t for me.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing me with an e-arc & and physical copy! All opinions shared are mine and mine alone.

3.5 stars, rounded up

A fun romp!

I really liked Sai's voice, although his entire being changes toward the end, not toward the better IMO (there's an explanation for the change, though).

The book is fun, Jyn and Sai's star-crossed love is a delight, and the big bad is enough of a twist to warrant an "oh shit"...at least from me lol.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book and i can't wait to see where the author goes in the future with their writing.

This book is more violent than I thought it would be based on the cover art and premise. I was expecting Song of the Six Realms and got something completely different. It's a beautiful cover art. It had plot points I enjoyed, but overall, it just wasn't for me.

Content Warning: beheading that feels out of left field, soldier is hit by an arrow and trampled, invading army ignoring white flag and proceeding to unalive them to the extent that no longer attached limbs are flying through the air, all of a sudden strong language that also feels a little out of left field with the book's abrupt tonal shifts. And there's a Jacob imprinting on a baby moment towards the end.

Again, the cover is beautiful. There are parts I enjoyed. But I was definitely expecting a cozier vibe from the cover, premise, and beginning of the story. This book feels ubruptly Game of Thrones-esque and it took me for a loop.

The FMC has been alive for thousands of years but behaves like a twenty-five year old. The telling over showing was distracting for the romantic plotline though. It bothered me that the MMC can immediately "feel her emotions through the bond" even when her actions are completely the opposite.

This book features:
One third person PoV from MMC's perspective
Fated mates/starcrossed lovers
Age gap romance
Grumpy Dragon x Sunshine MMC
Dying mother
Corrupt king
Shapeshifter
Threads of fate to fated mate
Reincarnation

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a gifted copy of this book and an e-arc through NetGalley. This review is voluntarily written and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.

The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan is an incredible story that pulled me in from start to finish. It’s a perfect mix of adventure, mythology, and personal growth.

The main character’s journey is both exciting and emotional as they learn about themselves and face challenges tied to family, loyalty, and courage. Kwan does a great job of creating a vivid world filled with mythical elements, and the story balances action, humor, and heartfelt moments perfectly.

What really stood out to me were the themes of resilience and cultural identity, which made the story feel meaningful and relatable. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.

If you enjoy fantasy or stories with rich characters and beautiful storytelling, The Last Dragon of the East is definitely worth reading.

I just wasn't able to actually get into this book, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I liked the characters but I struggled with the story. 3.5/5

I genuinely really enjoyed this novel. The romance between them was very sweet and although I knew who the two of them were right off the bat (the subtly of their backstories wasn't very subtle) I still had fun reading about it. I have to admit though that I think I confused this story with a different one because I thought this story would be queer. Jyn and Sai were so cute though and it was queer (their son's partner was a man and there were other queer characters) just not between the main characters like I assumed. I kind of hope there's a sequel because I'd love a story about their son being reincarnated but... I don't think I'd like to see R'ong again (his partner). If it's done well though I think I could be into it!

The Last Dragon of the East takes places in a war torn country, following Sai, a man who tends to a tea shop, loves his mama but can also see everyone's Red String of Fate. Due to unfortunate circumstances involving curing his mother's illness and a power hungry Emperor, Sai finds himself on a journey to find the Last Dragon.

This started off so strong and fast paced but after the 40% mark, the pacing and excitement drastically dropped. It becomes a journey that doesn't feel fleshed out, and it struggles balancing world building, a budding romance and the fantasy elements. The romance took me out of the story, but considering this is a fantasy involved the infamous red string, it was bound to have the "fated love" trope which is my least favorite trope. If you don't mind it, this book could be for you.

What I did love was Sai's character. He's a softer male protagonist. He knows he can't throw a punch but the guy will sure try for the people he cares for, and that was endearing to me.

Overall this was an okay experience. It was a great premise but the execution could have been better. Thank you Saga Press and Netgalley for an eArc. This review is my own opinion.

The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan is an excellent mix of fantasy and romance given to the reader in fast paced narrative that kept me hooked from page one.

As a well paced stand alone this title is an excellent read for those who are looking for an emotionally complex addition to their library.

I really enjoyed it! Dragons, romance, fate, what more could you want?! I really enjoyed the love story and how it plays out throughout the story!