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chaptersofamylea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
"Your heart is my own, and where you are is my home.
4.5 ⭐️
This duology is everything. The Dragon’s Promise to me was as good as this first book. Once again I loved the magic, the world, the family bonds and Shiori’s personality. This book was so enchanting that it felt real, Shiori has grown so much and I adore reading from her point of view so much. I just love everything about this story. And it had me crying over a paper bird.
I’m both happy with the Seryu content we had as it felt like that part of the story had closure but I would love to read more about him and his antics.
But yeah, such a romantic, enchanting and spectacular book.
TWs: death of a parent, depictions and gore and violence
4.5 ⭐️
This duology is everything. The Dragon’s Promise to me was as good as this first book. Once again I loved the magic, the world, the family bonds and Shiori’s personality. This book was so enchanting that it felt real, Shiori has grown so much and I adore reading from her point of view so much. I just love everything about this story. And it had me crying over a paper bird.
I’m both happy with the Seryu content we had as it felt like that part of the story had closure but I would love to read more about him and his antics.
But yeah, such a romantic, enchanting and spectacular book.
TWs: death of a parent, depictions and gore and violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
eetishmeh's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
A thrilling sequel to Six Crimson Cranes and a nice ending to Shiori's journey.
I spent a little longer than I'd've liked to finish this book due to school and life stuff in general... but also because some parts of the book were a little bit slow. That might just be a personal preference, though.
I think Seryu's storyline ended to quickly. I felt robbed of an ending where he fought alongside Shiori, Takkan and her brothers 🥲 I loved him a lot and was super sad to see him go in just the first half of the book 😭 The way they closed the curtains of his stage made it feel like it was the end of the book already, haha. Shiori's time in Ai'long and her time in Kiata felt like they were split into two different arcs, which overall wasn't the best pacing choice. (I think that's why it felt draggy in certain areas :'D)
I love Shiori and Takkan's relationship, but I think Shiori acts a little too mature in the romantic relationship aspect considering how she has no prior dating experience and she's only 17. Just a little pet peeve of mine that didn't affect my rating of this book; I know a lot of fantasy books have this type of characterisation anyway.
As always, I'd like to appreciate the worldbuilding, especially since I rarely see Asian takes on typical fantasy tropes (made-up names inspired by real-life things, mythological beings inspired by legends etc) that are usually used in Western settings. (I'm sure that non-English books must do this too, based on their own culture, but this is one of the first times I've seen this in an English book.)
I liked the conclusion to Shiori's journey. It was bittersweet, yet felt more sweet than bitter because of the character reactions and the nice little bows tied onto each character arc.
Overall, I preferred book 1 more due to its pacing and the plot structure, but I enjoyed this book as well. Goodbye, Lor'yan. I enjoyed traversing your land alongside Shiori <3
I spent a little longer than I'd've liked to finish this book due to school and life stuff in general... but also because some parts of the book were a little bit slow. That might just be a personal preference, though.
As always, I'd like to appreciate the worldbuilding, especially since I rarely see Asian takes on typical fantasy tropes (made-up names inspired by real-life things, mythological beings inspired by legends etc) that are usually used in Western settings. (I'm sure that non-English books must do this too, based on their own culture, but this is one of the first times I've seen this in an English book.)
I liked the conclusion to Shiori's journey. It was bittersweet, yet felt more sweet than bitter because of the character reactions and the nice little bows tied onto each character arc.
Overall, I preferred book 1 more due to its pacing and the plot structure, but I enjoyed this book as well. Goodbye, Lor'yan. I enjoyed traversing your land alongside Shiori <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy and War
Please look up content warnings if you are concerned! It's possible that I missed a few. Stay safe!kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and War
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
pixellatxd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and War
niatella's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book more so than the first, probably because the plot has already been established, making easier to understand some of the complex explanations.
I understand that the MC's character-development is part of the plot, though I would like to say I don't really enjoy it. She can be a bit too stubborn and overbearing to read.
The romance is fine, simply, WHERE CAN I GET MYSELF A TAKKAN?!?!?!?!
I understand that the MC's character-development is part of the plot, though I would like to say I don't really enjoy it. She can be a bit too stubborn and overbearing to read.
The romance is fine, simply, WHERE CAN I GET MYSELF A TAKKAN?!?!?!?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death and Torture
Minor: Death of parent
the_books_music_life's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Now I have some spoiler questions I need answers to at the very bottom of my review.
I really enjoyed this book though, not as much as the first. I love all the characters, places, and don't get me started on the food description 🤤.
If I wasn't so in love with Shirori and Takkan's relationship I wouldn't have minded if the relationship between Shirori and Seryu happened. I adore Seryu, he is one of my favorite characters and I wish we got to see more of him in the latter half of the book
While I enjoyed Shiori’s reunion with her brothers I thought it felt a little lack luster, though a lot has obviously happened in the months she’s been gone and she showed up with not so great timing. Shirori's reunion with her father however angered me. I have very mixed feelings for her father's character. You would think he'd be happy to see his ONLY daughter after so long and after her being lost with her brothers but instead he berates her....Wth?
I adore Shirori and Takkan's relationship. It is equal parts sweet and romantic while also being passionate and shows how much they deeply care for each other. Also How many times can two people be almost married?!
I adored Qinnia. Even though we don't see her very much or learn much about her, what we do see and what we got made me love her. It didn't feel like she was added just to be added, she had a place in the book and it wasn't forced.
Now onto my dislikes.
I didn't enjoy how long and dragged out the trip to the Dragon's kingdom was. While I enjoy Seryu I thought the whole thing could have been shorter and it would have gotten the same point across about her misadventures and adventures there.
(This is going to be so hard to explain my feelings without spoilers)
While I enjoyed the ending I was worried about certain things happening and my fears were partially true. I didn't really care for the solution that ended up taking place, but I rather that than the worse thing I thought was going to happen. I do like how the author incorporates Seryu into the ending and the solution that is figured out for Shirori.
I felt like the ended was a little rushed and I wanted to see more from the epilogue.
For some reason I cried like a little baby at the end of this book and I have no clue why. Yes some things that happened were sad but jeez I didn't think it was all that sad.
My spoilerly questions
Who tricked the guardian demon/dragon (I can't remember his name) into killing Vanna?
And why does Hasho still have a bird arm and can talk to birds. Is it because he was cursed by Bandur? But if that's so wouldn't it heave been fixed when the demon/dragon changed her brothers back into humans?
I really enjoyed this book though, not as much as the first. I love all the characters, places, and don't get me started on the food description 🤤.
If I wasn't so in love with Shirori and Takkan's relationship I wouldn't have minded if the relationship between Shirori and Seryu happened. I adore Seryu, he is one of my favorite characters and I wish we got to see more of him in the latter half of the book
While I enjoyed Shiori’s reunion with her brothers I thought it felt a little lack luster, though a lot has obviously happened in the months she’s been gone and she showed up with not so great timing. Shirori's reunion with her father however angered me. I have very mixed feelings for her father's character. You would think he'd be happy to see his ONLY daughter after so long and after her being lost with her brothers but instead he berates her....Wth?
I adore Shirori and Takkan's relationship. It is equal parts sweet and romantic while also being passionate and shows how much they deeply care for each other. Also How many times can two people be almost married?!
I adored Qinnia. Even though we don't see her very much or learn much about her, what we do see and what we got made me love her. It didn't feel like she was added just to be added, she had a place in the book and it wasn't forced.
Now onto my dislikes.
I didn't enjoy how long and dragged out the trip to the Dragon's kingdom was. While I enjoy Seryu I thought the whole thing could have been shorter and it would have gotten the same point across about her misadventures and adventures there.
(This is going to be so hard to explain my feelings without spoilers)
While I enjoyed the ending I was worried about certain things happening and my fears were partially true. I didn't really care for the solution that ended up taking place, but I rather that than the worse thing I thought was going to happen. I do like how the author incorporates Seryu into the ending and the solution that is figured out for Shirori.
I felt like the ended was a little rushed and I wanted to see more from the epilogue.
For some reason I cried like a little baby at the end of this book and I have no clue why. Yes some things that happened were sad but jeez I didn't think it was all that sad.
My spoilerly questions
And why does Hasho still have a bird arm and can talk to birds. Is it because he was cursed by Bandur? But if that's so wouldn't it heave been fixed when the demon/dragon changed her brothers back into humans?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Body horror and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
yaoipaddle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I preferred the first book. I felt like the pacing was not as well done as the first book. Too much time was taken up by Shiori pining over her boyfriend or rehashing the same things she has done in the last book. The few new and interesting settings or concepts were far too brief.
I'm just a little tired of Shiori being head over heels for Takkan when he does not show himself to be outstandingly amazing in this book more than other characters. I do appreciate that there is no Twilight/Hunger Games level pandering over who has Shiori's love though.
The further exploration into Shiori's feelings over her stepmother are sweet and some of my favorite parts of the latter part of the book. I like how towards the end Shiori showed a lot of maturity and the theme of "what is 'home'" really came around neatly. So for general themes and concepts I felt a nice closure.
As for the actual nitty gritty details and actions...
The ending felt rushed and parts of it were poorly explained to the point where I had to stop reading and try to piece it together myself before continuing.
I would say this is an OK end to the series but could have been better. Feel free to pass on it and make up your own ending tbh.
I'm just a little tired of Shiori being head over heels for Takkan when he does not show himself to be outstandingly amazing in this book more than other characters. I do appreciate that there is no Twilight/Hunger Games level pandering over who has Shiori's love though.
The further exploration into Shiori's feelings over her stepmother are sweet and some of my favorite parts of the latter part of the book. I like how towards the end Shiori showed a lot of maturity and the theme of "what is 'home'" really came around neatly. So for general themes and concepts I felt a nice closure.
As for the actual nitty gritty details and actions...
The ending felt rushed and parts of it were poorly explained to the point where I had to stop reading and try to piece it together myself before continuing.
I would say this is an OK end to the series but could have been better. Feel free to pass on it and make up your own ending tbh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
kirstenf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow! The imagery, the colors, the scenery, the outfits, the food. This book is so rich with culture and flavors and texture it’s just so good. I am really enjoying Elizabeth Lims writing style and I currently have her other duology in my library audiobooks holds which I’m super excited to read as well. It was just such a lovely story. Though there were moments where I would fall out of intrigue and there were moments of dullness for me I guess… I did really enjoy it and my fairyloot edition is absolutely stunning.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail