*Bookish Rant* Elizabeth Lim will pay for my therapy.

I am so mad at Six Crimson Cranes‘s sequel.

This book. This flipping book.

Pretend Simba is the book for me.

The journey started off well. I’d laughed. I’d squealed. I’d even shed a few tears. But in the end, I was appalled. I sat aghast before the seemingly innocent, colorful cover of The Dragon’s Promise by Elizabeth Lim.

Here’s a replica of the expression I’d made.

About 50% in, I was beyond sure that this. This would no doubt land in my top 5 favorite pieces of literature. As I’d said in my Goodreads review for Six Crimson Cranes, around 70-80% in, I wished the remaining pages would be a lovely conclusion, tying loose ends in a neat blue bow. I got uneasy when our beloved characters traversed the most dangerous and anticipated territory they’d set foot on and—*peeks at the pages*—supposedly second-to-the-last location, but it wasn’t too dire. I was sure they’d find a way, right? Right?

Oh, ha, never mind. Shiori SPOILER [turns into this moon dweller instead. She meets Imurinya, the moon goddess, and they go all buddy-buddy, along with Kiki.] SPOILER

But actually, SPOILER [When Elizabeth Lim described the final thread of Shiori’s life barely holding on, I’d already conceded. All right, fine, Mrs. Lim, you win! Our main character will die; I’d accepted the fact. Considering the book was in Shiori’s POV, Chapter 45 was just me wondering how it would end. And then the deal happened, and Seryu—that guy I thought would die, whoopsie—saves her life because duh. He disappeared, so he’s got to come back. Cue the realization: The Dragon’s Promise indeed. Boom, I blew your mind.] SPOILER

Rating

I hated this book.

And yet.

And yet.

I loved it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5. Takkan is a sweetheart. (We readers could’ve done without him and Shiori being all lovey-dovey, kissy-kissy nearing the end, but it’s our one defense against the soul-crushing angst, aside from the SPOILER [sister-in-law & family fluff, and come to think of it, what happened to Qinnia and her tummy?! I need to know!] SPOILER, so we’re fine.)

I finished this in basically 2 1/4 days.

I can’t say the first half was better than the second because both had their own good parts.

Maybe it’s because I’d just finished Twin Crowns, which meant my expectations were on the ground. Or perhaps it’s because Elizabeth Lim’s style grew on me. (I gotta get Spin the Dawn, too, someday. Argh, I saw it at the bookstore; why didn’t I grab it?!) That means when I reread parts of Six Crimson Cranes, I saw its true beauty and enjoyed it for what it was. But . . . should I say it?

I loved the sequel better than the first.

Sure, I wasn’t that huge a fan of the romance coming front and center near the end, but the writing? Exquisite.

Also, a side note: Shiori is an upstanding protagonist. People say her character regressed, but I believe all her decisions were necessary. I was holding on to every word she said and thought she thought like it was my lifeline.

The End

Okay. The moral lesson of the story: don’t expect a happily ever after after the stakes are dealt with. Relish in every good moment, especially if it’s Elizabeth Lim.

I can still be sad and acknowledge its artfulness. 😪

Price my therapy sessions to the author’s bank account. Please, and thank you.

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Thank you for reading!

This whole post was uncalled for, but forgive me, I haven’t been so enthusiastic about something in so long. There’s something dangerous about Gindara, the kingdom Shiori’s family rules over. Actually, the entire world. You get so intoxicated with the magic, enchantments, and sheer glory that you might forget where you are. Who you are.

For a moment.

It’s mystifying, but will that stop me?

😏