The beginning of the book felt like a completely different story to the rest of the book. The pacing and flow of this one felt a lot better, and I liked Shiori's character in this one even if her development was a little unbelievable. The main character gripe I had was with the fact that no one really trusted Shiori (with a few exceptions), with her track record understandable, but keeping her in the dark about necessary information when shes the only one who actually has to finish this quest was so annoying everytime it happened.
I am glad with how the love triangle resolved, although I will say I did not expect the plot to follow the path it did but I'm not upset with it - it is much better than what I thought was gonna happen. Shiori and Raikama's relationship was something really great to watch unfold, and makes me upset bc that means the first book had so much more potential for that.

 I rarely reading YA, mostly because I dislike love triangle that back then seems like the norm because of Twilight and I'm often got impatient reading immature characters. But in my latest 30-ish, I discover that some of YA titles are good! That's the case with Six Crimson Cranes and I'm glad that I also enjoyed The Dragon's Promise!

I do agree with reviewers that said for a title with "DRAGON" on it, the story about Shiori's journey to Ai'Long, the Dragon King Palace only happen in like 150 first pages give and take. But, I think the title is more like the "other" dragon's promise and not only Seryu's. I did like with how Lim write about the dragons in the Ai'Long. They are more like capricious, cunning and terrible creature. Seryu is antique, a rarity, but other dragons are creatures with their own agenda. Reading about dragon in this book is a delight for me because often I read dragon as a wise creature or only magical without sinister personality.

The story itself was fast paced and I have a hunch that it's maybe better written as trilogy rather than compressed it into duology. So much happen in this book, from Shiori's journey to Ai'Long in order to fulfil Raikama's wishes, then back to Kiata just to find that the demon Bandur whom a villain in SCC come back to claim his right as a Demon King and demand Shiori to free the demons once and all. Then, continue with Shiori's journey to Raikama's hometown, searching for the true owner of the pearl and the final showdown with the Bandur himself. I agree that Bandur feels like a 2D villain although not too cartoonish. Malicious, but not too over the top. For a book, plenty things happen but the story kinda wrapped nicely while some things kinda left unexplained.

For me, the strength of the Six Crimson Cranes duology is in its characters interaction and relationship. While told entirely from Shiori's first PoV, I still get a glimpse and insight into other characters. I always love the siblings love between Shiori and her six brothers, while they like to bickering, the brothers also support Shiori in her journey and predicaments. What make me surprised is how Shiori's Father, the Emperor himself behave. Yes, he's stern, as befitting of the Emperor of Kiata, but he's also kind. That's the sign that I really read a fantasy book because a kind and loving father is apparently hard to find especially in real life (I admit I have daddy issues, lel)

As for the romance, I'm Team TAKKAN FTW! For Seryu, I find him likable but I always know from the start that he fall into the friend-zone area with Shiori. I mean, they are better as friends! I love Takkan because his soft boy personality, lol. Beside, the romantic arc between Shiori and Takkan already written in Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon's Promise just kind of make it official. Yeah, I know that Takkan written as a veryyyy nice boy, but I hope in the future Lim will make him hardened enough to face the gossipy & cunning court in the Kiata. Beside, he also show his strength in this book while fighting Bandur and the demons. Reading Shiori and Takkan's romance is one of the book's highlight for me and remind me that sometimes I just need a sweet and over the top young love that still manage to make me swoon.

Discussing about SCC duology is not complete without discuss about Raikama. While I appreciate Shiori's character development in SCC, although her reckless behavior in this book make me shake my head, the most interesting character in SCC duology is Raikama. She's a complex character and if you had read SCC then you already know Raikama's fate in The Dragon's Promise. The focus of this book is more like Shiori's promise to Raikama and how she finally discovered her stepmother's past. How hard Raikama's past was and the reason why she become Shiori's stepmother kinda of heart-wrenching to read. Raikama just want to be loved and have a family of her own. I know that her past will be written more in Her Radiant Curse, and since I know what happen with her in the past, I kinda dreaded reading Her Radiant Curse while also curious.

I like the ending since Lim maybe want to write that HEA can come in many ways, lol. Seems befitting of Shiori and Takkan too, and well, the most important thing is they are happy. Pronto. A well mix of fantasy and romance with characters that you will love, influenced by fusion of Asian myth and a journey that will make you don't want to finish reading (I sure did), I pretty much recommend Six Crimson Cranes duology!! 

So this book had me sobbing and soulmates is my favourite trope. Solid book

I loved this book! Not a much as the first, but I still loved it nonetheless. I love that we got to learn more about Shiori's stepmother and her background. I already have Her Radiant Curse open on my kindle ready to be read. 

I think my favourite thing was the relationship  in this book. The romance between Shiori and Takkan was so beautiful- Such a breath of fresh air that there was no silly relationship drama between them! I wish we had more Seryu stuff, too. Romantic relations aside I love how all the characters interact with each other. 

This books jumps RIGHT into the action and wastes no time picking up where Six Crimson Cranes left off.
Firstly, I really enjoyed this book! It had great characters and relationships, a good plot, wonderful world building, and was over all a lovely read! Unfortunately, I feel like this book was a little rushed. While I  found Six Crimson Cranes to occasionally be lacking extra detail, The Dragon's Promise overall rushed through the plot. 

I really wish we got to see more of Seryu's story - I feel it was cut short after the action between him and his father. I also would have loved to see more of Elang and his character instead of having him only be there to give Shiori the Wraith's name.

The later half of the book went at brake-neck speed and I had a hard time keeping up with all the scene changes.  Although that might speak more to my own reading habits and the books I've read recently.
Overall, I would still recommend this book to anyone who like fantasy! Especially if you are interested in getting into High Fantasy. 
I really did love this duology and the characters will always have a special place in my heart!