This one just wasn't for me, writing and plot great bur couldn't get into it, I'd recommend the first one though

Absolutely stunning cover.
The blurb was interesting so i headed in with high expetations. It was a bit boring, how it was written and jumping back and forth. But it was also okay.

I found this to be a unique and refreshing read, the characters were great and I love the world that was built by the author. I look forward to reading more from Mr. Andrews.

So beautifully written I was immediately drawn back in time to Korea before WW1 a country with a fascinating history.Third book in a trilogy can be read as a stand alone ,I will be grabbing the first two in this beautiful ly written trilogy.#netgalley#lakeunionpublishing,

The Spirit of the Dragon is the 3rd book in "The Dragon" series. It can be read as a stand-alone. I loved the previous books in this series so I was excited to read this book. And this one did not disappoint.

This story was poignant and heart wrenching. It is about a young Korean girl, Suk-bo, who is forced to marry a Japanese boy, Hisashi, during a time when Japan was taking over Korea. Korean culture and traditions were being forced into Japanese ways. Despite their differences, they fall in love. When Hisashi joins the Japanese Imperial Army and leaves, Suk-bo vows to love him forever. She embarks on a quest through years of war, bigotry, and poverty to find him.

This story is about survival. The author did a great job of incorporating history into a truly fascinating story. It was a perfect blend of history and fiction. I definitely recommend this book if you like historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, William Andrews' for a copy of "The Spirit of the Dragon" in exchange of an honest review.

Gone With The Kimchi. This book has the depth and emotion of Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, but it is set beginning in 1930s Korea and continuing through the major events of the Korean people from then to now. Never overly graphic, yet conveying the appropriate gravitas regardless, this book highlights so many of the horrors of the Imperial Japanese government during this period - and how being a part of it came to haunt one (fictional) man. Ultimately a story of undying love and an undying belief that we are all truly one people, this is a book that cannot be missed. And if you happen to read Jeremy Robinson's Island 731 before or after, you'll have an even better sense of the true tragedy conveyed in this tale. Very much recommended.

Wow so much happens in this book. Honestly I had no idea it was part of a series until I looked up the book online and saw that it was but it’s the perfect standalone. Having Anna and the comb be a connection but take a backseat is the perfect way to weave the story that focused on things that most people don’t know about. WWII is a huge topic for novels but you don’t usually get one from the Far East. It also makes a point to say that no one had heard about Unit 731 and the atrocities they did during the war and that’s true in real life. I had never heard of that and I’m a huge WWII buff. So having this focus so heavily on people that seem to be largely ignored in the historical fiction genre was amazing.

Yes sometimes it got a bit wordy or would ‘blah blah’ through years worth of time but I was still so wrapped up in the story that I couldn’t put it down. I honestly want to read the other two books in the series after reading this one and I’m glad the cover caught my attention and I requested it from NetGalley. It’s a powerful story even if the constant changes between names (which was true for the time that Korean’s were given Japanese names that they had to answer to) was a bit confusing at times. Plus the twist in the end of what truly happened to the man in the Nursing home was fantastic 100% would recommend.

Well done historical fiction about a dark dark time in Korea - but it's also a love story about Suk-Bo, a Korean woman, and Hisashi, a Japanese man. Although it spans the years between 1936 and the present, the most dynamic parts of the novel are set during WWII, when Suk-Bo was chosen to Marr Hisashi, who was then sent to do terrible work. How to simply explain what happened- Suk bo, though a series of events, is forced to leave her son behind when she escapes Korea to Manchuria where she joins but was never fully trusted by the rebel group headed by Kim Jong Il. She eventually makes her way back to Korea and to her son even as things fall completely apart. She always holds out hope that she will find Hisashi again. The novel is framed by an interview with a 90 year old woman who was just found in a room with a 100 year old man who had been stabbed to death. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Well written and gripping, this is a very good read.

Having previously read Daughters of the Dragon, and it being one of my favourite reads a couple of years ago, when I saw William Andrews had written another book in a similar vein, I pounced on the opportunity to read it before its publication. I was unaware that both books are in fact part of a trilogy. However, both can also be read as standalones.

It is a story that starts at the end, and takes us back explaining how Suk-bo got to where she is today, in a police station in Los Angeles about to be charged with murder.

Suk-bo is a 16 year old girl living with her parents in Korea under Japanese rule in the 1930's. To assimilate Koreans into Japanese life, a order is issued from the Emperor that Korean girls aged 16 and over must marry Japanese boys. Suk-bo is betrothed to Hisashi, a young sensitive Japanese boy, son of the local Director-General. Having met a few times before the wedding they genuinely fall in love and it is from here that we read about a lifetime's love and the strength and power of that love.

Hirashi is a medical student and is apprenticed to a doctor in the Japanese army, however, this does not turn out to be all that he had hoped for. He doesn't return for many years and Suk-bo is turned out of the family home by Hirashi's mother, who does nothing to hide her dislike of Suk-bo, thinking a Korean is not good enough for her son. Suk-bo must do what she can to find her way back to Young-Chul, their baby son and her beloved Hirashi.

This is a fantastic read. There is a lot of incredibly interesting history of Korea under Japanese rule, as in Daughters of the Dragon, but this is from a different perspective, coupled with the moving and poignant life story of one individual. It tells of the country of Korea, its traditions and culture, along with the loss of civil liberties, horror and poverty that the people lived in under Japanese rule. It is beautifully written, powerful and totally immersive. It is also a beautiful love story and shows us throughout, as Suk-bo's mother says to her early in the book that love "is a commitment that you make every day".

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and struggled to put it down. It gets 5 stars from me.

This book was the perfect conclusion of "The Dragon" trilogy. I found that the author tied up a lot of the loose ends of the other two books while proving that nothing can stop soulmates that are meant to be together.

The Spirit of the Dragon is a wonderful story that everyone should read. It is well written and has great characters.

This is the fist book that I have read in this series but I believe it to be a stand alone. I will definitely be seeking the others. I love the authors writing style as it kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed learning the history of Korea as I did not know much beforehand. The storyline was beautiful.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the first book I have ever read that details the crimes Japan committed against the Koreans. I never even knew Japan occupied Korea prior to and during World War II. Most WWII novels revolve around Europe and the Jewish plight. Learning about the horrors and repercussions of the Korean occupation was eye-opening. This book is a beautifully written, moving story about Suk-bo Yi, a Korean woman who loved a Japanese man and was ostracized because of their marriage. Suk-bo faces the Japanese prejudice, the hatred from her mother-in-law, and the loss of her child with dignity and does everything she can to return to her son and husband. Even after her son is killed, Suk-bo tries to find her husband and be his wife. Her husband, who is buried under the weight of his guilt, rejects her love, but still Suk-bo fights for him. She becomes a human rights expert, using her hardships to help others and show the world what Korea went through. In this book, I learned a missing piece of history. I learned of the beauty of Korean culture. I learned of the Korean erasure by the Japanese. While reading this powerful, moving story, I learned.

"The Spirit of the Dragon" by William Andrews is the third book of the trilogy "The Dragon" but it can be read as a standalone.

The story begins with a murder investigation where this korean woman might be the killer. She thell her story: how, as a young girl, Suk-bo Yi became the wife of a japanese named Hisashi, just before WWII. Suk-bo's life wasn't a simple one. She had to escape from Korea, fight against japanese who had occupied her country, lost her family and hope for a better future.

This is a story about war, civil rights, love, power. How a women can make the difference.

I love the plot and the writing style.The reader finds out a lot of "historical traditions" and a little piece of history which is rarely studied in the West (I'm from Italy and I know about Korean and Japan war from my university courses).

Characters are so real! I could relate with them, with their feelings and their fears. Suk-bo is a strong female character, even in the "dark" she can reach the light. Friendships and legacy are an important matter in this book.

I recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction and is in love with Asia and it's culture.

This was my first book by this author and when I finished this book I immediately went and bought the first book in this trilogy. You can read this book as a standalone without any problems.

It tells the story of a young Korean women starting just before WWII to present day. It is a story of hardship, tragedy, courage and a love that will never die.

This was the first book I read about Korea and I didn\t know a lot about its history so it was very interesting to read about it and the issues that are told in this book are sadly still current. I wish they weren't though.

I will definitely recommend this book.

This story starts with a death in a nursing home and an old woman is brought in for questioning because she was present at the death scene. The old woman asks for a specific lawyer Anna Carlson before she will speak. Then, she tells them her story. How she was Korean and married off to a Japanese man, and had his child, and lived in his family's home while her husband went off to learn to be a doctor. How she and her son were separated and she escaped with the help of the family's chauffeur. How she worked in a resistance camp. You'll have to read the rest of it - it's worth it.

Did you read the blurb? Read it again, this is what captured me on NetGallery after I saw the cover. I don’t even know where to start with this review, but maybe I should just let you know if you don’t believe me how good it is once I closed the book I went to Amazon, to download the other two books ( I signed up to Kindle Unlimited last week and it’s free to read also if you have it). One of the books has over 1,000 reviews, and get this it’s still on five stars!! On the European Amazon. Here’s what I loved about this first one I read.

The plot and writing style> We follow a very strong female MC from a poor Korean girl, to a forced bride of a Japanese man,they fall in love, then all the ‘dirty scandle’ of what goes on in the household leads her to be split up from her son, (who they take away) and her husband. We follow her story up until she is a woman in her 90s and they are reunited in the USA, with of course some drama along the way. This is a brief outline with no real spoilers, however the plot is a genius itself.

It is written in a style I just love, that classic ‘back to front’ style, where readers start at the end of the story (where she is arrested for murder in the present day) and then we go back to the Japanese occupation of Korea, and come forward to the present day. The plot has turns, twists, and heartbreaking movements that moved me to the point of actual tears overflowing. The ending also ties up nicely with Anna, I won’t give spoilers but it really did seal the 5 plus stars for me!!

Characters> They all moved me to some extent, really they did. However, Suk-bo herself, I felt as a reader was so authentic to read. All her experiences with her son, his downfall, her commitment to finding the Japanese man she was forbidden to love, how she experienced life when she landed in the USA, I could really dig. Especially her motherhood experiences. The characters are well developed and felt so real, I could relate.

The twists/tear jerks> Man, there were four main scenes/events that brought on the damp eyes. I won’t list them as they give too many spoilers, and I’m not really one to give away these and ruin your reading experience. But let me just say, it was an emotional read at times.

Overall for me as a reader I am giving The Spirit of The Dragon 5 plus stars, as I experienced a great love story and romance, that was executed to an outstanding standard as an avid reader of romance in my humble view. I also experienced a bit of crime (is she innocent or not) in the present day, interesting historical fiction with building on what already know about that Japanese takeover of Asia. But most of all I experienced how things like culture, race, bigotry, and small mindedness, also the government and their hidden agenda can tear up a community of people.

I put the book down, and like I said headed straight to Amazon for the other two, then for a moment I stood in my kitchen and really thought about what I just read, as the ending is outstanding!!! As well as the start and the middle!! When I tied it all up, and thought about how this author has used REAL historic events, and penned a fiction novel that covers a mash up of genres such as romance, historical,a bit of crime I said to myself (as I wiped a tear away) ‘God this writer is so talented, look at me I am still thinking about the characters and I have tears at the corners of my eyes’. This is the best book I have read in 2019, I know we still have two more months to go, but honestly people this writer has serious talent. I think God that he writes in the women’s fiction genre, as I appreciate him!! His work moved me to tears, and reflection on life and history.

Five plus stars! I recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, has a fascination with Asia, anyone who has an interest in human rights, loves romance, and mystery!

It’s after 3.00am now I have said me piece about how yummy this book is, maybe I can get to sleep and whip open one of the other ones tomorrow. As soon as it is released on Amazon in December I will leave a review there also.

Happy reading if you dive into this!

I chose this book as it was different to the type of books I normally read, I was dubious when I read the first chapter wondering if I had started something I might not finish but wow what a brilliant read. I was hooked as soon as the story started to unfold which was very quick and from then on I really struggled to put it down. The characters are so captivating throughout you just want to carry on reading to find out what happens to them. What a great story I would highly recommend people to read this.

I like reading a book based in the country I’m visiting while I’m there so was very glad when NetGalley offered this title for review just before my trip to South Korea. Though it was hard to reconcile the Korea then and the Korea I saw, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. So much so that just before reaching the last page of the Spirit of the Dragon, I hurriedly went and bought the other earlier titles in the series!

Well done, Mr Andrews, you portrayed the story of Suk-Bo so sensitively and in such an engrossing way. I don’t know the history of Korea so can’t comment on how accurate the background of the story is but I’ll bet your research in the matter was intense.

This is the type of fiction that keeps me turning the pages. I do wish the ending was different though!

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest review.

The Spirit of the Dragon by William Andrews is a gripping, bittersweet HF novel that is much more then a tail of the atrocities that beheld many at the hands of the Japanese during WWII, but also a story of undying love and devotion and soulmates that overcome all odds and find their rightful place together in the end.
Great read that hurts at the same time.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

This is posted to my GR account immediately and will be posted to my Amazon, Bookbub, and B&N accounts upon publication.