The writing style reminded me a little of Assassin's Apprentice and The Lies of Locke Lamora so it was nice to see vivid settings with a bit of humor in an Asian fantasy novel. Based on the cover and the first few chapters, I expected a lighthearted adventure story and I was surprised by the grim themes and gory descriptions of violence. Even so, I don't think the darker elements were overdone or out of place.

While I liked how Sai is the cheery, playful one while his partner is sullen and stoic, I felt that their relationship could have been further developed. I would have loved to see additional vignettes from Sai and Jyn's past life as dragons with their son A-Qian. The concept of reincarnated lovers was engaging, but their love would have had greater depth if the reader witnessed more of their shared history.

I was hoping for more world-building too. The red strings of fate were woven into the story well, but I'm not sure why this was a skill reserved solely for dragons. I would have preferred if there the book revealed what the dragons were like outside of myths and their role as deities and divine beasts. I also wish the plot hadn't centered mostly on Sai and Jyn escaping from Emperor Róng as it could have given time for the reader to immerse themselves in the different cultures and environments. Despite this, I still enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more from the author.

I am grateful to NetGalley, author Katrina Kwan, and Saga Press/Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to review this mesmerizing tale.

"The Last Dragon of the East" by Katrina Kwan is a captivating reverse dark romantasy that offers a refreshing and unique perspective through the eyes of its protagonist, Sai. Kwan's writing is both vivid and immersive, drawing readers into a richly woven tapestry of destiny, love, and peril.

Sai, gifted with the ability to see the red threads of destiny that bind fated lovers, dedicates himself to helping couples find each other, despite skepticism from those around him. However, his own thread is a somber gray, leaving him to question if he will ever meet his Fated One. The plot thickens when Sai, in a moment of impulsive valor to aid a young woman, punches a captain, landing himself in jail and exposing the secret of the forbidden dragon scales he purchased to heal his ailing mother. With his mother's life hanging in the balance under the Emperor's threat, Sai embarks on a perilous quest to find the dragon connected to these scales.

Kwan's narrative is non-stressful yet deeply engaging, effortlessly pulling readers in from the start. The story is a beautiful journey, culminating in a heartwarming happily-ever-after that moved me to tears.

However, it is important to note that the book contains graphic violence within its fantasy framework, including medieval-like weaponry, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and torture. A trigger warning page would've been beneficial to prepare readers for these intense themes.

"The Last Dragon of the East" stands out as a standalone novel that masterfully blends Asian-themed dark fantasy with tropes of forced heroes, fated mates, mystical dragons, and a satisfying HEA. This tale not only entertains but also resonates deeply, leaving a lasting impression.

"The Last Dragon of the East" is a must-read for fans of dark romantasy and Asian-inspired fantasy, promising a story that is as enchanting as it is profound.

Loved. This. So. Much. Fast paced, romantic, and with such delightful characters. I'm weak for any story where he's the sunshine and she's the grump. I found this book utterly enchanting and impossible to put down!

This was a different take on a love story, and wow did it bring us for a ride. It was one where it wove old tales and current (in the story) events. Having the story develop where the main character is reborn and remembering his past lives while getting to know the female main interest again was a good use of details and explanation of the way the two are intertwined. I LOVED that she as the grump and he was the sunshine, because that rarely happens, and in this story it was heart warming to read how much Sai loves his mother and what he would do, and how far he would go for a cure for her. The imagined folklore characters were creative and...horrifying, but the villain being tied to the two main characters was something I was NOT expecting! 5 stars for this one! thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

Immersive world-building, dynamic characters, and a charming romance. The gradual development of the characters kept me engaged, though I did predict some plot twists. However, the overall story was worth reading.

While I didn’t LOVE love this book, I do appreciate that this is a romantasy written from the POV of a male character, which is so rare to find. I loved that perspective even when the overall story didn’t pull me in as much as I expected it to.