This book was so beautiful. The world building and writing were lovely and I really loved the Mcs. Every since I learned about it a few years ago I have always been so fascinated by the red thread, and how it connects those fated to be together. It such a beautiful mythology and this story made me fall in love with it even more. I love that Sai has such a great disposition and I love how he would do absolutely anything for his mother. I loved the themes of reincarnation, fate, and of course the dragon shifting. Weirdly enough I think that my ending was my favorite part. This book ties up and end in the best way and it left me feeling both sad that it was over and smiling from ear to ear.

I love fantasy books with dragons and if it has themes like reincarnation and fated mates - then even better! This one reminded me of some of the xianxia cdramas that I've watched in the past with lots of adventure, some romance and a mix of lighter and darker moments! And it was even more amazing because of the writing!⁣
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Sai has been trying his best to keep his family teahouse running while taking care of his sick mother. He has the ability to see the red threads of fate that connect soulmates and uses this to earn some money on the side - though not many believe him. After scrounging up some money to get some medicine for his mom from the doctor he discovers that it's actually dragon scales - though he's convinced that he's being tricked at first. After seeing its effect he's surprised and things take a turn when he's caught by the emperor and made to search for the dragon and bring it back. With zero fighting experience, Sai has to try his best to survive this journey to the South and he's in for a bigger surprise when he finds his Fated One - the one at the end of his gray and fraying thread. ⁣
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It's been a while since I read a fantasy romance completely from the MMC's pov and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Sai is an easy character to root for - he's delightful, sincere and quite funny at times! Jyn was his opposite as she's quite grumpy haha😂 I can't blame her considering what she's been through but omg I felt so sorry for both of them when everything was revealed. Their romance was quite sweet with the fated mates aspect! I loved all of the mythological stories that were woven into the plot. I was on the edge of my seat in the last one third of the book and quite worried, but I'm glad it ended well 😌 I hated the antagonist so much in this one😤. And I'd have loved an extended epilogue as I wanted more of Sai and Jyn!❣️ But in the end this was such an amazing fantasy read and I can't wait to read more from this author!

Thanks to Saga Press Book for the gifted copy!

Can we get a shoutout for a shorter, standalone fantasy?!?! This almost never happens, lol! I really enjoyed this story - it's super easy to binge in one or two sittings, there's adventure and some politics and romance, and it's easy to follow. I really loved the red threads of fate, reincarnation, and dragon shifter elements here, and think it's a solid read (with a really pretty cover)!

It took me two days to finish this book. I love mythology and folklore. I found this one written by katrinazkwan and published by @sagapressbooks . The story is a sad, tragic, and hopeful one. The magic and the land it takes place in is vast and beautiful. The main characters are fun, smart, likeable. Sai the male main character is green when it comes to love. So he's a bit innocent, still bubbly, sweet, not jaded. The female main is more of a realist as she's been around longer. Experienced more like. They make for cute funny moments that still have depth.

From the publisher:

Inspired by Chinese myths of ancient dragon gods and threads of fate, Katrina Kwan’s dazzling fantasy debut is a propulsive adventure perfect for fans of Sue Lynn Tan and Hannah Whitten.

At the spry young age of twenty-five, Sai has led a quiet life, keeping the family teahouse up and running—even if that means ignoring the past-due notices—and taking care of his ailing mother. But he has a not-so-secret gift that he’s parlayed into a side career: he was born with the ability to see the red threads of fate between soulmates, which lends itself nicely to matchmaking. Sai has thus far been content not to follow his own thread, the only one he’s ever seen that’s gray and fraying.

But Sai’s ordinary existence is about to be turned upside-down by a pair of shining dragon scales. When his mother’s doctor sells them to him, claiming them as a miracle cure, Sai is pretty sure he’s being scammed. When the medicine actually works—and the terrifying, ruthless emperor catches wind—Sai is thrust into the search for a dragon long thought extinct that will lead him into the throes of a brewing war and deep into foreign lands, facing down challenges both magical and mortal on an unexpected adventure. And for the very first time, as his own thread of fate begins to move, he may be able to solve the mystery of his Fated One at the other end of the line.

Thank you NetGalley and @sagapressbooks
For this ARC.I truly enjoyed this read .

Triggers:
Self harm trigger
Closed door spice
Death
Death of a child
.
#peasreads #read#book#dragons#chinesemythology #tbr @NetGalley #NetGalley

3 1/2 stars rounded up to four!

I enjoyed this book a lot but there were a couple small things that bugged me. I didn’t like how the character Feng was written at all and how her accent was written phonetically into her dialogue, and I also felt like her character didn’t really contribute anything to the story. It seemed like there was no reason for her to exist.

Without getting into spoilers, there was one bit at the end that felt so weird to me. Again, not trying to get into spoilers, but for lack of a better explanation it felt kind of like a Renesmee situation. Take that as you will.

I did love Sai and Jyn and I thought the romance was beautifully written. I would definitely read the sequel or other books by the author. There were just too many issues for me to call it perfect, that’s all. I still enjoyed it a lot!

Also, it’s the first book I have finished in like, 7 months due to the HORRENDOUS reading slump I’ve been in, so that has to speak for something. It held my attention!

Huge thank you to the lovely people at Saga Press for granting my wish on NetGalley and sending me an advance copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, all thoughts are my own. I DNF this book. It started out interesting, I liked the concept but partway through I began to have a suspicion that I knew where the twist was going. I won't reveal what it was but I have seen it in a few other books and didn't really care for it. To see if my suspicions were correct I skipped to the last chapter of the book. I was right. Needless to say it wasn't really what I was hoping for in the book.

Fantasy • Mythology • Romance
Publication Date • 8 October 2024

Thank you @sagapressbooks and @booksparks for the complimentary book!

This is a standalone adventure fantasy about fated mates, dragons, and shape shifters. Main character Sai can see the threads of fate that bond people together. He uses this magical talent as a side hustle, while trying to keep the family tea shop afloat. 🍵

In concert, Sai’s mother is dying of an unknown illness and dragon scale powder seems to be the miracle cure. Thus, Sai embarks upon a quest on behalf of crown and country (and under threat of blackmail from the evil emperor) to locate the last dragon of the East. 🐉

The writing style leans YA, although the authors note explicitly states that this is an adult fantasy due to, “war, violence, death, self-harm, suicidal thought and torture.” I may be desensitized at this point after reading far more brutal adult fantasy novels [hello Rebecca Roanhorse], and thus I would still categorize this book as a lighter fantasy.

My favorite parts centered around Chinese mythology and the love story between the main characters. I would have liked more dimensionality to the characters. I’ll admit that the beginning had me unsure, but once I got to the end, I was invested in finding out how the story would end. A cute debut fantasy by Katrina Kwan.

This was a beautiful story with dragons, fated ones, and Chinese Mythology. It was refreshing to read a book on Eastern mythology when most books are based on Western mythology. The author also is a beautiful storyteller and can weave together both the beauty and the struggle in this book.

This journey was life changing for Sai. He was able to find himself along the way and learned a great deal about his past. He would often use humor to get out of a tough situation. He also loved those around him and would do anything to make sure they were safe. His love for his mother sets him on this journey.

I had a great time reading this. Not typically found of books that puts as much focus on romance as this does but I thi know it handled balancing romance and plot well and making the romance bring value to the stoey and not just there for romance sake.

i really happened to enjoy this fantasy. it had flares of the poppy war triology and fourth wing rolled into one. this has got to be booktoks new baby. I am so pleased to have had the chance to arc read it and cannot wait to buy it on shleves now. thank you SAGA PRESS and katrina kwan. 4.5/5 stars. i 100% would read a second book;)

This was such a special and lovingly written read. I could feel the author's heart and soul in the writing of The Last Dragon of the East. And the ending! Ooof it was beautiful and magical.

I loved the hidden identity being explored in the story and the mystery surrounding Sai’s ability to see the red threads of fate between soulmates. I really enjoyed Sia and Jyn’s characters and the growth seen between them throughout the story. I was not too big of a fan of the huntress and did not feel that connected to her, which was okay for me because she was not the focus of the story.

This was a beautiful love story wrapped up in a fantasy world filled with mystery and an intriguing history.

Thank you to @sagapressbooks for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley & Saga Press for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, kinda a letdown. It's not terrible, it's just OK.

Weirdly enough the protagonist has more of a "girl" voice which sounds odd but you run into it often in YA so I kept forgetting the protagonist was a man. I would've preferred the POV of the dragon woman Jyn instead of Sai. At a certain point they were just traveling and it felt like random meandering around and not all that exciting.

I'm also usually bad at spotting plot twists and hidden backstories but it was really obvious from the beginning and I was getting impatient because Sai is as dumb as a pile of rocks and it took him FOREVER to realize anything.

The bad guy was kinda boring too, just generic pure evil guy.

This book was so engrossing! I wish I could have read it all cover to cover, but I made the mistake of starting it on a lunch break at work.

Sai is a normal man, running a tea shop with his mother. He has the unique gift of being able to see the red threads of fate that connect people to their fated ones.

Sai is sent by the emperor on a quest to find the last living dragon in order to save his mother - who has been ill for quite some time. He would do anything to save her, but his task is not what it seems, and he learns much along the way.

I legitimately can’t say much about the plot without giving away spoilers, but I can say I would happily have read this book, even if it was much longer. The characters and plot were fascinating. The bits of myths and folklore woven into the story were familiar and fun. Destiny and reincarnation - plus dragons - will always be winning themes for me.

The only drawback I have is that it felt a little rushed at points. I craved more details at almost every turn.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance read of this title. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It provides a folklore based tale that was easy to follow with just enough world building to be immersive without overwhelming a new fantasy reader. It reads similarly to YA but would likely be classified as new adult - some open door intimacy that focuses on emotions and thoughts instead of physical mechanics. For seasoned fantasy readers, it’s a quick endearing read. Epic fantasy lovers would need to be in a special mood to pick this one up. While high fantasy, it doesn’t have the world building power to keep their detailed brains happy. The folklore in this story is new to me and it held my attention really well. The audiobook was very good. I enjoyed the narrators throughout. I recommend this read in print or audio.

This was such a good read!! And it went in ways I didn't expect which was fun. It's so tragic but lovely and the MC is so cute with his whipped for you nicknames, ahhh!!

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!
It was so beautifully written and it was an amazing adventure from the start. I was immediately drawn into the story from page one and Sai's story did not disappoint. Jyn...is an amazing character and I love her sass and independence. GRUMPY x SUNSHINE??? Incredible.
"I think you're my Fated One."
"I know I am. Now leave me the fuck alone."

I love how Sai loves Jyn. The way they fit together despite their differences, and went on this grand adventure, fighting together and for each other.

"It has become abundantly clear that I'm no fighter, nor am I a healer. I may not be strong like a dragon, but I can try to be as brave as one."

Between the lush prose, beautiful Chinese mythology woven into the story, and the romance, this is definitely one of the best books of 2024!! Hands down a story that will stay with me for many moons to come.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Saga Press for the ARC of this book!

The Last Dragon of the East is a beautiful fantasy debut. It feels like a fairytale, a grand love story, and an epic adventure all in one. I listened to this in one sitting becuase I couldn't put it down. At times, I forgot this was an adult novel, so some of the descriptions of violence were surprising. The ending was so satisfying and made my heart happy.

My only complaints are that the plot lost focus around 40%, and many of the reveals were easy to predict and only withheld from the main character for the purpose of not revealing it all too soon. This isn't a complaint, but I wanted more from the worldbuilding.

I can't wait for the author's next foray into fantasy!

Sai is a chatty, sunshine character who inherited a tea shop from his father. He can see the red threads of fate between soulmates and helps others find them, but his thread is grey and tethered. While getting medicine (dragon scales) for his ill mother he gets tangled up with the Royal army, who take him to prison where the emperor assigns him the task of finding this dragon. And so his adventures begin which lead to the unravelling of ancient secrets and myths.

The Last Dragon of the East is a fast-paced fantasy and basically, you can't put it down. I loved the badass female characters and obviously dragons. It had everything, the reverses grumpy x sunshine, I blushed, smiled and even almost cried at times, I was reading it with a frown on my face as the characters went through a lot. It just felt a little too fast at some points as well.

I was very excited to be able to read this book because I had heard good things about it and I was interested in it, yet I was a bit disappointed because I thought (and hoped) I would enjoy it more.

I cannot say that this is a book that is not in my wheelhouse; on the contrary, it is a fantasy that takes its cues from the mild and Asian legends, Chinese in particular, with a sweet love story as well, yet it did not satisfy me. I definitely liked how the author weaved the legend of the red thread and other stories from Chinese mythology with an original plot, and the writing is definitely smooth and the story a quick read.

Overall, however, I found the book to be average, cute yes but nothing extraordinary, sometimes almost naive and I realize that it never really grabbed me, although I found the final part more interesting and compelling even if predictable in some ways.

The least successful choice in my opinion was to use the male point of view because unfortunately it did not convince me at all, for example I found the description of Sai's thoughts unrealistic and at times he seemed to me more like a female character.

As for the characters, I have to say that I could not get particularly attached to them, I found them all sketchy, not fully characterized.
The most successful one, strangely enough, for me, is the villain of the story, but he suffers from the same problem as the others, he too is well underdeveloped.

That said, is it a book I would recommend? Yes, but only as a nice read for those interested in Eastern folklore, I would not put it in the "book to absolutely recommend" category.

As far as the English is concerned, despite being a New Adult, I found no particular difficulty in reading it even though it tends to make use of somewhat more refined vocabulary, the syntactic structure however remains linear. I still would not recommend it as a first approach to reading in English though, but more as a next step to try your hand at something more challenging without overdoing it.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5
Spice Rating: 🌶️.5 / 5

This novel is a love letter to the fated mates trope, and I ate it up.

Sai has only ever known a quiet life taking after his deceased father's teahouse. However, he does have a supernatural power: he can see the red threads of fate that connect soulmates. Every day he sees healthy red threads or even black ones for those whose soulmates have passed on. But his own thread is a strange grey color that he has never seen on anyone else before. Sai is determined to use his power to bring his mother money to cure her illness, but when he tries the miracle cure of a dragon scale, the emperor catches wind and blackmails Sai into finding the last dragon of the east for him. From there, Sai is thrust into a years-long war, foreign lands, and possibly the end to the search for his Fated One.

The Last Dragon of the East is a beautiful story that pays homage to Chinese mythology and shows the lengths people will go to in order to find their soulmates.

Sai is unlike any hero you've met before. He doesn't know how to fight, he's sarcastic, and he's great at making tea. I love his refreshing character and the fun way he banters with other characters. Throughout the novel, Sai's reality is challenged time and time again as he realizes there is so much more to this world, and his life, than he thought.

I can't say much more without spoiling the story, but trust me when I say readers who love a good love story and fated mates who find each other through time will absolutely love The Last Dragon of the East.