This was fantastic. There were major fairy tale vibes. It had curses and dragons and some really cool symbolism and East Asian elements. I was particularly reminded of the Disney Little Mermaid - probably because part of the curse involves Shiori not being able to speak.
It started out a little slow, but then I couldn't put it down. It was very easy to read. The stakes kept changing and climbing higher - it was a fun ride to see where the story is went. Some things were predictable in a good way, and some things I did not see coming.
The stepmother character and her relationship with Shiori was a highlight. I also appreciated Takkan and Megari - both super sweet and fun characters. The romance was well done, but I also appreciate that it did not overshadow the platonic relationships in the book. Really enjoyed this one!