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!

This was okay, but ultimately I would have preferred if Six Crimson Cranes was a standalone. This has more adventure and wraps some things up, but I just don't know if it was necessary. The plot didn't have a clear thread but was more like a series of episodic adventures. The characters - especially the villain - didn't feel as captivating as the first one either. I wanted to love it, but it was a bit disappointing.