The Dragon's Promise

Something in Asian stories gets me, in a positive way. It feels whimsical and different enough to make me forget dull reality, without being whacky.
We (only) have Shiori's POV but she sees quite a character development, especially in acceptance of her role in life. When the story started out in book one, I wouldn't have liked her as the spoiled little princess of the beginning - but she grows and becomes more mature while not being perfect.
I especially liked her love sub-story with Takkan. He is not just a fighter with buff muscles and simply there for thirst and pining and drama. He supports her while giving his honest thoughts, cares for her without being doting or patronising, and most importantly they learn to build their relationship on trust and talking with one another. This kind of relationship seems to me to not be popular in the Romantasy/Fantasy genre which I think a shame.
I won't give this story a full 5 star rating because: as far as I know it is a duology but it feels like it was supposed to be a trilogy. Somehow second and third instalment didn't have too much of a plot or would be too drawn out and boring, so some parts were edited out and the shortened plot parts mashed together in one book. To me there was a distinct disconnect between the parts of the travels and no smooth transition. However I had to return the book to the library shortly after starting the next leg of travel, so in the end this might have been the real reason and it reads just fine while zooming through in one go.