The Last Dragon of the East - A Dragon, a Thread, and a Whole Lot of Heart

I picked up another book based on Chinese mythology because why not?

If you’ve ever found yourself swooning over fated lovers, dragons in disguise, and ancient quests tangled in emotion and myth—then The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan is your next must-read. This book is a beautifully atmospheric fantasy romance rooted in Chinese mythology, brimming with heartache, longing, and just the right touch of magic. What I found refreshing about this book was that it’s told entirely from a male point of view. I’ve read more than my fair share of fantasy novels, but do you know how many of them are written solely from a guy’s perspective—not dual or multiple POVs, but purely male? Very, very few. So this felt like a welcome change.

But before you grab your reading blanket and tea, let me walk you through why this book worked for me—and where it didn’t quite soar as high as its dragon promised to.

Meet Sai: The Sunshine Matchmaker

The story follows Sai, a humble young man running a teahouse and taking care of his terminally ill mother. But Sai isn’t just your average cinnamon roll protagonist—he has a gift. He can literally see the red strings of fate connecting soulmates. Which he uses to make some extra money on the side by playing matchmaker for the townspeople.

The twist? His own string is limp, gray, and lifeless. Ouch. As far as he knows, his soulmate is either lost, impossibly far away, or… well, just not meant to be.

Sai’s a classic fish-out-of-water character. Earnest, kind, and emotionally open. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and his love—when it blossoms—is pure and powerful in a way that feels both vulnerable and heroic.

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The Quest Begins

Everything changes when Sai gets his hands on some dragon scales that miraculously help his mother feel better. But the magic comes at a cost. The emperor hears about it, and Sai is dragged into a mission he never signed up for: find the elusive dragon and bring its scales to the palace.

The emperor isn’t just curious—he wants the scales for their mystical properties. Sai, desperate to help his mother and with no real way out, agrees to the quest. His first stop? A huntress named Feng who claims to have seen the dragon. Only... it turns out Feng isn’t just any huntress.

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Say Hello to Jyn: The Grumpy Dragon

Jyn is our female lead, and she’s the exact opposite of Sai—closed-off, gruff, and absolutely not here for your romantic nonsense. Oh, and she’s also the dragon. This was an interesting trope reversal with the FMC being brooding and MMC being a sunshine.

Yep. She can shapeshift between human and dragon form, which obviously adds an exciting twist to the story. I mean, dragons! I'm a total sucker for dragons, and this book gave me one in the form of a fierce, ancient being who’s tired of war, humans, and destiny.

Her reluctance to reciprocate Sai’s feelings initially made my heart ache, but it also added to the tension. She's lived through centuries, has scars (literal and emotional), and you can’t expect someone like her to just throw caution to the wind.

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A Love That Transcends Centuries

The romance really leans into the “fated mates” trope, and that trope lives or dies on the execution. At first, I wasn’t sold on Sai and Jyn’s connection. It felt one-sided, maybe a bit forced. But as the story progressed, we learn they’ve been tangled in each other's fates for many lifetimes. And with every lifetime, something or someone tears them apart before they can find peace.

Cue the heartbreak.

By the midpoint, I was fully invested. Every flashback added depth, and I couldn’t help but root for them. You want them to have one lifetime—just one—where they aren’t clawing their way through pain and loss just to be together.

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The World of the East

The setting is steeped in Chinese mythology, with a folklore-inspired landscape full of strange creatures, ancient magic, and dangerous politics. The empire is on the brink of war, monsters roam the outskirts, and the atmosphere? Impeccable.

The descriptions are vivid, and there’s a kind of old-school storytelling style that reminded me of classic epics or ancient legends. It made the book feel timeless, even though the plot moved at a fairly quick pace.

There’s also a light sprinkle of gore and battle scenes, but it never felt overwhelming. The focus always remains on the emotional journey and the connection between the characters.

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Hits and Misses

What I Loved:

• The red threads of fate as a literal plot device? Brilliant.

• The dynamic between Sai and Jyn—sunshine meets grump—is chef’s kiss.

• A proper quest with emotional and physical stakes (yes, I love a good journey story).

• The creatures and mythical worldbuilding—dragons, shapeshifters, and monsters galore.

• That soft, aching kind of romance that builds slowly over time.

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What I Didn’t Love:

• Around the halfway mark, the plot kind of lost steam. We wandered off the main quest and I wasn’t sure where we were going.

• The romance, while emotional, turned a bit too lust-driven at times. It lost some of that “fated love” purity and felt a little out of character for Sai.

• The worldbuilding had gaps. The empire’s politics and history felt underdeveloped in places, and I wanted more context.

• Also—and maybe this is just me—the ending gave off Breaking Dawn vibes. Not the plot, exactly, but the feeling of “wait, we’re doing that now?” It’s not a deal-breaker, but it did leave me slightly unsatisfied.

Final Thoughts: Worth the Read?

The Last Dragon of the East is a lush, emotional, character-driven fantasy that tugs at your heartstrings while whisking you away on a mythical adventure. It’s far from perfect, but the charm lies in its imperfections.

Sai’s pure-hearted quest for love, Jyn’s quiet strength, and the world’s magical realism all come together in a way that just... works. It might not hit every mark cleanly, but it left a mark on me nonetheless.

If you're a fan of:

😍 Fated romances

🏯Chinese folklore

🐲 Dragons (especially human ones!)

🗡️ Heartfelt quests

💜 Emotional fantasy with a touch of angst

…then give this book a shot.

And if you’re into audiobooks, the narration by Eric Yang and Feodor Chin is solid. Their voices add that extra layer of immersion that really works for this kind of mythical, layered tale.

Final Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)

A couple hiccups, sure, but overall? It’s a story that lingers. Beautiful, aching, and perfect for fans of soulmates and dragons.

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