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Promise Season
(Promise #1)
by
A slave. A spy. A promise.
JOSEON DYNASTY, KOREA.
A humid summer storm rages across the Pavilion, the greatest entertainment house in the sprawling city of Hanyang. Within its stifling walls a gisaeng slave girl hides a fugitive in her bed, unexpectedly saving the life of a young man who is not all he seems.
Immediately Seorin is thrust into a razor-edged world of conspiracy ...more
JOSEON DYNASTY, KOREA.
A humid summer storm rages across the Pavilion, the greatest entertainment house in the sprawling city of Hanyang. Within its stifling walls a gisaeng slave girl hides a fugitive in her bed, unexpectedly saving the life of a young man who is not all he seems.
Immediately Seorin is thrust into a razor-edged world of conspiracy ...more
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Promise Season (Promise, #1)
by
Release
date: Dec 20, 2019
A SPY. A SLAVE. A PROMISE.
In old Korea, a gisaeng slave girl hides a fugitive in her bed, unexpectedly saving the life of a young man who is not all h ...more
In old Korea, a gisaeng slave girl hides a fugitive in her bed, unexpectedly saving the life of a young man who is not all h ...more
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Availability: 100 copies available, 539 people requesting
Giveaway dates: Feb 09 - Mar 05, 2021
Countries available: U.S.
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Start your review of Promise Season (Promise, #1)
A unique Korean Historical Drama. Interesting, colorful, skillfully written tale, well worth the time spent reading it.
Great job Lee Evie! I'll definitely be looking for more of your work after reading Promise Season!
Highly recommend to everyone who enjoys a good book! ...more
Great job Lee Evie! I'll definitely be looking for more of your work after reading Promise Season!
Highly recommend to everyone who enjoys a good book! ...more
My heart dropped a beat when Jang Seorin stop short of revealing her gisaeng identity to Officer Lee while they were staying at Minister Choi's house. What was she feeling? What was he feeling?
I don't really understand why Jang Seorin sent a pouch of her hairpin to Officer Lee via a messenger. What are their feelings towards each other? (I kept asking this question while reading this book) Was that hairpin the same she bought for Wol-hyeong? I am a bit confused. But then I found the answer later ...more
I don't really understand why Jang Seorin sent a pouch of her hairpin to Officer Lee via a messenger. What are their feelings towards each other? (I kept asking this question while reading this book) Was that hairpin the same she bought for Wol-hyeong? I am a bit confused. But then I found the answer later ...more
"He is always listening, always watching, his expression blank and unreadable as I weave tales of head-strong princesses and brave warriors, steadfastly ignoring the black eyes that follow my gesturing hands."
This was my first experience reading a Korean drama. It was a stand-alone but is part of a series so it will most definitely not be my last.
There was something incredibly alluring about this story, from the first pages where we’re thrust into the tantalising, yet oppressive, world of the ...more
This was my first experience reading a Korean drama. It was a stand-alone but is part of a series so it will most definitely not be my last.
There was something incredibly alluring about this story, from the first pages where we’re thrust into the tantalising, yet oppressive, world of the ...more
Thank you HFVBT and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Promise Season
Promise #1
By: Lee Evie
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
To my recollection, I have never read historical fiction from Old Korea. Promise Season is set during the Joeson Dynasty era and follows Seorin, a giasena (slave girl), through a tumultuous time in her life. She is part of the largest entertainment house in Hanyang. This story gives a look at the fascinating but oppressive l ...more
Promise Season
Promise #1
By: Lee Evie
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
To my recollection, I have never read historical fiction from Old Korea. Promise Season is set during the Joeson Dynasty era and follows Seorin, a giasena (slave girl), through a tumultuous time in her life. She is part of the largest entertainment house in Hanyang. This story gives a look at the fascinating but oppressive l ...more
I haven't read a book set in this particular historical time period before, so I found this novel really fascinating, and liked learning about the gisaeng and their lives during the Joseon period. This book is well written, immersive and interesting, I definitely recommend.
...more
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This is another exciting romantic drama from Lee Evie! I loved A Song for Lonely Wolves a few weeks ago and this is another fantastic novel! Set in the Joseon period of Korea, this novel follows Seorin, a giaseng slave girl from the most popular entertainment house in the city of Hanyang. As the story progresses, Seorin finds herself entangled in a dangerous world filled with spies, conspiracy, and hope!
From the start, you want to root for Seorin! She ...more
This is another exciting romantic drama from Lee Evie! I loved A Song for Lonely Wolves a few weeks ago and this is another fantastic novel! Set in the Joseon period of Korea, this novel follows Seorin, a giaseng slave girl from the most popular entertainment house in the city of Hanyang. As the story progresses, Seorin finds herself entangled in a dangerous world filled with spies, conspiracy, and hope!
From the start, you want to root for Seorin! She ...more
I absolutely love Lee Yoon and Seorin. Seorin is so strong for all the things she's been put through in her past, she wasn't taking crap from anybody not even in the gisaeng pavilion (Chungjo knows not to mess with Seorin many times over haha). At the same time she knows how to play the game. She doesn't fully trust the rebels to fulfill the promise they made to her. Attacked by bandits, imprisoned/beaten, and drugged Seorin and Yoon go through a lot together. I honestly felt Seorin was going to
...more
Dark, but wholesome romance for K-drama lovers
Reading this book is like watching a great historical Korean drama. Written from the point of view of a young gisaeng, it tells a compelling story of political intrigue, bloodshed, and romance that is both subtle and powerful. "Promise Season" is dark and exciting in the best way. However its greatest quality, at least for me, is that it is never unpleasant. That is why it took me all of five minutes to buy the next book in the series after turning t ...more
Reading this book is like watching a great historical Korean drama. Written from the point of view of a young gisaeng, it tells a compelling story of political intrigue, bloodshed, and romance that is both subtle and powerful. "Promise Season" is dark and exciting in the best way. However its greatest quality, at least for me, is that it is never unpleasant. That is why it took me all of five minutes to buy the next book in the series after turning t ...more
A wonderful romantic adventure, I loved every moment of it. Lee Evie has the skill of drawing you in, making you care about the characters and creating a heart warming slowly developing romance that has you waiting with longing and satisfies at every moment. As an avid lover of romance stories that are well written, this book is right up there for me. Not everyone can write romance well inside a fascinating story of the lives of gisaeng in Joseon era Korea, but Lee Evie definitely has the gift!
...more
I loved this book! I do read historical fiction, but this was my first set in Old Korea and I was fully engrossed from the first chapter. Seorin is a fascinating character and has a fresh and unique voice. Her quest is true, and despite being a lowly slave in an entertainment house, she seizes opportunity when it arises and does whatever she can to fulfill her dream. And her promise.
With a healthy dose of romance, this adventurous story will keep you turning pages. Highly recommended.
With a healthy dose of romance, this adventurous story will keep you turning pages. Highly recommended.
Jang Seorin gisaeng (slave girl) in largest entertainment house in Hanyang. We start with Jang hiding a man being hunted by the guards. Risking her life she doesn't know why? She is wise, practical, prudent, level-headed, tough, and decisive - what has she done? Her emotional maturity beyond her age gives her the grit to move ahead. She has another life more precious than her own in her hands to care for. Would this soldier by her side look at her so kindly if he knew she was a gisaeng?
...more
I loved it! A beautifully written story. I was intrigued from the beginning, and right there with the main character Seorin until the very end. The story moved quickly with lots of action, mixed with perfectly placed moments of reflection and stillness, and of course some romance. Every scene was described elegantly and I could picture Seorin's world with ease. It was a joy to read.
...more
Great book! I thought it was an interesting view of Korea during that time period. There were definitely parts that kept you on the edge of your seat. At the time time, it was a classic story of two unlikely people meeting. I will be looking for the next book!
With Promise Season, Lee Evie has created a new heroine in Jang Soerin and crafted another story of a woman with few, if any, choices in Joseon era Korea. Curiosity and circumstance lead Soerin to participate in a rebellion much like the one that caused her to become an orphan and a gisaeng, a state owned slave who must entertain the men who visit the Pavilion.
Full of intrigue and adventure, Soerin's story has some thematic parallels with Evie's A Song for Lonely Wolves while being fully it's ow ...more
Full of intrigue and adventure, Soerin's story has some thematic parallels with Evie's A Song for Lonely Wolves while being fully it's ow ...more
If I have not watched a Korean drama set in Joseon era, I wouldn't enjoy this book as much. Lee Evie did a great job bringing us back in time to experience the love and blood in a political warfare.
...more
My Thoughts:
This is the second story I’ve read by Lee Evie. I’ve loved both of them!
Jang Seorin is a young woman who became a servant (not of her choice) and has made the best of the situation. She learned to play a musical instrument which helps her position and status. She is wise and shrewd, but takes chances. She has courage. She is able control both her speech and emotion. She is a person who despite hardship has made wise decisions. However, through a chance encounter she makes a pivotal d ...more
This is the second story I’ve read by Lee Evie. I’ve loved both of them!
Jang Seorin is a young woman who became a servant (not of her choice) and has made the best of the situation. She learned to play a musical instrument which helps her position and status. She is wise and shrewd, but takes chances. She has courage. She is able control both her speech and emotion. She is a person who despite hardship has made wise decisions. However, through a chance encounter she makes a pivotal d ...more
Slow and steady, a beautiful piece of historical fiction for those who love watching Korean sageuks. Can't wait to read the next installment. :)
...more
won this from goodreads. haven't read anything Korean before and liked this very much. only book so far by tis author on amazon but I will watch for more.
...more
Beautifully written and utterly compelling
i have no words, except: 완전 내 스타일💖
I loved this book. It read like a novel version of a K-drama, And just as one wants to binge watch those, I found myself unable to put this book down. What a treat!
How does the world not KNOW about this amazing book?! Lee Yoon has my heart <3
Loved it - full review to come.
I couldn't put it down!
...more
I won this Kindle edition book in a Goodreads
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
A great book - well written!!!
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
A great book - well written!!!
I won the kindle edition of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and cannot wait to read it!
History made fun
The story was well told with characters you cared about and it flowed seamlessly. You don't even realize you're getting a history lesson! Great read. ...more
The story was well told with characters you cared about and it flowed seamlessly. You don't even realize you're getting a history lesson! Great read. ...more
Kdrama in a book!! This ravishly weaved Saguk Romance had me zoned out from reality and into the compelling life of the elegantly bold Jang Seorin and I couldn't help but savor every bit of it! Absolutely recommended for anyone who loves a good mystery romance.
...more
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Readers also enjoyed
LEE EVIE is a historical fiction author.
She writes with a focus on Korean history and loves dark adventures with a heavy dose of danger and romance.
When she’s not writing, Lee Evie can be found watching drama, which she will do for hours on end. She believes drama watching is the ultimate joy of life. Even when they make her cry.
An avid photography and travel lover, Lee Evie thinks stories are th ...more
She writes with a focus on Korean history and loves dark adventures with a heavy dose of danger and romance.
When she’s not writing, Lee Evie can be found watching drama, which she will do for hours on end. She believes drama watching is the ultimate joy of life. Even when they make her cry.
An avid photography and travel lover, Lee Evie thinks stories are th ...more
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Promise
(3 books)
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