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ezrazoe4's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Great middle grade debut novel. I really like the funny history tidbits we get throughout the book. The action sequences were well written, and the final battle was super epic.
I do feel like the side characters could have been given more attention, specifically Simon and Melissa. Perhaps their characters will be expanded in the next book.
Overall, a great action oriented middle grade novel, recommend for mythology likers.
I do feel like the side characters could have been given more attention, specifically Simon and Melissa. Perhaps their characters will be expanded in the next book.
Overall, a great action oriented middle grade novel, recommend for mythology likers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia
Minor: Violence, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, War, and Murder
chelseazhao's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
It’s so interesting because this doesn’t necessarily feel like a middle grade book.
Yes, our main character is 12, but there is a big focus on Chinese politics. I do feel that this is important, but it felt much for a book for preteens that probably don’t know anything about the Chinese political climate.
I really liked the idea of this book and it having a VR element. It really felt like a good mix of sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal.
It also had a TON of Chinese history. Much more so than myths. At times it felt like all this book was, was a way to learn Chinese history. I sometimes felt that the plot fell to the wayside so that we could get the history lesson. I don’t know this much about my own history.
Yes, our main character is 12, but there is a big focus on Chinese politics. I do feel that this is important, but it felt much for a book for preteens that probably don’t know anything about the Chinese political climate.
I really liked the idea of this book and it having a VR element. It really felt like a good mix of sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal.
It also had a TON of Chinese history. Much more so than myths. At times it felt like all this book was, was a way to learn Chinese history. I sometimes felt that the plot fell to the wayside so that we could get the history lesson. I don’t know this much about my own history.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Death of parent and Murder
partyrdrgz's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Death of parent
fkshg8465's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’m so excited about this new series and can hardly wait for the sequel. In the meantime, I’ll be buying copies for several of my kiddos. This is a fun book and funny at times, also full of adventure and education too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Death of parent, Grief, Racism, Toxic friendship, Slavery, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
elfyn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Superb. I can't wait to read Iron Widow, and I hope there's a second book coming for this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Bullying
amalyndb's review against another edition
4.5
I want to read more, see how things further develop.
I appreciated the cultural footnotes in story via augmented reality on historical figures. It felt like how I look things up on wiki while reading.
This novel helped show me areas I was ignorant and can learn more in the future.
Chinese Muslim people are not a culture I am familiar with other than news articles on the mistreatment of the Uighur people.
I academically knew people within China are not a homogeneous monoculture and have a variety of beliefs in spite of government attempts AND this helped gently remind me how much I do not know.
I appreciated the cultural footnotes in story via augmented reality on historical figures. It felt like how I look things up on wiki while reading.
This novel helped show me areas I was ignorant and can learn more in the future.
Chinese Muslim people are not a culture I am familiar with other than news articles on the mistreatment of the Uighur people.
I academically knew people within China are not a homogeneous monoculture and have a variety of beliefs in spite of government attempts AND this helped gently remind me how much I do not know.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Racism, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Violence, and War
sophiesometimesreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was fun and educational, and I would recommend for anyone a fan of mythical middle grade books. The first half had a lot of info dumping via dialogue though, which made me lose a bit of interest at the time, and I would've liked to learn about these parts of the lore and Chinese history via other means, perhaps as flashback or memories or a dual timeline/POV situation. The second half of the book was really good though and the ending was excellent. I'll definitely be tuning in for the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Bullying
Moderate: Islamophobia, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide
reila's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Enjoyed this book so much that I couldn't put it down. Exquisite world-building, pulling from blood-drenched history and the myths/legends spun from such events (regardless if true or fabricated, who knows?)--how they lent themselves to the powers the hosts can evoke was fascinating. Zack confronting his mixed cultural identity hit emotional places I never had words for. Zhao's sense of humor, pop-culture references, and cutting wit felt more apparent here (if familiar with their social media presence). For the ordeal they described in writing the book too, they must have had some fun in doing so because I could swear I felt it (if not, I will choose to believe it).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Racism, Kidnapping, Murder, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Bullying, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Islamophobia
Patricidezombiezami's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
This was an exciting and endearing book, and I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series. The one thing I didn’t like was how many times a facet of Chinese history or culture was explained as “this person was basically the Chinese version of [Western thing].” I understand that the POV character is a Chinese American person who has little knowledge of Chinese history, but those summaries felt pretty oversimplified. Also, some of the dialogue scenes around Chinese culture and history didn’t feel terribly organic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Suicide, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Xenophobia, Racism, Islamophobia, and Police brutality
Minor: Medical content, Genocide, War, and Slavery
chiron_00's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The first book marketed as "like Percy Jackson" that actually has the same vibes, humor and love for history and mytholog
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Islamophobia