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transportedlfl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
becca_willie04's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kellyjmac's review
5.0
I loved book one in this series and was really excited to read more of Winnie’s adventures. This one picks up not long after the events of the first book and it looks like there won’t be any breaks for Winnie and David and the town of Groton from spirits trying to wreak havoc. Winnie and David might be in over their heads though as rookie agents up against a mysterious spirit that no one can sense or has much info on. The Shaman Taskforce decides to bring in some backup from the big city to help them contain this new class three spirit especially as Halloween approaches when the spirits will be even stronger. Winnie and David will have to work together and with this newcomer in order to take on the big bad and that seems like it is easier said than done.
I love Winnie’s quick wit and humour in these books and found myself laughing while reading which always an extra star for rating for me. I enjoyed the lead up and wondering who it could be that was lurking in the shadows and when it’s revealed, definitely great! The battle was great but what was revealed was even more awesome. Looks like the shamans are going to be facing something bigger and badder in the future and I can’t wait to find out what.
I also have to say the cover art and design of the book is amazing as well!
I love Winnie’s quick wit and humour in these books and found myself laughing while reading which always an extra star for rating for me. I enjoyed the lead up and wondering who it could be that was lurking in the shadows and when it’s revealed, definitely great! The battle was great but what was revealed was even more awesome. Looks like the shamans are going to be facing something bigger and badder in the future and I can’t wait to find out what.
I also have to say the cover art and design of the book is amazing as well!
apurplehycainth's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
evamadera1's review
3.5
If the first book felt a bit formulaic, specific to this genre, this one felt even more so. This one did not have the character growth of the first book. Additionally, all of the adult characters, including Winnie's grandmother, a fully grown woman who apparently was an incredible shaman while alive, act incredibly childish which can provide some humor but ultimately felt grating to me. This entry in the series felt even more average than the first but the target audience may still really enjoy it.
thenovelllama's review
4.0
I have to say, Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King is one of my most anticipated middle grade books of the year. After reading the first in the series last year, it instantly went on my “I can’t wait to read this to my kids one day” list. There are so many great characters that I absolutely want to introduce my kids to when they get to the right age, and Winne Zeng is near the top of the list.
This book is nearly flawlessly executed, with solid pacing and an engaging plot, taking into account its intended audience as a middle grade book. Picking up where Unleashes a Legend left off, this novel keeps with the awesome characters of the first book while adding a few as well. I’m not much of a person to summarize a novel, but I will say that it was a fun and comfortably predictable book that satisfies to the end.
The characters in this series are some of my favorite middle grade characters, because they actually feel like middle grade kids. They mess up, they argue, they have to take time to identify and process emotions, all things that I regularly see this age group go through. Winnie handles everything that is thrown at her with a great deal of grace. The evolution of her friendship with David from the first to the second book was great to see as it was one of the more obvious signs of her growing into herself and who she wants to be.
One of the best parts about the first book in the series, Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend, was the cultural elements that were threaded throughout the story. I absolutely loved seeing so many family traditions and connections, it really brought WInnie to life. Those connections and stories were flawlessly continued in Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King.
I would highly recommend this series for any parents looking for a great book to read together or are looking for a book that is really engaging.
5/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book is nearly flawlessly executed, with solid pacing and an engaging plot, taking into account its intended audience as a middle grade book. Picking up where Unleashes a Legend left off, this novel keeps with the awesome characters of the first book while adding a few as well. I’m not much of a person to summarize a novel, but I will say that it was a fun and comfortably predictable book that satisfies to the end.
The characters in this series are some of my favorite middle grade characters, because they actually feel like middle grade kids. They mess up, they argue, they have to take time to identify and process emotions, all things that I regularly see this age group go through. Winnie handles everything that is thrown at her with a great deal of grace. The evolution of her friendship with David from the first to the second book was great to see as it was one of the more obvious signs of her growing into herself and who she wants to be.
One of the best parts about the first book in the series, Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend, was the cultural elements that were threaded throughout the story. I absolutely loved seeing so many family traditions and connections, it really brought WInnie to life. Those connections and stories were flawlessly continued in Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King.
I would highly recommend this series for any parents looking for a great book to read together or are looking for a book that is really engaging.
5/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
anniekslibrary's review
4.0
After really enjoying book 1 in this series, I'm so glad I got to read book 2 as well! This was again so much fun, and I'd highly recommend if for any fans of mythology-inspired middlegrade. It really stands out in the genre, I think, because Winnie has such a fresh voice that keeps you so engaged and that's so funny to read.
cakt1991's review
adventurous
lighthearted
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
4.0
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King is the second fun adventure in the Winnie Zeng series. Just like the book, it’s steeped in Chinese mythology, and the world building with that aspect becomes more expansive, especially as Winnie explores more of her role as part of the Shaman Task Force. I love how there’s both a balance between the more spiritual/magical elements and the exploration of more Earth-bound elements of Chinese culture, like incorporation of various Chinese foods, including recipes in the back of the book to prompt engagement from the reader beyond the story.
Winnie remains a compelling heroine. She’s incredibly funny, with jokes and asides peppering her narration, as well as her dialogue. She also strikes a great balance between being someone expected to help protect the world and being just a kid with her own interests, with cooking being a big one.
Her rivalry with David, and how they must work together this time around, makes for an intriguing dynamic this time around, given the clashes not only between them, but also between their overspirits, hers being her Lao Lao and his being a former Chinese emperor. There’s also a new girl, Kelly, who believes she’s able to protect the town alone without help from the others, and that also provides a nice shakeup to their dynamic.
This is another fun installment, and I’d recommend the series thus far to anyone who enjoys middle grade fantasy.
faerietalebooks's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King was a fantastic follow up to the debut in the series and perfectly sets up for the following book. Winnie's character gets explored more, especially her self-confidence, her initiative, and her ability to rely on her friends. I loved that the series continues to explore different Chinese myths and recipes in each book as Winnie continues fighting for the forces of good.
lberestecki's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0