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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
one of the best YA books I've read in a long time, can't wait for the sequel to come out!
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5
Am I too old to enjoy middle grade? Thats the question that was in my mind while reading this book.
I am aware that I am not the target demographic for this book, however I do know myself enough to know that I am capable of enjoying kids media. So even though I am sure that my enjoyment may have been affected by that I also think I have a genuine critique that doesn't have to do with it being middle grade. Still, take it with a grain of salt.
At the beggining, I was surprised to realize that there was going to be some kind of technology-videogame magic and I was not thrilled, but like I said, that's just me being older so I wasn't against it, and eventually it did win me over. My real problem... was the pacing.
I realized this after I got over not liking the magic system that much. Because suddenly around 40% something happened that change the status quo completely and it was sooo much better. For a frame of reference, I spend like 3 weeks reading that first 60% and I read the rest of it in a day. Before that everything felt so slow. Nothing was really happening. Zack was going over little quests in China and getting info-dumped chinese hystory by a dead chinese emperor UNTIL... he realized the truth. So yeah, that is actually my only big gripe with this book, but it affected my reading experience a lot.
What I really liked, and actually think is the heart of the story, was Zack journey of autodiscovery and appreciation for his family and culture. He learns a lot while he is in China, that he never got to learn living in America. And when Zack finally aknowledge his feelings and cry and you remember that he is just a kid who misses his mom... I did get a little emotional.
Also, it was really funny!!! I knew that because I follow Xiran on social media so I dont know why i was surprised. Their humor translated really well, we are talking about making fun of death chinese emperors after all. Not all jokes landed, but enough to make me laugh out loud a couple times.
Am I too old to enjoy middle grade? Thats the question that was in my mind while reading this book.
I am aware that I am not the target demographic for this book, however I do know myself enough to know that I am capable of enjoying kids media. So even though I am sure that my enjoyment may have been affected by that I also think I have a genuine critique that doesn't have to do with it being middle grade. Still, take it with a grain of salt.
At the beggining, I was surprised to realize that there was going to be some kind of technology-videogame magic and I was not thrilled, but like I said, that's just me being older so I wasn't against it, and eventually it did win me over. My real problem... was the pacing.
I realized this after I got over not liking the magic system that much. Because suddenly around 40% something happened that change the status quo completely and it was sooo much better. For a frame of reference, I spend like 3 weeks reading that first 60% and I read the rest of it in a day. Before that everything felt so slow. Nothing was really happening. Zack was going over little quests in China and getting info-dumped chinese hystory by a dead chinese emperor UNTIL... he realized the truth. So yeah, that is actually my only big gripe with this book, but it affected my reading experience a lot.
What I really liked, and actually think is the heart of the story, was Zack journey of autodiscovery and appreciation for his family and culture. He learns a lot while he is in China, that he never got to learn living in America. And when Zack finally aknowledge his feelings and cry and you remember that he is just a kid who misses his mom... I did get a little emotional.
Also, it was really funny!!! I knew that because I follow Xiran on social media so I dont know why i was surprised. Their humor translated really well, we are talking about making fun of death chinese emperors after all. Not all jokes landed, but enough to make me laugh out loud a couple times.
Got a copy of this from the library to "start reading", while waiting for the one I purchased to arrive and OH. MY. GOSH. This book was such an entertaining and hilarious read, I honestly had to force myself to stop reading in order to make the experience last! I loved so much about this story: the characters, the themes, the history and culture...it was all just *chef's kiss* amazing. Definitely gonna recommend this to my fellow bookworms and I'm excited for more to come!
this is a sign to pick this up if you live for the percy jackson series but always wished it was very gay, very chinese and very corruption arc
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I felt bad rating this book any lower.
Wendy wu x Percy Jackson x adhd
Everything happened so fast back to back to back with zero rest time.
Wendy wu x Percy Jackson x adhd
Everything happened so fast back to back to back with zero rest time.
Character 3.5| Setting 4| Plot 3| Writing 4| Enjoy-ability 4
Rating: 3.7
I fell in love with Zack from chapter one and felt for him through out the book, and also wanted to stop him from making some questionable decisions.
I enjoyed seeing a character that knew his sexuality, and being at home with his religion. I learned a lot about China with this book, this is fictional, but it is set in modern China. I never realized there were Chinese Muslims and maybe that's just be in my american-centric world and being ignorant. But it really opened my eyes.
I enjoyed characters talking about how tyrannical these emperors are, and seeing that people can change even as spirits. I really liked how the spirits had power based on how know legends were. Kind of reminds me of like Peter Pans Faeries.
Now it's set-up for a sequel so I am waiting eagerly for any news of this!
Rating: 3.7
I fell in love with Zack from chapter one and felt for him through out the book, and also wanted to stop him from making some questionable decisions.
I enjoyed seeing a character that knew his sexuality, and being at home with his religion. I learned a lot about China with this book, this is fictional, but it is set in modern China. I never realized there were Chinese Muslims and maybe that's just be in my american-centric world and being ignorant. But it really opened my eyes.
I enjoyed characters talking about how tyrannical these emperors are, and seeing that people can change even as spirits. I really liked how the spirits had power based on how know legends were. Kind of reminds me of like Peter Pans Faeries.
Now it's set-up for a sequel so I am waiting eagerly for any news of this!
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Genocide, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Car accident, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation