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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
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
This was an excellent mix of ancient Chinese mythology and modern video games. When Zachary finds out that he is descended from the first Chinese emperor, he is shocked. But not as shocked as he is to learn that the Emperor's spirit needs him to head out on a quest to seal the spirit portal before all of China is destroyed. Unfortunately, Zachary's lack of Chinese history knowledge means he doesn't have quite enough power, so he must learn as he goes. Action-packed and full of fascinating mythology. Highly recommended for fans of Percy Jackson, grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
This is a fun adventurous middle school book about a young Chinese American, Zachary Ying, who suddenly has Qin Shi Huang, the legendary first emperor who united China, possessing his virtual reality device. Forced to go on a journey to save his mother and the world, he fights spirits with two other kids, also being possessed by other legendary Chinese historical figures.
I appreciate that this is highly informative about Chinese culture and history, beyond the "Han Chinese" Westerners only know. Zachary is a Hui Muslim, an ethnical minority being oppressed by the Chinese government, and struggles with his identity as a Chinese American. Having grown up in United States and being exposed only to American culture, he is unsure how to feel about China, especially with his tragic family history complicating it. Throughout the story, Zachary learns both the good and bad things about China, and realizes that China is not the monolithic country he only knew from American media.
Like China, I love that the Chinese historical figures in this book are presented as not only good or evil characters, but multi-dimensional characters who have their reasons for their actions that make them known as tyrants today. Them being described as "supervillians" are hilarious! Way too often do we judge historical figures by today's ethics and morals, instead of considering their era's circumstances, ethics, and morals.
Overall, Xiran did an excellent job blending sci-fiction and fantasy in an action-packed story, exploring a Chinese American boy's relationship with China through Chinese culture and history. This gets a 4 out of 5 from me.
I appreciate that this is highly informative about Chinese culture and history, beyond the "Han Chinese" Westerners only know. Zachary is a Hui Muslim, an ethnical minority being oppressed by the Chinese government, and struggles with his identity as a Chinese American. Having grown up in United States and being exposed only to American culture, he is unsure how to feel about China, especially with his tragic family history complicating it. Throughout the story, Zachary learns both the good and bad things about China, and realizes that China is not the monolithic country he only knew from American media.
Like China, I love that the Chinese historical figures in this book are presented as not only good or evil characters, but multi-dimensional characters who have their reasons for their actions that make them known as tyrants today. Them being described as "supervillians" are hilarious! Way too often do we judge historical figures by today's ethics and morals, instead of considering their era's circumstances, ethics, and morals.
Overall, Xiran did an excellent job blending sci-fiction and fantasy in an action-packed story, exploring a Chinese American boy's relationship with China through Chinese culture and history. This gets a 4 out of 5 from me.
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Rating this as I would have if I read it as a child. I hope this becomes the new children’s series that everyone reads growing up.
An adventure and a history lesson all in one.
Zachary Ying has been raised in the US and hasn't really had a chance to learn much about Chinese history. His mom is busy trying to make ends meet and school seems to focus on Western history. But then he learns that he's intended to become the host for the spirit of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, and seal the portal to the Chinese underworld before the spirits all escape to wreak havoc during Ghost Month. But the First Emperor ends up bound to Zack's AR headset instead of Zach and Zach's mom's spirit is taken by demons. Now Zach's trying to learn Chinese history and legends, control the First Emperor's water magic, and save China and his mom.
First off, this story definitely had all the components of any good adventure tale: a team of heroes, high stakes, and enemies. I enjoyed that we got a sampling of Chinese history and mythology throughout the book as well. All the characters managed to be three-dimensional and their reasoning was very relatable, even when their actions were not (all that magic). The greatest disappointment to me is that this book did a lot of world-building and really felt like it was going to wrap up smoothly at the end, but instead we're left waiting for the second book to be released.
Overall, if you like middle grade adventure stories or mythology-inspired tales, you'll enjoy this book. I definitely think it's a fun, quick read, even if I wish I didn't have to wait for the story to continue!
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Zachary Ying has been raised in the US and hasn't really had a chance to learn much about Chinese history. His mom is busy trying to make ends meet and school seems to focus on Western history. But then he learns that he's intended to become the host for the spirit of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, and seal the portal to the Chinese underworld before the spirits all escape to wreak havoc during Ghost Month. But the First Emperor ends up bound to Zack's AR headset instead of Zach and Zach's mom's spirit is taken by demons. Now Zach's trying to learn Chinese history and legends, control the First Emperor's water magic, and save China and his mom.
First off, this story definitely had all the components of any good adventure tale: a team of heroes, high stakes, and enemies. I enjoyed that we got a sampling of Chinese history and mythology throughout the book as well. All the characters managed to be three-dimensional and their reasoning was very relatable, even when their actions were not (all that magic). The greatest disappointment to me is that this book did a lot of world-building and really felt like it was going to wrap up smoothly at the end, but instead we're left waiting for the second book to be released.
Overall, if you like middle grade adventure stories or mythology-inspired tales, you'll enjoy this book. I definitely think it's a fun, quick read, even if I wish I didn't have to wait for the story to continue!
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
I absolutely LOVED this book! It's like a sassy queer version Percy Jackson with a Chinese mythology twist. There's so much happening throughout with Zack discovering his imperial heritage and his fellow emperors, the general chaos of an adventure with 3 pre-teens, and allllll of the Yugi-oh parallels in the AR game. The plot is top-notch, with twists and turns that had me reeling. This transcends the middle-grade audience and is definitely enjoyable for all ages! If there aren't more in this series, I'll be riding a water dragon out to battle.
*Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*
adventurous
funny
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