1.12k reviews for:

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor

Xiran Jay Zhao

4.08 AVERAGE

november_rain's review

4.5

adventurous funny

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

a_kayla_'s review against another edition

3.5

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

theinkdrinker's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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: Yes

confusedmarble's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous mysterious 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

grayr1209's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous informative lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Definitely a fun and easy read/listen as someone who wasn’t raised too deeply in my culture (though for a different reason) it was really easy to relate to how the main character felt throughout the book.

bookreadreceipts's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous informative medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

jennieandrews's review against another edition

adventurous

ryn_k's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous 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: Yes

saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging funny fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Xiran Jay Zhao really has a talent for making history fun, from their YouTube and TikTok to their novels, they make figures like Wu Zetian and Qin Shi Huang accessible and human. 

I don't know anything about YuGiOh, but I breathe Percy Jackson and found the comparison spot on. This is similar in that it's a funny and action packed book that teaches Chinese history and folklore. However, it goes beyond just teaching history, it also discusses it with nuance, a major theme throughout is the idea that most major historical figures weren't good people and what that means for their legacies. It also discusses contemporary issues such as Islamophobia in China (Zachary himself is Muslim) and internalized racism. 

Zhao handles these themes delicately, making this a rich middle grade book. I'd imagine it'll be great for middle school/late elementary aged kids to learn more about China while also being entertained thanks to the fun characters, quippy dialogue, and imaginative action sequences.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Islamophobia

Moderate: Violence

0ri's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters: Yes