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queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4 ⭐ CW: fantasy violence, religious persecution, anti-Asian sentiments, suicide mention, bullying
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is book one in the first middle grade series by Xiran Jay Zhao. I originally started this book as a before bed read with my youngest, but since she's not around much, I figured I would finish alone, because I was enjoying it so much!
We follow Zachary Ying, a Uyghur Muslim immigrant living in Maine with his mom. Zack is a shy kid who gets bullied a lot for being Chinese, when suddenly while wearing his Mythrealm glasses, a spirit tries to possess, fails and possesses his VR headset instead. Turns out Zach is related to one of the most notorious Chinese historical figures: Qin Shi Huang. Zack now has water powers and must find a way to save his mother's soul that was stolen by another spirit. He is accompanied by his teen idol who, is possessed by Emperor Tang Taizong; and a pop star possessed by Wu Zetian, the first and only female emperor of China.
This book was actually a hilarious wild ride! Zhao admits they just wrote their 12 year old self into anime they wished had ended better 😂. This book is great if you love video games, anime, pop culture references, and lots of Chinese history. As an American who never learned anything about China in school, it was fascinating learning about Chinese history and their influence on China's myths and legends. I also love that Zhao always makes the villain the main character, we get some lovely middle grade morally gray action.
The lessons my kid took away when we were reading together was to not point out when someone looks different than you, to believe in yourself and not give up before even trying, and to stand up to bullies. An additional lesson is that there is no such thing as Good VS. Evil in real life. Everyone has done wrong, but they can also do good. We also get the beginnings of Zack questioning his sexuality, and might be explored more in later books. This is a wonderful middle grade read, and I look forward to the rest of the series!
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is book one in the first middle grade series by Xiran Jay Zhao. I originally started this book as a before bed read with my youngest, but since she's not around much, I figured I would finish alone, because I was enjoying it so much!
We follow Zachary Ying, a Uyghur Muslim immigrant living in Maine with his mom. Zack is a shy kid who gets bullied a lot for being Chinese, when suddenly while wearing his Mythrealm glasses, a spirit tries to possess, fails and possesses his VR headset instead. Turns out Zach is related to one of the most notorious Chinese historical figures: Qin Shi Huang. Zack now has water powers and must find a way to save his mother's soul that was stolen by another spirit. He is accompanied by his teen idol who, is possessed by Emperor Tang Taizong; and a pop star possessed by Wu Zetian, the first and only female emperor of China.
This book was actually a hilarious wild ride! Zhao admits they just wrote their 12 year old self into anime they wished had ended better 😂. This book is great if you love video games, anime, pop culture references, and lots of Chinese history. As an American who never learned anything about China in school, it was fascinating learning about Chinese history and their influence on China's myths and legends. I also love that Zhao always makes the villain the main character, we get some lovely middle grade morally gray action.
The lessons my kid took away when we were reading together was to not point out when someone looks different than you, to believe in yourself and not give up before even trying, and to stand up to bullies. An additional lesson is that there is no such thing as Good VS. Evil in real life. Everyone has done wrong, but they can also do good. We also get the beginnings of Zack questioning his sexuality, and might be explored more in later books. This is a wonderful middle grade read, and I look forward to the rest of the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Racism, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide and Death
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Grief, Racism, Islamophobia, Death, Death of parent, War, Murder, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Genocide
dewugging's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, Murder, Grief, Death, and War
Minor: Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Gore, Cannibalism, Alcohol, Misogyny, and Kidnapping
pey333's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, Death, Racism, War, Xenophobia, Violence, Murder, Bullying, and Blood
saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
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
4.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Islamophobia
Moderate: Violence
lucystolethesky's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death, Murder, Grief, and Confinement
Minor: Genocide, Suicide, War, and Colonisation
onironic's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
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? It's complicated
3.75
This book is very entertaining. I enjoyed it very much, and I hadn't been sure I would since I hadn't been very fond of Iron Widow, Xiran Jay Zhao's debut novel. The premise was too interesting to pass over, though, and I'm very glad I didn't.
I'm not this book's target audience, but I don't feel you have to be to enjoy it. For one, it's just fun, and very funny. I'm not sure if it's the author's writing style developing, or just that this premise suits it better, but a lot of the problems I had with the style of Iron Widow don't apply here, or are actually a boon for this particular story. It made me laugh out loud multiple times, and while many times the author's voice broke through the narrative, it was all right because I think they were saying something that even a little left of center of the target audience as I was, I could feel how it was going to resonate with someone, could tell it was something the author desperately needed to say, and something someone, somewhere, needed to hear.
For another, it does something I enjoy in YA books, which is that it treats their main characters...like kids. As in, kids who make mistakes and don't always notice things that an adult would and sometimes that causes problems (and sometimes it solves them, but that's basically the YA genre as a whole so I'm not sure it deserves special mention). I won't spoil you, but I will say that if you're reading this book and are an adult or older teen, and a red flag or twenty or 100,000 or so start waving...you probably aren't wrong. I'll leave it at that. (I lied. Not really spoilers but behind a cut just in case since it's sliiiightly spoilery.)And obviously the protagonist isn't going to see it, which makes it even better. It's a completely natural tension. What 12-year-old who has adults falling over themselves insisting they're the only ones who could possibly help them is going to look at that strangely? Of course they're competent enough to handle adult problems (says the preteen). Oh, they're being sworn to secrecy and can't tell their adults anything? Sounds legit. ('Hey, kid, I got some candy wishes in here, you want some?' says Tang Taizong, hanging out of white van while Wu Zetian mans the gas pedal.) What 12-year-old knows - and I mean really knows - that they are, in fact, only 12? That's realistic. Meanwhile an adult hears these conversations and should slowly be reaching for the nearest baseball bat, but instead has to suffer in silence watching these children stumble into a trap you badly want to protect them from but can't.
Also, Zach is a very good kid. I'm proud of him.
I'm not this book's target audience, but I don't feel you have to be to enjoy it. For one, it's just fun, and very funny. I'm not sure if it's the author's writing style developing, or just that this premise suits it better, but a lot of the problems I had with the style of Iron Widow don't apply here, or are actually a boon for this particular story. It made me laugh out loud multiple times, and while many times the author's voice broke through the narrative, it was all right because I think they were saying something that even a little left of center of the target audience as I was, I could feel how it was going to resonate with someone, could tell it was something the author desperately needed to say, and something someone, somewhere, needed to hear.
For another, it does something I enjoy in YA books, which is that it treats their main characters...like kids. As in, kids who make mistakes and don't always notice things that an adult would and sometimes that causes problems (and sometimes it solves them, but that's basically the YA genre as a whole so I'm not sure it deserves special mention). I won't spoil you, but I will say that if you're reading this book and are an adult or older teen, and a red flag or twenty or 100,000 or so start waving...you probably aren't wrong. I'll leave it at that. (I lied. Not really spoilers but behind a cut just in case since it's sliiiightly spoilery.)
Also, Zach is a very good kid. I'm proud of him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia and Racism
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, War, Suicide, Genocide, and Injury/Injury detail
trips's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
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
4.5
Really great adventure, the book is really what it pitches itself as: a Chinese history/mythology take on Percy Jackson with a healthy dose of Yu-Gi-Oh! The cast of characters are rich and fun to experience the story with. Usually, I hate it when protagonists protest their destiny for too long, but in this case, I love it, as it shows that Zach is just as stubborn as his predecessor!
The representation of many Chinese cultures and different areas was great fun.
I didn't quite feel like I was fully in for the ride until about 25% through the book, its just teenyyy bit slow at first? But once I got there I was fully in for it! I look forward to the continuation of the series!
The representation of many Chinese cultures and different areas was great fun.
I didn't quite feel like I was fully in for the ride until about 25% through the book, its just teenyyy bit slow at first? But once I got there I was fully in for it! I look forward to the continuation of the series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Racism, and Violence
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
A fun, fast-paced, intricate adventure with the vibrance and adrenaline of gaming, the depth and philosophy of traditional mythologies, and the heart and hope of family and friends. I was skeptical of the "Percy Jackson meets Yu-Gi-Oh" billing, but it's pretty fair! I don't think I've had this much fun with a middle grade fantasy since the first Tristan Strong book and Kiki Kalliri Breaks a Kingdom.
Things I loved:
• the sensitive discussion and representation of how ethnically diverse China and the diaspora are (our main character, Zach, is Muslim Chinese American)
• the funny chapter titles and pop culture hooks
• the way Chinese history and legends were explained throughout
• how nothing was forced into a simplistic black-and-white perspective
Things I loved:
• the sensitive discussion and representation of how ethnically diverse China and the diaspora are (our main character, Zach, is Muslim Chinese American)
• the funny chapter titles and pop culture hooks
• the way Chinese history and legends were explained throughout
• how nothing was forced into a simplistic black-and-white perspective
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Islamophobia
Moderate: Confinement, Grief, Xenophobia, Genocide, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping, Racism, War, and Xenophobia
Possession/loss of willleonormsousa's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.0
TRIGGER WARNINGS
racism, islamophobia, religious bigotry, xenophobia, violence, war, death (including of a parent), grief, bullying, police brutality
REPRESENTATION
Hui Chinese American Muslim Gay MC, Chinese secondary characters (one Miao Chinese), own voice Chinese author
REVIEW
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is everything you want in a good fantasy middle-grade book! It’s action-packed, fast-paced, filled with lessons to be learned and has excellent representation.
Xiran may be the royalty of creating cool concepts. They did it in Iron Widow, and they did it again in Zachary Ying. As someone who’s into tech and extended reality, I loved seeing that mixed with Chinese history. It was the perfect combination that even made me think more and more about all the possibilities that technology opens to education and didactic activities.
It was also a book that made me realise how little (or nothing actually) I knew about Chinese history. I think it’s a pretty “western” thing to do to get so caught up in ourselves that we don’t realise all the beautiful history and culture from other parts of the world that we are missing out on.
Like in Iron Widow, Xiran also exploited the boundaries between good and evil and how blurry they can get. The main character Zach is many times conflicted and it’s often discussed how how to reach peace and end up in a “good” world, bad things need to be done. It’s one of those truths that are hard to face but that I believe make a great topic for the book.
Zachary Ying is also an incredibly funny book, but between laughs, it approaches islamophobia and queerness and bullying and oppressive systems, all in a delicate way that is not too overwhelming but it’s still there to make you think or feel represented. Probably my favourite topic of the book is how you can feel so different or alienated by your own culture/roots. I think it’s something that so many kids (and adults!) can relate to.
If there’s anything I could point out that could be better in this book though, then it would be that it could get a little bit too complex. As I said, I love that this book brought Chinese history to the spotlight, but I admit that sometimes, it got a bit hard following all the historical characters and stories. Maybe a visual timeline of the historical events mentioned at the beginning/end of the book would help?
Nevertheless, I still think this is a great book to recommend to middle-graders (although I believe all fantasy-lovers will enjoy it), and I’m hoping it gets translated to Portuguese so I can make my little cousin read it! As for me, I’ll be expecting the next Zachary Ying adventure!
REPRESENTATION
REVIEW
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is everything you want in a good fantasy middle-grade book! It’s action-packed, fast-paced, filled with lessons to be learned and has excellent representation.
Xiran may be the royalty of creating cool concepts. They did it in Iron Widow, and they did it again in Zachary Ying. As someone who’s into tech and extended reality, I loved seeing that mixed with Chinese history. It was the perfect combination that even made me think more and more about all the possibilities that technology opens to education and didactic activities.
It was also a book that made me realise how little (or nothing actually) I knew about Chinese history. I think it’s a pretty “western” thing to do to get so caught up in ourselves that we don’t realise all the beautiful history and culture from other parts of the world that we are missing out on.
Like in Iron Widow, Xiran also exploited the boundaries between good and evil and how blurry they can get. The main character Zach is many times conflicted and it’s often discussed how how to reach peace and end up in a “good” world, bad things need to be done. It’s one of those truths that are hard to face but that I believe make a great topic for the book.
Zachary Ying is also an incredibly funny book, but between laughs, it approaches islamophobia and queerness and bullying and oppressive systems, all in a delicate way that is not too overwhelming but it’s still there to make you think or feel represented. Probably my favourite topic of the book is how you can feel so different or alienated by your own culture/roots. I think it’s something that so many kids (and adults!) can relate to.
If there’s anything I could point out that could be better in this book though, then it would be that it could get a little bit too complex. As I said, I love that this book brought Chinese history to the spotlight, but I admit that sometimes, it got a bit hard following all the historical characters and stories. Maybe a visual timeline of the historical events mentioned at the beginning/end of the book would help?
Nevertheless, I still think this is a great book to recommend to middle-graders (although I believe all fantasy-lovers will enjoy it), and I’m hoping it gets translated to Portuguese so I can make my little cousin read it! As for me, I’ll be expecting the next Zachary Ying adventure!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia, Racism, Violence, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, War, and Xenophobia