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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
The Dragon Warrior was such a fun read! I don't read many middle grade books these days, but Katie Zhao's MG debut has drawn me back into this world.
This is a book full of Chinese mythology and folklore, told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Faryn Liu as she tries to honor her family and the gods and save the world from demons. Faryn is a sassy young girl, and her brand of snark resonated with me. The trials and tribulations she encounters on the quest she is sent on with her brother Alex are nothing short of a rollercoaster, filled with demons, dragons, fun, and plenty of amazing food. I found myself not knowing where the story would take me next, and being pleasantly surprised with all the twists and turns. The ending was perfect for the story, and I cannot wait to see where the sequel The Fallen Hero picks up!
Katie also has a wonderful glossary of Chinese demons and deities at the back of the book, which was perfect, especially for readers who aren't up to speed on Chinese mythology (I would be one of them).
Overall, this is a fun romp through many different Chinatowns in the US, and I highly recommend the book. I can't wait to see more from Katie Zhao in the near future!
Merged review:
The Dragon Warrior was such a fun read! I don't read many middle grade books these days, but Katie Zhao's MG debut has drawn me back into this world.
This is a book full of Chinese mythology and folklore, told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Faryn Liu as she tries to honor her family and the gods and save the world from demons. Faryn is a sassy young girl, and her brand of snark resonated with me. The trials and tribulations she encounters on the quest she is sent on with her brother Alex are nothing short of a rollercoaster, filled with demons, dragons, fun, and plenty of amazing food. I found myself not knowing where the story would take me next, and being pleasantly surprised with all the twists and turns. The ending was perfect for the story, and I cannot wait to see where the sequel The Fallen Hero picks up!
Katie also has a wonderful glossary of Chinese demons and deities at the back of the book, which was perfect, especially for readers who aren't up to speed on Chinese mythology (I would be one of them).
Overall, this is a fun romp through many different Chinatowns in the US, and I highly recommend the book. I can't wait to see more from Katie Zhao in the near future!
This is a book full of Chinese mythology and folklore, told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Faryn Liu as she tries to honor her family and the gods and save the world from demons. Faryn is a sassy young girl, and her brand of snark resonated with me. The trials and tribulations she encounters on the quest she is sent on with her brother Alex are nothing short of a rollercoaster, filled with demons, dragons, fun, and plenty of amazing food. I found myself not knowing where the story would take me next, and being pleasantly surprised with all the twists and turns. The ending was perfect for the story, and I cannot wait to see where the sequel The Fallen Hero picks up!
Katie also has a wonderful glossary of Chinese demons and deities at the back of the book, which was perfect, especially for readers who aren't up to speed on Chinese mythology (I would be one of them).
Overall, this is a fun romp through many different Chinatowns in the US, and I highly recommend the book. I can't wait to see more from Katie Zhao in the near future!
Merged review:
The Dragon Warrior was such a fun read! I don't read many middle grade books these days, but Katie Zhao's MG debut has drawn me back into this world.
This is a book full of Chinese mythology and folklore, told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Faryn Liu as she tries to honor her family and the gods and save the world from demons. Faryn is a sassy young girl, and her brand of snark resonated with me. The trials and tribulations she encounters on the quest she is sent on with her brother Alex are nothing short of a rollercoaster, filled with demons, dragons, fun, and plenty of amazing food. I found myself not knowing where the story would take me next, and being pleasantly surprised with all the twists and turns. The ending was perfect for the story, and I cannot wait to see where the sequel The Fallen Hero picks up!
Katie also has a wonderful glossary of Chinese demons and deities at the back of the book, which was perfect, especially for readers who aren't up to speed on Chinese mythology (I would be one of them).
Overall, this is a fun romp through many different Chinatowns in the US, and I highly recommend the book. I can't wait to see more from Katie Zhao in the near future!
I was one of the lucky few who got to read an early draft of this book and let's just say, you're not prepared for this.
This book, I began to read in the middle of a boring lecture and immediately, I said immediately, it sucked me inside its world. The description and the world building alone are splendidly done. I could imagine myself in the world. On top of that, Katie is a master of spinning emotions and surprising you with twists and turns just across the corner of the events. Also, she's so good at emotions! My heart was wrung by the time I finished this book.
World??
YOU. ARE. NOT. READY. FOR. THIS. BOOK. AT. ALL!!!
This book, I began to read in the middle of a boring lecture and immediately, I said immediately, it sucked me inside its world. The description and the world building alone are splendidly done. I could imagine myself in the world. On top of that, Katie is a master of spinning emotions and surprising you with twists and turns just across the corner of the events. Also, she's so good at emotions! My heart was wrung by the time I finished this book.
World??
YOU. ARE. NOT. READY. FOR. THIS. BOOK. AT. ALL!!!
adventurous
hopeful
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 is the book I needed to read as a young half-again kid. Thank you for making a book for halfies! Finally I found a character that looks like me in a book.
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ever since her father disappeared to find the demons he were certain were coming, Faryn Liu's life in her tight-knit community within San Fransisco's China Town has been miserable. She, her brother Alex, and their Ye Ye have been ostracized by the Jade Society--an elite group of descendants of Chinese immigrants who were warriors who protected China Towns all across the country from demons. Insulted at every turn and made to do demeaning chores, Faryn and Alex are trained as warriors in secret by Ye Ye. Faryn doesn't understand why: they'll never be accepted in the Jade Society, Alex isn't a fighter, and Faryn will never be seen as a warrior as a girl.
Until the night of Lunar New Year arrives and Faryn defeats a demon, and a god arrives at the New Year's banquet proclaiming that the time of the long-foretold Heaven Breaker has arrived. The sole person able to lift the Heaven Breaker's weapon, Faryn, Alex, and her ex-best friend are sent on a quest that will lead them to the land of the gods. Along the way, they encounter flying chariots, dragons, meddling gods and Asian-American pop sensations--you know, the usual stuff that makes a great quest. Can Faryn prove to the gods, the Jade Society, and herself that she is the Heaven Breaker? Find out in "The Dragon Warrior"!
So. Wow. What an amazing book! Full of heart, and amazing characters--good, bad, and some in the gray areas--Zhao's debut tells a tale of love, friendship, and always fighting for what's right, even when the alternative seems easier. Faryn is a wonderful protagonist and narrator, and readers of all ages will have fun interacting with gods from the Chinese Pantheon. But that cliffhanger... Oh, boy, that cliffhanger... I can't even be mad about a cliffhanger that's going to drive me wild for a whole year, because it was so perfect and well-written and a complete and total surprise.
Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, Aru Shah, and magical girls, "The Dragon Warrior" is the first in what is preparing to be a truly phenomenal series that will surely take the whole world by storm.
Ever since her father disappeared to find the demons he were certain were coming, Faryn Liu's life in her tight-knit community within San Fransisco's China Town has been miserable. She, her brother Alex, and their Ye Ye have been ostracized by the Jade Society--an elite group of descendants of Chinese immigrants who were warriors who protected China Towns all across the country from demons. Insulted at every turn and made to do demeaning chores, Faryn and Alex are trained as warriors in secret by Ye Ye. Faryn doesn't understand why: they'll never be accepted in the Jade Society, Alex isn't a fighter, and Faryn will never be seen as a warrior as a girl.
Until the night of Lunar New Year arrives and Faryn defeats a demon, and a god arrives at the New Year's banquet proclaiming that the time of the long-foretold Heaven Breaker has arrived. The sole person able to lift the Heaven Breaker's weapon, Faryn, Alex, and her ex-best friend are sent on a quest that will lead them to the land of the gods. Along the way, they encounter flying chariots, dragons, meddling gods and Asian-American pop sensations--you know, the usual stuff that makes a great quest. Can Faryn prove to the gods, the Jade Society, and herself that she is the Heaven Breaker? Find out in "The Dragon Warrior"!
So. Wow. What an amazing book! Full of heart, and amazing characters--good, bad, and some in the gray areas--Zhao's debut tells a tale of love, friendship, and always fighting for what's right, even when the alternative seems easier. Faryn is a wonderful protagonist and narrator, and readers of all ages will have fun interacting with gods from the Chinese Pantheon. But that cliffhanger... Oh, boy, that cliffhanger... I can't even be mad about a cliffhanger that's going to drive me wild for a whole year, because it was so perfect and well-written and a complete and total surprise.
Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, Aru Shah, and magical girls, "The Dragon Warrior" is the first in what is preparing to be a truly phenomenal series that will surely take the whole world by storm.
The first chapters kind of screamed generic YA mythology book that you know I signed up for so I wasn't mad but the second half definitely took me by surprise in an insanely good way. I was flying through the chapters by the end and I'm so glad I have the sequel already lined up to read. I'n hoping it'll sell me on Alex because oh my DAYS was he annoying to read about 😠like I get the characterization choices but also Faryn is a better older sister than me because every time the boy spoke he somehow managed to find my last nerve and jump rope with it.
more than anything i wish i could travel back to 2010 and give my 12 year old self this book. rtc!
I can't believ it but I'm dnfing this book. I'm so disappointed in myself and this book, ugh. There's nothing wrong with the writing or the plot, it's just that I'm bored with it and have no motivation to continue... This book has been sitting on my night stand for a month now :/
I had the pleasure of reading an early draft of this book, and HOLY. WOW. You'll be sucked into this wonderful world from page one, and fall in love with this amazing crew of characters. You'll laugh one page, and cry the next. I love how intricately Katie explores family and Chinese culture, and how rich the mythology this book is. As a die-hard Rick Riordan fan, I don't comp books to him lightly, but seriously: if you grew up reading Rick Riordan books, you'll want to read this book IMMEDIATELY.
A blurb from my 11-year-old sibling: "Wow, this sounds awesome!!!!!" (with that many exclamation points). I think that's proof enough that you need this book.
A blurb from my 11-year-old sibling: "Wow, this sounds awesome!!!!!" (with that many exclamation points). I think that's proof enough that you need this book.
adventurous
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:
Complicated