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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I would never have found this book if it wasn’t for one of my book clubs picking it as our read for this month. I was optimistic at the beginning but the more I read the less I loved it. The moral seemed a bit clunky and the relationships between characters felt on the precipice of being fully formed but weren’t quite there — it felt like instead of developing them fully the author relied more on tropes and stereotypes so instead of human nuance we had the “bad guy for no reason” Lujuan and “the bratty brother” Alex. Characters like Ren and Wang had the potential to be interesting but those aspects were just hinted at — Wang’s rebellion against his mom being mentioned once and then promptly overturned by his friend, Ren’s role as potential love interest only manifesting in one hand hold. Moli, who had the most concrete character arc, was gone too soon. Even Alex’s complex emotions and motivations felt rushed or haphazard, such that at the end I wasn’t sure if the change in dynamics were due to his actual concerns or possession from a god. And what was the purpose of the mixed blood / heritage reveal?
Frankly, I felt things only really started to get interesting at the end with the tension between Alex. The quest seemed almost like an after thought plot wise, though the whole thing reminded me of the first Percy Jackson novel, the gravitas felt off somehow.
I really wanted to like this book because it’s a woman of asian descent writing about mythology but it didn’t quite sit with me. Hopefully the sequel if there is one delivers a bit more.
Frankly, I felt things only really started to get interesting at the end with the tension between Alex. The quest seemed almost like an after thought plot wise, though the whole thing reminded me of the first Percy Jackson novel, the gravitas felt off somehow.
I really wanted to like this book because it’s a woman of asian descent writing about mythology but it didn’t quite sit with me. Hopefully the sequel if there is one delivers a bit more.
Faryn and her brother Alex are part of the Jade Society based in San Francisco ever since the original member immigrated there. The society's task is to protect the people of earth from demons. Unfortunately the Jade Society now is less focused on demon slaying and more focused on making as much money as possible..no matter how shady it is. And ever since Faryn and Alex’s father disappeared 4 years ago their family have been viewed as outcasts all because of their mixed race. Faryn’s life is drastically changed when she is chosen as the Heaven Breaker and is sent on a quest by the god Erlang Shen to Peng Lai Island. Along the way Faryn, Alex and Moli (Faryn’s former best friend) travel to different Chinatowns defeating demons along the way.
Thoughts:
I really liked all the Chinese culture that was in this book. I learned a lot from it! The book also had a huge Percy Jackson feel and I think it would be prefect for fans of that series. What I didn’t enjoy was how jumpy the book felt. There was a few chapters that i had a really hard time following and I got a little lost at times. There’s a lot that happens in this book and I felt like the jumpiness took away from the story.
But overall a great middle grade read!
*Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book!*
Thoughts:
I really liked all the Chinese culture that was in this book. I learned a lot from it! The book also had a huge Percy Jackson feel and I think it would be prefect for fans of that series. What I didn’t enjoy was how jumpy the book felt. There was a few chapters that i had a really hard time following and I got a little lost at times. There’s a lot that happens in this book and I felt like the jumpiness took away from the story.
But overall a great middle grade read!
*Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book!*
If you like mythology-based middle-grade books, you should read The Dragon Warrior! It's based off Chinese mythology, has amazing Chinese representation, and great characters. I really relate to Faryn as a mixed race girl, and really just to her character in general. The sibling dynamics were very accurate, too. The only faults I had with this book is that I liked the subplots more than the main plot. I also felt that Faryn relied too much on the gods to the point where she wasn't as self-sufficient as she should have been as a warrior. Some of the dialogue was a little immature for my taste, too, and Luhao's character wasn't very developed. But I'm so glad I read this and I'm definitely getting the sequel! I will warn you though, that there is a major cliffhanger at the end (which I am NOT okay over).
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Here there be dragons... and we're always up for a good dragon story!
Faryn Liu and her brother, Alex, are outcasts in the San Francisco Jade Society. Without their Ba, father, they're poorer than the other kids, the other kids taunt them and they aren't allowed to publicly train to be elite Warriors of the Jade Society.
Then during the Lunar New Year Parade through Chinatown, Faryn runs to the store to get medicine for her sick grandfather, Ye Ye, and on the way home encounters a nian -- a demon -- she helps a god slay! But she tells no one, as it's been decades since the gods graced the Society with their presence.
Erlang Shen, the Emperor's nephew, shows up at their banquet and announces a quest with four challenges for the Heaven Breaker -- a human warrior destined to lead the Jade Emperor's armies. If the Heaven Breaker can complete the tasks and wield the staff of power, Fenghuang, and make it to the royal banquet on Peng Lai Island in time, the Heaven Breaker will be installed as the Emperor's strongest general. Fail, and demons will attack and destroy all they know and love in the coming demon-war.
Before Faryn and Alex even get started, the elite Jade Society decides another boy is the Heaven Breaker. He steals her Ba's journal, with all his knowledge about the heavenly island's location. Only with help from another god can Faryn and Alex catch up and complete the tasks.
At that point, the book follows a bit of a formula, but it has a purpose: Faryn fights with the staff, loses and has to ask the gods -- or really, one god in particular, the one speaking to her through the staff -- for help and a "power boost" to defeat the enemy. She never questions who's responding, what their agenda is, or what price she'll be expected to pay for all these bursts of life-saving extra strength.
A fun, enjoyable read with a twist ending!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Faryn Liu and her brother, Alex, are outcasts in the San Francisco Jade Society. Without their Ba, father, they're poorer than the other kids, the other kids taunt them and they aren't allowed to publicly train to be elite Warriors of the Jade Society.
Then during the Lunar New Year Parade through Chinatown, Faryn runs to the store to get medicine for her sick grandfather, Ye Ye, and on the way home encounters a nian -- a demon -- she helps a god slay! But she tells no one, as it's been decades since the gods graced the Society with their presence.
Erlang Shen, the Emperor's nephew, shows up at their banquet and announces a quest with four challenges for the Heaven Breaker -- a human warrior destined to lead the Jade Emperor's armies. If the Heaven Breaker can complete the tasks and wield the staff of power, Fenghuang, and make it to the royal banquet on Peng Lai Island in time, the Heaven Breaker will be installed as the Emperor's strongest general. Fail, and demons will attack and destroy all they know and love in the coming demon-war.
Before Faryn and Alex even get started, the elite Jade Society decides another boy is the Heaven Breaker. He steals her Ba's journal, with all his knowledge about the heavenly island's location. Only with help from another god can Faryn and Alex catch up and complete the tasks.
At that point, the book follows a bit of a formula, but it has a purpose: Faryn fights with the staff, loses and has to ask the gods -- or really, one god in particular, the one speaking to her through the staff -- for help and a "power boost" to defeat the enemy. She never questions who's responding, what their agenda is, or what price she'll be expected to pay for all these bursts of life-saving extra strength.
A fun, enjoyable read with a twist ending!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Fayrn and Alex have been living with their grandfather for the last several years, their father never having returned from the quest he had gone on. Due to their mother's heritage, their mother who had died giving birth to Alex, instead of the two children being welcomed and cared for by the other members of the Jade Society in San Francisco, they are barely tolerated and allowed to live where they do only because they complete chores.
Despite their not being accepted, their grandfather trains them both in secret, which comes in handy on the night that Faryn snuck out to get her grandfather's medicine on the first night of the Chinese New Year celebration and ends up helping a god kill a yogai demon. As a result, she may be the legendary Heaven Breaker, who is the great warrior that will lead the Jade Emperor's army into battle. But, before she can fully claim the title, she must prove her worth. Her brother and her former best friend/current enemy join her on her quest.
I am definitely enjoying being able to read more books with non-European pantheons of gods and goddesses. This book also does a wonderful job of pulling in a lot of the Chinese culture, centered as it is around the Chinese New Year. From the ceremonies to the parties, the characters talk about and worship the gods, and that worldbuilding provided a wonderful backdrop for the story.
The characters were also well-written. While the side characters tended to fall more into stereotypical categories, that is a function of the length of the book and age range of the audience than the ability of the author, because the main characters were more fully developed. They had motivations and desires, had disagreements with each other, and supported each other. The relationships are what made the ending so hard to read. I will definitely be reading the sequel after that ending.
For this book, I also had the chance to listen to the audiobook, which I definitely appreciated. I know that I would have had trouble with the pronunciation of the names had I read it on my own. Now that I have heard the different names pronounced, I can read it and feel confident about my pronunciation. The audiobook was narrated by Siu-see Hung, and she did a great job. I would definitely listen to her narrate the sequel if I have that opportunity.
If you like fantasy, middle-grade books, strong families, strong female protagonists, and crazy quests made crazier by the influence of the gods, then you will most likely enjoy this book. If so, you should definitely read it.
Despite their not being accepted, their grandfather trains them both in secret, which comes in handy on the night that Faryn snuck out to get her grandfather's medicine on the first night of the Chinese New Year celebration and ends up helping a god kill a yogai demon. As a result, she may be the legendary Heaven Breaker, who is the great warrior that will lead the Jade Emperor's army into battle. But, before she can fully claim the title, she must prove her worth. Her brother and her former best friend/current enemy join her on her quest.
I am definitely enjoying being able to read more books with non-European pantheons of gods and goddesses. This book also does a wonderful job of pulling in a lot of the Chinese culture, centered as it is around the Chinese New Year. From the ceremonies to the parties, the characters talk about and worship the gods, and that worldbuilding provided a wonderful backdrop for the story.
The characters were also well-written. While the side characters tended to fall more into stereotypical categories, that is a function of the length of the book and age range of the audience than the ability of the author, because the main characters were more fully developed. They had motivations and desires, had disagreements with each other, and supported each other. The relationships are what made the ending so hard to read. I will definitely be reading the sequel after that ending.
For this book, I also had the chance to listen to the audiobook, which I definitely appreciated. I know that I would have had trouble with the pronunciation of the names had I read it on my own. Now that I have heard the different names pronounced, I can read it and feel confident about my pronunciation. The audiobook was narrated by Siu-see Hung, and she did a great job. I would definitely listen to her narrate the sequel if I have that opportunity.
If you like fantasy, middle-grade books, strong families, strong female protagonists, and crazy quests made crazier by the influence of the gods, then you will most likely enjoy this book. If so, you should definitely read it.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Note: This is an OwnVoices review! But please note I'm not familiar with all the mythology present in this book. I also won this as an ARC from Katie Zhao's twitter giveaway :D Thank you to Katie for sending this my way <3
Overall 5/5 stars!
The Dragon Warrior is a delight through and through. This is the book I desperately needed when I was the characters' age! The humor is spot on and only gets better as you keep reading. I highly recommend this book, especially for Chinese diaspora readers. I feel so warm and tingly after finishing this and I hope you all will too.
Characters
Faryn - A good girl. A good ye ye's girl hhhh what else can I say? I love the way she cares about her friends and family and always tries her best even when things are hard. I was cheering so hard the moment where she 'unlocks' her true power.
Moli - What a sass-master! Zhaos represent :D She grows on you a lot from her initial introduction as Faryn's ex-best friend to reluctant frenemy to ally! Also LOL at the reveal with her horse. Loved it so much. Seriously, this girl has so many good one-liners. She can smell knock-off Gucci from a mile away.
Alex - Poor baby, but the direction his character goes is great set-up for the plot to come! The sibling interactions between him and Faryn are *chef's kiss.* There's an added layer of complexity to this sibling relationship that I'm sure will resonate with a lot of readers, especially if you've ever felt like you're constantly not measuring up to others' standards of what you "should" be.
Ren - I have a such soft spot for him. We finally get the quest that we deserve for those who aren't satisfied with how Zuko's played out. I didn't expect to find a character like him in here, but he was such a pleasant addition to Faryn's squad and a nice way to show off the Heaven Breaker abilities for world-building.
Grandpa (Ye ye) - I LOVE GRANDPARENTS, so my bias is strong here. I adore good grandparent characters, so you bet I was sipping the loving-grandpa-juice for Faryn and Alex's ye ye. He's against the kids playing video games, but the video games did help them in the end.
The deities - I love how the gods are written here. They're all so sassy towards one another. Everytime there was some divine banter, I had to put the book down and calm down from laughing before going back to read. The dialogue between Erlang Shen and Nezha is so charming at the end.
World
Representation
First of all, that biracial/multiracial Chinese rep! Our main character, Faryn, is Chinese (dad's side) and a mix of Egyptian, Turkish, and Greek (mom's side). There's also a non-binary deity introduced later on. OFC There's diaspora Chinese rep up the wazoo here.
The Jade Society
Faryn's family's treated as outsiders to the Jade Society because of a clash in ideology between her father, Liu Bo, and Mao, the leader of the society, on what the duties of a Jade Society warrior should be. This is exacerbated by Liu Bo's disappearance, allowing Mao and by extention, the rest of the members of the JS, to act like haters towards Faryn, Alex and their grandpa. This allows the story to focus on Faryn and Alex's sense of belonging to their culture and community (and family!)
Magic and Lore
You had me at huli jing.
Ok, but really. The Dragon Warrior's magic and mythology is very accessible that I think those unfamiliar with Chinese mythology and the target audience will be able to follow no problem (I was following along pretty well for the lore I didn't know too). My ARC didn't have a glossary included, but there's a placeholder left for it so it'll definitely be in the finished version. We've got dragons, and demons, and Chinese hell, a whole pantheon of gods and more!
Culture
Lunar New Year is a BIG thing in this book. Yay! There's also some history about the various Chinatowns found in the USA included too. And also, no one can ever complain about the food descriptions in here. Double yay!
There's also some exploration of class differences within the Jade Society (Luhao rhymes with tu hao) and discussion about expectations of what a "perfect Chinese girl" is. It's hard to describe fresh-out of the book, but there were so many small details I noticed I just wanna shake the author's hand, you know?
Plot
No spoiler, but I may add more close to the release date.
Overall 5/5 stars!
The Dragon Warrior is a delight through and through. This is the book I desperately needed when I was the characters' age! The humor is spot on and only gets better as you keep reading. I highly recommend this book, especially for Chinese diaspora readers. I feel so warm and tingly after finishing this and I hope you all will too.
Characters
Faryn - A good girl. A good ye ye's girl hhhh what else can I say? I love the way she cares about her friends and family and always tries her best even when things are hard. I was cheering so hard the moment where she 'unlocks' her true power.
Moli - What a sass-master! Zhaos represent :D She grows on you a lot from her initial introduction as Faryn's ex-best friend to reluctant frenemy to ally! Also LOL at the reveal with her horse. Loved it so much.
Spoiler
It's oddly reminiscent of Chibi Moon and Pegasus.Alex - Poor baby, but the direction his character goes is great set-up for the plot to come! The sibling interactions between him and Faryn are *chef's kiss.* There's an added layer of complexity to this sibling relationship that I'm sure will resonate with a lot of readers, especially if you've ever felt like you're constantly not measuring up to others' standards of what you "should" be.
Ren - I have a such soft spot for him. We finally get the
Spoiler
"find your mom"Grandpa (Ye ye) - I LOVE GRANDPARENTS, so my bias is strong here. I adore good grandparent characters, so you bet I was sipping the loving-grandpa-juice for Faryn and Alex's ye ye. He's against the kids playing video games, but the video games did help them in the end.
The deities - I love how the gods are written here. They're all so sassy towards one another. Everytime there was some divine banter, I had to put the book down and calm down from laughing before going back to read. The dialogue between Erlang Shen and Nezha is so charming at the end.
World
Representation
First of all, that biracial/multiracial Chinese rep! Our main character, Faryn, is Chinese (dad's side) and a mix of Egyptian, Turkish, and Greek (mom's side). There's also a non-binary deity introduced later on. OFC There's diaspora Chinese rep up the wazoo here.
The Jade Society
Faryn's family's treated as outsiders to the Jade Society because of a clash in ideology between her father, Liu Bo, and Mao, the leader of the society, on what the duties of a Jade Society warrior should be. This is exacerbated by Liu Bo's disappearance, allowing Mao and by extention, the rest of the members of the JS, to act like haters towards Faryn, Alex and their grandpa. This allows the story to focus on Faryn and Alex's sense of belonging to their culture and community (and family!)
Magic and Lore
You had me at huli jing.
Ok, but really. The Dragon Warrior's magic and mythology is very accessible that I think those unfamiliar with Chinese mythology and the target audience will be able to follow no problem (I was following along pretty well for the lore I didn't know too). My ARC didn't have a glossary included, but there's a placeholder left for it so it'll definitely be in the finished version. We've got dragons, and demons, and Chinese hell, a whole pantheon of gods and more!
Culture
Lunar New Year is a BIG thing in this book. Yay! There's also some history about the various Chinatowns found in the USA included too. And also, no one can ever complain about the food descriptions in here. Double yay!
There's also some exploration of class differences within the Jade Society (Luhao rhymes with tu hao) and discussion about expectations of what a "perfect Chinese girl" is. It's hard to describe fresh-out of the book, but there were so many small details I noticed I just wanna shake the author's hand, you know?
Plot
No spoiler, but I may add more close to the release date.
adventurous
inspiring
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