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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I AM SO MAD
Yes, at certain characters (Alex is worse than Seth from Fablehaven, change my mind (you can’t)) and certain events in this beautiful, perfect gem of a book, but mostly, I’m mad at myself for waiting so long to pick up something that would’ve immediately solved all of my problems. I mean, I still need therapy, but like maybe if there were more middle-grade novels steeped in mythology and folklore featuring mixed-partially-Chinese-American heroines who kick ass alongside their friends and family and go on adventures with excellent narration, and maybe if I read these godssends immediately when they came out and not two long years after the fact (even though I knew it had to be good, because, hellooo, The Mathematics of Love), I could save $160/hr.
Nonetheless, this was everything. This had everything. Family fun, family angst, heartbreak and humor, food. There were an uncountable number of times when I made very loud, very audible noises (be they snorts or gasps or laughs) while reading, and despite my new contacts drying my eyes out a concerning amount, I still found myself tearing up more than once.
Don’t make the same mistakes I did. If you haven’t yet gotten to experience the pure delight (okay, partially delight, partially intense negative emotions) that is The Dragon Warrior by the inimitable Katie Zhao, get on that. Now.
Yes, at certain characters (Alex is worse than Seth from Fablehaven, change my mind (you can’t)) and certain events
Spoiler
(I CANT BELIEVE MOLI ACTUALLY DIED LIKE EXCUSE ME I KNOW THAT MG SHOULDNT DUMB THINGS DOWN OR SIMPLIFY ITS WRITING BC KIDS CAN HANDLE SMART SOPHISTICATED STORIES BUT HOW COULD KATIE LET THIS HAPPEN THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK HOW ARE WE ALREADY LOSING PPL THEY NEVER GOT TO PROPERLY BECOME FRIENDS AGAIN IM MAD)Nonetheless, this was everything. This had everything. Family fun, family angst, heartbreak and humor, food. There were an uncountable number of times when I made very loud, very audible noises (be they snorts or gasps or laughs) while reading, and despite my new contacts drying my eyes out a concerning amount, I still found myself tearing up more than once.
Don’t make the same mistakes I did. If you haven’t yet gotten to experience the pure delight (okay, partially delight, partially intense negative emotions) that is The Dragon Warrior by the inimitable Katie Zhao, get on that. Now.
the whole time I was just thinking of my blue Ma LiPing textbook that I used in fifth grade that was just literally full of stories from Journey of the West. even though I hated chinese school at the time, I feel like now im starting to appreciate the stories in those textbooks more. Journey to the West was a major reference for this book, and thus, many of the gods, goddesses, and characters mentioned in this book weren't just an introduction to a foreign mythology to me but a reawakening of the awesomeness of chinese culture and texts. from the iconic story of the nián (年) and traditions of the lunar new year to a reimagining of a deity, Nezha (哪吒), that I was literally obsessed with when I was little (apparently once in china we stopped by a pond full of blooming lotuses and I was so entranced by the lotuses that I wouldn't leave because I thought Nezha was going to pop out of them), the book reveals the world of chinese traditions and superstitions, bringing the mythology to life.
overall, I rate this a 孙悟空 out of 10.
overall, I rate this a 孙悟空 out of 10.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
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
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Very funky. Makes me so happy for children who are now starting to read because man this would have been one of my favourites if I was in the target audience.
This was so much fun and left on SUCH a cliffhanger - I can’t wait to read book 2!
adventurous
emotional
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:
No