A review by books_onthe_ground
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

 I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. I love this book so much. I enjoyed every second of it. Do you love Percy Jackson? Do you love card games? Do you love learning about myths and history that you weren’t taught about in school (speaking from a British person’s POV)? Then you are going to LOVE this book!  
The characters; lovable and hilarious. They don’t always sound like 12-year-old but the fact that they have 2000+ year old ghosts talking to them you can kind of argue that away. I would kill for these children especially Zach. I love that boy. I want him to absolutely go apeship at some point. Boy is getting used like Percy but at least this boy got to use the words “pissed off” so at least he’s got that going for him. The others, Simon and Melissa, are also so cute and loveable and I love the old married couple thing they have going on. I also want to point out that the main character is a Chinese Muslim and I don’t think I’ve seen a children’s book with a Chinese Muslim character in it let alone as the main character so that was so exciting to see! Seeing how the mother wears a hijab and the talk about halal food made me beam!  
I adore the magic system in this, it’s so new and so fun and just a good time and was so enjoyable to read about. I loved the carefree-ness of it in the sense that things are just the way they are and there was no need to over explain anything you are just told things and that’s it and I really liked it. This is a children’s book so it just being what it is without feeling the need to overexplain absolutely everything was really nice.  
On the note of it being a children’s book however, holy shit it’s dark for a kids book. Yes, this is definitely a children's book, 100%, but some of the imagery... wow. Personally, I loved it I just really didn’t expect it. It’s the type of book I would have LOVED as a child and absolutely fits in with the types of books that made me the reader and writer I am today. It doesn’t treat you like a little kid. All ages can read it and have an amazing time. I’m 21 and I had an absolute blast! I read it in a day! I want the next book now! Seriously! When is the next one out?? I need it!!  
Anyway, I don’t want to spoil it but just know that this book is absolutely delightful. It’s full of adventure and friendship and wonder as well as being really thought-provoking, tense and at times really emotional. I cried reading this and I'm not even Chinese so I can’t imagine how impactful and emotional this book is going to be for Chinese readers. This book better blow up like other children's books have because it deserves all the attention. It's one of the most fun and enjoyable books I’ve read this year and I can’t wait to see where the story goes.