basiclich 's review for:

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao

5.0

---

A fantastic middle grade adventure, and one I simply won't stop talking about, ever. Middle school kid Zachary Ying has always been a little bit out of place—never more so than when the spirit of the First Emperor of China possess his AR headset and drags him on an absolutely bonkers adventure across China involving heists, legends, tyrants, and epic battles. Zack is a new favorite character of mine, and Xiran Jay Zhao has cemented themself as an all-time favorite author (you may have seen me rant about Iron Widow, their phenomenal YA debut). You should absolutely buy Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor for the kids in your life, and also for yourself. No equivocations.