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The Dragon Warrior #1
The Dragon Warrior
As a member of the Jade Society, twelve-year-old Faryn Liu dreams of honoring her family and the gods by becoming a warrior. But the Society has shunned Faryn and her brother Alex ever since their father disappeared years ago, forcing them to train in secret.
Then, during an errand into San Francisco, Faryn stumbles into a battle with a demon--and helps defeat it. She just might be the fabled Heaven Breaker, a powerful warrior meant to work for the all-mighty deity, the Jade Emperor, by commanding an army of dragons to defeat the demons. That is, if she can prove her worth and find the island of the immortals before the Lunar New Year.
With Alex and other unlikely allies at her side, Faryn sets off on a daring quest across Chinatowns. But becoming the Heaven Breaker will require more sacrifices than she first realized . . . What will Faryn be willing to give up to claim her destiny?
Inspired by Chinese mythology, this richly woven contemporary middle-grade fantasy, full of humor, magic, and heart, will appeal to readers who love Roshani Chokshi and Sayantani DasGupta.
Then, during an errand into San Francisco, Faryn stumbles into a battle with a demon--and helps defeat it. She just might be the fabled Heaven Breaker, a powerful warrior meant to work for the all-mighty deity, the Jade Emperor, by commanding an army of dragons to defeat the demons. That is, if she can prove her worth and find the island of the immortals before the Lunar New Year.
With Alex and other unlikely allies at her side, Faryn sets off on a daring quest across Chinatowns. But becoming the Heaven Breaker will require more sacrifices than she first realized . . . What will Faryn be willing to give up to claim her destiny?
Inspired by Chinese mythology, this richly woven contemporary middle-grade fantasy, full of humor, magic, and heart, will appeal to readers who love Roshani Chokshi and Sayantani DasGupta.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2019
89 people are currently reading
4665 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
July 18, 2018
Man am I glad I can count this to my GR challenge! I am so excited to share Faryn Liu's story with the world. Gods and demons and dragons, food and family and fun, all steeped in Chinese mythology and lore. This is a book that I would have devoured as a kid and I hope young Chinese (and non-Chinese!) readers will enjoy reading it and hopefully learning a thing or two about Chinese mythology.
Beyond the mythology, Faryn's story is a story about seeing people for who they are rather than what they look like; it's a story that's near and dear to my heart, about a girl who, at the end of the day, is just trying to find her family, found family and blood family alike, as well as her home. The Chinatown settings are specifically chosen because of my childhood experience. My parents, who are immigrants from China, would always manage to find Chinatowns in every new place we travelled to within the states. They're truly magical places, little pockets of home.
More than anything, I hope that the Chinese readers who pick up this book will feel what I feel when I visit or write about Chinatown - that feeling of belongingness, of home. I hope they feel proud of the rich culture and mythology of China, and of themselves. I hope they feel seen and heard and know that they, too, can be heroes.
Beyond the mythology, Faryn's story is a story about seeing people for who they are rather than what they look like; it's a story that's near and dear to my heart, about a girl who, at the end of the day, is just trying to find her family, found family and blood family alike, as well as her home. The Chinatown settings are specifically chosen because of my childhood experience. My parents, who are immigrants from China, would always manage to find Chinatowns in every new place we travelled to within the states. They're truly magical places, little pockets of home.
More than anything, I hope that the Chinese readers who pick up this book will feel what I feel when I visit or write about Chinatown - that feeling of belongingness, of home. I hope they feel proud of the rich culture and mythology of China, and of themselves. I hope they feel seen and heard and know that they, too, can be heroes.
October 9, 2019
The Dragon Warrior follows a 12-year-old multiracial girl named Faryn, who embarks on a series of quests with friends and family in order to prove that she is the legendary Heaven Breaker, the powerful warrior who serves the Jade Emperor.
I don’t want to compare ALL Middle Grade books about kids going on quests to Percy Jackson, but this book truly gives off strong Percy Jackson vibes with its inclusion of gods, quests, and sarcastic humor. (And you know it’s a high honor for me to compare this to Percy Jackson, since it’s one of my all-time favorite books!)
Since it’s Middle Grade, it’s fun and easy to read, and I thoroughly enjoyed each chapter and didn’t want to put the book down. I think one of the book’s strongest points is how engaging both Faryn’s voice and the story itself is, and it never felt like the plot lacked.
However, though it is action-packed and more on the plot-driven side, there is still a nice focus on the characters as well! I loved Faryn; she’s a fierce warrior, battling against the limits set upon her as a girl and as a multiracial person and discovering her own culture and identity. As an Asian American diaspora kid myself, I related a lot to how she felt less Asian for having lived in America, and it warmed my heart to see that included in the book.
There were also wonderful side characters: Alex, Faryn’s little brother, Moli, Faryn’s friend-turned-enemy-turned-friend, Ren, a dragon-boy with a tragic background, and YeYe, Faryn and Alex’s grandfather. The multiple appearances from gods were also a lot of fun to read as well! (And, without spoiling anything, I’ll say there is a morally ambiguous character, and I am unbearably excited to see where their story goes in the next book.)
A highlight of this book was the inclusion of so much Chinese culture. Though I’m not Chinese myself, my stomach was still growling at all the mouthwatering descriptions of Chinese food like nian gao and bao zi, and in my mind there were vivid paintings of all the Lunar Year celebrations. And of course, reading about the mythological aspects like the gods, demons, and dragons was also so much fun!
The importance of family is also discussed in this book (I think all Asians have been drilled about this at one moment or another), and I really loved it. And I know certain things span across all cultures, but seeing things my parents and grandparents have taught me, like respecting elders and remembering to pray, represented the same way in an Asian book meant the world to me.
One of the things I appreciate the most about this book is that it’s Middle Grade, not only because Middle Grade authors are amazing for being able to write books that will keep children engaged, but also because it means young Asian kids can see themselves in it.
I’m passing this book on to my younger sister, who loves to read Middle Grade and is always talking to me about how she hates that there is a lack of Asian characters in the books she reads. And while it’s too late for me to go back in time and read this when I was young, it’s not too late for her, and I’m so grateful and excited for her to find something to connect to in this book.
With the way this book ended, I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and follow the rest of Faryn’s journey! I definitely recommend this, especially to fans of fun, adventurous fantasies full of gods and demons, and I can’t wait to see this book become a favorite of so many young readers. It serves as a reminder that saving the world is not limited to just one group of people, and that Asian kids can be the hero too.
:: rep :: multiracial (Chinese, Greek, Egyptian, Turk) MC, all-Chinese cast
:: content warnings :: death of loved ones
I don’t want to compare ALL Middle Grade books about kids going on quests to Percy Jackson, but this book truly gives off strong Percy Jackson vibes with its inclusion of gods, quests, and sarcastic humor. (And you know it’s a high honor for me to compare this to Percy Jackson, since it’s one of my all-time favorite books!)
Since it’s Middle Grade, it’s fun and easy to read, and I thoroughly enjoyed each chapter and didn’t want to put the book down. I think one of the book’s strongest points is how engaging both Faryn’s voice and the story itself is, and it never felt like the plot lacked.
However, though it is action-packed and more on the plot-driven side, there is still a nice focus on the characters as well! I loved Faryn; she’s a fierce warrior, battling against the limits set upon her as a girl and as a multiracial person and discovering her own culture and identity. As an Asian American diaspora kid myself, I related a lot to how she felt less Asian for having lived in America, and it warmed my heart to see that included in the book.
There were also wonderful side characters: Alex, Faryn’s little brother, Moli, Faryn’s friend-turned-enemy-turned-friend, Ren, a dragon-boy with a tragic background, and YeYe, Faryn and Alex’s grandfather. The multiple appearances from gods were also a lot of fun to read as well! (And, without spoiling anything, I’ll say there is a morally ambiguous character, and I am unbearably excited to see where their story goes in the next book.)
The gods didn’t give me ultimate strength. My friends and family did.
A highlight of this book was the inclusion of so much Chinese culture. Though I’m not Chinese myself, my stomach was still growling at all the mouthwatering descriptions of Chinese food like nian gao and bao zi, and in my mind there were vivid paintings of all the Lunar Year celebrations. And of course, reading about the mythological aspects like the gods, demons, and dragons was also so much fun!
The importance of family is also discussed in this book (I think all Asians have been drilled about this at one moment or another), and I really loved it. And I know certain things span across all cultures, but seeing things my parents and grandparents have taught me, like respecting elders and remembering to pray, represented the same way in an Asian book meant the world to me.
One of the things I appreciate the most about this book is that it’s Middle Grade, not only because Middle Grade authors are amazing for being able to write books that will keep children engaged, but also because it means young Asian kids can see themselves in it.
I’m passing this book on to my younger sister, who loves to read Middle Grade and is always talking to me about how she hates that there is a lack of Asian characters in the books she reads. And while it’s too late for me to go back in time and read this when I was young, it’s not too late for her, and I’m so grateful and excited for her to find something to connect to in this book.
Never forget that you are the dragon warriors and heroes of your own stories.
With the way this book ended, I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and follow the rest of Faryn’s journey! I definitely recommend this, especially to fans of fun, adventurous fantasies full of gods and demons, and I can’t wait to see this book become a favorite of so many young readers. It serves as a reminder that saving the world is not limited to just one group of people, and that Asian kids can be the hero too.
:: rep :: multiracial (Chinese, Greek, Egyptian, Turk) MC, all-Chinese cast
:: content warnings :: death of loved ones
// buddy read with Tiffany and Kelly!! be sure to check out their ownvoices reviews 💛
Thank you to Bloomsbury and the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a spot on this blog tour! This did not affect my opinions in any way. All quotes are from an advance copy and may differ in final publication.
May 18, 2018
I'm beyond THRILLED for this book to debut. I binged it over a flight and stayed up late into the night at my hotel reading this, and it was a rollercoaster filled with strong Chinese warrior protagonists, Chinese deities/gods and legends and myths and DRAGONS, set in a variety of Manhattan Chinatowns. The characters in it stole my heart with their stubborn and snarky personalities and their banter. And the humor, oh, the humor in this book is to DIE for. Guys, true story -- I literally woke up at 5:07AM (yes I still remember looking at the clock and feeling astounded) the morning after I read it because I had LAUGHED MYSELF AWAKE because I was DREAMING ABOUT THE BOOK and the jokes in it were just so, so funny.
I simply cannot wait for Chinese children all over the world to read these books written by an author of their heritage celebrating their heritage, their roots, their families, and the joys and pains of their diaspora experiences. Oh, and the amazing food descriptions that had me drooling in the middle of the night -- who could forget that?
The world has seen Greek myths and legends explored in Rick Riordan's books. And now, we have a new star on the rise. Guys, get ready for THE DRAGON WARRIOR and its sequel. It's about to shake up the world.
I simply cannot wait for Chinese children all over the world to read these books written by an author of their heritage celebrating their heritage, their roots, their families, and the joys and pains of their diaspora experiences. Oh, and the amazing food descriptions that had me drooling in the middle of the night -- who could forget that?
The world has seen Greek myths and legends explored in Rick Riordan's books. And now, we have a new star on the rise. Guys, get ready for THE DRAGON WARRIOR and its sequel. It's about to shake up the world.
July 31, 2020
The Dragon Warrior is dedicated to immigrants, children of immigrants, and diaspora kids everywhere, and this book is a beautiful, heartfelt, and wonderful story that does its dedication justice.
I feel so honoured to have read this book, which is, very evidently, a book of Katie's heart -and is now of mine.
- Follows Faryn, a 12-year old girl who finds herself to be the foretold Heaven Breaker, a warrior powerful enough to wield a celestial weapon and able to command dragons.
- The Dragon Warrior feels like the best mix of Chinese mythology - people of all ages, especially Chinese kids, will enjoy the multiple references to folktales and myths. I certainly did!!
- I can't believe I read a book that references one of my greatest loves and saviours, pei pa koa.
- Not only is this book a wonderful and exciting adventure, this is also a story about mixed identity, Asian culture, belonging, connection, and courage.
- There were some wonderful relationships in this book - enemies-to-friends, tenuous sibling relationships, and quirky relationships with mysterious but almighty deities.
- I love this book for many reasons, but I think, at its heart, it's such a fun book! The pacing and momentum is excellent, the characters were interesting, the developments kept me on my toes, and with twists that left me feeling so so intrigued and excited for the next book!
Trigger/content warning:
I feel so honoured to have read this book, which is, very evidently, a book of Katie's heart -and is now of mine.
- Follows Faryn, a 12-year old girl who finds herself to be the foretold Heaven Breaker, a warrior powerful enough to wield a celestial weapon and able to command dragons.
- The Dragon Warrior feels like the best mix of Chinese mythology - people of all ages, especially Chinese kids, will enjoy the multiple references to folktales and myths. I certainly did!!
- I can't believe I read a book that references one of my greatest loves and saviours, pei pa koa.
- Not only is this book a wonderful and exciting adventure, this is also a story about mixed identity, Asian culture, belonging, connection, and courage.
- There were some wonderful relationships in this book - enemies-to-friends, tenuous sibling relationships, and quirky relationships with mysterious but almighty deities.
- I love this book for many reasons, but I think, at its heart, it's such a fun book! The pacing and momentum is excellent, the characters were interesting, the developments kept me on my toes, and with twists that left me feeling so so intrigued and excited for the next book!
Trigger/content warning:
November 13, 2019
i received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. all opinions below are my own.
4.5 stars
reading the dragon warrior was the bookish equivalent of having a nice cup of hot milk while snuggling up in warm blankets. it made me feel the warm fuzzies all over, and i’m so excited for the diaspora kids who will get to read this book soon, and be able to relate to faryn and alex’s experiences.
the gods didn’t give me ultimate strength. my friends and family did.
the dragon warrior is a beautifully told story about family, friendship, and bravery. faryn liu and her brother have been trained by their grandfather to be warriors who fight for the gods ever since they were little kids, and when things take a sudden turn, they set off on a quest to prove their ability, along with faryn’s best friend turned enemy, moli.
i loved traveling with faryn, alex and moli. i haven’t been to any of america’s chinatowns, but when i visited sydney, london, and singapore, i had dinner at chinatown almost every night, and i love the idea that wherever i am in the world, there will always be some part of home within reach – i really enjoyed exploring san francisco, chicago and phoenix’s chinatowns with them.
growing up, i was told chinese folk stories, and i remember enjoying them a lot, because they were unique and unlike anything else i had read before. it was a fun and refreshing experience seeing them and the chinese gods being portrayed in a different light in the dragon warrior. i remember reading percy jackson a few years back and thinking, it would be totally amazing if someone wrote a series like that but instead of basing it on greek mythology they could take inspiration from chinese folklore – and that’s exactly what i got in the dragon warrior! erlang shen, nian shou and guanyin all make appearances in the novel and i loved seeing bits and pieces of my culture and its stories being featured in the book.
me @ elements of chinese folklore scattered throughout the book
and other than that, the book was hilarious. apparently, demons give off the scent of stinky tofu and tiger balm, and evil deities smell like off-brand chanel perfume. the author has an accounting degree AND a gift for writing, and i have no doubt she’d make a great comedian too – her jokes are so on-point and never once failed to make me laugh. (i also love how she incorporated chinese elements into those jokes in a way that isn’t offensive – it just made me laugh even harder because i found it so relatable.)
the characters are also really lovable, and have so much depth. we have faryn, a kind and brave biracial girl who cares about her family and works really hard in training to become a warrior for the gods. i was rooting for her so hard, right from the very start! her brother, alex, is cheeky and sometimes annoying, but i love the kid. he sometimes feels insecure as he doesn’t fight as well as her sister, but he’s really good at solving riddles, and he never gives himself the credit he deserves. at times i wanted to reach through my kindle screen and give him a chocolate chip cookie to cheer him up. moli is sassy and sharp-tongued, and i loved her badass personality and how she slowly rekindles her friendship with faryn. ren is absolutely adorable, and he’s always reasonable and calm. you know, when you do a group project and most of your groupmates stray off task, except for one who urges you all to get back on track and get work done? that’s ren. and i also really liked ye ye – he’s always super gentle and loving towards the liu siblings and i loved his relationship with his grandchildren.
but you’ll do well to remember this, warrior – power isn’t measured only by the size of a weapon.
i loved the dragon warrior so much, and i’m sure that all chinese kids, regardless of their current place of residence, will love it as much, if not more. (and that cliffhanger-ish ending killed me. this book isn’t even released yet, and i’m already hyped for the second book.) the dragon warrior comes out on october 15th. to quote the dedication section of this book – “for immigrants, children of immigrants, and diaspora readers everywhere: never forget that you are the dragon warriors and heroes of your own stories.” ♡
trigger warnings: death, violence
this review first appeared on my book blog, marshmallow pudding:
https://marshmallowpudding.home.blog/...
4.5 stars
reading the dragon warrior was the bookish equivalent of having a nice cup of hot milk while snuggling up in warm blankets. it made me feel the warm fuzzies all over, and i’m so excited for the diaspora kids who will get to read this book soon, and be able to relate to faryn and alex’s experiences.
the gods didn’t give me ultimate strength. my friends and family did.
the dragon warrior is a beautifully told story about family, friendship, and bravery. faryn liu and her brother have been trained by their grandfather to be warriors who fight for the gods ever since they were little kids, and when things take a sudden turn, they set off on a quest to prove their ability, along with faryn’s best friend turned enemy, moli.
i loved traveling with faryn, alex and moli. i haven’t been to any of america’s chinatowns, but when i visited sydney, london, and singapore, i had dinner at chinatown almost every night, and i love the idea that wherever i am in the world, there will always be some part of home within reach – i really enjoyed exploring san francisco, chicago and phoenix’s chinatowns with them.
growing up, i was told chinese folk stories, and i remember enjoying them a lot, because they were unique and unlike anything else i had read before. it was a fun and refreshing experience seeing them and the chinese gods being portrayed in a different light in the dragon warrior. i remember reading percy jackson a few years back and thinking, it would be totally amazing if someone wrote a series like that but instead of basing it on greek mythology they could take inspiration from chinese folklore – and that’s exactly what i got in the dragon warrior! erlang shen, nian shou and guanyin all make appearances in the novel and i loved seeing bits and pieces of my culture and its stories being featured in the book.
me @ elements of chinese folklore scattered throughout the book
and other than that, the book was hilarious. apparently, demons give off the scent of stinky tofu and tiger balm, and evil deities smell like off-brand chanel perfume. the author has an accounting degree AND a gift for writing, and i have no doubt she’d make a great comedian too – her jokes are so on-point and never once failed to make me laugh. (i also love how she incorporated chinese elements into those jokes in a way that isn’t offensive – it just made me laugh even harder because i found it so relatable.)
the characters are also really lovable, and have so much depth. we have faryn, a kind and brave biracial girl who cares about her family and works really hard in training to become a warrior for the gods. i was rooting for her so hard, right from the very start! her brother, alex, is cheeky and sometimes annoying, but i love the kid. he sometimes feels insecure as he doesn’t fight as well as her sister, but he’s really good at solving riddles, and he never gives himself the credit he deserves. at times i wanted to reach through my kindle screen and give him a chocolate chip cookie to cheer him up. moli is sassy and sharp-tongued, and i loved her badass personality and how she slowly rekindles her friendship with faryn. ren is absolutely adorable, and he’s always reasonable and calm. you know, when you do a group project and most of your groupmates stray off task, except for one who urges you all to get back on track and get work done? that’s ren. and i also really liked ye ye – he’s always super gentle and loving towards the liu siblings and i loved his relationship with his grandchildren.
but you’ll do well to remember this, warrior – power isn’t measured only by the size of a weapon.
i loved the dragon warrior so much, and i’m sure that all chinese kids, regardless of their current place of residence, will love it as much, if not more. (and that cliffhanger-ish ending killed me. this book isn’t even released yet, and i’m already hyped for the second book.) the dragon warrior comes out on october 15th. to quote the dedication section of this book – “for immigrants, children of immigrants, and diaspora readers everywhere: never forget that you are the dragon warriors and heroes of your own stories.” ♡
trigger warnings: death, violence
this review first appeared on my book blog, marshmallow pudding:
https://marshmallowpudding.home.blog/...
April 29, 2024
2024 edit: will this series ever be completed? 😭 i don't know about the goings on of the publishing industry but it upsets me that zhao has finished multiple writing projects since the sequel published in 2020 and either wasn't allowed to continue dragon warrior or stopped entirely 😔 i miss faryn and i want the best for her brother even though he sucks lmao
I am so incredibly happy and lucky that a book like this exists and I can see it on bookshelves. Katie Zhao is great with words and the reader can tell how proud she is of her heritage. As a Vietnamese-Chinese American, I feel the same struggles as the main character where I'm not Vietnamese enough for Vietnamese people, I'm not Chinese enough for Chinese people, and I'm not American enough for American people. It's hard to live with. Despite it being a middle grade book, Zhao's writing put a lot into perspective for me and I was tearing up by the end of it. The hurt, the laughter, the betrayals...I felt seen in a way I never felt reading American books growing up. If you want a better understanding of a small pocket of our culture, I cannot recommend this book enough. 10/10 would read again.
I am so incredibly happy and lucky that a book like this exists and I can see it on bookshelves. Katie Zhao is great with words and the reader can tell how proud she is of her heritage. As a Vietnamese-Chinese American, I feel the same struggles as the main character where I'm not Vietnamese enough for Vietnamese people, I'm not Chinese enough for Chinese people, and I'm not American enough for American people. It's hard to live with. Despite it being a middle grade book, Zhao's writing put a lot into perspective for me and I was tearing up by the end of it. The hurt, the laughter, the betrayals...I felt seen in a way I never felt reading American books growing up. If you want a better understanding of a small pocket of our culture, I cannot recommend this book enough. 10/10 would read again.
May 18, 2018
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.
October 12, 2019
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The gods didn't give me ultimate strength. My friends and family did.
This book is basically Chinese Percy Jackson, and I'm not saying this just because it's in the same genre and age group. Like PJO, The Dragon Warrior centers around mythology, but has a modern take on gods and goddesses that portrays them in a less godly light. The prose and dialogue are brimming with sarcasm and actually drew a snicker from me once or twice! And in the same vein as PJO, this book is a quest story starring heroes who encounter many evil gods and monsters along the way.
We follow Faryn Liu, who is a member of the Jade Society, a Chinese group of demon-fighting warriors that emigrated to America. Though Faryn is a member of the Jade Society through the father's side of her family, she and her brother are treated as outcasts because of their dad's disappearance and their multiracial origins.
The plot takes place during the Lunar New Year celebrations, a time wherein demonic activity is most rampant. Amidst the celebrations, Faryn learns that she is the Heaven Breaker, destined to become the Jade Emperor's general. But first, she must complete three tasks in the form of riddles. Joined by her brother Alex, her estranged best friend Moli, and Ren, a boy with a dragon living inside him, Faryn embarks on a quest across different Chinatowns in America to complete those three tasks.
Because of Faryn and Alex's heritage, they were shunned by the Jade Society and forced to endure endless ridicule and bullying. At the beginning of the book, the only family both she and her brother have besides each other is their Ye ye (grandfather), and their relationship with him was so loving and heartwarming.
Faryn is prime main character material. Though incredibly snarky, she has a genuine love for others, especially for her family and friends. Of course, she doesn't immediately adjust to her role as the Heaven Breaker, but she learns the works nicely, and it was so fun to follow her story.
I also love how gender roles were tackled because Faryn, though the sister, is the fighter, while Alex is the scholar. However, this is a source of insecurity for Alex, especially after Faryn becomes the Heaven Breaker and not him. I appreciated how Faryn and Alex's relationship was crafted, because even though you can tell that they both love each other, they do get jealous of each other (or rather, Alex gets jealous of Faryn), and they have differing beliefs.
I can't believe that this is a debut because the writing and pacing were so solid. Though this book has strong ties to Chinese mythology, something that isn't familiar to many (including me), nothing is ever hard to grasp.
The Dragon Warrior is a love letter to Chinese kids and diaspora kids. And as a full Chinese girl who isn't fluent in Mandarin or well-versed in Chinese customs, this book made me feel so validated, because it constantly sends out a message to diaspora kids that they are enough, and that they can be the hero of their own stories.
August 29, 2018
I had the great pleasure of reading this book earlier this year, and even then, it was fantastic! I can't wait to re-read the final published version of this!
It has EVERYTHING - magic, adventure, strong family dynamics, hilarious jokes, food, a fantastic protagonist, heart-warming passages, and a story that keeps you glued to the page.
Apart from that, it's just extremely unique--a fantasy adventure based on Chinese deities, and spent racing through Chinatowns spread across the US? And with a mixed-race protagonist?! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT
Do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR, and preorder once the links come out! This book is NOT to be missed.
It has EVERYTHING - magic, adventure, strong family dynamics, hilarious jokes, food, a fantastic protagonist, heart-warming passages, and a story that keeps you glued to the page.
Apart from that, it's just extremely unique--a fantasy adventure based on Chinese deities, and spent racing through Chinatowns spread across the US? And with a mixed-race protagonist?! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT
Do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR, and preorder once the links come out! This book is NOT to be missed.
April 24, 2021
This was such a great fast-paced read! I love reading books that open me up to other cultures, & this definitely did. This is full of Chinese mythology, & I found it all so fascinating & intriguing! There are a lot of deities & demon names to keep track of, & sometimes I couldn’t remember who was who, or where they had come in before, but after a while they each stood out more. I also saw after finishing that there’s a glossary in the back! I shoulda checked before reading! So helpful, & love that.
As a member of the Jade Society, Faryn Liu dreams of honoring her family & the gods by becoming a warrior. But the Society has shunned Faryn & her brother Alex ever since their father disappeared years ago, forcing them to train in secret. Then during an errand she stumbles into battle w/a demon-& helps defeat it. She just might be the fabled Heaven Breaker, a powerful warrior meant to work for the all-mighty deity, the Jade Emperor, by commanding an army of dragons to defeat the demons.-well, IF she can prove her worth & find the island of the immortals before the Lunar New Year.
With Alex & other unlikely allies at her side, Faryn sets off on a daring quest across Chinatowns. But becoming the Heaven Breaker will require more sacrifices than she first realized.
I am always shocked & saddened that certain races/cultures also receive prejudice from others of their own race/culture. When she said something about some of the people snubbing their noses at her b/c she wasn’t “Chinese enough” to them basically b/c of being 1/2 Chinese-that broke my heart. She showed them though. To be a warrior or a hero, it doesn’t matter what your race or culture or any of that is-it matters what’s in your heart. Alex made me so angry a lot of the times. He has a lot of anger, & needs to find himself, & stop comparing himself to others. You really root for him to find some kind of peace. Faryn is very relatable & likable, & I adored her. Ren has my heart though. Absolutely love his character. This is full of action, adventure, Gods, demons, dragons, family, humor, friendship, culture, heart, & hope. There’s 1 part at the end that made me sad-& y’all know I hate that, & that’s why I read MG, is to avoid that. I see why it had to happen for things to escalate where they needed to, but my heart hurts lol. That’s just a me thing though. Absolutely loved this, & can’t wait to start book 2 tonight! Highly recommend!Of course another STUNNING cover by Vivienne To too!💜
As a member of the Jade Society, Faryn Liu dreams of honoring her family & the gods by becoming a warrior. But the Society has shunned Faryn & her brother Alex ever since their father disappeared years ago, forcing them to train in secret. Then during an errand she stumbles into battle w/a demon-& helps defeat it. She just might be the fabled Heaven Breaker, a powerful warrior meant to work for the all-mighty deity, the Jade Emperor, by commanding an army of dragons to defeat the demons.-well, IF she can prove her worth & find the island of the immortals before the Lunar New Year.
With Alex & other unlikely allies at her side, Faryn sets off on a daring quest across Chinatowns. But becoming the Heaven Breaker will require more sacrifices than she first realized.
I am always shocked & saddened that certain races/cultures also receive prejudice from others of their own race/culture. When she said something about some of the people snubbing their noses at her b/c she wasn’t “Chinese enough” to them basically b/c of being 1/2 Chinese-that broke my heart. She showed them though. To be a warrior or a hero, it doesn’t matter what your race or culture or any of that is-it matters what’s in your heart. Alex made me so angry a lot of the times. He has a lot of anger, & needs to find himself, & stop comparing himself to others. You really root for him to find some kind of peace. Faryn is very relatable & likable, & I adored her. Ren has my heart though. Absolutely love his character. This is full of action, adventure, Gods, demons, dragons, family, humor, friendship, culture, heart, & hope. There’s 1 part at the end that made me sad-& y’all know I hate that, & that’s why I read MG, is to avoid that. I see why it had to happen for things to escalate where they needed to, but my heart hurts lol. That’s just a me thing though. Absolutely loved this, & can’t wait to start book 2 tonight! Highly recommend!Of course another STUNNING cover by Vivienne To too!💜
Want to read
July 2, 2020Just from the blurb/cover, this book reminds me of Fablehaven (AKA one of my favourite fantasy-adventure series of all time)—but steeped in Chinese mythology and centring Asian American characters.
MY JAM, y'all.
MY JAM, y'all.
January 13, 2022
SO DAMN GOOD.
reading about my culture so fleshed out in a book?
the best feeling ever.
review:
The Dragon Warrior started off with the Lunar New Year celebrations and decorations and I was sold immediately. Diving into this familiar scene that I experience every single year made the book so close to my heart. As a consistent YA book reader, I totally forgot Faryn and the rest of the characters are young teenagers. I even found myself yelling at one of the teenagers at how childish and immature the person was being. note: I’m a 22 year old young adult screaming at a 12 year old. ha.
From the start to the end, the book is action-packed, non-stop entertainment and mythologies and pure fun. Nobody expected Faryn to be the Heaven Breaker, the wielder of FengHuang and the master of dragons. All of a sudden, the Jade Society’s name is on her shoulders and she might finally be on her way to search for her missing father. Faryn was shunned by the Jade Society from the moment her father disappeared, and was consistently bullied because of it. But she never stopped learning and practicing her fighting skills.
I really liked Faryn’s character. She’s really taking the situation into her own hands, trusting her gut and thinking ahead. She holds family close to her heart, and she’s incredibly brave and courageous. Faryn is a teenager with a mission and nothing can stop her. Although, I do wish she stops once in a while to find out what her brother is worrying about.
Alex is different from his sister. Their grandfather who trains them always remarked that Faryn’s better in combat while Alex is a scholar. He doesn’t show it much but it’s obvious that comments like that bothered him a lot. But I liked that he’s more brains. His vast knowledge of the history and mythology surrounding the gods had gotten them out of tough situations many times. The siblings are fiercely protective and loyal to each other, and their love fuels their need to find their lost father.
Every time I read about something familiar, like the CNY setting or all the yummy chinese foods, it gave me positive chills. It’s so amazing to be able to relate to my own tradition and heritage in a novel. Thank you, Katie Zhao for writing a book so close to who I am and writing the Chinese culture and myths that encapsulate this novel so beautifully and brilliantly. I’ve read many more #OwnVoices novels and Asian-centric books this year but The Dragon Warrior was the one that spoke to me the most. I perk up every time a deity I know pops up (Guanyin, Erlang Shen, Nezha) or when the characters say something in Mandarin. It’s just so much of me in a tiny book, and I loved every single moment of it. It definitely a throwback to all the Chinese mythology tv shows I watched when I was a little one.
All in all, The Dragon Warrior had all the elements I seek for in a book and more. Lush world building, heart-warming sibling dynamic, complex and fast-paced plot lines, wonderful characters and easy-to-read writing. Not only that, I loved that I’m seeing my roots and heritage so fleshed out in a book.
books in the series:
1. the dragon warrior: ✰✰✰✰✰
2. the fallen hero: ✰✰✰✰✰
reading about my culture so fleshed out in a book?
the best feeling ever.
review:
The Dragon Warrior started off with the Lunar New Year celebrations and decorations and I was sold immediately. Diving into this familiar scene that I experience every single year made the book so close to my heart. As a consistent YA book reader, I totally forgot Faryn and the rest of the characters are young teenagers. I even found myself yelling at one of the teenagers at how childish and immature the person was being. note: I’m a 22 year old young adult screaming at a 12 year old. ha.
From the start to the end, the book is action-packed, non-stop entertainment and mythologies and pure fun. Nobody expected Faryn to be the Heaven Breaker, the wielder of FengHuang and the master of dragons. All of a sudden, the Jade Society’s name is on her shoulders and she might finally be on her way to search for her missing father. Faryn was shunned by the Jade Society from the moment her father disappeared, and was consistently bullied because of it. But she never stopped learning and practicing her fighting skills.
I really liked Faryn’s character. She’s really taking the situation into her own hands, trusting her gut and thinking ahead. She holds family close to her heart, and she’s incredibly brave and courageous. Faryn is a teenager with a mission and nothing can stop her. Although, I do wish she stops once in a while to find out what her brother is worrying about.
Alex is different from his sister. Their grandfather who trains them always remarked that Faryn’s better in combat while Alex is a scholar. He doesn’t show it much but it’s obvious that comments like that bothered him a lot. But I liked that he’s more brains. His vast knowledge of the history and mythology surrounding the gods had gotten them out of tough situations many times. The siblings are fiercely protective and loyal to each other, and their love fuels their need to find their lost father.
Every time I read about something familiar, like the CNY setting or all the yummy chinese foods, it gave me positive chills. It’s so amazing to be able to relate to my own tradition and heritage in a novel. Thank you, Katie Zhao for writing a book so close to who I am and writing the Chinese culture and myths that encapsulate this novel so beautifully and brilliantly. I’ve read many more #OwnVoices novels and Asian-centric books this year but The Dragon Warrior was the one that spoke to me the most. I perk up every time a deity I know pops up (Guanyin, Erlang Shen, Nezha) or when the characters say something in Mandarin. It’s just so much of me in a tiny book, and I loved every single moment of it. It definitely a throwback to all the Chinese mythology tv shows I watched when I was a little one.
All in all, The Dragon Warrior had all the elements I seek for in a book and more. Lush world building, heart-warming sibling dynamic, complex and fast-paced plot lines, wonderful characters and easy-to-read writing. Not only that, I loved that I’m seeing my roots and heritage so fleshed out in a book.
books in the series:
1. the dragon warrior: ✰✰✰✰✰
2. the fallen hero: ✰✰✰✰✰
May 12, 2020
3.5 stars
So, bearing in mind that I'm a Chinese-American but not MG reader, I quite liked this and I think my younger self would've liked it even more. The plot is a little formulaic, several of the reveals are fairly tropey, and the in-text translations felt clunky — but in the MG context, all of these could also be considered strengths.
It's rich in Chinese mythology, on a level that I think most young readers will be able to understand and appreciate. (And the glossary at the back will probably come in handy for many!) I really liked that it emphasized family and community values over romance; as an older sister myself, I absolutely adored Faryn and Alex's relationship. The plot itself is fun, ending on a twist that actually caught me surprise, leaving me curious to see what will happen next.
content warnings:
rep:
-----------
CONVERSION : 10.5 / 15 = 3.5 stars
Prose: 6 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 8 / 10
Emotional Impact: 7 / 10
Development / Flow: 6 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: N/A
Originality / Trope Execution: 3 / 5
Rereadability: 3 / 5
Memorability: 4 / 5
So, bearing in mind that I'm a Chinese-American but not MG reader, I quite liked this and I think my younger self would've liked it even more. The plot is a little formulaic, several of the reveals are fairly tropey, and the in-text translations felt clunky — but in the MG context, all of these could also be considered strengths.
It's rich in Chinese mythology, on a level that I think most young readers will be able to understand and appreciate. (And the glossary at the back will probably come in handy for many!) I really liked that it emphasized family and community values over romance; as an older sister myself, I absolutely adored Faryn and Alex's relationship. The plot itself is fun, ending on a twist that actually caught me surprise, leaving me curious to see what will happen next.
content warnings:
rep:
-----------
CONVERSION : 10.5 / 15 = 3.5 stars
Prose: 6 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 8 / 10
Emotional Impact: 7 / 10
Development / Flow: 6 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: N/A
Originality / Trope Execution: 3 / 5
Rereadability: 3 / 5
Memorability: 4 / 5
January 10, 2020
Special thanks to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. This, however, does not reflect the opinions in my review.
It’s so hard to review books that I have mixed feelings over. On the one hand, where were things this book did well and, on the other, things that really left me groaning.
What I loved most about the book was how much it embraced the Chinese culture – very Rick Riordan-esque. There aren’t many books on the market aiming for that demographic and for the sheer fact that it’s giving children the representation they need and want, I give it credit. I also especially loved that the main character, Faryn, was biracial. Many biracial individuals feel left out of their culture – as if they never truly belong in one sphere or the other – and I love that this book clearly addresses the hurt and frustration Faryn feels when she is judged on her skin tone, among other things. Other themes of the book, such as finding strength within yourself and your friends and family as well as family not always being blood, were great notes that I feel children need to hear more frequently as well. Especially in this day and age where families are pieced together through divorce, marriage, separation and adoption.
I felt like this also had good pacing for a children’s book, too. I managed to binge read it in one day, so I’m fairly certain it would keep a child engaged and turning the pages.
That said, there was quite a bit that just didn’t work for me personally. First and foremost, the characters. I felt that Faryn and her grandfather were solid, believable characters, but just about everyone else in the story was lackluster or card-board cutouts of usual caricatures. Faryn’s younger brother, particularly, was very wishy-washy. One moment he would be a cute, annoying little brother, the next he’d be super moody and upset with Faryn for being chosen as the Heaven Breaker. And his actions in the end of the story just seemed very forced and not at all like the sweet, devoted younger brother we met at the beginning of the story. (If there had been some sort of character arc throughout the story to justify this, I wouldn’t be as critical, but there really isn’t. The only thing that MIGHT have driven him to such a decision is his jealousy of his sister?) It’s like he turned a complete 180, personality wise. The best-friend-turned-enemy trope was very cut and dry and unimaginative. The bullies were your usual stereotypes with no real reason to be mean or ruthless to Faryn and her brother. The only real reason that we were given is because their dad ran off to be a warrior and because they’re biracial? I just seemed silly for the characters to be SO over-the-top horrible.
The quest that Faryn is given to go on is written in riddle form and it’s ridiculously easy for the reader to figure out. I get the novel is for kids, but give them some credit – they don’t need the whole plot to be spelled out for them. Given them some room to guess at what’s going to happen and even maybe draw the wrong conclusion! That’s half the fun. Riordan writes prophecies in many of his books, too, but they’re subtle and imaginative, not the cut and dry instructions that this “riddle” was in.
For a novel that is so thickly veiled in mythology and imaginary lands, there wasn’t much imagination involved. The gods themselves were mostly one dimensional, the demons they fought weren’t given enough “page time” to really be fearsome or ugly or for us to even really understand why they are the bad guys. Sure, they’re demons, but why do they want revenge on humankind? The dragons were cool, but we didn’t get much description about them other than color. Were they big or small? Did they have leathery wings? Did they have feathers or scales? Like, GIVE ME SOMETHING TO ENVISION.
Lastly, and my biggest pet peeve with the story, was that it didn’t feel like Faryn really had much agency in the novel. For being the “chosen one” stereotype, she didn’t really strike me as particularly hero-worthy until literally the climax of the book when she finally gets her crap together. For 90 percent of the book, she either has her grandfather, gods, or her friends come to her rescue. Can’t figure out the (ridiculously easy) riddle? Brother solves it. Can’t figure out how to get from Point A to Point B? Have your friend drive you there in a flying chariot. Can’t escape a jail cell? Call a dragon to rescue you. Can’t defeat a demon? Call on dear old grandpa or a god for help. It was just so aggravating! I’m trying to root for you, Faryn, but you’re not giving me much to work with here! At least in the last 50 pages or so, she FINALLY starts thinking for herself and doing things on her own. Perhaps that was just her character arc (even though she admitted from chapter one that she was a fierce warrior), but is was VERY frustrating following a protagonist that was literally doing nothing but going with the flow for over 200 pages.
Overall, I think this novel had solid bare bones structure but could have REALLY used some help in character development and attention to detail. For a cute, escapist Own Voices children’s book, it works, but it’s upsetting knowing that with a little tweaking it could have been SO MUCH MORE. As it is, the book didn’t leave me with enough desire to return to the world to see what happens in the sequel.
It’s so hard to review books that I have mixed feelings over. On the one hand, where were things this book did well and, on the other, things that really left me groaning.
What I loved most about the book was how much it embraced the Chinese culture – very Rick Riordan-esque. There aren’t many books on the market aiming for that demographic and for the sheer fact that it’s giving children the representation they need and want, I give it credit. I also especially loved that the main character, Faryn, was biracial. Many biracial individuals feel left out of their culture – as if they never truly belong in one sphere or the other – and I love that this book clearly addresses the hurt and frustration Faryn feels when she is judged on her skin tone, among other things. Other themes of the book, such as finding strength within yourself and your friends and family as well as family not always being blood, were great notes that I feel children need to hear more frequently as well. Especially in this day and age where families are pieced together through divorce, marriage, separation and adoption.
I felt like this also had good pacing for a children’s book, too. I managed to binge read it in one day, so I’m fairly certain it would keep a child engaged and turning the pages.
That said, there was quite a bit that just didn’t work for me personally. First and foremost, the characters. I felt that Faryn and her grandfather were solid, believable characters, but just about everyone else in the story was lackluster or card-board cutouts of usual caricatures. Faryn’s younger brother, particularly, was very wishy-washy. One moment he would be a cute, annoying little brother, the next he’d be super moody and upset with Faryn for being chosen as the Heaven Breaker. And his actions in the end of the story just seemed very forced and not at all like the sweet, devoted younger brother we met at the beginning of the story. (If there had been some sort of character arc throughout the story to justify this, I wouldn’t be as critical, but there really isn’t. The only thing that MIGHT have driven him to such a decision is his jealousy of his sister?) It’s like he turned a complete 180, personality wise. The best-friend-turned-enemy trope was very cut and dry and unimaginative. The bullies were your usual stereotypes with no real reason to be mean or ruthless to Faryn and her brother. The only real reason that we were given is because their dad ran off to be a warrior and because they’re biracial? I just seemed silly for the characters to be SO over-the-top horrible.
The quest that Faryn is given to go on is written in riddle form and it’s ridiculously easy for the reader to figure out. I get the novel is for kids, but give them some credit – they don’t need the whole plot to be spelled out for them. Given them some room to guess at what’s going to happen and even maybe draw the wrong conclusion! That’s half the fun. Riordan writes prophecies in many of his books, too, but they’re subtle and imaginative, not the cut and dry instructions that this “riddle” was in.
For a novel that is so thickly veiled in mythology and imaginary lands, there wasn’t much imagination involved. The gods themselves were mostly one dimensional, the demons they fought weren’t given enough “page time” to really be fearsome or ugly or for us to even really understand why they are the bad guys. Sure, they’re demons, but why do they want revenge on humankind? The dragons were cool, but we didn’t get much description about them other than color. Were they big or small? Did they have leathery wings? Did they have feathers or scales? Like, GIVE ME SOMETHING TO ENVISION.
Lastly, and my biggest pet peeve with the story, was that it didn’t feel like Faryn really had much agency in the novel. For being the “chosen one” stereotype, she didn’t really strike me as particularly hero-worthy until literally the climax of the book when she finally gets her crap together. For 90 percent of the book, she either has her grandfather, gods, or her friends come to her rescue. Can’t figure out the (ridiculously easy) riddle? Brother solves it. Can’t figure out how to get from Point A to Point B? Have your friend drive you there in a flying chariot. Can’t escape a jail cell? Call a dragon to rescue you. Can’t defeat a demon? Call on dear old grandpa or a god for help. It was just so aggravating! I’m trying to root for you, Faryn, but you’re not giving me much to work with here! At least in the last 50 pages or so, she FINALLY starts thinking for herself and doing things on her own. Perhaps that was just her character arc (even though she admitted from chapter one that she was a fierce warrior), but is was VERY frustrating following a protagonist that was literally doing nothing but going with the flow for over 200 pages.
Overall, I think this novel had solid bare bones structure but could have REALLY used some help in character development and attention to detail. For a cute, escapist Own Voices children’s book, it works, but it’s upsetting knowing that with a little tweaking it could have been SO MUCH MORE. As it is, the book didn’t leave me with enough desire to return to the world to see what happens in the sequel.
October 9, 2019
One of the most fun adventures I've ever had the pleasure to read through! A perfect little mixture of everything I adore from Percy Jackson with brilliant incorporation of Chinese culture! A must read for every bookworm! 💛
April 1, 2019
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. 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.
September 3, 2020
Hello, everyone! I’m extremely excited for today’s blog post because I’m participating in the official blog tour for The Dragon Warrior which is hosted by Shealea from Caffeine Book Tours. I was so excited to be invited to review this #OwnVoices middle-grade fantasy because this was a story that spoke to my childhood. Through the incorporation of Chinese mythology and culture, Katie Zhao has crafted a world that touches the heart of every immigrant and child of diaspora. From hilarious dialogue to adventurous characters, this heartfelt story encourages every young reader that with bravery, determination, and a hint of magic, they too can be a hero.
The Dragon Warrior follows the journey of 12-year-old Faryn Liu, a young multiracial girl who lives in San Francisco with her younger brother, Alex, and her grandfather. After stumbling across a demon one evening, she discovers her powers and true identity as the Heaven Breaker, a powerful warrior to the Jade Emperor. To prove herself worthy, she and her brother must travel on a quest across the country, growing deeper with her culture and finding her own family along the way.
Reading Katie’s writing was a magical experience—one second you’ll be laughing from the funniest joke to quietly sobbing from an unexpected turn. Fans of Rick Riordan’s writing in the Percy Jackson series will find themselves loving the equally lighthearted sass and humor. Her vivid descriptions of rou bao zi (steamed buns) and nian gao (sticky rice cakes) will leave you hungry for more. The entire story was easy to fly through, and reading it felt like watching an adventure movie unfold.
As an Asian American reader, my heart grew 10x while reading this book because I wished that my younger self had this story while growing up. Seeing endless references from my childhood brought back many memories of Chinese New Year celebrations with my family, and in her story of family and forgiveness, Faryn reminds all readers that anyone can be a hero, showing the reader that there is more than what meets the eye.
Overall, The Dragon Warrior did not disappoint as one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2019, and I would definitely recommend this book to all my friends! In fact, this is a book I’m excited to share with all my younger cousins because I hope they will feel inspired by Faryn and the magical Chinese culture. I cannot wait for this story to be in the hands of other young readers because it will easily become a new favorite.
The Dragon Warrior follows the journey of 12-year-old Faryn Liu, a young multiracial girl who lives in San Francisco with her younger brother, Alex, and her grandfather. After stumbling across a demon one evening, she discovers her powers and true identity as the Heaven Breaker, a powerful warrior to the Jade Emperor. To prove herself worthy, she and her brother must travel on a quest across the country, growing deeper with her culture and finding her own family along the way.
Reading Katie’s writing was a magical experience—one second you’ll be laughing from the funniest joke to quietly sobbing from an unexpected turn. Fans of Rick Riordan’s writing in the Percy Jackson series will find themselves loving the equally lighthearted sass and humor. Her vivid descriptions of rou bao zi (steamed buns) and nian gao (sticky rice cakes) will leave you hungry for more. The entire story was easy to fly through, and reading it felt like watching an adventure movie unfold.
As an Asian American reader, my heart grew 10x while reading this book because I wished that my younger self had this story while growing up. Seeing endless references from my childhood brought back many memories of Chinese New Year celebrations with my family, and in her story of family and forgiveness, Faryn reminds all readers that anyone can be a hero, showing the reader that there is more than what meets the eye.
Overall, The Dragon Warrior did not disappoint as one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2019, and I would definitely recommend this book to all my friends! In fact, this is a book I’m excited to share with all my younger cousins because I hope they will feel inspired by Faryn and the magical Chinese culture. I cannot wait for this story to be in the hands of other young readers because it will easily become a new favorite.
May 18, 2018
This is the book for every little girl who read the Percy Jackson series and wanted to see herself as the hero of an amazing world. This is the book for girls with enormous hearts who believe love is more powerful than raw strength and physical attributes. This is the book for girls who have never seen themselves kick butt in middle grade books. This is the book Scholastic Book Fairs need to hand to every single middle grade reader in this country. This. Book.
It makes me laugh until I cry, and then cry until I laugh. Faryn's story touches my heart, and her warrior journey fills me with pure excitement. I could read this book a hundred times and still find places that bring me to tears (both from laughter and feels). Katie's voice is so unique, genuine, and epic. She brings the Chinese deities into an urban fantasy setting without missing a beat. Her plot twists bring you to your knees. And she never hesitates to talk about hard-hitting topics.
A hilarious and big hearted heroine. Killer world building. Complex and heart-wrenching sibling dynamics. Delicious food descriptions. A laugh out loud cast of deities. And DRAGONS!?!? Honestly, what more could you possibly want?
It makes me laugh until I cry, and then cry until I laugh. Faryn's story touches my heart, and her warrior journey fills me with pure excitement. I could read this book a hundred times and still find places that bring me to tears (both from laughter and feels). Katie's voice is so unique, genuine, and epic. She brings the Chinese deities into an urban fantasy setting without missing a beat. Her plot twists bring you to your knees. And she never hesitates to talk about hard-hitting topics.
A hilarious and big hearted heroine. Killer world building. Complex and heart-wrenching sibling dynamics. Delicious food descriptions. A laugh out loud cast of deities. And DRAGONS!?!? Honestly, what more could you possibly want?
November 3, 2018
I was so lucky to be able to read THE DRAGON WARRIOR early! It was this perfect blend of heart and humor, with settings so well-described I could envision myself in each of the different Chinatowns or the center of the Jade Society’s compound. The story was rich with truths, showing how friendships crack and mend, how family bonds might be tested, and how doing the right thing isn’t always what you think it is. The adventure in this book swept me away in a golden chariot led by flying horses!!
And Faryn, the main character, was both strong and vulnerable, wanting so much to believe in her own strength and her unexpected destiny, but struggling all the same against those who did not think her worthy. (Oh, she was MORE than worthy!)
Katie Zhao had me laughing one moment, gasping in surprise in the next, and even finding hope in the saddest moments in the story. I’m so looking forward to seeing this amazing book out in the world!
And Faryn, the main character, was both strong and vulnerable, wanting so much to believe in her own strength and her unexpected destiny, but struggling all the same against those who did not think her worthy. (Oh, she was MORE than worthy!)
Katie Zhao had me laughing one moment, gasping in surprise in the next, and even finding hope in the saddest moments in the story. I’m so looking forward to seeing this amazing book out in the world!
September 12, 2019
I'm so freaking happy that books like this exist. 12 year old Chloe would have adored the HECK out of it (though 20 year old Chloe did too!). Faryn is fierce, the plot is tight, the jokes are hilarious, the Chinese aspect is WONDERFUL, and YE YE!!! MY FAVE!!! It has my whole heart.
Want to read
January 16, 2019look at that gorgeous cover!! this book is going to own my heart <3
August 9, 2020
This was so much fun and left on SUCH a cliffhanger - I can’t wait to read book 2!
August 22, 2020
I really struggled to rate this book -- mostly because I also struggled to get through it. I think that's more a reflection of who I've become as a reader. Middle Grade voice just doesn't do it for me anymore, which is sad.
That being said, I think the intended MG audience will eat this up. Something fun and unique happens in every chapter, and there are - of course - dragons! The most important ingredient in a good book! The battle sequences are sure to entertain young readers and the magic of the demons, deities, dragons, and warriors will keep them spellbound. It's a great introduction to East Asian culture and lore.
My favorite character in the book was Ren (duh), although I also liked Faryn/Falun's journey. I thought she shone most when she was interacting with Alex, and the twists and turns at the end threw me for several loops. I'm conflicted about my feelings on all that panned out in those final pages, but overall I think the good outweighed the bad.
That being said, I think the intended MG audience will eat this up. Something fun and unique happens in every chapter, and there are - of course - dragons! The most important ingredient in a good book! The battle sequences are sure to entertain young readers and the magic of the demons, deities, dragons, and warriors will keep them spellbound. It's a great introduction to East Asian culture and lore.
My favorite character in the book was Ren (duh), although I also liked Faryn/Falun's journey. I thought she shone most when she was interacting with Alex, and the twists and turns at the end threw me for several loops. I'm conflicted about my feelings on all that panned out in those final pages, but overall I think the good outweighed the bad.
September 3, 2021
Dragons. Chinese mythology. Dragons. A ragtag crew forced together. A godly war. A quest. DRAGONS.
In a lot of ways, this book felt like an Asian version of Percy Jackson. I don’t want to compare every mythology-based middle grade to Percy Jackson, but this really did remind me of it. 12-year old Faryn and her brother Alex are trying to command an army of dragons to defeat demons, and they have to do so before the Lunar New Year. Faryn is super fierce and brave but also very compassionate, and I love how the author explored Faryn’s identity as a multiracial Asian American. There’s also Moli, Faryn’s frenemy, and Ren, a half-dragon/half-human boy.
I really enjoyed seeing the characters grow closer as the story developed, and I loved their dynamics. Their banter and humour were top tier. I also enjoyed reading a story that incorporates Chinese folklore and gods — I’m ethnically Chinese so it’s vaguely familiar to me, and I think the author did a great job of portraying Chinese culture in a thoughtful, nuanced way. The plot itself was action-packed and it kept me guessing throughout the story — there were many twists I didn’t expect.
This was such a fun book and I loved it. If you love sarcasm, dragons, mythology, and/or you can relate to the immigrant/disapora experience, then you should 100% read this.
In a lot of ways, this book felt like an Asian version of Percy Jackson. I don’t want to compare every mythology-based middle grade to Percy Jackson, but this really did remind me of it. 12-year old Faryn and her brother Alex are trying to command an army of dragons to defeat demons, and they have to do so before the Lunar New Year. Faryn is super fierce and brave but also very compassionate, and I love how the author explored Faryn’s identity as a multiracial Asian American. There’s also Moli, Faryn’s frenemy, and Ren, a half-dragon/half-human boy.
I really enjoyed seeing the characters grow closer as the story developed, and I loved their dynamics. Their banter and humour were top tier. I also enjoyed reading a story that incorporates Chinese folklore and gods — I’m ethnically Chinese so it’s vaguely familiar to me, and I think the author did a great job of portraying Chinese culture in a thoughtful, nuanced way. The plot itself was action-packed and it kept me guessing throughout the story — there were many twists I didn’t expect.
This was such a fun book and I loved it. If you love sarcasm, dragons, mythology, and/or you can relate to the immigrant/disapora experience, then you should 100% read this.
November 23, 2021
Rep: biracial Chinese American mc & side character, Chinese & Chinese American side characters
June 15, 2021
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. Omg. Omg. THE DRAGON WARRIOR is such a gorgeous book that dives right into Chinese mythology set in our modern world. Katie is such a masterful writer and some of the big, emotional reveals in this made me audibly gasp. The world is lush, the characters jump off the page, and IT'S SO FUNNY. I'm not a person that laughs easily when I read--getting a snort out of me is pretty impressive. But this book had me laughing every chapter! Like, OUT LOUD! It's the only book I've ever read that had me giggling constantly as I read. Humor is so hard to do but Katie's jokes land perfectly.
This is also a book that's going to change reader's lives. It's upper MG, but the fast pace and rich mythology means that anyone can be sucked in. I can really see this as a go-to book like PERCY JACKSON for teachers and librarians to hand to reluctant readers and ensure they'll be swept away. This book is also so, so vital for the time we're living in. While it's exciting and funny and thrilling, it's also a book about found family, about stepping into your own heroism, and about seeing people for who they are instead of the image the world presses upon them. Katie never punches down with her humor, but only lifts up, and the diverse cast means so many kids will see themselves in this story. I'm so honored I got to read it early, and I can't wait to see THE DRAGON WARRIOR take over the world! <3
This is also a book that's going to change reader's lives. It's upper MG, but the fast pace and rich mythology means that anyone can be sucked in. I can really see this as a go-to book like PERCY JACKSON for teachers and librarians to hand to reluctant readers and ensure they'll be swept away. This book is also so, so vital for the time we're living in. While it's exciting and funny and thrilling, it's also a book about found family, about stepping into your own heroism, and about seeing people for who they are instead of the image the world presses upon them. Katie never punches down with her humor, but only lifts up, and the diverse cast means so many kids will see themselves in this story. I'm so honored I got to read it early, and I can't wait to see THE DRAGON WARRIOR take over the world! <3
October 7, 2019
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Dragon Warrior is an action packed middle grade that will make your mouth water. There are sassy characters who will charm you, vulnerable ones who will worm their way into your heart, and moments that will make you smile. It's a story about family, forgiveness, forgiveness and believing in yourself. The Dragon Warrior is perfect for fans of Aru Shah (which is the last middle grade fantasy I read). Traditions and histories unfurl on the page in an action packed debut. While there are very real dangers - the destruction of our home and the fate of the world - it's balanced by having to quest with our ex-best friend. Zhao maintains a wonderful balance between action, humor, and tougher topics: racism and corruption.
Our main character, Faryn is multiracial and with her absent father, struggles in the Jade Society amongst constant teasing and moments of cruelty. While she excels at being a warrior, she isn't free to pursue her interests. All while her brother feels the strain to be stronger and tougher, to emulate the male role models in the Jade Society - even though he's a clever book worm. They become thrown into a quest to embrace Faryn's destiny, even as Faryn feels her own doubt.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
The Dragon Warrior is an action packed middle grade that will make your mouth water. There are sassy characters who will charm you, vulnerable ones who will worm their way into your heart, and moments that will make you smile. It's a story about family, forgiveness, forgiveness and believing in yourself. The Dragon Warrior is perfect for fans of Aru Shah (which is the last middle grade fantasy I read). Traditions and histories unfurl on the page in an action packed debut. While there are very real dangers - the destruction of our home and the fate of the world - it's balanced by having to quest with our ex-best friend. Zhao maintains a wonderful balance between action, humor, and tougher topics: racism and corruption.
Our main character, Faryn is multiracial and with her absent father, struggles in the Jade Society amongst constant teasing and moments of cruelty. While she excels at being a warrior, she isn't free to pursue her interests. All while her brother feels the strain to be stronger and tougher, to emulate the male role models in the Jade Society - even though he's a clever book worm. They become thrown into a quest to embrace Faryn's destiny, even as Faryn feels her own doubt.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
May 18, 2018
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!!!
October 12, 2019
Fun and amazing! Review to follow.
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