543 books
—
466 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Fallen Hero (The Dragon Warrior, #2)” as Want to Read:
The Fallen Hero
(The Dragon Warrior #2)
by
Faryn Liu thought she was the Heaven Breaker, a warrior destined to wield the all-powerful spear Fenghuang, command dragons, and defeat demons. But a conniving goddess was manipulating her all along...and her beloved younger brother, Alex, has betrayed her and taken over as the Heaven Breaker instead. Alex never forgave the people who treated him and Faryn like outcasts, a
...more
Published
October 13th 2020
by Bloomsbury USA Kids
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Fallen Hero,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about The Fallen Hero
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Fallen Hero (The Dragon Warrior, #2)

Sep 22, 2020
CW (The Quiet Pond) ✨
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
arc,
middle-grade,
diverse-shelf,
has-poc-rep,
year-of-the-asianreading-2020,
2020,
ownvoices
Read my full review on my book blog, The Quiet Pond.
Heck yeah! It's so satisfying to read a sequel that not only holds a candle to its first book but also gives us more Chinese mythology, more action, and more human vs god shenanigans. I had so much fun reading this!
- Takes place six months after the events of The Dragon Warrior; Faryn has joined a group of warriors based in Manhattan Chinatown and is sent on another quest to as the impending war with the gods looms closer, whilst grappling wit ...more
Heck yeah! It's so satisfying to read a sequel that not only holds a candle to its first book but also gives us more Chinese mythology, more action, and more human vs god shenanigans. I had so much fun reading this!
- Takes place six months after the events of The Dragon Warrior; Faryn has joined a group of warriors based in Manhattan Chinatown and is sent on another quest to as the impending war with the gods looms closer, whilst grappling wit ...more

Aug 24, 2020
belle ☆ミ (thisbellereadstoo)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
diverse,
anticipating-these,
middle-grade,
asian-rep-or-author,
ebook,
2020-releases,
read-2020
october 13 hasn't arrive yet but i already need book three.
i want it!!!!!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
check out the review on my blog!
Looking for a book filled with adventure, Chinese mythology, witty conversations, and most importantly, references to yummy goodness (e.g., bubble tea, pocky, choco pie)? The Fallen Hero is your answer. I could personally relate to one of the characters who mused “No bubble tea. Ha. As if any soul could survive in ...more
i want it!!!!!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
check out the review on my blog!
Looking for a book filled with adventure, Chinese mythology, witty conversations, and most importantly, references to yummy goodness (e.g., bubble tea, pocky, choco pie)? The Fallen Hero is your answer. I could personally relate to one of the characters who mused “No bubble tea. Ha. As if any soul could survive in ...more

Wowza! This was even better than the 1st! This grabbed hold of me, & wouldn’t let go. I flew through this. Can’t say much since it’s the 2nd book, but I’m in love w/this series! This is filled w/even more Chinese mythology, & I learned even more about it.
There are things going on that still connect to aspects of book 1, but instead of the focus being the Lunar New Year, the focus in this is the Hungry Ghost Festival, & a whole new quest of course during it. Everything is more intense & on a who ...more
There are things going on that still connect to aspects of book 1, but instead of the focus being the Lunar New Year, the focus in this is the Hungry Ghost Festival, & a whole new quest of course during it. Everything is more intense & on a who ...more

Katie Zhao captured my heart with her debut novel which perfectly encapsulated the diaspora experience, and I was ecstatic to find that her sophomore novel did not disappoint!
Filled with touching family moments and immersive writing, The Fallen Hero is a showstopping novel that explores themes of identity, friendship, and courage. I truly wish I had a story like this to read when I was growing up because Katie’s writing touches the heart of every immigrant and child of diaspora.
The Fallen Hero ...more
Filled with touching family moments and immersive writing, The Fallen Hero is a showstopping novel that explores themes of identity, friendship, and courage. I truly wish I had a story like this to read when I was growing up because Katie’s writing touches the heart of every immigrant and child of diaspora.
The Fallen Hero ...more

(Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Fallen Hero is a sequel that only explores even more deeply the themes I loved about The Dragon Warrior: our sense of family, our role in the world of gods and humans, and searching for a purpose. It's a story that asks us what we will sacrifice for the greater good, for a calling that demands a price. Grappling with issues of belonging, The Fallen Hero, like it's name suggests, ...more
The Fallen Hero is a sequel that only explores even more deeply the themes I loved about The Dragon Warrior: our sense of family, our role in the world of gods and humans, and searching for a purpose. It's a story that asks us what we will sacrifice for the greater good, for a calling that demands a price. Grappling with issues of belonging, The Fallen Hero, like it's name suggests, ...more

[ 4🌟 ]
Content Warnings: abandonment, violence (battle context)
*I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from the publisher and Caffeine Book Tours as part of my participation in their tour. This does not affect my honest review.
I read The Fallen Hero after rereading The Dragon Warrior (I read it more than a year ago—my memory isn’t that great😔), and let me tell you, I flew through this sequel.
Like in The Dragon Warrior, I really loved how The Fallen Hero delves into the complexities of ...more
Content Warnings: abandonment, violence (battle context)
*I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from the publisher and Caffeine Book Tours as part of my participation in their tour. This does not affect my honest review.
I read The Fallen Hero after rereading The Dragon Warrior (I read it more than a year ago—my memory isn’t that great😔), and let me tell you, I flew through this sequel.
Like in The Dragon Warrior, I really loved how The Fallen Hero delves into the complexities of ...more

i received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. all opinions below are my own.
4.5 stars
last year, i read and LOVED the dragon warrior, and the fallen hero, packed to the brim with elements of chinese folklore, heartwarming moments, and brilliant jokes, was just as amazing! katie zhao’s writing really never fails to impress ❤
there are so many things i absolutely adored about this book:
• growing up, the monkey king legend (also known as journey to the west 西遊記) was a large ...more
4.5 stars
last year, i read and LOVED the dragon warrior, and the fallen hero, packed to the brim with elements of chinese folklore, heartwarming moments, and brilliant jokes, was just as amazing! katie zhao’s writing really never fails to impress ❤
there are so many things i absolutely adored about this book:
• growing up, the monkey king legend (also known as journey to the west 西遊記) was a large ...more

Jul 27, 2021
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
on-the-blog,
review-copies-arcs
A copy of the book was provided for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a copy does not guarantee a positive review and therefore does not affect the opinion or content of the review.
The Dragon Warrior
is perhaps one of my favorite middle-grade novels of all time - it was a definite favorite from 2019, and it left me with so many questions (along with a need for more). The Fallen Hero is the sequel to The Dragon Warrior, jumping right in. Zhao left the story with Faryn not being too k
...more

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Fallen Hero picks up where The Dragon Warrior left off before a six month time skip. We find Faryn and Ren training with the New Order in Manhattan's Chinatown after the events of the first book, and they are about to embark on another quest to save the world from the gods who have turned their backs on humans.
I loved the first book, and knew that I would love the sequel as ...more
The Fallen Hero picks up where The Dragon Warrior left off before a six month time skip. We find Faryn and Ren training with the New Order in Manhattan's Chinatown after the events of the first book, and they are about to embark on another quest to save the world from the gods who have turned their backs on humans.
I loved the first book, and knew that I would love the sequel as ...more

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Children’s Books for giving me the opportunity to read an eARC of The Fallen Hero in exchange for an honest review.
First, if you’re wondering about my thoughts on the first book in The Dragon Warrior series, check out my review here. I’m very happy to say that this sequel did not disappoint. Just as a warning, this review will include spoilers for The Dragon Warrior.
The Fallen Hero picks up a few months after the events of The Dragon Warrior. Faryn and Ren a ...more
First, if you’re wondering about my thoughts on the first book in The Dragon Warrior series, check out my review here. I’m very happy to say that this sequel did not disappoint. Just as a warning, this review will include spoilers for The Dragon Warrior.
The Fallen Hero picks up a few months after the events of The Dragon Warrior. Faryn and Ren a ...more

This was so disappointing. The first book was so enjoyable, and this sequel matched nearly every single important story beat of its predecessor:
- the heroine is at odds with another female character
- said female character gets left behind somehow
- a male deity betrays the main party
There have been so many betrayals that at this point they're to be expected.
Also, when I started reading this, there was a clearly established six month time skip from the end of the previous book. I felt like I miss ...more
- the heroine is at odds with another female character
- said female character gets left behind somehow
- a male deity betrays the main party
There have been so many betrayals that at this point they're to be expected.
Also, when I started reading this, there was a clearly established six month time skip from the end of the previous book. I felt like I miss ...more

E ARC provided by Netgalley
After The Dragon Warrior, there was no doubt that there had to be a sequel, and I suspect there will at least be one more volume in this series.
I like the characters and the rich background of Chinese demons and dragons, but my fantasy amnesia (or the 95 degree day on which I read this) kicked in, and I am at a loss to provide details. Dragons are popular in my library right now, so I will purchase this, but wish that there were fantasy books that did NOT come in seri ...more
After The Dragon Warrior, there was no doubt that there had to be a sequel, and I suspect there will at least be one more volume in this series.
I like the characters and the rich background of Chinese demons and dragons, but my fantasy amnesia (or the 95 degree day on which I read this) kicked in, and I am at a loss to provide details. Dragons are popular in my library right now, so I will purchase this, but wish that there were fantasy books that did NOT come in seri ...more

Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Fallen Hero
Author: Katie Zhao
Book Series: The Dragon Warrior Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Half Chinese main character, Half Chinese and Chinese side characters.
Recommended For...: mg fantasy, Chinese mythology
Publication Date: October 13, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, slight gore)
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Kids
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Faryn Liu thought she was the Heaven Breaker, a warri ...more
Book: The Fallen Hero
Author: Katie Zhao
Book Series: The Dragon Warrior Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Half Chinese main character, Half Chinese and Chinese side characters.
Recommended For...: mg fantasy, Chinese mythology
Publication Date: October 13, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, slight gore)
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Kids
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Faryn Liu thought she was the Heaven Breaker, a warri ...more

There's been a slew of fantasy based on cultural mythology published in the last year or so, and so much of it is so darn serious. Downright dark and broody. This tale is anything but.
I had a fun time reading this one, and the author's note at the beginning, "This is cheesy as heck," encouraged us to not take it quite so seriously.
It continues Faryn's fight against the Jade Emperor, and her angst over her adopted brother Alex's choice to become the Emperor's General and lead his forces against h ...more
I had a fun time reading this one, and the author's note at the beginning, "This is cheesy as heck," encouraged us to not take it quite so seriously.
It continues Faryn's fight against the Jade Emperor, and her angst over her adopted brother Alex's choice to become the Emperor's General and lead his forces against h ...more

Faryn, former Heaven Breaker, accompanied by a few fellow warriors from the New Order, & her half-dragon friend Ren, set out to prevent a war & save her traitor brother. But to do that, they need The Monkey King’s help & his weapon, the Ruyi Jingu Bang. But enlisting his help means going to the Underworld to get his weapon back. Can she do it in time and save her brother?
This was a wonderful sequel in an awesome middle grade fantasy action adventure! Faryn Liu is an endearing, admirable characte ...more
This was a wonderful sequel in an awesome middle grade fantasy action adventure! Faryn Liu is an endearing, admirable characte ...more

Faryn has been regrouping and training for six months with the warriors of the New Order while she waits for more news about the imminent war between gods and humans. However, soon her waiting is over when some of the rebel gods send her and some new frienemies on a quest to recruit another ally to the cause. On this quest, the chosen warriors will have to go to the lowest depths they can possibly go to be able to ensure this ally will join their cause by the end of the Hungry Ghost Festival. Th
...more

!!! The Dragon Warrior was good but The Fallen Hero was just so much better!
There were angsty moments (Katie plz stop torturing Faryn 😢), new characters, iconic old characters returning, more powerful weapons, more Chinese mythology, spirits, lines that had me d y i n g, dragons, sacrifices because it wouldn't be a Dragon Warrior book without them, and plot twists. And of course, a cliffhanger ending to make me suffer in the long wait for book 3.
🧧my spotify playlist for this series:
dragon warrio ...more
There were angsty moments (Katie plz stop torturing Faryn 😢), new characters, iconic old characters returning, more powerful weapons, more Chinese mythology, spirits, lines that had me d y i n g, dragons, sacrifices because it wouldn't be a Dragon Warrior book without them, and plot twists. And of course, a cliffhanger ending to make me suffer in the long wait for book 3.
🧧my spotify playlist for this series:
dragon warrio ...more

I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as the first one, I didn’t think the plot was quite as good, but this was still a very good book. The characters continued to develop, the plot was still interesting, and I love the mythology. 4.5

I received an electronic ARC from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books through NetGalley.
The adventures continue as Falun faces a new quest to defeat the gods. She meets new friends who join together on a journey that takes them from the Monkey King's home to Diyu (the underworld). She must confront her brother and acknowledge that she cannot change his path. After returning from the quest, she is able to restore her father's memories and reunite with him. The ending hints at the next book's adventur ...more
The adventures continue as Falun faces a new quest to defeat the gods. She meets new friends who join together on a journey that takes them from the Monkey King's home to Diyu (the underworld). She must confront her brother and acknowledge that she cannot change his path. After returning from the quest, she is able to restore her father's memories and reunite with him. The ending hints at the next book's adventur ...more

If I could go back in time and gift my middle school self one series, it would have to be The Dragon Warrior series by Katie Zhao. Full of wit, humor, heart, The Fallen Hero is a love letter both to the Chinese diaspora and to the young adults who needed books like these growing up (including myself).
An outcast for the majority of her life, Faryn is a compelling protagonist whose strength comes from her love of her family and her own moral compass. Because of her multiracial background, she was ...more
An outcast for the majority of her life, Faryn is a compelling protagonist whose strength comes from her love of her family and her own moral compass. Because of her multiracial background, she was ...more

The Fallen Hero follows Faryn and her friends in a quest to save the world (again). Along the way, she reunites with old friends, meets new deities (and demons), and grows so much. Once again, Katie Zhao delivers an action-packed story with the perfect heartwarming moments and best jokes. This is such a thoughtful and nuanced series, at its core a story about family.
To say I was excited to read this series, it’s an understatement. So many twitter friends have loved it and it has some of my favor ...more
To say I was excited to read this series, it’s an understatement. So many twitter friends have loved it and it has some of my favor ...more

In my childhood, I watched a cartoon known as “Journey to the West: Legends of the Monkey King.” So, I’m sad to say that I forgotten about my love for that show until I discovered Katie Zhao’s Dragon Warrior. Therefore, I want to say that the sequel to the Dragon Warrior does not disappoint! The Fallen Hero is a brilliant sequel with sibling bonding (good and bad!), scary demons, treacherous and loyal gods, amazing ancestral spirits, and one favorite trickster! A particular set of siblings are m
...more

I didn't like this installment quite as much as the previous one, but I still enjoyed it! I'm glad we got to see one of the old characters again. The Panda Express scene was one of my favorites (I'm using "colonizers" as an insult now) as well as the mirrors one. On the characters: I liked Ren and Jordan, but Faryn seemed a little insensitive (especially when Jordan and Ashley were reunited with someone) and Ashley came across as verbally abusive even though being assertive was part of her perso
...more

Jul 25, 2021
Dragons*4ever
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Fans Of Percy Jackson
Recommended to Dragons*4ever by:
Definite Book_Worm
4 Stars: 😀
🐉❤🏮❤👩THE FALLEN HERO🐉❤🏮❤👩
Determined to prevent the war her brother Alex is provoking, twelve-year-old Faryn Liu and her half-dragon friend, Ren, seek help from the New Order, warriors based in Manhattan's Chinatown, and from the Monkey King.
This book was a great joy to read! This book had all my favorite elements and it immediately drew me to the story sucking me into the world. The New Order were a group of people preparing to rebel against the Jade Emperors plan. To become a part of ...more
🐉❤🏮❤👩THE FALLEN HERO🐉❤🏮❤👩
Determined to prevent the war her brother Alex is provoking, twelve-year-old Faryn Liu and her half-dragon friend, Ren, seek help from the New Order, warriors based in Manhattan's Chinatown, and from the Monkey King.
This book was a great joy to read! This book had all my favorite elements and it immediately drew me to the story sucking me into the world. The New Order were a group of people preparing to rebel against the Jade Emperors plan. To become a part of ...more

10/12/2020 3.5 stars. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
10/13/2020 The Fallen Hero continues the epic drama of The Dragon Warrior series as Faryn tries to find her place with the New Order based out of Manhattan's Chinatown, only to discover that the gods aren't done with her yet.
Still reeling from her younger brother's decision from the end of her last quest for the gods, while working through her feelings regarding a father who has no memory of who she is, Faryn is having a hard enou ...more
10/13/2020 The Fallen Hero continues the epic drama of The Dragon Warrior series as Faryn tries to find her place with the New Order based out of Manhattan's Chinatown, only to discover that the gods aren't done with her yet.
Still reeling from her younger brother's decision from the end of her last quest for the gods, while working through her feelings regarding a father who has no memory of who she is, Faryn is having a hard enou ...more

Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is part of the review I have done.
The Fallen Hero is set months after the end of The Dragon Warrior. Faryn stays with her friend in the New Society and trains together with the warriors. Life is not easy since they are outsiders. Worse, her traitor of a brother has changed for the worse. The Hungry Ghost Festival is near. It allows the spirit of the ancestors to commune with their survivin ...more
This is part of the review I have done.
The Fallen Hero is set months after the end of The Dragon Warrior. Faryn stays with her friend in the New Society and trains together with the warriors. Life is not easy since they are outsiders. Worse, her traitor of a brother has changed for the worse. The Hungry Ghost Festival is near. It allows the spirit of the ancestors to commune with their survivin ...more

As the Hungry Ghost Festival nears, Faryn and Ren's time with the New Order in New York's Chinatown comes to an end. Ren is going to go train with the dragons so he can better control his skills. And Faryn is being sent on another quest, this time with Ashley and Jordan, who aren't her biggest fans. She's been reluctant to speak about how she ended up in the New Order, so Ashley and Jordan have no idea what she's been through. They also have no idea just how hard a quest can be. But as the world
...more

Faryn is reeling from her brother’s betrayal. She feels shunned by the New Order people because one of their own died saving her. Her own father has no memory of her. Things couldn’t get much worse. Could they?
Of course they can!
The gods are ready for an all out war amongst themselves, which will not be very good for the mere humans that will get caught between the two factions.
Faryn must do all that she can to stop this war, save her brother from himself, and find a way to get her father’s memo ...more
Of course they can!
The gods are ready for an all out war amongst themselves, which will not be very good for the mere humans that will get caught between the two factions.
Faryn must do all that she can to stop this war, save her brother from himself, and find a way to get her father’s memo ...more

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Six months since her disastrous quest, Faryn Liu is struggling to adjust to life in the New York City Chinatown's New Order, figure out a way to reconcile with her traitor brother, and restore her lost father's memories. But now she and the two New Order misfits, siblings Jordan and Ashley, are sent on a quest to save the world from the Jade Emperor during the Hungry Ghost Festival. When the quest leads the young war ...more
Six months since her disastrous quest, Faryn Liu is struggling to adjust to life in the New York City Chinatown's New Order, figure out a way to reconcile with her traitor brother, and restore her lost father's memories. But now she and the two New Order misfits, siblings Jordan and Ashley, are sent on a quest to save the world from the Jade Emperor during the Hungry Ghost Festival. When the quest leads the young war ...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Other books in the series
The Dragon Warrior
(2 books)
Related Articles
Looking for a new thrill? A twisty page-turner? Well, the hottest new mysteries and thrillers published so far this year promise to keep...
88 likes · 13 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Once the exchange is complete, the person’s soul will separate from their body. The soul will join us in the Underworld, while the body will continue to age as usual, until they are either rescued or … die.”
—
0 likes
“I looked back. Where the Ruyi Jingu Bang had been, Ashley now hovered in the air, her curly hair splayed all around her head, arms and legs spread out. Her body shuddered violently and then stilled. She hung in midair, still emanating that golden light.”
—
0 likes
More quotes…