The Dragon Warrior

August 1, 2019
Chinese folklore and fantasy intersect in this adventure. Faryn and her younger brother, Alex, were lovingly raised by Ye Ye, who's now seriously ill. Viewed as outcasts by their Jade Society community, the family lives outside of San Francisco's Chinatown but still are dedicated to worshipping the gods and train to fight demons. During a risky trip into Chinatown to get Ye Ye's medicine, Faryn subdues a nián monster with the help of a stranger. The stranger later appears at their society's annual banquet, revealing himself to be Erlang Shen, the god of war. He shares the Jade Emperor's decree that whoever can complete a quest and arrive at the banquet atop the heavenly mountain on Peng Lai Island will be deemed the Heaven Breaker, the ultimate warrior, inspiring several hopefuls to race for the title. Spurred by Erlang Shen's hints and sudden attacks by demons, Faryn reluctantly wields Heaven Breaker's weapon, Fenghuang, and takes off, accompanied by Alex. The two hope they can also find their missing father, lost during his quest to find Peng Lai. Attempts to call in favors earned by their father prove largely futile, however. Zhao seamlessly incorporates Chinese terms and themes into the fast-paced plot. Unfortunately, the book's humor relies heavily on Asian stereotypes. Still, the story takes intriguing twists with its cultural background, and they keep the pages turning. Faryn and Alex are multiracial: Chinese on Ba's side and a mix of Mediterranean heritage on their mother's. An ambitious debut with imperfect execution--here's hoping the sequel is smoother. (Fantasy. 9-12)

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October 28, 2019
In this action-packed debut steeped in Chinese mythology, a modern-day warrior is unexpectedly chosen as the Heaven Breaker, destined to lead the Jade Emperor’s armies against demons threatening Earth. Ever since the disappearance of their father, a legendary hero, Faryn Liu and her younger brother, Alex, have been ostracized by the rest of the secret Jade Society. But when the gods choose Faryn to embark on a quest to prove her worth, she and Alex finally have a chance to restore their family’s reputation. With demons at every turn, capricious gods pursuing their own agendas, and a tight deadline, Faryn will have to make hard decisions and painful sacrifices. Zhao reimagines classic Chinese deities and monsters in an accessible, entertaining manner while filtering the adventure through Faryn’s snarky, relatable voice. With engaging characters, a fast-paced plot, and a skillful blend of modern culture and ancient traditions, this series opener will appeal to fans of Percy Jackson and Aru Shah. Ages 8–12. Agent: Penny Moore, Aevitas Creative Management.

October 1, 2019

Gr 4-7-Demons have been dormant in San Francisco for decades, but despite a warning from her sick grandfather, Faryn ventures into the city for his medicine on Lunar New Year. Faryn is stunned when she comes face to face with a powerful nián. Using her warrior training, she defeats the demon with the help of an anonymous stranger, who reveals himself to be the God of War and issues a challenge that will determine the fabled "Heaven Breaker," a champion of the Gods. When Faryn is able to carry the legendary spear meant only for the Heaven Breaker, the community who ostracized her family sends candidates of its own. Together with her brother and best frenemy, Faryn undertakes an epic quest that she hopes will not only redeem, but reunite, her family. This disparate group bands together to solve riddles, fend off foes, and uncover a devious plot to end the world. By embracing her role as Heaven Breaker, Faryn finally meets her destiny-but it comes at a cost. The integration of Chinese terms and cultural influences richly elevates the story with authentic details. VERDICT Inspired by classic Chinese mythology, this #OwnVoices fantasy adventure delivers on action, humor, and heart. Share with fans of Rick Riordan and Roshani Chokshi.-Sophie Kenney, Delray Beach Public Library, FL

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 15, 2019
Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* Zhao's impressive and captivating debut adventure novel brings mythology and magic to life as 12-year-old Faryn Liu and her younger brother, Alex, discover an entirely new side to the Jade Society, an elite organization of warriors and demon hunters, in whose shadow they've resided since their father's mysterious disappearance and their mother's passing. But the Jade Society has become complacent and smug after decades of silence from the realms of gods and monsters, keeping their home, San Francisco's Chinatown, demon-free since '83. Nevertheless, Ye Ye, the children's grandfather turned guardian, keeps them on their toes with his stories and training sessions, and Faryn and Alex throw themselves into these outlets, hoping to tune out the mocking voices of the Jade Society bullies who label their father a traitor and discriminate against them for their mixed heritage. When a competition arises for the role of the prophesied Heaven Breaker, Zhao's spot-on writing will have readers empathizing and rooting for Faryn in no time, and her seamless blending of memorable and quirky gods and demons from myriad mythologies?Greek, Phoenician, and Chinese, to name a few?will be both familiar to young readers and also culturally educational. This plot-propelled, action-packed story about family legacy and heritage, as well as self-discovery, is an ideal choice for fans of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series and Roshani Chokshi's Aru Shah and the End of Time (2018).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)