The New York Times Book Review - Monica Edinger
…Dragon Pearl is a clever mash-up of Korean mythology and science fiction tropes. With crisp dialogue, a winning protagonist and a propulsive plot, the tale is enormously entertaining. And a heads-up to speculative-averse adults: If you decided Harry Potter was O.K., this is another one that might surprise you.
From the Publisher
PRAISE FOR DRAGON PEARL
Locus Award Winner!
New York Times Best Seller!
“A zesty mix of Korean folklore, magic, and science fiction that will leave you longing for more adventures in the Thousand Worlds!"
—Rick Riordan, New York Times #1 best-selling author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians series
"I was so impressed by DRAGON PEARL. The story is multi-layered, the world construction is impeccable—with an awesome intersection of tech and culture—and it is totally compelling to read. Min's nuanced feelings about her magic, her family, and her fox heritage are marvelously complicated. I loved her, and I know you will, too!"
—E.K. Johnston, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Ahsoka
"Who would have thought Korean mythology would make for such an intense and magical space opera! I loved every moment of it and want the next book NOW so I can explore all the Thousand Worlds with Min! This book is brilliant and gorgeous, and why didn't I have it when I was a kid??"
—Ellen Oh, author of Spirit Hunters and the Prophecy series
"With crisp dialogue, a winning protagonist and a propulsive plot, this tale is enormously entertaining."
—New York Times Book Review
★"Lee has created an adrenaline-filled space opera with mythological creatures living alongside humans. It is refreshing to see both Koran elements and a nonbinary character seamlessly integrated into the storyline. A high-octane, science-fiction thriller painted with a Korean brush and a brilliant example of how different cultures can have unique but accessible cosmology and universal appeal."
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★"Lee skillfully weaves Korean folklore into this space opera narrative, creating dynamic and relatable characters. With ghosts, pirates, and a rollicking space adventure, there's a little something for everyone here."
—School Library Journal (starred review)
★"Lee offers a perfect balance of space opera and Korean mythology with enough complexity to appeal to teens."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Lee has a knack for world-building. His richly detailed, cohesive, original vision is a lively mash-up of outer-space sci-fi and Korean culture and folklore."
—Horn Book Magazine
"The Korean-mythology-in-space setup is great fun, with supernatural beings and ghosts aplenty, spaceships that run on technological and spiritual energy combined, an entire planet populated by ghosts, and bountiful space hijinks and derring-do."
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
PRAISE FOR TIGER HONOR
“The Thousand Worlds universe continues to thrill with the lure of Korean mythology, the action of space battle, and the personal struggle to act with honor. Fans will demand more.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“With a delightful mix of Korean mythology and science fiction, Lee expands on the intriguing world of his previous novel to create another exhilarating adventure with a new precocious protagonist. Fans of Dragon Pearl will enjoy this dive back into the Thousand Worlds universe.”
—Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2018-08-27
This latest in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint launches Korean mythological creatures into outer space.
Thirteen-year-old Min cannot believe her older brother, Jun, has deserted his Space Force post, as he's been accused of doing. Naturally, Min runs away from home to clear her brother's name. It's a Rick Riordan trademark to thrust mythological figures into new settings. Fans will breathlessly watch while fox-spirit Min charms her way onto a hijacked starship, ending up on her brother's military star cruiser on the way to the lawless Ghost Sector. Lee has created an adrenaline-filled space opera with mythological creatures living alongside humans. Min and her family are gumiho, or shape-shifting foxes, but they present as human to hide their magical natures. She takes on the identity of Jang, a male cadet killed in battle, and enlists the aid of two other supernatural Space Force cadets: Haneul, a female dragon, and Sujin, a nonbinary goblin. Min is first and foremost a teenager on a mission and a magical being second. The ambivalence of her identity (fox or human, male or female, hero or traitor) echoes ethical questions that many kid readers face. It is refreshing to see both Korean elements and a nonbinary character seamlessly integrated into the storyline. Narrator Min explains Korean mythology smoothly as the action progresses for readers with no previous knowledge.
A high-octane, science-fiction thriller painted with a Korean brush and a brilliant example of how different cultures can have unique but accessible cosmology and universal appeal. (pronunciation guide) (Science fantasy. 8-12)
