The Dragon Warrior

by Katie Zhao

Overview

"An exhilarating tale. . . Readers will be enthralled." —J.C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author of The Storm Runner

A debut novel inspired by Chinese mythology, this middle-grade fantasy follows an outcast as she embarks on a quest to save the world from demons—perfect for fans of Aru Shah and the End of Time and The Serpent's Secret.

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?

This richly woven contemporary middle-grade fantasy debut, full of humor, magic, and heart, will appeal to readers who love Roshani Chokshi and Sayantani DasGupta.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781547602001
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	10/15/2019
Series:	The Dragon Warrior
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	275,840
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.40(d)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Katie Zhao grew up in Michigan, where there was little for her to do besides bury her nose in a good book or a writing journal. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in English and a minor in political science; she also completed her master's in accounting there. She wrote The Dragon Warrior during her last year of school, in between classes. In her spare time, Katie enjoys reading, singing, dancing (badly), and checking out new restaurants. She now lives in Brooklyn, New York. This is her debut novel.

www.katiezhao.com
@ktzhaoauthor

Editorial Reviews

10/28/2019

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. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"In this page-turning debut, Zhao weaves an exhilarating tale that shimmers with adventure, love, and loyalty. Readers will be enthralled up to the incredible and absolutely breathless end." - J.C. Cervantes, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE STORM RUNNER

"Zhao’s impressive and captivating debut adventure novel brings mythology and magic to life ... an ideal choice for fans of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series and Roshani Chokshi’s Aru Shah and the End of Time." - Booklist, starred review

"Inspired by classic Chinese mythology, this #OwnVoices fantasy adventure delivers on action, humor, and heart. Share with fans of Rick Riordan and Roshani Chokshi." - School Library Journal

"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." - Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

10/01/2019

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

School Library Journal

2019-07-14
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)

Kirkus Reviews

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