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Zachary Ying #1
Das Erbe des Drachenkaisers
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Middle Grade & Children's (2022)Uralte Legenden und mächtige Vorfahren
Zack hat sich nie für seine Herkunft interessiert, schließlich musste seine Mom mit ihm aus China fliehen. Was soll er auch mit alten Sagen und Geschichten anfangen? Doch dann wird er auserwählt, den Geist des Drachenkaisers in sich aufzunehmen. Und plötzlich erwachen überall um ihn herum chinesische Legenden zum Leben. Mit den Befehlen des tyrannischen Herrschers im Ohr, muss Zack aufbrechen und das Portal zum Geisterreich verschließen. Nur so kann er die irdische Welt retten. Aber mystische Kreaturen und dunkle Feinde erwarten ihn …
Zack hat sich nie für seine Herkunft interessiert, schließlich musste seine Mom mit ihm aus China fliehen. Was soll er auch mit alten Sagen und Geschichten anfangen? Doch dann wird er auserwählt, den Geist des Drachenkaisers in sich aufzunehmen. Und plötzlich erwachen überall um ihn herum chinesische Legenden zum Leben. Mit den Befehlen des tyrannischen Herrschers im Ohr, muss Zack aufbrechen und das Portal zum Geisterreich verschließen. Nur so kann er die irdische Welt retten. Aber mystische Kreaturen und dunkle Feinde erwarten ihn …
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2022
399 people are currently reading
21285 people want to read
About the author
Xiran Jay Zhao
4 books15.9k followersi'm in a cow suit because 7 years ago i made a promise to my friends to take my author photo in it if i ever got published and i'm sure as hell not backing down
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January 5, 2022
This is a book I didn’t think I’d have the strength to write. The concept is very wacky and self-indulgent, yes—Chinese Percy Jackson meets YUGIOH!!!—but writing the story required me to dig deep into my complicated relationship with my heritage.
When I immigrated to Canada in 6th grade, I spent a year as the only Asian kid in the school of a small town. In that one year, I became self-conscious of all sorts of things that didn’t seem to matter before: the way I looked, the way I spoke, the clothes I wore, the media I liked. The white kids wouldn’t insult me outright, but they’d ask me questions that made me embarrassed of my differences from them. I felt backward, alien (hello, colonial generational trauma). The feelings of isolation and rejection I experienced took me many, many years to unpack. It’s been a long journey, learning to love myself again, and I drew much strength from stories in Chinese history to do so.
However, as the years passed, I’ve also watched in horror as the government of China became increasingly authoritarian, cracking down on dissent and committing genocidal atrocities against minority ethnic groups, of which I belong to one myself. Even between the time I sold this book to now, overnight crackdowns have happened that render certain parts of the story unrealistic, so I have to emphasize that this book takes place in a fictional near future and is not meant to be an accurate representation of modern China.
Being Chinese has become so painfully political. Pride in Chinese culture is no longer as simple as that, but could accidentally play into the Chinese government’s use of traditional culture as propaganda. Yet on another hand, there’s the necessity of demystifying and defending Chinese culture to combat anti-Chinese racism. Many diaspora like myself are caught in the crosshairs, struggling to find the balance. But what I firmly believe is that traditional Chinese culture and history don't belong to the Chinese government. It belongs to the Chinese people, both native and diaspora. If we distance ourselves from our heritage specifically because of the Chinese government, that’s letting them win, validating their claim to be the one true representative of Chinese culture when that is absolutely not the case.
Through Zack’s journey in this book, I wanted to engage with the complexities of Chinese identity, especially as a minority and diaspora, but I also want to have fun. This book remains a love letter to my 12-year-old self, taking inspiration from everything I love—anime, video games, sci-fi, and of course, Chinese history and myths. You’ll find appearances by real figures from said history and myths, wielding magic inspired by their legends, along with many famous Chinese artifacts (because of course I'm an archeology nerd too). I hope you enjoy it.
(Art is by @RacheleRaka!)
May 26, 2022
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3 ½ (rounded up as i am not really part of this book's intended audience)
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is an engaging start to an action-driven fantasy series that is written in a winsome prose that is guaranteed to appeal to fans of Rick Riordan. Like Riordan’s books, Zhao combines an action-driven quest with a coming of age tale exploring the highs and lows of being a 12yr boy. I loved the way the author managed to incorporate—with varying degrees of self-awareness—existing tropes of the 'chosen one/kids with powers' genre whilst adding new dimensions and elements to their story. Additionally, unlike a lot of MG books, Zhao addresses serious and topical issues/realities in a very clear-eyed and straightforward manner.
Zachary Ying, our main character, has tried to distance himself from Chinese culture in order to fit in his white majority school. His mom, who is his sole carer, works long hours, so Zack spends a lot of his time playing Mythrealm. One day at school he comes across Simon who seems eager to get to know Zack. Turns out that Zack, the host of the spirit of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, who, alongside Simon, host to Tang Taizong, and later on Melissa, host to Wu Zetian, are tasked with a crucial mission: they have to seal the portal to the Chinese underworld before the Ghost Month. Zack doesn’t really want to be part of all of this but with his mom’s life in jeopardy, he has little choice in the matter. Unlike Simon and Melissa, however, Zack’s emperor was not fully able to possess him and was forced to tie himself to Zack’s AR gaming headset (which lends many of the action sequences a gameplay quality). To rectify this Zack flies to China to strengthen his bond with his Chinese heritage, all the while being chased by baddies…but as their mission unfolds and Zack learns more about the emperors’ reigns, he begins to worry that he is not working for the good guys either.
Throughout the course of the narrative, the author references superhero comics, games, anime (i mean, code geass gets a mention which will always be a win in my books), as well as, you guessed it, Avatar: The Last Airbender. The narrative is quite self-aware in that these references often come at an apt moment, and usually poke fun at the existence/perseverance of said trope/storyline (for example with the 'fridging' of zack's mom). I liked this meta aspect of the narrative as it gives the storytelling a playful edge that serves to counterbalance the more serious themes/scenes. Through Zack’s storyline, the author is able to explore the everyday realities of being a Chinese-American kid who feels pressured by his white peers to distance himself from his own Chinese heritage. Additionally, Zack is Hui, an ethnoreligious minority group with Islamic heritage and/or adhere to Islam. Like other minority groups in China, the Hui can be and are discriminated against by the current Chinese government. Zack’s father was executed after protesting the government's treatment of Uighur Muslims, and this makes his journey to China all the more fraught. While the author criticizes the current Chinese government, through Zack’s quest they are also able to showcase their love for Chinese culture and history, presenting us with a complex image of this country, its past and present. The author's depiction of and discussions around China oppose the kind of monolithic and homogenous image of this country that sadly seems to prevail in a lot of western media and public discourses. The China that emerges from these pages is enriched by its expansive history and many idiosyncrasies (other MG authors, please take notes!).
I loved the way they incorporate historical facts in the action sequences, so when we are introduced to a new historical figure we get a punchy introduction giving us an overview of their life. There were instances where I wish the author had not added American, or otherwise western, equivalents when introducing a certain figure or when touching upon a certain historical period (we often are given enough context to understand the cultural/historical significance of said person/period). Still, I really appreciated how the author avoids the usual good/bad dichotomy that tends to be the norm in a lot of MG books. Zack repeatedly questions the past behaviours and present motivations of the emperors.
The chapters all have funny titles that were very much a la Riordan. The banter between the various emperors and historical figures was very entertaining, even in those instances where it was trying a bit hard to be ‘young/relatable’. I loved the way the narrative includes and discusses historical-related things, as it very much reminded me of the author’s youtube content, which—as you may or may not know—I am besotted by. While I thought that the historical characters were equal parts interesting and amusing, the contemporary ones, except Zack, were not quite as dynamic. Simon and Melissa in particular lacked dimension and seemed the type of stock characters you find in any ‘trio’ (melissa in particular is the kind of aggravating sidekick who is meant to be a 'spunky girl' but comes across as kind of a jerk). I didn’t like them that much either, even before the latter half of the novel. Zack deserves some real/better friends.
Anyway, Zack steals the show as this is ultimately his story. He goes through a lot in this book and is forced to question the kind of person he wants to be/become. He makes mistakes, and he learns from them. He knows he wants to be stronger but finds his notion of strength to be challenged more than once. I wish that the narratives had called out a bit more people like Melissa who mistake his moments of vulnerability or hesitancy as signs of weakness or a 'lack of moral fibre'. Dio mio, he's a KID, leave my boy alone. I don't know, I felt protective of Zack and because of this found myself rather peed off by anyone who tried to make him feel ashamed of being sensitive. But I digress. Overall I thought this was an enjoyable book that manages to blend together history and technology. If you a fan of heroes' quests you should definitely give this one a try. Added bonuses: hints of casual gay rep + positive Muslim rep.
I for one liked it a lot more than the author's debut novel, which I sadly was unable to enjoy (i know, don't get me started if i could actively control and change my response to that book i would). I found the author’s prose to be a lot more confident in this one and their style really worked for this MG-type of storytelling. This is the kind of book I wish had been around when I was a 12yr old as I would have been able to love it, whereas now I can only just ‘like’ it. Anyway, I liked the humor and the historical facts, so this gets a thumbs up from me and I look forward to its follow-up.
ps: i just remember but some of zack’s reactions to learning some of the horrific things the emperors did are gold
3 ½ (rounded up as i am not really part of this book's intended audience)
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is an engaging start to an action-driven fantasy series that is written in a winsome prose that is guaranteed to appeal to fans of Rick Riordan. Like Riordan’s books, Zhao combines an action-driven quest with a coming of age tale exploring the highs and lows of being a 12yr boy. I loved the way the author managed to incorporate—with varying degrees of self-awareness—existing tropes of the 'chosen one/kids with powers' genre whilst adding new dimensions and elements to their story. Additionally, unlike a lot of MG books, Zhao addresses serious and topical issues/realities in a very clear-eyed and straightforward manner.
Zachary Ying, our main character, has tried to distance himself from Chinese culture in order to fit in his white majority school. His mom, who is his sole carer, works long hours, so Zack spends a lot of his time playing Mythrealm. One day at school he comes across Simon who seems eager to get to know Zack. Turns out that Zack, the host of the spirit of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, who, alongside Simon, host to Tang Taizong, and later on Melissa, host to Wu Zetian, are tasked with a crucial mission: they have to seal the portal to the Chinese underworld before the Ghost Month. Zack doesn’t really want to be part of all of this but with his mom’s life in jeopardy, he has little choice in the matter. Unlike Simon and Melissa, however, Zack’s emperor was not fully able to possess him and was forced to tie himself to Zack’s AR gaming headset (which lends many of the action sequences a gameplay quality). To rectify this Zack flies to China to strengthen his bond with his Chinese heritage, all the while being chased by baddies…but as their mission unfolds and Zack learns more about the emperors’ reigns, he begins to worry that he is not working for the good guys either.
Throughout the course of the narrative, the author references superhero comics, games, anime (i mean, code geass gets a mention which will always be a win in my books), as well as, you guessed it, Avatar: The Last Airbender. The narrative is quite self-aware in that these references often come at an apt moment, and usually poke fun at the existence/perseverance of said trope/storyline (for example with the 'fridging' of zack's mom). I liked this meta aspect of the narrative as it gives the storytelling a playful edge that serves to counterbalance the more serious themes/scenes. Through Zack’s storyline, the author is able to explore the everyday realities of being a Chinese-American kid who feels pressured by his white peers to distance himself from his own Chinese heritage. Additionally, Zack is Hui, an ethnoreligious minority group with Islamic heritage and/or adhere to Islam. Like other minority groups in China, the Hui can be and are discriminated against by the current Chinese government. Zack’s father was executed after protesting the government's treatment of Uighur Muslims, and this makes his journey to China all the more fraught. While the author criticizes the current Chinese government, through Zack’s quest they are also able to showcase their love for Chinese culture and history, presenting us with a complex image of this country, its past and present. The author's depiction of and discussions around China oppose the kind of monolithic and homogenous image of this country that sadly seems to prevail in a lot of western media and public discourses. The China that emerges from these pages is enriched by its expansive history and many idiosyncrasies (other MG authors, please take notes!).
I loved the way they incorporate historical facts in the action sequences, so when we are introduced to a new historical figure we get a punchy introduction giving us an overview of their life. There were instances where I wish the author had not added American, or otherwise western, equivalents when introducing a certain figure or when touching upon a certain historical period (we often are given enough context to understand the cultural/historical significance of said person/period). Still, I really appreciated how the author avoids the usual good/bad dichotomy that tends to be the norm in a lot of MG books. Zack repeatedly questions the past behaviours and present motivations of the emperors.
The chapters all have funny titles that were very much a la Riordan. The banter between the various emperors and historical figures was very entertaining, even in those instances where it was trying a bit hard to be ‘young/relatable’. I loved the way the narrative includes and discusses historical-related things, as it very much reminded me of the author’s youtube content, which—as you may or may not know—I am besotted by. While I thought that the historical characters were equal parts interesting and amusing, the contemporary ones, except Zack, were not quite as dynamic. Simon and Melissa in particular lacked dimension and seemed the type of stock characters you find in any ‘trio’ (melissa in particular is the kind of aggravating sidekick who is meant to be a 'spunky girl' but comes across as kind of a jerk). I didn’t like them that much either, even before the latter half of the novel. Zack deserves some real/better friends.
Anyway, Zack steals the show as this is ultimately his story. He goes through a lot in this book and is forced to question the kind of person he wants to be/become. He makes mistakes, and he learns from them. He knows he wants to be stronger but finds his notion of strength to be challenged more than once. I wish that the narratives had called out a bit more people like Melissa who mistake his moments of vulnerability or hesitancy as signs of weakness or a 'lack of moral fibre'. Dio mio, he's a KID, leave my boy alone. I don't know, I felt protective of Zack and because of this found myself rather peed off by anyone who tried to make him feel ashamed of being sensitive. But I digress. Overall I thought this was an enjoyable book that manages to blend together history and technology. If you a fan of heroes' quests you should definitely give this one a try. Added bonuses: hints of casual gay rep + positive Muslim rep.
I for one liked it a lot more than the author's debut novel, which I sadly was unable to enjoy (i know, don't get me started if i could actively control and change my response to that book i would). I found the author’s prose to be a lot more confident in this one and their style really worked for this MG-type of storytelling. This is the kind of book I wish had been around when I was a 12yr old as I would have been able to love it, whereas now I can only just ‘like’ it. Anyway, I liked the humor and the historical facts, so this gets a thumbs up from me and I look forward to its follow-up.
ps: i just remember but some of zack’s reactions to learning some of the horrific things the emperors did are gold
March 26, 2022
Reseña de un ARC
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor cuenta la historia de Zack, un chico de doce años que nunca ha aceptado mucho su ascendencia y costumbres chinas porque sus compañeros de colegio siempre lo han hecho avergonzarse por ser diferente. Todo en la vida de Zack parece bastante normal hasta que una partida de ese juego se sale de control, descubre que es uno de los descendientes del primer emperador de China y que está destinado a dejarse poseer por él para cumplir una misión que, en teoría, salvará al mundo: sellar por completo el portal chino que separa al mundo de los vivos con el de los espíritus antes del Mes de los Fantasmas.
Algo que me gustó mucho del libro es que sucede como si cada capítulo fuera un episodio de una miniserie de anime. Nunca hay puntos muertos ni momentos aburridos porque todo el tiempo está pasando algo: descubrimientos, peleas, poderes ocultos, posesiones, apariciones de aliados, viajes a China, misiones submarinas, encuentros con otros personajes del pasado, flashbacks, etc.
También me pareció súper valioso que la autora quisiera representar las dificultades por las que pasan los niños que son inmigrantes o hijos de inmigrantes en sociedades predominantemente blancas. Creo que, a través de Zack, plasmó de una manera súper humana las dudas, la vergüenza, la soledad y todo lo que puede sentir un niño cuando cree que es “demasiado diferente” al resto como para encajar.
Ahora, a pesar de que todo me daba muchas vibes de los libros de Percy Jackson y de peleas tipo Yu Gi Oh!, al final el libro se me hizo bastante infantil. Y, bueno, es normal, pues esta es una historia middle grade. Pero si les gustan las historias sencillas, llenas de mitología, con giros y mucha acción, seguro van a disfrutar de este libro cuando se publique.
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor cuenta la historia de Zack, un chico de doce años que nunca ha aceptado mucho su ascendencia y costumbres chinas porque sus compañeros de colegio siempre lo han hecho avergonzarse por ser diferente. Todo en la vida de Zack parece bastante normal hasta que una partida de ese juego se sale de control, descubre que es uno de los descendientes del primer emperador de China y que está destinado a dejarse poseer por él para cumplir una misión que, en teoría, salvará al mundo: sellar por completo el portal chino que separa al mundo de los vivos con el de los espíritus antes del Mes de los Fantasmas.
Algo que me gustó mucho del libro es que sucede como si cada capítulo fuera un episodio de una miniserie de anime. Nunca hay puntos muertos ni momentos aburridos porque todo el tiempo está pasando algo: descubrimientos, peleas, poderes ocultos, posesiones, apariciones de aliados, viajes a China, misiones submarinas, encuentros con otros personajes del pasado, flashbacks, etc.
También me pareció súper valioso que la autora quisiera representar las dificultades por las que pasan los niños que son inmigrantes o hijos de inmigrantes en sociedades predominantemente blancas. Creo que, a través de Zack, plasmó de una manera súper humana las dudas, la vergüenza, la soledad y todo lo que puede sentir un niño cuando cree que es “demasiado diferente” al resto como para encajar.
Ahora, a pesar de que todo me daba muchas vibes de los libros de Percy Jackson y de peleas tipo Yu Gi Oh!, al final el libro se me hizo bastante infantil. Y, bueno, es normal, pues esta es una historia middle grade. Pero si les gustan las historias sencillas, llenas de mitología, con giros y mucha acción, seguro van a disfrutar de este libro cuando se publique.
February 20, 2021
I've beta'd an early version of this book and it is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. Xiran is hands down one of my favourite authors, and this book in particular is so freaking important. Not only it is an extremely fun read, but it will be such a fundamental book for so many second/third gen children who struggle with their identity. It also has so many interesting bits of Chinese history woven into the narration, without shying away from criticizing the current regime's treatment of minorities. It is such a bold, compelling book with extremely lovable characters - The First Emperor is, hands down, my favourite character. Like, in the universe. Xiran's portrayal of him is so spot on!
Both children and adults will LOVE this story.
Both children and adults will LOVE this story.
May 9, 2022
haha that ending? there's a sequel right?
read my review on reads rainbow
Rep: Hui Chinese American Muslim gay mc, Chinese side characters (one Miao Chinese), Hui Chinese Muslim side character
read my review on reads rainbow
Rep: Hui Chinese American Muslim gay mc, Chinese side characters (one Miao Chinese), Hui Chinese Muslim side character
May 20, 2022
this was marvelous.
immersive, fast-paced, and wholly engrossing, zachary ying and the dragon emperor had me spellbound from the get-go; i devoured the book in one escapism-fuelled sitting. this was my first book by xiran jay zhao, and with a sample size of n = 1 (one) book they are already entering the top tier of authors i love, enjoy, and wish to support.
zachary ying succeeds at something that many novels i’ve read - whether targeted toward adults or youth - attempt and don’t always achieve: it interweaves macro-level, big-picture politics and social issues with the micro-level nuances and complexities of individual stories and characters. and it does all of this within a fantastical middle-grade novel featuring unique worldbuilding rooted in ancient chinese history and mythology and modern-day video-gaming and pop culture.
i absolutely LOVED the representation of chinese ethnic minorities in this novel. specifically, zack is hui chinese and muslim, while melissa wu is miao. (zack is also queer - and earnest and wobbly and really a protagonist i’m endeared to and rooting for.) this book draws critical attention to the diversity of people who fall under the catch-all term "chinese", distinguishing between the han chinese (a majority cultural and ethnic group comprising over 90% of the chinese population; this is typically what folks think of when they think of "chinese") and the 55+ ethnic minority groups that also reside in china and make up the chinese diaspora, including hui and miao and uighurs.
moreover, zachary ying does not condone the oppression of minorities by the chinese government, as the book underscores the emotional and physical impacts of discrimination, displacement, and violence experienced by minority individuals in china. and, at the same time, this book celebrates, uplifts, and champions the beauty and lyricism of chinese culture, history, art, mythology, and people, particularly ethnic minorities. the two are not conflated, and i appreciated the care and nuance that went into this depiction.
also - i’m not a gamer myself and was totally surprised by how much i adored the way zhao interfaced video games, augmented reality, history, and fantastical worldbuilding - all of it became much more accessible and interesting as a blended collective. this eclectic mixture of subjects also showcased zhao’s pitch-perfect deadpan humour, pop culture references, and passion for and knowledge about chinese history - it is epic, to say the least. not to mention, the legend magic at the crux of the worldbuilding felt unique and progressive and utterly compelling. though some of the explanations verged toward info-dumping, this was balanced by the entertaining way in which zhao delivered the details: through witty character profiles (like pop-ups you’d see in a video game), sarcasm-infused storytelling, and rapid-fire banter.
last thing i want to mention is that neo cihi, the audiobook narrator, really brought this story to bursting, vivid life! their expressive and multifaceted voice was so much fun to listen to, and i'm going to keep an eye out for more stories narrated by them in future. the only note i have is that i might’ve preferred a narrator who could pronounce the chinese words and phrases more accurately - but i understand this may’ve been a deliberate choice on the part of the author and publisher! and it ultimately didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
bottom line: this is a propulsive adventure steeped in ancient chinese history and mythology that will keep pages flipping as you journey along with zack and his friends. i seriously can’t wait for the next installment!
immersive, fast-paced, and wholly engrossing, zachary ying and the dragon emperor had me spellbound from the get-go; i devoured the book in one escapism-fuelled sitting. this was my first book by xiran jay zhao, and with a sample size of n = 1 (one) book they are already entering the top tier of authors i love, enjoy, and wish to support.
zachary ying succeeds at something that many novels i’ve read - whether targeted toward adults or youth - attempt and don’t always achieve: it interweaves macro-level, big-picture politics and social issues with the micro-level nuances and complexities of individual stories and characters. and it does all of this within a fantastical middle-grade novel featuring unique worldbuilding rooted in ancient chinese history and mythology and modern-day video-gaming and pop culture.
i absolutely LOVED the representation of chinese ethnic minorities in this novel. specifically, zack is hui chinese and muslim, while melissa wu is miao. (zack is also queer - and earnest and wobbly and really a protagonist i’m endeared to and rooting for.) this book draws critical attention to the diversity of people who fall under the catch-all term "chinese", distinguishing between the han chinese (a majority cultural and ethnic group comprising over 90% of the chinese population; this is typically what folks think of when they think of "chinese") and the 55+ ethnic minority groups that also reside in china and make up the chinese diaspora, including hui and miao and uighurs.
moreover, zachary ying does not condone the oppression of minorities by the chinese government, as the book underscores the emotional and physical impacts of discrimination, displacement, and violence experienced by minority individuals in china. and, at the same time, this book celebrates, uplifts, and champions the beauty and lyricism of chinese culture, history, art, mythology, and people, particularly ethnic minorities. the two are not conflated, and i appreciated the care and nuance that went into this depiction.
also - i’m not a gamer myself and was totally surprised by how much i adored the way zhao interfaced video games, augmented reality, history, and fantastical worldbuilding - all of it became much more accessible and interesting as a blended collective. this eclectic mixture of subjects also showcased zhao’s pitch-perfect deadpan humour, pop culture references, and passion for and knowledge about chinese history - it is epic, to say the least. not to mention, the legend magic at the crux of the worldbuilding felt unique and progressive and utterly compelling. though some of the explanations verged toward info-dumping, this was balanced by the entertaining way in which zhao delivered the details: through witty character profiles (like pop-ups you’d see in a video game), sarcasm-infused storytelling, and rapid-fire banter.
last thing i want to mention is that neo cihi, the audiobook narrator, really brought this story to bursting, vivid life! their expressive and multifaceted voice was so much fun to listen to, and i'm going to keep an eye out for more stories narrated by them in future. the only note i have is that i might’ve preferred a narrator who could pronounce the chinese words and phrases more accurately - but i understand this may’ve been a deliberate choice on the part of the author and publisher! and it ultimately didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
bottom line: this is a propulsive adventure steeped in ancient chinese history and mythology that will keep pages flipping as you journey along with zack and his friends. i seriously can’t wait for the next installment!
August 8, 2024
6.14 on Cawpile
May 13, 2022
I loved Iron Widow and was pretty excited for this one. It definitely gives Percy Jackson vibes and I thought it was a standalone but based off the ending - it isn’t. I kind of wish it was a standalone because I’m getting over series but that’s my own problem.
The book itself is a lot of fun and Zachary is a sweet character who I constantly wanted to give a hug through the pages. There’s a lot of action as well as getting to hear Zach’s struggle as the only Chinese kid in school. There’s also a lot of mythology and history throughout the book that was just kind of dropped. I feel like some of it would be hard for a middle grade kid to follow.
3.5, decided to round up to 4 because I think I just wasn’t in the mood for a middle grade when I was reading it and that’s more on me rather than the book plus I will continue the series! Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book.
The book itself is a lot of fun and Zachary is a sweet character who I constantly wanted to give a hug through the pages. There’s a lot of action as well as getting to hear Zach’s struggle as the only Chinese kid in school. There’s also a lot of mythology and history throughout the book that was just kind of dropped. I feel like some of it would be hard for a middle grade kid to follow.
3.5, decided to round up to 4 because I think I just wasn’t in the mood for a middle grade when I was reading it and that’s more on me rather than the book plus I will continue the series! Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book.
June 24, 2025
preciso do segundo livro.
February 28, 2023
It’s basically a really cool mix of Chinese culture with video games and Japanese anime like Yu-Gi-Oh, Code Geass, Shaman King, …
Zachary Ying’s mom gets attacked by angry spirits and put into a coma. The only way his mom can survive is if Zack goes to China with the ghost of his ancestor to close a portal that’s leaking spirits from the Chinese underworld into our world. His ancestor is China’s first emperor, who happens to have water dragon powers. On this adventure of a lifetime they come across many legendary figures from both Chinese myths and history.
It’s a story written by someone who struggled with her identity while growing up and she’s finally managed to accept herself and her heritage. And she is clearly ready to not only fully embrace it but also be proud of it. She wants to celebrate it and share it with the world. That being said, the writer stands up for what she believes in and doesn’t shy away from criticizing what she doesn’t like. I very much appreciate this and it’s part of what makes this such a powerful and satisfying book. I hope and think this book will make a lot of people feel proud and good about themselves.
On the surface this is an absolute blast, mixing Chinese mythology with Japanese anime and video games in a children’s adventure for the ages. But there’s so much more beneath the surface, there’s the exploration of Chinese history done in such an easily accessible and fun way that kids will gobble it all up with pleasure. And there are powerful themes represented like bullying, trust, how power corrupts, struggling with your identity and even the power of belief that’s very reminiscent of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series.
This book has so much to offer. This book is engaging, highly enjoyable and so worthy of being read. It’s almost like a really fun Chinese history lesson for kids, cleverly disguised and hidden under a comfortably thick and entertaining blanket of Japanese anime and video games. Consider me very much impressed.
Zachary Ying’s mom gets attacked by angry spirits and put into a coma. The only way his mom can survive is if Zack goes to China with the ghost of his ancestor to close a portal that’s leaking spirits from the Chinese underworld into our world. His ancestor is China’s first emperor, who happens to have water dragon powers. On this adventure of a lifetime they come across many legendary figures from both Chinese myths and history.
It’s a story written by someone who struggled with her identity while growing up and she’s finally managed to accept herself and her heritage. And she is clearly ready to not only fully embrace it but also be proud of it. She wants to celebrate it and share it with the world. That being said, the writer stands up for what she believes in and doesn’t shy away from criticizing what she doesn’t like. I very much appreciate this and it’s part of what makes this such a powerful and satisfying book. I hope and think this book will make a lot of people feel proud and good about themselves.
On the surface this is an absolute blast, mixing Chinese mythology with Japanese anime and video games in a children’s adventure for the ages. But there’s so much more beneath the surface, there’s the exploration of Chinese history done in such an easily accessible and fun way that kids will gobble it all up with pleasure. And there are powerful themes represented like bullying, trust, how power corrupts, struggling with your identity and even the power of belief that’s very reminiscent of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series.
This book has so much to offer. This book is engaging, highly enjoyable and so worthy of being read. It’s almost like a really fun Chinese history lesson for kids, cleverly disguised and hidden under a comfortably thick and entertaining blanket of Japanese anime and video games. Consider me very much impressed.
June 12, 2022
Actual rating: 4.5
Hello, I was NOT aware the main character was Muslim! What a wonderful surprise! This wasn't super heavy on Muslim rep or anything but it was nice to see it included!
I loved Xiran's writing in Iron Widow and so I was very excited to read their middle grade! In true Xiran fashion, this was hilarious and a page turner. As someone with no prior knowledge of Chinese history, I was able to keep up easily. The characters are fun and unique and I loved them all! I'm definitely curious to see where the story goes from here.
If you love Percy Jackson style books, this is definitely the one for you!
I received an e-arc of this title from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hello, I was NOT aware the main character was Muslim! What a wonderful surprise! This wasn't super heavy on Muslim rep or anything but it was nice to see it included!
I loved Xiran's writing in Iron Widow and so I was very excited to read their middle grade! In true Xiran fashion, this was hilarious and a page turner. As someone with no prior knowledge of Chinese history, I was able to keep up easily. The characters are fun and unique and I loved them all! I'm definitely curious to see where the story goes from here.
If you love Percy Jackson style books, this is definitely the one for you!
I received an e-arc of this title from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
February 2, 2022I don't read middle grade books. But I will definitely read this one. Because it's from Miss Zhao. I'm excitedly, anxiously waiting for Iron Widow's sequel to come out.
Meanwhile I am going read each & everything Xiran Jay Zhao is coming out with....
And Look At The Cover. 😍😍😍
Meanwhile I am going read each & everything Xiran Jay Zhao is coming out with....
And Look At The Cover. 😍😍😍
November 30, 2022
4.25/5
Grief could make people do such terrible things.
This book was so much fun! It is blatantly clear how much Xiran Jay Zhao loves and has such a passion for ancient Chinese history as this book is rife with it. Legends and myths, rumours and historical facts, they explore so many incredible stories from ancient history in such a unique way.
The magic system (alongside Zhao's sci-fi subversion) was absolutely brilliant. I adored how the powers of the characters were influenced by legends and belief and by legacy. These factors granted all of it a deeper meaning as it questioned the truth behind these legends and asked the question of what we leave behind when we're gone.
As Zachary Ying is a children's/middle-grade book, I expected it to be content with the emperors' spirits and the fun side of their legends and histories, however it took the story a step further towards greatness by challenging them. It didn't ignore their cruelties and the horrors of their reigns. I really appreciated this and thought it was incredibly well done, I loved that Zhao didn't dumb it down just because it's a children's book. Kids are much smarter than you think and can appreciate complexities and nuance like this, too.
I never knew which characters to trust all throughout the book, they hid their true motivations carefully and were always three steps ahead. This made reading this book immensely fun, it truly is unputdownable. I loved Zack so, so much and wanted to protect him from the whole world; these characters latch onto your heart so tightly.
Another aspect I loved was the Muslim representation (especially of Chinese Muslim minorities, which we don't see a lot in media) and the way Zhao wrote this was phenomenal. Zack's relationship with his various identities and the way he grows as the story progresses was wonderful to read.
I must admit, alas, I did not know this was a series and now I am on the edge of my seat, shocked by the ending, pleading for the next book to be in my hands right this second! This is an amazing book, perfect for fans of Percy Jackson who like ancient gods and mythologies. It's an adventurous tale that never fails to entertain.
Another hit from Xiran Jay Zhao! (And Heavenly Tyrant creeps ever closer to publication, woohoo!)
A coffin of gold buries only a cold body.
-李白 (Translated by Xiran Jay Zhao)
Grief could make people do such terrible things.
This book was so much fun! It is blatantly clear how much Xiran Jay Zhao loves and has such a passion for ancient Chinese history as this book is rife with it. Legends and myths, rumours and historical facts, they explore so many incredible stories from ancient history in such a unique way.
The magic system (alongside Zhao's sci-fi subversion) was absolutely brilliant. I adored how the powers of the characters were influenced by legends and belief and by legacy. These factors granted all of it a deeper meaning as it questioned the truth behind these legends and asked the question of what we leave behind when we're gone.
As Zachary Ying is a children's/middle-grade book, I expected it to be content with the emperors' spirits and the fun side of their legends and histories, however it took the story a step further towards greatness by challenging them. It didn't ignore their cruelties and the horrors of their reigns. I really appreciated this and thought it was incredibly well done, I loved that Zhao didn't dumb it down just because it's a children's book. Kids are much smarter than you think and can appreciate complexities and nuance like this, too.
I never knew which characters to trust all throughout the book, they hid their true motivations carefully and were always three steps ahead. This made reading this book immensely fun, it truly is unputdownable. I loved Zack so, so much and wanted to protect him from the whole world; these characters latch onto your heart so tightly.
Another aspect I loved was the Muslim representation (especially of Chinese Muslim minorities, which we don't see a lot in media) and the way Zhao wrote this was phenomenal. Zack's relationship with his various identities and the way he grows as the story progresses was wonderful to read.
I must admit, alas, I did not know this was a series and now I am on the edge of my seat, shocked by the ending, pleading for the next book to be in my hands right this second! This is an amazing book, perfect for fans of Percy Jackson who like ancient gods and mythologies. It's an adventurous tale that never fails to entertain.
Another hit from Xiran Jay Zhao! (And Heavenly Tyrant creeps ever closer to publication, woohoo!)
A coffin of gold buries only a cold body.
-李白 (Translated by Xiran Jay Zhao)
September 1, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
This is a fun, middle grade adventure with lots of Chinese history threaded through. Zachary Ying is into this VR game involving mythology, but things go wrong when spirits take over the bodies of his friends and the spirit of a Chinese emperor wants to take over his. Then his mom's spirit is stolen and he must go on a quest through China to save her. Note that this does end on a cliff-hanger, and my 8 year old found the first couple of chapters too scary to continue with his mom being taken. Your mileage may vary. I think this confirms for me that I rarely love the experience of reading middle grade books (there are exceptions!) because so many of them focus heavily on action. This included. But I appreciate what it's doing and it's cool to have something making Chinese history exciting. There is also some very low-key queer rep- Zachary admits that he doesn't like girls romantically, but it's not a big thing. That said, I ADORED Iron Widow and can't wait for more like it.
This is a fun, middle grade adventure with lots of Chinese history threaded through. Zachary Ying is into this VR game involving mythology, but things go wrong when spirits take over the bodies of his friends and the spirit of a Chinese emperor wants to take over his. Then his mom's spirit is stolen and he must go on a quest through China to save her. Note that this does end on a cliff-hanger, and my 8 year old found the first couple of chapters too scary to continue with his mom being taken. Your mileage may vary. I think this confirms for me that I rarely love the experience of reading middle grade books (there are exceptions!) because so many of them focus heavily on action. This included. But I appreciate what it's doing and it's cool to have something making Chinese history exciting. There is also some very low-key queer rep- Zachary admits that he doesn't like girls romantically, but it's not a big thing. That said, I ADORED Iron Widow and can't wait for more like it.
May 30, 2023
“Okay, so there are legends basically everyone in a culture knows. Like Americans and their Batman and George Washington. For us in China, it’s Qin Shi Huang and Tang Taizong. We all know who they are and the legendary stuff they did. Them being in the minds of so many people generation after generation is what makes their spirits so powerful.”
If you love Percy Jackson, you'll adore this book.
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is basically Percy Jackson but with Chinese mythology. Their plots are quite similar as well. Their protagonists are both underdogs who feel as though they don't fit in—Zach arguably more than Percy because he's Chinese in a predominantly white area and is gay/queer. Both boys embark on a quest that has a countdown timer to mass destruction, and both their mothers are at risk of dying unless they complete the quest.
I appreciate Zhao not shying away from addressing China's dictatorship government and human rights violations, especially since the book is mostly set in modern-day China. She rightfully shows that there's a difference between supporting China and supporting the People's Republic of China. Zack's family is Muslim and he was killed for protesting against Chinese oppression of Uighur Muslims and other minorities.
“What happened to your father was horrific and unforgivable, but you must remember that the Chinese government does not represent our people. It acts with its own agenda, an agenda that the average citizen has no control over.”
Personally, I like this book more than Iron Widow, but at this rate, I'll happily read anything Zhao writes.
June 13, 2022
zachary ying is such a wildly exciting, fast-paced, magical adventure - i'm not really a middle grade reader but this gave exactly what it was supposed to give.
- crash course on chinese history and mythology in a fun, immersive way that integrates with the plot.
- likable, sympathetic protagonist.
- love how the magical powers come from invoking chinese historical legends and myths.
- really appreciate the casual gay muslim rep - we desperately need more of this in fantasy books. it was also good to see rep for chinese ethnic minorities.
the only caveat i have is that all the rapid historical explanations might get a bit confusing for the book's intended audience although i do think they're worded in a simple, digestible way. besides that, i'm excited for the sequel and i hope it develops the friendships between the main three more.
rep: hui chinese-american gay muslim mc, miao chinese sc, all-chinese cast
- crash course on chinese history and mythology in a fun, immersive way that integrates with the plot.
- likable, sympathetic protagonist.
- love how the magical powers come from invoking chinese historical legends and myths.
- really appreciate the casual gay muslim rep - we desperately need more of this in fantasy books. it was also good to see rep for chinese ethnic minorities.
the only caveat i have is that all the rapid historical explanations might get a bit confusing for the book's intended audience although i do think they're worded in a simple, digestible way. besides that, i'm excited for the sequel and i hope it develops the friendships between the main three more.
rep: hui chinese-american gay muslim mc, miao chinese sc, all-chinese cast
September 23, 2022
Yu-Gi-Oh with Chinese culture and instead of a card game, they play Pokémon GO.
Being both Chinese and Muslim, Zach spends a lot of his time trying to fit into his American school, which doesn’t leave a lot of time for him to connect with his cultural heritage. This never seemed like a problem until Zach is attacked on the playground, and the ghost of his ancestor, the First Emperor of China, tries to possess him. The possession fails, but Zach finds himself battling against historical and mythic figures across China in order to save the mortal realm.
Zachary Ying is an entertaining fast-paced middle grade novel in which Zach learns about himself, in both the sense of his culture and the type of person he wants to be. Author Xiran Jay Zhao is a master at keeping the stakes high while keeping the story fun.
This is a perfect book for anyone who loves Percy Jackson, Amari Peters, or Aru Shah. – Dominique A.
Being both Chinese and Muslim, Zach spends a lot of his time trying to fit into his American school, which doesn’t leave a lot of time for him to connect with his cultural heritage. This never seemed like a problem until Zach is attacked on the playground, and the ghost of his ancestor, the First Emperor of China, tries to possess him. The possession fails, but Zach finds himself battling against historical and mythic figures across China in order to save the mortal realm.
Zachary Ying is an entertaining fast-paced middle grade novel in which Zach learns about himself, in both the sense of his culture and the type of person he wants to be. Author Xiran Jay Zhao is a master at keeping the stakes high while keeping the story fun.
This is a perfect book for anyone who loves Percy Jackson, Amari Peters, or Aru Shah. – Dominique A.
August 8, 2022
After reading:
YES I LOVE THIS. I love the representation of Chinese minorities, the queer rep, the character development amidst non-stop action as well as the unabashed nerdy Chinese history and anime inspirations.
While it is still a middle grade book, it doesn't shy away from exploring heavier important themes and morally grey characters. I adore that about Xiran's writing.
Before reading:
I just absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on this book. I am admittedly extremely partial to Xiran's work, which is so inspired by their experiences as Chinese diaspora and the struggles in reclaiming that part of our identities, all things that resonate with me too well.
As they said:
"Being Chinese has become so painfully political. Pride in Chinese culture is no longer as simple as that, but could accidentally play into the Chinese government’s use of traditional culture as propaganda. Yet on another hand, there’s the necessity of demystifying and defending Chinese culture to combat anti-Chinese racism... traditional Chinese culture and history don't belong to the Chinese government."
Y E S! I want to be proud of every part of myself, without political and prejudicial influences. I am so here for this awareness, while having fun via worldbuilding in fiction.
YES I LOVE THIS. I love the representation of Chinese minorities, the queer rep, the character development amidst non-stop action as well as the unabashed nerdy Chinese history and anime inspirations.
While it is still a middle grade book, it doesn't shy away from exploring heavier important themes and morally grey characters. I adore that about Xiran's writing.
Before reading:
I just absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on this book. I am admittedly extremely partial to Xiran's work, which is so inspired by their experiences as Chinese diaspora and the struggles in reclaiming that part of our identities, all things that resonate with me too well.
As they said:
"Being Chinese has become so painfully political. Pride in Chinese culture is no longer as simple as that, but could accidentally play into the Chinese government’s use of traditional culture as propaganda. Yet on another hand, there’s the necessity of demystifying and defending Chinese culture to combat anti-Chinese racism... traditional Chinese culture and history don't belong to the Chinese government."
Y E S! I want to be proud of every part of myself, without political and prejudicial influences. I am so here for this awareness, while having fun via worldbuilding in fiction.
August 20, 2025
Wow, this one took an awfully long time for me to finish. Maybe I should have just given up and filed it under "did not finish" because my feelings for this book did not change from start to finish. But my hope for Zachary Ying and The Dragon Emperor ruled over my better judgement.
The premise is certainly eye-catching: a cross between Percy Jackson and Yu-Gi-Oh! but with Chinese history and mythology? Sign me up! I wanted to read it even more after finding out that Zack is a Chinese Muslim and that there would be queer representation. But an exciting premise and the promise of good representation do not make a good book alone.
Unfortunately, Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor suffers from the problem of reading like a first draft. The story is mostly told through huge exposition dumps about Chinese history and mythology. Every time a new character or place is introduced, several paragraphs are dedicated to explaining their/its historical importance. Oftentimes, this exposition is given during the middle of battle, taking the reader out of the story and killing any momentum. In the case of the Emperors, the explanation about their historical importance seems like a placeholder for developing a fleshed out personality.
And this problem carries over to the characters of Simon and Melissa. Because they spend so much of their time being possessed by their respective Emperors, I felt like I had absolutely no idea who they were as people. Simon never went beyond being a nerd about Chinese history who was good at video games and Melissa just felt like a stereotypical pretty girl with a mean(ish) mouth. Because the pacing is so fast we never actually get to just sit with these characters to find out who they are and see them change over the course of the story.
The same can be said for the fight scenes as well. They just rush on by with Zack usually passing out by the end and the rest of the events being relayed to him by the other characters. There's a lot of telling in this book as opposed to showing.
Zack is the only character who gets any character development, and even then, because the pacing is so breakneck it feels rushed. With the way we were rapidly running towards the end of the book I was sure it was a standalone, only to find out there is a sequel in the works. There are ways to tie up loose ends, and finish a first novel in a series, without making the ending feel unsatisfactory.
The premise is certainly eye-catching: a cross between Percy Jackson and Yu-Gi-Oh! but with Chinese history and mythology? Sign me up! I wanted to read it even more after finding out that Zack is a Chinese Muslim and that there would be queer representation. But an exciting premise and the promise of good representation do not make a good book alone.
Unfortunately, Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor suffers from the problem of reading like a first draft. The story is mostly told through huge exposition dumps about Chinese history and mythology. Every time a new character or place is introduced, several paragraphs are dedicated to explaining their/its historical importance. Oftentimes, this exposition is given during the middle of battle, taking the reader out of the story and killing any momentum. In the case of the Emperors, the explanation about their historical importance seems like a placeholder for developing a fleshed out personality.
And this problem carries over to the characters of Simon and Melissa. Because they spend so much of their time being possessed by their respective Emperors, I felt like I had absolutely no idea who they were as people. Simon never went beyond being a nerd about Chinese history who was good at video games and Melissa just felt like a stereotypical pretty girl with a mean(ish) mouth. Because the pacing is so fast we never actually get to just sit with these characters to find out who they are and see them change over the course of the story.
The same can be said for the fight scenes as well. They just rush on by with Zack usually passing out by the end and the rest of the events being relayed to him by the other characters. There's a lot of telling in this book as opposed to showing.
Zack is the only character who gets any character development, and even then, because the pacing is so breakneck it feels rushed. With the way we were rapidly running towards the end of the book I was sure it was a standalone, only to find out there is a sequel in the works. There are ways to tie up loose ends, and finish a first novel in a series, without making the ending feel unsatisfactory.
July 6, 2023
I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to. I have never been passionate about (any) Asian culture so I really appreciated the history and cultural lessons. The presentation of the plot through altered reality games was clever and well done. I’m sure it would grab any kid who is mostly focusing on playing such games. I’ve recommended it to my son.
I know it’s just me, but I had a hard time holding the characters’ names in association with the character and didn’t know who was being referred to often. If I read more books with Chinese names used, I’m sure it would get easier. Well, there will be a sequel to this one, which had a last line hook, so I may pick it up eventually.
The narrator was quite good.
Read for the YA-NA group.
I know it’s just me, but I had a hard time holding the characters’ names in association with the character and didn’t know who was being referred to often. If I read more books with Chinese names used, I’m sure it would get easier. Well, there will be a sequel to this one, which had a last line hook, so I may pick it up eventually.
The narrator was quite good.
Read for the YA-NA group.
May 5, 2022
CW: racism, mentions of Chinese govt’s brutal oppression of ethnic minorities
Definitely a 4.5 and I’m rounding up.
Would I have read this middle grade action adventure novel if not for the author being Xiran?? Probably not. I only finished the Aru Shah series because it’s inspired from my favorite childhood stories and I truly didn’t have interest in checking out more middle grade novels. But I fell in love with Iron Widow and then Xiran’s fantastic YouTube channel, so I was ofcourse gonna read whatever they write next, even if it turned out to be MG. And this was a total riot.
To be honest, I’m just glad I’ve watched some cdramas, brushed up on a bit of Chinese history and watched all of Xiran’s videos diligently in the past year or so, because otherwise the experience of reading this book wouldn’t be the same. I’m not saying that you won’t enjoy the book if you don’t know the history - you still will because the story is written in such a way that everything that needs to be learnt is told in an organic way and you learn it along with the main character. But if you do know some little history and pop culture tidbits, it just makes you feel more excited and in the know. The magic system is also very interesting because it’s based on myths and legends and how much people believe in them. The writing is fun and quirky and full of banter, and the action starts right from chapter one, so there’s not much here to get bored. We are always on the move with the characters, going on heists and summoning legendary historical or mythical figures and just overall having fun all throughout.
While all the fun parts should be great for the age group of readers for whom this book is written for, I think what I loved was how many themes the author tackled while never letting it get too heavy and in the way of the fun. The one thing this book definitely is is a story of being part of a diaspora, unable to feel like you belong anywhere, not knowing much about the place where your family comes from but also being othered in the place you live. Our main character’s struggles are also amplified because he is from an ethnic minority in China and Muslim who are being oppressed in the mainland, but for the Americans around him, he is just another outsider Chinese boy. But while he goes on his journey to save China, he not only gets to know more about his culture and heritage, he is also able to confront the reality of wanting to be proud of his culture but also understanding the brutality of the government against his people. But this story is not just about him finding his own way through his heritage. This is also about the perils of power and authority, how power can corrupt anyone, and how the myths and legends we get to know might not always have a basis in truth. We can never be sure about the truth behind who is hailed and who is vilified in our historical texts because it all depends on who’s writing the stories. And finally, there’s quite a bit of contemplation here about what makes a good leader and how the ones we think we know the truth about can contain multitudes.
Zachary Ying or Zack is a twelve year old who just wishes that he could have friends with whom he can be himself and not trash his mother’s lunches because his friends think he smells. He is struggling for belonging but he finds all the love he needs from his mom, who had to escape from oppression but works hard to ensure her son leads a better and safe life. He is overwhelmed with his sudden circumstances but he is also ready to do anything to save his mom. While he slowly gains power and gets to understand what powerful means, he also experiences betrayals and untruths and has to decide for himself what he wants to believe in and how he wants to save China. He is very easy to empathize with and I loved following along his journey, seeing him grow and understand his priorities.
He is supported in his adventures mainly by the spirit of the first emperor of China, Qin ShiHuang, who has possessed his gaming lenses. Famously known as a tyrant, there are many legends associated with him and Zack gets to know his and his history slowly. It was actually quite fun to understand the stories about the historical figure and reconciling that with his spirit which has had thousands more years of evolution and might not be so tyrannical anymore. But he can be pompous and full of himself, so it was interesting to get to see all sides of him and how he reacts to the various good and bad legends that have formed around him. Zack is also supported in his mission to save China by two mainlander kids of his age, Simon and Melissa but I don’t wanna give away which emperors they are being possessed by because that was a lovely surprise. I just wanna say that I loved their budding friendship, especially Zack and Simon because Simon is the history nerd who takes it upon himself to educate Zack. And it was also nice to see Zack be freer among people of his own age. Ofcourse, we also get to meet many other historical figures, especially the comrades and enemies of these emperors as well as some other mythical and legendary figures, and I was especially excited whenever someone showed up whose story I already knew a bit.
To conclude, what more can I say. If you’ve enjoyed reading Percy Jackson, Aru Shah or other middle grade adventure stories featuring mythological figures, then this is a perfect book for you. It’s fast paced, action packed, full of history and pop culture info without ever feeling too overwhelming, and characters who are very entertaining to engage with. If you have any interest in Chinese dynastic history, you really will find this a lot of fun. And if you’ve read Iron Widow, then be prepared for some delightful surprises.
Definitely a 4.5 and I’m rounding up.
Would I have read this middle grade action adventure novel if not for the author being Xiran?? Probably not. I only finished the Aru Shah series because it’s inspired from my favorite childhood stories and I truly didn’t have interest in checking out more middle grade novels. But I fell in love with Iron Widow and then Xiran’s fantastic YouTube channel, so I was ofcourse gonna read whatever they write next, even if it turned out to be MG. And this was a total riot.
To be honest, I’m just glad I’ve watched some cdramas, brushed up on a bit of Chinese history and watched all of Xiran’s videos diligently in the past year or so, because otherwise the experience of reading this book wouldn’t be the same. I’m not saying that you won’t enjoy the book if you don’t know the history - you still will because the story is written in such a way that everything that needs to be learnt is told in an organic way and you learn it along with the main character. But if you do know some little history and pop culture tidbits, it just makes you feel more excited and in the know. The magic system is also very interesting because it’s based on myths and legends and how much people believe in them. The writing is fun and quirky and full of banter, and the action starts right from chapter one, so there’s not much here to get bored. We are always on the move with the characters, going on heists and summoning legendary historical or mythical figures and just overall having fun all throughout.
While all the fun parts should be great for the age group of readers for whom this book is written for, I think what I loved was how many themes the author tackled while never letting it get too heavy and in the way of the fun. The one thing this book definitely is is a story of being part of a diaspora, unable to feel like you belong anywhere, not knowing much about the place where your family comes from but also being othered in the place you live. Our main character’s struggles are also amplified because he is from an ethnic minority in China and Muslim who are being oppressed in the mainland, but for the Americans around him, he is just another outsider Chinese boy. But while he goes on his journey to save China, he not only gets to know more about his culture and heritage, he is also able to confront the reality of wanting to be proud of his culture but also understanding the brutality of the government against his people. But this story is not just about him finding his own way through his heritage. This is also about the perils of power and authority, how power can corrupt anyone, and how the myths and legends we get to know might not always have a basis in truth. We can never be sure about the truth behind who is hailed and who is vilified in our historical texts because it all depends on who’s writing the stories. And finally, there’s quite a bit of contemplation here about what makes a good leader and how the ones we think we know the truth about can contain multitudes.
Zachary Ying or Zack is a twelve year old who just wishes that he could have friends with whom he can be himself and not trash his mother’s lunches because his friends think he smells. He is struggling for belonging but he finds all the love he needs from his mom, who had to escape from oppression but works hard to ensure her son leads a better and safe life. He is overwhelmed with his sudden circumstances but he is also ready to do anything to save his mom. While he slowly gains power and gets to understand what powerful means, he also experiences betrayals and untruths and has to decide for himself what he wants to believe in and how he wants to save China. He is very easy to empathize with and I loved following along his journey, seeing him grow and understand his priorities.
He is supported in his adventures mainly by the spirit of the first emperor of China, Qin ShiHuang, who has possessed his gaming lenses. Famously known as a tyrant, there are many legends associated with him and Zack gets to know his and his history slowly. It was actually quite fun to understand the stories about the historical figure and reconciling that with his spirit which has had thousands more years of evolution and might not be so tyrannical anymore. But he can be pompous and full of himself, so it was interesting to get to see all sides of him and how he reacts to the various good and bad legends that have formed around him. Zack is also supported in his mission to save China by two mainlander kids of his age, Simon and Melissa but I don’t wanna give away which emperors they are being possessed by because that was a lovely surprise. I just wanna say that I loved their budding friendship, especially Zack and Simon because Simon is the history nerd who takes it upon himself to educate Zack. And it was also nice to see Zack be freer among people of his own age. Ofcourse, we also get to meet many other historical figures, especially the comrades and enemies of these emperors as well as some other mythical and legendary figures, and I was especially excited whenever someone showed up whose story I already knew a bit.
To conclude, what more can I say. If you’ve enjoyed reading Percy Jackson, Aru Shah or other middle grade adventure stories featuring mythological figures, then this is a perfect book for you. It’s fast paced, action packed, full of history and pop culture info without ever feeling too overwhelming, and characters who are very entertaining to engage with. If you have any interest in Chinese dynastic history, you really will find this a lot of fun. And if you’ve read Iron Widow, then be prepared for some delightful surprises.
Want to read
January 30, 2021YUGIOH BUT CHINA
I HAVE A MIGHTY NEED FOR THIS BOOK
I HAVE A MIGHTY NEED FOR THIS BOOK
February 24, 2022
Cannot stress how excited I was that my store got an arc for this one. This review has no story spoilers.
When I finished Xiran Jay Zhao's debut novel, Iron Widow, I took to the internet to find out when their next book was coming out. After about a half-second of disappointment upon seeing it wasn't a sequel, I read the synopsis for Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, and I had the exact same feeling about the book that I'd had about Iron Widow: I'd never read anything like that before. Zhao has an incredible knack for surprising fiction, but a unique premise isn't enough – an author needs to back it up with substance and quality. Zhao has now managed this balancing act twice, with two incredible novels that really have it all. If Iron Widow is Pacific Rim meets Handmaid's Tale, then Zachary Ying might be Gaiman's American Gods meets Yu-gi-Oh, all through the lens of Chinese history and mythology. Here's where I'll stop comparing Zhao's two novels, because they really are two very different books. Like American Gods, Zachary Ying doesn't shy away from the complicated nature of a cultural identity, but Zhao's book never manages to lose a sense of optimism and pride. There's so much to say about Zachary's journey, which is thrilling enough to engage young and reluctant readers (cool superpowers, cool monsters, actually fun facts about sometimes very strange historical moments), but complex and intimate enough for advanced readers or adults who like weird fiction. I'll just wrap it up with this: It's real, real good. I was so excited for Zhao's next book, and it did not disappoint.
When I finished Xiran Jay Zhao's debut novel, Iron Widow, I took to the internet to find out when their next book was coming out. After about a half-second of disappointment upon seeing it wasn't a sequel, I read the synopsis for Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, and I had the exact same feeling about the book that I'd had about Iron Widow: I'd never read anything like that before. Zhao has an incredible knack for surprising fiction, but a unique premise isn't enough – an author needs to back it up with substance and quality. Zhao has now managed this balancing act twice, with two incredible novels that really have it all. If Iron Widow is Pacific Rim meets Handmaid's Tale, then Zachary Ying might be Gaiman's American Gods meets Yu-gi-Oh, all through the lens of Chinese history and mythology. Here's where I'll stop comparing Zhao's two novels, because they really are two very different books. Like American Gods, Zachary Ying doesn't shy away from the complicated nature of a cultural identity, but Zhao's book never manages to lose a sense of optimism and pride. There's so much to say about Zachary's journey, which is thrilling enough to engage young and reluctant readers (cool superpowers, cool monsters, actually fun facts about sometimes very strange historical moments), but complex and intimate enough for advanced readers or adults who like weird fiction. I'll just wrap it up with this: It's real, real good. I was so excited for Zhao's next book, and it did not disappoint.
Read
July 2, 2022good gods i have been reminded once again why middle-grade books are an absolute blessing to the earth. zachary ying and the dragon emperor boasts a fun and adventure-filled storyline with characters you can't help but love. i love how xiran jay zhao was able to weave chinese history and mythology in an entertaining way that also makes you eager to learn more about them. i think this is a book that readers of all ages can come to love. i am so excited for the sequel and i can't wait to read more about zach and this chaotic world of magic and history.
Want to read
April 5, 2021Zack’s AR gaming headset gets possessed by the First Emperor of China, who compels him to journey across China to heist artifacts and defeat figures from history and myth so he can seal the underworld.
June 7, 2022
im gonna make this book my whole personality now
May 18, 2022
“No. He was not Qin Shi Huang. And neither was he Jason Xuan, nor was he Shuda Li. Zack had spent so much of his life looking up to idols, trying to become someone different from himself, but they had all turned out to be shams with much bigger messes going on in the background than their glorious images suggested. He was done following others. He was Ying Ziyang, Zachary Ying, and from now on, he would find his own way.”
Rating: 4/5
★★★★☆
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for presenting me with an ARC of this book in exchange of a honest review.
A breathtaking middle grade debut, Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is a gripping tale that heavily focuses on identity and finding your true self. I loved everything about this book except the action scenes, which were honestly a pain to get through. Not that the writing was bad or anything, it was just super slow to me.
After a seeming accident, the First Emperor of China—Qin Shi Hang—tries to possess him, and fails. Soon after, his life turns upside down after a spirit tries to capture his mom’s soul and now Zack is on an adventure with two other teens; Simon Li who hosts the soul of Tang Taizong and Melissa Wu, hosting Wu Zetian.
Zack is a Muslim Chinese American, whose identity is deeply explored in the book. I really loved the way the author explains the myths, Zack’s inner monologue of whether he could ever be enough for the world.
The morality of the characters was also really well done and that actually shone through the pages. The Emperors’ cruelty and their reasonings behind their actions, Zack and his friends’ actions in the book, they all contributed greatly and it was really spectacular.
The only thing that I didn’t like about this book was the action sequences that read very slow and bland to me. If the writing of those particular scenes were improved, I’d definitely have loved this book more. At first, I thought it was the problem with the writing in general, but the other parts had me turning the pages, while the fights just couldn’t, no matter how hard they tried.
Finally, I loved the end and how neatly it wrapped up the novel (Well, not literally because there definitely is room for a sequel after that cliffhanger). Zack figuring out himself was much more stronger and wholesome than I ever expected it to be. I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for any news about the sequel and hope it’s so much better than the former.
Check out the full review along with Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom on my blog! (read here)
May 10, 2022
Zhao returns with another break-neck Chinese history-inspired sci-fi novel and it’s an absolute delight. Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is marketed as Percy Jackson meets Yu Gi Oh and for once the comps are exactly what this book offers. Zachary, you average middle school boy, suddenly learns that the VR video game he plays isn’t just fiction and is thrust into a world of bickering historical and mythological Chinese figures, all while trying to save his mother’s soul. Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, plays a weirdly prominent role with bizarre personalities in online media, from the Qin Huangdi RP twitter account to FateGO’s mothman and Zhao is here to add yet another delightful addition to that canon. Easily my favorite part of this book was the bickering between Qin and the various other figures Zach meets through his journey, each petty argument laced with historical references and stories that a younger me would have just loved. As usual, Zhao is unapologetic in calling out racism, both the racism Zach faces in the US for being Chinese, and the racism he faces when he travels to China, for not being the right kind of Chinese. At the same time, they deftly interrogate Zach’s Muslim identity and how a Western perception of China is often skewed. Overall, I rate this book a 4.5/5.
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LOVE the bickering between the various emperors and spirits. Local confused banana utterly wrecks the Chinese mythological pantheon, accidentally saves the world
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LOVE the bickering between the various emperors and spirits. Local confused banana utterly wrecks the Chinese mythological pantheon, accidentally saves the world
August 4, 2022
How to even start with this...
This was one of my most anticipated releases of this year and, after reading and loving Iron Widow, I had super high hopes. I adored the premise of this book, but sadly, the execution fell kinda flat for me.
My main issue with this was the pacing, and that I felt like the author was overcomplicating everything. There's a lot of action in this book, which I love, but I was super frustrated that the action was constantly being interrupted by random history lessons - it just made the pacing feel too choppy.
I also feel like they made it too complicated - we have to know the history and legend behind every emperor, enemy and object - there was just too much to explain and information was constantly being dumped on us. I feel like if the author had simplified the lore of the magic system a bit, the pacing would have felt more fluid and not so info-dumpy.
Ultimately, this book left me feeling kinda unsatisfied, and I don't think I'll be picking up the sequel...
This was one of my most anticipated releases of this year and, after reading and loving Iron Widow, I had super high hopes. I adored the premise of this book, but sadly, the execution fell kinda flat for me.
My main issue with this was the pacing, and that I felt like the author was overcomplicating everything. There's a lot of action in this book, which I love, but I was super frustrated that the action was constantly being interrupted by random history lessons - it just made the pacing feel too choppy.
I also feel like they made it too complicated - we have to know the history and legend behind every emperor, enemy and object - there was just too much to explain and information was constantly being dumped on us. I feel like if the author had simplified the lore of the magic system a bit, the pacing would have felt more fluid and not so info-dumpy.
Ultimately, this book left me feeling kinda unsatisfied, and I don't think I'll be picking up the sequel...
May 12, 2022
3/5
Read the full review on my blog!
Kinda bummed that I didn't enjoy this more, there were definitely really good things about this book and I had fun, but:
- way too fast-paced, it was hard to understand what was going on and to picture the scenes most of the time
- so many information thrown into 350 pages, including info-dumps
- i really loved that this was filled with historical facts, but it got really confusing and i would've liked it more if it had been focused on a few things and dug deeper, instead of going in all different directions.
...But it was also funny, and unlike anything I'd read before!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for this eARC!
Read the full review on my blog!
Kinda bummed that I didn't enjoy this more, there were definitely really good things about this book and I had fun, but:
- way too fast-paced, it was hard to understand what was going on and to picture the scenes most of the time
- so many information thrown into 350 pages, including info-dumps
- i really loved that this was filled with historical facts, but it got really confusing and i would've liked it more if it had been focused on a few things and dug deeper, instead of going in all different directions.
...But it was also funny, and unlike anything I'd read before!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for this eARC!
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