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Breathmarked #1
Breath of the Dragon
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Sci-Fi (2025)The first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy duology based on characters and teachings created by Bruce Lee!
Sixteen-year-old Jun dreams of proving his worth as a warrior in the elite Guardian’s Tournament, held every six years to entrust the magical Scroll of Earth to a new protector. Eager to prove his skills, Jun hopes that a win will restore his father’s honor—righting a horrible mistake that caused their banishment from his home, mother, and twin brother.
But Jun’s father strictly forbids him from participating. There is no future in honing his skills as a warrior, especially considering Jun is not breathmarked, born with a patch of dragon scales and blessed with special abilities like his twin. Determined to be the next Guardian, Jun stows away in the wagon of Chang and his daughter, Ren, performers on their way to the capital where the tournament will take place.
As Jun competes, he quickly realizes he may be fighting for not just a better life, but the fate of the country itself.
Sixteen-year-old Jun dreams of proving his worth as a warrior in the elite Guardian’s Tournament, held every six years to entrust the magical Scroll of Earth to a new protector. Eager to prove his skills, Jun hopes that a win will restore his father’s honor—righting a horrible mistake that caused their banishment from his home, mother, and twin brother.
But Jun’s father strictly forbids him from participating. There is no future in honing his skills as a warrior, especially considering Jun is not breathmarked, born with a patch of dragon scales and blessed with special abilities like his twin. Determined to be the next Guardian, Jun stows away in the wagon of Chang and his daughter, Ren, performers on their way to the capital where the tournament will take place.
As Jun competes, he quickly realizes he may be fighting for not just a better life, but the fate of the country itself.
341 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2025
359 people are currently reading
41900 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,196 reviews
January 14, 2025
4.25!
“The first one to show doubt loses.”
I am so glad I started my Fonda Lee journey with this book because it gave me such a good idea of her writing, it was so addicting and so fun to read like it wasn't anything mindblowing but the concept was very well thought and the way it was written was so easy to get invested in. I feel like the story itself was very unique. It's a series so I won't be too critical about the world building but it was severely lacking in this book. There were occasional glimpses of it but nothing rock solid for the book to have a foundation so I hope the next book explores a bit of that. I really enjoyed reading the about the magic system and of about the breathmarks and how it works and who they are and how they're chosen. It was right up my alley.
"Li Jun is only sixteen, born under the Red Star. He's the youngest competitor at the tournament, and even though he doesn't have a breathmark, he fights as if divinely inspired by Dragon himself."
The main focus of this book is about Jun, a twin who is not breathmarked and banished alongside his father for practicing the art of fighting becuase it is forbidden in the east whereas his mother and his twin who is breathmarked are taken to be raised and morphed into soldiers, I feel like Jun not being breathmarked was the part that I really liked becuase it didnt make the main character to be the strongest like he wasnt given that, he had to train and figth and earn it and his passion for it was amazing to read. The lengths that he went through to get there was also something I appreciated and the brief emotional points that we got to read between him and his father were also well done. Yin Yue and Fen (I maybe confusing her name) were nice additions to the sty as side characters. I liked the bond of friendship that they made over the span of this story.
"I had a good sifu,' Jun said, 'who told me that the only way to master others is to master yourself first."
The plot was overall also an enjoyable factor of this book. The whole tournament kinda gave me that first season of beyblade vibes lol, the arena and the way the contestants fought was something that I was craving to read, I liked the journey that Jun had to go through to be on that level the overlapping plot wasnt really that gripping for me, I was more interested in reading about the tournament and one more thing that I felt could have been way better were the action sequences in this book, I feel like they could have been more descriptive than they were. It would have set the mood and the tone of those scenes much better but besides that I didnt really have any problems that bugged me.
Overall, I would recommend!
__
Me being in this atrocious slump made me forget about this arc 😞 gonna try and speed through this one also didn't think this would be my first Fonda lee book but here we go 🤸🏻
“The first one to show doubt loses.”
I am so glad I started my Fonda Lee journey with this book because it gave me such a good idea of her writing, it was so addicting and so fun to read like it wasn't anything mindblowing but the concept was very well thought and the way it was written was so easy to get invested in. I feel like the story itself was very unique. It's a series so I won't be too critical about the world building but it was severely lacking in this book. There were occasional glimpses of it but nothing rock solid for the book to have a foundation so I hope the next book explores a bit of that. I really enjoyed reading the about the magic system and of about the breathmarks and how it works and who they are and how they're chosen. It was right up my alley.
"Li Jun is only sixteen, born under the Red Star. He's the youngest competitor at the tournament, and even though he doesn't have a breathmark, he fights as if divinely inspired by Dragon himself."
The main focus of this book is about Jun, a twin who is not breathmarked and banished alongside his father for practicing the art of fighting becuase it is forbidden in the east whereas his mother and his twin who is breathmarked are taken to be raised and morphed into soldiers, I feel like Jun not being breathmarked was the part that I really liked becuase it didnt make the main character to be the strongest like he wasnt given that, he had to train and figth and earn it and his passion for it was amazing to read. The lengths that he went through to get there was also something I appreciated and the brief emotional points that we got to read between him and his father were also well done. Yin Yue and Fen (I maybe confusing her name) were nice additions to the sty as side characters. I liked the bond of friendship that they made over the span of this story.
"I had a good sifu,' Jun said, 'who told me that the only way to master others is to master yourself first."
The plot was overall also an enjoyable factor of this book. The whole tournament kinda gave me that first season of beyblade vibes lol, the arena and the way the contestants fought was something that I was craving to read, I liked the journey that Jun had to go through to be on that level the overlapping plot wasnt really that gripping for me, I was more interested in reading about the tournament and one more thing that I felt could have been way better were the action sequences in this book, I feel like they could have been more descriptive than they were. It would have set the mood and the tone of those scenes much better but besides that I didnt really have any problems that bugged me.
Overall, I would recommend!
__
Me being in this atrocious slump made me forget about this arc 😞 gonna try and speed through this one also didn't think this would be my first Fonda lee book but here we go 🤸🏻
October 14, 2025
this book is a young adult fantasy that follows Li Jun, a young boy learning martial arts from his father in a quest to grow stronger and prove himself. His twin brother is Birthmarked. a status that seems to signify greatness but Jun isn’t, which drives his desire to carve out his own path as a warrior.
This was such a fun, lighthearted read. I picked it up partly because Fonda Lee was listed as a co-writer, and I think that raised my expectations a little too high. Don’t get me wrong it’s a solid book. But I was hoping for something that completely wowed me, and it didn’t quite get there. That said, I can’t really point to anything specific that bothered me, either. It was fast paced, entertaining, and I devoured it in one sitting.
one of the things I loved about it was how much it reminded me of some of my favorite anime, especially Hunter x Hunter. The whole setup of a young boy trying to prove himself through arena competitions gave me major Heaven’s Arena ARC vibes. And the way Jun learns to channel his energy and embrace his inner power felt a lot like how Gon mastered Nen. I don’t know if that was intentional, but it was hard not to see the parallels.
Overall, this book has a strong anime feel. plenty of action, training montages, and moments of self discovery. It’s not a book that’s going to completely change your world, but it’s a fun, quick read that’s easy to get lost in for a few hours.
***ARC provided by the publisher—St. Martin's Press—ALC by Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest Review.***
This was such a fun, lighthearted read. I picked it up partly because Fonda Lee was listed as a co-writer, and I think that raised my expectations a little too high. Don’t get me wrong it’s a solid book. But I was hoping for something that completely wowed me, and it didn’t quite get there. That said, I can’t really point to anything specific that bothered me, either. It was fast paced, entertaining, and I devoured it in one sitting.
one of the things I loved about it was how much it reminded me of some of my favorite anime, especially Hunter x Hunter. The whole setup of a young boy trying to prove himself through arena competitions gave me major Heaven’s Arena ARC vibes. And the way Jun learns to channel his energy and embrace his inner power felt a lot like how Gon mastered Nen. I don’t know if that was intentional, but it was hard not to see the parallels.
Overall, this book has a strong anime feel. plenty of action, training montages, and moments of self discovery. It’s not a book that’s going to completely change your world, but it’s a fun, quick read that’s easy to get lost in for a few hours.
***ARC provided by the publisher—St. Martin's Press—ALC by Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest Review.***
August 25, 2025
RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 4⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4⭐️
The standout of this book is the setting. With a plot-thickening political structure, religion, culture, and magic system, this story captured my imagination immediately. The plot has good pacing and relies on a tried and true narrative structure that works well! This will be predictable to adult readers, but is ideal for the young adult audience. There's an immediate emotional conflict, a rival, a quest, a competition, and a grander conflict revealed at the climax! It makes for exciting storytelling, a strong escalation, and room to develop characters and relationships.
The writing, while young adult in structure and plot, is more sophisticated stylistically. It is more show than tell, without too much inner monologue or hand-holding. There are complex (but age-appropriate) themes of identity, jealousy, self-worth, unity, otherness, power, and responsibility. It's well-woven—that is, subtle and natural without feeling too forced. Overall, it feels technically polished, which I loved.
I am definitely invested in the story and eager for the next installment. I have a feeling book two will have big emotional payoff!
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 4⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4⭐️
The standout of this book is the setting. With a plot-thickening political structure, religion, culture, and magic system, this story captured my imagination immediately. The plot has good pacing and relies on a tried and true narrative structure that works well! This will be predictable to adult readers, but is ideal for the young adult audience. There's an immediate emotional conflict, a rival, a quest, a competition, and a grander conflict revealed at the climax! It makes for exciting storytelling, a strong escalation, and room to develop characters and relationships.
The writing, while young adult in structure and plot, is more sophisticated stylistically. It is more show than tell, without too much inner monologue or hand-holding. There are complex (but age-appropriate) themes of identity, jealousy, self-worth, unity, otherness, power, and responsibility. It's well-woven—that is, subtle and natural without feeling too forced. Overall, it feels technically polished, which I loved.
I am definitely invested in the story and eager for the next installment. I have a feeling book two will have big emotional payoff!
Want to read
September 6, 2024 ﹙started﹚ㅤ𓈒ㅤׂ 0 9 / 0 6 / 2 4 ⊹
౨ৎ arc is secured !!! ready to eat what fonda lee has been cooking up.
౨ৎ arc is secured !!! ready to eat what fonda lee has been cooking up.
January 3, 2025
“Marked or not, every one of us has Breath enough to will our own destiny into being.”
i wanted to like this more than i did cause the concept was interesting and the world building was very well thought out and realized. i just didn’t connect to the characters so i felt detached the whole time i was reading this. the fight scenes we’re entertaining but there was almost too many of them, so it started to feel repetitive and i got bored halfway through. i expected more out of Jun and his twin brother Sai’s dynamic and i found the reveals to be predictable. not a bad book by any means, just not the most memorable to be honest.
⥇ many thanks to NetGalley, the authors and St. Martin’s Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
i wanted to like this more than i did cause the concept was interesting and the world building was very well thought out and realized. i just didn’t connect to the characters so i felt detached the whole time i was reading this. the fight scenes we’re entertaining but there was almost too many of them, so it started to feel repetitive and i got bored halfway through. i expected more out of Jun and his twin brother Sai’s dynamic and i found the reveals to be predictable. not a bad book by any means, just not the most memorable to be honest.
⥇ many thanks to NetGalley, the authors and St. Martin’s Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
December 29, 2024
breath of the dragon is a love letter to martial arts, so much so that if you're not interested in martial arts or a plethora of fight scenes, this book is very much not for you.
the worldbuilding is easily the strongest aspect of this book - it's a fully realized world, with a rich history and mythos, built upon a compelling conflict and held up by well-written political intrigue. the plot is pretty straightforward and could've been so much better if it was carried out by more memorable characters and stronger relationships.
our protagonist jun starts off as a fairly infuriating, ungrateful, bratty kid but he does eventually face some harsh reality checks and undergoes much-needed growth and learning. i like seeing flawed characters grow and change. i also liked that the authors did a sort of reverse chosen one trope with him and actually stuck to it - jun isn't born with any special breathmarked abilities and doesn't somehow magically gain them over the course of his journey either (at least in this book). his triumphs are hard-won and i did feel for him, especially towards the end.
my major issues with this book are the lack of truly stand-out characters and the lack of genuine, strong relationships. i feel like the authors could've really delved into relationships like father/son, mentor/mentee, brothers, best friends/rivals that were only touched upon. this book needed strong emotional bonds to anchor the story and give more urgency and heft to some of the fight scenes.
there were points where the writing with all the fight scenes started feeling repetitive and tired - it just needed something more to it. when you have a generic plotline that's so full of fight scenes, you need great characters and relationships to make your story memorable. like this was a story that was crying out for a found family - i don't know how the authors missed that (and no, characters simply travelling together does not automatically make them a found family).
all in all, a fairly good young adult fantasy book with missed opportunities that could have made it something truly special. the ending does open up lots of potential for the story moving forward, so i'll definitely be checking out the sequel.
thank you to netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
the worldbuilding is easily the strongest aspect of this book - it's a fully realized world, with a rich history and mythos, built upon a compelling conflict and held up by well-written political intrigue. the plot is pretty straightforward and could've been so much better if it was carried out by more memorable characters and stronger relationships.
our protagonist jun starts off as a fairly infuriating, ungrateful, bratty kid but he does eventually face some harsh reality checks and undergoes much-needed growth and learning. i like seeing flawed characters grow and change. i also liked that the authors did a sort of reverse chosen one trope with him and actually stuck to it - jun isn't born with any special breathmarked abilities and doesn't somehow magically gain them over the course of his journey either (at least in this book). his triumphs are hard-won and i did feel for him, especially towards the end.
my major issues with this book are the lack of truly stand-out characters and the lack of genuine, strong relationships. i feel like the authors could've really delved into relationships like father/son, mentor/mentee, brothers, best friends/rivals that were only touched upon. this book needed strong emotional bonds to anchor the story and give more urgency and heft to some of the fight scenes.
there were points where the writing with all the fight scenes started feeling repetitive and tired - it just needed something more to it. when you have a generic plotline that's so full of fight scenes, you need great characters and relationships to make your story memorable. like this was a story that was crying out for a found family - i don't know how the authors missed that (and no, characters simply travelling together does not automatically make them a found family).
all in all, a fairly good young adult fantasy book with missed opportunities that could have made it something truly special. the ending does open up lots of potential for the story moving forward, so i'll definitely be checking out the sequel.
thank you to netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2025
➸ 4.5 stars
— thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the arc!
this was literally so good?! i was unable to put this one down and had so much fun reading!
i loved all of the martial arts/fighting, the tournament and the characters! looking forward to the next one :)
“The abilities that matter the most don’t come from Dragon’s blood. They’re gained day by day, through sweat and tears. Marked or not, every one of us has Breath enough to will our own destiny into being.”
— thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the arc!
this was literally so good?! i was unable to put this one down and had so much fun reading!
i loved all of the martial arts/fighting, the tournament and the characters! looking forward to the next one :)
June 3, 2024
Overview:
👊 Tournament story
🚫 No romance
👨👩👦 Found family
🥋 Martial arts
⏩ Fast paced
👥 Academic rivals
👦 Male main character in a YA
Fonda Lee, queen of fantasy as teamed up with Shannon Lee to break into the wonderful world of Young Adult and has now conquered this too.
Jun is a passionate martial artist, exhaled from his homeland while his magic endowed twin is brought to court. Living a life desperate to prove himself, Jun enters the Guardian Tournament, where he can fight to rise in the ranks of his newfound kingdom.
But this year, the tournament is different deadlier. More corrupt- and Jun is starting to learn why.
Lets just get something out of the way now. This is an actual YA, age appropriate adventure about a 16 year old who acts like a teen. While this adventure is larger than life, its awesome reading a book where the prose and story are meant to reflect children instead of being an adult book with the serial numbers shaved off. This is the kind of book id be pumped to give to my teenagers. For lack of a better comparison, it reminds me of the type of adventure mixed with darkness the later Harry Potter books had.
Jun is a wonderful protagonist. Hes a rambunctious pain in the ass with a big ego and a lot to learn, but he really does learn and grow through the story and becomes a young man. The character moments for him are earned through his own actions and a wonderful supporting roster of bright characters.
Jun connects with a musical martial arts master and teen sidekick duo. A whole revolutionary army. A corrupt general and his monster, a conniving doctor. A cast of crazy fighters from all over the country...and last but not least, his academic rival Yin, the boy he's dedicated himself to beating that he slowly can't help but be drawn to as a brother.
These characters give life and vibrancy to this world and make it feel whole. Down to very minor characters, they are all memorable, creatively written, and interesting to follow. The dialogue is sharp and snappy and its easy to follow each character and their motives over the course of the story.
The plot blends court politics and extremely well written, epic fighting scenes. Imagine the first Throne of Glass book if it had a baby with Cobra Kai. Its a fast paced blast of a story that always gives you motivation to turn the page. Reading this felt like watching a CW show from 2010. Its candy, but its candy made from an artisan small batch crafter who takes pride in his work.
Anyone going into Breath of the Dragon for 'Jade City' is going to be miserable, but the story has Fonda Lee's sharp writing and wit and impossible ability to draw you into a story. This book knows and respects its teen audience and I think has a ton of crossover appeal with adults who just appreciate great writing. I look forward to the world discovering Breath of the Dragon and will be going absolutely nuts when the second book drops.
👊 Tournament story
🚫 No romance
👨👩👦 Found family
🥋 Martial arts
⏩ Fast paced
👥 Academic rivals
👦 Male main character in a YA
Fonda Lee, queen of fantasy as teamed up with Shannon Lee to break into the wonderful world of Young Adult and has now conquered this too.
Jun is a passionate martial artist, exhaled from his homeland while his magic endowed twin is brought to court. Living a life desperate to prove himself, Jun enters the Guardian Tournament, where he can fight to rise in the ranks of his newfound kingdom.
But this year, the tournament is different deadlier. More corrupt- and Jun is starting to learn why.
Lets just get something out of the way now. This is an actual YA, age appropriate adventure about a 16 year old who acts like a teen. While this adventure is larger than life, its awesome reading a book where the prose and story are meant to reflect children instead of being an adult book with the serial numbers shaved off. This is the kind of book id be pumped to give to my teenagers. For lack of a better comparison, it reminds me of the type of adventure mixed with darkness the later Harry Potter books had.
Jun is a wonderful protagonist. Hes a rambunctious pain in the ass with a big ego and a lot to learn, but he really does learn and grow through the story and becomes a young man. The character moments for him are earned through his own actions and a wonderful supporting roster of bright characters.
Jun connects with a musical martial arts master and teen sidekick duo. A whole revolutionary army. A corrupt general and his monster, a conniving doctor. A cast of crazy fighters from all over the country...and last but not least, his academic rival Yin, the boy he's dedicated himself to beating that he slowly can't help but be drawn to as a brother.
These characters give life and vibrancy to this world and make it feel whole. Down to very minor characters, they are all memorable, creatively written, and interesting to follow. The dialogue is sharp and snappy and its easy to follow each character and their motives over the course of the story.
The plot blends court politics and extremely well written, epic fighting scenes. Imagine the first Throne of Glass book if it had a baby with Cobra Kai. Its a fast paced blast of a story that always gives you motivation to turn the page. Reading this felt like watching a CW show from 2010. Its candy, but its candy made from an artisan small batch crafter who takes pride in his work.
Anyone going into Breath of the Dragon for 'Jade City' is going to be miserable, but the story has Fonda Lee's sharp writing and wit and impossible ability to draw you into a story. This book knows and respects its teen audience and I think has a ton of crossover appeal with adults who just appreciate great writing. I look forward to the world discovering Breath of the Dragon and will be going absolutely nuts when the second book drops.
September 22, 2024
I love tournaments. Throw in a couple magical abilities too, and I'm there.
Rating: 4 ⭐️
"The abilities that matter the most don't come from Dragon's blood. They're gained day by day, through sweat and tears. Marked or not, every one of us has Breath enough to will our own destiny into being."
Every year since the East and West divided, there have been less breathmarked, those born with a special power. 10 years after being banished to the West, Jun dreams of winning the elite Guardian's Tournament. This book follows his journey to becoming a warrior, during which he is entrenched in a world of political machinations and treachery. What fun!
What I liked about this book:
1. The Tournament
Listennnnn, I love a tournament. It is such an effective way to create a cohesive storyline, introduce new opponents, and constantly up the stakes. It's also just so much fun to read!
2. The Characters
Jun had both the naivety and arrogance of a 16-year-old, while still being hard working and having a strong moral code. We first perceive many characters through his eyes and as he changes, so too do our perceptions of the people around him.
Jun is not breathmarked. He struggles to find a way to be important and carve out a place for himself without a special ability. While I love the show and pomp of a main character with ceaseless magical powers, there is something about a character having to make do with study, hard work, and aptitude.
3. The World
I love magical powers. There's something about having a physical manifestation of innate magical ability that scratches my brain. And having one twin be magical while the other isn't? And then being thrust apart because of an ideology? That absolute drama!!
4. The Ending
I'm excited for book 2!! I, of course, will not be supplying spoilers, but this is what I was waiting for all book!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me early access to Breath of the Dragon in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4 ⭐️
"The abilities that matter the most don't come from Dragon's blood. They're gained day by day, through sweat and tears. Marked or not, every one of us has Breath enough to will our own destiny into being."
Every year since the East and West divided, there have been less breathmarked, those born with a special power. 10 years after being banished to the West, Jun dreams of winning the elite Guardian's Tournament. This book follows his journey to becoming a warrior, during which he is entrenched in a world of political machinations and treachery. What fun!
What I liked about this book:
1. The Tournament
Listennnnn, I love a tournament. It is such an effective way to create a cohesive storyline, introduce new opponents, and constantly up the stakes. It's also just so much fun to read!
2. The Characters
Jun had both the naivety and arrogance of a 16-year-old, while still being hard working and having a strong moral code. We first perceive many characters through his eyes and as he changes, so too do our perceptions of the people around him.
Jun is not breathmarked. He struggles to find a way to be important and carve out a place for himself without a special ability. While I love the show and pomp of a main character with ceaseless magical powers, there is something about a character having to make do with study, hard work, and aptitude.
3. The World
I love magical powers. There's something about having a physical manifestation of innate magical ability that scratches my brain. And having one twin be magical while the other isn't? And then being thrust apart because of an ideology? That absolute drama!!
4. The Ending
I'm excited for book 2!! I, of course, will not be supplying spoilers, but this is what I was waiting for all book!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me early access to Breath of the Dragon in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 5, 2025
Dragon’s arse! This was such a fun and inspiring book!
Being both a fan of Fonda Lee’s exquisite writing and Bruce Lee’s charismatic free flowing fighting style, this book was a total win for me!
I loved the characters. I really identified with Jun and his family struggles. Much like the Snake Wall that separates Jun from his mother and twin brother, Sai, the Pacific Ocean separated my older sisters from my mother & I. Being a child of immigrants parents and being born in the United States while my sisters were stuck in the Philippines for 10 years until they could secure visas. We grew up apart from each other and so there’s always been this cultural and familial divide between us and only recently we’ve begun to feel like a strong family unit. I hope I can see the same happiness with Jun and his family! I didn’t expect to feel so totally seen by a YA novel, but it was cathartic. Thank you Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee for that wonderful experience! 🥲
I loved the world building and I loved the fact that this book was so action-packed! There’s so many memorable epic fight sequences that felt so cinematic and downright brutal! The fights were incredibly immersive, placing you in the shoes of fighters who’s in one way or another are conveying the fluid teachings from Bruce Lee, himself. There’s key moments taken from Mr. Lee’s many iconic fights, both in movies & in real life, that when seeing them presented in new and unique ways on page made me, as a life long Bruce Lee fan, smile from ear to ear.
This book is not just for fan’s that grew up with Bruce Lee posters on their wall but for a new generation to idolize him and incorporate what he stood for: Self mastery, adapting to any conflict, and having the ferocity to conquer any goal. All of which are heavily featured themes in this first book of a duology.
I can’t wait for the sequel next year! 🐉
Being both a fan of Fonda Lee’s exquisite writing and Bruce Lee’s charismatic free flowing fighting style, this book was a total win for me!
I loved the characters. I really identified with Jun and his family struggles. Much like the Snake Wall that separates Jun from his mother and twin brother, Sai, the Pacific Ocean separated my older sisters from my mother & I. Being a child of immigrants parents and being born in the United States while my sisters were stuck in the Philippines for 10 years until they could secure visas. We grew up apart from each other and so there’s always been this cultural and familial divide between us and only recently we’ve begun to feel like a strong family unit. I hope I can see the same happiness with Jun and his family! I didn’t expect to feel so totally seen by a YA novel, but it was cathartic. Thank you Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee for that wonderful experience! 🥲
I loved the world building and I loved the fact that this book was so action-packed! There’s so many memorable epic fight sequences that felt so cinematic and downright brutal! The fights were incredibly immersive, placing you in the shoes of fighters who’s in one way or another are conveying the fluid teachings from Bruce Lee, himself. There’s key moments taken from Mr. Lee’s many iconic fights, both in movies & in real life, that when seeing them presented in new and unique ways on page made me, as a life long Bruce Lee fan, smile from ear to ear.
This book is not just for fan’s that grew up with Bruce Lee posters on their wall but for a new generation to idolize him and incorporate what he stood for: Self mastery, adapting to any conflict, and having the ferocity to conquer any goal. All of which are heavily featured themes in this first book of a duology.
I can’t wait for the sequel next year! 🐉
December 18, 2025
Solid YA perfect for younger readers who love martial arts and a tournament setting. Filled with found family, and an MC that works hard to accomplish his goals.
What’s to love…
- found family
- romance-free (not my fav. but I know others love this so I always included it here!)
- Tournament
- martial arts (epic fight scenes!)
- magic!
What I didn’t love…
- a bit of a slow start
- the characters and their connections to each other felt a little under-developed
Rating Details:
Intended Purpose/Audience: 4⭐️
Personal Enjoyment/reading as an adult: 2.5⭐️
Occasionally I read a YA book that I didn’t particularly enjoy but I could see the merit as a good book for the intended audience, this is one of those times. While I didn’t love this book, I could see this being well loved by the right audience. This is something I would recommend for advanced middle grade readers and younger teens.
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Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
What’s to love…
- found family
- romance-free (not my fav. but I know others love this so I always included it here!)
- Tournament
- martial arts (epic fight scenes!)
- magic!
What I didn’t love…
- a bit of a slow start
- the characters and their connections to each other felt a little under-developed
Rating Details:
Intended Purpose/Audience: 4⭐️
Personal Enjoyment/reading as an adult: 2.5⭐️
Occasionally I read a YA book that I didn’t particularly enjoy but I could see the merit as a good book for the intended audience, this is one of those times. While I didn’t love this book, I could see this being well loved by the right audience. This is something I would recommend for advanced middle grade readers and younger teens.
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Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
December 29, 2024
4.0 Stars
This was an action packed story clearly inspired by the classics of martial arts. I loved the nods to these popular plots. I found myself invested in the action sequences. The character work was good but not up to the level of the Green Bone Saga. However it's tough to compare to some of the best characters I have found in fantasy.
While this is categorized as young adult, I was pleased to find it avoided many of the tropes I dislike. The novel does not have any adult subject matter but it doesn't dumb down the actual story. The characters felt the right level of maturity which made an enjoyable read.
Needless to say, if you enjoy Fonda Lee's adult fantasy or are simply interested in a new martial arts fantasy series, this is an excellent option. I highly recommend it. I got to the audiobook version and the narrator helped to uplift the story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This was an action packed story clearly inspired by the classics of martial arts. I loved the nods to these popular plots. I found myself invested in the action sequences. The character work was good but not up to the level of the Green Bone Saga. However it's tough to compare to some of the best characters I have found in fantasy.
While this is categorized as young adult, I was pleased to find it avoided many of the tropes I dislike. The novel does not have any adult subject matter but it doesn't dumb down the actual story. The characters felt the right level of maturity which made an enjoyable read.
Needless to say, if you enjoy Fonda Lee's adult fantasy or are simply interested in a new martial arts fantasy series, this is an excellent option. I highly recommend it. I got to the audiobook version and the narrator helped to uplift the story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
January 8, 2025
3.75
I feel like the sequel is going to hit so hard.
I feel like the sequel is going to hit so hard.
February 14, 2025
Though YA-targeted, this is enjoyable by all ages, and is a worthy conceptualization of Bruce Lee's life and philosophy. It's a wonderful collaboration, written by Fonda Lee based on a concept by Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon Lee.
I was the first to open the library copy (they just finished processing it for circulation and I was first in line). There was a wonderful crackling sound and tactile experience as the red sprayed edges separated for the first time, infinitely more divine even than popping bubble wrap. I am tempted to visit the local big box bookstore and repeat the experience with copies on the shelves. I know this would deny the eventual buyer the same experience, but I might not be able to help myself.
The story is excellent, layered, perfectly paced. I have read many other things with physical combat scenes, and I've learned to dread play-by-play fight descriptions that fail to achieve anything further than physical scene blocking. In every combat here, and there are many, character and story were wonderfully integrated. Each fight sang out as a lovely, significant, and necessary component to the story. This is particularly important since the plot centers around a multi-round martial arts tournament, with plenty of fighting outside of it too.
There's nothing restrained or simple about this fantasy world inspired by ancient China. Political machinations, history, individual characters, and magic interweave beautifully to create a complex and compelling story in a believable and lively setting. I'll be first in line for the sequels.
I had one irritating experience with this book, with the recurrence of certain words that have become tainted by their frequency of appearance in AI-generated text. To be clear, there is no reason to suspect any AI use in this book. It's just that AI overuses "determination," "resilience," "resolute," and "enigmatic" so much, to then read the same words in a real book makes me cringe. (And I personally dislike reading the word "resounding," which also appeared a few times.) Of course, generative AI was trained on human-written fiction and those words go with a certain brand of writing, a little bit cheesy and formulaic, maybe it's common in YA and/or fanfiction in particular. I've been reading the Ranger's Apprentice series to my boy and there's a bit of it there too (and that has plenty of not elevated but perfectly OK writing). I'm not really sure where I'm going with this, other than that reprobates publishing AI-written books have ruined certain words forever. In this book, in all cases the word use was entirely apt and in the setting of perfectly fine writing, but it did make me wonder if Lee was "writing down" to any degree or if this is her usual repertoire. I have yet to read Jade City but I moved it into my "choose from these next" blob of books and if determined characters frequently show resolve in that also, I'll have my answer.
I was the first to open the library copy (they just finished processing it for circulation and I was first in line). There was a wonderful crackling sound and tactile experience as the red sprayed edges separated for the first time, infinitely more divine even than popping bubble wrap. I am tempted to visit the local big box bookstore and repeat the experience with copies on the shelves. I know this would deny the eventual buyer the same experience, but I might not be able to help myself.
The story is excellent, layered, perfectly paced. I have read many other things with physical combat scenes, and I've learned to dread play-by-play fight descriptions that fail to achieve anything further than physical scene blocking. In every combat here, and there are many, character and story were wonderfully integrated. Each fight sang out as a lovely, significant, and necessary component to the story. This is particularly important since the plot centers around a multi-round martial arts tournament, with plenty of fighting outside of it too.
There's nothing restrained or simple about this fantasy world inspired by ancient China. Political machinations, history, individual characters, and magic interweave beautifully to create a complex and compelling story in a believable and lively setting. I'll be first in line for the sequels.
I had one irritating experience with this book, with the recurrence of certain words that have become tainted by their frequency of appearance in AI-generated text. To be clear, there is no reason to suspect any AI use in this book. It's just that AI overuses "determination," "resilience," "resolute," and "enigmatic" so much, to then read the same words in a real book makes me cringe. (And I personally dislike reading the word "resounding," which also appeared a few times.) Of course, generative AI was trained on human-written fiction and those words go with a certain brand of writing, a little bit cheesy and formulaic, maybe it's common in YA and/or fanfiction in particular. I've been reading the Ranger's Apprentice series to my boy and there's a bit of it there too (and that has plenty of not elevated but perfectly OK writing). I'm not really sure where I'm going with this, other than that reprobates publishing AI-written books have ruined certain words forever. In this book, in all cases the word use was entirely apt and in the setting of perfectly fine writing, but it did make me wonder if Lee was "writing down" to any degree or if this is her usual repertoire. I have yet to read Jade City but I moved it into my "choose from these next" blob of books and if determined characters frequently show resolve in that also, I'll have my answer.
December 24, 2024
This would be so much fun as a graphic novel! I'd love to see all of the action scenes in a visual format.
(No hate for fight scenes written in words or anything, but they just don't capture my attention as much as they do in graphic novels and comic books.)
While I was pretty bored with the first half of the novel (typical YA coming of age concepts like a family being torn apart, making new friends, being the best/most disciplined fighter, etc.), I had more fun with the second half of the novel. (But this is definitely a personal preference. I get bored easily with tournament situations.) The second half was more classic YA adventure story, which was more my taste.
This is definitely for the YA set, so adult readers should set their expectations at a reasonable level. Everything is pretty straightforward. You know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. There aren't really any plot twists to make you gasp out loud, but I was satisfied enough to keep on reading.
I liked the relationships between the characters, especially with Jun and Yin. And I was pretty satisfied with Jun's character development. (Because lbr, when YA characters undergo ZERO growth, or become too OP, it gets ridiculous and boring really quickly.)
I'm interested to see how the next book goes.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this arc.
(No hate for fight scenes written in words or anything, but they just don't capture my attention as much as they do in graphic novels and comic books.)
While I was pretty bored with the first half of the novel (typical YA coming of age concepts like a family being torn apart, making new friends, being the best/most disciplined fighter, etc.), I had more fun with the second half of the novel. (But this is definitely a personal preference. I get bored easily with tournament situations.) The second half was more classic YA adventure story, which was more my taste.
This is definitely for the YA set, so adult readers should set their expectations at a reasonable level. Everything is pretty straightforward. You know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. There aren't really any plot twists to make you gasp out loud, but I was satisfied enough to keep on reading.
I liked the relationships between the characters, especially with Jun and Yin. And I was pretty satisfied with Jun's character development. (Because lbr, when YA characters undergo ZERO growth, or become too OP, it gets ridiculous and boring really quickly.)
I'm interested to see how the next book goes.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this arc.
January 18, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the E-Arc
3.5⭐
I have to say that throughout the entire time I was reading this book, I felt like I was watching a movie. I understand that it is a tribute to Bruce Lee's legacy, and both authors succeed in capturing that essence.
The book is an adventure from start to finish. The story is driven partly by the development of the main character and partly by the plot, although you don’t fully understand where the story is headed until you’re about 35% through the book.
Overall, this is a story that has been told before in other books and movies, but it still manages to keep you on the edge of your seat. This book is a tribute to all the martial arts films I grew up watching, with classic tropes like the mentor x mentee relationship, the hero's journey from being self-centered to becoming part of something much bigger and even a bit of romance. It was a very fun adventure, and I’m already eager to read the second one.
Pre read: Is it wise to trust fonda lee with my heart again?
3.5⭐
I have to say that throughout the entire time I was reading this book, I felt like I was watching a movie. I understand that it is a tribute to Bruce Lee's legacy, and both authors succeed in capturing that essence.
The book is an adventure from start to finish. The story is driven partly by the development of the main character and partly by the plot, although you don’t fully understand where the story is headed until you’re about 35% through the book.
Overall, this is a story that has been told before in other books and movies, but it still manages to keep you on the edge of your seat. This book is a tribute to all the martial arts films I grew up watching, with classic tropes like the mentor x mentee relationship, the hero's journey from being self-centered to becoming part of something much bigger and even a bit of romance. It was a very fun adventure, and I’m already eager to read the second one.
Pre read: Is it wise to trust fonda lee with my heart again?
December 20, 2025
Breath of the Dragon is the 1st-book in the Breathmarked duology, which is a YA-Fantasy story based on the characters and teachings of the iconic-Bruce Lee.
In this story, we're following Jun, a teen boy who is anxious to prove his worth as a warrior by entering the elite, and highly-competitive, Guardian's Tournament.
Unfortunately, his path to the competition isn't an easy one. Even though he's eager to prove his skills, it seems everything is pitted against him competing, including his own father.
Determined to at least have a shot, Jun stows away in a wagon of performers, Chang and his daughter, Ren, headed to the capital city where the tournament will take place.
Once the competition begins, Jun realizes that there may be a lot more at stake than just his own legacy.
This was such a great story, full of adventure and heart. It's truly well-written and I had no trouble getting swept up into the action. I am not sure how memorable the fine details will be for me long-term, but I did really enjoy my time with it.
I highly recommend the audio as well. The narration brought the story to life, particularly in the fast-paced fight scenes.
I'm excited to see where the next book takes us. Without giving anything away, I'm expecting a huge reunion for our MC, Jun, which hopefully will provide him with a larger support system than he currently has.
I'm so anxious to see how that goes and how this will ultimately conclude. As good as this was, I'm actually a little sad that it's only slated to be a duology. Regardless, I'm going to scoop it up so fast once it's released.
I was impressed with how quickly I was captivated by this. The initial set-up was so well executed. I loved going on this journey with Jun. I would recommend it to any Reader who enjoys action-packed YA-Fantasy stories.
Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I cannot wait for the 2nd-book!
In this story, we're following Jun, a teen boy who is anxious to prove his worth as a warrior by entering the elite, and highly-competitive, Guardian's Tournament.
Unfortunately, his path to the competition isn't an easy one. Even though he's eager to prove his skills, it seems everything is pitted against him competing, including his own father.
Determined to at least have a shot, Jun stows away in a wagon of performers, Chang and his daughter, Ren, headed to the capital city where the tournament will take place.
Once the competition begins, Jun realizes that there may be a lot more at stake than just his own legacy.
This was such a great story, full of adventure and heart. It's truly well-written and I had no trouble getting swept up into the action. I am not sure how memorable the fine details will be for me long-term, but I did really enjoy my time with it.
I highly recommend the audio as well. The narration brought the story to life, particularly in the fast-paced fight scenes.
I'm excited to see where the next book takes us. Without giving anything away, I'm expecting a huge reunion for our MC, Jun, which hopefully will provide him with a larger support system than he currently has.
I'm so anxious to see how that goes and how this will ultimately conclude. As good as this was, I'm actually a little sad that it's only slated to be a duology. Regardless, I'm going to scoop it up so fast once it's released.
I was impressed with how quickly I was captivated by this. The initial set-up was so well executed. I loved going on this journey with Jun. I would recommend it to any Reader who enjoys action-packed YA-Fantasy stories.
Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I cannot wait for the 2nd-book!
April 9, 2025
4.5 stars
I've been hearing great things things about Fonda Lee's writing since I joined the book community. The problem is, after hearing soo much praise, I became a little too intimidated to pick up her books. However, when she announced she was writing a YA novel, I knew this would be a good place to start. And I'm so glad I did start here. Breath of the Dragon showcases Fonda Lee's incredible writing, yet is still super easy to follow. Despite being initially a little hesitant towards the premise, I found myself immediately immersed in this story. I love the main character, the plot moves at a clip, and I was wayyy more into the martial arts aspect of the book than I expected. I also really enjoyed the politics in this book. They're written with such maturity, and sometimes even brutality, yet they're still easy to follow for young readers. Overall, I was really impressed with this story, and the author's writing as a whole. The themes and character growth are so mature, yet the plot is so engaging and accessible. I think this balance creates a really perfect YA novel. I'm really glad I decided to pick this book up and look forward to reading the sequel when it comes out!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the eARCs in exchange for an honest review!
I've been hearing great things things about Fonda Lee's writing since I joined the book community. The problem is, after hearing soo much praise, I became a little too intimidated to pick up her books. However, when she announced she was writing a YA novel, I knew this would be a good place to start. And I'm so glad I did start here. Breath of the Dragon showcases Fonda Lee's incredible writing, yet is still super easy to follow. Despite being initially a little hesitant towards the premise, I found myself immediately immersed in this story. I love the main character, the plot moves at a clip, and I was wayyy more into the martial arts aspect of the book than I expected. I also really enjoyed the politics in this book. They're written with such maturity, and sometimes even brutality, yet they're still easy to follow for young readers. Overall, I was really impressed with this story, and the author's writing as a whole. The themes and character growth are so mature, yet the plot is so engaging and accessible. I think this balance creates a really perfect YA novel. I'm really glad I decided to pick this book up and look forward to reading the sequel when it comes out!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the eARCs in exchange for an honest review!
February 17, 2025
⋆.˚✮ 4 stars ✮˚.⋆
⤿ Thank you to Wednesday Books for the arc through netgalley and a finished copy in exchange for an honest review!
I have to admit I have never seen a Bruce Lee movie and in line with that, have seen very few martial arts movies or other forms of media. However, I find it interesting and entertaining in the media that I have consumed, such as Shang-Chi in recent years. This fantasy centered around a society with martial arts and sweeping Chinese folklore sounded so interesting, and was thrilled to be able to read this book through an arc and a finished copy with gorgeous red sprayed edges.
Jun's family was split apart the day that the East found out his brother was breathmarked and he wasn't, his father and him sent to the West on account of their martial arts practices that were forbidden. Now, at sixteen Jun aspires to win the next Guardian's Tournament to entrust the Scroll of The Earth to a new protector, which would restore his familial honor. However, his father forbids him from entering on account of martial arts was what drove them out of the East in the first place. Jun stows away in a carriage and makes his way to the tournament, and when he gets there realizes not only is his family's honor at stake but that of the country.
There were some reviews I read that said this story dragged far too much, but I think it was interesting and had some great lore pieces. I wish we had gotten more lore, but there was plenty that can be expanded upon in the next book. As for the plot, I think it was relatively well-paced even if it lost my attention just a little before the tournament started, but I didn't find the tournament itself too repetitive. Learning about the different fighting styles from the different martial arts schools and areas of the West was very interesting as well, especially with the descriptions and it made me intrigued to see more of this in coming books.
Jun himself was a fun main character, and it was honestly really refreshing to read a young adult fantasy centered around a male character. Oftentimes, these books center on young women which is fine as sometimes it's easier for me to connect with them, but Jun was relatable in himself. It was obvious, even if he made some rash choices, that he cared so much for his family and was willing to do anything to try to see them again.
The ending was crazy! So much was happening at once, things that I did not expect, and so it made me really interested in continuing the series. I think there's a lot of expansion that is going to happen in subsequent books that will make this world even cooler. I had a really good time with this story and think it is a solid start to what could be a very fun series.
↬ trigger warnings: death of a parent, depiction of grief, war themes, murder, blood and gore
⤿ Thank you to Wednesday Books for the arc through netgalley and a finished copy in exchange for an honest review!
I have to admit I have never seen a Bruce Lee movie and in line with that, have seen very few martial arts movies or other forms of media. However, I find it interesting and entertaining in the media that I have consumed, such as Shang-Chi in recent years. This fantasy centered around a society with martial arts and sweeping Chinese folklore sounded so interesting, and was thrilled to be able to read this book through an arc and a finished copy with gorgeous red sprayed edges.
Jun's family was split apart the day that the East found out his brother was breathmarked and he wasn't, his father and him sent to the West on account of their martial arts practices that were forbidden. Now, at sixteen Jun aspires to win the next Guardian's Tournament to entrust the Scroll of The Earth to a new protector, which would restore his familial honor. However, his father forbids him from entering on account of martial arts was what drove them out of the East in the first place. Jun stows away in a carriage and makes his way to the tournament, and when he gets there realizes not only is his family's honor at stake but that of the country.
There were some reviews I read that said this story dragged far too much, but I think it was interesting and had some great lore pieces. I wish we had gotten more lore, but there was plenty that can be expanded upon in the next book. As for the plot, I think it was relatively well-paced even if it lost my attention just a little before the tournament started, but I didn't find the tournament itself too repetitive. Learning about the different fighting styles from the different martial arts schools and areas of the West was very interesting as well, especially with the descriptions and it made me intrigued to see more of this in coming books.
Jun himself was a fun main character, and it was honestly really refreshing to read a young adult fantasy centered around a male character. Oftentimes, these books center on young women which is fine as sometimes it's easier for me to connect with them, but Jun was relatable in himself. It was obvious, even if he made some rash choices, that he cared so much for his family and was willing to do anything to try to see them again.
The ending was crazy! So much was happening at once, things that I did not expect, and so it made me really interested in continuing the series. I think there's a lot of expansion that is going to happen in subsequent books that will make this world even cooler. I had a really good time with this story and think it is a solid start to what could be a very fun series.
↬ trigger warnings: death of a parent, depiction of grief, war themes, murder, blood and gore
December 14, 2024
Karate kid meets fantasy in one boy’s journey to define his destiny.
Jun is separated from his mother and twin after accidentally revealing his martial arts practice as a child. He and his father is exiled from the East to the West where martial arts is revered. Against his father’s wishes, Jun enters the famous tournament that will decide the new Guardian of the Earth Scroll, a sacred duty.
I thought this would focus on the element of the Breathmarked - people given gifts by the Dragon. However, Jun is the underdog. It his identical twin that is marked rather than Jun and in the West, the Breathmarked are despised.
Rather, this is a story about Jun realising it is how you work on your talents and achieve your goals.
“It took me years to realize this, and even longer to accept it: The abilities that matter the most don’t come from Dragon’s blood. They’re gained day by day, through sweat and tears. Marked or not, every one of us has Breath enough to will our own destiny into being.”
I usually find it difficult to visualise fight scenes, yet this was vivid and tense - perfect for young readers who want high stakes.
For me though, it felt too repetitive and too easy. This is as someone who typically finds fight scenes boring especially in a tournament setting.
I also was not expecting this to read as young as it did. Definitely on the younger range of YA with very on the nose morals and good v evil.
“That’s what we want to leave the audience with, at the end—the reminder that we’re all human, we all feel joy and pain the same way, in the end we all die and join our ancestors. If we can make people feel that way about a fictional soldier who lived in the East fifty years ago, then maybe we can all become more compassionate.”
I could definitely see Fonda Lee’s stylistic approach with inclusions and inspirations by Shannon Lee - daughter of Bruce Lee. This felt similar to the age range of Avatar: the Last Airbender or Percy Jackson.
If you enjoyed this and want an adult fantasy comparison, I would recommend The Art of Prophecy.
Physical arc gifted by Hodderscape.
Bookstagram
Jun is separated from his mother and twin after accidentally revealing his martial arts practice as a child. He and his father is exiled from the East to the West where martial arts is revered. Against his father’s wishes, Jun enters the famous tournament that will decide the new Guardian of the Earth Scroll, a sacred duty.
I thought this would focus on the element of the Breathmarked - people given gifts by the Dragon. However, Jun is the underdog. It his identical twin that is marked rather than Jun and in the West, the Breathmarked are despised.
Rather, this is a story about Jun realising it is how you work on your talents and achieve your goals.
“It took me years to realize this, and even longer to accept it: The abilities that matter the most don’t come from Dragon’s blood. They’re gained day by day, through sweat and tears. Marked or not, every one of us has Breath enough to will our own destiny into being.”
I usually find it difficult to visualise fight scenes, yet this was vivid and tense - perfect for young readers who want high stakes.
For me though, it felt too repetitive and too easy. This is as someone who typically finds fight scenes boring especially in a tournament setting.
I also was not expecting this to read as young as it did. Definitely on the younger range of YA with very on the nose morals and good v evil.
“That’s what we want to leave the audience with, at the end—the reminder that we’re all human, we all feel joy and pain the same way, in the end we all die and join our ancestors. If we can make people feel that way about a fictional soldier who lived in the East fifty years ago, then maybe we can all become more compassionate.”
I could definitely see Fonda Lee’s stylistic approach with inclusions and inspirations by Shannon Lee - daughter of Bruce Lee. This felt similar to the age range of Avatar: the Last Airbender or Percy Jackson.
If you enjoyed this and want an adult fantasy comparison, I would recommend The Art of Prophecy.
Physical arc gifted by Hodderscape.
Bookstagram
December 31, 2024
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!
this was absolutely fantastic and i enjoyed every second i spent reading/listening. i’ve read fonda lee before, and while i wasn’t hooked by her green bone saga, i see her craft clearly in the breath of the dragon.
i’ve never been interested much in martial arts but shannon and fonda lee depict the fighting scenes in such concise yet vivid details that i felt as if i were watching a movie.
i enjoyed the political propaganda/intrigue, and really enjoyed the tournament aspect of the book! i’m excited to continue reading this series.
the narrator was fantastic as well!
this was absolutely fantastic and i enjoyed every second i spent reading/listening. i’ve read fonda lee before, and while i wasn’t hooked by her green bone saga, i see her craft clearly in the breath of the dragon.
i’ve never been interested much in martial arts but shannon and fonda lee depict the fighting scenes in such concise yet vivid details that i felt as if i were watching a movie.
i enjoyed the political propaganda/intrigue, and really enjoyed the tournament aspect of the book! i’m excited to continue reading this series.
the narrator was fantastic as well!
Read
January 7, 2025This fast-paced, engaging xianxia adventure is aimed at the teenage audience, but anyone could enjoy it.
The story centers around teenage Jun, who aims to redeem his family’s honor by winning the prestigious Guardian’s Tournament. This tournament, held every six years, chooses the new protector of the magical Scroll of Heaven. Winning it will net Jun the prestige to restore his father's good name--or so he believes. A hunt of the twisted road to come is that it was his father who stictly forbade Jun from going, due to the fact that Jun is not breathmarked by the Dragon god—born with a patch of dragon scales that grants magical skills. Unlike his twin brother. Oh, the rivalry there!
That's the beginning of the tough obstacles facing Jun, but he's going for the gold. He stows away with some performers led by blind Chang and his daughter Ren. These two are not as simple as they appear, and Jun gladly opts for whatever training he can get. Even if it sounds weird, at first.
When they reach the capital, Jun signs up for the Tournament, again, not without personal cost. Here he begins facing tough competitors, each the hero of their own story. Slowly Jun begins widening his awareness away from his personal problems to those besetting the entire country.
This is a vivid, detail-rich xianxia world. Everything, from the food to the lore of the breathmarked create a lived-in feel for the world. Add to that the tension from the martial arts battles, and the pacing never lets up.
The characters are sympathetic, interesting, complex. Jun's tough struggle toward growth and awareness is complemented by the multi-dimensional side characters, who have their own stories and quests.
The themes of honor, sacrifice, and the pursuit of greatness typical of xianxia tales are balanced by the upward path toward understanding--cultivation in the oldest sense.
I can hardly wait for book two!
The story centers around teenage Jun, who aims to redeem his family’s honor by winning the prestigious Guardian’s Tournament. This tournament, held every six years, chooses the new protector of the magical Scroll of Heaven. Winning it will net Jun the prestige to restore his father's good name--or so he believes. A hunt of the twisted road to come is that it was his father who stictly forbade Jun from going, due to the fact that Jun is not breathmarked by the Dragon god—born with a patch of dragon scales that grants magical skills. Unlike his twin brother. Oh, the rivalry there!
That's the beginning of the tough obstacles facing Jun, but he's going for the gold. He stows away with some performers led by blind Chang and his daughter Ren. These two are not as simple as they appear, and Jun gladly opts for whatever training he can get. Even if it sounds weird, at first.
When they reach the capital, Jun signs up for the Tournament, again, not without personal cost. Here he begins facing tough competitors, each the hero of their own story. Slowly Jun begins widening his awareness away from his personal problems to those besetting the entire country.
This is a vivid, detail-rich xianxia world. Everything, from the food to the lore of the breathmarked create a lived-in feel for the world. Add to that the tension from the martial arts battles, and the pacing never lets up.
The characters are sympathetic, interesting, complex. Jun's tough struggle toward growth and awareness is complemented by the multi-dimensional side characters, who have their own stories and quests.
The themes of honor, sacrifice, and the pursuit of greatness typical of xianxia tales are balanced by the upward path toward understanding--cultivation in the oldest sense.
I can hardly wait for book two!
November 22, 2025
Only a story written with the legacy of Bruce Lee in mind could entwine martial arts and a fierce fighting competition with an overall story of tolerance and peace. Shannon and Fonda (both Lees, unrelated) have brought us a truly ‘Lee’ story that is not only a lovely tribute, but also a good reminder that we should all endeavour to live in peace and tolerate one another. Only fighting if absolutely mandatory. And then of course you must fight smart, waste no energy, and be prepared for anything.
I took Jeet-Kune-Do, Bruce Lee’s personal martial art, for a couple years when I was much younger (but still an adult). It was recommended to me because at only 5’1” and (at the time) a slight figure; it was one martial art I might be able to execute and do well at. I was pretty awful, lol. But did appreciate learning to punch properly, parry, and conserve energy with small movements. I still do some of the exercises I was taught back then. I carried those learnings forward to Tai Chi (which I wish I could find time to fit back into my life). All of which helped me be deliberate in my breathing, and movements. I know you’re all thinking I’m not the active type. Which is correct, and why I chose activities that didn’t require great strength or energy to participate in. Something Bruce Lee was known for; and certainly espoused in Breath of the Dragon.
We are set-up perfectly for the next novel; without feeling cheap at the end. If you chose to stop here this could be considered a stand-alone fantasy with an open ended ending. I love the relationships that develop here, the understanding people get for one another, and the representation of grief, anger, and frustration combined to give rise to an unprecedented need to work hard to achieve a goal.
There is a lot to love here. You don’t need to be a lover of martial arts stories (I’m not and still enjoyed this), or a huge war story reader. There is an evenness and balance throughout the novel. Making the Breath of the Dragon accessible to any fantasy reader. It has high fantasy lore with magic, political intrigue and war rumblings, alongside character driven concepts, and a lead that truly comes to learn more of themselves throughout the novel.
This is a great read, and the beginning of what I hope is an epic fantasy series. Above all else I believe Bruce and Brandon Lee would both have appreciated the way fighting, war, fairness, and peace are portrayed. You must have equality, and a calm fierceness, to be the best fighter and the best person. Being a fighter alone is not something to be proud of, you must also be a worthy human being.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
I took Jeet-Kune-Do, Bruce Lee’s personal martial art, for a couple years when I was much younger (but still an adult). It was recommended to me because at only 5’1” and (at the time) a slight figure; it was one martial art I might be able to execute and do well at. I was pretty awful, lol. But did appreciate learning to punch properly, parry, and conserve energy with small movements. I still do some of the exercises I was taught back then. I carried those learnings forward to Tai Chi (which I wish I could find time to fit back into my life). All of which helped me be deliberate in my breathing, and movements. I know you’re all thinking I’m not the active type. Which is correct, and why I chose activities that didn’t require great strength or energy to participate in. Something Bruce Lee was known for; and certainly espoused in Breath of the Dragon.
We are set-up perfectly for the next novel; without feeling cheap at the end. If you chose to stop here this could be considered a stand-alone fantasy with an open ended ending. I love the relationships that develop here, the understanding people get for one another, and the representation of grief, anger, and frustration combined to give rise to an unprecedented need to work hard to achieve a goal.
There is a lot to love here. You don’t need to be a lover of martial arts stories (I’m not and still enjoyed this), or a huge war story reader. There is an evenness and balance throughout the novel. Making the Breath of the Dragon accessible to any fantasy reader. It has high fantasy lore with magic, political intrigue and war rumblings, alongside character driven concepts, and a lead that truly comes to learn more of themselves throughout the novel.
This is a great read, and the beginning of what I hope is an epic fantasy series. Above all else I believe Bruce and Brandon Lee would both have appreciated the way fighting, war, fairness, and peace are portrayed. You must have equality, and a calm fierceness, to be the best fighter and the best person. Being a fighter alone is not something to be proud of, you must also be a worthy human being.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
January 10, 2026
Breath of the Dragon by Shannon and Fonda Lee pulled me in from the very first sentence, when I heard the wind rustling the trees as two strangers arrived on horseback. The movie... I mean book... held me riveted from there.
The arrival of those strangers was fateful and resulted in Jun and his father being separated from his mother and twin brother. Ten years later, his greatest desire is to prove his ability as a warrior in the Guardian Tournament and restore his father's honor. His father won't have it, though, and forbids him from participating. Jun's deep need to atone leads him to stow away in a traveling musician's wagon, setting him on a new path.
The story is told entirely in the third person from Jun's perspective. He's a three-dimensional character, easy to root for but also realistic. The rest of the characters are interesting, and I enjoyed learning about them, although the further we got from Jun, the more clichéd they seemed to be. Think stock villain energy, the rival who is actually noble. The setting was a character in its own right, and I could picture myself in it.
The writing is measured and classical, with a calm, observant cadence. The prose favors clarity over ornament, letting accumulation of detail do the real work instead of lyrical excess. The authors use controlled momentum of tension and pacing to their advantage. The verbs are precise but not showy, and the imagery is concrete, which grounds the world without pausing the story to admire itself. The overall style is disciplined, cinematic, and restrained, trusting the reader to absorb context quietly. This gives it confidence and weight.
Let's get this book adapted for the big screen because the fight choreography would be amazing. I was transported to the world the authors created and deeply invested in Jun's life. Breath of the Dragon is categorized as young adult fiction. I agree, but it's better suited for the older end of the spectrum, as there is some graphic gore. Readers of the fantasy genre will enjoy this story, and martial arts enthusiasts will eat this up.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓
The arrival of those strangers was fateful and resulted in Jun and his father being separated from his mother and twin brother. Ten years later, his greatest desire is to prove his ability as a warrior in the Guardian Tournament and restore his father's honor. His father won't have it, though, and forbids him from participating. Jun's deep need to atone leads him to stow away in a traveling musician's wagon, setting him on a new path.
The story is told entirely in the third person from Jun's perspective. He's a three-dimensional character, easy to root for but also realistic. The rest of the characters are interesting, and I enjoyed learning about them, although the further we got from Jun, the more clichéd they seemed to be. Think stock villain energy, the rival who is actually noble. The setting was a character in its own right, and I could picture myself in it.
The writing is measured and classical, with a calm, observant cadence. The prose favors clarity over ornament, letting accumulation of detail do the real work instead of lyrical excess. The authors use controlled momentum of tension and pacing to their advantage. The verbs are precise but not showy, and the imagery is concrete, which grounds the world without pausing the story to admire itself. The overall style is disciplined, cinematic, and restrained, trusting the reader to absorb context quietly. This gives it confidence and weight.
Let's get this book adapted for the big screen because the fight choreography would be amazing. I was transported to the world the authors created and deeply invested in Jun's life. Breath of the Dragon is categorized as young adult fiction. I agree, but it's better suited for the older end of the spectrum, as there is some graphic gore. Readers of the fantasy genre will enjoy this story, and martial arts enthusiasts will eat this up.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓
January 7, 2025
This one is tough to rate, because while the worldbuilding is great, and I liked the main characters, the story dragged on for far too long and ended on a cliffhanger. Seriously, it took forever to get to the main event, and then the reader is just left there. I don’t mind if the ending is left a little bit open, but I didn’t feel like there was much resolution at all. I was hoping for more, based on how much I liked the first part of the book. I’m not sure if I will continue with the series, to be honest.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
November 11, 2025
🏆 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards | Opening Round Nominees | Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Sci-Fi
Fonda Lee isn't for me. I didn't love JADE CITY. While I didn't hate this, I was bored for most of the story.
(As an aside, as much as I love supporting Asian diaspora women, do I let go of the East Asian fantasy genre? It is not serving me.)
The premise? Amazing. I was so interested in Jun, his twin, and the magic of breathmarks. Jun's twin disappears pretty fast. His boohoo attitude, while woe is me, is very male of him.
There are a lot of descriptions about East v. West, in this case I assume Han v. non-Han Chinese. I won't delve into it. It wasn't that deep.
I wanted the secret revolution to be a little more exciting. It wasn't.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books
Fonda Lee isn't for me. I didn't love JADE CITY. While I didn't hate this, I was bored for most of the story.
(As an aside, as much as I love supporting Asian diaspora women, do I let go of the East Asian fantasy genre? It is not serving me.)
The premise? Amazing. I was so interested in Jun, his twin, and the magic of breathmarks. Jun's twin disappears pretty fast. His boohoo attitude, while woe is me, is very male of him.
There are a lot of descriptions about East v. West, in this case I assume Han v. non-Han Chinese. I won't delve into it. It wasn't that deep.
I wanted the secret revolution to be a little more exciting. It wasn't.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books
July 25, 2025
Като почитател на фентъзи романите и драконите, много се зарадвах, когато издателство AMG обявиха, че ще издават такава книга. Вълнувах се какво се крие зад тази прекрасна корица.
Историята е динамична, изпълнена с битки, бойни турнири, интриги и предателства. Бойното изкуство и овладяването на тялото са на почит в книгата. Всъщност, цялото четиво е преклонение към бойните умения на Брус Лий.
Героят Дзюн, който успява да овладее дъхът на дракона, израства пред очите ми. От егоистично момче, тръгнало за почести и слава, се превръща във воин, който вече има своя благородна цел. Авторите много добре са описали трансформацията на героя си. Дзюн постепенно си отваря очите за истината и започва да се замисля за последиците от действията и решенията, които взима. Накрая виждаме един млад човек, готов да се изправи срещу злото, за да защити не само приятелите си, но и да промени съдбата на света, в който живее.
В историята няма дракони, споменати са мимоходом. Имаме хора, белязани от драконовия дъх с люспи по тялото си, което означава, че имат някаква дарба. Дзюн не е белязан от дракон, той сам кове способностите си и своята съдба.
Авторите са написали чудесна история за израстване и трансформация, за приемане и себеусъвършенстване. Книгата ми напомни за онези китайски филми за кунг-фу, които гледах навремето. Толкова описателни бяха бойните действия на героите!
Стилът на писане е увлекателен, историята е динамична, чете се бързо и е подходяща за мъжката аудитория, която търси екшън и напрежение без любовни сцени.
С нетърпение ще очаквам следващата част от поредицата. Предчувствам, че ще се разкрият още тайни.
От сърце благодаря на издателство AMG Publishing, че ми предостави възможност да се докосна до света на Дъхобелязаните.
Историята е динамична, изпълнена с битки, бойни турнири, интриги и предателства. Бойното изкуство и овладяването на тялото са на почит в книгата. Всъщност, цялото четиво е преклонение към бойните умения на Брус Лий.
Героят Дзюн, който успява да овладее дъхът на дракона, израства пред очите ми. От егоистично момче, тръгнало за почести и слава, се превръща във воин, който вече има своя благородна цел. Авторите много добре са описали трансформацията на героя си. Дзюн постепенно си отваря очите за истината и започва да се замисля за последиците от действията и решенията, които взима. Накрая виждаме един млад човек, готов да се изправи срещу злото, за да защити не само приятелите си, но и да промени съдбата на света, в който живее.
В историята няма дракони, споменати са мимоходом. Имаме хора, белязани от драконовия дъх с люспи по тялото си, което означава, че имат някаква дарба. Дзюн не е белязан от дракон, той сам кове способностите си и своята съдба.
Авторите са написали чудесна история за израстване и трансформация, за приемане и себеусъвършенстване. Книгата ми напомни за онези китайски филми за кунг-фу, които гледах навремето. Толкова описателни бяха бойните действия на героите!
Стилът на писане е увлекателен, историята е динамична, чете се бързо и е подходяща за мъжката аудитория, която търси екшън и напрежение без любовни сцени.
С нетърпение ще очаквам следващата част от поредицата. Предчувствам, че ще се разкрият още тайни.
От сърце благодаря на издателство AMG Publishing, че ми предостави възможност да се докосна до света на Дъхобелязаните.
January 1, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up.
This book is just so perfectly for me. I trained in martial arts for almost 25 years and taught classes for 10 years before settling on a different career path. Growing up doing martial arts, and reading different martial arts related fables has ingrained in me much of the philosophy and ideologies on full display in this book (thanks largely to Shannon I am sure). I have also read her father's Tao of Jeet Kune Do and could clearly see much of his spirit and philosophy oozing through the pages as well. That coupled with the epic fantasy elements just made for such a fun ride. If you love martial arts movies, or are a martial arts enthusiast yourself, this is truly a book FOR YOU. The fight scenes are beautifully executed, and are quite accurate to real martial arts movements and techniques making them a delight. The one thing that held this back from an unequivocal 5 stars in my boy Jun really got on my nerves at times. He was a realistically done 16 year-old boy for good or ill, which made him react to several situations in the melodramatic way teenagers will. Other than that I was simply hooked and loved every moment of his training and competing in the tournament. I am so curious to see where to story goes in the conclusion to the duology whenever it comes out.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me a copy to review via NetGalley.
This book is just so perfectly for me. I trained in martial arts for almost 25 years and taught classes for 10 years before settling on a different career path. Growing up doing martial arts, and reading different martial arts related fables has ingrained in me much of the philosophy and ideologies on full display in this book (thanks largely to Shannon I am sure). I have also read her father's Tao of Jeet Kune Do and could clearly see much of his spirit and philosophy oozing through the pages as well. That coupled with the epic fantasy elements just made for such a fun ride. If you love martial arts movies, or are a martial arts enthusiast yourself, this is truly a book FOR YOU. The fight scenes are beautifully executed, and are quite accurate to real martial arts movements and techniques making them a delight. The one thing that held this back from an unequivocal 5 stars in my boy Jun really got on my nerves at times. He was a realistically done 16 year-old boy for good or ill, which made him react to several situations in the melodramatic way teenagers will. Other than that I was simply hooked and loved every moment of his training and competing in the tournament. I am so curious to see where to story goes in the conclusion to the duology whenever it comes out.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me a copy to review via NetGalley.
July 17, 2025
https://www.writingis.fun/%d0%b4%d1%8...
Книга, вдъхновена от философията на Брус Лий. Написана от дъщеря му Шанън Лий, въплътена с перото на Фонда Лий. Един епос за чест, саможертва и вътрешна сила.
В свят, разделен от магия и стени, „Дъхът на Дракона“ разказва историята на едно момче, което не притежава сила… поне не тази, която всички признават. Дзюн Ли не е дъхобелязан – по тялото му няма драконови люспи, които да му дават магически способности. Но има цел, воля и сърце, което отказва да се предаде.
Преди десетилетие една фатална грешка разделя семейството му. Майка му и брат му остават от едната страна на стената, а Дзюн и баща му са прокудени отвъд нея. Сега Дзюн е решен да поправи стореното. Единственият му шанс – Турнирът на Пазителя, състезание, в което побеждава само най-достойният. Победа в него означава слава, влияние и възможност да върне честта на баща си. Означава и път обратно към изгубения дом.
Сюжетът звучи като класическа история за изкупление, но „Дъхът на Дракона“ е много повече. Това е фентъзи роман, вдъхновен от китайската митология, бойни изкуства и философия, в който всяка битка има значение, всяко движение носи послание. Светът, който авторките изграждат, е жив, богат и наситен с детайли – политически интриги, история, културни пластове и магия, вплетена в самата тъкан на обществото.
Бойните сцени не са просто хореография на удари. Те са огледало на вътрешното състояние на героите, начинът, по който се движат, разкрива какви са те отвътре. И тук личи влиянието на философията на Брус Лий – стремежът към ефективност, към използване на енергията с мярка, към постигане на сила чрез осъзнаване и самоконтрол.
Героят на Дзюн преминава през дълбока трансформация. От момче, водено от вина и гняв, той постепенно се учи на търпение, разбиране и състрадание. По пътя си среща хора, които променят погледа му към света – сред тях са странстващият и привидно сляп учител Чанг и дъщеря му Жън, чието присъствие се оказва далеч по-значимо, отколкото изглежда в началото.
Силата на романа не е само в динамиката и света, а в героите и техните вътрешни битки. Всеки от тях има своя история, своя болка и свои причини да се бори. Дори съперниците в турнира са представени с човечност – те не са просто препятствия, а герои в собствените си наративи.
Това е книга за честта – не онази, показна и шумна, а онази, която живее вътре в човека. Книга за саможертвата, за разликата между сила и насилие, за осъзнаването, че понякога най-важното не е да победиш, а да бъдеш достоен. И че мирът често изисква по-голяма смелост от войната.
Макар насочен към тийн аудитория, романът носи достатъчна дълбочина, за да бъде оценен от всеки почитател на фентъзи жанра. Темите, които разглежда – принадлежност, вина, прошка, личностен растеж – са универсални и многопластови.
„Дъхът на Дракона“ е силен, вдъхновяващ роман, който отдава почит на наследството на Брус Лий, без да бъде буквален. Това е история, в която бойните изкуства не са само средство за надмощие, а път към себе си. История, която ни напомня, че да бъдеш воин не значи само да се биеш, а да носиш мир в себе си.
Книга, вдъхновена от философията на Брус Лий. Написана от дъщеря му Шанън Лий, въплътена с перото на Фонда Лий. Един епос за чест, саможертва и вътрешна сила.
В свят, разделен от магия и стени, „Дъхът на Дракона“ разказва историята на едно момче, което не притежава сила… поне не тази, която всички признават. Дзюн Ли не е дъхобелязан – по тялото му няма драконови люспи, които да му дават магически способности. Но има цел, воля и сърце, което отказва да се предаде.
Преди десетилетие една фатална грешка разделя семейството му. Майка му и брат му остават от едната страна на стената, а Дзюн и баща му са прокудени отвъд нея. Сега Дзюн е решен да поправи стореното. Единственият му шанс – Турнирът на Пазителя, състезание, в което побеждава само най-достойният. Победа в него означава слава, влияние и възможност да върне честта на баща си. Означава и път обратно към изгубения дом.
Сюжетът звучи като класическа история за изкупление, но „Дъхът на Дракона“ е много повече. Това е фентъзи роман, вдъхновен от китайската митология, бойни изкуства и философия, в който всяка битка има значение, всяко движение носи послание. Светът, който авторките изграждат, е жив, богат и наситен с детайли – политически интриги, история, културни пластове и магия, вплетена в самата тъкан на обществото.
Бойните сцени не са просто хореография на удари. Те са огледало на вътрешното състояние на героите, начинът, по който се движат, разкрива какви са те отвътре. И тук личи влиянието на философията на Брус Лий – стремежът към ефективност, към използване на енергията с мярка, към постигане на сила чрез осъзнаване и самоконтрол.
Героят на Дзюн преминава през дълбока трансформация. От момче, водено от вина и гняв, той постепенно се учи на търпение, разбиране и състрадание. По пътя си среща хора, които променят погледа му към света – сред тях са странстващият и привидно сляп учител Чанг и дъщеря му Жън, чието присъствие се оказва далеч по-значимо, отколкото изглежда в началото.
Силата на романа не е само в динамиката и света, а в героите и техните вътрешни битки. Всеки от тях има своя история, своя болка и свои причини да се бори. Дори съперниците в турнира са представени с човечност – те не са просто препятствия, а герои в собствените си наративи.
Това е книга за честта – не онази, показна и шумна, а онази, която живее вътре в човека. Книга за саможертвата, за разликата между сила и насилие, за осъзнаването, че понякога най-важното не е да победиш, а да бъдеш достоен. И че мирът често изисква по-голяма смелост от войната.
Макар насочен към тийн аудитория, романът носи достатъчна дълбочина, за да бъде оценен от всеки почитател на фентъзи жанра. Темите, които разглежда – принадлежност, вина, прошка, личностен растеж – са универсални и многопластови.
„Дъхът на Дракона“ е силен, вдъхновяващ роман, който отдава почит на наследството на Брус Лий, без да бъде буквален. Това е история, в която бойните изкуства не са само средство за надмощие, а път към себе си. История, която ни напомня, че да бъдеш воин не значи само да се биеш, а да носиш мир в себе си.
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