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Breathmarked #2
Mark of the Warrior
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26In the explosive finale to the instant New York Times bestseller Breath of the Dragon, a young warrior fights to reunite his family and the realm.
Two brothers. Two nations. One destiny.
Exiled as a traitor after the Guardian’s Tournament, Li Jun has vowed to retrieve the stolen Scroll of Heaven and to honor his father’s dying find his mother and twin brother, Sai.
Fleeing into the East in search of their friend Ren, Jun and his longtime rival Yin Yue have no choice but to trust the two breathmarked women who saved their lives but who answer to the mysterious and draconian Council of Virtue that tore Jun’s family apart and banished him and his father a decade ago.
Recovering the Scrolls of Heaven or Earth in order to stop the brewing war that threatens to devastate East and West alike isn’t Jun’s only seemingly insurmountable challenge. The twin he was separated from in childhood is now the High Keeper who resides in the Sun Pagoda, protecting the precious Scroll of Earth from all potential enemies…including Jun.
The fate of the entire land hinges on an inevitable reckoning between brothers that will test their skills, their loyalties, and everything they thought they knew about themselves and the nature of destiny.
Two brothers. Two nations. One destiny.
Exiled as a traitor after the Guardian’s Tournament, Li Jun has vowed to retrieve the stolen Scroll of Heaven and to honor his father’s dying find his mother and twin brother, Sai.
Fleeing into the East in search of their friend Ren, Jun and his longtime rival Yin Yue have no choice but to trust the two breathmarked women who saved their lives but who answer to the mysterious and draconian Council of Virtue that tore Jun’s family apart and banished him and his father a decade ago.
Recovering the Scrolls of Heaven or Earth in order to stop the brewing war that threatens to devastate East and West alike isn’t Jun’s only seemingly insurmountable challenge. The twin he was separated from in childhood is now the High Keeper who resides in the Sun Pagoda, protecting the precious Scroll of Earth from all potential enemies…including Jun.
The fate of the entire land hinges on an inevitable reckoning between brothers that will test their skills, their loyalties, and everything they thought they knew about themselves and the nature of destiny.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 28, 2026
➸ 4 stars
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced readers copy!!
this was just an amazing sequel and conclusion to the duology!! i loved breath of the dragon so much and mark of the warrior was one of my most anticipated reads of this year!! my favorite thing by far was the friendships that were formed, i loved jun and yin yue’s friendship so much!! i also loved jun and sai’s relationship, it was amazing to see them reunite and all the hardships that followed, then solved later on! every time they were on page together, their interactions just had me to invested in the story, i would forget i was reading!! this is a duology i’ll always recommend and would for sure reread in the future!!
“Anyone can become a warrior when what they love is at risk.”
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced readers copy!!
this was just an amazing sequel and conclusion to the duology!! i loved breath of the dragon so much and mark of the warrior was one of my most anticipated reads of this year!! my favorite thing by far was the friendships that were formed, i loved jun and yin yue’s friendship so much!! i also loved jun and sai’s relationship, it was amazing to see them reunite and all the hardships that followed, then solved later on! every time they were on page together, their interactions just had me to invested in the story, i would forget i was reading!! this is a duology i’ll always recommend and would for sure reread in the future!!
Want to Read
February 5, 2026criminally underrated duology!!!
June 20, 2026
4 ⭐️
Overall I really enjoyed this conclusion to the Breathmarked Duology. Before I get to the things I enjoyed, I will say the first ~30% of this book felt like it should have been condensed and used as the conclusion to book 1. Due to this, there was a little bit of a disjointed feeling between the beginning of the book and where we went when things really took off. Besides that I really enjoyed the focus on familial relationships, both with blood relations and found family, that were central to this story. Too often we are hyper focused on romantic relationships in media and I found it refreshing for that to not be a focus. I also loved the richness Shannon Lee’s involvement brought to the martial arts in the story. If you want a fast paced political drama with a lot of martial arts and family drama…look no further.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy to review via NetGalley.
Overall I really enjoyed this conclusion to the Breathmarked Duology. Before I get to the things I enjoyed, I will say the first ~30% of this book felt like it should have been condensed and used as the conclusion to book 1. Due to this, there was a little bit of a disjointed feeling between the beginning of the book and where we went when things really took off. Besides that I really enjoyed the focus on familial relationships, both with blood relations and found family, that were central to this story. Too often we are hyper focused on romantic relationships in media and I found it refreshing for that to not be a focus. I also loved the richness Shannon Lee’s involvement brought to the martial arts in the story. If you want a fast paced political drama with a lot of martial arts and family drama…look no further.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy to review via NetGalley.
Want to Read
July 6, 2026My oldest and I, will be reading and reviewing this together!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press/Wednesday Books and the authors, Shannon & Fonda Lee for an early copy!
Publication date: October 27, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press/Wednesday Books and the authors, Shannon & Fonda Lee for an early copy!
Publication date: October 27, 2026
May 8, 2026
I have checked just about every week since the announcement of this book to see if it was available for an ARC, and I have been patiently waiting to finish this captivating and exhilarating story ever since receiving and finishing my ARC of the first book.
Overall, I am very pleased with the second and final installment of the Breathmarked series, with a few pointed criticisms.
As for the story itself, I still found it captivating, compelling, and a real page turner, with all the right things a good story needs. The characters were relatable and real, and the setting vibrant and easy to visualize. Everything I loved about book 1 continued on seamlessly in book 2.
There were a few times where the dialogue didn’t land perfectly, and felt a bit more modern or out of place, but never so bad that I had to roll my eyes. There were also a few places where certain moderately uncommon words showed up several times close together that broke the flow for me a bit.
My main criticism is that the book was too short. I mean that both in the context that I wanted more, and in that several parts of the story felt rushed. Major losses, huge conflicts, or built-up moments seemed to fly by and be over too easily, or without what felt like proper decorum. This diminished the potential impact of some of these points in a meaningful way.
Despite these issues, the strength of the story, the relationships of the characters, and the richness of the story shouldered much of the weight and turned out a highly enjoyable sequel.
Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Overall, I am very pleased with the second and final installment of the Breathmarked series, with a few pointed criticisms.
As for the story itself, I still found it captivating, compelling, and a real page turner, with all the right things a good story needs. The characters were relatable and real, and the setting vibrant and easy to visualize. Everything I loved about book 1 continued on seamlessly in book 2.
There were a few times where the dialogue didn’t land perfectly, and felt a bit more modern or out of place, but never so bad that I had to roll my eyes. There were also a few places where certain moderately uncommon words showed up several times close together that broke the flow for me a bit.
My main criticism is that the book was too short. I mean that both in the context that I wanted more, and in that several parts of the story felt rushed. Major losses, huge conflicts, or built-up moments seemed to fly by and be over too easily, or without what felt like proper decorum. This diminished the potential impact of some of these points in a meaningful way.
Despite these issues, the strength of the story, the relationships of the characters, and the richness of the story shouldered much of the weight and turned out a highly enjoyable sequel.
Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had high expectations after exciting first installment. However, without tournament theme, this book had much slower flow. There was a lot of back and forth and back again. It felt like things were just happening to Jun and he was just observer.
There were some great fight scenes though. And family topic was a strong one. Add satisfying ending and overall, you have a nice YA adventurous novel.
I will definitely recommend this duet to my son!
*ARC provided by publisher as an exchange for honest review*
There were some great fight scenes though. And family topic was a strong one. Add satisfying ending and overall, you have a nice YA adventurous novel.
I will definitely recommend this duet to my son!
*ARC provided by publisher as an exchange for honest review*
Want to Read
May 13, 2026The ARC is mine! I'm excited for this, I liked the first book more than I expected to.
May 20, 2026
My first ever ARC! Look ma, I’m a reviewer now! But it’s books like these that make me want to share reviews. This was a satisfying end to the Breathmarked duology. I never thought I (though Chinese) would be into Asian martial arts fantasy, yet here I am reading this and wanting more!
I loved Fonda Lee’s Greenbone Saga for its world of gang culture, family dynamics, and the potential of each person for change. I would say the gritty “intensity” from that series is toned down in this duology, it feels much more YA. The first book, Breath of the Dragon, has more action and an impactful plot line whereas this second book explores more of how the characters who shape the world are themselves shaped by differing dreams, disappointments, and an unspoken yearning for personal redemption.
I really loved reading from Jun’s perspective — it felt authentic to the pace at which people change their minds, revert to their former ways, regret everything, are finally open to consider other perspectives, etc. It felt a little rushed at the end, but I’m happy with where all the main characters ended up.
More from Fonda Lee, please!
I loved Fonda Lee’s Greenbone Saga for its world of gang culture, family dynamics, and the potential of each person for change. I would say the gritty “intensity” from that series is toned down in this duology, it feels much more YA. The first book, Breath of the Dragon, has more action and an impactful plot line whereas this second book explores more of how the characters who shape the world are themselves shaped by differing dreams, disappointments, and an unspoken yearning for personal redemption.
I really loved reading from Jun’s perspective — it felt authentic to the pace at which people change their minds, revert to their former ways, regret everything, are finally open to consider other perspectives, etc. It felt a little rushed at the end, but I’m happy with where all the main characters ended up.
More from Fonda Lee, please!
July 30, 2026
“Claim your destiny. Raise your voice, and it will be heard over the entire country.”
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC!
When I heard that Fonda Lee had written a YA martial arts fantasy duology with Shannon Lee, aka Bruce Lee’s daughter, I was immediately ALL IN. I don’t know much about martial arts or wuxia, but I do know that I love Fonda Lee, and that love alone was enough to convince me.
The Breathmarked duology is a fairly decent foray into YA fantasy. The politics are at times surprisingly complex for the genre, if stated a bit too obviously at times. The characters have some depth, although they often come across as stock archetypes with conflict resolved too quickly and neatly.
Ultimately, though, the series just didn’t quite hit the mark in the way that I wanted it to. It’s always difficult to judge who wrote what in multi-authored books, but there were aspects of the writing that made it quite obvious that Shannon Lee was new to the craft–even when partnered with a vet like Fonda Lee. The narration veered towards the repetitive, and it lacked the spark that I have come to associate with Fonda Lee as a writer. The love triangle included in the book just left me feeling annoyed with our protagonist, and there was no chemistry between any of the characters involved.
Now, I’m not sure how much of this may have been because they were writing for a YA audience. In fact, the target audience for this book confuses me a bit. These books are YA, but some of the language and level of violence seems like it should be for an older audience than the rest of the writing suggests. On the other hand, much of how the story and narration are structured almost made it seem like they were writing for an even younger audience. The ending of this book in particular threw me in its structure. It was very much written like a video game, and not in a way that I particularly enjoyed.
But this book is not without its strengths. The fight scenes and action sequences are very well-written, and Fonda Lee’s writing expertise paired with Shannon Lee’s martial arts knowledge really melded together well during these moments. Despite being a strongly visual reader, I sometimes have trouble imagining fight scenes seamlessly, but everything unfolded so clearly in my head while reading these books. As I said before, I don’t know anything about martial arts or wuxia and I can’t comment on the accuracy of it all, but as a reader I was impressed.
I only wish the rest of the writing lived up to that standard. I think these duo could continue writing together and produce something truly impressive in the future, but this sadly was a bit of a letdown for me and my love for Fonda Lee.
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC!
When I heard that Fonda Lee had written a YA martial arts fantasy duology with Shannon Lee, aka Bruce Lee’s daughter, I was immediately ALL IN. I don’t know much about martial arts or wuxia, but I do know that I love Fonda Lee, and that love alone was enough to convince me.
The Breathmarked duology is a fairly decent foray into YA fantasy. The politics are at times surprisingly complex for the genre, if stated a bit too obviously at times. The characters have some depth, although they often come across as stock archetypes with conflict resolved too quickly and neatly.
Ultimately, though, the series just didn’t quite hit the mark in the way that I wanted it to. It’s always difficult to judge who wrote what in multi-authored books, but there were aspects of the writing that made it quite obvious that Shannon Lee was new to the craft–even when partnered with a vet like Fonda Lee. The narration veered towards the repetitive, and it lacked the spark that I have come to associate with Fonda Lee as a writer. The love triangle included in the book just left me feeling annoyed with our protagonist, and there was no chemistry between any of the characters involved.
Now, I’m not sure how much of this may have been because they were writing for a YA audience. In fact, the target audience for this book confuses me a bit. These books are YA, but some of the language and level of violence seems like it should be for an older audience than the rest of the writing suggests. On the other hand, much of how the story and narration are structured almost made it seem like they were writing for an even younger audience. The ending of this book in particular threw me in its structure. It was very much written like a video game, and not in a way that I particularly enjoyed.
But this book is not without its strengths. The fight scenes and action sequences are very well-written, and Fonda Lee’s writing expertise paired with Shannon Lee’s martial arts knowledge really melded together well during these moments. Despite being a strongly visual reader, I sometimes have trouble imagining fight scenes seamlessly, but everything unfolded so clearly in my head while reading these books. As I said before, I don’t know anything about martial arts or wuxia and I can’t comment on the accuracy of it all, but as a reader I was impressed.
I only wish the rest of the writing lived up to that standard. I think these duo could continue writing together and produce something truly impressive in the future, but this sadly was a bit of a letdown for me and my love for Fonda Lee.
July 2, 2026
as a big fonda lee fan, i really wanted to love this duology! unfortunately, it just didn't really work for me, especially this installment.
i mean, it was okay. the fights were superbly choreographed (as expected) and there were some scenes that were genuinely impactful - . but other than that, it was just a lot of stuff happening as if plot points were being rattled off, and i didn't feel any of it. maybe because it's adapted for a YA audience, but all the large-scale politics (which should have been a narrative focus) weren't fleshed out enough. also, the ending felt rushed! we spent all this time getting there, with multiple chapters of fight scenes after fight scenes, only to reach a lukewarm climax that failed to wrap up all loose ends.
as a martial arts book, it was fantastic. but a fantasy novel - even one written for younger audiences - is held up by its lore/worldbuilding, and mark of the warrior ultimately failed at that for me.
i do think this book would have been better if there were more chapters with Sai POV! a more balanced narrative would help flesh out the nuances of the East vs West conflict and also provide more insight on their relationship.
i liked the first book better than this one and would still recommend giving it a shot if martial tournaments interest you.
thank you netgalley for the arc!
i mean, it was okay. the fights were superbly choreographed (as expected) and there were some scenes that were genuinely impactful - . but other than that, it was just a lot of stuff happening as if plot points were being rattled off, and i didn't feel any of it. maybe because it's adapted for a YA audience, but all the large-scale politics (which should have been a narrative focus) weren't fleshed out enough. also, the ending felt rushed! we spent all this time getting there, with multiple chapters of fight scenes after fight scenes, only to reach a lukewarm climax that failed to wrap up all loose ends.
as a martial arts book, it was fantastic. but a fantasy novel - even one written for younger audiences - is held up by its lore/worldbuilding, and mark of the warrior ultimately failed at that for me.
i do think this book would have been better if there were more chapters with Sai POV! a more balanced narrative would help flesh out the nuances of the East vs West conflict and also provide more insight on their relationship.
i liked the first book better than this one and would still recommend giving it a shot if martial tournaments interest you.
thank you netgalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
-Thank you Netgalley for the ebook ARC-
I didn't realize this was the second in a duology until I picked it up and started reading it. That said, I didn't feel like I was really lost. The world is easy to jump into, clearly laid out, and the events of the first book are flashed back to enough (succinctly), that I was able to jump right into book two without much confusion.
At first, I thought this was going to be a straight-forward action story with people fighting (which isn't a bad thing). The plot was relatively simple without any unexpected twists or turns. The right people usually showed up just in time, and the main character, Jun, didn't seem to have to do much fighting until the end. Then I realized that might have been intentional based on the themes.
Sometimes stories with creative twists sacrifice depth. Mark of the Warrior banked on a straight-forwarded plot to instead deliver on its themes. The story focuses on division & reconciliation in both setting and characters. The land is divided after an uprising. This is mirrored in the characters, two twin brothers, who are separated at six years old. Jun, not being breathmarked, is banished to the West after performing forbidden martial arts. Sai, the breathmarked brother is brought up in the east to be an aspect. Both work their way to the top and become keepers of their land's respective dragon scrolls. (This is their backstory/ Book 1 where book 2 picks up from)
Setting:
This is an action-packed book set in a fantasy world that could easily be modeled off of our own (such as China). The land is divided by East and West and the people are separated by the snake wall. The West is ruled by a monarchy, but is more lenient. The East is ruled by a council, but is very strict, going so far as to outlaw any incivility, including martial arts being practiced by anyone other than trained aspects who are breathmarked with dragon scales, giving them extra abilities.
Characters:
The twin brothers separated on either side of the wall perfectly mirror the division in the land. We see more from Jun's perspective (the brother who isn't breathmarked, and banished to the West.) Jun doesn't do as much fighting in this book as what he seemed to have done in the first book. He's still reeling in the aftermath of losing the scroll and fleeing for his life now that he's a falsely accused traitor. Despite his many hardships and advanced fighting skills, Jun shows remarkable empathy for enemies, and is a very likeable character.
Themes:
division/reconciliation. Strength/weakness.
Content warnings: moderate language, including the use of the f-word, but overall, appropriate for the YA category it's being marketed to. (No sexual content, some violence, but not gory.)
Favorite quotes:
"Water smiled humorousely, 'What are hopes, if not whispers from the universe of what's possible, Yin Yue? I simply hear the hints more clearly.'"
"'What Yama doesn't understand is that our weaknesses are the sources of our strength. Our failures are the seeds of our triumph.'"
I didn't realize this was the second in a duology until I picked it up and started reading it. That said, I didn't feel like I was really lost. The world is easy to jump into, clearly laid out, and the events of the first book are flashed back to enough (succinctly), that I was able to jump right into book two without much confusion.
At first, I thought this was going to be a straight-forward action story with people fighting (which isn't a bad thing). The plot was relatively simple without any unexpected twists or turns. The right people usually showed up just in time, and the main character, Jun, didn't seem to have to do much fighting until the end. Then I realized that might have been intentional based on the themes.
Sometimes stories with creative twists sacrifice depth. Mark of the Warrior banked on a straight-forwarded plot to instead deliver on its themes. The story focuses on division & reconciliation in both setting and characters. The land is divided after an uprising. This is mirrored in the characters, two twin brothers, who are separated at six years old. Jun, not being breathmarked, is banished to the West after performing forbidden martial arts. Sai, the breathmarked brother is brought up in the east to be an aspect. Both work their way to the top and become keepers of their land's respective dragon scrolls. (This is their backstory/ Book 1 where book 2 picks up from)
Setting:
This is an action-packed book set in a fantasy world that could easily be modeled off of our own (such as China). The land is divided by East and West and the people are separated by the snake wall. The West is ruled by a monarchy, but is more lenient. The East is ruled by a council, but is very strict, going so far as to outlaw any incivility, including martial arts being practiced by anyone other than trained aspects who are breathmarked with dragon scales, giving them extra abilities.
Characters:
The twin brothers separated on either side of the wall perfectly mirror the division in the land. We see more from Jun's perspective (the brother who isn't breathmarked, and banished to the West.) Jun doesn't do as much fighting in this book as what he seemed to have done in the first book. He's still reeling in the aftermath of losing the scroll and fleeing for his life now that he's a falsely accused traitor. Despite his many hardships and advanced fighting skills, Jun shows remarkable empathy for enemies, and is a very likeable character.
Themes:
division/reconciliation. Strength/weakness.
Content warnings: moderate language, including the use of the f-word, but overall, appropriate for the YA category it's being marketed to. (No sexual content, some violence, but not gory.)
Favorite quotes:
"Water smiled humorousely, 'What are hopes, if not whispers from the universe of what's possible, Yin Yue? I simply hear the hints more clearly.'"
"'What Yama doesn't understand is that our weaknesses are the sources of our strength. Our failures are the seeds of our triumph.'"
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Firstly - what a gorgeous cover art.
I’m not very familiar with Shannon Lee, but I was drawn to this duology by Fonda Lee and the amazing work that is the greenbone saga. In both the first and the latest installation, that Fonda Lee quality writing is evident - which for me is what I appreciate.
And if anything, Fonda Lee is an absolute master on writing family dynamics. Mark of the Warrior is a brilliant conclusion to a very sweetly epic story. We follow Jun in the East and his much awaited meeting with his long lost twin brother Sai in the back drop of an East/West war. My rating is a 7/10 (3⭐️), and had I not been a stricter reviewer this would be a four star book.
Plot wise, the ending was not unpredictable, but I think how we got there was creative and really engaging, I was hooked and was able to finish this in one go. The pacing issues I found in book 1 did not exist here, primarily because we begin the book in the middle of the story - but also because of how the character work was structured.
I am a massive fan of character conflict especially when it would be more convenient to not have it - and both of these authors did not fail me on this at all. I felt uneasy, I felt on the edge of my seat, with the brotherly dynamics and the authors were not afraid to be risky with how they explored their interactions.
This was not as martial arts heavy nor was it more action heavy than the first book, but what Mark of the Warrior brings to the table best is its tangents and short deep dives into diverse philosophies. Im a reader who enjoys reading about characters being conflicted with identity, grasping how propaganda operates and how that defines actions - and I think Jun’s character was right up my niche corner of this level of analysis. Weirdly enough I don’t love Jun as much as the breakdowns of how he perceives others, and I think that is a brilliant thing to have accomplished by itself.
All the build up was paid off really well with Yin’s character - just love him and Jun.
My only qualm is Ren - yeah pretty disappointed in where her character is, but ultimately I didn’t care much for it anyway because June really did eat.
All in all, it’s a very entertaining read, it’s nostalgic of the brilliant ya/middle grade I read growing up and I think this beats quite a lot of the slop that exists now.
Thanks to e-arc from Netgalley!
I’m not very familiar with Shannon Lee, but I was drawn to this duology by Fonda Lee and the amazing work that is the greenbone saga. In both the first and the latest installation, that Fonda Lee quality writing is evident - which for me is what I appreciate.
And if anything, Fonda Lee is an absolute master on writing family dynamics. Mark of the Warrior is a brilliant conclusion to a very sweetly epic story. We follow Jun in the East and his much awaited meeting with his long lost twin brother Sai in the back drop of an East/West war. My rating is a 7/10 (3⭐️), and had I not been a stricter reviewer this would be a four star book.
Plot wise, the ending was not unpredictable, but I think how we got there was creative and really engaging, I was hooked and was able to finish this in one go. The pacing issues I found in book 1 did not exist here, primarily because we begin the book in the middle of the story - but also because of how the character work was structured.
I am a massive fan of character conflict especially when it would be more convenient to not have it - and both of these authors did not fail me on this at all. I felt uneasy, I felt on the edge of my seat, with the brotherly dynamics and the authors were not afraid to be risky with how they explored their interactions.
This was not as martial arts heavy nor was it more action heavy than the first book, but what Mark of the Warrior brings to the table best is its tangents and short deep dives into diverse philosophies. Im a reader who enjoys reading about characters being conflicted with identity, grasping how propaganda operates and how that defines actions - and I think Jun’s character was right up my niche corner of this level of analysis. Weirdly enough I don’t love Jun as much as the breakdowns of how he perceives others, and I think that is a brilliant thing to have accomplished by itself.
All the build up was paid off really well with Yin’s character - just love him and Jun.
My only qualm is Ren - yeah pretty disappointed in where her character is, but ultimately I didn’t care much for it anyway because June really did eat.
All in all, it’s a very entertaining read, it’s nostalgic of the brilliant ya/middle grade I read growing up and I think this beats quite a lot of the slop that exists now.
Thanks to e-arc from Netgalley!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mark of the Warrior
by Shannon Lee & Fonda Lee
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2026
First of all, thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read Mark of the Warrior.
The ARC is mine (insert evil laugh here). After loving my time with the first book in the Breathmarked series, I have been eagerly waiting to return to this world, and I was so excited to finally see how this story would come to an end.
Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion to the duology. It had everything I enjoyed from the first book—the immersive world, the political tension, the martial arts, and most importantly, characters who feel like real people navigating impossible circumstances.
One of my favorite aspects of this series continues to be the relationships. While romance often dominates fantasy stories, I really appreciated the focus on family, loyalty, friendship, and found family. Those connections felt meaningful and grounded, and they gave the story an emotional core that went beyond the larger conflicts happening around the characters.
The world-building remains a highlight. The setting is vivid and easy to picture, and the martial arts elements bring such a unique energy to the story. Shannon Lee’s involvement adds an extra layer of authenticity and appreciation for the discipline, philosophy, and movement woven throughout the book.
I did feel like the pacing was a little uneven at times. The beginning took some time to find its footing, and there were moments where I wished certain emotional beats and major events had more room to breathe. Some of the bigger moments happened quickly, and I would have loved more time with the characters as they processed those experiences.
That being said, the strength of the characters and the richness of the world carried the story through. I was invested in these people and genuinely wanted to see where their journeys would take them.
If you enjoy fantasy filled with political intrigue, martial arts, complicated family dynamics, and characters who are willing to fight for what they believe in, Mark of the Warrior is a strong conclusion to the Breathmarked duology.
I'm very glad I got the chance to finish this journey, and I hope Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee know there are readers who will happily follow wherever they take us next.
by Shannon Lee & Fonda Lee
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2026
First of all, thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read Mark of the Warrior.
The ARC is mine (insert evil laugh here). After loving my time with the first book in the Breathmarked series, I have been eagerly waiting to return to this world, and I was so excited to finally see how this story would come to an end.
Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion to the duology. It had everything I enjoyed from the first book—the immersive world, the political tension, the martial arts, and most importantly, characters who feel like real people navigating impossible circumstances.
One of my favorite aspects of this series continues to be the relationships. While romance often dominates fantasy stories, I really appreciated the focus on family, loyalty, friendship, and found family. Those connections felt meaningful and grounded, and they gave the story an emotional core that went beyond the larger conflicts happening around the characters.
The world-building remains a highlight. The setting is vivid and easy to picture, and the martial arts elements bring such a unique energy to the story. Shannon Lee’s involvement adds an extra layer of authenticity and appreciation for the discipline, philosophy, and movement woven throughout the book.
I did feel like the pacing was a little uneven at times. The beginning took some time to find its footing, and there were moments where I wished certain emotional beats and major events had more room to breathe. Some of the bigger moments happened quickly, and I would have loved more time with the characters as they processed those experiences.
That being said, the strength of the characters and the richness of the world carried the story through. I was invested in these people and genuinely wanted to see where their journeys would take them.
If you enjoy fantasy filled with political intrigue, martial arts, complicated family dynamics, and characters who are willing to fight for what they believe in, Mark of the Warrior is a strong conclusion to the Breathmarked duology.
I'm very glad I got the chance to finish this journey, and I hope Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee know there are readers who will happily follow wherever they take us next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Brothers reunited. The twin that Jun knew as a six year old is an adult now, living a different life from his own, with a different culture & philosophy.
While they may be more strangers than brothers now, there are many things that connect them in deeper ways. It's a connection that neither of them want. There was a part of Jun that always resented his brother. Those same resentments have only grown stronger now that they're reunited as adults & their differences & similarities become more apparent.
With the East & West both intent on devouring the other, and his own twin brother firmly on the other side, with his own reasons for hating Jun, what can Jun possibly do to find the missing dragon scroll, evade a country looking to capture him, and end the upcoming war in a way that won't leave one side the victor & the other the loser.
This was a really good read. I'm happy it wasn't a letdown after how good the first book was. Many series drop in quality after a good first book. This sequel carries itself beyond the first's success. I like how it addressed all the various relationships, like the evolution of Jun's interactions with his old rival, Yin, which continues to develop. Jun's complicated reunion with his twin, Sai was done very well. it was a complex mix of emotions & took the time it needed to develop properly. The prose, plot, and pacing were all really great, but the characters' relationships made this an excellent read.
I like the way the story ended. There was no lightning bolt from heaven or a clear cut ending. It leaves off with a future open to many optimistic possibilities.
The East & West are opposites in so many ways, and they both want to oppress & subjugate the other. The war has scattered families & friends on either side of the wall. There are many who want power over the other, but hidden underneath are people who just want to see their family again.
While they may be more strangers than brothers now, there are many things that connect them in deeper ways. It's a connection that neither of them want. There was a part of Jun that always resented his brother. Those same resentments have only grown stronger now that they're reunited as adults & their differences & similarities become more apparent.
With the East & West both intent on devouring the other, and his own twin brother firmly on the other side, with his own reasons for hating Jun, what can Jun possibly do to find the missing dragon scroll, evade a country looking to capture him, and end the upcoming war in a way that won't leave one side the victor & the other the loser.
This was a really good read. I'm happy it wasn't a letdown after how good the first book was. Many series drop in quality after a good first book. This sequel carries itself beyond the first's success. I like how it addressed all the various relationships, like the evolution of Jun's interactions with his old rival, Yin, which continues to develop. Jun's complicated reunion with his twin, Sai was done very well. it was a complex mix of emotions & took the time it needed to develop properly. The prose, plot, and pacing were all really great, but the characters' relationships made this an excellent read.
I like the way the story ended. There was no lightning bolt from heaven or a clear cut ending. It leaves off with a future open to many optimistic possibilities.
The East & West are opposites in so many ways, and they both want to oppress & subjugate the other. The war has scattered families & friends on either side of the wall. There are many who want power over the other, but hidden underneath are people who just want to see their family again.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I signed up for a Netgalley account specifically to get this book. I loved the original. I already had plans to read the sequel. And I couldn't have been more delighted to receive an ARC for Mark of the Dragon.
This book was absolutely stunning. The character work was just as rewarding to follow as it was in the first one. This book checked so many boxes for me: family reunification and healing, so many cultural and historical elements I recognize from all over East Asia, and so many martial arts styles that represent those areas. Taekwondo, kung fu, karate, muy tai, kali, and so many other styles feature here in a true love letter to mixed martial arts. I loved that aspect of this book so much. I also loved the disability representation. I couldn't have asked for a better representation of my experience as a martial artist and why training in the styles I studied under was one of the highlights of my life.
The cultural and historical elements give depth to this book in the subgenre of Asian fantasy that is still deeply rooted in our world. The reunification plot line speaks to the reunification of Korea. The Snake Wall and the complexities of living under a controlled populace in China. The Sun Pagoda and the Emperor's council that both derive so much inspiration from samurai and feudal Japan. The composite of elements here gives visibility to Asian lived experience through the fantasy elements, which was such a joy for me to experience. I love Asian culture and have for many years as a student of taekwondo, and this is exactly the kind of book that makes me excited to read Asian fantasy and deepen that cultural appreciation.
A must read for martial artists and lovers of fantasy. Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee are amazing together and I would love to see more projects from them. And if this becomes a movie or a tv series, I will watch it without question.
This book was absolutely stunning. The character work was just as rewarding to follow as it was in the first one. This book checked so many boxes for me: family reunification and healing, so many cultural and historical elements I recognize from all over East Asia, and so many martial arts styles that represent those areas. Taekwondo, kung fu, karate, muy tai, kali, and so many other styles feature here in a true love letter to mixed martial arts. I loved that aspect of this book so much. I also loved the disability representation. I couldn't have asked for a better representation of my experience as a martial artist and why training in the styles I studied under was one of the highlights of my life.
The cultural and historical elements give depth to this book in the subgenre of Asian fantasy that is still deeply rooted in our world. The reunification plot line speaks to the reunification of Korea. The Snake Wall and the complexities of living under a controlled populace in China. The Sun Pagoda and the Emperor's council that both derive so much inspiration from samurai and feudal Japan. The composite of elements here gives visibility to Asian lived experience through the fantasy elements, which was such a joy for me to experience. I love Asian culture and have for many years as a student of taekwondo, and this is exactly the kind of book that makes me excited to read Asian fantasy and deepen that cultural appreciation.
A must read for martial artists and lovers of fantasy. Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee are amazing together and I would love to see more projects from them. And if this becomes a movie or a tv series, I will watch it without question.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In this second book of the Breathmarked duology, we finally get to meet Jun’s brother, Sai, and it does not disappoint.
We pick up right where we left off in The Breath of the Dragon, with Jun, Ren, and Yin Yue heading into the East to find the Scroll of Heaven (and Jun’s family). As in the first book, the martial arts scenes are enthralling. I found that I could visualize the fighting, holding my breath as some of my favorites neared a potential death.
But by far, it was the continual development of the characters that had me unable to put the book down. I felt the frustration of Yin Yue learning how to fight with one hand, and Ren fleeing into the East with a hot-headed vengeance proved her character to be as flawed as she is strong. The relationships between the characters (including the oft-dreaded love triangle) were expanded in a deliberate and heart-wrenching way. I absolutely ADORED Jun and Yin Yue’s building brotherhood after their book-one rivalry, and Jun and Sai’s reunion simultaneously broke and healed my heart.
The conclusion was satisfying and left me feeling warm and hopeful, but I loved that it wasn't afraid to hurt a little first. The war was fleshed out in a way that was easy to understand for younger YA readers, and the ending was filled with the appropriate amount of intense action and political payoff.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five stars for found family (both chosen and blood), a love triangle that actually worked, and a reminder that we all have a little Breathmark inside of us.
Thank you so much to Shannon Lee, Fonda Lee, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
We pick up right where we left off in The Breath of the Dragon, with Jun, Ren, and Yin Yue heading into the East to find the Scroll of Heaven (and Jun’s family). As in the first book, the martial arts scenes are enthralling. I found that I could visualize the fighting, holding my breath as some of my favorites neared a potential death.
But by far, it was the continual development of the characters that had me unable to put the book down. I felt the frustration of Yin Yue learning how to fight with one hand, and Ren fleeing into the East with a hot-headed vengeance proved her character to be as flawed as she is strong. The relationships between the characters (including the oft-dreaded love triangle) were expanded in a deliberate and heart-wrenching way. I absolutely ADORED Jun and Yin Yue’s building brotherhood after their book-one rivalry, and Jun and Sai’s reunion simultaneously broke and healed my heart.
The conclusion was satisfying and left me feeling warm and hopeful, but I loved that it wasn't afraid to hurt a little first. The war was fleshed out in a way that was easy to understand for younger YA readers, and the ending was filled with the appropriate amount of intense action and political payoff.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five stars for found family (both chosen and blood), a love triangle that actually worked, and a reminder that we all have a little Breathmark inside of us.
Thank you so much to Shannon Lee, Fonda Lee, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5/5
It kicked off right where book one left off, and I’m so glad because my momentum was able to keep charging forward. From there the tension ramped up more, even when there was a lull in the journey. The defenestration scene especially pulled the rug out from under me because it so completely derailed the characters’ plans and I was nervous of how they were going to gain control of the situation. I loved that we got to see even more of a creative variety of Breathmarks, and that they weren’t treated as get-out-of-jail-free cards. I’m so satisfied with how this ended, including the little romantic subplot. There are also some pretty incredible implications from the final reveal that make the story live on in my head even after finishing the book. It’s a great world, filled with great characters, so if there is another story to be had here I would absolutely read it, but as it stands it didn’t feel lacking in a way that requires another story. The themes that stood out to me are the importance of family and knowing both when to support or stand against them, the harms of war, and how past trauma shapes the actions of individuals and societies, especially in regards to justification and revenge. I think this series would appeal to Brandon Sanderson readers, due to the similar writing style, rootable characters in a politically teetering world, and fantastical, technique-focused action that rewards hard work and creativity. Was this worth it? 100%.
Thank you St Martin’s Press for the review copy! I leave my review honestly and voluntarily.
It kicked off right where book one left off, and I’m so glad because my momentum was able to keep charging forward. From there the tension ramped up more, even when there was a lull in the journey. The defenestration scene especially pulled the rug out from under me because it so completely derailed the characters’ plans and I was nervous of how they were going to gain control of the situation. I loved that we got to see even more of a creative variety of Breathmarks, and that they weren’t treated as get-out-of-jail-free cards. I’m so satisfied with how this ended, including the little romantic subplot. There are also some pretty incredible implications from the final reveal that make the story live on in my head even after finishing the book. It’s a great world, filled with great characters, so if there is another story to be had here I would absolutely read it, but as it stands it didn’t feel lacking in a way that requires another story. The themes that stood out to me are the importance of family and knowing both when to support or stand against them, the harms of war, and how past trauma shapes the actions of individuals and societies, especially in regards to justification and revenge. I think this series would appeal to Brandon Sanderson readers, due to the similar writing style, rootable characters in a politically teetering world, and fantastical, technique-focused action that rewards hard work and creativity. Was this worth it? 100%.
Thank you St Martin’s Press for the review copy! I leave my review honestly and voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! I’ve been sitting on my thoughts for a few days, but honestly, I ended up inhaling this so fast. If the first book was about setting the stage, this one is about the house catching fire in the best way possible.
The Vibe:
The pacing here is a massive step up from book one. It drops you right into the middle of the story, so there’s no "sequel slump." It’s less of a straight-up martial arts tournament book and more of a psychological deep dive into how propaganda and identity mess with your head during a war.
What I Loved:
The tension between Jun and Sai is top-tier. It made me feel genuinely uneasy and on edge. The authors weren’t afraid to make their interactions risky and messy rather than just giving us a clean "hero vs. villain" fight.
I actually preferred the tangents into different philosophies over the actual action scenes. Seeing how Jun perceives the world and struggles with who he’s supposed to be vs. who he actually is felt really grounded.
The buildup from the first book really pays off here. His character arc and his relationship with Jun were highlights for me.
Even though I kind of guessed where the ending was headed, the way we got there was super creative and kept me hooked.
What Missed the Mark:
If you’re coming into this purely for the fight scenes, there’s actually a bit less martial art than the first book. It’s more about the internal conflict, which I loved, but it might surprise some people.
The Vibe:
The pacing here is a massive step up from book one. It drops you right into the middle of the story, so there’s no "sequel slump." It’s less of a straight-up martial arts tournament book and more of a psychological deep dive into how propaganda and identity mess with your head during a war.
What I Loved:
The tension between Jun and Sai is top-tier. It made me feel genuinely uneasy and on edge. The authors weren’t afraid to make their interactions risky and messy rather than just giving us a clean "hero vs. villain" fight.
I actually preferred the tangents into different philosophies over the actual action scenes. Seeing how Jun perceives the world and struggles with who he’s supposed to be vs. who he actually is felt really grounded.
The buildup from the first book really pays off here. His character arc and his relationship with Jun were highlights for me.
Even though I kind of guessed where the ending was headed, the way we got there was super creative and kept me hooked.
What Missed the Mark:
If you’re coming into this purely for the fight scenes, there’s actually a bit less martial art than the first book. It’s more about the internal conflict, which I loved, but it might surprise some people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee for a copy of the eARC!
The second of the Breathemarked series did not disappoint. This book was fantastic. There were still good fighting scenes/martial arts throughout the book even though the tournament has long ended, and Jun, our newly appointed guardian has been deemed a traitor. I love the buildup of friendship and found family in this book. Again, this book was a very easy read. There's not much to be confused about in regards to the worldbuilding. It does do a deeper dive into government corruption, which was suspected. I did find that the "villains" may have went down a little way too quickly and smoothly. However, as this is a YA novel, I guess it's fine.
I love how the authors played into the theme of family. We have characters who were separated from their family since young. We also get characters where they've grown up with their family, but very much had different opinions. I find it so ironic that the family that was stuck together this whole time did not end up having a happy ending. However, that's how life is. You have to learn when to cut off family that isn't respectful of your boundaries and morals.
I will most likely be picking this series up for my student, who is currently going into grade 9, in hopes that I will find a book that interests him. I highly recommend other parents to pick this book up if your child shows interest in martial arts/fighting tournaments.
The second of the Breathemarked series did not disappoint. This book was fantastic. There were still good fighting scenes/martial arts throughout the book even though the tournament has long ended, and Jun, our newly appointed guardian has been deemed a traitor. I love the buildup of friendship and found family in this book. Again, this book was a very easy read. There's not much to be confused about in regards to the worldbuilding. It does do a deeper dive into government corruption, which was suspected. I did find that the "villains" may have went down a little way too quickly and smoothly. However, as this is a YA novel, I guess it's fine.
I love how the authors played into the theme of family. We have characters who were separated from their family since young. We also get characters where they've grown up with their family, but very much had different opinions. I find it so ironic that the family that was stuck together this whole time did not end up having a happy ending. However, that's how life is. You have to learn when to cut off family that isn't respectful of your boundaries and morals.
I will most likely be picking this series up for my student, who is currently going into grade 9, in hopes that I will find a book that interests him. I highly recommend other parents to pick this book up if your child shows interest in martial arts/fighting tournaments.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books, and authors Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee for the opportunity to read an e-ARC of this title!
When I saw the second book to the Breathmarked duology on NetGalley, I was so excited. I really enjoyed the first book and couldn't wait to dive back into Jun's world. Generally, I don't read much YA anymore, but this series is one of the exceptions. I love the premise of the fantasy world and the martial arts elements throughout. One of my favorite elements of the first book was the Dragon Tournament, so I was curious how the second would play out now that the Tournament was finished, but I really enjoyed how the story developed more of Jun and Sai's relationship and their connection. I feel like the plot really got interesting around 50 percent for this reason! Before this, I was a little bored and felt like the plot was meandering, but I still enjoyed reading about all the characters and how they developed. I guess it just felt like the plot was moving the characters around? But I think the characters and their dynamics are the strength of this duology. Yin Yue's character was especially great and I love how this book explored how he adapted to having one hand. I did find myself annoyed at the focus on Jun's crush on Ren (I do not like love triangles and also I feel like Jun had other things to worry about tbh), but I liked how it turned out in the end and I feel like Ren was able to maintain her independence as a character in her own right. Hooray! I kind of wish we got some of Sai's point of view, even if it was brief…But overall I am satisfied with this conclusion to the duology and enjoyed reading it! Mark of the Warrior provides a lot of closure and I love the overarching messages the story tells about friendship, disability, and celebrating everyone's own unique gifts. I'd sum up the series with, “maybe the real dragon mark was the friendship we made along the way.”
When I saw the second book to the Breathmarked duology on NetGalley, I was so excited. I really enjoyed the first book and couldn't wait to dive back into Jun's world. Generally, I don't read much YA anymore, but this series is one of the exceptions. I love the premise of the fantasy world and the martial arts elements throughout. One of my favorite elements of the first book was the Dragon Tournament, so I was curious how the second would play out now that the Tournament was finished, but I really enjoyed how the story developed more of Jun and Sai's relationship and their connection. I feel like the plot really got interesting around 50 percent for this reason! Before this, I was a little bored and felt like the plot was meandering, but I still enjoyed reading about all the characters and how they developed. I guess it just felt like the plot was moving the characters around? But I think the characters and their dynamics are the strength of this duology. Yin Yue's character was especially great and I love how this book explored how he adapted to having one hand. I did find myself annoyed at the focus on Jun's crush on Ren (I do not like love triangles and also I feel like Jun had other things to worry about tbh), but I liked how it turned out in the end and I feel like Ren was able to maintain her independence as a character in her own right. Hooray! I kind of wish we got some of Sai's point of view, even if it was brief…But overall I am satisfied with this conclusion to the duology and enjoyed reading it! Mark of the Warrior provides a lot of closure and I love the overarching messages the story tells about friendship, disability, and celebrating everyone's own unique gifts. I'd sum up the series with, “maybe the real dragon mark was the friendship we made along the way.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book rather hurriedly wrapped up the series, or so it feels. It starts off with a lot of travel in the East, with Jun and Yue needing to work together in order to survive. Eventually the two of them reach the temple that houses the Council of Virtue, where Jun's long lost brother guards the Scroll of Earth.
Jun's reunion with his brother was one of the things that felt rushed. The two of them complement each other in martial and Breathmarked abilities but this isn't really explored. Nor are the emotions around their long separation and children, their father's death, their mother's retreat into a nunnery. In general, it felt like this book was very focused on moving the plot along and the emotional moments didn't get time to breathe.
The action was fun though! Eventually, Jun and his allies must fighte their way through all five floors of the famous Sun Pagoda in order to achieve their goals. The martial powers of their enemies are interesting and make for very imaginative combat.
The book also ends abruptly. I really wonder if this was intended to be a trilogy but then had to be cut down to two books. I enjoyed the read but felt like there was a lot left unexplored.
Jun's reunion with his brother was one of the things that felt rushed. The two of them complement each other in martial and Breathmarked abilities but this isn't really explored. Nor are the emotions around their long separation and children, their father's death, their mother's retreat into a nunnery. In general, it felt like this book was very focused on moving the plot along and the emotional moments didn't get time to breathe.
The action was fun though! Eventually, Jun and his allies must fighte their way through all five floors of the famous Sun Pagoda in order to achieve their goals. The martial powers of their enemies are interesting and make for very imaginative combat.
The book also ends abruptly. I really wonder if this was intended to be a trilogy but then had to be cut down to two books. I enjoyed the read but felt like there was a lot left unexplored.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
"Anyone can become a warrior when what they love is at risk."
I so enjoyed the first book and so was very happy to get back to this series and find out how it all works out!! I knew Fonda and Shannon wouldn't let us down and they didn't, this is a terrific conclusion to the duology. When we left Jun, Ren and Yin they had escaped the West and were all heading in search of Yama and the scroll. Yama's part in this book and his conclusion in the story was the one big surprise to me; things went much differently than I was expecting and it all felt a bit sudden. Aside from that though, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the journey back home for Jun and finally being reunited with Sai and his mother. The pacing in the second half was wonderful and it's a very satisfying ending for the characters. The friendship between Jun, Ren and Yin is most certainly the strong point of the whole story, and I loved how Yin adapted his fighting styles after his injury. As with the first book, the fights were so well choreographed and such a strength of both books. I would love to see this adapted as a movie, and hope that people give this series a chance, it's a wonderful read.
"Anyone can become a warrior when what they love is at risk."
I so enjoyed the first book and so was very happy to get back to this series and find out how it all works out!! I knew Fonda and Shannon wouldn't let us down and they didn't, this is a terrific conclusion to the duology. When we left Jun, Ren and Yin they had escaped the West and were all heading in search of Yama and the scroll. Yama's part in this book and his conclusion in the story was the one big surprise to me; things went much differently than I was expecting and it all felt a bit sudden. Aside from that though, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the journey back home for Jun and finally being reunited with Sai and his mother. The pacing in the second half was wonderful and it's a very satisfying ending for the characters. The friendship between Jun, Ren and Yin is most certainly the strong point of the whole story, and I loved how Yin adapted his fighting styles after his injury. As with the first book, the fights were so well choreographed and such a strength of both books. I would love to see this adapted as a movie, and hope that people give this series a chance, it's a wonderful read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this ARC!
Part two of the Breathmarked duology follows on from the first book seamlessly. This book is action-packed with excellently written combat scenes whilst retaining character development and emotional beats, finalising the story with a satisfying conclusion. I thought this was an impressive feat given the relatively short page count.
Mark of the Warrior builds on from the themes established in Breath of the Dragon and does a great job at showing sibling dynamics and grappling with both familial love and twin envy. The characters feel grounded and real, possessing a mix of qualities that make them feel distinctly human. This duology explores identity and what it’s like to find belonging after feeling ‘other’.
I honestly just want MORE. I could read several other books in this series! I loved the worldbuilding so much and specifically enjoyed the different levels of the Sun Pagoda. This duology is so underrated! The story of the hero’s journey feels classic, but this was refreshing and so much fun.
Part two of the Breathmarked duology follows on from the first book seamlessly. This book is action-packed with excellently written combat scenes whilst retaining character development and emotional beats, finalising the story with a satisfying conclusion. I thought this was an impressive feat given the relatively short page count.
Mark of the Warrior builds on from the themes established in Breath of the Dragon and does a great job at showing sibling dynamics and grappling with both familial love and twin envy. The characters feel grounded and real, possessing a mix of qualities that make them feel distinctly human. This duology explores identity and what it’s like to find belonging after feeling ‘other’.
I honestly just want MORE. I could read several other books in this series! I loved the worldbuilding so much and specifically enjoyed the different levels of the Sun Pagoda. This duology is so underrated! The story of the hero’s journey feels classic, but this was refreshing and so much fun.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I want to preface by saying I received a advanced readers copy for Mark of the Warrior from St. Martin's Press. This had no effect on my overall rating on the book.
5/5
This action adventure young adult fiction isn’t my usual genre of choice but the premise for the story seemed interesting enough for me to give it a go. And I am glad I did. While I did get an ARC for the second book in this duology, I borrowed the first to really be invested into the story. And yet again, I am glad I did. I think if a person just picked up the second book they would be losing most of the plot and connection with the characters and their decisions. I think the books were wonderfully written. The story was engaging and the character development was throughout, vesting in more of my interest.
While trying to not give any spoilers, I was truly happy to see the main character Jun grow as a young man. Through understanding his emotions, his training as a martial artist, and becoming a young adult with so much responsibility and power.
This is a series that I want to own and read again.
5/5
This action adventure young adult fiction isn’t my usual genre of choice but the premise for the story seemed interesting enough for me to give it a go. And I am glad I did. While I did get an ARC for the second book in this duology, I borrowed the first to really be invested into the story. And yet again, I am glad I did. I think if a person just picked up the second book they would be losing most of the plot and connection with the characters and their decisions. I think the books were wonderfully written. The story was engaging and the character development was throughout, vesting in more of my interest.
While trying to not give any spoilers, I was truly happy to see the main character Jun grow as a young man. Through understanding his emotions, his training as a martial artist, and becoming a young adult with so much responsibility and power.
This is a series that I want to own and read again.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mark of the Warrior picks up the story after Breath of the Dragon's dramatic ending, catching readers up to where we last saw Jun seamlessly so anyone who is reading the second book after some time is on the same page as those that are reading them back to back. The pacing and tone match the prior book and several favorite supporting characters return to accompany Jun on his continued adventure. Jun's quest takes him back East for a reunion with his brother, but his mission to recover the scroll and stop impending war is his ultimate goal. Readers who enjoyed the first book and became invested in the characters should appreciate this sequel and the way that it wraps up the story.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was such a wonderful end to the Breathmarked duology! While still filled with plenty of exciting physical combat moments, this one dove a little more into our characters and emotions. I especially loved reading about the tension and competition that can exist with siblings/twins and how these brothers grew up apart for most of their lives but were still so deeply connected to each other in ways.
Fonda Lee will surprise me with plot structure every single time (in the best way), and it seems the trend exists even when co-writing a YA novel... I love it so much.
The only thing I crave just a bit more of is honestly more pages. I would have loved seeing the resolution drawn out just a little bit, and even MORE moments between Jun and Sai.
Overall, this is a highly underrated duology and deserves more love!
Fonda Lee will surprise me with plot structure every single time (in the best way), and it seems the trend exists even when co-writing a YA novel... I love it so much.
The only thing I crave just a bit more of is honestly more pages. I would have loved seeing the resolution drawn out just a little bit, and even MORE moments between Jun and Sai.
Overall, this is a highly underrated duology and deserves more love!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed the conclusion of this duology. Carried on from the first book, the attention to detail for the martial arts scenes is incredible and a highlight of the duology as a whole. Even without much background knowledge, I could see and feel the scenes playing out as I was reading. I also felt the writing was outstanding and brought a sophistication to this YA book that really makes it appealing to all ages.
My criticism is with the pacing, the first third felt a bit slow and perhaps would have been better integrated into the end of the first book. The ending felt like it happened too quickly to have the emotional impact I was hoping for. I just wish we had more time with the last half/two-thirds of the book to really get the events to land.
*Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
My criticism is with the pacing, the first third felt a bit slow and perhaps would have been better integrated into the end of the first book. The ending felt like it happened too quickly to have the emotional impact I was hoping for. I just wish we had more time with the last half/two-thirds of the book to really get the events to land.
*Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mark of the Warrior delves a lot more into the inner workings of a rebellion for peace, while our main character copes with finally meeting his twin after years of separation. While I loved the overall plot, I felt that there were too many philosophical dives done here that weren't explored too much or deeply, in my opinion. The book is mainly YA so I wished it stuck to a few dives and really dived into them.
I like how the story explored Jun and Sai's relationship and how they eventually made it up while 'saving' the East and West (aka a Happy for Now ending). I also unexpectedly liked Yin Yue's character despite him being a side/minor character, from being this seemingly perfect fighter to someone who adapted and got used to his new disability.
I like how the story explored Jun and Sai's relationship and how they eventually made it up while 'saving' the East and West (aka a Happy for Now ending). I also unexpectedly liked Yin Yue's character despite him being a side/minor character, from being this seemingly perfect fighter to someone who adapted and got used to his new disability.
May 31, 2026
NOTE: This is an arc review
I loved this book and can’t believe how under hyped this series is. I do think both books have a slow start but only for 50 pages and then it gets really good. I love the wisdom in the book, really makes me think and learn important things. I love how they describe combat scenes and talk about how things take practice and discipline. I would really recommend this book to any type of reader and really hope it gets more hype at some point.
Overall rating: 9.0/10
Unputdownable (pace): 4/5
Writing style 4/5
World building/ Creativity: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Type: Fantasy/ Martial arts
Romance level: 1/5
Bloodshed level: 3/5
Funny/laughter level: 1/5
Spice level: 0/5
Cry/tears level: 3/5
I loved this book and can’t believe how under hyped this series is. I do think both books have a slow start but only for 50 pages and then it gets really good. I love the wisdom in the book, really makes me think and learn important things. I love how they describe combat scenes and talk about how things take practice and discipline. I would really recommend this book to any type of reader and really hope it gets more hype at some point.
Overall rating: 9.0/10
Unputdownable (pace): 4/5
Writing style 4/5
World building/ Creativity: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Type: Fantasy/ Martial arts
Romance level: 1/5
Bloodshed level: 3/5
Funny/laughter level: 1/5
Spice level: 0/5
Cry/tears level: 3/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this final installment of the Breathmarked series. It kept everything I loved about the first book—the characters felt real, the setting was easy to picture, and the writing was solid throughout.
I did have a couple of small issues, though. Some of the dialogue felt a bit too modern for the setting, and there were a few spots where the word choice felt repetitive, which broke the flow for me. That said, the length was perfect. A lot of people thought it was too short, but I liked that it didn't drag or over-explain things. It had just the right amount of action and talk. Definitely a great end to the series.
Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.
I did have a couple of small issues, though. Some of the dialogue felt a bit too modern for the setting, and there were a few spots where the word choice felt repetitive, which broke the flow for me. That said, the length was perfect. A lot of people thought it was too short, but I liked that it didn't drag or over-explain things. It had just the right amount of action and talk. Definitely a great end to the series.
Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.
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