Dragon of the Lost Sea

Dragon #1

by Laurence Yep

The outlawed princess of the Dragon Clan and her young human companion undergo fearsome trials in their quest for an evil enchantress. ‘Dramatic tension stays high. Weaves Chinese legend into an exciting tapestry of myth and folklore.’ —BL.

Notable Children's Books of 1982 (ALA)
100 Favorite Paperbacks of 1989 (IRA/CBC)

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Adventure

213 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1982

About the author

Born June 14, 1948 in San Francisco, California, Yep was the son of Thomas Gim Yep and Franche Lee Yep. Franche Lee, her family's youngest child, was born in Ohio and raised in West Virginia where her family owned a Chinese laundry. Yep's father, Thomas, was born in China and came to America at the age of ten where he lived, not in Chinatown, but with an Irish friend in a white neighborhood. After troubling times during the Depression, he was able to open a grocery store in an African-American neighborhood. Growing up in San Francisco, Yep felt alienated. He was in his own words his neighborhood's "all-purpose Asian" and did not feel he had a culture of his own. Joanne Ryder, a children's book author, and Yep met and became friends during college while she was his editor. They later married and now live in San Francisco.

Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't even understand how obsessed I was with this book when I was a kid. I can still remember so many of the details from it, like what people were wearing, and what they ate, I read it so many times.

[Shruthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so very much charmed by the grumpy shapeshifting dragon princess protagonist and her unexpected human companion as they embark a fantasy road trip in an attempt to restore her honor. This was so just so much fun and I can't wait to read the sequels.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

On a quest to recover the magical gem that contains her lost ocean home, the dragon princess Shimmer encounters a boy, Thorn. When he saves Shimmer's life in a fight, she rather reluctantly decides that he may accompany her as they pursue her enemy Civet. Though Shimmer doesn't originally feel that Thorn is her equal, because he's so much less powerful than she, she finds that they may have more in common than she thinks and that they can work together to achieve her quest.

The characterization is excellent. The relationship between Shimmer and Thorn is particularly nicely done; overtly, one is powerful and one is comparatively weak, but they develop an equal, helping relationship. It's mostly from Shimmer's viewpoint, since she's the one whose quest it is and who has to change more in order to perceive Thorn as an equal, but there are some passages from Thorn's point of view which show how he sees himself as taking care of her, rather than the reverse. The villain, Civet, is also more three-dimensional than she at first appears, which made the final confrontation more complex.

I really liked the setting. I've always had a weakness for fiction based on fairy tales and mythology, and this hit me in that spot, especially since it's a mythology that I've not read much of. I should read more Chinese mythology and folklore, really; I'd would be interested to see exactly what Yep did use of the tale he started with, about the Old Mother of the Waters, since he says his story grew and changed a lot from there.

This is the first in a series of four (I think), and I'm already tracking down the other ones to read them.

[ECH · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and likeable dragon quest story with some mild trope subversion. Recommended for bedtime.

[Hannah Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and quick read! I found myself wishing it was longer. I definitely need to read more middle grade fantasy. It was very refreshing compared to the much heavier adult fantasy novels I've read recently

[Eskana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this was my very first favorite book that I found all on my own (i.e. not because I was assigned it in school or one of my siblings or friends got me to read it.) I remember really loving this book so much, but it had been so long since I'd read it, that I knew I had to try it again to see if it was still worth the read.

And it held up! Blending Chinese mythology and a good old fashioned adventure story, Yep does wonderfully in this tale of Shimmer, the dragon princess out for revenge on the witch who stole her sea, and Thorn, the young, brave orphan boy who accompanies her. The character types you have probably seen before (the arrogant, older one and the well-meaning, intelligent younger one who wins them over) but still, the setting is so unique and the stories are so vibrant that it completely overshadows and negative effect, if there was any.

I recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good fantasy, Chinese mythology, or just a fun adventure with exciting, different settings and colorful characters.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a really quick read; less than 24 hours. I found the 2 main characters engaging: the proud dragon princess who has lost her ability to trust, and the brave, loyal, demanding boy. I am ordering the second. I think I might have read this 25 years ago, but it was really fun to read again.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was great. It was a good story of friendship and courage. I especially liked the action in the book becuase it was very exxciting. Whats more, I liked how the young boy prooved himssel worthy to the mighty dragon. I also liked the description in the book.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always a little bit leery about re-reading books I had loved as a kid because it's very likely that my tastes have changed, my standards have risen, and my critical thinking abilities have improved, and it's a little heartbreaking to find that I book that I once loved just... doesn't hold up the way I thought it did. Fortunately, this is not the case with Dragon of the Lost Sea.

It starts off strong and stays that way, with the iconic first lines:

I stopped when I smelled the magic. It was strong magic. Old magic. And it carried the faint scent of the sea. (p. 3)

As a kid (and even still as an adult, honestly) who was obsessed with dragons and with any variety of fairy tale, folklore, or mythology, this hit all the right buttons.

Even years later, I've always remembered the scenes where the characters trek across the forbidding salt flats, and of course that scene with the magic chain. I remember loving the protagonist Shimmer, a haughty dragon princess whose home was stolen by the sorceress Civet. I remember loving the paper warriors and the shapeshifting and the magic pearl and the magic amulet.

I love everything about this book. The worldbuilding, the magic, the characters, the plot, the prose, the themes.

At first I was inclined to agree with the woman that the boy was a liar; but then I watched him pour the water from the well bucket into his own as if each drop was liquid gold instead of mere water.

His was an attitude of believing that even the smallest, most menial things must be done well. We try to develop just that same kind of spirit when we're young, but it's rare among humans--let alone in a young kitchen servant. (p. 12)

While the majority of the chapters are written in Shimmer's point of view, two of the total twenty are written from the boy Thorn's point of view, which I thought was rather odd. Why only two? If his perspective is that important, why not give his voice equal weight? The first of his chapters doesn't add much that the same scene in Shimmer's point of view wouldn't have, but the second I had to re-read a few times because it broke my heart a bit. In a good way.

Shimmer's concept of herself is entertaining and compelling, but not always reliable. She is arrogant, unapologetic, snappish, and just generally grumpy. Stepping outside her perspective and watching her fall into despair through Thorn's eyes dignifies her in a way that a monologue in her perspective might not have. This kind of attention to detail and respect and love for one's characters is so refreshing and heartening.

I love this book.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal and I'm struggling to find words to convey just how highly I recommend it. The main story follows the (mis?)adventures of a dragon princess and human boy and is totally original, interesting, and fun. The main characters are unique and loveable, with tangible character evolution occurring throughout the story. Laurence Yep is a wonderful narrator and an absolute genius when it comes to dialogue. It's rare to find a book from any genre where the characters banter and engage in such a whimsical yet believable way. I also want to say that I never caught a whiff of a "chosen one" trope anywhere in the book(!). There are a few serious moments that gently push the reader to consider abandonment, neglect/abuse, betrayal, and justice. The back of my edition, Harper-Trophy, recommends ages 12+ but, I mean, I would feel comfortable reading this aloud with all of my kids listening, and they're ages 3, 6, and 11. I was lucky enough to thrift the first 3 (of 4) books in this series, so off to start number 2!!

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The dragon princess Shimmer has quite literally lost her home: the witch Civet cast a spell that trapped the entire sea in a magical pebble. Exhausted and embittered by her long, fruitless quest to restore the Lost Sea, she is completely unprepared when a stubborn orphan boy attaches himself to her and insists on tagging along! I love the characters in this series -- grumpy Shimmer and sunshiney Thorn are perfect foils for each other, and this is definitely where my childhood obsession with the Monkey King comes from -- but it also goes surprisingly deep into adult concepts like the circumstances that create a villain.

Rereading a book you loved as a kid is always a dangerous game -- will you still like it as a grown-up? Luckily, Dragon of the Lost Sea holds up! I would love for this series to get some traction with the Rick Riordan fanbase and come back into the canon of popular children's literature for another generation.

[Paul Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book long ago in grade school (well after it was first published) and while the main character (other than being a dragon) didn’t stick in my mind the rest of the cast did and my only complaint is that this was not a longer book because at this point collecting all of the books in a series that started 40 years ago.
There are only 5-6 books in this series, but both the villains and the Allie’s grow in stature as the series progresses and my favorite is the cocky Monkey (much of the starting point of the mythology is apparently Chinese but with really unique and lovely twists from the author Yep) for who I will probably chase down copies of the rest of these after revisiting the first and having enjoyed it so much!

[Bish Denham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I liked the story. However the style of writing is dated and wanted for concrete action verbs and nouns. Also, there was a thread that was dropped. At one point when Shimmer and Thorn meet Monkey, Monkey comments that Thorn reminds him of someone. But unless I missed it, I never found out who or why it seemed important. I kept expecting Thorn to turn out to be a royal prince, inheritor of some lost kingdom. Also, I'm not sure why Thorn's narrative is used for just two chapters. And lastly the story left me up in the air. It feels like there should be a sequel.

[Michael James Wilbur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another favorite from my junior high days, this novel (the first in what I later learned was a series that I regrettably have yet to read) is heavily influenced by Chinese folklore. The story, that of two runaways who band together to fight against a witch who cost them both their homes, is full of colorful characters, memorable landscapes, and even a twist or two that showed a young me that a villain can still be sympathetic.

[Mandolin Meow · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as good as i remember was probs clouded with nostalgia. i loved this book as a kid but i never read the rest in the series and idk if i will. got kinda tell-y in some parts and the prose was rather dry. loved the mythology of the world and the characters with civet being an interesting antagonist there at the end

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on an old Chinese tale of a stolen sea, dragons and magic this is an engaging tale of an exceedingly grumpy dragon princess with serious attitude issues and a sensible orphan boy. Together they form an unusual friendship and have several adventures to find the lost sea.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's honestly such a shame that this book isn't more widely read. It had a huge impact on me as a child; the storytelling is rich, the language is effective and perfectly digestible for the target audience, and the characters an absolute delight.

[Lea Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly slow. Lots of strange, creative things, but here and there the realism bogged it down.
I guess I never got to the point where I was invested enough in the characters to do more than wish they'd hurry along in the story.

[Olivia Berrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was just lovely :-) It has a very strong fable-feel to it, and it delightfully magical and unexpected.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shimmer, the Dragon, is on a quest to recover a pebble, which is actually her home sea, shrunk to size. Along her quest she encounters many people and creatures who are both friend and foe to her.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. For a younger audience.

[Vincent Nakos · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent children's book. The Dragon is a relatively unlikable character at first but it's obviously on purpose and it's done very well. Good book.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

re-reading a book from my childhood.

[Zach Cleland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all time favorite book from my childhood and it’s the first of very few books I ever wanted to re-read.

[Lesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story

[Barusu Sama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me overcome tough childhood when reading books were better than reality to me.

[Dakota Steele]

I like this book because it had a lot of action and adventure

[Danielle Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up to read for my son. Fun start to a series, grumpy dragon princess and brave human boy, definitely will read the rest of the series!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fantasy story by a master storyteller. My favorite thing was how the relationship between Shimmer and Thorn grew throughout the book.

[Grace (bookish_things_and_dragons) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. So cute!