What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dragon Warrior #2
The Fallen Hero
Faryn Liu thought she was the Heaven Breaker, a warrior destined to wield the all-powerful spear Fenghuang, command dragons, and defeat demons. But a conniving goddess was manipulating her all along...and her beloved younger brother, Alex, has betrayed her and taken over as the Heaven Breaker instead. Alex never forgave the people who treated him and Faryn like outcasts, and now he wants to wipe out both the demons and most of humanity.
Determined to prevent a war and bring Alex back to her side, Faryn and her half-dragon friend Ren join the New Order, a group of warriors based out of Manhattan's Chinatown. She learns that one weapon can stand against Fenghuang--the Ruyi Jingu Bang. Only problem? It belongs to an infamous trickster, the Monkey King.
Faryn sets off on a daring quest to convince the Monkey King to join forces with her, one that will take her to new places--including Diyu, otherwise known as the Underworld--where she'll run into new dangers and more than one familiar face. Can she complete her mission and save the brother she loves, no matter the cost?
Determined to prevent a war and bring Alex back to her side, Faryn and her half-dragon friend Ren join the New Order, a group of warriors based out of Manhattan's Chinatown. She learns that one weapon can stand against Fenghuang--the Ruyi Jingu Bang. Only problem? It belongs to an infamous trickster, the Monkey King.
Faryn sets off on a daring quest to convince the Monkey King to join forces with her, one that will take her to new places--including Diyu, otherwise known as the Underworld--where she'll run into new dangers and more than one familiar face. Can she complete her mission and save the brother she loves, no matter the cost?
Unknown Binding
First published October 13, 2020
39 people are currently reading
718 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 14, 2020
Read my full review on my book blog, The Quiet Pond.
Heck yeah! It's so satisfying to read a sequel that not only holds a candle to its first book but also gives us more Chinese mythology, more action, and more human vs god shenanigans. I had so much fun reading this!
- Takes place six months after the events of The Dragon Warrior; Faryn has joined a group of warriors based in Manhattan Chinatown and is sent on another quest to as the impending war with the gods looms closer, whilst grappling with the betrayal of a loved one.
- Whilst The Dragon Warrior shines a light on a young Asian girl who is the Chosen One, I enjoyed how this book subverts that trope in a powerful way: what if you're no longer the Chosen One? What would you do then?
- I really enjoyed the new characters and loved seeing the old characters make significant appearances too!
- But oh heck, I really enjoyed seeing Katie's depiction of Sun Wukong and Diyu. They were so much fun and fit with the story and Faryn's character arc perfectly.
- I am hoping to everything that is good and holy that there will be a third book because I NEED closure for Faryn and my babies.
I was provided an eARC of this book from the publisher via Caffeine Blog Tours. This does not influence my opinion in any way.
Trigger/content warning:
Heck yeah! It's so satisfying to read a sequel that not only holds a candle to its first book but also gives us more Chinese mythology, more action, and more human vs god shenanigans. I had so much fun reading this!
- Takes place six months after the events of The Dragon Warrior; Faryn has joined a group of warriors based in Manhattan Chinatown and is sent on another quest to as the impending war with the gods looms closer, whilst grappling with the betrayal of a loved one.
- Whilst The Dragon Warrior shines a light on a young Asian girl who is the Chosen One, I enjoyed how this book subverts that trope in a powerful way: what if you're no longer the Chosen One? What would you do then?
- I really enjoyed the new characters and loved seeing the old characters make significant appearances too!
- But oh heck, I really enjoyed seeing Katie's depiction of Sun Wukong and Diyu. They were so much fun and fit with the story and Faryn's character arc perfectly.
- I am hoping to everything that is good and holy that there will be a third book because I NEED closure for Faryn and my babies.
I was provided an eARC of this book from the publisher via Caffeine Blog Tours. This does not influence my opinion in any way.
Trigger/content warning:
January 13, 2022
october 13 hasn't arrive yet but i already need book three.
i want it!!!!!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
check out the review on my blog!
Looking for a book filled with adventure, Chinese mythology, witty conversations, and most importantly, references to yummy goodness (e.g., bubble tea, pocky, choco pie)? The Fallen Hero is your answer. I could personally relate to one of the characters who mused “No bubble tea. Ha. As if any soul could survive in a place like that.” I feel you, honey. As for the writing, Katie Zhao knows how to write thrilling scenes and heartwarming moments with lots of emotions and feelings from the characters. Her writing is easy to read. I love that she made an effort to change typical phrases and modify it to fit the Chinese-inspired backdrop of the story. One of them was “piece of cake” to “piece of MOON cake”.
While the first book happened around the Lunar New Year, The Fallen Hero is set during the Hungry Ghost Festival. The belief is that the dead venture from the underworld to the human realm during these 15 days. To prevent ghosts from mischief, people offer entertainment and food, and burn money and other things so that it can be received in the other realm.
In The Fallen Hero, we meet Faryn’s ancestors and become privy to her family line and their background. With family being a dominant aspect of the majority of the Chinese culture, I loved that it’s such a central element in this series. Furthermore, I enjoyed that we spent a large amount of time in Diyu (underworld) with all its grimness and scariness. Hell has been a scary place especially when I grew up hearing that Chinese Hell 18 LEVELS with mazes and chambers. Don’t worry, it’s more tame and less scary in The Fallen Hero.
Following the events of The Dragon Warrior, Faryn is carrying a great deal of guilt. With Moli dying and not knowing how Alex is doing, Faryn couldn’t help but feel responsible for many things. Also, not being the Dragon Warrior anymore is another problem Faryn is facing. However, she still kicks butts and is an extremely strong person. It’s fascinating to see how both Alex and Faryn made decisions that are the total opposite even though they had the same upbringing.
In The Fallen Hero, new characters are introduced. The Liao siblings are from the New Order. Right from the start, Ashley’s hostile and easily annoyed while Jordan’s more chill. With their parentage and background unknown, the siblings are a mystery. Their powers made them dangerous and unpredictable so they are shunned and disliked by others. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t like Ashley’s behaviour and attitude towards Faryn but there’s a legit reason behind it. Also, I need to remember that they are young teenagers so I can relate to their angst.
The Monkey King has always been a favorite character in Chinese mythology. He’s probably one of the most adapted legends in TV shows. I remember watching Journey to the West (西遊記) when I was younger. Reading about him in The Fallen Hero was a nostalgic throwback, and his personality isn’t that far from the mischievous and sly Monkey King that I knew growing up. Other than him, other demonic characters make an appearance too such as the Bull Demon King (牛魔王). Familiar characters such as Nezha (哪吒), Erlang Shen (二郎神) and Guanyin (觀音) returns in this one too.
As I’ve said before, I loved that there’s a Chinese-centric book that I could whole-heartedly feel connected to. Now that it’s turning into a series, I’m all for it. The world is expanding and new mythological characters are introduced. More obstacles are thrown Faryn’s way. Overall, a thrilling and wonderful sequel to The Dragon Warrior. Recommending this to everyone.
books in the series:
1. the dragon warrior: ✰✰✰✰✰
2. the fallen hero: ✰✰✰✰✰
i want it!!!!!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
check out the review on my blog!
Looking for a book filled with adventure, Chinese mythology, witty conversations, and most importantly, references to yummy goodness (e.g., bubble tea, pocky, choco pie)? The Fallen Hero is your answer. I could personally relate to one of the characters who mused “No bubble tea. Ha. As if any soul could survive in a place like that.” I feel you, honey. As for the writing, Katie Zhao knows how to write thrilling scenes and heartwarming moments with lots of emotions and feelings from the characters. Her writing is easy to read. I love that she made an effort to change typical phrases and modify it to fit the Chinese-inspired backdrop of the story. One of them was “piece of cake” to “piece of MOON cake”.
While the first book happened around the Lunar New Year, The Fallen Hero is set during the Hungry Ghost Festival. The belief is that the dead venture from the underworld to the human realm during these 15 days. To prevent ghosts from mischief, people offer entertainment and food, and burn money and other things so that it can be received in the other realm.
In The Fallen Hero, we meet Faryn’s ancestors and become privy to her family line and their background. With family being a dominant aspect of the majority of the Chinese culture, I loved that it’s such a central element in this series. Furthermore, I enjoyed that we spent a large amount of time in Diyu (underworld) with all its grimness and scariness. Hell has been a scary place especially when I grew up hearing that Chinese Hell 18 LEVELS with mazes and chambers. Don’t worry, it’s more tame and less scary in The Fallen Hero.
Following the events of The Dragon Warrior, Faryn is carrying a great deal of guilt. With Moli dying and not knowing how Alex is doing, Faryn couldn’t help but feel responsible for many things. Also, not being the Dragon Warrior anymore is another problem Faryn is facing. However, she still kicks butts and is an extremely strong person. It’s fascinating to see how both Alex and Faryn made decisions that are the total opposite even though they had the same upbringing.
In The Fallen Hero, new characters are introduced. The Liao siblings are from the New Order. Right from the start, Ashley’s hostile and easily annoyed while Jordan’s more chill. With their parentage and background unknown, the siblings are a mystery. Their powers made them dangerous and unpredictable so they are shunned and disliked by others. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t like Ashley’s behaviour and attitude towards Faryn but there’s a legit reason behind it. Also, I need to remember that they are young teenagers so I can relate to their angst.
The Monkey King has always been a favorite character in Chinese mythology. He’s probably one of the most adapted legends in TV shows. I remember watching Journey to the West (西遊記) when I was younger. Reading about him in The Fallen Hero was a nostalgic throwback, and his personality isn’t that far from the mischievous and sly Monkey King that I knew growing up. Other than him, other demonic characters make an appearance too such as the Bull Demon King (牛魔王). Familiar characters such as Nezha (哪吒), Erlang Shen (二郎神) and Guanyin (觀音) returns in this one too.
As I’ve said before, I loved that there’s a Chinese-centric book that I could whole-heartedly feel connected to. Now that it’s turning into a series, I’m all for it. The world is expanding and new mythological characters are introduced. More obstacles are thrown Faryn’s way. Overall, a thrilling and wonderful sequel to The Dragon Warrior. Recommending this to everyone.
books in the series:
1. the dragon warrior: ✰✰✰✰✰
2. the fallen hero: ✰✰✰✰✰
April 27, 2021
Wowza! This was even better than the 1st! This grabbed hold of me, & wouldn’t let go. I flew through this. Can’t say much since it’s the 2nd book, but I’m in love w/this series! This is filled w/even more Chinese mythology, & I learned even more about it.
There are things going on that still connect to aspects of book 1, but instead of the focus being the Lunar New Year, the focus in this is the Hungry Ghost Festival, & a whole new quest of course during it. Everything is more intense & on a whole other level in this-the action, danger, suspense, adventure, culture, plot, characters, everything..& the stakes are extremely high. Needless to say that all equals a fast-paced, engrossing read lol I loved the places we traveled to in this as well. So detailed & atmospheric. I also adore Faryn & her internal dialogue! Lol She cracks me up w/the thoughts she has..absolutely love her. We make some new friends in this, plus have some old favs still along. We meet some new deities & demons, & see some of the main ones from before too-loved all of that. Ren still has my heart. I do have probably an unpopular opinion about 1 character in the book though lol I can see why Sun Wukong might not be a favorite, but I loved him! Oh! The Panda Express part had me laughing so hard-so good!
These books have awakened a thirst for knowledge for more on Chinese mythology, & the culture & I’m so grateful for that too. Just like the ending of book 1, the ending of this 1 was also EPIC & left me NEEDING the 3rd book! I don’t know when it will be out, but I literally need it lol Highly recommend! I won this 2nd book in a giveaway by the author some months back, & I’m so grateful I did. Another STUNNING cover by the amazing Vivienne To too. So beautiful!💜
There are things going on that still connect to aspects of book 1, but instead of the focus being the Lunar New Year, the focus in this is the Hungry Ghost Festival, & a whole new quest of course during it. Everything is more intense & on a whole other level in this-the action, danger, suspense, adventure, culture, plot, characters, everything..& the stakes are extremely high. Needless to say that all equals a fast-paced, engrossing read lol I loved the places we traveled to in this as well. So detailed & atmospheric. I also adore Faryn & her internal dialogue! Lol She cracks me up w/the thoughts she has..absolutely love her. We make some new friends in this, plus have some old favs still along. We meet some new deities & demons, & see some of the main ones from before too-loved all of that. Ren still has my heart. I do have probably an unpopular opinion about 1 character in the book though lol I can see why Sun Wukong might not be a favorite, but I loved him! Oh! The Panda Express part had me laughing so hard-so good!
These books have awakened a thirst for knowledge for more on Chinese mythology, & the culture & I’m so grateful for that too. Just like the ending of book 1, the ending of this 1 was also EPIC & left me NEEDING the 3rd book! I don’t know when it will be out, but I literally need it lol Highly recommend! I won this 2nd book in a giveaway by the author some months back, & I’m so grateful I did. Another STUNNING cover by the amazing Vivienne To too. So beautiful!💜
October 18, 2020
Katie Zhao captured my heart with her debut novel which perfectly encapsulated the diaspora experience, and I was ecstatic to find that her sophomore novel did not disappoint!
Filled with touching family moments and immersive writing, The Fallen Hero is a showstopping novel that explores themes of identity, friendship, and courage. I truly wish I had a story like this to read when I was growing up because Katie’s writing touches the heart of every immigrant and child of diaspora.
The Fallen Hero picks up 6 months after where The Dragon Warrior left off, following Faryn Liu and the New Order as they embark on a new quest to save the world from the gods. After being betrayed by her brother, Alex, Faryn must grapple with the discovery that she is longer the Chosen One yet still save everyone she loves.
Reading Katie Zhao’s writing is always an absolute DELIGHT. You’re whisked off onto an adventure and along the way you’ll find moments that make you chuckle in delight and scenes that break your heart. As an Asian American reader, I felt so seen, and it was almost like Katie managed to crossover Percy Jackson and subtle asian traits into a book.
Throughout the story, we meet new characters and are visited by ancestors from the past book, and classic Chinese mythology is masterfully woven into the plotline. The humor is top quality, yet Katie manages to balance the happy moments perfectly with scenes that will leave you in tears.
This is a book that I’m excited to gift my younger cousins, and Katie’s rise in Asian fiction is one that I’m excited to see. The Fallen Hero was a stellar followup to an already fantastically written debut novel, and I cannot wait for what she writes next!
Filled with touching family moments and immersive writing, The Fallen Hero is a showstopping novel that explores themes of identity, friendship, and courage. I truly wish I had a story like this to read when I was growing up because Katie’s writing touches the heart of every immigrant and child of diaspora.
The Fallen Hero picks up 6 months after where The Dragon Warrior left off, following Faryn Liu and the New Order as they embark on a new quest to save the world from the gods. After being betrayed by her brother, Alex, Faryn must grapple with the discovery that she is longer the Chosen One yet still save everyone she loves.
Reading Katie Zhao’s writing is always an absolute DELIGHT. You’re whisked off onto an adventure and along the way you’ll find moments that make you chuckle in delight and scenes that break your heart. As an Asian American reader, I felt so seen, and it was almost like Katie managed to crossover Percy Jackson and subtle asian traits into a book.
Throughout the story, we meet new characters and are visited by ancestors from the past book, and classic Chinese mythology is masterfully woven into the plotline. The humor is top quality, yet Katie manages to balance the happy moments perfectly with scenes that will leave you in tears.
This is a book that I’m excited to gift my younger cousins, and Katie’s rise in Asian fiction is one that I’m excited to see. The Fallen Hero was a stellar followup to an already fantastically written debut novel, and I cannot wait for what she writes next!
October 5, 2020
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Fallen Hero is a sequel that only explores even more deeply the themes I loved about The Dragon Warrior: our sense of family, our role in the world of gods and humans, and searching for a purpose. It's a story that asks us what we will sacrifice for the greater good, for a calling that demands a price. Grappling with issues of belonging, The Fallen Hero, like it's name suggests, also tackles what happens when we aren't the Chosen One anymore. It's a thoughtful and action packed sequel to one of my favorite middle grade debuts!
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
The Fallen Hero is a sequel that only explores even more deeply the themes I loved about The Dragon Warrior: our sense of family, our role in the world of gods and humans, and searching for a purpose. It's a story that asks us what we will sacrifice for the greater good, for a calling that demands a price. Grappling with issues of belonging, The Fallen Hero, like it's name suggests, also tackles what happens when we aren't the Chosen One anymore. It's a thoughtful and action packed sequel to one of my favorite middle grade debuts!
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
November 1, 2020
[ 4🌟 ]
Content Warnings: abandonment, violence (battle context)
*I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from the publisher and Caffeine Book Tours as part of my participation in their tour. This does not affect my honest review.
I read The Fallen Hero after rereading The Dragon Warrior (I read it more than a year ago—my memory isn’t that great😔), and let me tell you, I flew through this sequel.
Like in The Dragon Warrior, I really loved how The Fallen Hero delves into the complexities of family. There are many families in The Fallen Hero, but they are all fractured in some way. The characters are often struggling to figure out who they are in their family.
As we found out at the end of The Dragon Warrior, Faryn’s younger brother Alex sided with the Jade Emperor, betraying his older sister. She witnesses a cruel side of her 弟弟 (didi) she thought she knew, and she sees him make decisions she never thought he would even think about making. Although the two are almost polar opposites of one another (especially morally), Faryn still loves Alex, regardless of his betrayal, and wants to protect him, even when she debates with herself whether she should or not.
Faryn’s struggle with abandonment permeates The Fallen Hero, and I feel like I empathized with her a lot more because I really understood those fears and realities. There is one scene when Faryn is in the Chamber of Mirrors in Diyu (the equivalent of the underworld in Chinese mythology) that struck a chord. Her fears and trauma is overwhelming.
At the same time there were some things that Alex said/believed in that made me so sad, but I also deeply understood. As mentioned in The Dragon Warrior, Alex finds out that he is not blood-related to Faryn. After that news in The Fallen Hero he struggles to understand who he is, and all he wants to do is find his blood-related family. I hope he comes to realize that you most definitely do not have to be blood-related to someone to be family.
On the family topic: I thought the father plotline could have been stronger. The end to this seemed rushed and it did not have the impact that I wish it could have had. It was resolved almost too easily, and I felt Faryn’s desire to be truly reunited with her father, but I wish there was more there.
Swerving a bit, but the plot! I don’t think I could ever get tired of the quest plot because sure the end goal is similar (lowkey save the world), but the journey is ALWAYS different. In The Fallen Hero, there are new characters (ex. Ashley and Jordan) and familiar faces. The part where they went to Diyu personally stood out more than their encounter(s) with the Monkey King, possibly because I could picture Diyu a lot more vividly and there were some great moments that took place here.
As with The Dragon Warrior, I really liked the focus on Chinese mythology, specifically the Monkey King. Also, the Hungry Ghost Festival is the deadline of Faryn & crew’s quest, and since I did not know about this festival prior to reading The Fallen Hero, it was neat to see what this festival is for and why it is important. It got me thinking about ancestors and knowing your history as well as understanding that your ancestors are there for you.
Lastly, I can’t write this review without mentioning the humor!! I love Faryn’s witty responses; sometimes I was like FARYN. There were moments I couldn’t help but chuckle because it was so sarcastic/dry/deadpan, and I greatly appreciate that kind of humor.
To conclude this review can I just say WILL THERE BE ANOTHER BOOK I HAVE QUESTIONS!!!
Content Warnings: abandonment, violence (battle context)
*I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from the publisher and Caffeine Book Tours as part of my participation in their tour. This does not affect my honest review.
I read The Fallen Hero after rereading The Dragon Warrior (I read it more than a year ago—my memory isn’t that great😔), and let me tell you, I flew through this sequel.
Like in The Dragon Warrior, I really loved how The Fallen Hero delves into the complexities of family. There are many families in The Fallen Hero, but they are all fractured in some way. The characters are often struggling to figure out who they are in their family.
As we found out at the end of The Dragon Warrior, Faryn’s younger brother Alex sided with the Jade Emperor, betraying his older sister. She witnesses a cruel side of her 弟弟 (didi) she thought she knew, and she sees him make decisions she never thought he would even think about making. Although the two are almost polar opposites of one another (especially morally), Faryn still loves Alex, regardless of his betrayal, and wants to protect him, even when she debates with herself whether she should or not.
Faryn’s struggle with abandonment permeates The Fallen Hero, and I feel like I empathized with her a lot more because I really understood those fears and realities. There is one scene when Faryn is in the Chamber of Mirrors in Diyu (the equivalent of the underworld in Chinese mythology) that struck a chord. Her fears and trauma is overwhelming.
At the same time there were some things that Alex said/believed in that made me so sad, but I also deeply understood. As mentioned in The Dragon Warrior, Alex finds out that he is not blood-related to Faryn. After that news in The Fallen Hero he struggles to understand who he is, and all he wants to do is find his blood-related family. I hope he comes to realize that you most definitely do not have to be blood-related to someone to be family.
On the family topic: I thought the father plotline could have been stronger. The end to this seemed rushed and it did not have the impact that I wish it could have had. It was resolved almost too easily, and I felt Faryn’s desire to be truly reunited with her father, but I wish there was more there.
Swerving a bit, but the plot! I don’t think I could ever get tired of the quest plot because sure the end goal is similar (lowkey save the world), but the journey is ALWAYS different. In The Fallen Hero, there are new characters (ex. Ashley and Jordan) and familiar faces. The part where they went to Diyu personally stood out more than their encounter(s) with the Monkey King, possibly because I could picture Diyu a lot more vividly and there were some great moments that took place here.
As with The Dragon Warrior, I really liked the focus on Chinese mythology, specifically the Monkey King. Also, the Hungry Ghost Festival is the deadline of Faryn & crew’s quest, and since I did not know about this festival prior to reading The Fallen Hero, it was neat to see what this festival is for and why it is important. It got me thinking about ancestors and knowing your history as well as understanding that your ancestors are there for you.
Lastly, I can’t write this review without mentioning the humor!! I love Faryn’s witty responses; sometimes I was like FARYN. There were moments I couldn’t help but chuckle because it was so sarcastic/dry/deadpan, and I greatly appreciate that kind of humor.
To conclude this review can I just say WILL THERE BE ANOTHER BOOK I HAVE QUESTIONS!!!
October 9, 2020
i received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. all opinions below are my own.
4.5 stars
last year, i read and LOVED the dragon warrior, and the fallen hero, packed to the brim with elements of chinese folklore, heartwarming moments, and brilliant jokes, was just as amazing! katie zhao’s writing really never fails to impress ❤
there are so many things i absolutely adored about this book:
• growing up, the monkey king legend (also known as journey to the west 西遊記) was a large part of my life. the story’s often reimagined in chinese popular culture – as a kid, i enjoyed it in the form of comic books and tv shows, and more recently, i got to read the original text, which was quite the experience, to say the least. in the fallen hero, the author breathes new life into this widely loved tale, portraying wukong as a prideful trickster deity and fatherly figure to his monkeys. this meant the world to me – it was a pleasant surprise meeting wukong again!
faryn’s story is proof that you don’t have to be “the chosen one” to be capable of great things. her former title of “heaven breaker” may be no more, but she’s just as fierce and brave as she was before! there is nothing she cannot do – she’s fought demons, bargained with notoriously dishonest gods, and literally gone to diyu and back.
• katie said there was going to be tired older sister rep, and she delivered on her promise! i like how faryn always has an eye on alex even when they are far apart 😏
(i found it a bit sad though, because they were nearly inseparable in the dragon warrior – let’s just hope they’ll resolve their sibling beef in the next book!)
• kids being kids! what i love about middle grade fiction is that it always makes you feel like a child again, and the dragon warrior was no exception. faryn, ashley, and jordan are not your typical tweens – they travel around in an airborne chariot, wield magical weapons, talk back to powerful gods, and most importantly, have the fate of the world in their hands. despite this, their innocence and youthfulness is still present in what they say and the way they approach things, and i’m so here for that.
• the portrayal of family relationships and ancestors in this book is the most tender and wholesome thing ever. 🥺 my heart melted when faryn called upon her ancestors and they showed up, shielding her from danger and guiding her along the way. (also, i miss ye ye – i wish we’d had the chance to seen more of him!)
• the little glossary at the end of the book was equally hilarious, interesting, and informative – the author explains chinese terminology and introduces folklore characters in such a concise, clear, and fun way, if all my textbooks for school were written like that, i’d definitely have much better grades.
this was such an incredible sequel to the dragon warrior, and i cannot wait to read more about faryn’s adventures!
this review was originally posted on my blog
4.5 stars
last year, i read and LOVED the dragon warrior, and the fallen hero, packed to the brim with elements of chinese folklore, heartwarming moments, and brilliant jokes, was just as amazing! katie zhao’s writing really never fails to impress ❤
there are so many things i absolutely adored about this book:
• growing up, the monkey king legend (also known as journey to the west 西遊記) was a large part of my life. the story’s often reimagined in chinese popular culture – as a kid, i enjoyed it in the form of comic books and tv shows, and more recently, i got to read the original text, which was quite the experience, to say the least. in the fallen hero, the author breathes new life into this widely loved tale, portraying wukong as a prideful trickster deity and fatherly figure to his monkeys. this meant the world to me – it was a pleasant surprise meeting wukong again!
faryn’s story is proof that you don’t have to be “the chosen one” to be capable of great things. her former title of “heaven breaker” may be no more, but she’s just as fierce and brave as she was before! there is nothing she cannot do – she’s fought demons, bargained with notoriously dishonest gods, and literally gone to diyu and back.
• katie said there was going to be tired older sister rep, and she delivered on her promise! i like how faryn always has an eye on alex even when they are far apart 😏
(i found it a bit sad though, because they were nearly inseparable in the dragon warrior – let’s just hope they’ll resolve their sibling beef in the next book!)
• kids being kids! what i love about middle grade fiction is that it always makes you feel like a child again, and the dragon warrior was no exception. faryn, ashley, and jordan are not your typical tweens – they travel around in an airborne chariot, wield magical weapons, talk back to powerful gods, and most importantly, have the fate of the world in their hands. despite this, their innocence and youthfulness is still present in what they say and the way they approach things, and i’m so here for that.
• the portrayal of family relationships and ancestors in this book is the most tender and wholesome thing ever. 🥺 my heart melted when faryn called upon her ancestors and they showed up, shielding her from danger and guiding her along the way. (also, i miss ye ye – i wish we’d had the chance to seen more of him!)
• the little glossary at the end of the book was equally hilarious, interesting, and informative – the author explains chinese terminology and introduces folklore characters in such a concise, clear, and fun way, if all my textbooks for school were written like that, i’d definitely have much better grades.
this was such an incredible sequel to the dragon warrior, and i cannot wait to read more about faryn’s adventures!
this review was originally posted on my blog
March 25, 2022
A copy of the book was provided for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a copy does not guarantee a positive review and therefore does not affect the opinion or content of the review.
The Dragon Warrior
is perhaps one of my favorite middle-grade novels of all time - it was a definite favorite from 2019, and it left me with so many questions (along with a need for more). The Fallen Hero is the sequel to The Dragon Warrior, jumping right in. Zhao left the story with Faryn not being too keen about joining the Jade Emperor in his quest to wipe out humanity, but her younger brother (Alex), on the other hand, has no issues. He betrays her to become the new Heaven Breaker, and who can blame him after growing up being treated as an outcast?
This was an adventurous ride from start to finish, and it was everything that I expected from the sequel. Zhao's writing is just as immersive as the first as Faryn, Ren, and their new companions from the New Order in Manhattan search out Sun WuKong (the Monkey King) to convince him to join their side. This eventually leads them to Journey through Diyu (the Underworld) to retrieve Ruyi Jingu Bang (the Monkey King's weapon), the only weapon that could stand a chance in stopping Alex.
Like its predecessor, the sequel is full of humor and entertainment that had me laughing out loud multiple times while reading and wanting to continue the story. It was also nice to see inspirations from Journey to the West because it was a huge part of my childhood - or at least, the movie versions were a huge part - and reading The Fallen Hero brought back a lot of those memories. I kind of wish I didn't finish it as quickly as I did; it's probably my only complaint. Faryn has quickly become one of my favorite protagonists with her narration and would've been someone I looked up to fictionally if The Fallen Hero got published when I was younger.
>Zhao also brings back familiar faces from The Dragon Warrior and introduces a few new characters that either aid or hinder Faryn and her companions in their trek to find the Monkey King and through Diyu. There are a few loose ends signaling a continuation of the series, but whether or not a third book makes it into the world, I’m super excited for Zhao’s future works as she’s quickly become one of my favorite authors.
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts.
This was an adventurous ride from start to finish, and it was everything that I expected from the sequel. Zhao's writing is just as immersive as the first as Faryn, Ren, and their new companions from the New Order in Manhattan search out Sun WuKong (the Monkey King) to convince him to join their side. This eventually leads them to Journey through Diyu (the Underworld) to retrieve Ruyi Jingu Bang (the Monkey King's weapon), the only weapon that could stand a chance in stopping Alex.
Like its predecessor, the sequel is full of humor and entertainment that had me laughing out loud multiple times while reading and wanting to continue the story. It was also nice to see inspirations from Journey to the West because it was a huge part of my childhood - or at least, the movie versions were a huge part - and reading The Fallen Hero brought back a lot of those memories. I kind of wish I didn't finish it as quickly as I did; it's probably my only complaint. Faryn has quickly become one of my favorite protagonists with her narration and would've been someone I looked up to fictionally if The Fallen Hero got published when I was younger.
>Zhao also brings back familiar faces from The Dragon Warrior and introduces a few new characters that either aid or hinder Faryn and her companions in their trek to find the Monkey King and through Diyu. There are a few loose ends signaling a continuation of the series, but whether or not a third book makes it into the world, I’m super excited for Zhao’s future works as she’s quickly become one of my favorite authors.
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts.
September 30, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Fallen Hero picks up where The Dragon Warrior left off before a six month time skip. We find Faryn and Ren training with the New Order in Manhattan's Chinatown after the events of the first book, and they are about to embark on another quest to save the world from the gods who have turned their backs on humans.
I loved the first book, and knew that I would love the sequel as well. This series is everything I want in a middle grade fantasy series, and more. As with the first book, I loved the mythology and how Zhao manages to weave it into modern day America so cleverly. I think this series is a must-read for fans of middle grade books, and truly wish that it existed when I was a kid.
Overall, I actually felt like this book was a step up from the first book for the following reasons:
- While the plot structure very much still followed the classic hero's journey/quest trope, I felt like the journey itself in this book was less predictable than the first book. There were a few moments where I was so sure that something would happen and something else happened instead, and I liked that it kept me on my toes. The stakes also felt higher in this book than the first, which I appreciated.
- I loved Faryn's character arc in this book - she really had to come to terms with her abandonment issues, and tackle them head on.
- Ren is so precious and needs to be protected at all costs! I love his relationship with Faryn and how much they trust each other after having been through so many trials together, and their friendship arc in this book was SO satisfying!
I did feel like the last 20 pages or so felt a bit rushed, so I really hope we will be getting a third book to delve a little deeper into the consequences of what happened (as of me writing this, I haven't found any news about a confirmed sequel yet).
The Fallen Hero picks up where The Dragon Warrior left off before a six month time skip. We find Faryn and Ren training with the New Order in Manhattan's Chinatown after the events of the first book, and they are about to embark on another quest to save the world from the gods who have turned their backs on humans.
I loved the first book, and knew that I would love the sequel as well. This series is everything I want in a middle grade fantasy series, and more. As with the first book, I loved the mythology and how Zhao manages to weave it into modern day America so cleverly. I think this series is a must-read for fans of middle grade books, and truly wish that it existed when I was a kid.
Overall, I actually felt like this book was a step up from the first book for the following reasons:
- While the plot structure very much still followed the classic hero's journey/quest trope, I felt like the journey itself in this book was less predictable than the first book. There were a few moments where I was so sure that something would happen and something else happened instead, and I liked that it kept me on my toes. The stakes also felt higher in this book than the first, which I appreciated.
- I loved Faryn's character arc in this book - she really had to come to terms with her abandonment issues, and tackle them head on.
- Ren is so precious and needs to be protected at all costs! I love his relationship with Faryn and how much they trust each other after having been through so many trials together, and their friendship arc in this book was SO satisfying!
I did feel like the last 20 pages or so felt a bit rushed, so I really hope we will be getting a third book to delve a little deeper into the consequences of what happened (as of me writing this, I haven't found any news about a confirmed sequel yet).
October 1, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Children’s Books for giving me the opportunity to read an eARC of The Fallen Hero in exchange for an honest review.
First, if you’re wondering about my thoughts on the first book in The Dragon Warrior series, check out my review here. I’m very happy to say that this sequel did not disappoint. Just as a warning, this review will include spoilers for The Dragon Warrior.
The Fallen Hero picks up a few months after the events of The Dragon Warrior. Faryn and Ren are living among the New Order in New York after the devastating betrayal of Faryn’s younger brother Alex and the gods they were meant to help and worship. Faryn and Ren aren’t exactly feeling a warm welcome for the New Order, but that’s to be expected after they barged into their lives and brought with them trouble on top of loss. The most shocking piece of joining the New Order though has to be the discovery that Faryn’s long lost father is here and he’s suffering from amnesia. He has no idea who Faryn is and it’s like losing him all over again. When the gods show up with yet another quest that they expect Faryn to embark on, the last thing she wants to do is appease them. But what if this is the only way for her to get both her brother and her father back? Faryn may not be the Heaven Breaker anymore, but it’s very clear she still has a world to save, whether she wants to or not.
The plot of The Fallen Hero is pretty easy to follow. Who doesn’t love a middle grade rooted in an epic quest and mythology? I think the pacing of the story is great and there’s never a moment where you’re just ready for things to be over with. Though this is Faryn’s second quest, it’s definitely not the same as the first. This time around she’s stuck with not one, but two people who aren’t exactly her biggest fan, the failure of losing her brother, and the pressure of trying to return her father’s memory bearing over her. Before, she had her brother there when she needed him and Ren. This time, Ren has his own demons to fight and lessons to learn and Faryn is left trying to prove herself worthy again to a whole other set of companions. Faryn is dealing with grief, uncertainty and insecurity all in one swoop and while this isn’t new territory, it has a different face. There’s also immense pressure for her in terms of filling the shoes of the fallen warrior who saved her life months ago during the battle in New York.
The other dynamic that was interesting to see showed up in the form of Ashley and Jordan. Ashley and Jordan are siblings in the New Order who have a secret that makes everyone wary of them. Ashley certainly isn’t Faryn’s biggest fan after what happened in the battle in New York and she takes every opportunity to make it known. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the three of them must embark on this quest together. After losing her own brother, Faryn is forced to work with to siblings who remind her so much of her own relationship with Alex. Watching Faryn struggle with the comparisons throughout the story was heartbreaking. Ashley was a pain the the behind, I’ll admit, but I understood her reservations and her anger. Here’s this girl from a group of warriors that everyone knows has lost her way and suddenly she’s caused the death of her friend AND is encroaching on the quest they could actually get her accepted by the New Order. Who wouldn’t be upset about that?
There’s one scene that was HILARIOUS that I have to mention. The trio finds themselves looking for the entrance to the Underworld, which happens to be located in…wait for it….PANDA EXPRESS. This leads to a bunch of jokes being cracked about the legitimacy of Panda Express and how of course it’s the entrance to the Underworld. There’s a moment when they stepped into the Panda Express and when a group of white people are staring at them, Faryn says “Nothing to see here colonizers!” I literally burst out laughing while reading that.
In closing, this book was action packed. Each battle scene brought something new to the book and had me wanting more. Katie Zhao does not shy away from the tough subjects, even in battle. The only thing that struck me a little was that I though more than one piece of the quest would happen in the book, but it didn’t. The events that occurred didn’t feel drawn out, which is great, but I thought we’d see the end of the quest in this book. That’s okay though, it just means I’ll have to pick up the next book.
Be sure to grab a copy of The Fallen Hero when it’s released on October 13th!
First, if you’re wondering about my thoughts on the first book in The Dragon Warrior series, check out my review here. I’m very happy to say that this sequel did not disappoint. Just as a warning, this review will include spoilers for The Dragon Warrior.
The Fallen Hero picks up a few months after the events of The Dragon Warrior. Faryn and Ren are living among the New Order in New York after the devastating betrayal of Faryn’s younger brother Alex and the gods they were meant to help and worship. Faryn and Ren aren’t exactly feeling a warm welcome for the New Order, but that’s to be expected after they barged into their lives and brought with them trouble on top of loss. The most shocking piece of joining the New Order though has to be the discovery that Faryn’s long lost father is here and he’s suffering from amnesia. He has no idea who Faryn is and it’s like losing him all over again. When the gods show up with yet another quest that they expect Faryn to embark on, the last thing she wants to do is appease them. But what if this is the only way for her to get both her brother and her father back? Faryn may not be the Heaven Breaker anymore, but it’s very clear she still has a world to save, whether she wants to or not.
The plot of The Fallen Hero is pretty easy to follow. Who doesn’t love a middle grade rooted in an epic quest and mythology? I think the pacing of the story is great and there’s never a moment where you’re just ready for things to be over with. Though this is Faryn’s second quest, it’s definitely not the same as the first. This time around she’s stuck with not one, but two people who aren’t exactly her biggest fan, the failure of losing her brother, and the pressure of trying to return her father’s memory bearing over her. Before, she had her brother there when she needed him and Ren. This time, Ren has his own demons to fight and lessons to learn and Faryn is left trying to prove herself worthy again to a whole other set of companions. Faryn is dealing with grief, uncertainty and insecurity all in one swoop and while this isn’t new territory, it has a different face. There’s also immense pressure for her in terms of filling the shoes of the fallen warrior who saved her life months ago during the battle in New York.
The other dynamic that was interesting to see showed up in the form of Ashley and Jordan. Ashley and Jordan are siblings in the New Order who have a secret that makes everyone wary of them. Ashley certainly isn’t Faryn’s biggest fan after what happened in the battle in New York and she takes every opportunity to make it known. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the three of them must embark on this quest together. After losing her own brother, Faryn is forced to work with to siblings who remind her so much of her own relationship with Alex. Watching Faryn struggle with the comparisons throughout the story was heartbreaking. Ashley was a pain the the behind, I’ll admit, but I understood her reservations and her anger. Here’s this girl from a group of warriors that everyone knows has lost her way and suddenly she’s caused the death of her friend AND is encroaching on the quest they could actually get her accepted by the New Order. Who wouldn’t be upset about that?
There’s one scene that was HILARIOUS that I have to mention. The trio finds themselves looking for the entrance to the Underworld, which happens to be located in…wait for it….PANDA EXPRESS. This leads to a bunch of jokes being cracked about the legitimacy of Panda Express and how of course it’s the entrance to the Underworld. There’s a moment when they stepped into the Panda Express and when a group of white people are staring at them, Faryn says “Nothing to see here colonizers!” I literally burst out laughing while reading that.
In closing, this book was action packed. Each battle scene brought something new to the book and had me wanting more. Katie Zhao does not shy away from the tough subjects, even in battle. The only thing that struck me a little was that I though more than one piece of the quest would happen in the book, but it didn’t. The events that occurred didn’t feel drawn out, which is great, but I thought we’d see the end of the quest in this book. That’s okay though, it just means I’ll have to pick up the next book.
Be sure to grab a copy of The Fallen Hero when it’s released on October 13th!
April 17, 2023
This was so disappointing. The first book was so enjoyable, and this sequel matched nearly every single important story beat of its predecessor:
- the heroine is at odds with another female character
- said female character gets left behind somehow
- a male deity betrays the main party
There have been so many betrayals that at this point they're to be expected.
Also, when I started reading this, there was a clearly established six month time skip from the end of the previous book. I felt like I missed an entire book. There was a death of a character that we'd never met and it was a big deal, to a bunch of people. But we, as an audience, never met said character in question, so I had no reason to care.
The way the Ren was handled was extremely lazy. He goes through his training arc/power escalation off screen, and the way he reenters the main narrative was far too convenient.
Jordan could be removed from the book and nothing would change.
I like how the conflict between Faryn and Alex was handled - glimmers of hope, but ultimately they go their separate ways again. Unfortunately, that's about the only thing I enjoyed. It's infuriating. I hope the third book will be better.
- the heroine is at odds with another female character
- said female character gets left behind somehow
- a male deity betrays the main party
There have been so many betrayals that at this point they're to be expected.
Also, when I started reading this, there was a clearly established six month time skip from the end of the previous book. I felt like I missed an entire book. There was a death of a character that we'd never met and it was a big deal, to a bunch of people. But we, as an audience, never met said character in question, so I had no reason to care.
The way the Ren was handled was extremely lazy. He goes through his training arc/power escalation off screen, and the way he reenters the main narrative was far too convenient.
Jordan could be removed from the book and nothing would change.
I like how the conflict between Faryn and Alex was handled - glimmers of hope, but ultimately they go their separate ways again. Unfortunately, that's about the only thing I enjoyed. It's infuriating. I hope the third book will be better.
October 5, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Fallen Hero
Author: Katie Zhao
Book Series: The Dragon Warrior Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Half Chinese main character, Half Chinese and Chinese side characters.
Recommended For...: mg fantasy, Chinese mythology
Publication Date: October 13, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, slight gore)
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Kids
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Faryn Liu thought she was the Heaven Breaker, a warrior destined to wield the all-powerful spear Fenghuang, command dragons, and defeat demons. But a conniving goddess was manipulating her all along...and her beloved younger brother, Alex, has betrayed her and taken over as the Heaven Breaker instead. Alex never forgave the people who treated him and Faryn like outcasts, and now he wants to wipe out both the demons and most of humanity.
Determined to prevent a war and bring Alex back to her side, Faryn and her half-dragon friend Ren join the New Order, a group of warriors based out of Manhattan's Chinatown. She learns that one weapon can stand against Fenghuang--the Ruyi Jingu Bang. Only problem? It belongs to an infamous trickster, the Monkey King.
Faryn sets off on a daring quest to convince the Monkey King to join forces with her, one that will take her to new places--including Diyu, otherwise known as the Underworld--where she'll run into new dangers and more than one familiar face. Can she complete her mission and save the brother she loves, no matter the cost?
Review: Overall, this was an awesome book. The book improved so much on the first one and gave us so much character development and world building. The book also attacks the old Chosen One trope. The book did well to keep me intrigued throughout it.
The only issue I really had with this is that I thought the pacing was slower in this novel and a little bit too slow in some parts.
Verdict: A great series!
Book: The Fallen Hero
Author: Katie Zhao
Book Series: The Dragon Warrior Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Half Chinese main character, Half Chinese and Chinese side characters.
Recommended For...: mg fantasy, Chinese mythology
Publication Date: October 13, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, slight gore)
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Kids
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Faryn Liu thought she was the Heaven Breaker, a warrior destined to wield the all-powerful spear Fenghuang, command dragons, and defeat demons. But a conniving goddess was manipulating her all along...and her beloved younger brother, Alex, has betrayed her and taken over as the Heaven Breaker instead. Alex never forgave the people who treated him and Faryn like outcasts, and now he wants to wipe out both the demons and most of humanity.
Determined to prevent a war and bring Alex back to her side, Faryn and her half-dragon friend Ren join the New Order, a group of warriors based out of Manhattan's Chinatown. She learns that one weapon can stand against Fenghuang--the Ruyi Jingu Bang. Only problem? It belongs to an infamous trickster, the Monkey King.
Faryn sets off on a daring quest to convince the Monkey King to join forces with her, one that will take her to new places--including Diyu, otherwise known as the Underworld--where she'll run into new dangers and more than one familiar face. Can she complete her mission and save the brother she loves, no matter the cost?
Review: Overall, this was an awesome book. The book improved so much on the first one and gave us so much character development and world building. The book also attacks the old Chosen One trope. The book did well to keep me intrigued throughout it.
The only issue I really had with this is that I thought the pacing was slower in this novel and a little bit too slow in some parts.
Verdict: A great series!
July 14, 2021
There's been a slew of fantasy based on cultural mythology published in the last year or so, and so much of it is so darn serious. Downright dark and broody. This tale is anything but.
I had a fun time reading this one, and the author's note at the beginning, "This is cheesy as heck," encouraged us to not take it quite so seriously.
It continues Faryn's fight against the Jade Emperor, and her angst over her adopted brother Alex's choice to become the Emperor's General and lead his forces against humanity. But there's a light-hearted tone to it all that makes it a breeze to read, as opposed to a heavy emotional roller coaster.
This time Faryn and her friends, Ren (half-dragon, light crush), Moli (ghost), and the half-demon spawn kids, Jordan and Ashley, from the New Order Warriors, have to recruit a "new ally" -- the Monkey King. Who's a bit full of himself, despite having lost his most powerful of all weapons, the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
Guess who needs to pull it out of Diyu -- the underworld -- before he'll commit to helping humanity? That's right, Faryn and friends.
Ren takes a little detour at the beginning, which we don't get to see because the book is from Faryn's POV, and to be honest, I was kinda really hoping to get to watch him train in the Dragon Kings' realm. I love dragons, and I wanted to see the author switch POVs, but that's not the way this series is looking like it's going to be written.
In any case, of course nothing goes as planned. Not getting the Ruyi Jingu Bang, not the deal with the Monkey King, and certainly not Faryn's finale encounter with Alex (who I suspect is up to something totally different than what Faryn thinks).
I won't spoil the twists; you'll have to read to find out for yourself! Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
I had a fun time reading this one, and the author's note at the beginning, "This is cheesy as heck," encouraged us to not take it quite so seriously.
It continues Faryn's fight against the Jade Emperor, and her angst over her adopted brother Alex's choice to become the Emperor's General and lead his forces against humanity. But there's a light-hearted tone to it all that makes it a breeze to read, as opposed to a heavy emotional roller coaster.
This time Faryn and her friends, Ren (half-dragon, light crush), Moli (ghost), and the half-demon spawn kids, Jordan and Ashley, from the New Order Warriors, have to recruit a "new ally" -- the Monkey King. Who's a bit full of himself, despite having lost his most powerful of all weapons, the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
Guess who needs to pull it out of Diyu -- the underworld -- before he'll commit to helping humanity? That's right, Faryn and friends.
Ren takes a little detour at the beginning, which we don't get to see because the book is from Faryn's POV, and to be honest, I was kinda really hoping to get to watch him train in the Dragon Kings' realm. I love dragons, and I wanted to see the author switch POVs, but that's not the way this series is looking like it's going to be written.
In any case, of course nothing goes as planned. Not getting the Ruyi Jingu Bang, not the deal with the Monkey King, and certainly not Faryn's finale encounter with Alex (who I suspect is up to something totally different than what Faryn thinks).
I won't spoil the twists; you'll have to read to find out for yourself! Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
October 2, 2020
Faryn, former Heaven Breaker, accompanied by a few fellow warriors from the New Order, & her half-dragon friend Ren, set out to prevent a war & save her traitor brother. But to do that, they need The Monkey King’s help & his weapon, the Ruyi Jingu Bang. But enlisting his help means going to the Underworld to get his weapon back. Can she do it in time and save her brother?
This was a wonderful sequel in an awesome middle grade fantasy action adventure! Faryn Liu is an endearing, admirable character and she has been through a lot. Her brother is a traitor and her father has no memory of her. Several parts of this book really moved me and got me teary eyed or made me feel proud. I really liked that.
I love the Chinese mythology and culture all throughout this novel! It’s wonderful! Some of my favorite moments occur when Faryn and her friends are in the Underworld. But I do not want to reveal any spoilers! I will say there are dragons! If you enjoy middle grade fiction, and you like mythology, this series is for you!
A few of my favorite characters were The Monkey King, Ren, and Goddess Guanyin. This story deals with so many things like honor, forgiveness, family, love, friendship, sacrifice and honor. I thoroughly enjoyed this middle grade novel and the third book cannot arrive soon enough! I definitely recommend it!
Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books for the Advanced Reader’s Copy!
This was a wonderful sequel in an awesome middle grade fantasy action adventure! Faryn Liu is an endearing, admirable character and she has been through a lot. Her brother is a traitor and her father has no memory of her. Several parts of this book really moved me and got me teary eyed or made me feel proud. I really liked that.
I love the Chinese mythology and culture all throughout this novel! It’s wonderful! Some of my favorite moments occur when Faryn and her friends are in the Underworld. But I do not want to reveal any spoilers! I will say there are dragons! If you enjoy middle grade fiction, and you like mythology, this series is for you!
A few of my favorite characters were The Monkey King, Ren, and Goddess Guanyin. This story deals with so many things like honor, forgiveness, family, love, friendship, sacrifice and honor. I thoroughly enjoyed this middle grade novel and the third book cannot arrive soon enough! I definitely recommend it!
Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books for the Advanced Reader’s Copy!
January 30, 2021
I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as the first one, I didn’t think the plot was quite as good, but this was still a very good book. The characters continued to develop, the plot was still interesting, and I love the mythology. 4.5
Read
December 21, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Abandonment
Abandonment
September 1, 2020
I received an electronic ARC from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books through NetGalley.
The adventures continue as Falun faces a new quest to defeat the gods. She meets new friends who join together on a journey that takes them from the Monkey King's home to Diyu (the underworld). She must confront her brother and acknowledge that she cannot change his path. After returning from the quest, she is able to restore her father's memories and reunite with him. The ending hints at the next book's adventure.
Zhao continues to bring Chinese mythology to life. Her settings and characters draw readers in to be part of the adventure. Action scenes are suspenseful and tasteful. The descriptions allow readers to see the story unfold.
A glossary of gods, demons and other characters is included at the end.
Looking forward to book three.
The adventures continue as Falun faces a new quest to defeat the gods. She meets new friends who join together on a journey that takes them from the Monkey King's home to Diyu (the underworld). She must confront her brother and acknowledge that she cannot change his path. After returning from the quest, she is able to restore her father's memories and reunite with him. The ending hints at the next book's adventure.
Zhao continues to bring Chinese mythology to life. Her settings and characters draw readers in to be part of the adventure. Action scenes are suspenseful and tasteful. The descriptions allow readers to see the story unfold.
A glossary of gods, demons and other characters is included at the end.
Looking forward to book three.
September 15, 2024
4 Stars: 😀
🐉❤🏮❤👩THE FALLEN HERO🐉❤🏮❤👩
Determined to prevent the war her brother Alex is starting, twelve-year-old Faryn Liu and her half-dragon friend, Ren, seek help from the New Order, warriors based in Manhattan's Chinatown, and from the Monkey King.
This book was a great joy to read! This book had all my favorite elements and it immediately drew me to the story sucking me into the world. The New Order was a group of people preparing to rebel against the Jade Emperor's plan. To become a part of a quest, Faryn must do the Ninety-Sixth duel to become a part of a quest. Along that quest, Faryn will meet old friends and new ones. The plot was really interesting and everything went together seamlessly. We meet 2 new characters with a mysterious past, Ashley and Jordan. I didn't exactly find the new characters that enjoyable, Ashley would be mean to her brother and hated Faryn for something that was not Faryn's fault. Katie Zhao adds Chinese Mythology seamlessly and her writing is so gripping. Ren goes to the Dragon King to learn how to control his dragon side. Faryn, Jorden, and Ashley go to the Monkey King Sun Wukong in hopes of doing a favor for him so that they can get him on their side. Tension is brewing between both sides as the war draws painstakingly nearer and nearer. Faryn and her friends, go down into Diyu to find the Ruyi Jingu Bang. Along the way they meet, friends, old friends, allies, ancestors, and secrets unfold. I speeded through this book at a record, this book was enjoyable and I loved all the interesting settings we went to. This book was more authentic than book 1, instead of just visiting China Towns we went to so many other locations! I love the world-building and descriptions put into this truly amazing Urban Fantasy.
Other than that, the adventure was so adventurous, I loved the action scenes, and jokes in this book. This book has the perfect amount, of action, violence, humor, and betrayal. I loved the magic and mystic in this book it all goes together so well and I loved this book. The ending was so climatic, I enjoyed this riveting tale.
🐉❤🏮❤👩 CHARACTERS🐉❤🏮❤👩
I loved Ren and Faryn! They were hilarious at the same time skillful and kind. I love how Ren is Half-Dragon Half-Human and is noble and caring. I love how Faryn is funny, kind, and resilient. Jordan and Ashley weren't my favorite but their relationship was pretty funny. The characters were overall great and added to the story.
🤍🐉❤🏮❤👩Conclusion🐉❤🏮❤👩🤍
✅Fantasy
✅Urban Fantasy
✅Magic
✅Strong Characters
✅Chinese Mythology
✅Possible Love Interest?
✅Plot Twists
✅Action
✅Demons
✅Deities
= The Fallen Hero
🐉❤🏮❤👩THE FALLEN HERO🐉❤🏮❤👩
Determined to prevent the war her brother Alex is starting, twelve-year-old Faryn Liu and her half-dragon friend, Ren, seek help from the New Order, warriors based in Manhattan's Chinatown, and from the Monkey King.
This book was a great joy to read! This book had all my favorite elements and it immediately drew me to the story sucking me into the world. The New Order was a group of people preparing to rebel against the Jade Emperor's plan. To become a part of a quest, Faryn must do the Ninety-Sixth duel to become a part of a quest. Along that quest, Faryn will meet old friends and new ones. The plot was really interesting and everything went together seamlessly. We meet 2 new characters with a mysterious past, Ashley and Jordan. I didn't exactly find the new characters that enjoyable, Ashley would be mean to her brother and hated Faryn for something that was not Faryn's fault. Katie Zhao adds Chinese Mythology seamlessly and her writing is so gripping. Ren goes to the Dragon King to learn how to control his dragon side. Faryn, Jorden, and Ashley go to the Monkey King Sun Wukong in hopes of doing a favor for him so that they can get him on their side. Tension is brewing between both sides as the war draws painstakingly nearer and nearer. Faryn and her friends, go down into Diyu to find the Ruyi Jingu Bang. Along the way they meet, friends, old friends, allies, ancestors, and secrets unfold. I speeded through this book at a record, this book was enjoyable and I loved all the interesting settings we went to. This book was more authentic than book 1, instead of just visiting China Towns we went to so many other locations! I love the world-building and descriptions put into this truly amazing Urban Fantasy.
Other than that, the adventure was so adventurous, I loved the action scenes, and jokes in this book. This book has the perfect amount, of action, violence, humor, and betrayal. I loved the magic and mystic in this book it all goes together so well and I loved this book. The ending was so climatic, I enjoyed this riveting tale.
🐉❤🏮❤👩 CHARACTERS🐉❤🏮❤👩
I loved Ren and Faryn! They were hilarious at the same time skillful and kind. I love how Ren is Half-Dragon Half-Human and is noble and caring. I love how Faryn is funny, kind, and resilient. Jordan and Ashley weren't my favorite but their relationship was pretty funny. The characters were overall great and added to the story.
🤍🐉❤🏮❤👩Conclusion🐉❤🏮❤👩🤍
✅Fantasy
✅Urban Fantasy
✅Magic
✅Strong Characters
✅Chinese Mythology
✅Possible Love Interest?
✅Plot Twists
✅Action
✅Demons
✅Deities
= The Fallen Hero
October 5, 2020
If I could go back in time and gift my middle school self one series, it would have to be The Dragon Warrior series by Katie Zhao. Full of wit, humor, heart, The Fallen Hero is a love letter both to the Chinese diaspora and to the young adults who needed books like these growing up (including myself).
An outcast for the majority of her life, Faryn is a compelling protagonist whose strength comes from her love of her family and her own moral compass. Because of her multiracial background, she was never quite accepted by the Jade Society, where she grew up, nor does she fit in with the New Order – and to top it all off, Faryn has been betrayed by her younger brother and is no longer the Heaven Breaker. She struggles with feelings of abandonment and fitting in, but none of that stops her from wanting to honor the memories and legacies of her family and save her brother from making a mistake he can never take back. Faryn Liu is a courageous, Pocky-loving, dutiful granddaughter, and I have no doubt that she is going to save her world.
You can read my full review here: https://loveyoshelf.com/2020/10/04/bl...
An outcast for the majority of her life, Faryn is a compelling protagonist whose strength comes from her love of her family and her own moral compass. Because of her multiracial background, she was never quite accepted by the Jade Society, where she grew up, nor does she fit in with the New Order – and to top it all off, Faryn has been betrayed by her younger brother and is no longer the Heaven Breaker. She struggles with feelings of abandonment and fitting in, but none of that stops her from wanting to honor the memories and legacies of her family and save her brother from making a mistake he can never take back. Faryn Liu is a courageous, Pocky-loving, dutiful granddaughter, and I have no doubt that she is going to save her world.
You can read my full review here: https://loveyoshelf.com/2020/10/04/bl...
January 7, 2021
The Fallen Hero follows Faryn and her friends in a quest to save the world (again). Along the way, she reunites with old friends, meets new deities (and demons), and grows so much. Once again, Katie Zhao delivers an action-packed story with the perfect heartwarming moments and best jokes. This is such a thoughtful and nuanced series, at its core a story about family.
To say I was excited to read this series, it’s an understatement. So many twitter friends have loved it and it has some of my favorite elements; best friends turned rivals turned friends, messy sibling relationships, adventures, a sarcastic main character, and a world based on mythology. Book one was an exploration of the chosen one trope, Faryn making her way as a warrior with the help of her friends and family. So I was pleasantly surprised when Katie turned around the trope, making her protagonist not the great warrior anymore. It was such a great plot twist, with Alex's betrayal right there, too.
What happens when you are not the chosen one anymore?
Read my full review on my blog, Cande Reads
To say I was excited to read this series, it’s an understatement. So many twitter friends have loved it and it has some of my favorite elements; best friends turned rivals turned friends, messy sibling relationships, adventures, a sarcastic main character, and a world based on mythology. Book one was an exploration of the chosen one trope, Faryn making her way as a warrior with the help of her friends and family. So I was pleasantly surprised when Katie turned around the trope, making her protagonist not the great warrior anymore. It was such a great plot twist, with Alex's betrayal right there, too.
What happens when you are not the chosen one anymore?
Read my full review on my blog, Cande Reads
May 14, 2020
In my childhood, I watched a cartoon known as “Journey to the West: Legends of the Monkey King.” So, I’m sad to say that I forgotten about my love for that show until I discovered Katie Zhao’s Dragon Warrior. Therefore, I want to say that the sequel to the Dragon Warrior does not disappoint! The Fallen Hero is a brilliant sequel with sibling bonding (good and bad!), scary demons, treacherous and loyal gods, amazing ancestral spirits, and one favorite trickster! A particular set of siblings are my new favorite character in the sequel (and that secret of theirs? Who would have thought?) However, what (or who) I love most is the trickster himself, and I can’t wait to see more of him in future sequel.
September 27, 2021
I didn't like this installment quite as much as the previous one, but I still enjoyed it! I'm glad we got to see one of the old characters again. The Panda Express scene was one of my favorites (I'm using "colonizers" as an insult now) as well as the mirrors one. On the characters: I liked Ren and Jordan, but Faryn seemed a little insensitive (especially when Jordan and Ashley were reunited with someone) and Ashley came across as verbally abusive even though being assertive was part of her personality. The betrayal near the end could have been foreshadowed better. I also feel like the way the prophecy came true was kind of a copout. But don't get me wrong: I liked this book a lot, and I really hope the third one comes out soon!
August 17, 2022
!!! The Dragon Warrior was good but The Fallen Hero was just so much better!
There were angsty moments (Katie plz stop torturing Faryn 😢), new characters, iconic old characters returning, more powerful weapons, more Chinese mythology, spirits, lines that had me d y i n g, dragons, sacrifices because it wouldn't be a Dragon Warrior book without them, and plot twists. And of course, a cliffhanger ending to make me suffer in the long wait for book 3.
There were angsty moments (Katie plz stop torturing Faryn 😢), new characters, iconic old characters returning, more powerful weapons, more Chinese mythology, spirits, lines that had me d y i n g, dragons, sacrifices because it wouldn't be a Dragon Warrior book without them, and plot twists. And of course, a cliffhanger ending to make me suffer in the long wait for book 3.
October 13, 2020
10/12/2020 3.5 stars. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
10/13/2020 The Fallen Hero continues the epic drama of The Dragon Warrior series as Faryn tries to find her place with the New Order based out of Manhattan's Chinatown, only to discover that the gods aren't done with her yet.
Still reeling from her younger brother's decision from the end of her last quest for the gods, while working through her feelings regarding a father who has no memory of who she is, Faryn is having a hard enough time fitting in without the animosity of the prickly Ashley Liao, another young girl who, with her older brother Jordan, form a pair of outcasts similar to Faryn's own situation growing up with the Jade Society out west. Luckily, Ren is still by her side... until he tells her one day that his destiny lies in learning to control his dragon heritage under the tutelage of the Dragon Kings. Alone and anxious, Faryn has no intention of stepping up when the gods Guanyin, Nezha and Erlang Shen show up with another hero's quest. But Xiong, the leader of the New Order, makes a stirring plea, and so she and the Liao siblings find themselves heading west in search of another weapon to rally the gods. Along the way, they'll have to attempt to enlist the aid of the Monkey King himself, and travel to the depths of Diyu and back. But at what cost?
I loved how Katie Zhao incorporated more aspects of Chinese mythology into this action-packed sequel. While I was already pretty familiar with Sun Wukong, the perils of Diyu were entirely new to me, so it really felt like a wholly fresh landscape for me to explore alongside our heroes. I also really loved the emphasis on family, carrying over from the previous book. As with TDW, however, there were odd lapses in logic (e.g. the whole thing about New Order warriors retiring at 18 was about the dumbest reason I've read for an age limit on a quest) and the dialog was occasionally unlikely at best, but this was made up for with lots of verve, suspense and humor, with parts making me laugh out loud at the collision of 21st century adolescent sensibilities with ancient mythologies.
I'm really glad Ms Zhao is bringing these books to the world, showcasing a young girl's quest to save humanity from certain callous Chinese gods. I kinda hope it runs for more than three books tho, because there's so much to be covered still in this series! Aside from saving humanity, Faryn still has to rescue her mother's spirit and find out more about the Mediterranean side of her family, and what's up with Alex's parents, too?! There's so much, and I'm eager to read it all!
The Fallen Hero by Katie Zhao comes out today from Bloomsbury and is available from all good booksellers.
10/13/2020 The Fallen Hero continues the epic drama of The Dragon Warrior series as Faryn tries to find her place with the New Order based out of Manhattan's Chinatown, only to discover that the gods aren't done with her yet.
Still reeling from her younger brother's decision from the end of her last quest for the gods, while working through her feelings regarding a father who has no memory of who she is, Faryn is having a hard enough time fitting in without the animosity of the prickly Ashley Liao, another young girl who, with her older brother Jordan, form a pair of outcasts similar to Faryn's own situation growing up with the Jade Society out west. Luckily, Ren is still by her side... until he tells her one day that his destiny lies in learning to control his dragon heritage under the tutelage of the Dragon Kings. Alone and anxious, Faryn has no intention of stepping up when the gods Guanyin, Nezha and Erlang Shen show up with another hero's quest. But Xiong, the leader of the New Order, makes a stirring plea, and so she and the Liao siblings find themselves heading west in search of another weapon to rally the gods. Along the way, they'll have to attempt to enlist the aid of the Monkey King himself, and travel to the depths of Diyu and back. But at what cost?
I loved how Katie Zhao incorporated more aspects of Chinese mythology into this action-packed sequel. While I was already pretty familiar with Sun Wukong, the perils of Diyu were entirely new to me, so it really felt like a wholly fresh landscape for me to explore alongside our heroes. I also really loved the emphasis on family, carrying over from the previous book. As with TDW, however, there were odd lapses in logic (e.g. the whole thing about New Order warriors retiring at 18 was about the dumbest reason I've read for an age limit on a quest) and the dialog was occasionally unlikely at best, but this was made up for with lots of verve, suspense and humor, with parts making me laugh out loud at the collision of 21st century adolescent sensibilities with ancient mythologies.
I'm really glad Ms Zhao is bringing these books to the world, showcasing a young girl's quest to save humanity from certain callous Chinese gods. I kinda hope it runs for more than three books tho, because there's so much to be covered still in this series! Aside from saving humanity, Faryn still has to rescue her mother's spirit and find out more about the Mediterranean side of her family, and what's up with Alex's parents, too?! There's so much, and I'm eager to read it all!
The Fallen Hero by Katie Zhao comes out today from Bloomsbury and is available from all good booksellers.
October 7, 2020
Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is part of the review I have done.
The Fallen Hero is set months after the end of The Dragon Warrior. Faryn stays with her friend in the New Society and trains together with the warriors. Life is not easy since they are outsiders. Worse, her traitor of a brother has changed for the worse. The Hungry Ghost Festival is near. It allows the spirit of the ancestors to commune with their surviving family but like the other important Chinese holiday, this is one of those days that demons get stronger. Faryn, together with other warriors, embarks on a quest to enlist for help since the Jade Emperor and his allies plan to unleash their plan of destruction during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Guided by a prophecy, the warriors go through the quest. Through the help of her ancestors, she thwarts the evil plan. Like other quests, there are sacrifices made and this is not different.
The second installment did not disappoint. The plot is easy to follow and filled with humor and references to Chinese culture (and popular culture). We journey with the characters as they spend their quest in Diyu, the Chinese realm of the dead. So we get to see how the dead spend their dead days.
One of the strengths of this book is the ability to discuss mature themes. It’s not easy to put discuss death, loneliness, feelings of abandonment, and sacrifice in a middle grade book. We get to see how Faryn tries to be strong as she goes through a lot of difficult things. The hardest will probably be answering the question of “what will you do if you are not the chosen one any longer?” Her character is being tested at every turn and we see her grow as an individual.
Faryn, despite the betrayal of her younger brother, is still an older sister. She can’t help it. She still cares despite everything that happened. All through out the book, she feels lonely. She often has feelings of abandonment and thinks that everyone will leave her like the others; however, we see that while some people leave, your family (and dead ancestors) will still have your back and help you when you need it the most.
If you are searching for a middle grade book about Chinese mythology, the deities and demons existing in the modern society, story that puts emphasis on family, this book (and series) is for you.
Book Geek Musings Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin’ | Ko-fi | Youtube
This is part of the review I have done.
The Fallen Hero is set months after the end of The Dragon Warrior. Faryn stays with her friend in the New Society and trains together with the warriors. Life is not easy since they are outsiders. Worse, her traitor of a brother has changed for the worse. The Hungry Ghost Festival is near. It allows the spirit of the ancestors to commune with their surviving family but like the other important Chinese holiday, this is one of those days that demons get stronger. Faryn, together with other warriors, embarks on a quest to enlist for help since the Jade Emperor and his allies plan to unleash their plan of destruction during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Guided by a prophecy, the warriors go through the quest. Through the help of her ancestors, she thwarts the evil plan. Like other quests, there are sacrifices made and this is not different.
The second installment did not disappoint. The plot is easy to follow and filled with humor and references to Chinese culture (and popular culture). We journey with the characters as they spend their quest in Diyu, the Chinese realm of the dead. So we get to see how the dead spend their dead days.
One of the strengths of this book is the ability to discuss mature themes. It’s not easy to put discuss death, loneliness, feelings of abandonment, and sacrifice in a middle grade book. We get to see how Faryn tries to be strong as she goes through a lot of difficult things. The hardest will probably be answering the question of “what will you do if you are not the chosen one any longer?” Her character is being tested at every turn and we see her grow as an individual.
Faryn, despite the betrayal of her younger brother, is still an older sister. She can’t help it. She still cares despite everything that happened. All through out the book, she feels lonely. She often has feelings of abandonment and thinks that everyone will leave her like the others; however, we see that while some people leave, your family (and dead ancestors) will still have your back and help you when you need it the most.
If you are searching for a middle grade book about Chinese mythology, the deities and demons existing in the modern society, story that puts emphasis on family, this book (and series) is for you.
Book Geek Musings Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin’ | Ko-fi | Youtube
March 2, 2022
As the Hungry Ghost Festival nears, Faryn and Ren's time with the New Order in New York's Chinatown comes to an end. Ren is going to go train with the dragons so he can better control his skills. And Faryn is being sent on another quest, this time with Ashley and Jordan, who aren't her biggest fans. She's been reluctant to speak about how she ended up in the New Order, so Ashley and Jordan have no idea what she's been through. They also have no idea just how hard a quest can be. But as the world gets closer to all out war between the gods, and humans are in danger, Faryn has to find the courage to journey to the underworld and find an ally who just might give them a chance.
I'm a little worried, because after finishing this, I can't find any evidence that book 3 is going to come out. And this one definitely doesn't resolve anything. War is about to break out. Alex is still on the bad guys' side, and one character is stuck in the underworld until something happens... Here's hoping eventually there will be a book 3, or the kids reading this series will be left seriously hanging. The Monkey King is directly involved in this story now, and the author says that lots of the legendary stuff in here is drawn from the Monkey King folklore so this did develop the story. Faryn has to deal with a little PTSD from her last adventure and grow as a person, and she makes progress in her quest to find Ba. If book 3 comes out, hand this series to kids who are curious about Chinese folklore and mythology, and love quest adventures.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Several battles, but mostly it is just the folklore demons being dissolved as injuries.
I'm a little worried, because after finishing this, I can't find any evidence that book 3 is going to come out. And this one definitely doesn't resolve anything. War is about to break out. Alex is still on the bad guys' side, and one character is stuck in the underworld until something happens... Here's hoping eventually there will be a book 3, or the kids reading this series will be left seriously hanging. The Monkey King is directly involved in this story now, and the author says that lots of the legendary stuff in here is drawn from the Monkey King folklore so this did develop the story. Faryn has to deal with a little PTSD from her last adventure and grow as a person, and she makes progress in her quest to find Ba. If book 3 comes out, hand this series to kids who are curious about Chinese folklore and mythology, and love quest adventures.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Several battles, but mostly it is just the folklore demons being dissolved as injuries.
October 11, 2020
Faryn is reeling from her brother’s betrayal. She feels shunned by the New Order people because one of their own died saving her. Her own father has no memory of her. Things couldn’t get much worse. Could they?
Of course they can!
The gods are ready for an all out war amongst themselves, which will not be very good for the mere humans that will get caught between the two factions.
Faryn must do all that she can to stop this war, save her brother from himself, and find a way to get her father’s memories back.
Who will like book The Fallen Hero?
Katie Zhao is a great storyteller, but in the beginning of this novel, I felt very strong echoes from the beginning of the first book. Faryn is living with people that resent her. She is called on a quest. She has to go with the person who hates her the most. Exactly like book one. I was a bit disappointed by that. BUT …if you loved book one and want more of the same, then awesome, this is the book for you! She delivers on that! I can’t help but wonder if she created this echo for a reason which we might understand in book 3.
I do like her writing style and her characters. The Chinese mythology was fascinating! Zhao has an excellent grasp of story telling. I see the threads of story weaving in and out. I will say this was not the end of the series. I’m thinking it’s a trilogy. She tied of one or two plot threads, but there are still a few hanging at the end of this book.
If you loved book one, then you’ll likely love this one too. I DO look forward to the end of this series–to see how she wraps it up.
Of course they can!
The gods are ready for an all out war amongst themselves, which will not be very good for the mere humans that will get caught between the two factions.
Faryn must do all that she can to stop this war, save her brother from himself, and find a way to get her father’s memories back.
Who will like book The Fallen Hero?
Katie Zhao is a great storyteller, but in the beginning of this novel, I felt very strong echoes from the beginning of the first book. Faryn is living with people that resent her. She is called on a quest. She has to go with the person who hates her the most. Exactly like book one. I was a bit disappointed by that. BUT …if you loved book one and want more of the same, then awesome, this is the book for you! She delivers on that! I can’t help but wonder if she created this echo for a reason which we might understand in book 3.
I do like her writing style and her characters. The Chinese mythology was fascinating! Zhao has an excellent grasp of story telling. I see the threads of story weaving in and out. I will say this was not the end of the series. I’m thinking it’s a trilogy. She tied of one or two plot threads, but there are still a few hanging at the end of this book.
If you loved book one, then you’ll likely love this one too. I DO look forward to the end of this series–to see how she wraps it up.
January 20, 2025
Very nice follow-up to Then Dragon Warrior. Faryn needs to do something to stop the gods from destroying humanity along with the demons they are fighting. Her brother Alex is now the dragon warrior, on the side of the gods. She is living in Manhattan's Chinatown with the warrior society there, which is similar to the one she grew up with in San Francisco's Chinatown. Her father is also there, but he's lost his memories of everything before he got there, including her and Alex.
Some of the gods who are against the Emperor's destruction set Faryn and some companions on a quest to get more allies. This takes them to meet the Monkey God and to the Underworld of the dead, where they meet unexpected ghosts, gods, and demons.
And that's where I started to see the close resemblance to Rick Riordan's books. Traveling through the underworld was very similar, as are these kids' irreverence to the gods and their wisecracks and the sense of humor in the writing. Also the training camps for the kids, which in this series are multigenerational warrior societies. This is a good thing; Riordan hasn't treated a Far Eastern panoply of gods, and Zhao's style is very much her own.
The only problem is, this book was released over 4 years ago, and there is no third book in the series. This book clears up a few loose ends from the previous one, but leaves even more. I hope there will eventually be another book in this series.
Some of the gods who are against the Emperor's destruction set Faryn and some companions on a quest to get more allies. This takes them to meet the Monkey God and to the Underworld of the dead, where they meet unexpected ghosts, gods, and demons.
And that's where I started to see the close resemblance to Rick Riordan's books. Traveling through the underworld was very similar, as are these kids' irreverence to the gods and their wisecracks and the sense of humor in the writing. Also the training camps for the kids, which in this series are multigenerational warrior societies. This is a good thing; Riordan hasn't treated a Far Eastern panoply of gods, and Zhao's style is very much her own.
The only problem is, this book was released over 4 years ago, and there is no third book in the series. This book clears up a few loose ends from the previous one, but leaves even more. I hope there will eventually be another book in this series.
August 28, 2020
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Six months since her disastrous quest, Faryn Liu is struggling to adjust to life in the New York City Chinatown's New Order, figure out a way to reconcile with her traitor brother, and restore her lost father's memories. But now she and the two New Order misfits, siblings Jordan and Ashley, are sent on a quest to save the world from the Jade Emperor during the Hungry Ghost Festival. When the quest leads the young warriors to the Monkey King, they find themselves on a much more treacherous journey, with much higher stakes. For in order to stand a chance against the immortal warriors of Heaven, they must first descend into Diyu, the Underworld...
A thrilling sequel to Zhao's debut, "The Dragon Warrior", "The Fallen Hero" continues to dazzle with the presentation of Chinese mythology and culture, epic fight scenes, and sassy ghosts. Readers will be on the edge of their seats waiting for Book 3 of this saga, and continue to rally behind Faryn and her friends--especially as they all struggle with their inner demons (somewhat literally) and balance saving the world with growing up, finding where they're meant to be, and other typical pre-teen things.
Six months since her disastrous quest, Faryn Liu is struggling to adjust to life in the New York City Chinatown's New Order, figure out a way to reconcile with her traitor brother, and restore her lost father's memories. But now she and the two New Order misfits, siblings Jordan and Ashley, are sent on a quest to save the world from the Jade Emperor during the Hungry Ghost Festival. When the quest leads the young warriors to the Monkey King, they find themselves on a much more treacherous journey, with much higher stakes. For in order to stand a chance against the immortal warriors of Heaven, they must first descend into Diyu, the Underworld...
A thrilling sequel to Zhao's debut, "The Dragon Warrior", "The Fallen Hero" continues to dazzle with the presentation of Chinese mythology and culture, epic fight scenes, and sassy ghosts. Readers will be on the edge of their seats waiting for Book 3 of this saga, and continue to rally behind Faryn and her friends--especially as they all struggle with their inner demons (somewhat literally) and balance saving the world with growing up, finding where they're meant to be, and other typical pre-teen things.
October 23, 2023
I'm going to put a disclaimer at the beginning of this review. This is the second book in the series, and the series is clearly not over, but I can find nothing online about how more books are in the works, so the wait could be a while.
For me personally, this was a step down from the first book. I couldn't get behind the characters as much, especially the new ones. Ashley and Jordan just act so young. I get that this is a middle grade book, but it was a sudden flip from the way most of the characters acted in the first book. They are in a life or death situation, you would think that would affect them somehow.
I will say, I am glad that some things were explained early on in this book. I was left wondering at the end of the first one, and I'm not that patient of a person, so I'm glad the wait was short. Even if it took a while to come to a solution, I'm just happy there was an explanation so quickly.
This book really felt like a filler, so I'm hoping a third book comes out some time in the near future. The premise was interesting and it kept me reading, it just doesn't seem as finished as the first one, which in a way I understand since it is a series, but it makes it hard to review.
Age appropriate: Yes
For me personally, this was a step down from the first book. I couldn't get behind the characters as much, especially the new ones. Ashley and Jordan just act so young. I get that this is a middle grade book, but it was a sudden flip from the way most of the characters acted in the first book. They are in a life or death situation, you would think that would affect them somehow.
I will say, I am glad that some things were explained early on in this book. I was left wondering at the end of the first one, and I'm not that patient of a person, so I'm glad the wait was short. Even if it took a while to come to a solution, I'm just happy there was an explanation so quickly.
This book really felt like a filler, so I'm hoping a third book comes out some time in the near future. The premise was interesting and it kept me reading, it just doesn't seem as finished as the first one, which in a way I understand since it is a series, but it makes it hard to review.
Age appropriate: Yes
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews