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Winnie Zeng #2
Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King
With chaos on the rise, one girl stands in the face of all evil . . . and we're not talking about homework! The sequel to the fantasy series inspired by Chinese mythology.
As shamans, Winnie Zeng and her archnemesis, David Zuo, have accepted their roles in guarding the world from evil spirits. But with Halloween around the corner, the balance between realms grows fragile--and so yet another shaman is assigned to help Winnie and David protect the town of Groton, Michigan.
The catch? The new shaman is just the worst. Not only is she way too perfect--she also has an ego to match, and thinks she's the best thing that's happened to Groton since Winnie's red bean brownies. Plus, she's confident she can save the world all on her own.
With evil spirits growing in number, Winnie and David find themselves in quite a pickle. While the newest shaman isn't convinced there's a storm brewing, this town is going to need all three of them on the same team . . . or there might not be a town left to defend.
As shamans, Winnie Zeng and her archnemesis, David Zuo, have accepted their roles in guarding the world from evil spirits. But with Halloween around the corner, the balance between realms grows fragile--and so yet another shaman is assigned to help Winnie and David protect the town of Groton, Michigan.
The catch? The new shaman is just the worst. Not only is she way too perfect--she also has an ego to match, and thinks she's the best thing that's happened to Groton since Winnie's red bean brownies. Plus, she's confident she can save the world all on her own.
With evil spirits growing in number, Winnie and David find themselves in quite a pickle. While the newest shaman isn't convinced there's a storm brewing, this town is going to need all three of them on the same team . . . or there might not be a town left to defend.
288 pages, Library Binding
First published April 1, 2023
4 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 23, 2024
I love this series. Winnie and David always end up over their heads as shaman's in training. I do look forward to each magically enchanted baked good that Winnie makes though!
May 12, 2023
*4.25 Stars*
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Winnie Zeng comes back in this second book and has more spirits to fight. But at least now, she's a proper shaman with her own badge and everything. Except the council decided her and David weren't good enough to protect the town by themselves with Halloween around the corner... And this new shaman is the worst! She won't be a team player and she's truly such a know-it-all! But they have to work together, right? RIGHT??
I'm really loving this middle grade series by Katie Zhao. It's cute, funny and suspenseful. I really love these characters, mostly Winnie, of course, whom I love seeing get in and out of trouble. In this second book, I loved seeing new characters, seeing more of Winnie's family and seeing her relationships with other evolve. I also love her grandmother a lot, she's definitely my second favorite character. The plot in this one was good and I did see a couple little things coming but I still had a lot of fun reading it. My only drawback in this book was that the climax was over and done a bit too fast in my opinion, it ended a bit too easily?
But, overall, I had a great time and I'm loving this world so so much and its magic system and I cannot wait for the rest of this series.
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Winnie Zeng comes back in this second book and has more spirits to fight. But at least now, she's a proper shaman with her own badge and everything. Except the council decided her and David weren't good enough to protect the town by themselves with Halloween around the corner... And this new shaman is the worst! She won't be a team player and she's truly such a know-it-all! But they have to work together, right? RIGHT??
I'm really loving this middle grade series by Katie Zhao. It's cute, funny and suspenseful. I really love these characters, mostly Winnie, of course, whom I love seeing get in and out of trouble. In this second book, I loved seeing new characters, seeing more of Winnie's family and seeing her relationships with other evolve. I also love her grandmother a lot, she's definitely my second favorite character. The plot in this one was good and I did see a couple little things coming but I still had a lot of fun reading it. My only drawback in this book was that the climax was over and done a bit too fast in my opinion, it ended a bit too easily?
But, overall, I had a great time and I'm loving this world so so much and its magic system and I cannot wait for the rest of this series.
March 26, 2025
Such a fun read! Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King was packed with adventure, magic, and just the right amount of humor. I flew through it because I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. Winnie is such a lovable, determined character—flawed in the best ways and always trying to do the right thing, even when it's hard.
What really stood out to me were the themes woven throughout the story. There’s a strong focus on the importance of teamwork—realizing you can’t (and shouldn’t!) do everything on your own—and on trusting yourself and your instincts, even when you’re unsure. I loved watching Winnie navigate those lessons while still being her spirited, stubborn self. The friendships in this book felt especially strong too, with some lovely moments of growth and connection.
Overall, this was such a heartwarming and fast-paced read. If you're into middle grade stories that balance magical chaos with meaningful takeaways, this one’s for you. I’m definitely excited to see where Winnie’s journey takes her next!
What really stood out to me were the themes woven throughout the story. There’s a strong focus on the importance of teamwork—realizing you can’t (and shouldn’t!) do everything on your own—and on trusting yourself and your instincts, even when you’re unsure. I loved watching Winnie navigate those lessons while still being her spirited, stubborn self. The friendships in this book felt especially strong too, with some lovely moments of growth and connection.
Overall, this was such a heartwarming and fast-paced read. If you're into middle grade stories that balance magical chaos with meaningful takeaways, this one’s for you. I’m definitely excited to see where Winnie’s journey takes her next!
July 7, 2023
Struggling to finish this but planning to finish this weekend. I don't like the emphasis on evil spirits, and shaman is a word that comes from a specific (I believe Siberian) culture so this is not a favorite for me. I think the emphasis on how she is bullied for cultural differences but wins out against the bullies in this series is really important though. It's a solid book and series, just not really for me for a few specific reasons.
April 15, 2023
After really enjoying book 1 in this series, I'm so glad I got to read book 2 as well! This was again so much fun, and I'd highly recommend if for any fans of mythology-inspired middlegrade. It really stands out in the genre, I think, because Winnie has such a fresh voice that keeps you so engaged and that's so funny to read.
December 13, 2023
This was fun! I liked Winnie, and the author did a good job of keeping me up to date without infodumping the first book (I started here). I liked her rivalry/friendship with David, her disappointment with her dad, and her love of cooking. I thought the jealous with the new Shaman was well done.
I hated the way she was an idiot for the middle third of the book. She would go from a discussion of “we must be alert to people behaving strangely, there are demons around impersonating people” straight to the thought “wow, my sister is sure behaving strangely, wonder what’s up with that?”
I like the magic system and may go back for more of her antics.
I hated the way she was an idiot for the middle third of the book. She would go from a discussion of “we must be alert to people behaving strangely, there are demons around impersonating people” straight to the thought “wow, my sister is sure behaving strangely, wonder what’s up with that?”
I like the magic system and may go back for more of her antics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2023
What worked:
Winnie has shaman powers but she needs the overspirit of her deceased grandmother Lao Lao, a former shaman, to access her full abilities. This relationship, called combining, creates a couple of significant twists in the plot. Winnie must learn to create the connection on demand before she’ll be able to face higher levels of evil spirits. Lao Lao is constantly shadowing Winnie and wants to accompany her everywhere but her useful mentoring advice is offset by criticism and nosiness. Plus, Lao Lao’s spirit must remain near Winnie’s pet rabbit so this adds a complication to traveling around town together. To further complicate matters, another shaman named David is Winnie’s classmate and they’ve developed a rivalry and competition. David has his own overspirit, a deceased Chinese emperor named Joe who doesn’t get along with Lao Lao. Winnie and David must combine their shaman talents at times but the results of these collaborations aren’t easy to foresee.
All shamans have uncommon talents to accentuate their magical powers. Apparently, in the first book, Winnie baked moon pies that helped her sense and defeat an evil spirit. This time, she knows the rogue spirits are increasing in numbers and power but she can’t tell where they are. Winnie has a magic cookbook that is somehow able to determine which recipe is needed but all of the other pages are glued shut. Winnie whips up a batch of almond cookies this time and she immediately feels her senses become more acute. She can even use them as weapons. David uses calligraphy as his magical talent while another shaman performs Chinese fan dances to increase her powers.
Winnie has feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt that haunt her throughout the whole book. She defeated the demon in the first book but it seems a large amount of luck was involved. The Spirit Council makes her an official shaman and assigns her to protect the town of Groton, Michigan. One council member voices reservations about her role which only reinforces her insecurities. She struggles to link with her overspirit, David captures more spirits than she can, and the Spirit Council displays a lack of confidence in her by sending another shaman to Groton. This girl is pompous and “perfect” and there’s no way Winnie can match her talents and experience. The author thoroughly communicates Winnie’s trepidations so her ultimate success makes this almost an underdog story.
What didn’t work as well:
Winnie and David are very slow to recognize rogue spirits even though they will be obvious to readers. The characters are given one clue to look for but they immediately seem to forget it. In the end, Winnie thinks she should have noticed the spirits sooner and readers will most likely agree.
The Final Verdict:
The format of the plot will be familiar to young readers as Winnie tries to master her shaman powers. There aren’t too many surprises or twists to the plot although the shamans’ tactics are sometimes unexpected. The author adds a bit of humor through character relationships and dialogue. I recommend you give this book a shot.
Winnie has shaman powers but she needs the overspirit of her deceased grandmother Lao Lao, a former shaman, to access her full abilities. This relationship, called combining, creates a couple of significant twists in the plot. Winnie must learn to create the connection on demand before she’ll be able to face higher levels of evil spirits. Lao Lao is constantly shadowing Winnie and wants to accompany her everywhere but her useful mentoring advice is offset by criticism and nosiness. Plus, Lao Lao’s spirit must remain near Winnie’s pet rabbit so this adds a complication to traveling around town together. To further complicate matters, another shaman named David is Winnie’s classmate and they’ve developed a rivalry and competition. David has his own overspirit, a deceased Chinese emperor named Joe who doesn’t get along with Lao Lao. Winnie and David must combine their shaman talents at times but the results of these collaborations aren’t easy to foresee.
All shamans have uncommon talents to accentuate their magical powers. Apparently, in the first book, Winnie baked moon pies that helped her sense and defeat an evil spirit. This time, she knows the rogue spirits are increasing in numbers and power but she can’t tell where they are. Winnie has a magic cookbook that is somehow able to determine which recipe is needed but all of the other pages are glued shut. Winnie whips up a batch of almond cookies this time and she immediately feels her senses become more acute. She can even use them as weapons. David uses calligraphy as his magical talent while another shaman performs Chinese fan dances to increase her powers.
Winnie has feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt that haunt her throughout the whole book. She defeated the demon in the first book but it seems a large amount of luck was involved. The Spirit Council makes her an official shaman and assigns her to protect the town of Groton, Michigan. One council member voices reservations about her role which only reinforces her insecurities. She struggles to link with her overspirit, David captures more spirits than she can, and the Spirit Council displays a lack of confidence in her by sending another shaman to Groton. This girl is pompous and “perfect” and there’s no way Winnie can match her talents and experience. The author thoroughly communicates Winnie’s trepidations so her ultimate success makes this almost an underdog story.
What didn’t work as well:
Winnie and David are very slow to recognize rogue spirits even though they will be obvious to readers. The characters are given one clue to look for but they immediately seem to forget it. In the end, Winnie thinks she should have noticed the spirits sooner and readers will most likely agree.
The Final Verdict:
The format of the plot will be familiar to young readers as Winnie tries to master her shaman powers. There aren’t too many surprises or twists to the plot although the shamans’ tactics are sometimes unexpected. The author adds a bit of humor through character relationships and dialogue. I recommend you give this book a shot.
March 31, 2023
Ever since Winnie Zeng unlocked her shaman powers, her hometown of Groton has become a hotbed of activity from beyond the grave. With the help of her spirit guide Lao Lao, Winnie recently defeated the spirit of Hou Yi, which qualified her to become an official member of the Shaman Task Force. In order to level up her skills, though, there are several tasks Winnie must complete, including banishing another class three spirit from the living realm. Of course, Winnie must reluctantly team up with her shaman classmate David while also balancing the ongoing expectations of school and family. And when myriad bizarre events begin taking place around her, Winnie’s life becomes even more complicated.
This second in the Winnie Zeng series begins shortly after the first book ends and just ahead of the Halloween holiday. As in the first book, Winnie’s dry humor rounds out the narrative as she speaks in the first person and often tosses asides out to the reader. This break in the fourth wall enhances the entertainment factor of the book even as fantasy excitement fills its pages. Accessible writing and good world building help middle grade readers connect with Winnie’s story, and though the chapters are often long, they move smoothly thanks to the overall design of the novel.
Based in magic realism, this story paints a desirable picture of what life could be like just outside of one’s current existence. Additionally, there is a strong video gaming element woven into the plot, which is especially noticeable as Winnie must complete tasks—or quests—in order to level up. This, coupled with the myriad enemies she must vanquish, makes this book an especially enjoyable choice for readers who also appreciate video gaming. At the end of the book, readers will find recipes for the magical dishes described in the story, which are straightforward enough to be made at home. Filled with humor, heart, and action, this second in the series is pleasantly enjoyable as it sets the series up for its subsequent installment. This is a fun addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
This second in the Winnie Zeng series begins shortly after the first book ends and just ahead of the Halloween holiday. As in the first book, Winnie’s dry humor rounds out the narrative as she speaks in the first person and often tosses asides out to the reader. This break in the fourth wall enhances the entertainment factor of the book even as fantasy excitement fills its pages. Accessible writing and good world building help middle grade readers connect with Winnie’s story, and though the chapters are often long, they move smoothly thanks to the overall design of the novel.
Based in magic realism, this story paints a desirable picture of what life could be like just outside of one’s current existence. Additionally, there is a strong video gaming element woven into the plot, which is especially noticeable as Winnie must complete tasks—or quests—in order to level up. This, coupled with the myriad enemies she must vanquish, makes this book an especially enjoyable choice for readers who also appreciate video gaming. At the end of the book, readers will find recipes for the magical dishes described in the story, which are straightforward enough to be made at home. Filled with humor, heart, and action, this second in the series is pleasantly enjoyable as it sets the series up for its subsequent installment. This is a fun addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
April 27, 2023
I have to say, Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King is one of my most anticipated middle grade books of the year. After reading the first in the series last year, it instantly went on my “I can’t wait to read this to my kids one day” list. There are so many great characters that I absolutely want to introduce my kids to when they get to the right age, and Winne Zeng is near the top of the list.
This book is nearly flawlessly executed, with solid pacing and an engaging plot, taking into account its intended audience as a middle grade book. Picking up where Unleashes a Legend left off, this novel keeps with the awesome characters of the first book while adding a few as well. I’m not much of a person to summarize a novel, but I will say that it was a fun and comfortably predictable book that satisfies to the end.
The characters in this series are some of my favorite middle grade characters, because they actually feel like middle grade kids. They mess up, they argue, they have to take time to identify and process emotions, all things that I regularly see this age group go through. Winnie handles everything that is thrown at her with a great deal of grace. The evolution of her friendship with David from the first to the second book was great to see as it was one of the more obvious signs of her growing into herself and who she wants to be.
One of the best parts about the first book in the series, Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend, was the cultural elements that were threaded throughout the story. I absolutely loved seeing so many family traditions and connections, it really brought WInnie to life. Those connections and stories were flawlessly continued in Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King.
I would highly recommend this series for any parents looking for a great book to read together or are looking for a book that is really engaging.
5/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book is nearly flawlessly executed, with solid pacing and an engaging plot, taking into account its intended audience as a middle grade book. Picking up where Unleashes a Legend left off, this novel keeps with the awesome characters of the first book while adding a few as well. I’m not much of a person to summarize a novel, but I will say that it was a fun and comfortably predictable book that satisfies to the end.
The characters in this series are some of my favorite middle grade characters, because they actually feel like middle grade kids. They mess up, they argue, they have to take time to identify and process emotions, all things that I regularly see this age group go through. Winnie handles everything that is thrown at her with a great deal of grace. The evolution of her friendship with David from the first to the second book was great to see as it was one of the more obvious signs of her growing into herself and who she wants to be.
One of the best parts about the first book in the series, Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend, was the cultural elements that were threaded throughout the story. I absolutely loved seeing so many family traditions and connections, it really brought WInnie to life. Those connections and stories were flawlessly continued in Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King.
I would highly recommend this series for any parents looking for a great book to read together or are looking for a book that is really engaging.
5/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
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December 21, 2022tl;dr
Fans of the first book will be excited to see some great character growth along with hints of a larger plot at play.
Thoughts
I have a confession to make. I'm more a David than a Winnie. Between the energetic girl who tries to life hack her way out of piano practice, and the uptight overachiever who would never skip class, I definitely sit on the never skip class end of the gradient. Which means I spent a good deal of the first book disappointed that Winnie backed down from a challenge so quickly because she didn't believe in herself. I'm pleased to say I had no such feelings in book two. Winnie's back with her (literally) magic baking and a new horde of spirits to take down. And while she still maintains her energy, she's also grown to believe in herself more, and what a growth it is! Stronger communication skills, self-advocacy, and even more baking. Like the first book, plot balances really evenly between Winnie's home/school life, and her work life. That means action scenes can be sparse, but I again appreciated the time spent on her relationship with her sister. The ending has a very "book two" vibe, where the enemy is vanquished, leaving behind an ominous statement and more questions than answers. And of course recipes are again included. Almond cookies are a really easy go-to recipe for beginning bakers, and I imagine that adding chocolate chips like Winnie did will probably be great too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for an advance copy! All thoughts here are my own.
Fans of the first book will be excited to see some great character growth along with hints of a larger plot at play.
Thoughts
I have a confession to make. I'm more a David than a Winnie. Between the energetic girl who tries to life hack her way out of piano practice, and the uptight overachiever who would never skip class, I definitely sit on the never skip class end of the gradient. Which means I spent a good deal of the first book disappointed that Winnie backed down from a challenge so quickly because she didn't believe in herself. I'm pleased to say I had no such feelings in book two. Winnie's back with her (literally) magic baking and a new horde of spirits to take down. And while she still maintains her energy, she's also grown to believe in herself more, and what a growth it is! Stronger communication skills, self-advocacy, and even more baking. Like the first book, plot balances really evenly between Winnie's home/school life, and her work life. That means action scenes can be sparse, but I again appreciated the time spent on her relationship with her sister. The ending has a very "book two" vibe, where the enemy is vanquished, leaving behind an ominous statement and more questions than answers. And of course recipes are again included. Almond cookies are a really easy go-to recipe for beginning bakers, and I imagine that adding chocolate chips like Winnie did will probably be great too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for an advance copy! All thoughts here are my own.
April 13, 2023
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King is the second fun adventure in the Winnie Zeng series. Just like the book, it’s steeped in Chinese mythology, and the world building with that aspect becomes more expansive, especially as Winnie explores more of her role as part of the Shaman Task Force. I love how there’s both a balance between the more spiritual/magical elements and the exploration of more Earth-bound elements of Chinese culture, like incorporation of various Chinese foods, including recipes in the back of the book to prompt engagement from the reader beyond the story.
Winnie remains a compelling heroine. She’s incredibly funny, with jokes and asides peppering her narration, as well as her dialogue. She also strikes a great balance between being someone expected to help protect the world and being just a kid with her own interests, with cooking being a big one.
Her rivalry with David, and how they must work together this time around, makes for an intriguing dynamic this time around, given the clashes not only between them, but also between their overspirits, hers being her Lao Lao and his being a former Chinese emperor. There’s also a new girl, Kelly, who believes she’s able to protect the town alone without help from the others, and that also provides a nice shakeup to their dynamic.
This is another fun installment, and I’d recommend the series thus far to anyone who enjoys middle grade fantasy.
Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King is the second fun adventure in the Winnie Zeng series. Just like the book, it’s steeped in Chinese mythology, and the world building with that aspect becomes more expansive, especially as Winnie explores more of her role as part of the Shaman Task Force. I love how there’s both a balance between the more spiritual/magical elements and the exploration of more Earth-bound elements of Chinese culture, like incorporation of various Chinese foods, including recipes in the back of the book to prompt engagement from the reader beyond the story.
Winnie remains a compelling heroine. She’s incredibly funny, with jokes and asides peppering her narration, as well as her dialogue. She also strikes a great balance between being someone expected to help protect the world and being just a kid with her own interests, with cooking being a big one.
Her rivalry with David, and how they must work together this time around, makes for an intriguing dynamic this time around, given the clashes not only between them, but also between their overspirits, hers being her Lao Lao and his being a former Chinese emperor. There’s also a new girl, Kelly, who believes she’s able to protect the town alone without help from the others, and that also provides a nice shakeup to their dynamic.
This is another fun installment, and I’d recommend the series thus far to anyone who enjoys middle grade fantasy.
January 27, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this digital copy.
I adored Winnie! I came in not having read the first book in the series, but that didn't impact my enjoyment of this second book at all. There was enough backstory to bring the reader up to speed, and then the story jumped right into the main plot. Very engaging and hilarious, I think this will be a big hit with middle graders who love fantasy.
I loved the world building (I'm sure there is much more in the book 1). Winnie is a shaman and she with her classmate David and new girl Kelly must guard their town against evil spirits, some which are getting stronger with Halloween nearing. The spirit council gives them the task of taking down a level 3 spirit (which is kind strong) and Winnie must train and learn from her grandmother's spirit to be successful.
There is a lot of cool magic and I just loved the uniqueness of this storyline.
Winnie is also a pretty hilarious kid. A fun thing about her is that she loves to bake, and she gets her power from special recipes in a magic cookbook. It was mooncakes in the last book, in this one, it's almond cookies. I definitely wanted to eat some almond cookies and egg tarts after reading this book, so I was happy to find the recipes in the back! I'll be baking this weekend!
Fun book and I'm excited to read what's next in this series and see Winnie learn more about being a shaman and continue to grow her skills.
I adored Winnie! I came in not having read the first book in the series, but that didn't impact my enjoyment of this second book at all. There was enough backstory to bring the reader up to speed, and then the story jumped right into the main plot. Very engaging and hilarious, I think this will be a big hit with middle graders who love fantasy.
I loved the world building (I'm sure there is much more in the book 1). Winnie is a shaman and she with her classmate David and new girl Kelly must guard their town against evil spirits, some which are getting stronger with Halloween nearing. The spirit council gives them the task of taking down a level 3 spirit (which is kind strong) and Winnie must train and learn from her grandmother's spirit to be successful.
There is a lot of cool magic and I just loved the uniqueness of this storyline.
Winnie is also a pretty hilarious kid. A fun thing about her is that she loves to bake, and she gets her power from special recipes in a magic cookbook. It was mooncakes in the last book, in this one, it's almond cookies. I definitely wanted to eat some almond cookies and egg tarts after reading this book, so I was happy to find the recipes in the back! I'll be baking this weekend!
Fun book and I'm excited to read what's next in this series and see Winnie learn more about being a shaman and continue to grow her skills.
April 13, 2023
Just as much fun as its predecessor, Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend, this follow-up highlights the sixth graders efforts to hone and master her abilities as a shaman. Together with her frenemy David Zuo, another shaman, Winnie is highly motivated to move up a level and to feel as though she can rely on her powers to keep the town of Groton, Michigan, safe. But when a warning comes that spirit activity in the area is increasing as Halloween approaches, Winnie and David fail to recognize the signs that something is seriously wrong. A more experienced shaman joins them, but Kelly is hard to get along with, especially since she is so confident and conceited. The big revelation about the spirits is a bit disappointing since there were plenty of clues about what was offered early on, and given that David and Winnie are sharp cookies, readers should have expected them to catch on. The character development and humorous elements in this series are impressive, leaving most readers eagerly anticipating the next story in the series. After all, where else is it possible to read about a young girl fending off evil spirits by pelting them with almond cookies? Plus, the book's title incorporating that great verb "vanquishes" is just so enticing.
May 13, 2023
I loved book one in this series and was really excited to read more of Winnie’s adventures. This one picks up not long after the events of the first book and it looks like there won’t be any breaks for Winnie and David and the town of Groton from spirits trying to wreak havoc. Winnie and David might be in over their heads though as rookie agents up against a mysterious spirit that no one can sense or has much info on. The Shaman Taskforce decides to bring in some backup from the big city to help them contain this new class three spirit especially as Halloween approaches when the spirits will be even stronger. Winnie and David will have to work together and with this newcomer in order to take on the big bad and that seems like it is easier said than done.
I love Winnie’s quick wit and humour in these books and found myself laughing while reading which always an extra star for rating for me. I enjoyed the lead up and wondering who it could be that was lurking in the shadows and when it’s revealed, definitely great! The battle was great but what was revealed was even more awesome. Looks like the shamans are going to be facing something bigger and badder in the future and I can’t wait to find out what.
I also have to say the cover art and design of the book is amazing as well!
I love Winnie’s quick wit and humour in these books and found myself laughing while reading which always an extra star for rating for me. I enjoyed the lead up and wondering who it could be that was lurking in the shadows and when it’s revealed, definitely great! The battle was great but what was revealed was even more awesome. Looks like the shamans are going to be facing something bigger and badder in the future and I can’t wait to find out what.
I also have to say the cover art and design of the book is amazing as well!
March 21, 2024
This was a fun sequel!
Winnie and David are welcomed into the Shaman Task Force and are given the task of catching I think 50 Class 1 demons or 1 Class 3 demon to rank up to a level 1 Shaman. Since Halloween, the day where there is the most demon activity, is approaching Winnie and David are expecting demons galore, but there are very few. Enter Kelly, already a level 1 Shaman. She's arrogant and cocky and doesn't need Winnie or David's help protecting Groton.
Winnie and David have such a fun friendship. They know they need each other as Shamans, but they also tease each other and compete against each other. Winnie also has the best relationship with her grandmother overspirit Lao Lao.
It's kind of hard to judge the pace of the plot because I read it before bed to the child and we only have her half the time so it took a long time to read. I always found myself excited to read it to her though and there was a lot of action.
I'm ready to see what happens next to Winnie and David!
Winnie and David are welcomed into the Shaman Task Force and are given the task of catching I think 50 Class 1 demons or 1 Class 3 demon to rank up to a level 1 Shaman. Since Halloween, the day where there is the most demon activity, is approaching Winnie and David are expecting demons galore, but there are very few. Enter Kelly, already a level 1 Shaman. She's arrogant and cocky and doesn't need Winnie or David's help protecting Groton.
Winnie and David have such a fun friendship. They know they need each other as Shamans, but they also tease each other and compete against each other. Winnie also has the best relationship with her grandmother overspirit Lao Lao.
It's kind of hard to judge the pace of the plot because I read it before bed to the child and we only have her half the time so it took a long time to read. I always found myself excited to read it to her though and there was a lot of action.
I'm ready to see what happens next to Winnie and David!
December 11, 2022
Winnie returns to try to save the day, as a shaman in training. This is the second book of the series, and this time she faces David, who she has to work with, but also Kelly, who is a stuck up, know-it-all shaman first class from Chicago, who feels that she can protect the whole town without any help from the likes of David or Winnie.
And, as with the first book, of course there are treats to be made and eaten, along with the recipes to boot. This time is it almond cookies and egg tarts.
The tricky bit in this book is that the evil spirits are taking on forms of everyday people, such as the mayor and his wife, so it is hard to figure out who the demons are. Winnie tries her best, through it all, although there are times when I wanted to shout at her for not recognizing a demon.
Still and all, a fun second book in the series, and here is hoping there are more to come.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review
And, as with the first book, of course there are treats to be made and eaten, along with the recipes to boot. This time is it almond cookies and egg tarts.
The tricky bit in this book is that the evil spirits are taking on forms of everyday people, such as the mayor and his wife, so it is hard to figure out who the demons are. Winnie tries her best, through it all, although there are times when I wanted to shout at her for not recognizing a demon.
Still and all, a fun second book in the series, and here is hoping there are more to come.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review
April 25, 2023
Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King was a great second installment in Winnie's adventures!
Full of the same fun and authentic middle school musings as the first book, Zhao builds on Winnie's world to create yet another exciting dive into Chinese mythology. The addition of Kelly to the team was great, and I loved seeing how Winnie and David reacted to someone being even better than they were.
The Big Bad of the book made for a unique story, not knowing who it real and who's a spirit. It definitely kept me interested and reading until the very end to see what was going to happen next.
And of course, there are more recipes at the end, as made by Winnie in the book! I absolutely love that addition.
I highly recommend the second book in Winnie's adventures for anyone looking for a fun middle grade read with plenty of heart and butt-kicking for all!
Full of the same fun and authentic middle school musings as the first book, Zhao builds on Winnie's world to create yet another exciting dive into Chinese mythology. The addition of Kelly to the team was great, and I loved seeing how Winnie and David reacted to someone being even better than they were.
The Big Bad of the book made for a unique story, not knowing who it real and who's a spirit. It definitely kept me interested and reading until the very end to see what was going to happen next.
And of course, there are more recipes at the end, as made by Winnie in the book! I absolutely love that addition.
I highly recommend the second book in Winnie's adventures for anyone looking for a fun middle grade read with plenty of heart and butt-kicking for all!
July 9, 2023
* Thank you NetGalley and Random House Books for a DRC. All opinions are my own.
Having read and enjoyed the first Winnie Zeng book, I was happy to see the sequel online. You really need to read book 1 to understand and appreciate this.
Winnie & David are still fledgling shamans trying to help save their corner of the world from evil spirits. But in this volume, they are sent a new girl to help them as Halloween approaches and demons get super active. Winnie and David were already competitive, so it doesn't help that the new girl breezes into town acting like a complete know-it-all. In book 1 they learned how to work with each other. In book 2, they learn what it is to be a team and get some insight in what it is like to be the new kid.
A good read, but not nearly as good as book #1. Still, an interesting addition to MG with Chinese mythology.
Having read and enjoyed the first Winnie Zeng book, I was happy to see the sequel online. You really need to read book 1 to understand and appreciate this.
Winnie & David are still fledgling shamans trying to help save their corner of the world from evil spirits. But in this volume, they are sent a new girl to help them as Halloween approaches and demons get super active. Winnie and David were already competitive, so it doesn't help that the new girl breezes into town acting like a complete know-it-all. In book 1 they learned how to work with each other. In book 2, they learn what it is to be a team and get some insight in what it is like to be the new kid.
A good read, but not nearly as good as book #1. Still, an interesting addition to MG with Chinese mythology.
March 23, 2023
I loved the first book in the series and was so excited to read the second one. This book contains a lot of the same as the first, Winnie and David are fighting against evil spirits and learning how to grow their powers as shamans-in-training. Alongside this, there are the typical middle school issues of grades, Winnie's relationship with her older sister Lisa, and fitting in. In both books I have loved the element of baking. In this book, I really appreciated Winnie's character growth and willingness to believe in herself and her abilities as a shaman. Overall, I loved this book! Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing me with a digital advanced copy! I hope there is a third book in the series!
March 31, 2023
I think this series is a bit too young for me. It's great for older elementary or younger middle school kids though.
Winnie annoys me, especially with how often she screams, like when a phone vibrates on a table.
Winnie and David know that spirits are taking on the form of people they know and they need to be on the lookout for people acting weird. Whenever they encounter somebody being weird, they just think "how odd" instead of "that's probably the spirit we're supposed to be looking out for." I know they're only 11, but it felt insulting to 11-year-olds.
I felt like the "work together" message was very heavy-handed.
I'm undecided if I'll read the next one, but I'm leaning towards no.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.
Winnie annoys me, especially with how often she screams, like when a phone vibrates on a table.
Winnie and David know that spirits are taking on the form of people they know and they need to be on the lookout for people acting weird. Whenever they encounter somebody being weird, they just think "how odd" instead of "that's probably the spirit we're supposed to be looking out for." I know they're only 11, but it felt insulting to 11-year-olds.
I felt like the "work together" message was very heavy-handed.
I'm undecided if I'll read the next one, but I'm leaning towards no.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.
January 8, 2023
I still love Winnie. She is such an authentic middle school student - even if she is also a shaman in training with the spirit of her dead grandmother teaching her to use her powers. I did think she was a bit slow on the uptake in this second in the series. Based on what happened in the first book, it seemed very obvious when someone close to her had been taken over by an evil spirit. In general, I didn't find this book quite as fresh and engaging as the first, but I still enjoyed Winnie, her friends and family, and I will definitely continue to read the series.
Review based on an eARC received through NetGalley.
Review based on an eARC received through NetGalley.
June 12, 2023
Winnie and David are back and have earned their Rookie badges. Unfortunately, they have to confront a class three spirit who is determined to take over their town. To add support, a Level One Shaman is sent to handle the issues as Halloween approaches. Each of the three has weaknesses but each refuses to admit them or work together. Readers see how hard it is to be successful on your own. It's only after they are captured and must work together to reclaim their town, that they figure out how to use their powers in connection with each other. The Spirit offers hints of the adventures to come before being returned to his home.
August 14, 2023
These books are like Percy Jackson if the Percy Jackson books were actually any good and based on Chinese mythology. Winnie is a compelling character whom I'm sure many children will see themselves in.
My only complaint is that Winnie seems absolutely incapable of getting along with the other girls in her life, which is a trope that I absolutely loathe, but that seems ever-present in middle-grade books. I knew from the moment Kelly was introduced that she and Winnie would butt heads, because girls cannot be friends, am I right???
Complaints aside, this was almost perfect and I will definitely be reading any future books in the series.
My only complaint is that Winnie seems absolutely incapable of getting along with the other girls in her life, which is a trope that I absolutely loathe, but that seems ever-present in middle-grade books. I knew from the moment Kelly was introduced that she and Winnie would butt heads, because girls cannot be friends, am I right???
Complaints aside, this was almost perfect and I will definitely be reading any future books in the series.
May 29, 2023
If the first book felt a bit formulaic, specific to this genre, this one felt even more so. This one did not have the character growth of the first book. Additionally, all of the adult characters, including Winnie's grandmother, a fully grown woman who apparently was an incredible shaman while alive, act incredibly childish which can provide some humor but ultimately felt grating to me. This entry in the series felt even more average than the first but the target audience may still really enjoy it.
October 17, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for this DRC.
Winnie Zeng and David Zuo are great guardians of our world! They are rival shamans but now it’s Halloween and the adults don’t think they can handle. They send in the absolute worst person, Kelly, a super snooty shaman, which of course, causes them to band together! Plenty of fun and fighting evil in this book.
#WinnieZengVanquishesaKing #NetGalley
Winnie Zeng and David Zuo are great guardians of our world! They are rival shamans but now it’s Halloween and the adults don’t think they can handle. They send in the absolute worst person, Kelly, a super snooty shaman, which of course, causes them to band together! Plenty of fun and fighting evil in this book.
#WinnieZengVanquishesaKing #NetGalley
April 29, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the ARC of this!
I loved the first one and I was so stoked to read more about Winnie! This was a solid sequel, it had a lot of the fun of the first book, and Winnie is so relatable. Overall, I really enjoyed it and am excited to continue the series.
I loved the first one and I was so stoked to read more about Winnie! This was a solid sequel, it had a lot of the fun of the first book, and Winnie is so relatable. Overall, I really enjoyed it and am excited to continue the series.
January 28, 2023
- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc!
- this was a solid second edition to Zhao’s story! the writing was nice and the characters felt realistic and true to their age, growing and learning as they go on their adventures. a solid three stars!
- this was a solid second edition to Zhao’s story! the writing was nice and the characters felt realistic and true to their age, growing and learning as they go on their adventures. a solid three stars!
April 18, 2024
Thank you to Random House Kids for this free middle grade book. These opinions are my own.
Winnie's adventures continue in this second book that starts right where the first one concludes. Now Winnie and her rival, David, have agreed they must sometimes work together in their new shaman duties. But a new shaman is sent to town to assist, and she doesn't share their team spirit.
This book continues with the combination of supernatural powers, excellent Chinese stories, and the difficulties in navigating the transition to middle school. I'm enjoying and learning from these stories.
Winnie's adventures continue in this second book that starts right where the first one concludes. Now Winnie and her rival, David, have agreed they must sometimes work together in their new shaman duties. But a new shaman is sent to town to assist, and she doesn't share their team spirit.
This book continues with the combination of supernatural powers, excellent Chinese stories, and the difficulties in navigating the transition to middle school. I'm enjoying and learning from these stories.
February 21, 2024
A great sequel to Winnie zeng unleashes a legend!!!
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