Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor (Zachary Ying)

by Xiran Jay Zhao

• ISBN10: 1665900709
• ISBN13: 9781665900706
• Publish Date: 10 May 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[lessthelonely]

4.75/5 stars.

Xiran Jay Zhao never dissappoints, as expected.

I wasn't expecting to like this book THIS much, even if I suspected I would at least be obsessed with it while reading, but Xiran Jay Zhao has already proven themselves as one of my favorite writers. Entertaining plot shenanigans, relatable characters, jaw-dropping twists even when you're expecting them and pop culture? What else could I have asked for?

I believe this is my first ever middle-grade book, but I was eating this shit up. I was invested in my boy Zachary even if no one else was. And being gay myself, getting to pick up all these very clear hints at his sexuality only made me even more obsessed. To that point where you're giggling like a kid as you read.

Why am I not giving it the full 5 stars, you may ask? Because I wished these hints turned into a romantic arc and because it's a crime that this book was released without an instant sequel. Yes, I am flabbergasted at the ending, and I know the sequel must be coming, but HOLY SHIT I am DYING here!

I hope this book also gets picked up in Portugal, like Iron Widow did, because I will, no joke, purchase it again.

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is a cool action fantasy for middle grade readers by Xiran Jay Zhao. Released 10th May 2022 by Simon & Schuster on their children's imprint, Margaret K. McElderry Books, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the e-book format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of e-books with interactive formats lately.

This is such a fun adventure. There will be inevitable comparisons with Percy Jackson, Pokemon Go, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, but while the similarities are there, it manages to be its own authentic self without being derivative in the slightest. It's very well written and entertaining and full of the sort of mythology and Chinese history which would have thrilled my 12 year old self and likely kept me up late reading under the covers with a flashlight.

There are deeper, important messages to be found in the action as well: about fitting in and the dichotomy of being a 1st generation American kid in an area that isn't especially diverse. As an adult reading the book, I got a pang for young Zachary, whose mom doesn't want him to learn Mandarin as a 1st language since she didn't want him to have an accent when speaking English, and his guilt at trying to sneakily compost the packed school lunches she sends with him to school every day since they're not "American" food.

There is quite a lot of Chinese history and folklore I really enjoyed reading about, and I spent some hours afterwards reference hunting online - the author has done a great deal of research. I also liked her exploration of modern day Chinese politics and diversity (all written in age-appropriate terminology and quite understandably).

Five stars. Genuinely entertaining. Honestly funny in a lot of places. It would make an excellent choice for public and school library acquisition, and a good choice for bookish middle grade readers. I'm really looking forward to finding out what comes next!

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.