Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor follows a 12-year-old Chinese American boy who becomes host to the spirit of China's first emperor through his AR gaming headset. When his mother's soul is stolen by demons, Zack must embark on a quest across China to save both her and the world from ancient spirits. The story combines Chinese history and mythology with modern gaming technology, featuring augmented reality battles and historical figures from China's past. Through his journey, Zack learns about his heritage as a Hui Muslim Chinese American while navigating contemporary China and facing supernatural challenges. This middle-grade fantasy blends action and adventure with themes of identity, cultural heritage, and belonging. The novel explores the complexities of being caught between multiple cultures while examining how the past connects to the present.

Readers note the book's fast pace and deep integration of Chinese history and mythology. Many appreciate the extensive author's notes explaining historical references and the fresh take on the "chosen one" trope through a Chinese-American lens. Likes: - Educational value while remaining entertaining - AR gaming elements appeal to middle-grade readers - Representation of Muslim and Chinese characters - Humor and pop culture references - Clear explanations of Chinese names and terms Dislikes: - Some find the pacing too rushed - Video game references can feel forced - Character development takes a backseat to action - Several readers mention confusion keeping track of historical figures Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (250+ ratings) Kirkus Reviews: Starred Review "Perfect blend of history lessons and adventure" - Common Sense Media review "Sometimes overwhelming with historical information" - Goodreads reviewer "Would have benefited from slower moments between action scenes" - School Library Journal review

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee A Korean-mythology-inspired space opera follows a fox spirit who must find a magical artifact while navigating complex family obligations and questions of identity.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan A young demigod discovers his connection to Greek mythology and embarks on a quest that blends ancient legends with modern-day America.

The Storm Runner by Jennifer Cervantes A boy with a leg disability learns he has a connection to Maya gods and must prevent the destruction of our world while coming to terms with his heritage.

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse A Navajo girl undertakes a hero's journey through the American Southwest to save her brother using Indigenous mythology and ancestral powers.

City of Fire by Laurence Yep A twelve-year-old girl in 1941 San Francisco discovers her connection to Chinese mythology and must protect both the human and spirit worlds from ancient threats.

🔸 The First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, featured in the book, unified China in 221 BCE and ordered the construction of the Great Wall of China and the famous Terracotta Army. 🔸 Author Xiran Jay Zhao is also known for creating viral social media content about Chinese history and culture, with over 500,000 followers on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. 🔸 The Hui people, like protagonist Zachary, are one of China's largest ethnic minorities and have practiced Islam since the 7th century. 🔸 Augmented Reality (AR) gaming, a key element in the story, is rapidly growing in China, with the market expected to reach $15.6 billion by 2024. 🔸 The book draws inspiration from both ancient Chinese texts like "Records of the Grand Historian" and modern pop culture phenomena like Yu-Gi-Oh, which itself is based on ancient Egyptian mythology.