A definite hit with middle graders who love the Olympians, DogMan, Babysitters Club, and a twisty story.

Rating: 4
Genre: Fantasy
Thank you Rick Riordan Presents for providing an e-copy through NetGalley

Summary:
We pick up right where we left Winston in the first book: He defeated Mr. Pang - a magpie-turned-human, rescuing his sister and saving the moon’s qi in the process. But now Winston and the gang must deal with Mr. Gu. Sure, he helped to defeat his brother Mr. Pang, but Winston notices odd things about him. Mr. Gu is running for the San Francisco mayor, using magic to boost his campaign, knock out his competitors, and…something more sinister. A weird fog seems to follow him around, exotic birds that shouldn’t be there are gathering all over the city in alarming amounts, and extreme amnesia is affecting several adults - they don’t remember who they are, but are overly enthusiastic about Mr. Gu as mayor. The magpie-turned-human’s intentions are obvious, but what exactly he wants is something Winston and friends must uncover quickly, before all of San Francisco is turned upside-down. To stop this, the gang must use their wits, their qi devices, each other, and…even Mr. Pang.

What I Liked:
Winston Chu vs. The Wingmeisters is the fun and fast-paced conclusion to the series, full of crazy hijinks, feathery friends and foes, and pies. Lots of pies. This mythology story is focused more on comedy than adventure, a nice break in the Rick Riordan series. The Chinese mythology surrounding magpies and their backstory is always a treat to read, as it is not discussed often in the media. Winston’s intelligence, observation skills, and courage are constantly highlighted as he has to solve tricky (and wacky) situations with the help of his friends. Each member of the team has their own unique personalities, supporting Winston in different ways, and each gets their own time in the spotlight, handling their own problems with magic, communication, and emotion. Mr. Pang and Mr. Gu are fun villains as well, both silly and serious throughout. Overall, a great second book of the duology that nicely ties up any loose ends, gives each character time to shine, and showcases an important aspect of Chinese mythology.

What I Didn’t Like: Nothing

Recommend to: Kids who like mythology stories and Chinese storytelling. Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao, Where the Mountain meets the Moon by Grace Lin, The Scroll of Chaos by Elsie Chapman and Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo.

Review Date: February 13, 2024

Winston Chu, avid soccer player, skateboarder, and intrepid resident of San Francisco, also knows how to use magical objects. In this sequel to Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies, Winston and his soccer-playing friends uncover a sinister plot to sway the outcome of the upcoming mayoral election. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, will the gang be able to rescue humanity once again? Although the details and plot are a bit confusing at times, this is a fun, fantasy-filled adventure perfect for middle grade readers. Kudos to Disney and Ms. Lee for offering an entertaining read filled with diverse characters that is not racially divisive. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. I will definitely be purchasing this for the five libraries I supervise.

This book picks up immediately where the first book left off, which is good because we were left completely hanging. Winston and his friends worked together with the help of Mr. Gu to defeat his brother Mr. Pang and save his sister and world from Pang's schemes to siphon power from the moon. But not all is completely as it seems, as Winston knows, and he starts to become suspicious when his observant mind starts to notice things that don't quite add up. I liked that each of his friends had their own challenges to face, and that his uneasy understanding with his older sister continues to move its way towards what it once was. He also has a crush on one of his friends (who is absent for most of the story), but I like how that part of the story eventually develops, although his jealousy over a so-called rival really made me laugh--ah, to be a young 12-year old boy! I think kids reading this series would find characters here they can relate with, whether it is Winston or any of the other kids.

What I really loved about this series was that I knew nothing about Magpie mythology in Chinese folklore, if there even is one. If not, then the author did a great job of creating one out of her imagination. Without heading into spoiler territory, I enjoyed the stories about how the Magpies ended up on Earth from heaven, and the motivation behind the different Magpies. I teared up a few times at the end, and loved how she concluded all the different threads.

Overall, this was a fun series and I think children would find the imaginative world of Winston Chu to be fun and dare I say, whimsical.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and the Publishers, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This action packed ending will have young readers on the edge of their seat the whole time. This book has been popular since it's addition to the catalogue. Great for fans of "American Born Chinese".

Thank you to #NetGalley, Stacey Lee, and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Another amazing Rick Riordan book and Winston Chu adventure.

Winston has already saved his sister and rescued the moon's qui, but now he's going to have to go up against town person Mr. Gu. Mr. Gu is running for mayor and is the favorite of everyone, but he is definitely hiding something. Winston has noticed that every time Mr. Gu goes to this particular island, a fog always follows him. It's not just the fog that is worrying Winston but also masses of exotic birds staying in every corner of the city. Will Winston be able to be able to save the city and figure out what Mr. Gu is doing?

A great middle grade read! It was full of adventure and a great story of friendship too!

Another fantastic adventure with Winston and his friends trying to stop the dastardly magpies from ruining San Francisco. Only this time Mr. Pang is not the one they are trying to stop. Based off Chinese mythology, this story is whimsical, and so much fun. I mean where do I get the recipe for the pies that will freeze someone in their tracks when thrown? Sign me up! I love Winston and his friends - such a great and supportive group and maybe a little romance as well. Highly recommended.

sequel yessss i love rick riordan presents and this was a great follow up to the first of this series! i loved the vibes and incorporation of chinese mythology

Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters is the sequel to Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies, and this second volume picks up where the first one leaves off. Winston and his friends are once again facing Mr. Pang and Mr. Gu, who are the personifications of magpies - magic wielders with two forms, one human and one bird, known in Chinese mythology. This time, Mr. Gu is campaigning to become mayor of San Francisco, and he's using magic to bolster his campaign. Only Winston and his friends know what's happening, and only they have access to the qi devices that will let them stop Mr. Gu from succeeding.

As in the first volume, pies play a significant part in this story, as both weapons and cures. Magic abounds, both in the form of whimsies and in other devices. This is a fun and fast-paced book that will appeal to readers of all ages who enjoy fantasy and mythology with a comedic twist. This is an enjoyable and appropriate entry to the Rick Riordan Presents universe.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney for this DRC.
Winston Chu needs to save his city from the birds. Two sets of magic magpies are wreaking havoc in San Francisco, and it’s more than just the magpies you need to look out for.
Another fun Adventure for Winston and his friends and family. I loved that each character had their own emotional/magical fight. Each had a chance to shine in their own amazing ways. Winston Chu is a winner!
#RickRiordanPersentsWinsonChuvstheWingmeisters #NetGalley

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. Winston and his friends are back at it with the magpies.
They meet new ones along with some familiar faces. Winston and his friends learn they can count on each other even in tough situations.

The second in the Winston Chu series (& possibly the last?). Familiarity with the first book is necessary to comprehend the seconds. The book has the same chaotic energy as the first with the same strange affection for made up words and a sort of squeaky clean pre-teen vibe. Peril is limited and the plot is obvious but fast moving.