4/5 ⭐️ I thought this book was an interesting journey following Jun who was not breathmarked but learned martial arts and is put to become a soldier nevertheless! It may seem like Jun is the weakest next to his twin (who is breathmarked) but Jun is determined to make his own path with determination and strength amongst his peers; as well as his twin and mother! The world building wasn’t the forefront of the story because the focus was on Jun but I wish there was! Overall, it was great journey of a read to be on and I’m pretty sure there’s another book coming 😏

I struggled to get into this book. It has been a very long time since I read a young adult novel, and I think that was my main hiccup. It felt very childish, which makes sense due to the main character being 16. I just couldn't get my mind to catch up to his actual age. The premise was strong, but the follow-through felt empty. I probably won't be reading the ending of this duology.

This read was okay for me. It wasn’t bad don’t get me wrong but I wasn’t wowed. I think that was more of a me problem though not a book problem!

an entertaining and fast-moving story full of martial arts and politics. i liked the magic system in this and that the main character wasn’t actually breathmarked - made things more interesting when he had to fight others with different advantages. i also enjoyed the fight scenes, and particularly that last like 20/25% the stakes were HIGH and i was hooked!

having said all that the reason for the mid-rating is that this just wasn’t a fave for me. quite often when i picked it up, i did so in order to get to the end - not because i was really wanting to read it (if that makes sense). whenever i picked it up i did enjoy myself, but between reading i sometimes struggled with the motivation for picking up breathmarked.

nonetheless i am intrigued with how this needed and would like to pick up the sequel in the future :))

Breath of the Dragon was a love letter to martial arts. The novel is filled with beautiful and artful descriptions of fighting as our main character Jun embarks on his goal to become the Guardian of the scroll of Heaven for the West. From the East, Jun and his father were separated from his mother and twin brother at an early age because he trained in martial arts. Jun and his father struggle to thrive in the West. Jun hopes that earning glory for the very thing that ripped his family apart, he may once more bring them all together.

The tournament to become the Guardian has become corrupted though, when a power hungry general changes the rules, with the hopes of gaining more political power. War is coming as tensions between the East and West rise. Jun must decide if his life's work is more important than doing what is right.

I think this book was not quite for me. While I loved the themes of rebellion and self growth/discovery, too much of the time felt dedicated to martial arts, rather than the overall plot. The second half of the story was much more engaging as political tensions rose and Jun found himself faced with incredibly hard decisions. I think the magic system was excellent and the idea that while it is powerful to be Breathmarked, anyone has the power to change their fate/destiny. The secret society also kept me hooked and as that grew as a plot point, so did my interest.

Overall, still worth the read and I look forward to the next book which I see as being less focused on a martial arts tournament and more about the larger political issues of the East and West. 3.5/5 stars

Bringing us back to the Karate Kid days, I had fun reading this adventure tale and while I was a bit skeptical at the beginning, I found myself absorbed by the tale so now I need to see what other work these authors have :)

Breath of the Dragon follows our main character Jun who has a dream of winning the Guardian tournament. In order to accomplish this task, Jun takes it upon himself to journey to nee territory for this to happen. Only Jun is taken for a whirlwind of things he didn’t expect.

From the start, this book was very compelling. The writing and plot brought you right into the story, along with being able to tell how each character is from the start. Jun is a very stubborn and head strong character, we see this even as he was a child to growing up as a young adult.

I enjoyed the political elements of the story as well, learning about the tension between the East and the West and how this also shaped our cast of characters. Ren is a supporting character I enjoyed, I can’t wait to see what more there is to her.

I feel like at some point, there was a bit much occurring with poor Jun. He couldn’t catch a break, poor guy. Aside from this, I felt the story was paced very well and kept me intrigued which I liked. The writing style was also easy to follow while keeping it at a mature enough rate for audiences to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley, Shannon and Fonda Lee and Wednesday Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review. 4.75/5

I tried multiple times to read this book. For the life of me, I just couldn't get into it. Might be a mood read for me in the future. I adore Fonda Lee's work as I read the Green Bone Saga, which was so addicting.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

This fantasy story deserves a solid 4.5 stars! Jun has been separated from his mother and twin for a decade, the land divided by the oppressive Snake Wall. Eager to become the next Guardian of the Earth Scroll, Jun enters a dangerous competition that occurs every six years, and his journey through elimination trials is packed with action, friendships, and even a hint of romance.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its rich world-building. The authors paint a vivid picture of Longhan and the divides created by the Snake Wall, which serves not only as a physical barrier but also symbolizes the emotional and political tensions in the story. The lore surrounding the Guardian role and the accompanying martial arts traditions are deeply rooted in the world’s history, making the stakes feel high and the characters’ motivations more impactful. The authors incorporate elements of philosophy, cultural references, and political intrigue, creating a backdrop that feels both expansive and intricate.

In terms of character development, Jun is a refreshing male protagonist who is both flawed and relatable, grappling with guilt and the burden of expectations. His journey from a somewhat arrogant dreamer to a more self-aware individual is compelling. The supporting characters play a crucial role in this development as they evolve from mere competitors to meaningful connections. Each character brings their own backstory and challenges, adding depth to the narrative.

The villains are particularly well-crafted, with motivations that are understandable yet distinct from sympathetic tropes, providing a nice contrast to Jun’s growth. While the romance is minimal, the friendships and rivalries Jun forges during the tournament are significant, pushing him to confront his own flaws and adapt to challenges. The urgency of the competitive environment enriches these relationships, making them integral to the overall plot.

Overall, "Breath of the Dragon" provides a refreshing perspective on the YA fantasy genre, featuring excellent writing, themes of found family, and an alarmingly unique portrayal of what a male protagonist can actually be amongst what's now considered popular for YA- not a morally gray shadow daddy love interest, but a true hero.

I received an advanced copy of Breath of the Dragon from Netgalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Breath of the Dragon took my expectations and knocked them out of the park. I loved every minute of this book.

Jun's growth was absolute perfection. Initially, I was not his biggest fan, but I could see where the story would take him, and I knew it would be great. His journey from the start of the book to where he ended up was everything I could've ever asked for in terms of character development. It all felt very natural and made the story that much more believable.

The plot was a perfect mix of trials and politics. Nothing ever felt like it was trying to outdo the other for importance because it all blended to make one cohesive plot. I've seen a lot of books that throw random scenes at the reader just for the surprise factor with no real thought behind them, but that didn't happen here. Everything had a purpose and made sense in the grand scheme of things. I'm not saying there weren't surprises because there definitely were, but once I got over the initial shock, there was always a moment of "DUH! Of course that happened! It all makes sense now."

The world-building was exquisite. Truly. No notes. The found family tugged at my heart. The characters weren't a copy/paste of tropes. The magic was fascinating. I could go on and on.

I highly recommend Breath of the Dragon. It was a fantastic YA fantasy that I couldn't put down.

Breath of the Dragon is the 1st-book in the Breathmarked duology, which is a YA-Fantasy story based on the characters and teachings of the iconic-Bruce Lee.

In this story, we're following Jun, a teen boy who is anxious to prove his worth as a warrior by entering the elite, and highly-competitive, Guardian's Tournament. Unfortunately, his path to the competition isn't an easy one. Even though he's eager to prove his skills, it seems everything is pitted against him competing, including his own father.

Determined to at least have a shot, Jun stows away in a wagon of performers, Chang and his daughter, Ren, headed to the capital city where the tournament will take place. Once the competition begins, Jun realizes that there may be a lot more at stake than just his own legacy.

This was such a great story, full of adventure and heart. It's truly well-written and I had no trouble getting swept up into the action. I am not sure how memorable the fine details will be for me long-term, but I did really enjoy my time with it. I highly recommend the audio as well. The narration brought the story to life, particularly in the fast-paced fight scenes.

I'm excited to see where the next book takes us. Without giving anything away, I'm expecting a huge reunion for our MC, Jun, which hopefully will provide him with a larger support system than he currently has. I'm so anxious to see how that goes and how this will ultimately conclude. As good as this was, I'm actually a little sad that it's only slated to be a duology. Regardless, I'm going to scoop it up so fast once it's released.

I was impressed with how quickly I was captivated by this. The initial set-up was so well executed. I loved going on this journey with Jun. I would recommend it to any Reader who enjoys action-packed YA-Fantasy stories. Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I cannot wait for the 2nd-book!

I loved knowing that Shannon Lee was involved in writing this book and it was fun to see references to Bruce Lee’s style. Li Jun was an interesting main character - he started out as a selfish, short-sighted teenager who was a little difficult to root for. I enjoyed seeing him evolve over the course of the story as his knowledge and worldview expanded. The Guardian competition was a great centerpiece for the story and I’m excited to see where the story goes in book two.

Where to start? This YA fantasy duo is an absolutely fantastic combination. The story itself is incredible, the world building is great and yet not too much, minimal romance (because, it is a YA novel…). If you’re a fan of fantasy books and looking for something new, or to get you out of a reading slump, I would highly recommend picking this up and giving it a go. You will not be disappointed.

This did not disappoint. Strong characters, great fight scenes and that ending!!! I would highly recommend this book

Breath of the Dragon is a gripping YA fantasy that blends martial arts, magic, and a coming-of-age journey, all wrapped in a story inspired by the philosophy of Bruce Lee. Written by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee, this novel delivers intense action, rich worldbuilding, and an emotional depth that makes it stand out in the genre.

The story follows Li Jun, a determined sixteen-year-old who dreams of winning the Guardian’s Tournament to restore his family’s honor. The catch? He’s not breathmarked—meaning he lacks the magical abilities that give others an edge in battle. Defying his father’s wishes, Jun embarks on a journey to prove himself, only to discover that the tournament is just the beginning of a much larger fight.

What I Loved:
The incredible fight sequences. Fonda Lee’s signature skill in writing action shines here. The tournament battles are fast-paced, cinematic, and full of tension, making every fight feel like it could be Jun’s last.
The world building is very engaging. The setting is immersive, blending martial arts traditions with a unique magical system tied to dragon scales and breathmarks. The political intrigue woven into the story adds another layer of complexity.
The themes are compelling. Family, honour, resilience, and the question of what’s truly worth fighting for give the novel emotional weight. Jun’s relationship with his father and twin brother adds depth to his motivations.
The side characters are well-developed. Ren and Chang, the traveling performers who help Jun, add warmth and humor to the story. The rivalries and friendships Jun forms in the tournament keep the stakes high.

What Could Have Been Stronger:
The pacing had some issues in the first half of the book. The story takes a bit of time to fully get going, with early chapters focusing heavily on setup. Once the tournament begins, the pace picks up significantly.
Some of the twists were a bit predictable. While the plot is engaging, a few twists felt a little expected, particularly for seasoned fantasy readers. However, the strong character dynamics make up for it.

Final Thoughts:
Breath of the Dragon is a thrilling and heartfelt fantasy novel that delivers both action and depth. Fans of martial arts stories, competition-based plots, and morally complex protagonists will find plenty to love here. While the setup takes time, the payoff is worth it, and the emotional stakes keep the journey compelling. I can’t wait to see how the story continues in the sequel!

Verdict: A must-read for fantasy fans who love action-packed storytelling with heart.

A quick-paced and engaging book that deftly blends a coming-of-age story with a magical martial arts tournament, all set against the backdrop of political machinations and growing unrest. It's easy to see the fingerprints of classic wuxia films in this story, from the headstrong young protagonist to the wise old mentor, but the voice is fresh and the fantastical and political elements bear Fonda Lee's unmistakable ingenuity. Any fan of kung fu movies or the Green Bone Saga will enjoy this book immensely.

Martial arts + Dragons = I’m in!

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee is the first book in the Breathmarked Duology and is so freaking good! I couldn’t put this book down.

I love that this is rooted in Bruce Lee! It’s his ideas, teachings, and styles all formatted into this amazing story. There’s so many aspects of this that stand out to me and really drive the story home. A divided country where one side thinks fighting is bad and the other thrives in it.

Another thing I enjoyed was that it was intense from the start and came off like an old school martial arts movie. This can easily be adapted to a feature film and I hope to see it on screen one day soon. There’s also a great tone from the start and the build up of the twins, their dynamic and drastic differences, plus the splitting of the family takes everything to a whole other level again!

It brought back my childhood, watching older martial arts movies and that journey of self discovery as well as proving yourself to others. This will easily be in my top five for the year.

If you love the essence of Bruce Lee, martial arts, action, coming of age, fantasy, dragons, deep inner work, and familial themes then this is for you! I highly recommend this to everyone. It’d be a good book for middle and high school as well as adults. Enjoy the ride!

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Breath of the Dragon from Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee via NetGalley

I think this one was just fine for me mostly just because of the writing style. It’s more of a detached kind of style that had a very slow pace. It’s not necessarily what I like, but I do appreciate how good the story is and how well the author explained the motivations of the characters. I think this had a ton of potential and I know a lot of people are going to love this, but it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I fear Fonda Lee can do no wrong. Partnering with Shannon Lee we get an incredible book. I could not put this one down. While it took me a second to fully get invested, once I was I was sucked it and never wanted it to end. It may be the year of the snake, but I think Lee squared said, nah, it's the year of the dragon. If you're looking to get immersed in a new fantasy, I'd highly recommend this one!

I actually delayed reading this because I wasn't sure how I'd feel reading a non-Greenbone book by Fonda Lee. I'm so glad I came back to it!

The writing has a lot of similarities, but is its own story with high stakes, political intrigue, and intensity.

This was a really compelling read, and I devoured it.