Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This was my first Shannon Lee, Fonda Lee book and I liked it. In this book you will meet Jun, who is a twin, but his brother was picked to become a guardian, and he wasn’t all because he was dragon touched, and Jun wasn’t. Jun and his father moved from East to the West because he was practicing martial arts. Years later, when he is 16 Jun decides to go to the tournament for the elite guardians, he jumps in someone’s wagon headed to the West and that is where Jun's whole life changes.

I found this book’s world-building to be nothing less phenomenal. I loved the attention to details and how this author brought this fantasy to the world. I felt as though I was there with the characters traveling, learning new ways to fight, understanding the whole more and more. I found the lore of breathmarked and high stakes of the Guardians Tournament to be something new and fresh when it came to fantasy. I found myself so enthralled with the book that I was so sad when it ended. I need the next book soon as possible. I didn’t mind the politics in this book because the way that the author wrote it was just another layer to the book. The fight scenes were epic, and I loved that the author took their time to make sure that we had some great scenes. The characters were likable and well developed, I found myself emotionally invested.

I loved the main character, and I found his growth in this book to have been so great. I won’t lie at first, I didn’t like him, I found his character to have a huge ego, but you will see that he learns and understands and that ego goes away. I liked that he was interested in learning and knowing more about what is going on. I liked that you would see a lot of different paths that Jun can walk but he always finds himself on the right one. I liked Ren and I found her to be a perfect middle for Jun, she has compassion, she is brave, and friendly but also understands about life and the world that they live in. I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring for these characters.

I also received the audio of this book, and I found Eric Yang did a great job with narrating this book. He really brought the book to life and made me feel as though I knew the characters.

I can’t wait to own a copy of this book, if you like fast-paced, martial arts, fighting tournaments, YA book.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the opportunity to review this book.

ARC/ALC review: Jun and his father are exiled from their home when government officials find out that his father has been illegally teaching his sons martial arts. Jun's mother and twin brother are left behind, with his dragon-marked brother going to train in martial arts under the government. 10 years later, Jun is in the East and is dead-set on proving himself as a warrior in the Guardian’s Tournament. His father forbids it, so Jun runs away to compete anyway. Upon arrival, he quickly realizes there's more at stake this year than he could have imagined.

Overall, I think this was a great start to a series. I am not into martial arts but found all of the fight scenes well-written and captivating. The world-building has been done in a way that sets up a lot of questions for future books to answer.

The reason this isn't rated higher is because, despite the technical high stakes of the tournament, that high stakes tension didn't really hit until after the tournament was over. That last 30% or so of the book after the tournament was my favorite by far.

Additionally, the characterization of all the characters felt a bit weak, making plot developments pack less of a punch when I haven't been brought around to feeling for them in the first place.

I'm hoping future installments up the tension and excitement and flesh out the characters more emotionally.

In Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee, from a story inspired by Bruce Lee we have a political fantasy, the first book in a planned duology. In this story, at it's heart is a martial arts tournament. This book is narrated by Eric Yang and it is so well done. I read the e-arc for this book in July of 2024. I absolutely loved it and gave it 5 stars. The audio is also 5 stars. Eric manages the voices of young boys, teenage boys, men and old men as well as girls and women. For the martial arts tournament, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happened. I know what happens! I read the book! But, the narration was so well done that I was nervous with anticipation over the outcome. There is a quest and found family, and a brief amount of romantic yearning. I absolutely love this story and the the audio is perfection. 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for my advance listener copy!

I enjoyed listening to this story. The narrator did an excellent job of changing his voice according to the tone of the scene, and it made everything all that more immersive. I'm not someone who can visualize action and fighting scenes when reading, but the audiobook helped a lot with that. The martial arts descriptions were so fun to listen to and I found myself staring into oblivion "watching" the scenes play out in my head.

I enjoyed the setting, I found it to be really immersive and clear, and the world building was seamlessly integrated into the writing. The world feels like it existed long before the story took place, and it will continue to exist when the series has ended.

The characters were nuanced and realistic, and the plot was logical and unexpected (a Fonda Lee signature). It felt like all the suffering and hardship was necessary, and the cruelty of the world and characters was a result of the environment and world history, not simply a plot device used to further the suffering of the main character to gain sympathy from the reader.

The reason why this rating isn't higher is because I found the writing to be repetitive at times. It felt like I was always hearing phrases like '(blank) reminded Jun he was hungry,' and it got to a point that it was pulling me out of the immersion because I was thinking about how much that'd been said already. I also don't have any particular strong feelings toward the story or characters, which makes it hard for me to rate it over 4 stars. I'm interested in the plot and where the story goes next, however I don't find myself attached to the characters in a way that I hoped to be.

I was provided both and ALC and an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own. I read both the ebook and listened along to the audio. Both were great formats to follow along Jun's journey to restore his family's honor and fight for what is right in the empire.

This follows Jun, an aspiring warrior who has been separated from is mother and twin brother from a young age. Sai is breathmarked, while Jun was not so as any hot-headed 6 year old, he can't understand why his twin is allowed to do things he isn't. Jun and his father are exiled, while Sai is taken to be trained as an Aspect and their mother goes with him. Their separation is extended due to unrest between the East and the West. He hopes to restore honor to his family and reunite with his mother and brother by becoming the next Guardian. His father has forbidden him from participating in the upcoming Guardian Tournament despite the Master of the school he trains at stating he is ready to compete. Martial arts were the reason they were separated from their family in the first place, and his father doesn't want to lose Jun.

I hope we get to learn more about Sai, the twin, in the next book. He is mentioned often, but after the prologue, we never reunite with him. Jun thinks about him often, and uses the thought of reuniting with him and their mother as motivation for many of his actions. I also hope to learn more about the Aspects and the Breathmarked in general. Their abilities and lore is fascinating, but as a personal preference I always want more information about magic and lore.

If you enjoy martial arts especially those of Bruce Lee, and fantasy this is a great book to pick up. It is action packed and has great world building. There is good character development, and our main character has to work hard for his achievements as he isn't the chosen one with special abilities like some of his opponents. There is a good political intrigue plot along side the fight scenes, and I suspect that will be expanded on more in the next book. I'm looking forward to seeing where book 2 takes us and how the plot develops and where Jun's journey goes next.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC and audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review!

Fonda Lee is forever one of my favorite authors and she, along with Shannon Lee, knocked it out of the park with this one. Even though it was YA, the stakes and danger Jun was in was intense. The authors did not hold back.

There were times Jun's passion for martial art was frustrating because it kept getting him into problem but as the story went on and we found out more about Jun and the world, his determination made more sense.

The characters were so alive. Even the minor characters all had memorable moments that made you love them. I loved the court politics and the AMAZING fight scenes. I can't wait for the sequel and to find out more about the world and this magic system.

What to expect:
Tournament Story
No Romance
Martial Arts (alot of it)
Fast Paced
Academic Rivals
Found Family
Fight Scenes
MMC in a YA

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

**"Breath of the Dragon" by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee** is a captivating audiobook that combines martial arts philosophy, immersive world-building, and heartfelt storytelling. With exceptional narration and a story full of action and introspection, it’s an experience that resonates on many levels—especially for those who grew up loving similar themes.

One of the highlights for me was the wave of nostalgia I felt throughout. The story is filled with elements that parallel the mangas and animes I devoured when I was younger: thrilling action, intense training montages, and profound moments of self-discovery. These familiar themes, woven into a fresh and imaginative narrative, made the experience even more enjoyable and personal.

Despite being categorized as a Young Adult book, *Breath of the Dragon* doesn’t feel like a typical YA read. The themes are mature, the stakes feel real, and the characters are written with a depth that transcends the usual tropes of the genre. It’s a story that speaks to a broad audience, appealing just as much to adults as to younger readers.

The narration truly elevates the audiobook, vividly bringing each character to life and enhancing the cinematic quality of the action-packed sequences. The martial arts philosophy is thoughtfully integrated into the narrative, giving the story a grounding in discipline, honor, and personal growth. However, some slower moments in the middle felt a bit drawn out, slightly affecting the pacing.

Overall, *Breath of the Dragon* is an engaging and memorable listen. It’s a perfect blend of thrilling action, meaningful character development, and nostalgic charm, wrapped up in a story that feels fresh and relevant.

**Rating:** ★★★★ (4/5)

If you love stories about perseverance, self-discovery, and rich martial arts-inspired worlds, *Breath of the Dragon* is absolutely worth your time—especially if you, like me, grew up captivated by similar tales in manga and anime.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for an AudioArc of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review!

I enjoyed this found family martial art story. I loved watching the character, Jun, is a likable character and the narrator almost gave Jun an almost realistic voice. The narrator was great at reading this story. It can be a little slow and I preferred reading the book, but the narrator did bring Jun to life!

This book includes:
- advanced and exciting martial arts combat
- brotherhood
- reflections on what it means to be a prodigy
- the importance of family
- propaganda and xenophobia

"Breath of Dragon" follows Jun as he competes in a national martial arts tournament in hope of becoming the "guardian" - a respected religious and governmental position that is granted to the countries strongest (and most cunning) fighter. His journey takes the reader through not only the trails of the tournament, or even through the political unrest, but also through the journey from boy to man. I enjoyed getting to see the way adverse situations force Jun to mature, and it really endeared him to me. I felt that the world was well built and the magic system, while vague, was satisfying.
Additionally, the writing style was both YA accessible and captivating to adult audiences. Something specific that really stood out to me was the author's ability ride the thin line of describing detailed fight scenes without becoming too gory OR too boring.

I recommend this book to fans of:
- Guardians of Dawn
- To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods
- For She is Wrath

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Fonda Lee, Shannon Lee, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted across my socials under the username @tinynightingales, check out my GoodReads profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863
my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/
and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

This book grabbed my full attention from the very beginning and really never lost it!

Breath of the Dragon is a new YA fantasy series by Fonda & Shannon Lee, and while Fonda Lee has been on my radar for ages, this was my first read by her and it won’t be my last. This follows Jun as he competes in a deadly competition to become his country’s Guardian, after being exiled from his original home as a child and forced to leave his mother and twin behind. The magic in this is really seamlessly built in, and I suspect we will see more of it later, but it really mostly read as a martial arts fantasy. Some folks in this tale are born with special abilities, and they are handled differently dependent on where you are in the world; and ultimately are used by both sides of the conflict in different ways. While this mostly focused on the tournament, a much larger issue has been brewing from the beginning and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

This is totally action packed, and the characters have really distinct and lovable voices. There were twists and connections to characters from different timelines in the story that I never saw coming, and and a really wonderful ongoing theme of staying connected to yourself and your center even in times of dire stress.

The audio of this was really wonderful; it kept my attention very fully and somehow was very easy to follow even with the more complicated world building bits.

I will definitely be continuing this series as soon as I get the chance to, and this has moved Jade City to the top of my tbr in the meantime! Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this eArc!

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the ALC of Breath of the Dragon in exchange for my honest review!

What a great YA book! I really loved how well plotted this was, I appreciated the depth that the book was able to convey in what felt like a short story. I thought the trials were well done and the political intrigue had me screeching.

Can’t wait for book 2!

Thank you to St. Martins Press for the ARC!

This book was great, though there were areas I didn't care for. I'll start with the positive:

I loved the diverse cast of characters, the exploration of the magic system, the set up of the politics of the world, the importance of brotherhood and male relationships, and the honesty of the feelings of jealousy, grief, and longing. The first chapter started strong, and at no point did I grow bored and stop wanting to pay attention. The main character is lovable and the plot believable.

What I didn't like:
The general (aka main villain) is pretty lack luster BUT it is only book 1, so perhaps his story becomes more flushed out. Regardless, this feels nitpicky on my part so I only took of .25 stars for it.

Overall, this book is an enjoyable fantasy with the vibes of a Korean drama and the atmosphere of a early 2000 YA fantasy. As someone who loves both, I really enjoyed the combination and can't wait for book 2!

Breath of dragon is my first five star read of 2025 and I truly ca not wait for the second book.

This book had me hooked from the very started and left me with even more questions.

The story’s starts off with two identical twin brothers who are separated at the age of six because one is born with dragon scales. In this world, a few children are blessed with their own unique powers. Some can be have the power to mimic, heal, or even the power to fall asleep fast lol Fast forward to the twins being in their teen years, the one twin that didn’t have powers is determined to make a name for himself and to have his family reunited.
Inspired by Bruce Lee, the story has lots of training, mastering techniques, fighting, and adventure.

I highly recommend this book 💖

Fonda Lee has been on my list of authors to read for years. When the publisher offered me the NetGalley widget for the first book in a new series, I immediately downloaded it.

In this world breathmarked people are born with a patch of dragon scales and possess various special abilities. At a young age, those who are blessed with a breathmark are sent away for special training. Jun's twin is one of the gifted, but when Jun reveals that their father also trained him in martial arts, he and his father are banished from their homeland while his brother and mother are taken to court. Years later, Jun has made it his life's purpose to become the next Guardian and prove himself. Seeing a reverse chosen one trope is a refreshing change. Jun has no special abilities, and it's an angle I really enjoyed.

Deadly competitions are always a draw for me, so I was excited to get to the Guardian's Tournament. Action fans will delight in the intricately choreographed martial arts scenes. I gasped more than once over unexpected outcomes. Before long Jun learns there's more to the tournament than he could ever have imagined and winning isn't all that's at stake.

The found family trope gets me every time, and it's a big part of this story. Not being a big romance fan, I appreciated that it's a very small part of the plot - and really only the potential of one. Jun's character arc is extremely well done and seeing him grow and learn is one of my favorite things about the novel.

I'll definitely be continuing with this series, and I'm anxious to see where the next book goes. Recommended for fans of strong character arcs, a main character who's not the chosen one, and novels with crossover appeal.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Breath of the Dragon is a YA fantasy novel that blends martial arts, magic, and high-stakes competition. The story follows sixteen-year-old Jun, who dreams of providing his worth in the elite Guardian's Tournament to restore his family's honor. Despite his father's strict prohibition, Jun's determination leads him to stow away with performers heading to the capital. The narrative is rich with action, emotional depth, and intricate world-building, making it a compelling read from start to finish.

Overall, though the story did not wow me, it was still a good time and a must-read for fans of action-packed, emotionally charged fantasy novels.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ALC of Breath of the Dragon in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

this was absolutely fantastic and i enjoyed every second i spent reading/listening. i’ve read fonda lee before, and while i wasn’t hooked by her green bone saga, i see her craft clearly in the breath of the dragon.

i’ve never been interested much in martial arts but shannon and fonda lee depict the fighting scenes in such concise yet vivid details that i felt as if i were watching a movie.

i enjoyed the political propaganda/intrigue, and really enjoyed the tournament aspect of the book! i’m excited to continue reading this series.

the narrator was fantastic as well!

If you like martial arts and Chinese historical fiction, this is the book for you. Despite not connecting to the story as much as I would like, the writing was well done, and the worldbuilding was excellent. This book is definitely a YA book, and I highly recommend it for young males as there is a lot of discussion about family honor, growing up, and pressures young men might face.

**I listened to the Audiobook for this story:
The Audiobook is also narrated by a male and is of excellent quality. The story flows well but does feel very long. I ended up speeding up the play to complete this review in time. This story worked well as an audiobook and wasn't unclear or hard to follow in this format.**

Li Jun and his father are separated from his mother and twin at the beginning of this story and exiled from Eastern Longhan. Jun's story focuses on his struggles to become the best fighter to protect the scroll of heaven. He enters the guardian tournament against all the best fighters and makes a unique friendship with a traveling performer and his daughter on the way to the tournament. Jun becomes aware of a rebellion that is brewing in his midst against the current military leader (who is also controlling the child emperor in the West). Jun and his old classmate end up on the run from the Western military. The book ends with Jun and his old classmate about to cross back into the East.

Note: This book is part of a duology, and the ending has a slight cliffhanger.

Pros:
* Good book for male readers
* Strong worldbuilding
* Historical Fiction/Cultural book
* Fully YA, but do note there are some gore/bloody descriptions

Cons:
* No actual dragons (the dragon gave the people breath-marked abilities that show up on their bodies physically through patches of dragon scales)
* A bit tedious at times with the amount of fight scenes, especially if you do not have an interest in martial arts
* The characters are a bit dry (I didn't feel their emotions as deeply and wasn't as connected to them as I would have liked to be)

This review is my own opinion of the story. I received a copy of the ARC audiobook from NetGalley to complete this review.

Breath of the Dragon is an undeniably well-crafted novel, showcasing the combined talents of Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee. The plot is solid, the magic system is both inventive and integral to the story, adding complexity to the characters’ struggles, and the setting is rich and immersive, full of intricate details that bring the world to life. The layered, multifaceted characters are another highlight, each grappling with challenges that make their arcs compelling and believable.

Despite all of these strengths, I found myself not fully invested in the story. While I was never bored or reluctant to keep listening to the audiobook, I also didn’t feel the pull to race through it. It’s a steady, enjoyable read that I admired more than I emotionally connected with.

This was my first experience with both authors, and I’ve heard nothing but glowing praise for Fonda Lee’s work. Based on the technical excellence of Breath of the Dragon, I’ll definitely be picking up more of her books in the future. Fans of complex fantasy worlds and intricate storytelling will likely find much to love here.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent narration. The narration of this kept me engaged. The story line is smooth and pacing is consistent. I will be reading these authors in the future.

I found this to be a strong debut to a new series! The world building is probably the strongest part - it is a nicely fleshed out world with political intrigue and some interesting magical elements that I really loved. This book largely revolves around martial arts and includes a fighting competition - I personally love a good fight scene and competition, but I realize this isn't everyone's cup of tea. I ended up listening to the audiobook for most of this book, and the narration was great, so I didn't mind all the fight scenes nor did I find them to drag. I enjoyed the character growth the MMC underwent through this first book. Some moments in the book were heart-wrenching 🥺. I did feel like the relationships in this book in general were a bit superficial but while the authors could have gone in deeper, I suspect this was perhaps by design and will occur more in the sequel based on the storyline.

All in all, I enjoyed it and am very much looking forward to the sequel!

CW: Violence, gore, death/death of a loved one, xenophobia.

A big thank you to Wednesday books, St-Martin's Press, MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC. All opinions are my own.