This was my first experience reading a book by any of these authors, and it was enjoyable."Breath of the Dragon" by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee is a beautifully crafted homage to martial arts. This young adult fantasy stands out as it doesn't include any romantic elements. While I usually enjoy romantasy, it was a refreshing change to dive into a fantasy narrative without romance. The plot was captivating and kept me engaged throughout. The world-building was incredibly detailed and vivid, making it easy to get lost in the narrative. The characters were rich and multi-dimensional, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about them as the story unfolded.

The audiobook was also exceptionally produced, enhancing the overall experience.

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee was a beautifully written love letter to martial arts. This is a YA fantasy with no romance. I love romantasy but there was something really refreshing about reading a fantasy book with no romance. The plot was really interesting and engaging. I love a good tournament plot. The world building was so detailed and descriptive. It was easy to immerse myself in the story. The characters were all so complex and dynamic. I enjoyed getting to know them as the story progressed.

The audiobook well really well done. Eric Yang did a wonderful job bringing the characters and their emotions to life. It added so much depth to the story.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Breath of the Dragon is all about this guy named Jun, and how his flaws don't just affect him, but also have a big impact on the people around him. Jun often ends up in tricky situations due to his impulsive and self-centered tendencies, which frequently causes conflict and tension in his relationships. Even though he had his flaws, there was something compelling about him that made me want to continue reading. The writing in Breath of the Dragon is super cinematic, which made it really hard for me to put down. The storyline is super interesting and packed with unexpected surprises, which really kept me hooked. The book delves into themes of redemption and the ominous start of war, giving more depth to Jun's journey and the difficulties he encounters. It's a really engaging book that does a great job of developing the characters while also delivering an exciting story.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing the ARC.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
This book had my attention from the very beginning. Banished from his home and separated from his mother and twin at a young age, Jun has been training to participate in a tournament, but does not realize that there is more on the line then he thought. The world building, character development and writing style were all perfect. The only thing that I am not okay with is that I now have to wait for book 2.

This was a super enjoyable and action packed story!

We’ve got a high stakes martial arts tournament, political intrigues and plots, a bit of found family, and the promise of more in the next book. Jun is as arrogant and impulsive as any 16 year old boy, but he’s a compelling MMC, especially as he grows and matures. I liked Jin and Ren, and I liked how the three of them came to work together and trust each other.

Fight scenes have always been Fonda Lee’s strong suit, and this is no exception. Each match in the tournament was so vivid and kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s a brutal world, and no punches are pulled with the violence.

I’m excited to continue the story with the next book, which I’ll definitely be picking up.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the preview. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy! You can pick up Breath of the Dragon on January 7, 2025.

Wow! What an explosive, action-packed story full of heart. I love how Fonda and Shannon Lee wove martial arts into this imaginative fantasy world full of people with special abilities. It was refreshing for our main character to not necessarily be the immediate and magical "chosen one," but someone who's had to work and earn their abilities. In fact, the Lees took the chosen one and turned it on its head by making our main character, Jun, watch his brother become the sought after one instead,

We see Jun grow so much over the course of the story. Even though he's not breathmarked (born with Dragon's blood), he's still arrogant and prideful because of his martial arts abilities, with a short-sightedness that feels all too real for young teenage boys. But that's what makes his growth so satisfying! We see him grow up before our eyes, first by accepting lessons from a blind flutist Chang, then by competing against better martial artists in the Guardians Tournament, before eventually losing everything he didn't realize he held dear.

I love the direction this story is going, the way we learn so much about the lore of this world, and how all-too-real the villains feel. I can't wait to see where the Lees take us next!