I love both authors and YA so gave this a go.
I absolutely loved the themes focusing on xianxia world. The tournament and politics of the book didn't weigh down the adventurous elements. the characters were full of growth and heart and I am excited to read the next in the series!

Breath of the Dragon is an absolute triumph!

Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee have created something truly special here. The finesse in the writing of the martial arts sequences throughout was fascinating to read and it felt like you were in amongst the action.

The dynamic between Yin Yue and Jun slowing evolved into my favourite thing about this book. I adored watching Jun grow and mature; even though it broke my heart to see his struggles. The characterisations as a whole were so well done and I wouldn’t expect anything less from the Queen of fantasy, Fonda Lee.

“Sometimes fate tore loved ones apart. Sometimes it turned rivals into brothers. “Maybe we’ve been on a path together all along,” he mused. “One we couldn’t see at first but that’s revealing itself with each step.” Yin groaned. “By the Blessed Consort, don’t tell me you’re going to become an insufferable philosopher now.””

I would highly recommend this wonderful YA fantasy and I can’t wait to read the conclusion to this incredible duology!

Wow! I was not expecting to love this as much as I did; it's truly a love letter to martial arts, and co-written by Bruce Lee's daughter, I think it honoured his legacy very well. The descriptions of the martial arts fights were so vivid, it was like actually watching them, and they felt so tense and exciting! And I say that as someone who has never participated in or watched any martial arts in my life - so I don't think you need to have a love for martial arts to enjoy this book. I loved our main character Jun; he was relatable and entirely family-focused, and I liked seeing his development throughout the competition, he's very compelling. I also really liked Yin Yue and how his and Jun's relationship changes throughout the book as they slowly realise that they are on the same side. It was a bit repetitive at times, and the reveal of Ghostface, I saw coming from a mile away, but I had such a good time and I'm very excited to read the sequel whenever that comes out! I'm also very excited to read the Green Bone Saga and experience more of Fonda Lee's writing.

My first Fonda Lee book, yay! I promise I’ll get around to reading the Green Bone saga this year…

Breath of the Dragon was really interesting to me as I do not engage in a whole lot of martial arts content, so this was something new mixed in with a familiar genre of fantasy (one of my favourites!). I did really like how martial arts was centred and how this played a large part in the plot and I’ll be interested to see how Lee takes it further in the sequel.

I really liked our main protagonists. Each of them had high stakes and I found myself invested in their personal development and I like that each of them (Li Jun, Yin Yue and Ren, in particular) had their own separate storylines that ends up crossing over with each other.

One of my favourite part of the book was for sure the developing friendship between Li Jun and Yin Yue. I was tense for a lot of the latter half of the book because I didn’t want them to get separated just as their friendship really started!

This book really had its emotional moments…especially with Li Jun’s grief over being a good son, a good person, a good brother. I will admit a few tears sprang to my eyes at some points!

Now, the reason I’m not rating this higher is because I felt often a lack of world building. There was great detail for the immediate world around the characters, but further world building about the setting and the world felt a little lacklustre. While we do get explanation for the separation of the Easr and West, I often didn’t feel it went beyond that.

Additionally, despite the book opening with action and the presence of lots of fight scenes scattered throughout, sometimes the book felt stagnant and slow…like we weren’t really getting anywhere or going to get anywhere soon.

Despite my few issues with the book, I, overall, really liked it and have a lot of things I’m excited to read about and see happen in the sequel!

Well deserved 5 stars!

Read if you love: The Green Bone Saga, Across the Nightingale Floor, Wolf Brother, or Eragon.

This book has quickly become one of my favorite YA reads. As a fan of Jade City, I was thrilled to dive into Fonda Lee’s latest work, knowing her writing style is always rich and immersive. What intrigued me even more was her co-writing with Sharon Lee - Bruce Lee’s daughter!

The story follows Jun, a refugee from the ‘East’ where martial arts is controlled, who is now living in the politically contrasting ‘West’, a society that reveres martial prowess. Jun’s ultimate goal is to become the next Guardian - the most celebrated fighter in the West. While the premise might sound straightforward, the story masterfully weaves together complex political intrigue, deeply believable side characters, and poignant personal flaws. Some of the tragedies were predictable, but other twists genuinely caught me off guard. I couldn’t help but root for Jun, flaws and all.

Despite being labeled as YA, the narrative offers a richness and depth that rivals many adult fantasies, which is something I’ve come to expect from Fonda Lee. The blend of political intrigue, a compelling magic system, and martial arts made for an absolutely gripping read.

The layered storytelling reminded me of some of my favorite YA epics, so I’d wholeheartedly recommend this to both adults and young adults who appreciate a well-crafted, engaging plot. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next installment in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodderscape for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A love letter to the art of martial arts is how I'd describe it! It's interesting to see how two sides see martial arts. One praises it, and the other is threatened by it. From the moment you read the prologue, you're thrown right into the deep end, filled with hurt and curiosity. This book will have you flying through the pages.

I have fallen utterly in love with Jun, the 16 year old underdog who just wants to prove his abilities, from the moment to the prologue til the very end, you are literally rooting for him. In some ways, I'd say it's very emotional because a lot of the time, the inner monologues hit close to home.

I'm so excited to see what book 2 will hold! And if you haven't picked this gem up, then I urge you to do so because Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee have created one of my favourite reads of this year 🔥✨️

Thank you, Hodderscape and George Biggs, for not only giving me an e-arc and a finished copy.

Fonda Lee is back in a magical world full of shimmering hopes, brutal tournaments and all of the atmosphere and tension we expect after the brilliance of Jade City.

The Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee & Fonda Lee pulls readers into a vivid fantasy world brimming with martial arts, brutal tournaments, and an extraordinary magic system.

The story follows Jun, a 16-year-old boy exiled to the West with his father after being separated from his mother and twin due to the laws of the East. While his father has left his martial arts past behind, Jun has spent his entire life secretly training to compete in the Guardians Tournament, a deadly competition that selects the Guardian of the Scroll of Heaven. Forbidden to take part by his father, Jun defies him and runs away to pursue his dream.

The combination of Fonda Lee’s martial arts expertise and Shannon Lee’s insights into Bruce Lee’s philosophy makes this book an incredible experience. The tournament fights are brutal and visceral (worth baring in mind for a YA title), keeping me on the edge of my seat! It’s clear this book is a love letter to Bruce Lee, blending his values and fighting style with a rich fantasy setting. The political intrigue is also exceptional, offering a layered understanding of the world and its harsh divisions.

The characters are written SO well throughout! Jun is an excellently crafted protagonist, balancing the naivety and arrogance of youth with hard work and a strong moral compass. His character growth is especially compelling - his maturing perspective changes how we as readers see the supporting characters, which I found really clever. While his decisions were often frustrating, he’s someone you can’t help but root for, especially as an underdog.

My only wish was for more depth around the lore of the Breathmarked and the magic system, but I’m optimistic this will be explored further in future books. This was an exciting, gripping read, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

What a fun and interesting read. The plot revolves around a young boy called Li Jun who learns martial arts in order to find his place in the world and prove himself to be better than those who think he'll amount to nothing. It's very fast paced, full of well described and exciting martial arts filled scenes (I mean it's co written by Fonda Lee so I would expect nothing less) and features a super exciting tournament setting.

Li Jun and his father, because of the discovery that he is learning martial arts, are separated from the rest of his family and in doing so Li Jun must demonstrate that the sacrifice was worth it. He's determined and focused, and a really wonderful multi faceted character. I also appreciated the lack of romance. Li Jun has enough of his plate without adding a romantic element into the plot, and as a result the story feels fresh and Li Jun remains the focus throughout.

A fresh and interesting YA that's jam packed full of action and atmosphere.

Breath of the Dragon is an action-packed first instalment in a YA fantasy duology following Jun, who was exiled from the East alongside his father for practicing forbidden martial arts techniques. In an attempt to restore his father’s honour, he enters the Guardian’s tournament - a deadly competition to crown a Guardian to protect a sacred scroll.

This book is SO cool! So much love and appreciation towards martial arts has been poured into this book and it meant that the fighting scenes were epic and so easily to visualise! The tournament fights were especially intense, and definitely more brutal than I expected - it was interesting to see how the authors blended their martial arts expertise with the fantasy elements in this book.

I loved following Jun throughout his journey - both his physical journey to the tournament which was filled with hurdles, and his emotional journey as he faced these challenges and learned some important lessons. His character definitely matured throughout this book, and I’m excited to see how it continues to develop in book 2.

I’ll 100% be continuing this series, I’m ready to learn more about the magic system and be further enveloped in the clash between the East and the West in book 2!

Breath of the Dragon was a brilliant start to a refreshing new YA duology by icons Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee.

We follow 16-year-old Jun who is living in exile with his father in the West after it is accidentally revealed that his father taught him forbidden martial arts techniques. He is separated from his mother and twin brother who reside in the East. Jun decides to compete in the elite Guardian's tournament to restore his father's honour and prove that he has the ability to become a warrior despite not being Breathmarked.

I love the fact that Jun is an underdog and that everything he achieves is due to his own hard work, determination and moral ingenuity. It's also very easy to see Bruce Lee's teachings (both mental and physical) while we follow Jun on his journey.

The martial arts are very well-written, easy to follow and visceral. The way that the fights are interwoven with the narrative adds to the story beautifully and gives this YA book a more mature touch.

Overall, Breath of the Dragon is a fantastic book and I'm eager to learn more about the magic system in book 2.

From the very first page the writing was cinematic and vibrant, capturing my attention immediately, and making it easy to visualise everything, particularly the fight sequences, which were action packed and fluid throughout the story, and introduced several big characters that may not have had a starring role, but made impact and were incredibly memorable.

The character development that Jun went through during the story was well executed, there was a gradual, but very noticeable growth in maturity from when he was first introduced, which I think made him so much more relatable, and highlights how well written he was as a character. He was driven, hard headed and passionate throughout the story, but despite that, was easy to root for. His determination to excel in the tournament also helped to reflect how high the consequences were for all the competitors, and the city as a whole.

I enjoyed the tournament style that the book focused on, it was one of the most thrilling, and memorable parts of the book, but was also very interested in the commentary it covered, and the reason each character was fighting in the tournament.

Overall, I think this was an incredible fantasy story, but also a great introduction to anyone unfamiliar with Bruce Lee's legacy, it was obvious the book was written with pride and care, which was reflected in the characters and the story. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, where I hope the breathmark abilities and the organisation connected to them are further explored, and characters briefly mentioned are showcased more, particularly Jun's twin.

This is a great book for both Fantasy fans and fans of Martial Arts. It combines both real life Martial Art teachings and magic and myth in one fantastic novel. I enjoyed reading it a lot, even though I don’t have much knowledge of Martial Arts.

As with Fonda Lee’s other books, I found the twists and turns the best part about it. She has a way of lulling you into a false sense of security so that you think you know where the book is going and then suddenly it’s going a completely different direction. I was glad to see that she continued to do this even when co-writing with Shannon Lee.

I was fascinated in the fact that this book was based on Bruce Lee’s teachings. I don’t know much about him or his teachings beyond the basics, but I think it’s a fantastic way of honouring him. Especially as it gets people like me, who may not have come across it otherwise, interested in his legacy.

Overall a great read.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

An enjoyable coming of age story with martial arts and political intrigue. I was a bit afraid to get bored of all the fighting, but the authors balanced it with great character development!

thank you so much to hodderscape and netgalley for an e-copy!

breath of the dragon is the first book in a ya fantasy duology that follows Jun, a 16 yo who was exiled alongside his father from the East to the West because it was revealed that he practiced martial arts as a child. in being exiled, he's separated from his mom and twin. thus, Jun dreams of proving his worth as a warrior and restoring his father's honour by competing in the elite guardian's tournament. although his father forbids it, he still decides to join.

as someone who did martial arts as a kid, i LOVE reading about it and this was no different. i really enjoyed the fighting scenes and could picture them perfectly. there was a good amount of action and the plot was well developed. the world building wasn't heavy and it was very easy to understand and follow, so i didn't have moments where i was taken out of the story.

Jun is the typical main character from a shounen anime and i loved it. he's ambitious and sometimes reckless but he's got a good heart. i really enjoyed seeing him grow and trying to figure out how he belongs and can be seen as worthy when he is not breathmarked.

i'm very excited to see how it all concludes in book 2!!

Do you love martial arts / wuxia / shounen anime / tournament stories? Do you crave more "YA for boys" being published? Then this is a must-have addition to your shelf.

You'll find here: a hotheaded underdog hero, a mysterious martial arts master, deadly tournament, student rivalry, Chinese-inspired mythology including worshipping a Dragon and his consort, people who have special powers granted by the Dragon, legendary scrolls holding mysterious power, a wider political conspiracy behind the whole competition, a father-son generational conflict which was resolved in a manner I didn't expect and it really gripped my heart, and last but not least, a fierce possible-love-interest girl. Oh, and a lot of philosophy typical for martial arts stories about mastering yourself, honour, virtue, worthy goals, etc.

Overall, the story focuses on plot and action and never stops too long to linger. The worldbuilding is clear and not very complicated. The characters are distinct, but following expected archetypes. The introspection is sprinkled between the action in a way that it never slows down the pacing.

I think it has a lot of YA goodness for readers who want accessible, easy to digest, action packed story that still manages to smuggle a bit of deeper meaning between all the plot events. Especially for readers who don't enjoy YA books focused too much on romance or internal monologues of the characters. Here the romance is very faint and never the main focus of the story.

The protagonist, Li Jun, reminds me of shounen anime characters like Naruto (from Naruto) or Ichigo (from Bleach) and you'll probably find a parallel in the newer generation of anime, I'm just not following that market anymore, but the archetype is eternal. A young guy who's rash and ambitious but has a kind heart behind the cocky attitude, an underdog nobody initially believes in who has to master himself and climb to the top, who gets embroiled in an intrigue bigger than himself and he has to choose to do the right thing in the end.

If you know anyone asking for YA for boys, please recommend them this book! It's a smooth read with fast pacing, lots of action and a worthy message.

I haven't read any of Fonda Lee's previous novels to compare, but I consider this cooperation with Shannon Lee (daughter of Bruce Lee) a successful endeavour to bring the spirit of old Kung Fu movies to YA fantasy audience. It was a truly enjoyable experience to cruise through this novel.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodderscape for the ARC!

[ARC provided by NetGalley and Hodderscape. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Breath of the Dragon.]

Rating: 2.5/5

Over the past year, I've found myself drifting away from the YA genre, only picking up books with particularly intriguing plots. However, I made an exception for Breath of the Dragon because Fonda Lee, who co-authored this novel with Shannon Lee, created one of my favourite fantasy series, The Greenbone Saga. I was confident I would enjoy this new release, but unfortunately, I should have trusted my initial instincts.

Breath of the Dragon is the first in a YA duology that follows Jun, a young man determined to prove his prowess as an elite warrior by entering the prestigious Guardian’s Tournament. Separated from his mother and twin, Jun is driven by the desire to rectify the grave mistake that led to his and his father’s banishment to the west. Despite his father's strict prohibition against participating, Jun defies the order and competes in the deadly tournament. Facing formidable opponents and lacking any special breathmarked abilities, Jun must rely on every ounce of skill and help he can muster.

Let's start with the positives. Although I haven't read many books centered around martial arts, the fighting scenes in this novel were exciting and stood out as my favourite parts. Additionally, the last fifty pages were quite gripping, and I appreciated how the plot developments towards the end laid a solid foundation for the next book. And before diving into the negatives, I want to emphasise that my lack of enjoyment will be more of a reflection of my current reading preferences than the book itself. YA just isn't resonating with me at the moment, which has undoubtedly influenced my overall experience.

Now, let's delve into the negatives, and, unfortunately, there were a lot for me. The primary issue was the characters, especially the protagonist, Jun, who I found extremely unbearable at times. Although he undergoes some character development that I appreciated, Jun starts off as quite unlikable, and while I can appreciate an unlikable character under the right circumstances, that wasn't the case here. Both Jun and the other characters lacked depth, making it difficult for me to care about their fates, and this lack of depth extended to the relationships in the book, which felt tenuous at best and rendered all high-stakes situations emotionally flat.

I also found the worldbuilding to be incredibly lacklustre. Throughout the story, I could never get a strong sense of the setting or the time period, which was further hindered by some prose that felt out of place. It’s also worth mentioning that this has fantasy elements, and although the concept is interesting and had great potential, the execution was poor. The concept of breathmarked abilities was intriguing, but their portrayal was underwhelming, and without their vague appearances, you might not even realise this is a fantasy novel. Additionally, certain plot reveals failed to capture my interest which, combined with characters I couldn't connect with, left me feeling very disinterested.

Despite my issues with the story, I strongly believe that Breath of the Dragon would make a fantastic graphic novel. The fighting scenes have an almost cinematic quality, and given the story's inspiration from Bruce Lee's characters and teachings, a visual format could convey the plot more effectively.

I've seen positive reviews for Breath of the Dragon, so I’m confident that my issues with the book are more reflective of my personal reading tastes. If you enjoy martial arts themes and YA narratives, you will likely love this story. However, for me, it just didn't work.

Breath of the Dragon, is wonderfully written, the martial arts scenes are so realistic and detailed, both authors working in tandem to create a world that is so rich and immersive. Yet, I actually have to pause this book, because I've been trying to read it for weeks now and cannot get past Jun. This is a testament to Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee to have created a character who I detest, but also pity. It's taken me two months almost of putting down and picking up to get to chapter six, which is where I am now and have made the decision to come back in a few months fresh of mind. I realise that the book doesn't work if Jun doesn't have character development and an over reaching character arc but, I've come to the conclusion that I don't yet want him to. I wan to sit with my dislike of him for a little bit more.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton, Hodderscape, Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

A martial arts tournament in a country split in two.

Filled with politics, intresting magic and destiny. This is a story of a young boy taken away from his family, having to figure a way to fix his past mistake and make his father proud.

This was good, loads of martial arts and fighting, interesting characters and I'm excited for the next book as I have a feeling it will be even better!!

This is my first Fonda Lee book and it's a great first impression to the awarded writer.

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the publisher and the author.

What a wonderfully thrilling book this was! A real mix of intrigue, adventure and self-discovery.

Most of this book is set around a competition to achieve a coveted position as guardian. However the rules of the competition have been changed dramatically this year leading to many competitors refusing to take part. Our main character is still determined to take part, even though it’s against his father’s wishes. As he progresses through the competition, his naïveté is challenged and he starts to learn that there’s far more at stake. His previous rivalries will be challenged and new foes will emerge as he learns the truth behind the changes that have been made and makes new friends along the way.

This book was so exciting, it was non-stop action and yet it still managed to be a clever and well-thought out plot too. The intrigue and reveals were very well-timed. It carefully balanced giving you the thrill of the action sequences in the tournament with advancing the plot.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading more in this series!