Starred Review ALA Booklist (Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Starred Review Zhao's impressive and captivating debut adventure novel brings mythology and magic to life as 12-year-old Faryn Liu and her younger brother, Alex, discover an entirely new side to the Jade Society, an elite organization of warriors and demon hunters, in whose shadow they've resided since their father's mysterious disappearance and their mother's passing. But the Jade Society has become complacent and smug after decades of silence from the realms of gods and monsters, keeping their home, San Francisco's Chinatown, "demon-free since '83." Nevertheless, Ye Ye, the children's grandfather turned guardian, keeps them on their toes with his stories and training sessions, and Faryn and Alex throw themselves into these outlets, hoping to tune out the mocking voices of the Jade Society bullies who label their father a traitor and discriminate against them for their mixed heritage. When a competition arises for the role of the prophesied Heaven Breaker, Zhao's spot-on writing will have readers empathizing and rooting for Faryn in no time, and her seamless blending of memorable and quirky gods and demons from myriad mythologies eek, Phoenician, and Chinese, to name a few ll be both familiar to young readers and also culturally educational. This plot-propelled, action-packed story about family legacy and heritage, as well as self-discovery, is an ideal choice for fans of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series and Roshani Chokshi's Aru Shah and the End of Time (2018).

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In this action-packed debut steeped in Chinese mythology, a modern-day warrior is unexpectedly chosen as the Heaven Breaker, destined to lead the Jade Emperor-s armies against demons threatening Earth. Ever since the disappearance of their father, a legendary hero, Faryn Liu and her younger brother, Alex, have been ostracized by the rest of the secret Jade Society. But when the gods choose Faryn to embark on a quest to prove her worth, she and Alex finally have a chance to restore their family-s reputation. With demons at every turn, capricious gods pursuing their own agendas, and a tight deadline, Faryn will have to make hard decisions and painful sacrifices. Zhao reimagines classic Chinese deities and monsters in an accessible, entertaining manner while filtering the adventure through Faryn-s snarky, relatable voice. With engaging characters, a fast-paced plot, and a skillful blend of modern culture and ancient traditions, this series opener will appeal to fans of Percy Jackson and Aru Shah. Ages 8-12. Agent: Penny Moore, Aevitas Creative Management. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Gr 4-7 Demons have been dormant in San Francisco for decades, but despite a warning from her sick grandfather, Faryn ventures into the city for his medicine on Lunar New Year. Faryn is stunned when she comes face to face with a powerful nián. Using her warrior training, she defeats the demon with the help of an anonymous stranger, who reveals himself to be the God of War and issues a challenge that will determine the fabled "Heaven Breaker," a champion of the Gods. When Faryn is able to carry the legendary spear meant only for the Heaven Breaker, the community who ostracized her family sends candidates of its own. Together with her brother and best frenemy, Faryn undertakes an epic quest that she hopes will not only redeem, but reunite, her family. This disparate group bands together to solve riddles, fend off foes, and uncover a devious plot to end the world. By embracing her role as Heaven Breaker, Faryn finally meets her destinybut it comes at a cost. The integration of Chinese terms and cultural influences richly elevates the story with authentic details. VERDICT Inspired by classic Chinese mythology, this nVoices fantasy adventure delivers on action, humor, and heart. Share with fans of Rick Riordan and Roshani Chokshi. Sophie Kenney, Delray Beach Public Library, FL