This spring has been more of a tornado than a whirlwind. The wear from teaching three different (high school!) classes on top of my 30-mile commute finally caught up with me this semester. While I’ve been reading, it hasn’t been as much as I would’ve liked, and I couldn’t find the energy to post reviews. The good news is that my family is moving soon. Hopefully the shorter commute will give me more energy to catch up on ARCs and blog more!
As an Asian American and avid fantasy reader, I was super excited for Dragon Pearl. Yoon Ha Lee’s Ninefox Gambit has been on my TBR list for a whiel now.
Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee
To keep the family safe, Minโs mother insists that none of them use any fox-magic, such as Charm or shape-shifting. They must appear human at all times. Min feels hemmed in by the household rules and resents the endless chores, the cousins who crowd her, and the aunties who judge her. She would like nothing more than to escape Jinju, her neglected, dust-ridden, and impoverished planet. Sheโs counting the days until she can follow her older brother, Jun, into the Space Forces and see more of the Thousand Worlds.
When word arrives that Jun is suspected of leaving his post to go in search of the Dragon Pearl, Min knows that something is wrong. Jun would never desert his battle cruiser, even for a mystical object rumored to have tremendous power. She decides to run away to find him and clear his name.
Minโs quest will have her meeting gamblers, pirates, and vengeful ghosts. It will involve deception, lies, and sabotage. She will be forced to use more fox-magic than ever before, and to rely on all of her cleverness and bravery. The outcome may not be what she had hoped, but it has the potential to exceed her wildest dreams.
- The world building is phenomenal. Yoon Ha Lee’s careful attention to details bring the world and its people to life.
- Family is central to the plot. (This is super important to me since family is all too often lacking in books.)
- Events drive the plot forward.
- Min is a reckless character. However, it’s understandable given her age, and there wouldn’t be a story otherwise.
- The ending closes this chapter of Min’s story while opening the possibility for more adventures to come.
Dragon Pearl is one of my favorite reads of 2019. It was a no-brainer addition to my classroom library. One of my students who didn’t read much in class before actually asked to borrow this book, so he could continue reading it at home!
Source: Publisher, Print ARC
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says
I’ve been kind of interested in Circle of Shadows because it sounds like it could be good, but I was afraid it might be kind of like you said. I’m glad the first book was good though, especially for your student!
Crystal says
I agree. The premise for Circle of Shadows is so interesting.
Thanks. It’s been a blast sharing it with my student ๐
Aleen @ Lampshade Reader says
These sound like fun reads. I’ve been getting into YA Fantasy lately (I’m so late to the party), but I find that it’s really fun. I’m glad you’ve inspired your students to read. ๐
Crystal says
It’s so much fun to introduce students to their next favorite read! ๐ I hope you enjoy these books if you pick them up!
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard says
It’s too bad that two of the three were disappointments, but thank you for steering me away from them. Dragon Pearl still interests me, though, and it sounds like you enjoyed despite the 2D characters.
Crystal says
Yes, Dragon Pearl was enjoyable despite minimal character development ๐
Sophia Rose says
Ah, too bad about how everything was wearing you down. Hopefully the move will improve things so you have energy to do more.
Dragon Pearl has been on my radar as a good one. Glad you enjoyed it. Oh how sad about the other two being lackluster for you. So much potential in both their story plots.
Crystal says
Thanks, Sophia.
Dragon Pearl is fantastic. I hope you enjoy it!
Melliane says
Well at least the first one was good and I’ll take to take a closer look to it now!
Crystal says
It’s fantastic. I hope you enjoy it!