This was a fun mix of Sci Fi and Mythology. Min is a fox spirit who longs to explore space like her brother Jun. When Jun goes missing, supposedly while chasing a mythical item, Min chases after him in a fast paced space adventure. I enjoyed Min and her journey to find her brother. I really liked all the mythology touches as well. It made me want to learn more about it. This was a fun and enjoyable read and I definitely recommend it.

I loved Dragon Pearl, I really did. I just wish that it had more... something. My main concern with this book was that the majority of the plot happened in one place: a spaceship. Sure, that sounds exciting, but with all of the different settings in the beginning, you would think that the middle of the story would have more exciting parts, and not just build-up for the ending-- which I just thought was okay.

On the other hand, the first 25 percent of this book was amazing. I loved Min and her family and how they lived together in a run-down dome house on a distant planet. I also thought that the parts immediately after, when Min travels around and tries to get onto the spaceship to look for her brother, was the best part of the book. Even though I thought that the middle and ending weren't as good, I still think that Dragon Pearl is a solid middle-grade novel.

I would recommend Dragon Pearl to those who love Rick Riordan's books. While not the best book in the Rick Riordan Presents titles, it was still a fun ride.

I think this book will appeal to many readers, but to me personally, it fell flat. I appreciated the diverse representation throughout the book, especially in how it didn't feel at all forced or unnatural. I think this will especially appeal to readers who want a fantasy or science fiction book, but do not want to commit to a series.

*** Thank you to Rick Riordan Presents/Disney Book Group for providing me with a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review ***

This is honestly middle grade adventure at its best full of fun characters, action, an engaging story, and creative world building, folklore, and mythology. I’m just really excited that Rick Riordan’s imprint is bringing so many unique and diverse stories like “Dragon Pearl” to the bookish community and I can’t wait for more!

PLOT

The story follows young Min, a fox spirit, as she goes off into space in search of her brother, it’s pretty straight forward. However, she gets herself into more than a few sticky situations along the way because what kind of adventure would it be if she didn’t? The pacing is fast and there’s definitely plenty of action, as Min travels through space in her search, to keep your attention. There was a part in the middle where I grew a tad bit bored as I felt the story wasn’t moving quite as fast as it did at the beginning and the end. However, it was easy to push through and ultimately very much worth it and I still feel it’s very action-packed nonetheless. There were also a couple of good plot twists toward the end that I really didn’t see coming and threw me for a loop! Don’t worry though this is a standalone so there aren’t any mean cliffhangers!

Honestly though my favorite part of the book was the mythology and world building, hands down. This book is based off of Korean mythology and weaves in characters that are dragons, goblins, tigers, ghosts, and of course foxes. Each spirit has their own unique magic and we get a little taste of each but most of all we see Min’s shape-shifting and “Charm” powers which was always fun and helped her on her journey immensely. There’s also luck and good fortune depending on how the energies would flow in their starships, it wasn’t a huge detail in the story but definitely interesting. Then of course we have the ghosts, lots of them, that can be vengeful and haunt people, places, or things depending on their unfinished business.

The writing was also smooth and transitioned everything well, nothing felt rushed or too convenient. The story and dialogue didn’t feel juvenile in the least bit, I know some readers may not want to read this since it’s middle grade but I really think this story is one that all ages can read and enjoy! I also REALLY loved the genre blend of sci-fi/space opera with mythology, I think it’s just tons of fun and everything I’ve ever wanted!

characters

Min was a fantastic heroine; she was witty, likable, and not-perfect. She made some not-so-smart decisions but she’s a kid and I thought this was what made her more relatable. As I already mentioned, Min has the abilities to shape-shift and “charm” others into believing things. I loved how creatively she used her powers and they were interesting just on their own too! Overall I thought Min developed well by the end of the story and was a fun character to follow.

There are several side characters that filtered in and out such as: Haneul, a dragon spirit and cadet in the Space Forces, Sujin, a non-binary goblin and also a cadet who uses their power for a bit of mischief at times, Jang, a ghost who assists Min on her search, Captain Hwan, a tiger spirit who is a bit….grumpy we’ll say, and finally Jun, Min’s brother.

Almost all of the side characters we met had a ton of personality and complexity even if they had a shorter “page” time. I also have to say I loved Min and Jun’s sibling relationship, I never get tired of seeing such positive and loving ones in stories!

in conclusion

What I Loved:

Engaging story
Fast pacing and plenty of action
Fantastic world building with tons of Korean mythology
The fact that this is a space opera WITH mythology mixed in
Great writing
It’s a standalone!
Well developed, likable, and diverse characters
Positive and loving sibling relationship portrayal

What I Didn’t Love:

That part in the middle were the pacing lagged a bit, but that’s it!

RECOMMEND

I definitely recommend checking out “Dragon Pearl” if you’re looking for a quick, fun read or enjoy books with diverse mythology and characters. And please don’t be put off by the fact it’s middle grade because it really is a great read for all ages!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #rickriordanpresents for an eARC of this book.

In this science fiction middle grade book based on Korean mythology, Min is trying to find her missing brother, Jun, who was sent on a secret mission to find the powerful Dragon Pearl. Using her fox magic, Min confronts adversaries and obstacles while searching for her brother, and is ultimately confronted with the reality that there are some problems magic cannot fix.

A fast-paced and entertaining read, this book is a great addition to the Rick Riordan Presents series.

This book picks up a few months after the events of the first book. Such as exciting as the first, this is a wonderful fantasy for middle grades. It's a bit dark in places.
Highly recommend this series!
I received an E-ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tigers, Dragons, Goblins, and Shapeshifting Foxes... Oh my! Sprinkle a little ghosts (okay a lot of ghosts) with a dash of space adventure and you have yourself Yoon Ha Lee's very own Dragon Pearl! At least some of what makes up this wild, crazy space opera.

It's been over a decade since I picked up a middle grade book and now because of Min, a feisty 13-year old fox who defies the universe for those she loves, has me questioning my reading material!

As someone who often reads high fantasy and enjoys anything involving mythical beings I was pleasantly surprised at the twists Lee gave the readers using his own background to drive the story. Front and center being, Korean Folklore, the driving force in character development and decision making. That being said it didn't over power the epic adventure of the storyline either. While a ghost could haunt a ship and its crew, directly effecting their luck or outcome, there was also plenty of space fighting, suspicious casinos, toilet scrubbing, and so much more!

Lee's writing created the sense of urgency in his readers by how quickly the adventure seemed to flow. Although the story line was fast moving, nothing felt under developed or left out. Min was a whirl of chaos, leaving traces of mischief wherever she roamed. His writing was so vibrant, fun, and simply one of a kind. I could not put it down! I can absolutely not wait until the next adventure in The Thousand Dangerous Worlds!

Thank you to Netgalley, Disney Book Group, and Rick Riordan Presents for gifting me the opportunity to read this adventure early with an Advanced Reader Copy

I loved this book! Min is a badass 13 y/o girl who decides to go after her brother who has gone missing from the Space Force. She uses her fox magic to help her get out and into some sticky situations. The book is funny, sweet, and packed with a ton of adventure. It’s also seamlessly diverse even including a gender neutral character who uses they/them pronouns. Overall I think any kid would enjoy this story, and let’s be real, even adults will like it too. I just hope we get to see more of Min’s adventures in the future.

As someone who is not a space-book, this book is phenomenal. While a bit slow in the beginning due to world-building and mythology setup, this book delivers in both regards once Min's adventure truly begins. I find myself a little sad that this book currently will only be a standalone because Min was a wonderful character to read about.

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee is the latest in Rick Riordan Presents, an imprint under Disney that “highlights cultures and mythologies from around the world,” selected by author Rick Riordan. An #ownvoices novel based on Korean mythology and folklore, Lee’s novel follows a fox spirit named Min who runs off on a space adventure to find her missing brother and instead finds the highly sought-after Dragon Pearl to save the Thousand Worlds.

I found myself struggling with Dragon Pearl at times. There are moments the novel slows from the pace of the action, which could potentially drag the reader’s attention away from Min’s journey. Min’s quest to find her brother is easy, but it is expected as the novel is aimed at a middle-grade audience.

Ignore the slowness and the ease of the journey, however, and the story is a magical ride through the Thousand Worlds. I loved seeing Min encountering obstacles and working her way around them while figuring out her own magic. Most importantly, I enjoyed seeing how valuable her relationships are, both with her brother and with the developing friendships with the other cadets.

Fans of Rick Riordan’s novels who enjoy a journey through space with touches of mythology will love going on an adventure of their own with Min through Yoon Ha Lee’s Dragon Pearl.

I had a blast (pun intended) reading this book which, to me, is what Middle Grade is all about. It should be a joy to read a Middle Grade adventure book and I was not disappointed with this one. The writing was very, very strong. I was swept up in the world and I thought the sci-fi elements were top-notch; no surprise considering the expertise and experience that Yoon Ha Lee brings to the table.

Min is a really well-rounded, enjoyable character to follow along with. I grew attached to her and loved watching her development over the course of the book. The side-characters, as well, were great. Humorous and likable, they truly added to the story, particularly Sujin and Haneul. It was also great to see a non-binary side character play such an important role in a Middle Grade story.

The ending was fantastic, but really it was fantastic the whole way through. Nice, fast pace, smooth transitions from different scenes and a strong build-up to the end. I think it left off in an excellent spot to continue on with the story. I am definitely hoping for more books in this world and with these characters. It is my understanding that we will be getting more. (fingers crossed)

Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney Book Group and Rick Riordan Presents, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. I truly appreciate the opportunity. I think RRP Imprint is providing a great service to our book community by offering a platform for diverse voices from around the world to share their myth, legends and folklore. I cannot wait to read more of Min in the future!

This was an exciting story!

I loved the mix of folklore and a futuristic setting. Min is a Fox, so she is a shapeshifter. She lives on a different planet, but they take the form of humans since those are most common. There was a lot of science fiction, since most of the story took place on spaceships, but the background came from Korean folklore.

This story was so fast paced. I read it in just one day! It felt like a whole series because so much happened. It was thrilling in some parts too, because there was a lot of danger. Min started out as an innocent teenage girl, but she put herself in a lot of risky situations in a short amount of time.

I also like the diversity of the characters. The characters had Korean names. There was a character who preferred gender neutral pronouns. It takes a while to get used to a single person being referred to as “they,” but this was a great way to include gender diversity in the story.

This book was a fun adventure based on Korean mythology and set in space. Right there, I’m pretty much sold. When Min hears that her brother is being accused of being a traitor and defecting from the Space Force, she doesn’t believe it for a minute. She knows her brother would never do such a thing. So she sets off to try to prove the government wrong. The only problem is, she first reveals herself as a (much mistrusted) fox shapeshifter and assaults an official. Oops! So, she goes on the run in disguise.

I enjoyed the shapeshifting aspect of the story and the fact that Min takes on a few different personas throughout the book (and even turns into an inanimate object at one point). I also loved seeing the Korean culture and mythology represented. And I also appreciated that a nonbinary character was featured, without it being made a big deal of (it’s just a fact of life in their society that some people are nonbinary). A fun sense of adventure permeates the book, and the mystery of what happened to Min’s brother keeps you flipping the pages.

Since Min is a kid, she sometimes makes some less than stellar decisions, and at the end of the book I was still a bit confused about the final revelation about Min’s brother (View Spoiler »). But overall, this was a fun MG read that will appeal to kids who’d love to explore the universe!

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

Korean mythology.

A feisty gumiho (fox girl).

A plot that does not let up.

And sci fi!

Color me delighted.

Seriously.

I was delighted and entertained by this incredibly original and complex world and the action-heavy plot. Occasionally I was like, "just let the girl take a nap or something!" because of the non-stop pace, but Min's relentless temerity and cleverness always saw her through every situation. Of course, her wit and cleverness is what you would expect of a fox.

I loved the magic system and the coexistence of supernaturals and humans together, along with the presence of ghosts and how everything was intermingled with Korean culture and legend—and it was pure space opera style science fiction, complete with LGBTQIA+ representation (emphasis on the plus! nonbinary/agender rep!! polyam rep!) and military science fiction that made sense.

While at times I felt this verged into more YA territory, I went away with the feeling that this was an upper MG novel that would be a solid bridge for MG readers looking to dip their toes into YA waters.

Now I'm really going to have going to have read Ninefox Gambit, which has been sitting on my Kindle for a couple years now, because it looks like this book is a standalone and I need more of this author.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Rick Riordan Presents Yoon Ha Lee’s space opera about thirteen-year-old Min, who comes from a long line of fox spirits. But you’d never know it by looking at her.

To keep the family safe, Min’s 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. She’s 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.

Min’s 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.

This sci-fi adventure with the underpinnings of Korean mythology will transport you to a world far beyond your imagination.

When I first saw the cover for this book and found out that it was a space opera and that there is a shape shifting fox, I knew I wanted to check it out.

Min is from a family of fox shapeshifters who try to hide what they are the best that the can, since fox shifters are seen as sneaky and untrustworthy. One day a stranger appears at the door looking to speak to Min’s mother about her son Jun. Min wasn’t supposed to overhear the conversation, but of course curiosity got the best of her. Seems that Jun had deserted his post to search for the Dragon Pearl and this stranger is trying to see if Min’s family has any clues as to why or where his is.

Min at this point decides that she of all people will find out what is going on and why, so she runs away from home and goes to the nearest port city to try to make her way onto a ship to get close to the Pale Lightning to find out more about her brother, and to try to get her hands on the Dragon Pearl to save her own planet.

One Min is aboard the Pale Lighting I found this part of the book slow and confusing, like why she suddenly changed her plans just to help someone that she just met. How she was able to keep up her disguise even while she slept, how the other shapeshifting cadets didn’t notice her magic. I was losing

interest at this point since you weren’t really following Min anymore, you were following a cadet she was pretending to be.

I found the story picked up again once Min was discovered and she is forced to show her true self, and at that point Min is also back on track to find out what happened to her brother and he search for the Dragon Pearl.

I was a bit surprised to the end of the book, wasn’t expecting half of what did happen the way that it did, and I found that to be decent, since some books can be a bit predictable.

There were times where I did forget that this is a MG book, since Min doesn’t come across as a 13-year-old girl, but someone who is at least 17. This did read more as a YA book at times and I found it to be a good read.

Yoon Ha Lee already had me at FOX MAGIC and DRAGONS. This middle grade space adventure story revolves around Korean mythology and sibling love. Min is a bold and brave girl who goes searching to find out what has happened to her older brother Jun, who has been accused of abandoning his post to search for something called the Dragon Pearl. Readers of Lee's Machineries of Empire series will find in contrast to the steep immersion of his usual worlds that this is a very accessible story for children. There is a deft exploration of supernatural racism, since foxes are looked down upon in Min's society and viewed as sly and dangerous, whereas tigers, dragons, shamans, celestial maidens, and even goblins are seen as useful to society. While some aspects of the story require the usual suspension of belief in middle grade adventures- young teen runs away from home in space to rescue older brother!- the story is just plain fun. With it's gorgeous cover and novel blending of mythology and space opera-like drama, this book is sure to delight young readers.


I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from Disney Hyperion via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book is part of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, and while it has some similar themes as the others, I feel like this one is a wonderful detour from the previous titles. The story follows, Min, a fox spirit living in secret with her family on a desolate planet. When her brother is accused of desertion within the military in search of the mythic Dragon Pearl, Min decides to use her shapeshifting and charm powers to clear his name and find out the truth.

Overall, this novel has everything a kid would want. The main and minor characters are all pretty well-rounded, there's Korean folklore and magic at every turn, and it's set in space! Min's cunning and wit serve as an excellent vehicle to move the story along. There are also nonbinary characters--such as Min's cadet friend Sujin--whose gender preferences are mentioned offhandedly and accepted. I thought this was a great addition to the imprint and hope to read more within the series!

From the moment I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I had to read it. It sounded really unique and I was excited to read a sci-fi based on Korean mythology. This book follows a young girl named Min, whose family happens to all be gumiho, or fox spirits. People tend not to like fox spirits as they stereotyped as being deceptive and untrustworthy. But when Min's brother deserts his post in the Space Forces in order to search of the Dragon Pearl, Min knows this is her chance to get off her planet, find her brother and the Dragon Pearl, and make life for her family and her planet a little easier.

The premise of the story really interested me, what with the Korean mythological aspects mixed in with the science fiction atmosphere. However, the actual execution of the story was a little lacking for me. Plot wise there were a lot of happy coincidences and some things were solved a little too conveniently for my taste. There were also some things that happened in the plot, like Min meeting her aunt, that seemed like it was going to play a bigger role in the story, but ended up serving little purpose to the plot in the grand scheme of things. On the other hand, I loved the overall arch of the story, and the quest to find Min's brother Jun. There was a lot of action throughout the novel that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

I really did like all the supernatural elements in the story and the inclusion of all the mythological creatures like gumihos, dragons, ghosts and goblins. I like reading about each type of supernatural creature and how their powers worked in this world. I especially enjoyed how Min's shape shifting powers worked and how her powers grew as her character grew throughout the story. I would have liked to have seen more of the side characters, and more about their backstories in general. Min was really the only fully developed character, and the story would have been that much better if we could have gotten to know the other characters that helped her along the way. There was also the inclusion of a character who used gender-neutral pronouns, which I thought was really great as you don't often see that in middle grade novels.

Overall, this was a fun and fast-paced middle grade novel. If you are a fan of other novels about mythology, I am sure you will also be a fan of this book as well.

The Dragon Pearl...Myth. Legend. Reality?
Perhaps, but whether it is the creator or destroyer of worlds all depends on the hands in which it dwells. Once upon a time, there was an artifact of legend that fell into darkness. It's location remained unknown for so long, many doubted it ever existed, but there are always those looking for a challenge...though their intentions are as varied as their heritage.

When you crack the spine on this one, be ready for adventure in all its beautiful colors. There's high flying space battles with fiery ends, otherworldly mysteries that could crystallize the most stalwart of souls, and family bonds so precious no distance can keep them apart. There are new acquaintances made with family formerly unknown (with good reason, as we learn), so many lies told it'll be hard to keep the truth in sight, gi's tested to their limits, and enough latrines scrubbed this girl should open her own cleaning service! Seriously though, it's much more than it may at first seem and it already spikes your interest at first glance, so that's saying something...but beyond the Fiction, there's a lot of FACT with the lessons it teaches us about the world being better off in harmony, keeping our deceptions to a minimum, and accepting others for who they are not what you may have heard. Keep an eye out for the different types of spirits and magic running about, as they each have their own "flavor", their own razzle dazzle, and their own set of rules they live by.

In short, I loved the world building, the histories, the magic, and everything in between. What begins as a simple story to uncover the fate of a beloved brother, turns into a fight for not just their lives, but those of every other WORLD. Power is a funny beast...in the right hands, the possibilities are endless, but in the wrong hands, the devastation is unimaginable. Prepare for battle when you crack the spine on this one and strap in for one heck of a ride!

Min is a fox spirit living in one of the poorest worlds in the Thousand Worlds where fox spirits are not trusted. Her mother discourages Min from shape shifting or using charm. When her older brother Jun disappears from the Space Force and is accused of leaving his space ship in order to go in search of the Dragon Pearl, Jun is determined to find out what happened to him even if it means using all her charm and shape shifting powers. If you are looking for a book with a strong female main character, then this is the book for you. Min grows throughout the course of the book. The pace was steady, but did not leave me on the edge of my seat as I usually expect in a Rick Riordan Presents book. This book is considered a space opera so that may explain the pacing.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.