Review published on Goodreads and Instagram on 23 October 2020:

The Fallen Hero continues where The Dragon Warrior left off, throwing the reader immediately in a fight scene. The heroes have joined The New Order in Chinatown, Manhattan, where they are trained into better warriors. Here they meet the outcasts Ashley and Jordan who will follow along on a new epic quest, given by their old friend Erlang Shen.

The sequel follows a similar route like the first part, staying true to the quest-trope. However, Faryn is no longer the Chosen One and it's interesting to see how she's dealing with it. Just like in the first part Zhao submerges us in a fusion of Chinese-American culture, which I love. We also learn more about Faryn and Alex' past, although much is still shrouded in mystery....

I did find some things to feel a bit of a repeat from book one, such as Ashley and Jordan being outcasts like Faryn and Alex had been. Also, Ashley's personality reminded me a lot of Moli's.

Like The Dragon Warrior, this installment in the series is also funny, led by Faryn's unique voice. We can also see her growing more mature through her experiences, which is always great to see in a book!

The Dragon Warrior is perhaps one of my favorite middle-grade novels of all time – it was a definite favorite from 2019, and it left me with so many questions (along with a need for more). The Fallen Hero is the sequel to The Dragon Warrior, jumping right in. Zhao left the story with Faryn not being too keen about joining the Jade Emperor in his quest to wipe out humanity, but her younger brother (Alex), on the other hand, has no issues. He betrays her to become the new Heaven Breaker, and who can blame him after growing up being treated as an outcast?

This was an adventurous ride from start to finish, and it was everything that I expected from the sequel. Zhao’s writing is just as immersive as the first as Faryn, Ren, and their new companions from the New Order in Manhattan search out Sun WuKong (the Monkey King) to convince him to join their side. This eventually leads them to Journey through Diyu (the Underworld) to retrieve Ruyi Jingu Bang (the Monkey King’s weapon), the only weapon that could stand a chance in stopping Alex.

Like its predecessor, the sequel is full of humor and entertainment that had me laughing out loud multiple times while reading and wanting to continue the story. It was also nice to see inspirations from Journey to the West (among other aspects of Chinese mythology) because it was a huge part of my childhood – or at least, the movie versions were a huge part – and reading The Fallen Hero brought back a lot of those memories. I kind of wish I didn’t finish it as quickly as I did; it’s probably my only complaint. Faryn has quickly become one of my favorite protagonists with her narration and would’ve been someone I looked up to fictionally if The Fallen Hero got published when I was younger.

Zhao also brings back familiar faces from The Dragon Warrior and introduces a few new characters that either aid or hinder Faryn and her companions in their trek to find the Monkey King and through Diyu. There are a few loose ends signaling a continuation of the series, but whether or not a third book makes it into the world, I’m super excited for Zhao’s future works as she’s quickly become one of my favorite authors.

The Fallen Hero is the sequel to The Dragon Warrior. Faryn has to live with her brother’s betrayal and her father not recognizing her. She tries to bury her grief by focusing on the Jade Warriors. When she has to enter into a tough competition to save the world, she reluctantly accepts knowing that she could lose someone dear to her.

Faryn has grown into a more mature and strong character. She is a young girl that has to learn responsibility and try to find a way to save her loved ones. Therefore, Faryn was a fun character to root for! I read to find out if things would get better for her!

Overall, this novel is a coming-of-age story that is full of family drama, adventure, and action. The world-building is the book’s strength because it showcased mortals, gods, demons, and dragons! The story is very fast-paced and was a fun ride! The novel was also full of suspense and was full of twists and turns! Thus, this looks like a promising series, and I hope that there will be more! I recommend this for fans of Girl Giant and The Monkey King, The Last Fallen Star, and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon!

The Fallen Hero by Katie Zhao is a very interesting middle-grade fantasy book the follows Chinese mythology. I read this with my son who was captivated the entire story. This book has it all and teaches a few lessons also! Great read and I recommend!

Have I mentioned I'm in love with this series? I honestly think this is one of my favourite middle grade series to date! Full of daring adventures and high-stake consequences, this book blew me away. Right from the start, we're thrown into action - the author wastes no time putting our heroes into the path of danger and by the end of chapter one I was eager to binge the book in its entirety (admittedly, sleep won that round, but I did end up devouring this book!).

I don't want to give too much away, but, as mentioned in the synopsis, Faryn isn't the Chosen One anymore - her brother now holds that title. It was really interesting to see how she dealt with not only losing that title, but having it given to her brother who changes sides. I appreciated the author exploring how life works when what you think is destiny comes to a grinding halt.

Through this book, there's the same witty humour, fantastical world building, and fascinating development and exploration of Chinese mythology. I liked how focused this one was on the mythology around the Monkey King. I also enjoyed the new characters and the fact that there's acknowledgement that Faryn's situation, and the situation of most diaspora people, isn't unique and requires some grappling and some soul searching to fully understand how to be content in our own skin.

As a whole, I'm really enjoying this series and loving every bit of it! The end of the book is left open for a third book and I'm excited to see what the future holds for these beloved characters!

Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.23/5

eARC obtained via Caffeine Book Tours via Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review.

I jumped into this story not realizing it was a sequel.
The series is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan or the Riordan Presents imprint.
Fallen Hero presents Chinese mythology combined with modern folklore. There is humor and adventure. I liked the Chinese terms that are sprinkled through as well as the cultural humor, My daughter is in Chinese Immersion program at her school so I am on the look out for stories like this one to support her learning. This one ticks off many boxes.

The Fallen Hero
4/5 ⭐️ to The Fallen Hero by Katie Zhao

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s and NetGalley for early access to the ebook!

I am a big fan of this middle grade fantasy series which celebrates and highlights Chinese culture & mythology. Please check out own-voices reviews specifically for comments on the cultural representation in this book/series.

In this book we continue to follow Faryn Liu as she continues to develop as the Dragon Warrior and save the world from being destroyed by demons. On this journey, she meets new friends, travels all over the US and the underworld, and discovered all sorts of fantastical creatures and artifacts. The writing in this was such that I was able to connect to and understand the characters, but follow them to all these amazing places while learning more about Chinese culture and lore. There was some fantastic action scenes throughout the book that will keep young readers glued to the pages with anticipation, and characters they will be able to connect to. Also, there are great themes about family, friendship, loyalty, courage, grief, loss, and determination. Faryn goes though a lot in this book (and the series in general), but she keeps her fighting spirit, and leans on her friends, family, and fellow warriors for support. Even when all hope seems lost, she keeps fighting!

I don’t want to say too much more since this is a sequel and I don’t want to spoil the series, but check it out for sure! Read The Dragon Warrior first, when come read this one! Share it especially with younger readers who are looking for more adventure. I know for sure I will be continuing with this series, as well as Katie Zhao’s other books!

If you read my review of The Dragon Warrior last year, then you’ll know that I loved it for the story that felt like a love letter to diaspora and immigrant kids and its fun adventure about dragons and prophecies and being brave. I don’t take for granted that sequels are leaps of faith, for both the story and for the author, and I wanted more than anything for The Fallen Hero, the sequel to The Dragon Warrior, to land majestically. Well, good news, friends: The Fallen Hero is a sequel that absolutely lives up to the wonder and heart of its first book – and perhaps even more.
The Fallen Hero picks up where The Dragon Warrior leaves off: Faryn has found what she’s been searching for, and things are not what they seem. After six months of training, Faryn and her companions – including two siblings with a mysterious past and Faryn’s part-dragon friend, Ren – go on a quest to convince a powerful being from Chinese mythology to aid them in the coming war between humans and the Jade Emperor.
True to the first book, The Fallen Hero is just as fun and exciting as The Dragon Warrior. Readers will get to journey to Huāguǒ Shān and meet a mischievous god from a beloved Chinese folktale, will journey to the depths of Diyu (and you know it’s Diyu when it’s bureucractic as hell [hah!]) where Faryn confronts her inner demons (and actual) and meet old friends, and also witness epic battles between humans and gods, friends and traitors, and even fights between family. Told with humour and heart, I had just as much fun reading The Fallen Hero, and love that Katie expands the worldbuilding to include new retellings of Asian folklore and myths.
One of my favourite things about The Dragon Warrior was that it sent a clear message that Asian kids, especially those who have felt like they never really ‘belonged’ anywhere, can be ‘The Chosen One’ and the heroes of the story too. For readers who have never seen themselves, it is stories like The Dragon Warrior that can feel so empowering and validating and it is for this reason that The Dragon Warrior will forever remain close to my heart.
With The Fallen Hero, the story subverts the trope that is set up in the first book; rather than exploring what it means to be The Chosen One, especially when you are an Asian girl and exist in a socio-cultural space where Asian girls are often barred from being the heroes, The Fallen Hero asks: what if you were The Chosen One, but you aren’t The Chosen One anymore?
Though I loved The Dragon Warrior’s message that any child, especially diaspora Asian girls, could become heroes, the message in The Fallen Hero is equally vital: that a hero is someone who does good simply because it is the right thing to do. And that message is so important – because not all of us are ‘heroes’, but we can be heroes in ways that don’t require accolades or awards or a title to validate that what we do is good; we can be heroes by doing what we can to make the world a better place, doing the right thing, and standing up for people who need your help. Ultimately, The Fallen Hero is an empowering story about how a hero isn’t a title; a hero is someone who does the right thing.
Faryn shines so brightly in this book, and I enjoyed reading how she grows across the story to become a truly strong and good person who also has moments of vulnerability too. Not only does Faryn fight demons and stands her ground against mighty gods in this book, she also grapples with some really tough stuff – feeling like she doesn’t really belong anywhere; having finally found what she was looking for, only for it to not go the way she had imagined; having to fight with her loved one, even though all she wants to do is to protect them. Faryn’s physical adventure across realms balanced perfectly with her emotional journey, which made The Fallen Hero such a satisfying read.
On a more personal level, I also feel like The Fallen Hero was an interesting parallel to the ups and downs of being a diaspora kid. To me, The Dragon Warrior was about the glory and homecoming of coming into yourself and the person you were destined to be. It was about finding out who you were, finding something that anchored you, and finding that the person you always believed you could be was real and realised. The Fallen Hero shows another side: that sometimes identity and the belonging that comes with it can be a fickle thing, that those we love are often anchors in our identity – but what do we do and who are we, if we are alone? – and that sometimes, all we can really do is be the best version of ourselves, even if it means we don’t get the validation we may crave.
MY CONCLUSION: RECOMMENDED
The Fallen Hero leaves on a cliffhanger – an exciting one that opens up so many questions and possibilities that I can’t wait to be answered and explored in the third book. Exciting, adventurous and with plenty of emotional depth that explores what it means to be a hero, The Fallen Hero is a satisfying sequel and a fantastic book that holds its own. If you are looking for a fun book for the younger ones, or even for yourself if you’re looking for a well-rounded good read, The Dragon Warrior and The Fallen Hero are superb choices.

The Fallen Hero is a thrilling sequel to The Dragon Warrior, Katie Zhou’s Chinese fantasy-inspired middle grade series will surely delight readers. I’m more of an occasional middle grade reader—it’s excellent light fare for in between longer YA and Adult novels—so I’m not well versed in it enough to give critique. I enjoyed reading The Fallen Hero because of Faryn’s bravery and the fun characterizations of the gods.

High stakes and a wide cast of characters adds excitement. I don’t think there was a single chapter where I wasn’t excited to turn the page and find out what happens next. Zhou also invests readers in every character, from Faryn (our main girl) to the smallest side character. They all have journeys to go on, which just goes to show that there isn’t only one hero—the best battles are won through the efforts of many.

I also liked learning about Chinese mythology through The Fallen Hero. Most of Faryn’s quests and actions are based on legends and myths that have been passed down through the ages. I love adaptations and fairytale retellings—this isn’t one of them, but it’s rather akin to the Percy Jackson novels with the personifications of gods and sense of whimsy that comes in the combination of myth and reality.

One thing I didn’t particularly enjoy is the automatic rivalries Faryn has with any other girl her age on quests. First Moli and now Ashley, I just wish there wasn’t so much girl-hate at first. It’s not great for younger readers to see that they have to work to overcome annoyances in other girls while they can have automatic friendships with everyone else.

I would definitely recommend reading The Dragon Warrior series! It’s a great read for all ages, not just middle graders.

Katie Zhao captured my heart with her debut novel which perfectly encapsulated the diaspora experience, and I was ecstatic to find that her sophomore novel did not disappoint!

Filled with touching family moments and immersive writing, The Fallen Hero is a showstopping novel that explores themes of identity, friendship, and courage. I truly wish I had a story like this to read when I was growing up because Katie’s writing touches the heart of every immigrant and child of diaspora.

The Fallen Hero picks up 6 months after where The Dragon Warrior left off, following Faryn Liu and the New Order as they embark on a new quest to save the world from the gods. After being betrayed by her brother, Alex, Faryn must grapple with the discovery that she is longer the Chosen One yet still save everyone she loves.

Reading Katie Zhao’s writing is always an absolute DELIGHT. You’re whisked off onto an adventure and along the way you’ll find moments that make you chuckle in delight and scenes that break your heart. As an Asian American reader, I felt so seen, and it was almost like Katie managed to crossover Percy Jackson and subtle asian traits into a book.

Throughout the story, we meet new characters and are visited by ancestors from the past book, and classic Chinese mythology is masterfully woven into the plotline. The humor is top quality, yet Katie manages to balance the happy moments perfectly with scenes that will leave you in tears.

This is a book that I’m excited to gift my younger cousins, and Katie’s rise in Asian fiction is one that I’m excited to see. The Fallen Hero was a stellar followup to an already fantastically written debut novel, and I cannot wait for what she writes next!

Faryn is every bit as funny and full of heart in FALLEN HERO as she was in THE DRAGON WARRIOR. I loved her relationships with the other characters, especially her relationship with Ren, which is so sweet.

I think I read this book faster than the first one, too. The quest to find the Ruyi Jingu Bang takes Faryn and her allies all over the place. Again the story leads her to lean on her connection to her family and her ancestors. I love that it celebrates the bond between generations.

I know almost nothing about Chinese mythology, so I enjoyed learning a bit and seeing the different gods and goddesses portrayed in the story. It reminded me a bit of the Percy Jackson books in that it has gods and goddesses in a contemporary world. These books might be best read by readers a little younger, but I think they’re every bit as entertaining and fun.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review posted 10/17/20

The Fallen Hero continues the epic drama of <a href="http://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2020/10/09/the-dragon-warrior-the-dragon-warrior-1-by-katie-zhao/">The Dragon Warrior</a> series as Faryn tries to find her place with the New Order based out of Manhattan's Chinatown, only to discover that the gods aren't done with her yet.

Still reeling from her younger brother's decision from the end of her last quest for the gods, while working through her feelings regarding a father who has no memory of who she is, Faryn is having a hard enough time fitting in without the animosity of the prickly Ashley Liao, another young girl who, with her older brother Jordan, form a pair of outcasts similar to Faryn's own situation growing up with the Jade Society out west. Luckily, Ren is still by her side... until he tells her one day that his destiny lies in learning to control his dragon heritage under the tutelage of the Dragon Kings. Alone and anxious, Faryn has no intention of stepping up when the gods Guanyin, Nezha and Erlang Shen show up with another hero's quest. But Xiong, the leader of the New Order, makes a stirring plea, and so she and the Liao siblings find themselves heading west in search of another weapon to rally the gods. Along the way, they'll have to attempt to enlist the aid of the Monkey King himself, and travel to the depths of Diyu and back. But at what cost?

I loved how Katie Zhao incorporated more aspects of Chinese mythology into this action-packed sequel. While I was already pretty familiar with Sun Wukong, the perils of Diyu were entirely new to me, so it really felt like a wholly fresh landscape for me to explore alongside our heroes. I also really loved the emphasis on family, carrying over from the previous book. As with TDW, however, there were odd lapses in logic (e.g. the whole thing about New Order warriors retiring at 18 was about the dumbest reason I've read for an age limit on a quest) and the dialog was occasionally unlikely at best, but this was made up for with lots of verve, suspense and humor, with parts making me laugh out loud at the collision of 21st century adolescent sensibilities with ancient mythologies.

I'm really glad Ms Zhao is bringing these books to the world, showcasing a young girl's quest to save humanity from certain callous Chinese gods. I kinda hope it runs for more than three books tho, because there's so much to be covered still in this series! Aside from saving humanity, Faryn still has to rescue her mother's spirit and find out more about the Mediterranean side of her family, and what's up with Alex's parents, too?! There's so much, and I'm eager to read it all!

The Fallen Hero by Katie Zhao comes out today from Bloomsbury and is available from all good booksellers.

There are some books that own your entire heart — books that make you smile and laugh and close your eyes in silent agreement— books that you’ll come back to, over and over again. Without a doubt, The Fallen Hero, along with the first novel in the series, The Dragon Warrior, will go down as one of my favorite middle grade books of all time.

As someone who’s only recently been exposed to the wonder of Katie Zhao’s storytelling, honestly, for me, The Fallen Hero reinvented the magic of this genre: with heart, powerful familial dynamics, friendship, witty dialogue, adventure, and a journey worth the ride, The Fallen Hero is nothing short of pure excellence.

———— (NOT) THE CHOSEN ONE ————

The Fallen Hero starts at exactly where The Dragon Warrior left off. Faryn is hit by storm after storm: She’s found out that she’s in fact not the Heaven Breaker — that she holds no special power, has no divine significance. She’s been betrayed by her younger brother, which is something that still stings no matter how much time has passed. And, apparently, saving the world is something that’s still on her to-do list.

That’s a lot of weightage to put on a 12-year old’s shoulders, powers or no powers.

While quests & chosen one plot lines are fun, a quest with ordinary human beings working hard and using their moral compasses to save the world is a lot more fun. Faryn has nothing except a strong sense of right and wrong, a desire to carry and exemplify the legacy of her family, and the support of the friends she makes along the way — all of which proves to be equivalent to any power in the world.

———— JUST A TIRED OLDER SISTER ————

High stakes and a twelve year old girl — Katie Zhao manages to develop both of them without sacrificing either.

My favorite thing about The Fallen Hero would be its delicate balance between a tight plot and characters that actually act their age. Despite a quest, lots of adventures, and the fate of the whole world banked on her success, Faryn never stops being a 12 year old.

In a tweet, the author herself says that The Fallen Hero is a love letter to tired older sisters — and as a (tired) older sister, I feel it!

———— AND, HEY, IT'S FUNNY! ————

Speaking of acting like a 12-year old, a review for this book could never be complete without mentioning the humor interlaced in every page of this story.

Faryn (and her thoughts) will always go down in history as being more funny and witty than I’ll ever be. As someone who rarely laughs while reading, The Fallen Hero had me grinning and choking out laughter at the dry humor and wry comments made. This is not to say that it’s all rainbows and sparkles — The Fallen Hero evoked all the emotions, and had me nearly in tears at some points with all the family angst — there was a natural transition from humor and hurt, and it all felt so real. And, I think, that’s where the real power of the story lies — how the way the story unfolds feels genuine and realistic.

———— A STORY OF BELONGING ————

n the end, if I were to sum up The Fallen Hero in just a couple words, it would be this: a story about family. Due to their multiracial background, Faryn and Alex were always shunned and ignored by those in the Jade Society. Alex, who was supposed to always have Faryn’s back, who was family, had betrayed her.

Throughout the story, Faryn learns about what defines a family — that’s it not blood, but those who choose to forge ties with her, and those who stick with her. She learns that she belongs, and that people care — it’s a realization that can take a while, and it’s a lesson that people of all ages can relate to. I think that’s part of what makes this book truly special: There’s a bit of Faryn in all us: her fears, her loneliness, her love for her family, and the lessons she learns. It’s this connection between us, the readers, and Faryn, that makes The Fallen Hero the magical book it is.

As a war looms, allegiances are questioned, traitors are exposed, and a few unexpected allies are discovered.

There are many characters involved in this story; however, they are fairly easy to keep track of. Faryn Liu is the main warrior. With an intense love of family, even at 12-years-old, she is fighting for those she cares for and even those she does not yet know. At her side is Ren, her faithful friend. He's got a few of his own personal struggles, but he's doing his best to learn to control his actions and support his friends. New to this continuing saga are Ashley and Jordan. Also, young warriors, they, too, are on the side of good--although Ashley is really annoying. She has a really bad attitude and her hatred toward Faryn takes center stage far too often. As the story unfolds, they come across old friends and discover that people do have the ability to change, for good or bad.

Violence and magic are entwined into this story, yet the author has presented both in age appropriate ways. Magic is used by the gods, by those with special weapons, and by those with unique parentage. Violence is to be expected when the gods are involved because there always seems to be a few who want to be in control of everything, although the author keeps it age appropriate by not adding bloody or overly descriptive scenes. Because this book is centered on Chinese mythology, and written with believable detail, it could be confusing to a young reader since it is not clearly written as a fantastical story. Heaven and hell, the gods, the parentage of a few, the dead coming out of Diyu (hell), and the activities in Diyu, are all written in a way contrary to what Western-based cultures normally hear about those places and could be confusing to a young reader only familiar with Western world views, but is a great opening for discussing other cultures and belief systems.

The story flowed well (with the exception of Ashley and her annoying tendencies) and kept me wanting to read more and see who wins this battle of good vs. evil. The characters are presented in a believable manner even though they are not yet even teenagers; they are capable of being true warriors whom the world depends on. If you love mythology and folk lore, you might enjoy this story very much. The ending is definitely a set up for a third book. This is Katie Zhao's third book to be published and the story is introduced in book one, The Dragon Warrior.

Review of a Digital Advanced Reading Copy

Faryn is reeling from her brother’s betrayal. She feels shunned by the New Order people because one of their own died saving her. Her own father has no memory of her. Things couldn’t get much worse. Could they?
Of course they can!
The gods are ready for an all out war amongst themselves, which will not be very good for the mere humans that will get caught between the two factions.
Faryn must do all that she can to stop this war, save her brother from himself, and find a way to get her father’s memories back.
Who will like book The Fallen Hero?
Katie Zhao is a great storyteller, but in the beginning of this novel, I felt very strong echoes from the beginning of the first book. Faryn is living with people that resent her. She is called on a quest. She has to go with the person who hates her the most. Exactly like book one. I was a bit disappointed by that. BUT …if you loved book one and want more of the same, then awesome, this is the book for you! She delivers on that! I can’t help but wonder if she created this echo for a reason which we might understand in book 3.

I do like her writing style and her characters. The Chinese mythology was fascinating! Zhao has an excellent grasp of story telling. I see the threads of story weaving in and out. I will say this was not the end of the series. I’m thinking it’s a trilogy. She tied of one or two plot threads, but there are still a few hanging at the end of this book.

If you loved book one, then you’ll likely love this one too. I DO look forward to the end of this series–to see how she wraps it up.

Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Fallen Hero is set months after the end of The Dragon Warrior. Faryn stays with her friend in the New Society and trains together with the warriors. Life is not easy since they are outsiders. Worse, her traitor of a brother has changed for the worse. The Hungry Ghost Festival is near. It allows the spirit of the ancestors to commune with their surviving family but like the other important Chinese holiday, this is one of those days that demons get stronger. Faryn, together with other warriors, embarks on a quest to enlist for help since the Jade Emperor and his allies plan to unleash their plan of destruction during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Guided by a prophecy, the warriors go through the quest. Through the help of her ancestors, she thwarts the evil plan. Like other quests, there are sacrifices made and this is not different.

The second installment did not disappoint. The plot is easy to follow and filled with humor and references to Chinese culture (and popular culture). We journey with the characters as they spend their quest in Diyu, the Chinese realm of the dead. So we get to see how the dead spend their dead days.

One of the strengths of this book is the ability to discuss mature themes. It’s not easy to put discuss death, loneliness, feelings of abandonment, and sacrifice in a middle grade book. We get to see how Faryn tries to be strong as she goes through a lot of difficult things. The hardest will probably be answering the question of “what will you do if you are not the chosen one any longer?” Her character is being tested at every turn and we see her grow as an individual.

Faryn, despite the betrayal of her younger brother, is still an older sister. She can’t help it. She still cares despite everything that happened. All through out the book, she feels lonely. She often has feelings of abandonment and thinks that everyone will leave her like the others; however, we see that while some people leave, your family (and dead ancestors) will still have your back and help you when you need it the most.

If you are searching for a middle grade book about Chinese mythology, the deities and demons existing in the modern society, story that puts emphasis on family, this book (and series) is for you.

The Fallen Hero is a sequel that only explores even more deeply the themes I loved about The Dragon Warrior: our sense of family, our role in the world of gods and humans, and searching for a purpose. It's a story that asks us what we will sacrifice for the greater good, for a calling that demands a price. Grappling with issues of belonging, The Fallen Hero, like it's name suggests, also tackles what happens when we aren't the Chosen One anymore. It's a thoughtful and action packed sequel to one of my favorite middle grade debuts!

If I could go back in time and gift my middle school self one series, it would have to be The Dragon Warrior series by Katie Zhao. Full of wit, humor, heart, The Fallen Hero is a love letter both to the Chinese diaspora and to the young adults who needed books like these growing up (including myself).

An outcast for the majority of her life, Faryn is a compelling protagonist whose strength comes from her love of her family and her own moral compass. Because of her multiracial background, she was never quite accepted by the Jade Society, where she grew up, nor does she fit in with the New Order – and to top it all off, Faryn has been betrayed by her younger brother and is no longer the Heaven Breaker. She struggles with feelings of abandonment and fitting in, but none of that stops her from wanting to honor the memories and legacies of her family and save her brother from making a mistake he can never take back. Faryn Liu is a courageous, Pocky-loving, dutiful granddaughter, and I have no doubt that she is going to save her world.

You can read my full review here: https://loveyoshelf.com/2020/10/04/blog-tour-and-review-the-fallen-hero-by-katie-zhao/

Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Fallen Hero

Author: Katie Zhao

Book Series: The Dragon Warrior Book 2

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: Half Chinese main character, Half Chinese and Chinese side characters.

Recommended For...: mg fantasy, Chinese mythology

Publication Date: October 13, 2020

Genre: MG Fantasy

Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, slight gore)

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Kids

Pages: 336

Synopsis: Faryn Liu thought she was the Heaven Breaker, a warrior destined to wield the all-powerful spear Fenghuang, command dragons, and defeat demons. But a conniving goddess was manipulating her all along...and her beloved younger brother, Alex, has betrayed her and taken over as the Heaven Breaker instead. Alex never forgave the people who treated him and Faryn like outcasts, and now he wants to wipe out both the demons and most of humanity.

Determined to prevent a war and bring Alex back to her side, Faryn and her half-dragon friend Ren join the New Order, a group of warriors based out of Manhattan's Chinatown. She learns that one weapon can stand against Fenghuang--the Ruyi Jingu Bang. Only problem? It belongs to an infamous trickster, the Monkey King.

Faryn sets off on a daring quest to convince the Monkey King to join forces with her, one that will take her to new places--including Diyu, otherwise known as the Underworld--where she'll run into new dangers and more than one familiar face. Can she complete her mission and save the brother she loves, no matter the cost?

Review: Overall, this was an awesome book. The book improved so much on the first one and gave us so much character development and world building. The book also attacks the old Chosen One trope. The book did well to keep me intrigued throughout it.

The only issue I really had with this is that I thought the pacing was slower in this novel and a little bit too slow in some parts.

Verdict: A great series!

Faryn, former Heaven Breaker, accompanied by a few fellow warriors from the New Order, & her half-dragon friend Ren, set out to prevent a war & save her traitor brother. But to do that, they need The Monkey King’s help & his weapon, the Ruyi Jingu Bang. But enlisting his help means going to the Underworld to get his weapon back. Can she do it in time and save her brother?

This was a wonderful sequel in an awesome middle grade fantasy action adventure! Faryn Liu is an endearing, admirable character and she has been through a lot. Her brother is a traitor and her father has no memory of her. Several parts of this book really moved me and got me teary eyed or made me feel proud. I really liked that.

I love the Chinese mythology and culture all throughout this novel! It’s wonderful! Some of my favorite moments occur when Faryn and her friends are in the Underworld. But I do not want to reveal any spoilers! I will say there are dragons! If you enjoy middle grade fiction, and you like mythology, this series is for you!

A few of my favorite characters were The Monkey King, Ren, and Goddess Guanyin. This story deals with so many things like honor, forgiveness, family, love, friendship, sacrifice and honor. I thoroughly enjoyed this middle grade novel and the third book cannot arrive soon enough! I definitely recommend it!

Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books for the Advanced Reader’s Copy!