Loved the writing and the characters! The fantasy world and magical powers were so so cool, it was an amazing read!

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

My Thoughts:

Zhi Ging enters the middle level fantasy genre as the next spunky 12-year-old heroine in this Hong Kong inspired undersea adventure. What I was NOT paying attention to is that this is a duology. I admit that I did not pay attention to that, so when Zhi Ging must step up to her save the world moment, the book was done! I was not prepared. In other words, know before you start reading this aloud to your upper elementary child or let the tweens know that the next book does not come out until March 2025.

The appeal of this book is that it takes a plucky girl who is orphaned and bullied as a talentless "no glow," and gives her a chance to shine in this delightful magic-school genre. The world building, or under sea building is new and a solid contribution that makes me want to go to the local aquarium and study jellyfish. In other words, think Pippi or Anne of Green Gables, but Asian with Cantonese cultural motifs and magic food spoons. I am most obsessed with the spoons and would like to visit the movie set in the sea near Hong Kong so I can bowl with a stone, choose a spoon and eat whatever appears when I pour hot water in the bowl and crack the spoon on the stone.

In reality, I don't know if there will be a movie, but if you get to the north island of New Zealand, you can visit Hobbiton in Matamata. The tour takes you through the movie set shire, and it ends at the Green Dragon Inn where you get a complimentary beverage. Pay a little more and you can join others for second breakfast or a dinner feast. The food in Paper Dragons would be worth a visit to Hong Kong.

From the Publishers:
An outsider in her village above the cloud sea, 12-year-old orphan Yeung Zhi Ging’s only hope of escape is to win the single invitation to train as a Silhouette: an apprentice to the immortals. After her ill-fated attempt to impress the Silhouette scout leads to a dragon attack on the jade mountain, Zhi Ging is sure that her chances, and her life, are over. But the scout spots her potential and offers her protection and a second chance. She’s in.

In her lessons in Hok Woh, the underwater realm of the immortals, Zhi Ging must face the challenging trials set by her teachers to prove that she’s worthy of being a Silhouette—despite her rivals' attempts to sabotage her. But as Zhi Ging’s power grows, so do the rumours of the return of the Fui Gwai, an evil spirit that turns people into grey-eyed thralls.

When the impossible happens and the Fui Gwai attack the Silhouettes, can Zhi Ging use her newly uncovered talents to save her friends and the world beyond? Or will the grey-eyed spirit consume them all?

Publication Information:
Author: Siobhan McDermott
Publisher: Delacorte Press (March 5, 2024)
Hardcover: 384 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0593706114
Grade level: 5-6

I love when books can incorporate mythology into them. With Paper Dragons, I felt like I was whisked away into a new fun adventure. The concept of the story was fun and I felt like I learned more about Chinese mythology.

This book was too freaking cute. I had such the funniest time ever that I want everyone else to read them. It will truly brighten your day. It's not too much for young fantasy read.

This was a cute story about a girl who didn't have a family and wanted to get out of the village that she lived in. When she was able to go to the place she wanted to even though she had not been picked a lot of events happen only for her to find out that things have not always been as they seemed. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. It is cute with magic and an interesting world.

12-year-old Yeung Zhi Ging is adopted and has no idea about her past. She longs to leave her village, where she doesn’t fit in. Her only hope of escape is to be selected to train as a Silhouette. When a dragon attacks the village, a scout spots her potential. She then becomes the first ever second person to train from her area. Taken to Hok Who, the realm of the immortals, she must pass 12 challenges, or her memory will be wiped. But she faces even bigger dangers if her memory is wiped. Trying to fit in at the boarding school, she faces accusations from bullies that she’s misusing her powers. When the Fui Gwai demon get sent to the realm by someone in her village, Zhi knows that her only hope of survival is to harness her powers and pass the challenges. Will she succeed?

The world building is well done, engaging, and draws the reader into the story. The plot is engaging and fast-paced. Readers who like books with magic, wizards, dragons, and fantasy will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. Grades 4-8.

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

For the most part, this book hits just right. If nothing else, the action is constant and the book is worth reading it if just for that. The characters are all interesting and captivating in their own right. The politics of the characters is purposefully annoying and aggravating. There was only one point at which what the characters appeared to be trying to push as its actual politics annoyed me, but that was more the part aimed at readers younger than me, so it wasn't a killer. Overall, this is a quick read that is worth picking up.

I actually liked the concept of ascending to immortality here. It's like watching c-dramas but on papers (if you get what I mean). I've watched so many amazing fantasy c-dramas, that reading this book actually feels like watching a c-drama except the whole thing played in my head. I liked Zhi Ging's character, she's the type to never give up and will always think of ways to solve the problems or find solutions to anything that is complicated. She was told she cannot go to Hok Woh, but she never gave up on her dreams to go there. The fact that she managed to go there despite she wasn't qualified means she was the chosen one here and that far greater things will come to her, and so does the challenges she had to face. She never back down from any challenges, and I liked how smart and bold she is. I also liked that she has Reishi who always look after her and making sure she'll be fine. He's an amazing person and is obviously the kindest person to ever treat Zhi Ging. I also liked the explanation of how one can ascend to immortality, the process of becoming an immortal, and how these kind of people can ageshift. The concept is unique, and the main protagonist is very likable. I enjoyed reading this at first, but sadly the story started to slow down when it gets to the middle of the book. I would've enjoyed it more if the pacing stays consistent. It ended in a cliffy (sort of, depending on how you interpret it), and I hope Reishi will be just fine. The villain here was surprising to me as in the identity. Didn't click in my mind on who it was until it was revealed.

okay wow. I ADORED THIS SO MUCH AHHHHH.

okay now that i’ve got the screaming out of the way, on to the review.

i absolutely loved the world and magic system of this book. it’s steeped in asian lore and culture and it really felt like i was standing there in the underwater glass school (which, let’s take a moment to acknowledge how cool that is) with these characters. the explanations at the back really tie this together and i loved how much she thought about symbolism in this book.

speaking of characters, oh my did i fall in love with these people. malo was obviously a favorite because if you name an animal in your book i automatically get attached, but zhi ging was just such a compelling and likeable protagonist. you wanted to root for her even through mess ups because you’ve seen the messed up world through her eyes.

i also loved the way she formed friendships with people who actually stuck by her and with some adults the way you would expect. she’s searching for belonging and trying desperately to prove she should be there. it makes her journey that much more touching as she’s navigating these new relationships.

this book also deals with generational hate in a way that i really liked and explains why iridill is the way she is is (even if she is still awful)

the twist villian is always a win for me as well and i was genuinely shocked at the reveal.

i can not wait till book 2. when is that coming btw? 👀

The cover for this is gorgeous and the plot sounded so intriguing, but the story itself didn't live up to it for me.

The world building sounds beautiful and the imagery painted by the author is amazing, but it felt like it took so very long for the book to actually get started on the plot, I think I was over 30% of the way in before Zhi Ging made it to Hok Woh (I could be wrong, but I remember be off, but it was a noticeable amount of the way in). The book had simultaneously nothing happening and also everything happening, there were so many plot points going on it was almost hard to keep track. I seriously considered DNF'ing it but had made it so far I pushed through. I am still a bit fuzzy on what the Silhouettes are training for and what their classes are meant to teach.

Iridell. This is middle grade so of course we will get some bullying and a rival student sort of plot, but it felt incredibly over the top. Both in the way Iridell taunted Zhi Ging and her friends and in the way that none of the adults even remotely seemed to believe Zhi Ging hadn't done anything wrong.

In the end I think it just needed a bit more editing, but I think this is one of those books where it will be enjoyed more by other people than it was by me.

Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!

I'm a sucker for a magic school book, and this was no exception. I loved the magic system and seeing all the different ways magic was channeled and used! I also really enjoyed the friendship between Zhi Ging and her friends, as she's finally allowed to step into the world and be accepted for who she is.

A 12-year-old girl wins an invitation to train as an apprentice to immortals in the first book of the new must-read magical series destined to take the world by storm —perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, Skandar, and Eragon.
‌
Let the competition begin!

📖: Paper Dragons
🖋️: Siobhan McDermott
⭐️: 5 of 5
🗓️: 3/5/24
📚: MG fantasy, Asian mythology/fable, adventure
💬: “Hok Woh is your only home now.”

Tropes & Themes:
🐉Adorable jellyfish
🐉Hidden powers
🐉Lies and betrayal
🐉Challenges

From constantly being overlooked and rejected. Yeung Zhi Ging, has her heart set on becoming a Silhouette. To avoid the harsh reality of being sent into to the post pipe.

“So, you’re the one Fei Chui chose to protect.”

Everything changes when Zhi comes discovers the missing stone.

With mysterious powers surrounding Zhi. She finds herself under the protection at Hok Woh.

“Next time, if you want me to sit beside you, you can just ask.”

From cute jellyfish, challenges, and evil spirits lurking. Zhi finds herself between a jealous girl from back home and the odds stacked against her.

Can Zhi pass the challenges while more secrets are revealed? Will the evil spirits continue to harm villages? What will Zhi do when the survival of everyone is on her shoulders?

“Hok Woh is your only home now.”

Find out in Paper Dragons!

🐉I absolutely loved this book! First, the cover is absolutely stunning and I had one of my twins rushing me to finish so she can read the book too!🔥

The action started right away and I love the world Siobhan created! I want my own jellyfish lol I was completely shocked when we discovered who is behind the dark spirits.🤯 I did not see that coming!!! Jack is probably my favorite male character. I can’t wait to see what happens next!


Thank you for my gifted copy.As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts.

The first in a new series about Zhi Ging, a 12-year-old girl who wins the opportunity to train as an apprentice to the immortals. There, she must prove herself while also trying to save her school.

I really wanted to like this because the premise was so cool. However, I think the narrative structure and writing style took away from it. For instance, it was written in third person. For middle grades (the target audience), I think it would’ve been better to be written in first person. It would’ve helped us connect with Zhi Ging more. I also think it could’ve helped introduce us to her because it felt like we were just thrown in with little context.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre and Age: Middle Grade Fantasy, Asian Fantasy, Asian Fantasy, Chinese Mythology, Adventure
Themes: Friendship, Betrayal

Oh my goodness! *PAPER DRAGONS* captured me right from the start! It's an amazing world that I want to spend more time in.

Zhi Ging is relatable with her problems of not fitting in and wanting to escape her village—who doesn't want to get away at times, right? I love how the mean girl is fleshed out a bit in this book so we know why she's acting the way she does.

The world is compelling. It's so well-thought out and creative—and if this book was made into a movie, the visuals would be stunning.

There was a moment when this book reminded me of Harry Potter, but is that just because of the Zhi Ging going to a magical school? It might be, but I'd love to see if other people got a hint of that vibe too.

This book is exciting, adventurous, and oh so fun.
I think adults should read this book too if you're interested in delving into a creative world.

The author's note in the back on the naming of different characters is interesting, and it proves she's thought through her novel.

I highly recommend this book!

Happy reading!

PS—Now I want a pet jellyfish...

Enjoyable and easy read with an interesting world. Not sure it was set up as nicely as I would have liked but it works and I look forward to the sequel.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm drew me in with a solid premise, and some solid comp titles in the realm of middle-grade fantasy-adventure, including Amari and the Night Brothers. Upon picking it up, I was immediately drawn to the world building in particular, and how it utilizes concepts from Chinese mythology. There are some gaps when it comes to the technical side of the magic and how it all works, but I can let it slide as something that might bother an adult reader more than a child.
Zhi Ging is a great protagonist to follow, and I like that she had a good balance of more mundane, relatable issues to deal with, like bullies, as well as magical ones. She goes on the fairly standard hero’s journey for the genre, but the story has its own charm as she comes into her own as a young heroine.
The story is high on the action, and pretty fast-paced, with few moments of lull in between. The writing is fairly accessible, yet lyrical, and I like how the book is split into fairly short chapters, keeping the intrigue and tension high.
I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to where this could go as a series. If you enjoy middle grade fantasy, I’d recommend checking this out!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for allowing my the opportunity to read and review this arc copy of this book.

Paper Dragons is a middle grade novel about a girl who grew up in a hostile environment. Zhi Ging‘s only escape is the Silhouette exam. Unusual circumstances occur and she is accepted. But this is only the beginning of the story.

There are a lot of elements in this story: bigotry, hate, bullying, intrigue, dangerous exams, and a mysterious enemy. Zhi Ging must deal with all that and keep up with her classes!

The world is a blend of Xianxia fantasy within a boarding school setting. There’s definitely differences than the classic Xianxia in the C-Dramas on tv, but they make for a more interesting setting.

The bad guy reveal wasn’t a shock but I didn’t catch any of the hints (if there were any) in the book.

I would have liked a bit more details on the bad guy and some of the history.

My favorite part was the index. The explanations of the names made me giggle because I share the name bug. Names that have meaning for the character and personality. The fun way she came up with them made me enjoy the story more.


Thank you again NetGalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for the opportunity to review this fun book.

A fun and creative adventure for readers of all ages!

Follow Zhi Ging as she apprentices in the magical underwater city of the immortals, fighting curses and bullies as she learns the truth about her unknown past!

Such a creative and imaginative world! As someone who reads a LOT of fantasy there were plwnty of elements in this book I had never seen before! The Floating Market was one of my favorite scenes; I figured it was called that because it moved around so imagine my surprise when the venders closed up shop that their tents turned into floatinf lanterns ans they sailed away on the breeze! The jellyfish familiars were unique and adorable (not words I rver thought I would use to describe jellyfish!) with their own personalities. The ageshifting when someone gets excited or surprised lent a humorous element to the story but the idea that creativity, innovation, and scientific study literally keeps the immortals young is so intriguing. I absolutely LOVED Malo being inside the spirit jade and becoming Zhi Geng’s familiar.

I was so focused on the wonderful friendships and the trials Zhi Geng had to overcome to stay in the school that the villain reveal totally caught me by surprise (which is hard to do since most authors tend to foreshadow pretty heavily early on who the villain is). There is a bit of a hanging ending so I am assuming there will be a sequel (and hopefully a series as Zhi Geng has quite a few classes to pass before she can gain immortality). I will be awaiting an announcement so I can find out what happened to Reishi and the other Silhouettes!

A young girl who will do anything to become an apprentice to immortals to escape her life finds herself awakening powers she never knew she had. Yeung Zhi Ging is a 12 year old orphan girl who yearns to become a Silhouette, someone who is an apprentice to the immortals. Despite losing and not impressing the scout, she is determined to find a way to get a spot... even if it means facing a dragon attack. All her life she has been different and she wants nothing more than to fit in. When she is given a second chance to become an apprentice she must undergo extensive trials to prove she has what it takes. Yet the longer she stays in the trials the stronger her powers become... and the more questions of who she is begins to be asked. This started off as a really interesting read but then got a bit messy and dragged on by the end. This is the first book in the series but I don't think I will be continuing on with the rest of the books. It's not a bad series for middle grade readers, in fact, I would recommend it. However I just felt that it could be better, this is very much a "magical school" kind of novel with a "not like other kids" protagonist. I was hoping the trials/journey for Zhi would be more interesting but it just kind of all blended together and there weren't any stand out moments. I did enjoy that this series added a touch of chinese mythology to it though. Overall, this is a good series for young readers who enjoy magical school-esque stories.

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*