This book is a captivating blend that appeals to readers of all kinds who have a penchant for paranormal fantasies. With vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, and a mortal human with mind-reading abilities, intertwined with elements of Chinese mythology, history, astrology, and a dash of dark academia, it's a concoction that's simply irresistible.

The plot's echoes of "A Deadly Education," "Legendborn," and hints of "Gen V" intrigued me from the start. I've always been drawn to well-crafted dark academia thrillers with meticulously planned action scenes.

Having enjoyed Katie Zhao's previous works and her poignant writing style, I was eager to see how she would craft an action-packed, mind-bending fantasy with a diverse cast of characters.

Of course, there's the classic love triangle, secrets, betrayal, and plenty of twists to keep you guessing. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing readers to formulate their own theories about the unfolding mysteries without stumbling in the dark.

The plotline revolving around the aftermath of the Second Opium War in 1860, the destruction of the Wrathlings' Circle of Twelve, and the theft of the five zodiac fountainheads sets the stage for an intriguing story. Julius, Chancellor of the High Council of the Descendants, finds himself ensnared in a trap set by a vengeful faerie, lured by a stake—the only weapon that can end his life.

As we are introduced to the main characters, including Evangeline Long, a powerful vampire from the dragon house, and her ex-lover Tristan She, a werewolf with exceptional thieving skills, along with Nicholas Hu, her best friend and a tactical genius, and Alice Jiang, a mortal with surprising powers like mind reading, raised by her protective mother—the stage is set for an epic adventure.

Together, this unlikely band of allies must unite to defeat the looming threats facing the Descendants, even as they grapple with their own secrets and motivations.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment, and the tantalizing cliffhanger left me eagerly anticipating the sequel.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s / Random House Books for Young Readers for providing me with this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Asian zodiac myths, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, fae, dark academia, and a heist...if there was a YA trope bingo, this book would hold a full card. That may turn some readers off or give them pause to wonder if this was a story written to tick of boxes of what is trending, but I was intrigued. The writing style is clear and made for quick reading. The story premise is interesting and not too convoluted and the characters fit well into the story. As a first book in a series, Zodiac Rising does a good job of introducing the main characters, establishing the backdrop, and seeding a plot. There are some aspects that are a bit predictable but still enjoyable and entertaining to read. The illustrations were a nice addition and I look forward to reading of the further exploits of this group and hopefully seeing more of the illustrations in the next installment of the series. I'd recommend this story to readers who like YA urban fantasy with a bit of an adventure or quest. (3.5 rounded up to4/5).
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Children's, Random House Books for Young Readers) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.