I went into this one knowing that it was out of my comfort zone. I tried so hard to enjoy it, but after picking it up and putting it down multiple times, I've realized it is very much not the book, it's me. I am not the target audience for the story. Sometimes I can step out of my norm and it works, but unfortunately this time it didn't. The premise was intriguing. The story does suck you in from the very beginning, but I just didn't get invested in it and couldn't bring myself to continue with it.

Breath of the Dragon completely blew me away. From the very beginning, I was pulled into Li Jun’s world—a place where martial arts are banned unless you’re part of the government’s elite force, the Aspects. When Jun’s talent is discovered, he’s forced to flee to the West with his father, leaving behind his twin brother and mother. What follows is a journey that’s not just about survival but about proving his worth in a world that seems determined to hold him back.

Jun is one of the most compelling characters I’ve read about in a long time. He’s not perfect—he’s a little cocky and sometimes too naive—but that just makes him so real. What I loved most was his grit. Unlike his brother, who is “breathmarked” and naturally gifted, Jun has to work for every ounce of respect he earns. Watching him grow, make friends, and learn to trust himself was one of my favorite parts of the book.

And the Guardian Tournament? Wow. It’s brutal, unpredictable, and full of twists I didn’t see coming. Every fight had me on the edge of my seat, but what made it even better was the bigger story behind it all. The tournament is more than just combat—it’s a gateway to uncovering corruption, hidden truths, and the complex politics of this world.

This book isn’t just about action, though. It dives deep into themes like family, resilience, and standing up for what you believe in. It made me think about what truly matters and what’s worth fighting for.

Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee have created something special here. The story is fast-paced, emotionally gripping, and filled with moments that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. If you love fantasy, martial arts, or just an epic story about finding your strength, Breath of the Dragon is a must-read.

Huge thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for letting me read this amazing ARC. It’s the best book I've read to close out the year!

First I want to say thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story had a chokehold on me from the very start! This was a very well realized YA fantasy, with brutally realistic fight sequences, well developed characters, and a whole lot of intrigue. I really enjoyed the tournament aspect of this book. Sometimes in books a tournament can feel a bit predictable since the MC has to win to progress the story. However, the different martial arts described, and the variety of competitors was actually really interesting. The fight sequences were written in a way that was easy to picture what was taking place. I also really liked seeing Jun’s character growth throughout the story. He was a great protagonist, and I’m excited to follow his journey in book 2. Found family is one of my favorite tropes, but I wish we had gotten a little bit more interaction between Jun, Ren, Chang and Yin Yue, to lend a bit more credibility to their connection. But I expect we’ll get more of that in the next book. My only other gripe was the use of foul language in what was otherwise a very YA story. At times it felt like the f-word was thrown in just to feel a little edgier and it didn’t really fit with the rest of the story, imo. But overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next installment!

Solid 4 stars. I enjoyed this book after getting through the first 1/3 or so, I struggled with the pacing and the world building a bit in the beginning. However, once the tournament started, I was ALL in. I fell in love with the story that both Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee were telling here. I wasn't sure if I was going to finish the book once I started, but I am all in. It was so interesting to me to see the parallels between the world built in this book and some very charged geopolitical situations in our own world. I loved the magic system in this book as well, and I cannot wait to see how things unfold in the second book.

Thanks to NetGalley, Shannon Lee, Fonda Lee, and Wednesday Books for the eARC of Breath of the Dragon in exchange for an honest review.

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee is a captivating Asian-inspired fantasy filled with magic, high-stakes tournaments and simmering political tensions.

The story follows Jun, a sixteen-year-old boy determined to master the forbidden art of martial combat, like his father. After a tragic incident separates his family, Jun dreams of becoming a Guardian, a position of immense power and respect. He believes it’s the only way to prove his worth and reunite his fractured family. But in a land rife with peril and secrets, surviving long enough to achieve his goal is far from guaranteed.

This first installment in a duology is an ode to martial arts, weaving its diverse styles into a richly imagined world. The storytelling shines in the attention to detail and layered world-building, which enhances Jun’s journey at every turn. Jun’s character is compelling in his flaws, and the supporting cast is given depth and importance that elevate the narrative.

With its dynamic characters, intricate plot, and vivid setting, I liked this book. I can’t wait to see where the second book in the duology takes Jun’s story.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing this book.

Breath of the Dragon reminds me of Percy Jackson and other novels that cater to that age range—a bit on the younger side of YA but still chock full of action and complex political themes.

I was admittedly fed up with Jun, a young man training to win the position the Guardian of the West against the odds and his father’s wishes, for the first third or so of the novel. He comes off as ungrateful, though he faces his fair share of adversities—namely being separated from his mother and his identical twin brother at an early age. However, I enjoyed his character growth; the authors thoughtfully show how Jun’s awareness of others’ circumstances develops, and which furthers the theme of earning success through hard work and perseverance.

I am a twin too (though not an identical one), so I sympathize with Jun’s fear of comparison, of never living up to his Breathmarked brother. I wish we had seen a bit more of Sai throughout the novel, but I understand why his and Jun’s interactions are being saved for another installment in the series.

The fight scenes are plentiful and detailed, making a true ode to martial arts. However, I wish more time had been allocated to refining characters’ relationships. For instance, although Sifu Chang and Ren became Jun’s traveling companions and mentors, I didn’t feel like they became the found family I was expecting/hoping for. The potential is there for sure, as it is with Jun and Yin Yue’s friendship, but I’d like for it to receive more attention in the sequel.

A solid action-packed young adult fantasy that misses some opportunities but pays homage to martial arts while delving into political propaganda.

Breath of the Dragon was such a fun read! There was a ton of action, deadly trials, political games, a minor romantic subplot, and character growth. I started out not really liking Jun, but as the story progressed, I was super impressed with his character arc and maturity. This is a very successful YA coming of age historical fantasy that I couldn't put down. I haven't read a YA fantasy with a teenage boy being the main POV in a long time, so Breath of the Dragon was such a breath of fresh air. Since finishing this book, I keep thinking about the ending and can't wait to see what's next from Fonda and Shannon Lee. I hope to see more development regarding the romance/potential love triangle in the next installment and will be keeping an eye out for any news regarding this series. I haven't read anything quite like this and I'd definitely recommend to any fantasy and action lovers out there.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and the authors for sending me an early copy!

This was an action packed story clearly inspired by the classics of martial arts. I loved the nods to these popular plots. I found myself invested in the action sequences. The character work was good but not up to the level of the Green Bone Saga. However it's tough to compare to some of the best characters I have found in fantasy.

While this is categorized as young adult, I was pleased to find it avoided many of the tropes I dislike. The novel does not have any adult subject matter but it doesn't dumb down the actual story. The characters felt the right level of maturity which made an enjoyable read.

Needless to say, if you enjoy Fonda Lee's adult fantasy or are simply interested in a new martial arts fantasy series, this is an excellent option. I highly recommend it. I got to the audiobook version and the narrator helped to uplift the story.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

It is law that a breathmarked child must be presented to the Council by the time they reach six yearsof age. The mark is a spearhead – shaped patch of dragon scales, which means they have Dragon blood, which gives them a special ability that they are only meant to use. They are trained to become Aspects.

When Jun was six years old, the Aspects came to take his brother Sai, who was breathmarked, to train to become an Aspect. Jun wanted to go too and, wanting to prove he could train too, he accidentally revealed to the Aspects that his father taught him martial arts in a world where violence was not to be taught or encouraged, for only the Aspects needed to fight. Because his brother was breathmarked, the Aspects decided to take his brother Sai and his mother to live in Yujing, and then exiled Jun and his father from East Longhan for five years to see if they will renounce the practice of violence.

But then the border between West and East Longhan closed trapping Jun and his father outside of East Longhan and separating them from their family.

Ten years later, Jun and his father still live in Longhan with his father working as security and an actor for the opera house. And Jun still trains in martial arts with Master Song and is hoping to enter the upcoming Guardian’s Tournament.

His father finds out and forbids him from going to the Tournament. And so Jun decides to run away to enter the Guardian’s Tournament anyways and prove to his father and everyone that he is the best warrior and will be the next Guardian.

This was truly a different book from what I normally read. I am more of a romantasy reader, and so it was refreshing to read a fantasy focusing on the growth of a rather arrogant boy who just wants to prove to everyone he is the best, and yet learns so much more on this journey and becomes a better person on the other side.

This was a slow going book, but I really needed that growth for Jun. He definitely was rather arrogant and stubborn. His primary focus was just on being the best and not on the bigger picture. And it’s wonderful to read and see his eyes opened and becoming this different and better person. He even becomes friends with those he may view as a rival or those he may never have thought of befriending, but he sees the bigger picture now. He also learns to use the Breath in a way that others may not realize they can when they’re not Breathmarked, which made for interesting fights.

There’s no romance, a tiny hint of it, but not sure it will turn into anything, but we’ll see. And that was okay because this book needed to focus on Jun and his journey and growth along the way, and it was both entertaining and nail-biting. That competition was something else and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

There are also wonderful side characters. Chang is definitely a favorite, and I look forward to seeing more of him! I would love him as a teacher! Jun has no idea how good he’s got it with Chang being his teacher.

This was a wonderful read! It started in a way that I thought it would take me back, but took a different more roundabout route that may eventually take us full circle. Until then, I look forward to the next book after the exciting ending in this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars

Jun, a 16-year-old martial arts prodigy, dreams of competing in the prestigious Guardian's Tournament. Held every six years, the tournament crowns the protector of the sacred Scrolls, granting the victor unparalleled wealth, fame, and political influence. However, Jun faces a significant hurdle: he lacks the "breathmark," the coveted dragon-born markings that bestow extraordinary abilities upon chosen individuals.

Despite his father's vehement opposition in his entrance, due to the risks and dangers it presents, Jun believes that winning the tournament is his only chance to restore his family's honor. Against his father’s will, he secretly embarks on the journey to the capital, determined to compete.

As the tournament unfolds, Jun discovers that the stakes are far higher than he ever imagined. The fate of the nation hangs precariously in the balance, and the next Guardian may hold the key to its survival.

As a fan of Fonda Lee's work, I was eager to dive into this novel, and I was not disappointed. The detailed fight scenes are fantastic. Given the intense training and the nature of the Guardian's Tournament, combat plays a central role in this story. The vivid descriptions allowed me to almost feel the impact of each blow and the fluidity of every movement.

The story also effectively establishes a strong found family dynamic and lays the groundwork for a compelling character arc for Jun. While initially portrayed as immature and headstrong, we witness his potential for growth and maturity throughout the novel.

I'm eagerly anticipating the next book, hoping for a deeper exploration of the political intrigue and more high-octane adventures that Lee is so adept at crafting.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this eARC for review! All opinions are my own.

Final Rating: 4.5

I had such a fun time reading this book! I loved all the martial arts fight scenes and the world was absolutely fascinating! I liked the character development that Jun had as he learned more about the world and people around him and I'm excited to see how he further develops in the sequel! I'm always a fan of political intrigue and tournaments so I was really into this one. I also loved the magic, although I think that will be expanded on even more in the next book. I'm also looking forward to hopefully meeting Sai again in the sequel too and hopefully get some interactions between the twins! This was my first book from Fonda Lee and I'm definitely looking forward to finally reading Jade City soon! Also I'm currently doing my first playthough of Sekiro and I couldn't help but think of the fight sequences of each while reading and playing. Not that that really has any impact on my enjoyment of this book, but it did kind of influence how I visualized everything!

A great YA first-in-series that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

I read 70% of this in one day, and if I wasn't home with family I likely would have finished it. It was almost immediately engaging, and I was so excited to into the tournament! (I love a good tournament in my books) I read this thinking that Shannon was Fonda's daughter or niece, thanks to the shared last name, and I later learned she is actually the daughter of Bruce Lee. This shifted my opinion, because I thought it was more of Fonda helping a younger author get her start. I'm assuming, however, that the descriptions of martial arts comes from Shannon. I, myself, am not knowledgeable of martial arts in any way, so I can't explain if they were done well or not, but as an uninformed reader I really enjoyed it. I was able to visualize the many fight scenes in this book fairly easily, and I really enjoyed it.

The book does feel YA in that the main character is 16 and he feels so. However, I didn't think he felt underdeveloped as a character, just one with an underdeveloped frontal lobe. While it felt YA, I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult.

I would highly recommend this book to people who like action, though I am not an action-driven reader myself and I still loved it!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. It's a true YA story with an MC that you grow to love. Jun starts out as a naive, boisterous, and cocky teen that you're slightly annoyed with but I found myself keeping the hope alive for him throughout the story. There's no romance in this story but there's an amazing group of likable characters that that become a found family for Jun. This is the first installment of a duology and I'm already highly anticipating the second book. Obviously this is a book about martial arts and a tournament so there are a lot of fight scenes. I loved it but I will say by the last fight scene I was slightly over them. Overall, this was well written, well plotted, and the world building was easy to understand.

Pick this up if you love stories that include:
Found family
Tournaments
Political intrigue
Martial arts
Fantasy

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for a chance to read this in exchange of an honest review. An easy 5 stars and I'll be impatiently waiting for book two!

What a fun read! Breath of the Dragon is a young adult fantasy full of political intrigue and action-packed fight scenes that engaged me and leave me excited for book two of the duology. While I had a slower start with the book, largely due to Jun's immaturity and selfishness, I see now just how important that starting point was for him for the character arc that Lee and Lee take us on. I appreciated the vivid scene descriptions, strong characters, and especially how Lee and Lee gradually built up stakes that left us with an explosive final 15% of the book. While this book is YA, the craft of it is well done that I think readers of adult fantasy would also enjoy (leaving understanding for some of the dialogue and characterizations that are common in YA stories). Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the e-ARC!

Note: this is a translated version of the original review posted and written in spanish.

Score: 4.5 / 5 Stars.
Before I start with the review, I want to thank Wednesday Books for sending me the Arc of this novel.

Breath of the Dragon is a fantasy novel in which fighting styles and techniques have a special role. This has transported me to my childhood, when I watched action anime series like Dragon Ball and Yuyu Hakusho, in which the characters competed in martial arts tournaments. As you can imagine, this has been an important factor in my reading experience.

The other reason why I decided to request this arc is because of the amazing team behind the novel. First we have Shannon Lee, daughter of martial arts master Bruce Lee, who will bring to the team all the knowledge related to martial arts techniques and movements. On the other hand, we have Fonda Lee, one of the most acclaimed fantasy and science fiction authors of recent years, who wrote The Green Bone Saga. Fonda will be in charge of creating the fantastic world in which the story will take place. I can tell you right away that both did an impressive job, but I will go into that later.

But anyway, what is “Breath of the Dragon” about? In this novel we will follow Jun, a 16-year-old boy who in his childhood, while living in the East, was separated from his twin brother, since his brother had “the mark of the dragon”, which gives its users special abilities. In the East, children who have this mark are recruited to be trained in the temple and thus become Aspects. Jun, on the other hand, is exiled with his father, and they moved to the West, where martial arts are not prohibited and people can practice them without any problem.

However, the differences between the East and the West go far beyond martial arts, since both territories are mortal enemies, and therefore, each one thinks the worst of its neighbor. “Those from the East are tyrants”, “Those from the West only want our destruction”. This will cause the tension between the two sides to intensify and the characters will feel like they must take sides at some point in the story, especially Jun, who was born in the East but grew up in the West.

Now, the main theme of the novel is that Jun wants to participate in the most important martial arts tournament in the West. This tournament takes place every 6 years and its winner is named the Guardian, who is in charge of protecting the scroll of heaven (a sacred writing that contains information about magic and other topics). However, this tournament is highly dangerous, and Jun's father forbids him to participate, so, as a teenager would do, Jun decides to run away from home and test his luck.

This is a very entertaining story that can also be read with a lightness that has surprised me. In addition to the world and the magic system, which were very well-structured, I must highlight the characters. Each character is very well constructed, with a coherent backstory and ambitions of their own. There is not a single character that feels forced or flat in the story.

I also found the combat scenes entertaining. As I mentioned at the beginning of the review, these scenes transported me back to my childhood, which I appreciate, as I remembered how much I enjoyed the fights I saw in series like Yu Yu Hakusho, HunterXHunter or Dragon Ball. In addition, the authors do a phenomenal job describing the fights and fighting styles, not to mention the absolute respect that can be felt for these disciplines.

Towards the end, a plot twist occurs that I did not expect and that opens the doors for the next novel. I remind you that this will be a duology, so in the next book we will have the final conclusion of the story. Now, I am really looking forward to the sequel, as the authors have left us many interesting details depending on a thread, details that involve a possible armed conflict, and what I am most looking forward to: The reunion between Jun and her brother, which will undoubtedly have to take place through a fight.

3.5 stars. I think this story had a lot of potential that it didn't quite live up to, so I'm excited to see what the second half of the duology had in store.

What I liked:
- This felt like YA for actual teenagers, starring actual teenagers (aka I felt too old for it). It's an important story that's not trying to be overly dark or romantic or to hit certain tropes.
- The supporting cast was incredible. I was especially interested in Yin Yue, the golden boy of Jun's original martial arts school, and I'm glad he ended up being a big part of this book.
- The tournament itself was interesting without being too predictable. The fight scenes were really good and all different from each other.
- Limited romance.

What I didn't like:
- Jun was incredibly unlikeable. I know this was intentional in the beginning, but I didn't connect with his growth arc, which was less of an arc and more of an abrupt series of jumps.
- There wasn't a lot of downtime to get to know the characters. Lots of plot was always happening.

Thank you Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this ARC and for sending me a gifted copy!

This story follows Jun‘s journey to become the champion of the Guardian Tournament. He has trained in order to compete in the martial arts tournament with the hope of winning, which would restore the honor and respect that he unintentionally lost for his family when he was just a boy. Many of his competitors are breathmarked, born with a patch of dragon scales and a special, unique ability that might make them tougher to defeat. But Jun is determined to come out victorious in order to restore his family’s honor.

Breath of the Dragon was such a compelling read filled with gripping martial arts sequences, political turmoil, and an MC you can’t help but root for. The character development was very well done, and there was so much heart written into this story. I absolutely loved how this book ends, setting up the next book. I’m just sad I have to wait for the second book!

I really can’t express how much I enjoyed this book. This duology is based on characters and teachings by Bruce Lee, and reading this had me feeling nostalgic. It felt like I was a kid again watching Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon with my dad. This is the first full book I’ve completed since finishing my program, and I couldn’t be happier that this was my re-introduction into reading. If you’re looking for an action-packed fantasy, I’d highly recommend this one.

I really enjoyed this story! The world building in this book was so nicely done and really strengthened the story for me. The tournament made the plot cohesive and fun. This read as a true YA book and I think it hit its mark with lots of fighting/action scenes and no romance. I loved all the characters (and the growth they have), too, which made reading this even more entertaining. I also thought the ending was great and am super excited for book two! I

**DNF at 26% ~ Review of portion I read only**

Breath of the Dragon is a YA fantasy about a young man who wants to prove his worth by winning the Guardian's Tournament. Forbidden to compete by his father, Jun runs away determined to compete and restore his family's honor. There is a lot happening in these first few chapters. Jun is a twin, and they are separated when they are young because his brother is breathmarked: born with a patch of dragon's scales. All breathmarked have an ability. Sol's is mimicry. So while Jun studies and trains hard, Sol can copy him after watching him once. When breathmarked show up at their home to take Sol, Jun is upset that he cannot go too. He shows them his fighting skills not realizing that it is forbidden to train. Jun and his father are banished while his mother and Sol are taken to the capital. During their exile, the country is split in two. Where Jun and his father live, training isn't forbidden so Jun continues training in the hopes of becoming a Guardian one day. But with his father forbidding it, Jun is forced to run away in secret.

I really liked the premise of the story. A tournament, the martial arts, it all makes for an exciting, action-packed story. However, I wasn't thrilled with the execution. I think this is more a case of the book isn't for me. Jun is immature, acting like a typical 16 year old. However, I feel like his circumstances and what happened to his family would've had a bigger impact on him than it has. Yes, it impacted him, but it doesn't change his desire to prove himself. He is still that little boy watching his family fall apart because he performed martial arts. The fight scenes are elaborate, and I could easily picture them in my mind, even though I'm not super familiar with the style. The writing itself was too detailed for me. I found portions of the story dragged out and dull. It couldn't hold my attention. I wound up skimming the rest of the novel to see if it would catch my attention again and sadly it did not.

If you are a fan of YA fantasy or looking for an action adventure, this book may be for you.

"Breath of the Dragon" by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee was an exciting and immersive read from start to finish.

The story follows Jun, an underdog with big dreams of becoming the Guardian of the Scroll, as he navigates a journey filled with martial arts, political intrigue, and self-discovery. The fight scenes were incredibly well written and choreographed, showcasing the authors' expertise and passion for martial arts. The vivid descriptions made it easy to visualize each moment, especially the intense and detailed combat sequences. Jun's growth from an impulsive teenager to a more disciplined and determined young man was engaging to follow. I also appreciated the emphasis on friendships and rivalries instead of leaning on a low-effort romance subplot.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy action-packed fantasy with a focus on character development and political intrigue. I cannot wait for the next installment in this duology. If you love martial arts, layered plots, and high-stakes competition, this one is a must-read.