[arc review]
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Breath of the Dragon releases January 7, 2025

“The abilities that matter the most don’t come from Dragon’s blood. They’re gained day by day, through sweat and tears. Marked or not, every one of us has Breath enough to will our own destiny into being.”

Forewarning: despite what you may infer from the book’s title, there are no dragons.

Ten years after Jun is exiled and separated from his mother and breathmarked twin brother for practicing the forbidden skill of martial arts, he becomes a runaway from his father in the hopes of competing in the Guardian’s Tournament, and being named the best warrior in the country.

The plot offers an underdog character to root for, but the story reads too predictable and surface-level.
Using the death of Jun’s father as a plot device did not feel earned since the groundwork to lay an emotional foundation connecting the characters to the reader was not there.
I was disappointed to see that Jun’s brother did not have an active role in the story, as I think his character could’ve added a lot of depth and juxtaposition.

I enjoyed this one more than expected! The story pulled me in early with its martial arts elements, and kept it up with a fairly brisk pacing and exciting action scenes, making it easy to get lost in Jun's quest to master his skills and find his place in a world where he's always been overlooked.

While I would have loved to see the world-building and magic system been expanded, I enjoyed the premise of the breath-marked and the way Jun's journey was rooted in his determination to defy his limitations. Overall, this was a fun, engaging read, with plenty of heart and adventure.

If you love martial arts and want a deeper experience of Asian history and learn about martial arts, this story explains the day-to-day experience of traveling entertainers who tell stories through movement. The ending came so fast, I wondered if there was a sequel. The protagonist travels to a martial arts contest focused on winning. He has lots of growing up to do and learns that rivalry doesn't get your friends. I received an ARC copy from NetGalley for this review.

This was a nice, action packed start to the Breathmarked series. I liked the martial arts and the different abilities of various characters. I do agree with some other reviewers, though; some of the characters weren't that interesting or memorable. Their specific abilities were more interesting, if they had them. Maybe we'll get more time with certain characters in the future so we'll care about them more. I do, however, like how Jun seems to be getting another "brother" by the end of the book.

I really enjoyed this book! Jun is a easy to root for MC, his passion and hard work ethic make him easily likable. I found myself rooting for him constantly to win, even with the entire cast of characters backing him up. Ren and her father were a lovely addition and I found myself enthralled by the plight of the silent flute society. I did occasionally forget which side of the east vs west we were on and what their history was, but it was easy explained whenever the history was brought up.

I wish the "final fight" with leopard has been a bit longer AND i also wish we had gotten more info on his brother Sai during the entire book.

Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee have crafted a world and tale that are sure to engage readers of all levels and tastes. The story is Far Eastern in its backdrop, but could be anywhere. Each character is essential, filling a natural space in the tale. The protagonist is three dimensional and believable, as are the rest of the characters.

Five stars for a story well crafted. There are no two dimensional characters in this book, the plot is tight and has nice twists, and the reader is left satisfied, but still wanting more. My thanks to the authors and publisher Wednesday Books. All opinions are my own.

4/5 ⭐️ I thought this book was an interesting journey following Jun who was not breathmarked but learned martial arts and is put to become a soldier nevertheless! It may seem like Jun is the weakest next to his twin (who is breathmarked) but Jun is determined to make his own path with determination and strength amongst his peers; as well as his twin and mother! The world building wasn’t the forefront of the story because the focus was on Jun but I wish there was! Overall, it was great journey of a read to be on and I’m pretty sure there’s another book coming 😏

I struggled to get into this book. It has been a very long time since I read a young adult novel, and I think that was my main hiccup. It felt very childish, which makes sense due to the main character being 16. I just couldn't get my mind to catch up to his actual age. The premise was strong, but the follow-through felt empty. I probably won't be reading the ending of this duology.

This read was okay for me. It wasn’t bad don’t get me wrong but I wasn’t wowed. I think that was more of a me problem though not a book problem!

an entertaining and fast-moving story full of martial arts and politics. i liked the magic system in this and that the main character wasn’t actually breathmarked - made things more interesting when he had to fight others with different advantages. i also enjoyed the fight scenes, and particularly that last like 20/25% the stakes were HIGH and i was hooked!

having said all that the reason for the mid-rating is that this just wasn’t a fave for me. quite often when i picked it up, i did so in order to get to the end - not because i was really wanting to read it (if that makes sense). whenever i picked it up i did enjoy myself, but between reading i sometimes struggled with the motivation for picking up breathmarked.

nonetheless i am intrigued with how this needed and would like to pick up the sequel in the future :))

Breath of the Dragon was a love letter to martial arts. The novel is filled with beautiful and artful descriptions of fighting as our main character Jun embarks on his goal to become the Guardian of the scroll of Heaven for the West. From the East, Jun and his father were separated from his mother and twin brother at an early age because he trained in martial arts. Jun and his father struggle to thrive in the West. Jun hopes that earning glory for the very thing that ripped his family apart, he may once more bring them all together.

The tournament to become the Guardian has become corrupted though, when a power hungry general changes the rules, with the hopes of gaining more political power. War is coming as tensions between the East and West rise. Jun must decide if his life's work is more important than doing what is right.

I think this book was not quite for me. While I loved the themes of rebellion and self growth/discovery, too much of the time felt dedicated to martial arts, rather than the overall plot. The second half of the story was much more engaging as political tensions rose and Jun found himself faced with incredibly hard decisions. I think the magic system was excellent and the idea that while it is powerful to be Breathmarked, anyone has the power to change their fate/destiny. The secret society also kept me hooked and as that grew as a plot point, so did my interest.

Overall, still worth the read and I look forward to the next book which I see as being less focused on a martial arts tournament and more about the larger political issues of the East and West. 3.5/5 stars

Bringing us back to the Karate Kid days, I had fun reading this adventure tale and while I was a bit skeptical at the beginning, I found myself absorbed by the tale so now I need to see what other work these authors have :)

Breath of the Dragon follows our main character Jun who has a dream of winning the Guardian tournament. In order to accomplish this task, Jun takes it upon himself to journey to nee territory for this to happen. Only Jun is taken for a whirlwind of things he didn’t expect.

From the start, this book was very compelling. The writing and plot brought you right into the story, along with being able to tell how each character is from the start. Jun is a very stubborn and head strong character, we see this even as he was a child to growing up as a young adult.

I enjoyed the political elements of the story as well, learning about the tension between the East and the West and how this also shaped our cast of characters. Ren is a supporting character I enjoyed, I can’t wait to see what more there is to her.

I feel like at some point, there was a bit much occurring with poor Jun. He couldn’t catch a break, poor guy. Aside from this, I felt the story was paced very well and kept me intrigued which I liked. The writing style was also easy to follow while keeping it at a mature enough rate for audiences to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley, Shannon and Fonda Lee and Wednesday Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review. 4.75/5

I tried multiple times to read this book. For the life of me, I just couldn't get into it. Might be a mood read for me in the future. I adore Fonda Lee's work as I read the Green Bone Saga, which was so addicting.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

This fantasy story deserves a solid 4.5 stars! Jun has been separated from his mother and twin for a decade, the land divided by the oppressive Snake Wall. Eager to become the next Guardian of the Earth Scroll, Jun enters a dangerous competition that occurs every six years, and his journey through elimination trials is packed with action, friendships, and even a hint of romance.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its rich world-building. The authors paint a vivid picture of Longhan and the divides created by the Snake Wall, which serves not only as a physical barrier but also symbolizes the emotional and political tensions in the story. The lore surrounding the Guardian role and the accompanying martial arts traditions are deeply rooted in the world’s history, making the stakes feel high and the characters’ motivations more impactful. The authors incorporate elements of philosophy, cultural references, and political intrigue, creating a backdrop that feels both expansive and intricate.

In terms of character development, Jun is a refreshing male protagonist who is both flawed and relatable, grappling with guilt and the burden of expectations. His journey from a somewhat arrogant dreamer to a more self-aware individual is compelling. The supporting characters play a crucial role in this development as they evolve from mere competitors to meaningful connections. Each character brings their own backstory and challenges, adding depth to the narrative.

The villains are particularly well-crafted, with motivations that are understandable yet distinct from sympathetic tropes, providing a nice contrast to Jun’s growth. While the romance is minimal, the friendships and rivalries Jun forges during the tournament are significant, pushing him to confront his own flaws and adapt to challenges. The urgency of the competitive environment enriches these relationships, making them integral to the overall plot.

Overall, "Breath of the Dragon" provides a refreshing perspective on the YA fantasy genre, featuring excellent writing, themes of found family, and an alarmingly unique portrayal of what a male protagonist can actually be amongst what's now considered popular for YA- not a morally gray shadow daddy love interest, but a true hero.

I received an advanced copy of Breath of the Dragon from Netgalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Breath of the Dragon took my expectations and knocked them out of the park. I loved every minute of this book.

Jun's growth was absolute perfection. Initially, I was not his biggest fan, but I could see where the story would take him, and I knew it would be great. His journey from the start of the book to where he ended up was everything I could've ever asked for in terms of character development. It all felt very natural and made the story that much more believable.

The plot was a perfect mix of trials and politics. Nothing ever felt like it was trying to outdo the other for importance because it all blended to make one cohesive plot. I've seen a lot of books that throw random scenes at the reader just for the surprise factor with no real thought behind them, but that didn't happen here. Everything had a purpose and made sense in the grand scheme of things. I'm not saying there weren't surprises because there definitely were, but once I got over the initial shock, there was always a moment of "DUH! Of course that happened! It all makes sense now."

The world-building was exquisite. Truly. No notes. The found family tugged at my heart. The characters weren't a copy/paste of tropes. The magic was fascinating. I could go on and on.

I highly recommend Breath of the Dragon. It was a fantastic YA fantasy that I couldn't put down.

Breath of the Dragon is the 1st-book in the Breathmarked duology, which is a YA-Fantasy story based on the characters and teachings of the iconic-Bruce Lee.

In this story, we're following Jun, a teen boy who is anxious to prove his worth as a warrior by entering the elite, and highly-competitive, Guardian's Tournament. Unfortunately, his path to the competition isn't an easy one. Even though he's eager to prove his skills, it seems everything is pitted against him competing, including his own father.

Determined to at least have a shot, Jun stows away in a wagon of performers, Chang and his daughter, Ren, headed to the capital city where the tournament will take place. Once the competition begins, Jun realizes that there may be a lot more at stake than just his own legacy.

This was such a great story, full of adventure and heart. It's truly well-written and I had no trouble getting swept up into the action. I am not sure how memorable the fine details will be for me long-term, but I did really enjoy my time with it. I highly recommend the audio as well. The narration brought the story to life, particularly in the fast-paced fight scenes.

I'm excited to see where the next book takes us. Without giving anything away, I'm expecting a huge reunion for our MC, Jun, which hopefully will provide him with a larger support system than he currently has. I'm so anxious to see how that goes and how this will ultimately conclude. As good as this was, I'm actually a little sad that it's only slated to be a duology. Regardless, I'm going to scoop it up so fast once it's released.

I was impressed with how quickly I was captivated by this. The initial set-up was so well executed. I loved going on this journey with Jun. I would recommend it to any Reader who enjoys action-packed YA-Fantasy stories. Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I cannot wait for the 2nd-book!

I loved knowing that Shannon Lee was involved in writing this book and it was fun to see references to Bruce Lee’s style. Li Jun was an interesting main character - he started out as a selfish, short-sighted teenager who was a little difficult to root for. I enjoyed seeing him evolve over the course of the story as his knowledge and worldview expanded. The Guardian competition was a great centerpiece for the story and I’m excited to see where the story goes in book two.

Where to start? This YA fantasy duo is an absolutely fantastic combination. The story itself is incredible, the world building is great and yet not too much, minimal romance (because, it is a YA novel…). If you’re a fan of fantasy books and looking for something new, or to get you out of a reading slump, I would highly recommend picking this up and giving it a go. You will not be disappointed.

This did not disappoint. Strong characters, great fight scenes and that ending!!! I would highly recommend this book