A fantasy world which is creative and mesmerising, holding the same feelings that a kid feels while reading their first fairy story. The characters were all so profound and deeply nuanced and I enjoyed it quite a lot. There were some parts that dragged on a bit for me, but all in all, in was a good experience.

I enjoyed this book. I really appreciate a YA book that assumes its target audience can handle complex situations, motivations, and characters. I think Jun hit a good tone for a 16-year old protagonist. He has goals and dreams, he's dedicated to achieving them, and sticks to his plans. But he's also impatient and impulsive, and makes decisions that later get him into trouble. I really like the world of the book - it's rich and complex, and there's a lot of detail (both stated and implied) to the political landscape of the story. I'm looking forward to seeing how that all develops in the second book. A note on the content: this book has a lot of martial arts. And I mean a LOT. There are many very detailed descriptions of all the fights. I liked this part, but if you're not into martial arts it may not be for you.

I absolutely love Fonda Lee's adult writing, and was excited to see what she could cook up for the YA age range. With the help of Shannon Lee, she has created an immersive and action filled adventure that feels like the start of something epic. The pacing was great, it kept the story moving and made the progress feel earned each step of the way. I do feel like some of the progression was a bit unnatural at times, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment.

The characters had some compelling depth, and there wasn't that typical black and white feel that a lot of YA books can often fall victim to. I was invested in Jun Li's journey because he was just so easy to root for. I can see how this book left room for more to be explored in the sequel, so I have some high hopes for what is to come based on all that was established in this first book.

I love to see authors that I've enjoyed in the past branching out and trying to tackle new angles of stories, and this definitely felt like a great stretch of Fonda Lee's already established skills. I can't wait to see where this story goes!

I'm not much of a YA reader (nothing against it), but I was interested in reading something new from Fonda Lee after reading Jade City for the first time (and I know absolutely nothing about any of Shannon Lee's work, but Warrior does look cool!), so I dove into this, and I was impressed with the prose and action, though I did not really connect with Li Jun. This still feels like it's gonna be a huge hit with teens, and the world and action are rendered beautifully, though I think I'm just in the wrong demographic for this.

"Breath of the Dragon," penned by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee, is a thrilling foray into a world where myth and modernity collide in a spectacular display of action and intrigue. This novel blends rich, fantastical elements with a gripping, character-driven narrative, set in a vividly crafted universe where dragons and magic are as much a part of daily life as politics and power struggles.

The collaborative effort between Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee results in a narrative that's both dynamic and immersive. Their writing weaves together intricate plotlines with a nuanced exploration of identity and legacy, as characters grapple with their roles within a world governed by ancient prophecies and personal ambition. The dragon lore is particularly well-developed, adding a layer of mythic grandeur that elevates the story.

"Breath of the Dragon" excels not only in its imaginative scope but also in its emotional resonance, making it a standout read for fans of epic fantasy looking for a fresh perspective and a well-told tale of power and redemption.

I thouroughly enjoyed this book. I love how the story pulls you in right away. I highly recommend reading this if you haven't!

In a time that cannot be named, there rose a champion—a young son with fire in his heart and a will of iron. From his earliest days, he was a tempest, rebellious and wild, a force that could not be tamed. His choices, born of youthful defiance, struck hard against his family, shattering a piece of what was once whole, and from that moment, his life took a turn as sharp as a blade in the heat of battle.

Yet this champion did not enter the way of martial arts in secret; no, his path was forged in the open. Each setback, each rejection, each time he was told "no," became his forge. Instead of crumbling, he sharpened himself—body and mind—until he stood tall as the people's champion. Every lesson, every defeat, was a stepping stone on his ascent toward greatness, his fists growing stronger, his spirit unbreakable.

The story of this champion echoed that of David facing Goliath. Each fight was more than a battle of fists and feet; it was a clash of wills, with mystery swirling at its edges like smoke in the night. There were secrets hidden beneath every punch, every parry, every step forward. And with every strike, the intrigue deepened, pulling you further into a world where nothing was as it seemed.

BEWARE at the time of review this saga isn't complete. The wait will be torture, like a warrior denied the chance to fight. This series has the chance to be a book slump creator its that good because once this story had its grip on you, it doesn't let go. It wasn’t just good; it was a masterwork of tension, of skill, and of heart. The next chapter can't come soon enough. You needed it now, today—because this was the kind of story that is so well crafted the reader is immersed in every action I lived, breathed, and fought alongside our hero every step of the way. Don't leave this unread read it off the TBR !

Wow was this one fun. Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee knocked it out of the park. It's very hard to give details without spoiling the plot outside of the snopsyis. I can say that when this one comes out I will for SURE be reaching out to buy it just for the beautiful cover. Thank you to publisher for the ARC.

I'm not always keen on YA, but this one pulled it off well. Not the deep character study that Jade City is, but an enjoyable adventure in an interesting world.

A couple things that snagged my brain as I went through:
1) A lot of the events, good and bad, felt like they were leaning toward "we need the plot to move forward so let's have a character come in and give it a shove", but at least (view spoiler) Feels more earned that way.
2) the rubber-banding on power levels sometimes lands a bit flat.

Overall, though, I'm looking forward to the next. And I'm sure they *plan* a next, because this one sure didn't wrap up much.

This was pretty good book! I love a good training arc. It was a bit slow paced for my liking. I feel like it took me longer to settle into the book before I really got into the story. But once I did, I had so much fun with it.

Thank you Netgalley and St martins press for allowing me to read this in advance for my honest opinion.

Lets start by saying that I was named after Bruce Lee. My father was a 4th degree black belt amd obsessed with Bruce, his story, life and death. I love getting immersed in this story as I an a huge fan of the Lee family and it was so cool to read this amazing story. I could not put it down. I wanted more and more!!!! I need the rest!!!

The world-building was phenomenal, I loved everything about this book. the story telling was immersive like you were truly there, living the same life

I first want to thank NetGalley and the wonderful authors for allowing me to read this e-ARC.

Breath of the Dragon was a solid 5-star read. I was stuck between rating it 4.85 stars and 5, but I ended up going with 5. Shannon and Fonda Lee did an exquisite job authoring this novel. It delves into the life of a 16-year-old boy with the breath of a dragon.

Jun Li, the protagonist of this story, goes on an epic adventure to become the Guardian and prove his worth to his peers, father, and family. He is a likeable character with flaws, which puts him under the 'well-written' category.

This fantasy tale has a handful of likeable and unlikeable characters, each written with a crafted experience that adds to the story. For example, one of my personal favourites was Yin. He had an equal amount of likeableness and unlikeableness. I found myself ecstatic on some of his parts, and other times, I caught myself cursing his name. Overall, the characters were written exceptionally well, making the book easy to digest and enjoy.

As for the plot, I enjoyed it. I found it highly exciting and read it within three days. I could not put it down; I was sad when it was time to sleep. This book was excellent, and I look forward to its release because I will be buying a copy! So, would I recommend this fantastic novel when it comes out? Definitely. Would I reread it? Yes, yes, yes.

Firstly, I have to say I’m disappointed that the remainder of this series has not already been published, I am very excited to read what happens next!
This book is a good mix of fresh new ideas and comfortable territory, that make it an easy page turner. My only major criticism is that it should have ended several chapters before it did for pacing reasons, but I can’t really complain about having more story, can I?

This book walks the line between YA and adult pretty closely sometimes, especially some of the violence and occasional profanity, so definitely more suitable to older YA, and adults.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Okay wow I really enjoyed this. I could really picture the fight scenes in my head. It started out a bit slow, but once Jun was on his way to Xicheng with Sifu Chang and Ren, I started to race my way through the story. When I was that Shannon Lee was part of this book, I had to request to read this book. My dad is a huge Bruce Lee fan and my brother even trained Wing Chun. When Jun has to learn to break the wood with a close punch, it reminded me of that.

Okay on to spoilers so I remember the plot.

It is unfortunate that Jun and his father were separated from Sai and their mother due to Jun's overconfidence. Water saved them twice now. I had a feeling Jun would win the Guardian tournament, since he is the main character. I also liked Yin Yue as well. I loved the friendship that blossomed between Yin and Jun. I was shocked that the scroll ended up being a fake and Yama stole it. I hope Jun gets to see his mother and Sai again soon. General Cobu is too corrupt. I hope the war doesn't start between the East and the West. I hope they can resolve everything before a war breaks out.

I wonder if this will be a duology? Or maybe trilogy? I guess we will see!

This was such a fun and high stakes fantasy read! Didn’t read YA at all in my opinion, and having read a lot of YA recently, it was refreshing. I liked that there wasn’t any romance subplot in this and that the competition and fantasy elements could stand on their own. The different nods to different cultures was a nice take as well.

4 ⭐

"Breath of the Dragon" is absolutely incredible! Jun’s journey through the thrilling Guardian Tournament is packed with action and emotional depth. The martial arts scenes are so vivid, it felt like watching a movie. Jun’s growth as a character is amazing, and the supporting cast is fantastic. If you love epic battles and strong, engaging characters, this book is a must-read! I can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

Jun and Sai did absolutely everything together, until the government comes for Sai. Having a patch of dragon scales, called being breathmarked, makes Sai special and is the only physical difference between the twins. After Jun becomes jealous of the attention Sai receives and reveals a talent meant to be hidden, he and his father are banished.
Ten years later, Jun is determined to reunite his parents and get to know his twin again. However, with the gate separating the East and West being completely closed off, his only way to accomplish his goal is to become the Guardian. Not only must Jun compete against the best martial artists in the West, but he also find himself in the middle of a political stand-off he did not prepare for. Will Jun become the Guardian, or will other's secrets drag him down?

I seriously think this is in my top 5 books for this year. I love the mix between the magic of the breathmarked, the training and strategy of the tournament, and the politics at play. Lee and Lee have made such an amazing book, and I need the next book in my hands! As big of a fan as I am of romance, I LOVE fantasy that focuses on the magic and politics with the tiniest sliver of a hint of a possible romantic partner. And that is exactly what this accomplished.
Jun has a lot of typical 16 year old traits, like impulsivity and cockiness, but has the bravery and intelligence that makes a loveable fantasy hero. The supporting characters are all unique and important to the story. There are a lot of questions I have that I'm really hoping the next book will answer!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC! Projected publishing date: January 7th, 2025

I end up Dnf'ing this one. It just wasn't pulling me in. I wanted to love it, and may give it another chance at another time.

This book was amazing. One of the best YA novels I have read in a while. I loved the way it was written. It felt very mature and never dumbed anything down for "a younger audience" while having teen characters that felt like and acted like actual teens. I really enjoyed how the magic was incorporated. It was not overbearing in a way that made only those with magic automatically stronger. The training and fights felt easy to follow. I wonder if this is where Shannon Lee played a big part with the "Bruce Lee inspiration" for this novel. Either way it felt like you were watching it in real life (or how I pictured it; as an anime). Speaking of anime, this story would be great as an anime. From the cool magic with the dragon scale marks making someone "breathmarked" to the training Jun undergoes on his way to the tournament, the the actual fights in the tournament. So good and I am a huge sucker for a tournament arc! Throw in some political intrigue and what more could you ask for?
I am excited to see where the story goes. Both story and characters have me invested. I already own The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee, and "Breath of the Dragon" has just made me up its place on my TBR. I loved this combo of Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee and it would be cool to see them work on more projects in the future!