Breath of the Dragon is the first installment in authors Shannon Lee, daughter of legendary Bruce Lee, and Fonda Lee's Breathmarked series. Inspired by ancient China, this secondary-world setting draws on Bruce Lee's teachings. Ten years ago, 6-year-old Jun made a terrible, boastful mistake when he was a child, one that forced him and his father into exile, while his mother and his incredibly blessed twin went on to a life of privilege. A war and wall soon created a permanent divide between Eastern and Western Longhan.

Jun is now sixteen, an arrogant young martial artist determined to compete in the brutal championship to become the Guardian of the realm. Jun dreams of proving his worth as a warrior in the elite Guardian’s Tournament, held every six years to entrust the magical Scroll of Heaven to a new protector. Eager to prove his skills, Jun hopes that a win will restore his father’s pride—righting a horrible mistake that caused their banishment from his home, mother, and twin brother.

But Jun’s father strictly forbids him from participating. He believes there is no future in Jun honing his skills as a warrior, especially considering Jun is not breath-marked, born with a patch of dragon scales, and blessed with special abilities like his twin. Determined to be the next Guardian, Jun stows away in the wagon of Chang and his daughter, Ren, performers on their way to the capital where the tournament will take place. Little does he know that this year's tournament is not what he was expecting.

As Jun competes, he quickly realizes he may be fighting for not just a better life but the fate of the country and the very survival of everyone he cares about. Jun becomes aware of a rebellion against the current military leader (who controls the child emperor in the West). A fascist leader who changes the rules of the Challenges before they even begin, which sends many of the hopefuls home without a chance to fight. Jun and his former classmate Yin Yue fight for their lives with the winner likely to become the new guardian, while the losers face death.

Jun is not breathmarked. He struggles to find a way to be important and carve out a place for himself without a special ability. In fact, every year since the East and West divided, there have been fewer breathmarked those born with a special power. Jun is irritating and definitely arrogant. Because of his arrogance, he doesn't seem to understand that everything he does has consequences. Consequences like having his twin brother excel while he and his father struggle.

The best parts of this book were the fight scenes because I have always loved martial arts movies. I loved Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li. Heck, even Chuck Norris, David Carradine, and Jean-Claude Van Damme were good. The book ends on a stunning cliffhanger, and I hear the good news is that this is actually a duology, not a series, which means the next book should be capable of wrapping up things and giving answers to readers.

I really enjoyed this book! It has rich world building and an interesting magic system, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book. The characters are lovable, and the martial arts elements were so fun to read about. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and all Bruce Lee fans.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an electronic advanced readers copy of this novel.

When Jun was 5, he was separated from his mother and twin brother when Aspects came to their house to take his brother Sai away for training, simply because he had the mark of the dragon on him and Jun didn't. While trying to get them to take him with his brother, Jun inadvertently shows off his martial art prowess, which has been banned in the East. Exiled to West and unable to get back when the Snake Wall is erected between the East and the West, Jun grows up with his father. He dreamed of finding a future in martial arts and to reunite with the rest of his family.

Against his father's wishes, he wants to enter a country-wide tournament to be the next Guardian, who has the ear of the Emperor and the admiration of many.

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee is a thought-provoking and exciting tale of family, martial arts and power. It definitely leaves the door open for a sequel. I enjoyed it!

Breath of the Dragon was a very refreshing YA novel. I loved the combat and the tournament base, and the way the magic unraveled. I think the book started fairly standard and didn't do a lot to distinguish itself for the first half, but was competently written. But the second half really becomes its own thing and I'm pretty excited for the sequel!

Breath of the Dragon mixing Martial Arts with fantasy elements was kind of a cool concept. I’m not really familiar with Martial Arts but the way the fights were written really helped me visualize everything. I said it before about the Green Bone Saga and I’ll say it again, it’s like watching anime.

I honestly thought this was just going to be about following the main character’s path to victory but there’s so much more to it than that. Jun really grew as a character and I feel like a proud big sister. With the way things ended I’m scared for him. As a reader, though, I’m excited for me.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars 🌟

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the arc through netgalley and a finished copy in exchange for an honest review!

I have to admit I have never seen a Bruce Lee movie and in line with that, have seen very few martial arts movies or other forms of media. However, I find it interesting and entertaining in the media that I have consumed, such as Shang-Chi in recent years. This fantasy centered around a society with martial arts and sweeping Chinese folklore sounded so interesting, and was thrilled to be able to read this book through an arc and a finished copy with gorgeous red sprayed edges.

Jun's family was split apart the day that the East found out his brother was breathmarked and he wasn't, his father and him sent to the West on account of their martial arts practices that were forbidden. Now, at sixteen Jun aspires to win the next Guardian's Tournament to entrust the Scroll of The Earth to a new protector, which would restore his familial honor. However, his father forbids him from entering on account of martial arts was what drove them out of the East in the first place. Jun stows away in a carriage and makes his way to the tournament, and when he gets there realizes not only is his family's honor at stake but that of the country.

There were some reviews I read that said this story dragged far too much, but I think it was interesting and had some great lore pieces. I wish we had gotten more lore, but there was plenty that can be expanded upon in the next book. As for the plot, I think it was relatively well-paced even if it lost my attention just a little before the tournament started, but I didn't find the tournament itself too repetitive. Learning about the different fighting styles from the different martial arts schools and areas of the West was very interesting as well, especially with the descriptions and it made me intrigued to see more of this in coming books.

Jun himself was a fun main character, and it was honestly really refreshing to read a young adult fantasy centered around a male character. Oftentimes, these books center on young women which is fine as sometimes it's easier for me to connect with them, but Jun was relatable in himself. It was obvious, even if he made some rash choices, that he cared so much for his family and was willing to do anything to try to see them again.

The ending was crazy! So much was happening at once, things that I did not expect, and so it made me really interested in continuing the series. I think there's a lot of expansion that is going to happen in subsequent books that will make this world even cooler. I had a really good time with this story and think it is a solid start to what could be a very fun series.

[TW: death of a parent, depiction of grief, war themes, murder, blood and gore]

This was really fun!! It was not as good as the Green Bone saga - but Green Bone was definitely adult, and this is more YA, so I would HIGHLY recommend to any teenagers interested in martial arts fantasy, especially if Jade City is a little dark for you. Yin hue was my favorite but I can’t wait to see the character they’ve been setting up in the next book!

“Marked or not, every one of us has Breath enough to will our own destiny into being.”

Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee & Fonda Lee
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️
Sixteen year old Jun has been exiled along with his father and dreams to bring honour back to his father and himself and hopefully someday see his mother and brother again. Entering the Guardians Tournament seems to be exactly the ticket.

FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
This book is perfect for those who want to get into fantasy but get lost in the world building. Although it’s there it’s not as complex and very easy to follow. The entire story had me enchanted the whole way through and I cannot believe I need to wait for the second book!

I really enjoyed this YA story from Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee! I was so impressed by how clearly the fight scenes were written. I was able to follow along and get pulled into the excitement. The writing style was a little simple, but I think it was just truly YA. I'm very excited to give this book to my 14-year-old nephew, I think it's the perfect book for those young teen readers that need something exciting.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the E-Arc

3.5⭐

I have to say that throughout the entire time I was reading this book, I felt like I was watching a movie. I understand that it is a tribute to Bruce Lee's legacy, and both authors succeed in capturing that essence.

The book is an adventure from start to finish. The story is driven partly by the development of the main character and partly by the plot, although you don’t fully understand where the story is headed until you’re about 35% through the book.

Overall, this is a story that has been told before in other books and movies, but it still manages to keep you on the edge of your seat. This book is a tribute to all the martial arts films I grew up watching, with classic tropes like the mentor-mentee relationship, the hero's journey—from being self-centered to becoming part of something much bigger—and even a bit of romance. It was a very fun adventure, and I’m already eager to read the second one.

Jun displays a huge amount of growth as a character through this first book in the duology. He begins as a talented and ambitious kid whose interest in the tournament has more to do with proving his ability to others and finally making his dad proud of him. As the story progresses and he meets other fighters and allies, he begins to see the larger picture and the broader scope of responsibility in the role of the Guardian.

I thought that growth was really realistic and well-paced. I also enjoyed the ways that his relationships with other characters developed over the course of the story.

For some reason, I didn’t expect as much of the story to be centered on literal one-on-one fighting in a competitive setting. The early chapters show Jun competing for victory at his martial arts school, where the top student will go on to compete in a national tournament. Then, once he gets to the city, more scenes focus on the matches between fighters.

At some points, I could see why a scene was important to the larger story. The fights started to feel repetitive after a while, though.

Breath of the Dragon nicely wraps up the central plot of the book while setting up the major conflict in the sequel. We are left with new threads to pull in the next book, and I’m interested to see where the story goes.

I didn't like the characters at all specially Jun. And since he's the main character ad we are inside his head that made the reading a chore. I just found him so unlikeable and stubborn. I was waiting for his character growth but it never came. I didn't buy the whole found family angle; they just didn't have any chemistry with each other.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is a good set up in a new fantasy duology for fantasy and martial art fans, and this definitely has the fast pace of a movie that would fall into those genres, Returning to the world of Fonda Lee - with the help of Shannon Lee - this novel will work perfectly for teenage audiences and young adult enjoyers.

My biggest complaints was that because this was so plot focused, we sacrificed some of the development of the characters and relationships on page. This is something I hope to see improved on in book 2.

In Breath of the Dragon, Jun is fighting for a chance to prove ourselves. What is more relatable? We can think we want to find greatness, to be a legacy, to be a hero. But what happens when our path isn't straight forward? We can think we know what being a hero means, but what happens when we are forced to sacrifice? All the rhetoric we would use to excuse our sacrifices. If you love a good training scene, then you have to read Breath of the Dragon. For me, it was a bit of a slower hook in Breath of the Dragon.

4.25 ⭐️

This was such a good time! My original plan to read the Greenbone Saga before Breath of the Dragon came out didn’t end up happening, so I’m not able to tell fans of the Green bone saga if this is for them, and I’m not able to tell where Shannon Lee starts and Fonda Lee ends, but what I can tell you is that this is an awesome first book in a what looks like is going to be a series of some form.

We follow Jun, a 16yr old martial artist in a country separated in two, where the Eastern half of the country has forbidden martial arts except for those who are Breathmarked, or are born with special abilities and are easily identified by the dragon scales they are also born with. Jun’s twin brother is one of these special people. The day Jun’s brother is tapped to start his training, is also the day Jun and his father are found out to be secretly training in martial arts. The family is torn is half, with Jun and his father being sent to the West in punishment. 10 years later, Jun is still living in the West with his father, training to enter the martial arts contest in order to become the Guardian, a spiritual and political title given to the best martial artist in the country. Hijinks ensue…

While there were definitely some predictable plot points, and Jun is maybe given too much wisdom for a 16 year old in between punching things, the hero’s journey and political plot lines gave me a lot to love.

This is perfect for fans of Avatar The Last Airbender, the Warrior tv show (by Shannon Lee 😉), Cobra Kai and Karate Kid, as there is a lot of time spent on martial art philosophy and a ton of move by move fighting description.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

5 stars

In Breath of the Dragon, six-year-old Jun is exiled from his home in the East and separated from his mother and twin brother for illegally practicing martial arts. Ten years later, he hopes to restore his honor and his father’s pride by competing and winning the tournament that will decide the next guardian of the magical Scroll of Heaven. Jun’s father forbids him from participating but Jun is keen on proving himself. Unlike his brother, Jun is not breathmarked, meaning he wasn’t born with scales on his body that grant him a special affinity. Despite his father’s warnings and determined to win, Jun stows away on the carriage of flutist Chang and his daughter Ren on the way to the capital.

I really enjoyed the Greenbone Saga by Fonda Lee, so I was super excited to read her next book in collaboration with Shannon Lee. The story, world, and characters are so well written. Jun’s need to prove himself was relatable and stirred my emotions. I especially loved his growth throughout the story. At the start, his motives for competing were mostly selfish but as he journeys to the capital he learns more about the plight of his country. His desire to win ultimately becomes more about saving the people and promoting peace between the East and the West. Since he is not breathmarked, he can only depend on his own strength and skill in martial arts. Absolutely loved the academic rivals to friends in this as well! Overall, I’m truly excited for the next installment. I feel like the second book is going to be even better!

***Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. My review contains my honest thoughts on my reading experience with the finished hardcover book, which I purchased.***

My expectations for Breath of the Dragon were through the roof. Luckily, this book definitely delivered. The writing was incredible, and Fonda Lee’s voice, which I love so much, was present and brilliant as ever. The plot was straightforward but paced exquisitely. I struggled between wanting to read the entire thing in one sitting and my desire to savor every word.

The world-building in Breath of the Dragon was intricate yet easily consumed. It felt like a living, breathing world with a great deal of history. Bits of the culture and its background were revealed at a digestible pace. So, the experience of exploring this world never became overwhelming. I loved the focus on martial arts. If you don’t like fight scenes, this probably isn’t the book for you. However, all of the fights in each round of the competition were extremely well-written and had me on the edge of my seat, even when I was already pretty sure of the outcome.

I was almost instantly attached to Jun, the main character in Breath of the Dragon. The prologue was an absolute gut punch to the feels, and afterward I wanted so badly to see him succeed and overcome the obstacles he faced. That being said, he was quite obnoxious in the beginning. He was hot-headed, overconfident, and selfish. I did always admire his drive and ambition to make something of himself, though. This was a great coming-of-age story for him, and he grew from a cocky, naive adolescent into a young man who cared for those around him and wanted to make his realm a better place.

The rest of the characters in Breath of the Dragon were all really great, too. They had distinct personalities and enough depth to make them stand out. The bones of a great found family were there, as well. Unfortunately, I didn’t think the relationships between the characters had enough depth. There just wasn’t enough intimacy between them to make me believe they were super close. I did like the constellation of characters, though, and could see them becoming a tighter knit found family in the next book. I did find one exception, the relationship between Jun and his father. That one made me feel things, and their bond, and squabbles, stood out to me as the emotional core of the book.

There’s plenty more I could talk about, but I’ll wrap my thoughts up with this… Breath of the Dragon was a great coming-of-age story with a vibrant cast of characters, exquisite world-building, and stunning martial arts sequences. It was an incredible blend of political intrigue, personal growth, and just a hint of romance. I’m already waiting impatiently for the next book. Therefore, I rate Breath of the Dragon 4.5 out of 5 stars.

DNF at 25%

This book started out strong, but unfortunately, I am not the target audience for it. I was intrigued by the setup, but almost immediately started losing interest as we did the time jump and met our main character as a teenager. I usually have a lot of grace for teenage characters acting like teenagers, but this one just grated on my nerves. He was particularly difficult to like or root for in the first 25%. That combined with the incredibly slow moving events and all the training montages led to me reading this 25% very slowly. I put the book down for a few weeks and haven't had a desire to return to it since. This one is a big disappointment for me,

This book had me hooked from the very beginning and held me captivated until the end. The world building is excellent, the settings are vivid and immersive. The lore behind the dragons is fascinating and unique.
Jun’s growth and journey is emotional and rewarding. I enjoyed seeing where he came from to where he ended up. The bonds that are formed between the characters made me smile and I cannot wait to see where they go in the next book.

This was an action-packed read in an intriguing fantasy setting. Although many elements of the story are familiar (a select gifted population, underdog competitor, etc.), the world-building is so well done that I quickly became emotionally invested, particularly as the tournament progressed. Many aspects of the conflicts in this book will resonate, whether it is the depiction of sibling rivalry, martial arts rivalry, or the tensions between multiple factions of a split nation. The main character is relatable and had a good growth journey. I also liked that the entire story is narrated from his point of view. The real highlight of this book is the descriptive, immersive fight scenes. Overall, there is nothing too surprising in the story, but every aspect was executed pretty well. The ending is a good set-up for the next book, particularly in building anticipation for a hinted-at reunion. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a competition (both the lead-up and aftermath) as the main plot focus, anyone who appreciates descriptive martial arts scenes, and anyone wanting a story in which the main character is dead set on a goal and forced to examine his motivations and reckon with the unexpected.