A beautiful blend of action, legacy, and philosophy. Reading this felt like a giant hug for the martial arts culture - I loved every moment of it!

Don’t sleep on this book! First of all, Fonda Lee is an amazing author so I knew I needed to read this book. Second, this book reads like an action adventure anime story and I loved every second. It was filled with fights, drama, political intrigue and characters you can’t help but want to know more about.

Astonishingly (for me), I loved that this book really didn’t have romance. This is a story about finding your place in the world and fighting for what’s right and it didn’t need romance. I loved Jun and Ren’s relationship but found it was perfect as found family.

I can’t wait to read the sequel to this story because I need to know what’s next for these characters! Also, I will definitely reread this book before book 2 because there are so many small hints and clues of foreshadowing in this story alone, that I wouldn’t want to miss any in the sequel.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I've been hearing great things things about Fonda Lee's writing since I joined the book community. The problem is, after hearing soo much praise, I became a little too intimidated to pick up her books. However, when she announced she was writing a YA novel, I knew this would be a good place to start. And I'm so glad I did start here. Breath of the Dragon showcases Fonda Lee's incredible writing, yet is still super easy to follow. Despite being initially a little hesitant towards the premise, I found myself immediately immersed in this story. I love the main character, the plot moves at a clip, and I was wayyy more into the martial arts aspect of the book than I expected. I also really enjoyed the politics in this book. They're written with such maturity, and sometimes even brutality, yet they're still easy to follow for young readers. Overall, I was really impressed with this story, and the author's writing as a whole. The themes and character growth are so mature, yet the plot is so engaging and accessible. I think this balance creates a really perfect YA novel. I'm really glad I decided to pick this book up and look forward to reading the sequel when it comes out!

I'm excited to see where this goes! I thought the story was incredibly addicting and I just loved the way that Fonda Lee writes

**No major plot spoilers were harmed in the making of this review**

*I RECEIVED A FREE ARC OF THE AUDIOBOOK FROM NETGALLEY AND MACMILLIAN. THANK YOU A TON. THIS HAS NOT IMPACTED MY REVIEW IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. **

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

WELL, better late than never right? (Apologizes to the arc gods). But WOW, I was BLOWN AWAY by this book. This is a sleeper book and I am so sad it is not getting enough hype. I was...my experience with this book, this story, these characters, and this narrator was outstanding. I was completely immersed in the main characters world from the start. This story gripped me and spoke to my soul like no other has in a while. I do not know whether it was the writing, the messages on the page, the characters grit or determination, but man...this book will live rent free in my head and it is on its way to being on my book shelf as we speak. This book is more than just an asian ish fantasy with some magic and martial arts, it is a a rollercoaster of emotions and the self discovery journey of a guy who will steal your heart and your mind.

This book was off to the races from the beginning. It started with a bang and it was a wild ride from there. I feel like there was no breathing room in this book. There was no down time. Sure, there was some less action-y parts, but every chapter was critical to the story. I almost wish it had been longer! I absolutely also loved all the fighting scenes! Usually I get lost in the shuffle of all the moves and just skim to see who "won" but with this, the author and narrator worked together to showcase a fight from start to finish with enough depiction that I could almost visualize it in real time. The author took that time to connect each move and make it flow like water. It made some of the more intricate scenes more intense. I absolutely adored it and adored the main character.

The MC is just...so likeable and humble and human. You cannot help but want to root for the underdog with a semi tragic past. I wanted him to get what he worked for. I wanted him to suceed. The precious cinna roll deserved to be a hero in his own story. I loved his journey and the way he learns more and more with every chapter. He only gets stronger and tougher as time goes on. I do wish that there had been more explanation regarding one thing, but I think that is going to be revealed in the second book. But yes, I love the found family he made and the sense of kinship and loyalty. Yes, he went in alone, but that is not how he came out. I am stoked to see the end of his journey in the second book.

I loved the side characters too. They were not just chess pieces to move the plot. I started to CARE about them and their fates. I was shocked, I was appauled, I was sadden, every range of emotion. It was quite the trying time over here peeps. Which is also a testament to the narrator. It truly was like a movie. This EASILY could be movie worthy. I also love the threads of magic and tale that were interwoven into the history of this story. There was just enough to explain some stuff but not enough to be overwhelming. I definitely think there is more to be told in that regards. So sincerely, when is there going to be a book 2???

Remember, this is all my opinion. If you want your own, read/listen to the book!

This book wasn’t really for me, but I can see why others would enjoy it. I went in expecting to love it, but I found myself wanting more world-building to really immerse me in the story. I’m always up for a good fighting tournament, but the fight scenes didn’t quite pull me in. Maybe that’s because I’m not super familiar with martial arts, so some of the details were lost on me. That said, I think readers who enjoy fast-paced action without a heavy focus on setting will probably have a great time with it.

This is my very first time reading a book by Fonda and Shannon Lee and I’m so stoked about this one!!

What riveting writing and adventurous storytelling. I loved this book so much. And I normally don’t read books where a male is the main character so that says a lot!

The tournament was super fun to read about, as was Jun’s character development. I did however find other elements of the plot less engaging. I wish the authors had focused more on the tournament and that element, flushing out those pieces more. But I did love the friendships formed and the overall story. So I’d definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Breath of the Dragon is a fantastic coming of age, tournament story that honors the traditions of Bruce Lee while welcoming a new audience into the world of fantasy martial arts. The story is fast-paced with incredible action, yet manages introspection and philosophy at the same time. When Shannon Lee set out to find a partner to bring her father’s stories to life she couldn’t have found a better match than Fonda Lee. The skills Lee brought to her brilliant Jade City trilogy are on display with a flair here, and the prose sings in the audiobook narration. A strong recommendation for any YA readers looking for their next adventure!

“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 am usually not a fan of YA books but wanted to give this one a try because of the cover and the synopsis. The book did not disappoint. It was fun, the pace was perfect, I liked the characters, and the world. The main character was a bit irritating at times, but then I had to remind myself that he’s only 16.

The world was very interesting, the idea of dragon scales and secret powers, was unique and kept me wanting to find more about the world. I can’t wait to find out more about Jun’s adventures and the secret scrolls.

The narration really made all the difference when it came to bringing this work to life. The storytelling was so cinematic and the narrator was able to keep that feeling going with their narration and it made this book that much more enjoyable!

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.

The narrator was excellent and really brought these characters to life!

This was really well done and so entertaining! I have to admit I had low expectations for this... YA fiction hasn’t been working for me recently, and I have no particular interest or knowledge of martial arts. But this surprised me. The writing hooked me from the beginning, and it didn’t just start off strong, it stayed strong the whole way! I flew through this, and every time I had to put it down to work or sleep or shower, I wanted to pick it back up ASAP.

Honestly, this is one of the best YAs I’ve read in years! Well written, with fully fleshed out characters and a well thought out plot. It felt familiar, yet somehow still fresh. It’s “a love letter to martial arts”, with vibes like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Karate Kid, and Kung Fu Panda.

I really enjoyed this and am so happy I gave it a go! I can’t wait until the second book comes out! I think it’s gonna be a banger.

This novel is a perfect example of how careful and effective world-building lends itself to seemingly effortless twists later on. Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee managed to paint a fully realized portrait of Jun's world within the first few pages, and even as it developed, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. At its core, the Breath of the Dragon is about a boy, Li Jun, who is desperate to prove himself to a world that believes he has nothing worthwhile to offer and to restore his father's honor. He's a stubborn 16-year-old boy, made of hard-earned skill and determination that reminds me of other classic young adult protagonists. Readers are sure to enjoy this book if they enjoy historical fantasy, martial arts, Chinese mythology, or if they just enjoy a good action sequence! This book is absolutely chock full of those. I was blown away by this book. I look forward to the continuation!

I love and audiobook format and I was so excited to listen to this! I tend to gravitate towards more YA novels and this really worked in my favor. The worldbuilding in this book did really well in setting the groundwork for the possibility of the next part of a series. I think if you're in the mood for a book rooted in adventure, then this one is for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this eARC!

3.5 stars.
Sixteen-year-old Jun has one dream: to win the elite Guardian's Tournament so that he can become the new Guardian, or protector, of the Eastern part of Longhan. Jun wants this not just for himself, but also so that his father's name and honour can be restored. A mistake by Jun's father many years earlier, cost the family: he had been training his twin boys in martial arts, something the non-breathmarked are not allowed to learn. Breathmarked individuals have a patch of dragon scales on them, as well as powerful abilities. Jun's identical twin Sai is breathmarked, and when a pair of Aspects (elite government servants) arrive one day at the family home, they take Sai, and the boys' mother, away with them so that Sai may train and hone his abilities. Jun and his father lose not only half their family, but their father is censured, and now works at an opera house as a labourer and performing in bit parts, after he and Jun were forcibly sent to the West.

Jun is determined to change his and his father's fortunes, and has joined the Iron Core school of martial arts, working tremendously hard to qualify as the House’s representative in the upcoming competition for the new Guardian. There is one boy who is a little better than he is, Yin Yue, who will be entering the upcoming Guardian competition. Ever determined, Jun hides on the wagon of the flautist Chang and his actor adopted daughter Ren, who have worked at the opera house, and are headed for the city set for the competition. Along the way, he comes to learn there is much more to Chang, and Ren.

Once at the competition, everyone is caught unaware when the head General of the East has decided to change the rules, endangering all the contestants. The General wants to take war to the West, and hopes to use the new Guardian in his plans, which, the more Jun thinks on things, he comes to realize just how conflicted he is about his loyalties, and how against war he is.

The plot moves along well, with many instances of well-conceived depictions hand-to-hand combat. I expected no less from these two authors, considering their knowledge of martial arts, and Fonda Lee's Green Bone Saga. What was actually more interesting in this story was Jun's evolution from totally self-absorbed, selfish young person, to someone who, through the multiple setbacks and betrayals, comes to realize that there are more important things than winning a competition. Bigotry-fueled war is on the horizon, with much suffering. Jun matures to the point that he begins to appreciate others, and thinking of their welfare. He also finally makes friends with people who previous saw solely as rivals, another positive development for the very talented martial artist.

I mostly listened to this book, and liked voice actor Eric Yang's work. Jun's arrogance was apparent, while Chang's humour comes through nicely. I liked his interpretations of Yin Yue and Ren, Jun's friends.

I am interested to see where Jun and his allies go next, and how they tackle the seemingly insurmountable odds against them.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for these ARCs in exchange for my review.

Breath taking!! An amazing book that captivates you from the beginning! This book gave me karate kid vibes but the bully is the government & not a peer. I could not put this down. Twin boys and up being separated at the age of 6. Jun & his father are exiled for practicing illegal martial arts. While his brother & mother move to the inner city for his training as he is breathmarked. We follow Jun & his father as they try to make their way in a new land & country, to try & get back home. Halfway through their exile the borders officially close as the two nations go to war. With all hope of going home almost lost Jun focusing is seizing his dream to be The Guardian. Definitely worth it! I’m hoping we may see his brother in the next book but we have no idea what kind of training he has gone through.

Although, I did not feel Bruce Lee in this story. But I did love it in its entirety. The story of a boy who knows he is the one, destine to be better, to be something, yet loosing everything in a process and humbling him big time. The story had something form hero's journey and I think, at the end, this is what made this so good. Delivery was a little clunky at times - I didn't like change of language at the last part of the book. It was quite jarring to see how vulgarisms were introduced pout of nowhere. The consistency with this was broken. Yet, at the same time, I had grand time and I'll recommend this book to anyone who likes the vibe of martial arts, Dragon Ball, and Naruto all in one. Audiobook was a great addition to the book and my reading experience.

This was alright. I liked the main character, and the combat sequences were cool, but ultimately it’s just forgettable