thank you to simon and schuster children’s publishing, margaret k.  mcelderry books, and netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review. 

 

 

this book has been one i’ve been so excited to read after adoring xiran jay zhao’s debut, iron widow last year. and their venture into a middle grade story did not disappoint. this book is often pitched as percy jackson meets chinese mythology, and honestly, that’s a spot on comparison. the humor. the chapter titles. the gods. it’s got it all. but, so much more. 

 

this book is absolutely a book i’d wish was incorporated into my curriculum when i was in my middle grade years. it teaches so much about chinese history, legends, and myths in a way i’ve never known about. i was lucky to learn about some of the figures mentioned, but in a western society, it’s lacking. i think this book could be a great option for younger readers to learn about a non-western culture in a fun, and well, funny manner. 

 

there’s so much i could say about this book and how it touches on incredibly important topics. first, zack is a muslim main character, with a hijabi mom, and he’s queer. his differing identities all make sense for his character and how he sees the world. subtle, but heartbreaking actions, such as his mom refusing to speak their native language at home so he doesn’t have a “non-american” accent. generally, just being a poc in a predominantly white town. it’s all so masterfully done, and incredible to see how zhao’s woven it in. it’s a great way to introduce young readers to a multitude of important topics that need to be discussed. i cannot wait to see how they continue to develop these themes in later installments. 

 

okay, now for the not so great. while i really enjoyed this book a lot (and will absolutely be picking up the sequel because.. that ending! just… wow!!), there are a few things that felt a bit off to me. the main issue i had was when we were following simon, melissa, and zack, all characters who are 12. basically, their conversations felt a bit… older? stilted? it felt like they were more like younger teens (14/15) rather than their tween age. it wasn’t always an issue, but it was prevalent enough for me to notice. in the end, it didn’t really hinder my enjoyment for this book because i just love their writing. somehow, i can devour their books in record time. 

 

genuinely, i cannot recommend this enough if you’re a fan of percy jackson, chinese mythology, or just looking to venture further into middle grade books. 

 

oh and on a lesser note, shout out to that atla reference. xiran, you truly know how to reach my heart 🖤.