The Dragon Path

May 15, 2021
Grades 4-7 Prince Sing, heir to the Wong Clan, is travelling along with his father, Lord Wong, and others as their clan attempts a passage through the Dragon Path. This is Dragon Tribe territory and the fastest route to Old Land, where Lord Wong and his advisor, Quan, think a prophecy will be fulfilled and the Wong Clan will rule the Old Land once again. But Komodo Khan, General of the Dragon Tribe, has other plans for the Wong Clan; Khan will make them pay for the losses suffered because of the Phoenix Wars. Along with his new friends Ming the Mystic and Midnight, a giant cat monster with a unicorn horn, Prince Sing must learn the stories about the Old Land and save his clan from the dragons and a traitor. The vibrantly colored and action-packed illustrations bring this fantastical story to life. Splash pages and block paneling make this an easy tale to follow with clearly lettered speech balloons. A fantastic and engaging story ideal for fantasy-adventure fans that is hopefully one of many.

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June 18, 2021

Gr 4-7-A prince sets in motion the fulfillment of a prophecy. The Wong Clan is returning to the Old Land via the Dragon Path. Before too long, the Wong Clan's roadpods (motorized buildings) are ambushed by bipedal, draconic humanoids known as the Dragon Tribe. Clan leader Lord Wong orders that Prince Sing be protected at all costs. But when it looks like the Dragon Tribe's leader is going to take down Sing's aunt Hu, the young prince leaps into battle and narrowly escapes death when Ming the Mystic and a giant unicorn-cat named Midnight come to his rescue. The pair take Prince Sing back to the Old Land, and the truth about his heritage and purpose is slowly revealed. But the Dragon Tribe still has the rest of the Wong Clan hostage-and they have a missing piece of the puzzle. Who will win the next battle? Young's detailed visuals feature textured lines and a distinct, earthy, desert sunset palette. Dropping readers right into the action, Young offers little exposition. But the fast pace, epic battle scenes, and narrative flashbacks carry the archetypal "chosen one" plot. The art style, steampunk technology, and creatures give off He-Man meets Faith Erin Hicks's The Nameless City vibes. The human cast is coded as Chinese, and the cultural specificity makes this title a standout. VERDICT Fantasy fans will dive right into this world and clamor for more. A strong purchase for all graphic novel collections.-Alec Chunn, Eugene P.L., OR

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2021
A family prophecy and long-kept secrets spell out a new destiny for a Chinese clan. Young throws readers right into the fray in his latest steampunk graphic novel. A motorized village, revealed to be the Wong Clan's, is returning to their ancestral home, the Old Land. With the encouragement of his dubious adviser, Quan, Lord Wong believes that in returning they will fulfill a prophecy. Meanwhile Lord Wong's willful young son, Prince Sing, has been seeing visions about his mother's death and what initiated his ancestors' exodus from their homeland. When the clan is attacked by the reptilian Dragon Tribe for trespassing and past injustices, Sing is lost. Presumed dead, Sing is in fact in the company of Ming the Mystic and a colossal black-and-white feline with a single horn. Themes of betrayal and true identities, with magic woven throughout, create an action-packed adventure. The neatly aligned panels are filled with movement thanks to Young's definitively lined, bold, cartoon style. Young's choice of a neon color palette and artful use of shading bring a vibrancy and heightened emotional depth to each scene. Though the plot teems with characters and complicated interwoven backstories, an even pace and balanced story are maintained. A few lingering questions at the end are a small price to pay for the fun. This eclectic world of Chinese culture, fantasy, and nonstop action is worth exploring. (Graphic steampunk. 10-14)

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