ZACHARY YING AND THE DRAGON EMPEROR (Zachary Ying #1) by Xiran Jay Zhao
- Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, May 10th 2022
- Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
- Format: eARC
- Page Count: 352 pages
Click on the cover for my review on Goodreads.
If you love history, mythology, and chaos, this book is for you.
Zachary “Zack” Ziyang Ying (12, gay) loves the video game Mythrealm, and it helps him make “friends.” When a Chinese boy, Simon Li, shows up at his school, Zack finds his life turning upside down as the spirit of Qin Shi Huang tries to possess him when he stands up for Simon to his “friends.” It doesn’t help that his mother’s spirit gets abducted by bad ghosts. To save his mother from disappearing forever and China from being overrun with malevolent underworld creatures, Zack has to travel to China, the country that had killed his father for speaking out, with Qin Shi Huang attached to his AR headset.
I didn’t make the connection of “Ying” and Qin Shi Huang’s (Dragon Emperor) family name “嬴” until I stared at the gorgeous book cover for one long minute before starting the book. It was one of his family names (mentioned in the story), and I adore all the little details like this sprinkled throughout the story.
Because we have a clueless protagonist, the Chinese Hui–American who knew very little about Chinese history and mythology, we as readers get to learn everything as Zack did. As someone who knew who all these historic icons are, I can’t say how much sense it would make for those who are not familiar with them. For me, all the little bios Qin Shi Huang provided Zack with through his AR lenses were nice refreshers. I do think it is helpful and fun for learning a bit of history, too. Want to see the poet Li Bai as a drunk ghost? Read this book.
Most of the time, I dislike chapter titles. I know, I know. When chapter titles are done badly, they reveal too much of or add nothing to the story. But Zhao nailed all the chapter titles! They are all so incredibly funny, accurate, and not too spoilery either. Some examples of this would be “How to Get Rich and Famous by Renting Your Body to a Dead Emperor” and “How to Scam the Ancient Chinese Justice League.”
There is a lot of chaos in this book, and I am so here for it. Most of them are emperor drama. It is a special brand of fun when thousand-year-old emperor ghosts bicker like teenagers. Enjoy books with chaotic and disaster gays? Try chaotic and disaster emperors with a confused gay boy. I think Zhao is so big-brained for writing this series.
I also need to mention that I appreciate the mention of the genocide of minority people the Chinese government is carrying out. This includes, but is not limited to, Hui and Uighur Muslims.
For those who don’t like cliffhangers, please note that Zachary Ying ends with one. I personally don’t think it’s so big that I feel it claw at me, but I do think about it once in a while since I finished the book about ten days ago.
Maybe I’m one of the few people left who has not yet read Zhao’s Iron Widow. After reading Zachary Ying, I am extra excited to read everything Zhao has to offer.
content warnings: possessing, manipulation (including blackmailing), bullying, racism, genocide, death, murder, forced captivity
Buddy read with Gabriella!
I received an advanced digital copy from Margaret K. McElderry Books via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
INITIAL THOUGHTS: omfggggg xiran’s brain!!!
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