A fun, fast-paced, intricate adventure with the vibrance and adrenaline of gaming, the depth and philosophy of traditional mythologies, and the heart and hope of family and friends. I was skeptical of the "Percy Jackson meets Yu-Gi-Oh" billing, but it's pretty fair! I don't think I've had this much fun with a middle grade fantasy since the first Tristan Strong book and Kiki Kalliri Breaks a Kingdom.

Things I loved:
• the sensitive discussion and representation of how ethnically diverse China and the diaspora are (our main character, Zach, is Muslim Chinese American)
• the funny chapter titles and pop culture hooks
• the way Chinese history and legends were explained throughout
• how nothing was forced into a simplistic black-and-white perspective