’Fast-paced, furiously funny and utterly fantastic. I absolutely loved the combination of science-fiction, fantasy, Chinese history and mythology - and the battle scenes were completely epic!’
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor
Xiran Jay Zhao‘Fast-paced, furiously funny and utterly fantastic.’ A.F. Steadman
‘Culture and technology clash as Zachary Ying takes adventure to a new level!’ Kwame Mbalia
Percy Jackson meets Yu-Gi-Oh in this hilarious, action-packed fantasy adventure.
Zachary Ying has never had much chance to learn about his Chinese heritage. So when he’s chosen to host the spirit of the First Emperor of China for a vital mission, he is woefully unprepared. As a result, the emperor botches his attempt to possess Zack’s body and binds to his AR gaming headset instead.
With the legendary tyrant yapping in his headset, Zack must journey across China to steal magical artifacts and defeat figures from history and myth. Using his newfound water dragon powers, can Zack complete the mission in time to save the mortal world?
Reviews
A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
‘I started reading it and finished it in a day! There are so many things I adore about the book from the characters to the amazing and hilarious facts about Chinese history. It had me grinning all the way! It's a wonderful book and I will be raving about it to everyone I know for a long time.’
Ann Sei Lin, author of Rebel Skies
‘Culture and technology clash as Zachary Ying takes adventure to a new level!’
Kwame Mbalia, author of Tristan Strong
‘Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is an edge-of-your-seat adventure that has you laughing on one page and cheering on the next. Zach is a gamer turned hero who goes on an epic quest across the globe only to find his greatest strength within. More, please!’
James Ponti, author of City Spies
‘Jam-packed with humour, heart, and hijinks, ZACHARY YING is the Chinese history class you wished you had at school. Exploring diaspora and intersectional identity in between magical heists and mythical creatures, this book is a marvel. I am officially a Xiran Jay Zhao stan!’
Graci Kim, author of The Last Fallen Star
'This is a truly amazing and exciting quest story for middle grade children...The combination of Chinese history, myths and modern gaming really works well and will attract a wide range of readers.'
Books for Keeps
‘Cue comedy and confusion… There is high-paced action throughout, packed with gaming and car chases, but there’s an emotional underbelly too… tense non-stop drama.’
Bath LifeNic Bottomley of Mr B’s Emporium
Xiran Jay Zhao
Xiran Jay Zhao is the #1 bestselling author of the Iron Widow duology. A first-gen Hui Chinese immigrant from small-town China to Vancouver, Canada, they were raised by the internet and made the inexplicable decision to leave their biochem degree in the dust to write books and make educational content instead. You can find them @XiranJayZhao on Twitter for memes, Instagram for cosplays and fancy outfits, TikTok for fun short videos, and YouTube for long videos about Chinese history and culture. Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is their first middle grade novel.
Author page
