FEBRUARY 2019 - AudioFile
When 13-year-old fox spirit Min learns that her brother, Jun, has gone missing from his post in the Space Forces, she abandons the backwater planet of Jinju and embarks on a dangerous quest to find him. With her shape-shifting abilities, magically persuasive “Charm,” and clever tenacity, Min is a compelling heroine. Kim Mai Guest’s youthful narration grounds listeners in Min’s perspective, allowing the action and world-building to unfold around her in a heady blend of space opera and Korean folklore. As Min’s journey introduces her to more and more characters, Guest provides unobtrusive yet distinct voices for all. Both culturally specific and broadly appealing, this science fantasy—Yoon Ha Lee’s first for young listeners—is sure to grab listeners of all ages. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
The New York Times Book Review - Monica Edinger
…Dragon Pearl is a clever mash-up of Korean mythology and science fiction tropes. With crisp dialogue, a winning protagonist and a propulsive plot, the tale is enormously entertaining. And a heads-up to speculative-averse adults: If you decided Harry Potter was O.K., this is another one that might surprise you.
Publishers Weekly
★ 11/19/2018
In this highly original novel by Lee (the Machineries of Empire series for adults), 13-year-old Min must venture to the stars of the Thousand Worlds in order to find her older brother, Jun, who is suspected of deserting the Space Forces to search for the legendary Dragon Pearl. Min’s quick wits and technical prowess come in handy, but it’s her abilities as one of the fox people to shape-shift and charm others that prove vital after she leaves her home planet of Jinju aboard the freighter Red Azalea. When her brother’s former ship rescues the vessel from mercenaries, she poses as slain cadet Bae Jang, promising his ghost that she will avenge his death in exchange for impersonating him on the ship. Disguised as the dead cadet, Min is able to continue both quests, enlisting the aid of two of Bae’s friends—female dragon Haneul and nonbinary goblin Sujin—all the while avoiding the scrutiny of Captain Hwan as the ship heads to the Ghost Sector, the probable location of the Dragon Pearl. Lee offers a perfect balance of space opera and Korean mythology with enough complexity to appeal to teens. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jennifer Jackson, Donald Maass Literary Agency. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
"I was so impressed by DRAGON PEARL. The story is multi-layered, the world construction is impeccable—with an awesome intersection of tech and culture—and it is totally compelling to read. Min's nuanced feelings about her magic, her family, and her fox heritage are marvelously complicated. I loved her, and I know you will, too!"—E.K. Johnston, author of the #1 New York Times best-selling Ahsoka
"Lee has a knack for world-building. His richly detailed, cohesive, original vision is a lively mash-up of outer-space sci-fi and Korean culture and folklore."—Horn Book Magazine
"The Korean-mythology-in-space setup is great fun, with supernatural beings and ghosts aplenty, spaceships that run on technological and spiritual energy combined, an entire planet populated by ghosts, and bountiful space hijinks and derring-do."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Who would have thought Korean mythology would make for such an intense and magical space opera! I loved every moment of it and want the next book NOW so I can explore all the Thousand Worlds with Min! This book is brilliant and gorgeous, and why didn't I have it when I was a kid??"—Ellen Oh, author of Spirit Hunters and the Prophecy series
*"Lee has created an adrenaline-filled space opera with mythological creatures living alongside humans. It is refreshing to see both Koran elements and a nonbinary character seamlessly integrated into the storyline. A high-octane, science-fiction thriller painted with a Korean brush and a brilliant example of how different cultures can have unique but accessible cosmology and universal appeal."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
*"Lee offers a perfect balance of space opera and Korean mythology with enough complexity to appeal to teens."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
*"Lee skillfully weaves Korean folklore into this space opera narrative, creating dynamic and relatable characters. VERDICT: With ghosts, pirates, and a rollicking space adventure, there's a little something for everyone here."—School Library Journal (starred review)
School Library Journal - Audio
09/01/2019
Gr 3–7—Min may look like an ordinary girl, but she guards a secret that could threaten her family. She is a fox spirit who can shape-shift and charm others into doing what she wants, but most people think foxes have died out and are untrustworthy so she remains human. Min dreams of the day she can join the Space Forces, like her brother Jun, and see the Thousand Worlds. Then her brother is accused of deserting to search for the powerful Dragon Pearl, something Min knows he would never do, and she sets out to find him. The adventure never stops in this first-person space opera. Min sometimes comes off as willing to manipulate anyone who gets in her way, but she does think about the consequences of her actions and matures as the story progresses. Korean mythology is woven in, as is the use of gender-neutral pronouns for several characters. Narrator Kim Mai Guest brings the story to life using inflection to differentiate among characters. VERDICT Give to fantasy and science fiction readers as well as fans of Rick Riordan.—Elizabeth Elsbree, Krug Elementary School, Aurora, IL
FEBRUARY 2019 - AudioFile
When 13-year-old fox spirit Min learns that her brother, Jun, has gone missing from his post in the Space Forces, she abandons the backwater planet of Jinju and embarks on a dangerous quest to find him. With her shape-shifting abilities, magically persuasive “Charm,” and clever tenacity, Min is a compelling heroine. Kim Mai Guest’s youthful narration grounds listeners in Min’s perspective, allowing the action and world-building to unfold around her in a heady blend of space opera and Korean folklore. As Min’s journey introduces her to more and more characters, Guest provides unobtrusive yet distinct voices for all. Both culturally specific and broadly appealing, this science fantasy—Yoon Ha Lee’s first for young listeners—is sure to grab listeners of all ages. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2018-08-27
This latest in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint launches Korean mythological creatures into outer space.
Thirteen-year-old Min cannot believe her older brother, Jun, has deserted his Space Force post, as he's been accused of doing. Naturally, Min runs away from home to clear her brother's name. It's a Rick Riordan trademark to thrust mythological figures into new settings. Fans will breathlessly watch while fox-spirit Min charms her way onto a hijacked starship, ending up on her brother's military star cruiser on the way to the lawless Ghost Sector. Lee has created an adrenaline-filled space opera with mythological creatures living alongside humans. Min and her family are gumiho, or shape-shifting foxes, but they present as human to hide their magical natures. She takes on the identity of Jang, a male cadet killed in battle, and enlists the aid of two other supernatural Space Force cadets: Haneul, a female dragon, and Sujin, a nonbinary goblin. Min is first and foremost a teenager on a mission and a magical being second. The ambivalence of her identity (fox or human, male or female, hero or traitor) echoes ethical questions that many kid readers face. It is refreshing to see both Korean elements and a nonbinary character seamlessly integrated into the storyline. Narrator Min explains Korean mythology smoothly as the action progresses for readers with no previous knowledge.
A high-octane, science-fiction thriller painted with a Korean brush and a brilliant example of how different cultures can have unique but accessible cosmology and universal appeal. (pronunciation guide) (Science fantasy. 8-12)
