I loved Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon. What an interesting and unique story.Title: Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon
Author: Mary Fan
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Release Date: June 11th 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
When a powerful viceroy arrives with a fleet of mechanical dragons and stops an attack on Anlei’s village, the villagers see him as a godsend. They agree to give him their sacred, enchanted River Pearl in exchange for permanent protection—if he’ll marry one of the village girls to solidify the alliance. Anlei is appalled when the viceroy selects her as a bride, but with the fate of her people at stake, she sees no choice but to consent. Anlei’s noble plans are sent into a tailspin, however, when a young thief steals the River Pearl for himself.
Knowing the viceroy won’t protect her village without the jewel, she takes matters into her own hands. But once she catches the thief, she discovers he needs the pearl just as much as she does. The two embark on an epic quest across the land and into the Courts of Hell, taking Anlei on a journey that reveals more is at stake than she could have ever imagined.
With incredibly vivid world building and fast-paced storytelling, Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon is great for readers who are looking for something fresh in epic fantasy.
First off I loved the main character Anlei. I know I’ve said in previous reviews how much I enjoy an imperfect character. Anlei is strong and resourceful and a great asset to her village but she also can be very selfish and closed off. She mentions her difficulty of making friends but it’s partly because she struggles to think beyond herself. At the same time though, she is very loyal and considerate. She wants fame and recognition but she also has the ability to asses someone else's situation. Instead of rushing headfirst into being a hero, she considers how this can help the person and herself both out. As the story progresses I think she really starts to see this in herself as more of a flaw instead of something to be proud of. That doing something heroic can mean something more to you than the fame that comes with it. I just really loved her character.
Tai is also a great character. I loved the way he banters with Anlei and is able to push her buttons. I think he sees more to her than even she sees. He respects her abilities and treats her like an equal. Which I think is something that she craves being more interested in adventuring instead of settling down and getting married. Plus he’s got that mysterious thing going for him. Who is this Tai.
I loved the story and I felt that it was fast paced. I think Mary Fan could have spread over another book if she really wanted to but I also think it’s perfect as a standalone. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing other adventures, if not even Anlei and Tai in the same world. Perhaps Anlei’s sister. I do love a story that takes you on an adventure that isn’t what it seems, just to bring you back around to look at things in front of you in a new angle. I also really enjoyed the lore that went along with the world as well as has that perfect Steampunk flare. Flying Mechanical Dragons! Again it would be interesting to see some more parts of this in other books. How many real Dragons are there? What were the other artifacts being collected?
I really enjoyed this book and it’s the perfect blend of things that I needed in a standalone Fantasy.
Side note. It didn’t matter to me how Mowang was described. I kept picturing him looking like the demon on the cover of my brothers Dungeons Master Guide D&D book.
Mary Fan is a hopeless dreamer, whose mind insists on spinning tales of “what if.” As a music major in college, she told those stories through compositions. Now, she tells them through books—a habit she began as soon as she could pick up a pencil.
Mary lives in New Jersey and has a B.A. from Princeton University. When she’s not scheming to create new worlds, she enjoys kickboxing, opera singing, and blogging about everything having to do with books.
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Prize: Win a copy of STRONGER THAN A BRONZE DRAGON by Mary Fan (US Only)Stars: 11th June 2019
Ends: 25th June 2019
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