A centuries-old curse, a prophecy, and a daring heist hang precariously in the balance for the future of a secret boarding school in Manhattan and all the Descendants of the Chinese Zodiac in Katie Zhao’s upcoming release, Zodiac Rising. The death of a powerful Descendant ignites it all, throwing Evangeline Long, a vampire of House Dragon, into a battle to save her family’s spot as head of the High Council and sending her on a quest to the mysterious land of the Fae with an extraordinary hand-picked crew.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed when multiple points of view are involved, but Katie Zhao expertly maneuvers over five perspectives and creates a vivid experience through each character, making the whole story rich with life and color.
The plot and outstanding character development will pull the reader in, but Zhao’s contemplative themes of cultural assimilation shine throughout the book. In her forward, Zhao asks, “Do we shun our cultural identities to assimilate obediently, or do we dare to reclaim our roots and everything that Western powers have taken from us?” Zodiac Rising is the epitome of what fiction should be, especially for the young reader: a portal to a new world with struggles that mirror our own and a spark of hope for what our society could be.
Filled with suspenseful fantasy inspired by Western lore, Chinese magic, and political intrigue, Zodiac Rising will satisfy YA readers and fantasy readers of all ages.
Image From: Random House Books for Young Readers
