chirson's review against another edition
4.0
Bardzo mi się podobało połączenie sztafażu science fiction (mocno w kierunku star treka chyba?) z koreańskimi legendami. Bohaterka też jest sympatyczna i pewnie jakbym była docelową grupą czytelniczą to całkiem bym ją polubiła. Są świetne detale swiatotwórcze i kulturowe: rodzina bohaterki i jej struktura, niebinarne postaci. Ale miejscami miałam wrażenie, że zabrakło ciut większego pogłębienia relacji albo psychologii postaci, nie wczuwałam się specjalnie. Może to po mojej stronie leżał problem, ale nie jestem pewna. W każdym razie, zakończeniu zabrakło w rezultacie siły.
Ale małoletniemu w rodzinie chętnie bym wcisnęła.
Ale małoletniemu w rodzinie chętnie bym wcisnęła.
bookworm_15's review against another edition
2.0
There were a few aspects that were...questionable and unnecessary. Overall, it was an ok read. I feel like it went to fast and was kind of...smooshed together. I did really like the Korean folklore though!
evamadera1's review against another edition
4.5
See "recent reads review" on youtube channel (linked in bio)
jazzyjan94's review against another edition
4.0
This review appears on my blog: https://confessionsofabookwormweb.wordpress.com/2020/04/10/book-review-dragon-pearl-by-yoon-ha-lee/
Let me start by stating that so far I’m enjoying everything that has been published under Rick Riordan’s publishing imprint, Rick Riordan Present.
Dragon Pearl is a space opera mixed with Korean mythology and folklore, which is really cool. It follows main character, 13-year-old Min, who has fox magic – which means that she can shapeshift – however she is forbidden by her family from using her magic. She dreams someday of joining the Space Forces, like her older brother Jun, and explore the Thousands Worlds. But one day her family receives the news that her brother is a deserter. However, Min finds this hard to believe, and decides to go find him, and to do so she must search for the legendary and powerful Dragon Pearl.
This was an enjoyable read and I definitely learned more about Korean mythology than I knew before, which was nothing. I liked how the mythology elements mixed well with the space opera element – I felt like I was reading something that could potentially be a Star Wars movie/story.
Min was a great character, although there were times some of the things she said seemed too old for her, but then again she is also a shapeshifter, so it makes sense. There is also a diverse cast of characters that many readers will love getting to know. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next in the series. 4/5 Stars.
Let me start by stating that so far I’m enjoying everything that has been published under Rick Riordan’s publishing imprint, Rick Riordan Present.
Dragon Pearl is a space opera mixed with Korean mythology and folklore, which is really cool. It follows main character, 13-year-old Min, who has fox magic – which means that she can shapeshift – however she is forbidden by her family from using her magic. She dreams someday of joining the Space Forces, like her older brother Jun, and explore the Thousands Worlds. But one day her family receives the news that her brother is a deserter. However, Min finds this hard to believe, and decides to go find him, and to do so she must search for the legendary and powerful Dragon Pearl.
This was an enjoyable read and I definitely learned more about Korean mythology than I knew before, which was nothing. I liked how the mythology elements mixed well with the space opera element – I felt like I was reading something that could potentially be a Star Wars movie/story.
Min was a great character, although there were times some of the things she said seemed too old for her, but then again she is also a shapeshifter, so it makes sense. There is also a diverse cast of characters that many readers will love getting to know. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next in the series. 4/5 Stars.
nedge's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sharpiemyshoe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bigbear73's review
1.0
We have a '3 chapter' rule we make the kids follow. Try a book for 3 chapters, at least, before you give up. This is useful when trying to get them to try new books.
It's just as, if not more useful, however, at giving yourself the freedom to move along.
The writing wasn't as great as I'd hoped, and I was struggling with the main character. She may (and probably will) grow, but there are a lot of books out there and I was dreading coming back to this one, so I'm moving on.
It's just as, if not more useful, however, at giving yourself the freedom to move along.
The writing wasn't as great as I'd hoped, and I was struggling with the main character. She may (and probably will) grow, but there are a lot of books out there and I was dreading coming back to this one, so I'm moving on.
oldgum101's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I liked this one!
Min was really mature and level-headed for the situations she was put through, and very capable at that. Also, I love some good sibling quest!
The integration of Korean mythology into space is seriously weird and seriously cool. I loved it. The world is quite complex, but there's just enough worldbuilding here and there to get by. I dislike most sci-fi but this one had magic and science blended together (supernaturals and humans), so of course, I couldn't say no.
Another point I'd like to mention is Sujin, the non-binary goblin. I really liked that it was just an accepted fact. Haneul and Sujin were everything I'd want from side characters, and wonderful friends too.
There were plenty of great things about Dragon Pearl, but there were also some things I just didn't like. I thought this book just could have been stronger as a third-person narrative since the first-person just seemed sort of awkward.
Mostly, it was the writing and ending that I didn't like. The story wrapped up too quickly and left a lot to be desired.
Writing: Hmm. Like with the narrative, the writing felt awkward and was just not very strong.
summary of my thoughts: A good, quick read for sci-fi fans. An interesting world and a likeable protagonist.
goody bits
Min was really mature and level-headed for the situations she was put through, and very capable at that. Also, I love some good sibling quest!
The integration of Korean mythology into space is seriously weird and seriously cool. I loved it. The world is quite complex, but there's just enough worldbuilding here and there to get by. I dislike most sci-fi but this one had magic and science blended together (supernaturals and humans), so of course, I couldn't say no.
Another point I'd like to mention is Sujin, the non-binary goblin. I really liked that it was just an accepted fact. Haneul and Sujin were everything I'd want from side characters, and wonderful friends too.
the nah bits
There were plenty of great things about Dragon Pearl, but there were also some things I just didn't like. I thought this book just could have been stronger as a third-person narrative since the first-person just seemed sort of awkward.
Mostly, it was the writing and ending that I didn't like. The story wrapped up too quickly and left a lot to be desired.
Writing: Hmm. Like with the narrative, the writing felt awkward and was just not very strong.
summary of my thoughts: A good, quick read for sci-fi fans. An interesting world and a likeable protagonist.
bookishmamma's review against another edition
3.0
I am giving this a 3 because that is what my kids gave it but honestly it is more of 2.5.
This book had so much potential but it was filled with plot holes and just was really lacking.
By the end I just wanted it to be over. I will not be continuing the series.
This book had so much potential but it was filled with plot holes and just was really lacking.
By the end I just wanted it to be over. I will not be continuing the series.
jtryckman's review against another edition
3.0
This book wasn't bad, but it was just missing...heart. It felt like the main character, Min, was just gliding through the story, and moments that should have had a much bigger emotional impact just happened and then we moved on.
It's a promising concept, but there just wasn't the emotion to make me care about any of the characters.
It's a promising concept, but there just wasn't the emotion to make me care about any of the characters.