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A review by dinipandareads
Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Although I've put off reading this book for years, it has always been one of my most anticipated middle-grade fantasies. I'd read a short story that was set in the same world with these same characters and I enjoyed it a lot so I was sure I'd have fun reading this. Sadly, this just didn't work for me and I was disappointed by how disconnected I felt the whole time. I know I'm not the target audience though and looking at it from that perspective, I do believe this is a story that many young readers would still enjoy. There's action, space adventure, magic and mythical creatures, and a race to uncover the mystery connecting a brother's disappearance and the legendary fabled Dragon Pearl.
Without a doubt, my favourite part of this was the world-building and I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Lee wove Korean mythology into a fantastical sci-fi world. It was easy to picture the Thousand Worlds from the dry dust bowl that is Min's rural home to the vibrant city teeming with corrupt police, pirates and mercs, and the battle cruiser that transports her to the Ghost Sector. This is a world where humans exist alongside supernaturals such as dragons, goblins, tigers and fox spirits that were assumed to have disappeared long ago. I enjoyed reading about the magic and I particularly enjoyed the Charm power of the Gumiho. For the most part, the writing was also enjoyable and flowed well, if not a little too quickly at times.
Sadly, there was something about the writing that also kept me from feeling more connected to the story. I think it might have to do with how so much happens so quickly that it leaves little time to absorb what's happening before moving on to the next thing. Also, I was immersed in the world but I had a difficult time caring about the characters and I particularly struggled to connect to Min. I appreciate her drive and need to find answers especially because her brother is her favourite person but she's very rash in her decision-making and she has a sense of impatient entitlement that didn't work for me. I know young people are immature and make silly decisions but essentially, much of her character didn't make sense to me and I found myself asking <i>"how?!"</i> and <i>"but, why?!"</i> so often that it ended up taking me completely out of the story.
Additionally, we're introduced to a slew of characters who both help and hinder her progress but they simply exist to push her story along, and I think that was a wasted opportunity, particularly when it came to Min's friendships. The main mystery was resolved in a satisfying enough way and I liked how the ending sets the story up for more adventures in the Thousand Worlds.
Overall, I'm bummed that this wasn't as enjoyable as I expected it to be but I'm glad that it's finally off my TBR and no longer hanging over my head, lol.
Without a doubt, my favourite part of this was the world-building and I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Lee wove Korean mythology into a fantastical sci-fi world. It was easy to picture the Thousand Worlds from the dry dust bowl that is Min's rural home to the vibrant city teeming with corrupt police, pirates and mercs, and the battle cruiser that transports her to the Ghost Sector. This is a world where humans exist alongside supernaturals such as dragons, goblins, tigers and fox spirits that were assumed to have disappeared long ago. I enjoyed reading about the magic and I particularly enjoyed the Charm power of the Gumiho. For the most part, the writing was also enjoyable and flowed well, if not a little too quickly at times.
Sadly, there was something about the writing that also kept me from feeling more connected to the story. I think it might have to do with how so much happens so quickly that it leaves little time to absorb what's happening before moving on to the next thing. Also, I was immersed in the world but I had a difficult time caring about the characters and I particularly struggled to connect to Min. I appreciate her drive and need to find answers especially because her brother is her favourite person but she's very rash in her decision-making and she has a sense of impatient entitlement that didn't work for me. I know young people are immature and make silly decisions but essentially, much of her character didn't make sense to me and I found myself asking <i>"how?!"</i> and <i>"but, why?!"</i> so often that it ended up taking me completely out of the story.
Additionally, we're introduced to a slew of characters who both help and hinder her progress but they simply exist to push her story along, and I think that was a wasted opportunity, particularly when it came to Min's friendships. The main mystery was resolved in a satisfying enough way and I liked how the ending sets the story up for more adventures in the Thousand Worlds.
Overall, I'm bummed that this wasn't as enjoyable as I expected it to be but I'm glad that it's finally off my TBR and no longer hanging over my head, lol.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent