Breath of the Dragon (Breathmarked #1)

An ambitious teen warrior risks all in this cinematic duology-opener from Fonda Lee (the Green Bone Saga) and Shannon Lee (Be Water, My Friend, for adults). Jun Li is six when East Longhan’s Aspects of Virtue come to take his twin, Sai, to join their sect of elite fighters who protect the sacred Scroll of Earth. Sai may be breathmarked—blessed by almighty Dragon with scales and a special ability—but Jun, a superior martial artist, shows off, hoping they’ll take him, too. Instead, Jun and his trainer father are exiled, as East Longhan civilians are forbidden from studying combat. Ten years later, in martial arts-revering West Longhan, Jun runs away to compete in the Guardian’s Tournament. If Jun wins, he’ll become Guardian of the Scroll of Heaven and earn the 10-year-old emperor’s ear—an important perk given that corrupt General Cobu intends to rig the contest and use his chosen candidate to facilitate a coup. The authors continually raise the stakes and surprise readers with thoughtful twists in this relentlessly paced and exquisitely choreographed martial arts fantasy series opener. Characters cue as East Asian. Ages 13–up. Agents: Penny Moore and Jane von Mehren, Aevitas Creative Management. (Jan.)