Breath of the Dragon - (Breathmarked) by Fonda Lee & Shannon Lee (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.

Sixteen-year-old Jun dreams of proving his worth as a warrior in the elite Guardian's Tournament, held every six years to entrust the magical Scroll of Heaven to a new protector. Eager to prove his skills, Jun hopes that a win will restore his father's pride--righting a horrible mistake that caused their banishment from his home, mother, and twin brother.

But Jun's father strictly forbids him from participating. He believes there is no future in Jun honing his skills as a warrior, especially considering Jun is not breathmarked, born with a patch of dragon scales and blessed with special abilities like his twin. Determined to be the next Guardian, Jun stows away in the wagon of Chang and his daughter, Ren, performers on their way to the capital where the tournament will take place.

As Jun competes, he quickly realizes he may be fighting for not just a better life, but the fate of the country itself and the very survival of everyone he cares about.

Review Quotes

"The unpredictable plot twists and innovative magic system, which incorporates religious elements, are intriguing and, along with Jun's realistic emotional development and reactions, create a gripping narrative...A complex, hard-hitting, epic martial arts journey." - Kirkus (starred review)

"The authors extol Bruce Lee's principles while continually raising the stakes and surprising readers with thoughtful twists in this relentlessly paced and exquisitely choreographed martial arts fantasy series opener." - Publishers Weekly

"I'm genuinely awestruck by the brilliance of this coming-of-age novel. Infused with the vital essence of Bruce Lee's intellect, martial arts prowess, and philosophical depth, it's a captivating journey that transcends the ordinary--a master class in storytelling. I loved it and cannot wait for the next book!" --Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

"Breath of the Dragon is fantastic cinematic mayhem lovingly molded in a deadly martial world. The wisdom and philosophy of great Bruce Lee serve as a guiding hand in so many deep aspects of young Jun's journey. The Lees make a dynamic team!" - Wesley Chu, #1 New York Times bestseller

"A perfect balance of Bruce Lee's inspiring philosophies, Shannon Lee's galvanizing execution, and Fonda Lee's masterful writing. As thrilling and cinematic as the best big-screen experience." - F.C. Yee, New York Times bestselling author of Avatar, the Last Airbender: The Rise of Kyoshi and The Epic Crush of Genie Lo

"A tale in equal turns powerful and gripping, inspiring and meaningful, and with vividly cinematic combat scenes that felt like movie sequences. Lee and Lee have forged a new classic born of legacy and show themselves to be grandmasters of the martial arts genre." -- Amélie Wen Zhao, New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Song of the Last Kingdom duology

"A masterclass in cinematic action and riveting storytelling. From the first pages I was rooting for Jun and felt invested in his journey. Rare is the tale that thrives off nostalgia yet also offers something breathtakingly refreshing. Lee and Lee have succeeded in every measure." --Elizabeth Lim, New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes

"A stirring and stunning novel of fascinating imagination and filled with a true warrior's spirit. A not to be missed adventure!" - S.A. Cosby, New York Times bestseller

"Breath of the Dragon breathes the spirit of Bruce Lee on every page. The rite of passage/coming of age story moves fast, is compelling, and shows with deep emotionality the yin and yang in humans and in our relationships, politics and martial arts. I felt it. I loved it. It's explosive like Bruce Lee, and I can't wait to read the next book. This would be fantastic on screen!" - Mark Dacascos

"Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee's Breath of the Dragon is a marvelous tale of war, family, and revolution told in the grand tradition of Suzanne Collins and Jin Yong. But this contemporary spin on the kung fu novel also features at its heart an unforgettable young fighter who is not a little like a young Bruce Lee. A riveting pulse-pounding story with lots to say about what it means to be a hero in these times. Can't wait for the next one!" -- Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop and Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America

"This is an exciting and compelling story centered around a young man's hope and determination to win a martial arts tournament which will give him the coveted title of 'Guardian of the Scroll'. We accompany him on his journey and are engaged from beginning to end with the characters, events and action. Jun's rich and eventful journey is thrilling and thought provoking. A very enjoyable and captivating read!" - Andrew Koji

"A thrilling fantasy inspired by ancient China and martial arts and brimming with Bruce Lee magic. Lee and Lee's homage to wuxia classics is a freshly inventive tale of duty, ambition, love and growth that will captivate hearts and imaginations. A cracking page-turner and classic in-the-making. Magnificent." - A.Y. Chao, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Shanghai Immortal

"With a colourful cast of compelling characters, a plot of steadily rising stakes, and martial arts action that flies off the page, this book catapulted me back to late nights sitting in front of the TV watching Hong Kong action flicks." - Rob Hayes, author of The Ties That Bind series

About the Author

As the steward of her father's legacy, SHANNON LEE serves as the CEO of the Bruce Lee Family Companies and the chairperson of the Bruce Lee Foundation. Her mission is to provide access to her father's philosophy and life through education and entertainment. She is the author of Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee. An in-demand speaker, she has spoken at TED, TEDx, and CreativeMornings, among others. Shannon is the cocreator and host of the Bruce Lee Podcast, which has more than four million downloads, and the Executive Producer of Max's Warrior series based on a treatment written by Bruce Lee.

FONDA LEE is one of fantasy and science fiction's current leading voices. She is best known for the epic fantasy Green Bone Saga, consisting of Jade City, Jade War, and Jade Legacy. The Green Bone Saga won the World Fantasy Award and the Locus Award, was a finalist for the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award, has been translated into over a dozen languages, optioned for television development, and listed as one of the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time by Time magazine. Lee is a former corporate strategist and black belt martial artist who appears at science fiction and comic book conventions as a frequent guest panelist and speaker.