Dragon Pearl

Last updated
Dragon Pearl
Dragon Pearl.jpg
Hardcover art
Author Yoon Ha Lee
Cover artistVivienne To
Country United States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThousand Worlds #1
Subjectinvestigation • epic journeymagic powersspace flightinterstellar travelKorean mythossibling relationshipimpersonation
Genre Science fiction, mythology
Publisher Disney-Hyperion
Publication date
January 15, 2019
Media type
  • Hardcover, e-book, and audiobook
  • Later released in paperback
Pages312
ISBN 9781368013352
OCLC 1059522670
Followed by Tiger Honor  

Dragon Pearl is a middle grade novel written by Yoon Ha Lee and published on January 15, 2019, by Disney Hyperion under their "Rick Riordan Presents" publishing imprint. [1] The book is a mix of Korean mythology and science fiction as the main character travels the galaxy. [2] [3] A short story by Lee about the characters in the book was featured in the anthology book The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities . [4]

Contents

Like its fellow "Rick Riordan Presents" books, the novel was praised for its diverse representation and plot and characterization. A sequel, Tiger Honor , was published in January 2022.

Plot

The main character Min, a teenage fox spirit (gumiho), runs away from her home, which is crowded with family members all staying in the same house, in order to figure out what happened to her lost brother, Jun, who was a cadet in the Space Forces before his disappearance. [2] After she leaves her home planet, Jinju, on a freighter ship, she begins uncovering more secrets. She finds the ship her brother was stationed on, leading her to pose as a recently deceased cadet on that ship so that she is enabled in her continued investigation. Meanwhile, she communicates with a dead cadet, Bae Jang, to whom she promises vengeance, in order to maintain her secret. When Min befriends two cadets on the ship, a dragon and a goblin disguised as humans, she learns that they are quickly approaching the Ghost Sector, in which the lost Dragon Pearl is said to have been laid to rest. [5]

Release

It was released in hardcover, audiobook, and e-book format on January 15, 2019. Rick Riordan Presents made a paperback edition available in English on January 7, 2020. The book has been translated and printed in other languages, including Polish, Indonesian, Ukrainian, and Italian.

Date PublishedPublisherFormatEditionLanguagePagesISBN
Jan 15, 2019 Rick Riordan Hardcover 1st ed English312 ISBN   978-1368013352
Thorndike Press Hardcover Large print English515 ISBN   978-1432860981
Rick Riordan ebook English312 ISBN   978-1368015196
Disney Hyperion Kindle English320 ASIN   B07D9WRHNH
Random House Audiobook EnglishN/A ISBN   978-1987156973
Jan 7, 2020 Rick Riordan PaperbackEnglish320 ISBN   978-1368014748

Translations

Date PublishedPublisherFormatEditionLanguagePagesISBN
Mar 13, 2019 Galeria Książki PaperbackPolish352 ISBN   978-8366173019
2020 Noura Books PaperbackIndonesian412 ISBN   978-6023857708
May 13, 2020 Giunti Editore HardcoverItalian336 ISBN   978-8809879133
2021ЖоржHardcoverUkrainian372 ISBN   978-6177853205

Reception

The Laughing Place reviewed the main character, Min, as likeable and fun, and even said that Lee has "crafted such a finely tuned narrative that Dragon Pearl can stand alone as an excellent story or be the start of a lengthy space saga." [2] Colleen Mondor of Locus comparing the book to the Perils of Pauline serial in the early 1900s, stating that it "nailed what the younger action crowd craves. If the story gets a bit thin along the way, that's okay, as the plot barrels along at such a breakneck pace you hardly notice." [6] A review on Publishers Weekly said, "in this highly original novel ... Lee offers a perfect balance of space opera and Korean mythology with enough complexity to appeal to teens." [5]

Reviews on Common Sense Media were also complimentary, saying that the "combination of space opera and Korean folklore finds the right, enjoyable balance" and "the book ends on a perfect note of closure, but most readers would welcome Min's further adventures." [7] The Quiet Pond called the book a "delightful adventure" and provided five reasons why it should be read, including its diverse background of Korean mythology, the mix of genres including space opera, and its "awesome" protagonist." [8] Talking of Min's situation after she gets word of her brother's disappearance, Kirkus Reviews said "it's a Rick Riordan trademark to thrust mythological figures into new settings." The review site also called the book "A high-octane, science-fiction thriller painted with a Korean brush and a brilliant example of how different cultures can have unique but accessible cosmology and universal appeal." [9]

Related Research Articles

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW), formerly known as The Disney Publishing Group and Buena Vista Publishing Group, is the publishing subsidiary of Disney Experiences, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. Its imprints include Disney Editions, Disney Press, Kingswell, Freeform, and Hyperion Books for Children. It has creative centers in Glendale, California, and Milan, Italy.

<i>The Lightning Thief</i> American childrens novel, 2005, first in the Percy Jackson series

The Lightning Thief is a 2005 American fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology, the first children's novel by Rick Riordan. The opening installment in the series Percy Jackson & the Olympians, the book was recognized among the year's best for children. Riordan followed the novel with various books and spin-off series, spawning the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles media franchise.

<i>Percy Jackson & the Olympians</i> Childrens fantasy adventure series

Percy Jackson & the Olympians is a series of fantasy novels written by American author Rick Riordan. The first book series in his Camp Half-Blood Chronicles, the novels are set in a world with the Greek gods in the 21st century. The series follows the protagonist Percy Jackson, a young demigod, who must prevent the Titans, led by Kronos, from destroying the world.

<i>High Kick!</i> South Korean TV series or program

High Kick! was a South Korean situation comedy revolving around the life of the Lee family. It aired in South Korea from Monday through Friday, in sitcom format.

<i>The Last Olympian</i> 2009 fantasy novel by Rick Riordan

The Last Olympian is a fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology by Rick Riordan, published on May 5, 2009. It is the fifth novel of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series and serves as the direct sequel to The Battle of the Labyrinth. The Last Olympian revolves around the demigod Percy Jackson as he leads his friends in a last stand to protect Mount Olympus.

<i>The Lost Hero</i> First book in the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

The Lost Hero is an American fantasy-adventure novel written by Rick Riordan, based on Greek and Roman mythology. It was published on October 12, 2010, and is the first book in The Heroes of Olympus series, a sequel to the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. It is preceded by The Last Olympian of Percy Jackson & the Olympians and followed by The Son of Neptune. The novel has since been translated into many languages and released as a hardcover, e-book, audiobook and paperback.

<i>The Mark of Athena</i> 2012 American novel by Rick Riordan

The Mark of Athena is an American fantasy-adventure novel written by Rick Riordan, based on Greek and Roman mythology. It was published on October 2, 2012, and is the third book in The Heroes of Olympus series, a sequel of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. It is preceded by The Son of Neptune and followed by The House of Hades. The novel is narrated in third-person.

<i>The House of Hades</i> 2013 book by Rick Riordan

The House of Hades is a fantasy-adventure novel written by American author Rick Riordan, based on Greek and Roman mythology. It was published on October 8, 2013, and is the fourth book in The Heroes of Olympus series, preceded by The Mark of Athena and followed by The Blood of Olympus.

Yoon Ha Lee is an American science fiction and fantasy writer, known for his Machineries of Empire space opera novels and his short fiction. His first novel, Ninefox Gambit, received the 2017 Locus Award for Best First Novel.

<i>Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard</i> Novel series by Rick Riordan

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard is a trilogy of fantasy novels based on Norse mythology written by American author Rick Riordan and published by Disney-Hyperion. It is set in the same universe as the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles and The Kane Chronicles series. The first book, The Sword of Summer, was released on October 6, 2015. The second book, The Hammer of Thor, was released on October 4, 2016. The Ship of the Dead, the third book, was released on October 3, 2017.

<i>Save Me</i> (South Korean TV series) 2017 South Korean television series

Save Me is a 2017 South Korean television series starring Ok Taec-yeon, Seo Yea-ji, Jo Sung-ha, and Woo Do-hwan. Serving as the first television series from the acclaimed series, Signal producer Lee Jae-moon's company Hidden Sequence, it aired on OCN from August 5 to September 24, 2017 for 16 episodes. This drama series is based on the popular Daum webcomic Out of the World by Jo Geum-san.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Hye-yoon</span> South Korean actress

Kim Hye-yoon is a South Korean actress and model. She first became known through her portrayal as Kang Ye-seo in JTBC's television series Sky Castle (2018–2019) and received her first leading role in television with MBC's Extraordinary You (2019) and her first leading role in film with The Girl on a Bulldozer (2022). She has been dubbed by various Korean media as the Nation's Little Sister.

<i>A Memory Called Empire</i> 2019 novel by Arkady Martine

A Memory Called Empire is a 2019 science fiction novel, the debut novel by Arkady Martine. It follows Mahit Dzmare, the ambassador from Lsel Station to the Teixcalaanli Empire, as she investigates the death of her predecessor and the instabilities that underpin that society. The book won the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novel.

<i>Black Dog: Being A Teacher</i> 2019 South Korean television series

Black Dog: Being A Teacher is a 2019–2020 South Korean television series starring Seo Hyun-jin, Ra Mi-ran and Ha Jun. It aired on tvN's Mondays and Tuesdays time slot from December 16, 2019 to February 4, 2020. It is a well-made drama in which viewers sympathized greatly with the realistic situation, conflicts and villains facing fixed-term teachers in the drama.

<i>My Holo Love</i> 2020 South Korean television series

My Holo Love is a 2020 South Korean television series starring Yoon Hyun-min and Ko Sung-hee. It was released on Netflix on February 7, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Riordan Presents</span> Publishing imprint

Rick Riordan Presents is a book imprint of Disney-Hyperion that was launched in 2018 and is led by Stephanie Owens Lurie. The line publishes books that utilize the mythology of various cultures and countries in its storytelling akin to Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson & the Olympians. The first book published under the imprint, Aru Shah and the End of Time, was released on March 23, 2018.

<i>Race to the Sun</i> (novel) 2020 novel

Race to the Sun is a novel written by Rebecca Roanhorse and was published on January 14, 2020. It is one of many books in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, and focuses on Navajo mythology. The book follows Nizhoni Begay, who has the self-proclaimed power of detecting monsters, as she adventures with her brother, Mac, and her best friend, Davery Descheny, through a series of trials to the House of the Sun to find her father, who was taken by the mysterious Mr. Charles.

The Tristan Strong series is a mythology book trilogy written by Kwame Mbalia. The series currently consists of three books. The first book, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, was published on October 15, 2019, and the second installment, Tristan Strong Destroys the World, was released a year later on October 6, 2020. Book three, the last in the trilogy, Tristan Strong Keeps Punching, was announced on February 8, 2021, and released on October 5, 2021. All three books are about African-American folktales.

<i>Aru Shah and the Song of Death</i> Pandava Quintet Book Two

Aru Shah and the Song of Death is an American fantasy-adventure novel written by Roshani Chokshi, published on April 30, 2019, under the "Rick Riordan Presents" publishing imprint. It is the second book in the Pandava Quintet, following the debut novel, Aru Shah and the End of Time. While learning how to control her Pandava powers, Aru Shah is accused of stealing the god of love’s bow and arrow. To prove her innocence, she must navigate the serpent realm with Mini and two new companions.

References

  1. Lee, Yoon Ha (2019). Dragon Pearl. Disney Electronic Content. ISBN   978-1-368-01519-6.
  2. 1 2 3 Gowsell, Bill (15 January 2019). "Book Review: "Dragon Pearl" by Yoon Ha Lee". LaughingPlace.com.
  3. "Yoon Ha Lee | Dragon Pearl" . Retrieved 2020-12-31.
  4. "The Latest from Athena House Jan 24, 2021 | Rick Riordan". 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  5. 1 2 "Publishers Weekly review of Dragon Pearl".
  6. "Colleen Mondor Reviews Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee". Locus Online. 2019-05-13. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  7. "Dragon Pearl - Book Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  8. "Five Reasons To Read: Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee – A Fun and Delightful Korean-Inspired Space Opera/Fantasy". The Quiet Pond. 2019-06-21. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  9. DRAGON PEARL | Kirkus Reviews.