About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the pressures of responsibility or feeling displaced by a newcomer in their social or family circle. Ping is a young woman tasked with the immense weight of protecting the last purple dragon, Kai, while navigating a treacherous imperial court where she is often underestimated because of her background. Through her journey, the story explores the sting of jealousy when Kai shows affection for others, the complicated desire to find one's biological family, and the bravery required to stand up to authority figures who have lost their moral compass. While the setting is a vivid, fantastical ancient China, the emotional core is deeply relatable for any middle schooler finding their voice. It offers a sophisticated look at loyalty and the reality that sometimes, the family we choose is just as important as the one we are born into. Parents should be aware that the story contains some darker elements of magic and peril that make it best suited for mature readers ages 10 and up.
