Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fox-spirit teen brings Korean myths to adventurous sci-fi.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As DRAGON PEARL opens, 13-year-old Min learns that her beloved brother is accused to having deserted the Space Forces. A shape-shifting fox spirit, Min has Charm powers that allow her to influence the thinking and behavior of people around her. She smuggles herself aboard a spaceship and pretends to be a Cadet who actually has been killed. As Min endures the rigors of Cadet life, she also looks for clues as to the whereabouts of the Dragon Pearl, a mystical jewel capable of transforming entire planets. Thanks in part to her fellow Cadets -- a nonbinary troll and a dragon -- she moves steadily closer to a revelation that could affect the entire galaxy.
Is It Any Good?
Mixing science fiction and fantasy sometimes results in a dilution of both genres, but this combination of space opera and Korean folklore finds the right, enjoyable balance. With Dragon Pearl, author Yoon Ha Lee offers up an engaging main character, a magical trickster ready to Charm her way to her destiny. Readers will find the diverse cast lively and unpredictable, the plotting well executed, the world-building offbeat and intriguing. The book ends on a perfect note of closure, but most readers would welcome Min's further adventures.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Dragon Pearl mixes elements of science fiction with ancient Korean mythology. What kinds of stories lend themselves to being remixed for modern audiences?
Min encounters many ghosts during the course of Dragon Pearl. Why do readers like stories about ghosts? How do different cultures deal with the notion of life after death?
Throughout the book, Min has to trick enemies, friends, and family. Is such manipulation ever justified?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Dragons , Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Disney-Hyperion
- Publication date : January 15, 2019
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : March 6, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate