Theo Tan is a Chinese American with the emphasis on "American". He doesn't understand why his older brother is so "in" to learning about his Chinese heritage. Then one day his brother is killed. Theo is torn with grief and remembers that strange way his brother was acting and the strange things he said before he died. Theo starts to investigate and is led to a summer camp where his brother had worked as an intern. Dark things are happening there and as Theo investigates with the help of Kai, the fox spirit he inherited after his brother's death, he walks deeper into mystery and danger.
This is a Rick Riordan-esque fantasy focused on Chinese folk stories and magic. The story is told in chapters alternating between Theo's voice and Kai's voice. Kai is an appealing character, sassy and arrogant but with a soft heart. Theo is intelligent but insecure. There are times when one feels elements were stollen from Harry Potter, especially in the character of Theo's friend, Namita, who is very like Hermione Granger. Still, it is well written and well read. I wouldn't say it is fabulous, but I can imagine a lot of kids who would enjoy it. (320 p. 2022)
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