Synopsis
For year, Ying hated his grandmaster for denying him the opportunity to train as a Dragon, and held a deep resentment for his five younger brothers–grandmaster’s favorites. He took his revenge and burnt the Cangzhen temple to the ground, but the five youngsters survived and continue to be a thorn in his side. Yet, when betrayed by the emperor and imprisoned, it was his younger sister, Hok, who rescued him. Now Ying begins to realize that Tonglong has been manipulating him for a long time. Ying needs to figure out who are his friends and who are his enemies . . .and he needs to figure it out fast!
Children's Literature
Ying is a teenager fallen from grace. Once a champion of the fight club circuit and leader of a band of the emperor's soldiers, Ying is now a fugitive, accused of treason. After escaping from prison, he fosters an uneasy alliance with his former temple siblings and a foreigner they have befriended. Ying must race the wily Tonglong to discover an ancient treasure and his true identity. Will the band of teenagers be in time? Will Ying learn what he must to keep the sacred artifacts from falling into the wrong hands? The Eagle is book five in a series called "The Five Ancestors." Without the background story of the other books, it takes a chapter or two for readers to really understand what is happening and to see the interpersonal relationships in the story. Once immersed, though, the plot is fast paced and interesting. There is a healthy dose of action packed Kung Fu fights and gun laced action. This is especially great for any Kung Fu lovers out there, but it will appeal to anyone that loves a good adventure. I would recommend it for a high school library. Reviewer: Melyssa Malinowski