Guardians of the Dawn: Zhara (book) by S. Jae-Jones
Bibliographic Information
Title: Guardians of Dawn: Zhara
Author: S. Jae-Jones
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Copyright Date: August 2023
ISBN: 9781250191427
Page count: 416
Genre
Fantasy-Fiction, Romantasy
Reading Level/Interest Level
Grades 6-12 (From NoveList), Ages 13-18 (from Kirkus)
Plot Summary
Zhara, our main protgaonist, is a magician who takes care of her step-mother and blind step-sister. However, she is afraid of her magic for two reasons: it seems she may have caused her step-sister’s blindness; and all magicians were put to death during the last war. She can transfigure items, create fire, and transform people, but underneath all of that she is just a teenage girl who is growing up and wants to experience love. She meets a somewhat goofy boy, Han, who ends up being the prince, but he is betrothed to another early on. There is a plague of some kind sweeping their land and magicians are being targeted, including Han’s little brother. The plague can turn magicians into abominations (read- horrifying monsters), but Zhara and Han work together (with a cast of other characters) to find the underlying cause of the plague, save those who have been affected, and end the cause of it.
Author Background
S. Jae-Jones is the New York Times bestselling author of the Wintersong duo and the Guardians of Dawn series. Her self-proclaimed superpower is being able to “recognize any episode of The X-Files after two seconds, based solely on Scully’s hair” (Jae-Jones, n.d.). She plays many musical instruments, studied at NYU, and spent her summers in Seoul with her grandmother.
Critical Evaluation
As a reader, I was immediately drawn into our heroine’s world. I loved how real Zhara felt as a teenager. She complains about her emotions overwhelming her, and complains of anxiety when she overthinks problems that don’t have solutions. This book is the first in a series and there is some world building that occurs, so at times it feels like that can pull away from Zhara’s plot arc, but does make the reader want to read the second book. The prince’s character was very sweet, but he felt a little flat and whiny at times. His dialogue with Zhara could be a little predictable at times. The prince’s friend, Xu, is fun addition that adds depth to the prince’s character, though. S. Jae-Jones uses descriptive language to describe the setting and monsters that can make the reader feel as though they are in the streets of the market and can see what the characters are seeing. The theme of good and evil permeates the plot, and culminates in Zhara’s own identity exploration, which I loved.
How I see Prince Han & Zhara
Creative Use for a Library Program
Librarians could host a fandom club where teens can share their fanart, listen to K-pop, play games, and socialize with others.
Speed-Round Talk
This is a modern-day CInderella meets Sailor Moon. Zhara takes care of her step-mother and step-sister as she learns to handle her forbidden magic. She unknowingly falls in love with the Prince, and they must save the world from an evil plague that turns magicians into abominations. Everything culminates on a magical celebration night.
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation
The book is about magic, features some LGBTQ characters, and includes some fantastical violence; the descriptions of monsters are a little graphic. The book is rated 13+ and is a light read overall. There is no underage drinking. Drugs are not mentioned, and while sex is overtly mentioned, there are no spicy scenes.
Reason for Inclusion
I really enjoyed the cover when I saw it in the bookstore, and I love fantasy. This books has a fun sci-fi/fantasy twist on a romantic coming-of-age plot. The story has an underlying theme of good and evil, but isn’t too dark for those that prefer more cozy reads.
Bonus Information
Jae-Jones’ second book in the series, Ami, just came out in August of 2024!
My thirteen year old daughter loved this book and read it in two days (much longer than my 9, lol).
SLJ Review
References
Disney Pixar. (2023, June 8). Animation fire sticker [GIF]. Giphy. https://giphy.com/stickers/disneypixar-elemental-pixar-disney-8HBiwk4Zksv1b8X506
Jae-Jones, S. (n.d.). S. Jae-Jones. https://sjaejones.com
Jae-Jones, S. (2023, August). Guardians of dawn: Zhara. Wednesday Books.
Kirkus Reviews. (2023, June 21). An engaging fantasy set in an original magical world. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/s-jae-jones/zhara/
*Book Cover Image is propety of publisher, Wednesday Books. Taken from Amazon.