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The Scroll of Chaos

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

Join Astrid Xu in this action-packed adventure as she ventures into the world of mythological China in order to save her mother — and the world! Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings!

When Astrid Xu stumbles upon an ancient scroll with Chinese characters, she just knows it's the key to saving her mom from the "fog"—the depression that keeps her mom bedridden for days at a time. What Astrid doesn't expect, though, is to be transported—along with her younger sister, Marilla—to Zhen, a realm where the Chinese legends of old are real!

In Zhen, Astrid and Marilla meet Erlang Shen, a powerful warrior, and Lan Caihe, one of the Eight Immortals. It seems an ancient evil known as Chaos is wreaking havoc all throughout this mythological world, threatening to shroud all of Zhen in darkness—and Astrid is the only one who can stop it.

With only her sister (who has been trapped in the body of a cat!) and two great mythological figures to help her, Astrid sets out on a journey to face her destiny. But will she be able to save her mom—and the world!—before Chaos reigns supreme?

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  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      January 30, 2023
      A Chinese American tween traverses an alternate realm to stop a grim prophecy in this mythology-driven adventure from Chapman (All the Ways Home). In Vancouver, asthmatic 12-year-old Astrid Xu plays the clarinet to help her control her breathing, and she hopes her upcoming solo will encourage her depressed mother, who’s taken to bed, to “get better enough to come watch.” When she finds an old volume of Chinese mythology, she thinks she might be able to bond with her mother over the tales. But upon encountering a scroll inside and breaking its wax seal, Astrid and younger sister Marilla are transported into Zhen, or mythological China, home to fabled figures they’ve only read about. There, they learn that Astrid has unwittingly released the demon Chaos, who plans to bring about a realm-ending flood. Agreeing to help defeat Chaos in exchange for obtaining an immortal peach to help their mom, Astrid, along with Marilla and two legendary allies, set off to save Zhen from a dark fate. Interstitials from A Handbook of Ancient Chinese Myth aid in the plot progression of this imaginative middle grade novel about changing familial bonds and finding one’s strength. An author’s note includes mental health resources. Ages 8–12. Agent: Victoria Marini, Irene Goodman Literary.

    • Kirkus

      February 1, 2023
      It's up to one Vancouver, British Columbia, girl to save a realm of Chinese gods and immortals from Chaos. Twelve-year-old Chinese Canadian Astrid Xu has two things on her mind: her upcoming concert (managing her asthma while she plays clarinet adds to her nerves) and her mother's depression (which isn't getting better). When she finds an old book about Chinese mythology, Astrid hopes to use it to connect with her mother and younger sister, Marilla. Unbeknownst to Astrid, the book also contains an ancient scroll that unleashes a demon bent on destroying everything. Astrid and Marilla learn the truth behind the stories their mother shared as they come face to face with the demigod Erlang Shen and Sae, one of the Eight Immortals. Astrid agrees to help them defeat the demon--but in return, she wants a magical peach that she hopes will cure her mother. As Astrid, Marilla, and the immortals race through a world quickly succumbing to Chaos, they must face their fears and their conflicts with one another before they can make a final stand. Chapman mixes an empowering adventure story, in which Astrid uses skills she has already learned in fantastic new ways, with unflinching, age-appropriate depictions of the ways depression can affect a family. Summaries of myths interspersed throughout the narrative add extra context for readers new to Chinese mythology. A mythological romp that also tackles issues of mental health. (Fantasy. 9-12)

      COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • School Library Journal

      April 1, 2023

      Gr 5 Up-Chapman's latest book takes readers on a fast-paced adventure starring gods and demigods from Chinese mythology. Astrid Xu is a 12-year-old with long black hair and a lingering confidence problem. She has an upcoming clarinet solo, but she's afraid that her asthma will ruin her performance. Worse yet, she fears that playing poorly will cause her mother to slip further into a depressive fog. Astrid must learn to trust herself and her family after she accidentally opens a cursed scroll and plunges into Zhen, a world where all the Chinese myths from her childhood are real. This title is broad in a scope comparable to epic fantasies like The Chronicles of Narnia, exploring Chinese traditions and mythologies. The world of Zhen has many vibrant corners for Astrid and her sister Marilla to explore. There they find warm and likable mentors who gently guide their understanding of complex issues like codependency and mental illness. Chapman's book strikes a balance between humor, action, and insight as Astrid is shown finding her way from Zhen back to her everyday life. VERDICT Recommended for fans of jam-packed crossover fantasy with elements of adventure and surrealism.-Talea Anderson

      Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
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Languages

  • English

Levels

  • ATOS Level:4.8
  • Interest Level:4-8(MG)
  • Text Difficulty:3

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