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When I first laid eyes on the cover, I was immediately captivated by its stunning design! As soon as I read the synopsis, I was hooked. A girl disguising herself as a man to enter an engineer’s guild trial and solve her father’s murder? My mind screamed, "Mulan retelling with a twist!" Being a huge fan of Mulan retellings, I knew I had to dive into this book, and I absolutely LOVED IT!

This novel was a delightful and quick read. The protagonist, Ying, is an exceptional character. Intelligent, headstrong, and fiercely determined to uncover the mystery behind her father's death, she carries the story beautifully. Alongside her, the two male leads, Ye-Yang and Ye-Kan, were intriguing, even though they didn’t have as much focus in this book. Their dynamic as friendly academic rivals added a great layer to the story, and I hope to see more of them in book 2.
The Asian fantasy setting combined with a steampunk atmosphere was a perfect backdrop for the tale. It felt fresh and immersive, providing a unique twist to the familiar Mulan narrative.
While the title does mention dragons, it's worth noting that they are not the kind regular fantasy readers might expect. This didn't detract from my enjoyment, but it's good to keep in mind.

Overall, I loved the characters and the story, and I can't wait to read more of Ying’s journey. This book was a fantastic start to what I hope will be an incredible series!

Thank you, NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!