Theo Tan and the Iron Fan - by Jesse Q Sutanto

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A Chinese American boy and his snarky fox spirit face down demon kings as they race against time to be reunited with his brother's spirit in Theo Tan and the Iron Fan, Jesse Q. Sutanto's magical, action-packed sequel to Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit.

Theo Tan and his fox spirit, Kai, are willing to go to hell and back for their family. Literally.

After exposing the corruption at Reapling Corporation and trapping the demon king Niu Mo Wang, they learn that Jamie (Theo's beloved brother and Kai's first human master) was not allowed to move on after death, and is now trapped in a waiting room in Diyu.

If they can reach his soul before it faces judgement on the solstice, they might be able to convince King Qingguang to send his soul back to earth! Still, a trip to Diyu is no easy matter, and Theo and Kai can't do it alone. Fortunately, they have good friends who are happy to help.

But even with Namita's knowledge and Danny's powerful dragon familiar, the odds are stacked against them. Can Theo and Kai's new bond hold up against lying demons with grudges, impatient Kings of Hell, and the wrath of the demon king's powerful wife, Princess Iron Fan?

Review Quotes

"Sutanto builds an intriguing fantasy world of spirits, spells, and mythologies... the book takes readers on a well-paced journey that explores themes of identity, courage, connection, and especially grief and life after loss. ...An animated adventure centering family and friendships." -- Kirkus

Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit:

"Heart-felt and heart-pounding, this book will have you cheering Theo on as he sets out to find the magic of his heritage! (Both figurative and literal!)" -- Xiran Jay Zhao, author of the #1 NYT Bestseller Iron Widow

"Wildly imaginative, laugh-out-loud funny, and full of heart, Theo Tan is an absolute delight. I didn't want it to end!" --Nicole Lesperance, author of The Nightmare Thief and The Wide Starlight

"Brimming with imagination, heart, and delicious humor, Theo Tan is utterly unputdownable. It deals with serious and meaningful lessons like overcoming grief and rediscovering one's roots, but ultimately, it's a story about how magic lives in all of us - if we only let it shine. A total must-read! (Also, if anyone has contacts for summoning a fox spirit companion, hook me up...)" -- Graci Kim, author of The Last Fallen Star

"A page-turning story about a magical and daring quest full of sparkling humor! I especially loved Theo's sarcastic and funny fox spirit companion who isn't thrilled to be paired with Theo, but along the way, the two learn that teamwork is necessary to defeat evil. I was rooting for a reluctant Theo to connect to his Chinese heritage so that he could experience the full power of his magic!" -- Debbi Michiko Florence, author of Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai

"Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit is brimming with wonder, heart, adventure, and enchantment. I couldn't put it down! Theo's journey of self-discovery is full of spirit, hope, and important lessons for us all. Sutanto's unique magic system blends enchantment with modern technology, creating a fresh and vibrant version of our world that you'll never want to leave. This is middle grade fantasy at its finest." --Alex Aster, award-winning author of the Emblem Island series

"Sutanto blends Chinese culture and history to build a world of dragons, demons, spell casting, and code breaking.... This is a natural choice for kids who like Rick Riordan's brand of mythology-fueled fantasy adventures, and it will be an especially good read-alike for Laurence Yep's classic Tiger's Apprentice series." -- Booklist

"In Theo and Kai's alternating perspectives, Sutanto weaves the duo's shared grief and path to healing with Theo's journey toward embracing his Chinese heritage in this rewarding fantasy adventure." -- Publishers Weekly