School Library Journal
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Gr 7 Up—Trini Kwan doesn't want to be an Asian stereotype because of her years practicing martial arts with her grandmother, or known for fighting like she was as a kid. Her reputation as a quiet, shy girl is blown apart after she helps fight a giant winged monster at a homecoming game. As a result, Trini, alongside her estranged childhood friend Zack, school genius Billy, popular football player Jason, and new girl gymnast Kimberly, is recruited to join an intergalactic war against space witch Rita Repulsa. With little in common but a desire to save their town from invasion, Trini has to help make this unlikely group a real team before it's too late. Ma brings complexity and depth to all of the Power Rangers but especially to Trini, who struggles with how to be true to her values while embracing her new role as the Yellow Ranger and her identity in the Asian American diaspora. VERDICT This dynamic series starter translates the iconic action of the long-running television series into an engrossing novel.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Five teens are chosen to protect their town from an alien vendetta in this story set in the world of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Trini Kwan has carefully cultivated her studious, “quiet Asian girl” persona at school, hiding her frustration when students take advantage of her hard work, underestimate her, or bully her friend Billy. Despite years of martial arts training with Nai Nai, her grandmother, she hides her true strength. Then her school’s Homecoming game is attacked by Goldar, a furry blue monster with gold armor, and the Putties, his clay minions. Even as most kids flee, Billy, football captain Jason, popular new cheerleader Kimberly, and Trini’s former best friend, Zack, rush to help two trapped students—and Trini joins them. The five teens are chosen by “galactic warrior scholar” Zordon to become the Power Rangers; Trini is named the Yellow Ranger. Ma adds new dimensions to the original story through the inclusion of Chinese mythology and explorations of racial stereotyping and Trini’s struggle with an inner voice that tells her to hide her true self. While the tone of the writing and the treatment of intriguing themes—strong women, power and responsibility, friendship, and self-control—skew young and lack complexity, the slow-burn romance is believable and grounded in a rebuilt friendship. Trini is of Chinese Taiwanese and Korean Chinese descent, Zack is Black, and other main characters read white. A lightly developed read that may appeal to avid fans of the long-running franchise.(Adventure. 12-14) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.