Fonda Lee

WINNER OF THE WORLD FANTASY AWARD 2018 'An epic drama reminiscent of the best classic Hong Kong gangster films but set in a fantasy metropolis so gritty and well-imagined that you'll forget you're reading a book' KEN LIU 'Gripping!' ANN LECKIE, author of Ancillary Justice and The Raven Tower 'Lee's astute worldbuilding raises the stakes for her vivid and tautly-described action scenes' SCOTT LYNCH, author of The Lies of Locke Lamora *****Shortlisted for the Nebula Awards, the Locus Awards, the Aurora Awards, the Sunburst Awards and an Amazon.com Best Book of the Month***** TWO CRIME FAMILIES, ONE SOURCE OF POWER: JADE. Jade is the lifeblood of the city of Janloon - a stone that enhances a warrior's natural strength and speed. Jade is mined, traded, stolen and killed for, controlled by the ruthless No Peak and Mountain families. When a modern drug emerges that allows anyone - even foreigners - to wield jade, simmering tension between the two families erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all in the families, from their grandest patriarch to even the lowliest runner on the streets. Jade City is an epic tale of blood, family, honour, and of those who live and die by ancient laws in a changing world.

THE WORLD FANTASY AWARD WINNER

Jade City

In this epic saga of magic and kungfu, four siblings battle rival clans for honor and power in an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis. * World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, winner* Aurora Award for Best Novel, winner* Nebula Award for Best Novel, nominee* Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, finalist Jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for -- and for centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their magical abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion. Now, the war is over and a new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon's bustling capital city. They care about nothing but protecting their own, cornering the jade market, and defending the districts under their protection. Ancient tradition has little place in this rapidly changing nation. When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone -- even foreigners -- wield jade, the simmering tension between the Kauls and the rival Ayt family erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones -- from their grandest patriarch to the lowliest motorcycle runner on the streets -- and of Kekon itself. Jade City is the first novel in an epic trilogy about family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of blood and jade.

Ayt Mada’s got some NERVE. but she’s a visionary, can you blame her?

praline

I see some of my younger self in you, Kaul Shae-jen. If I had known you would return to Kekon and wear jade again, Id have approached you much carlier. Let the two of us resolve this feud. Your brother is a dangerous, foolish man-child driven by pride and bloodlust; he would fight to the last man on principle alone. It's what he knows how to do.” Shae knew what was coming next. “Usurp him. End this senseless war. Ree Tura is near retirement, and I tire of him regardless. I would make you my Weather Man. Weather Man of a great clan; Weather Man of Kekon itself.”

Ayt's body remained motionless, but her head drew up in slow malevolence, neck lengthening like a rearing viper. Her aura burned with murderous intent. When she spoke, it was entirely without the practiced professionalism she'd shown earlier. It was like a sharp blade being drawn delicately across flesh. "How do you come up with such elaborate stories, Kaul Hiloshudon?”

She thought, Two strong-minded women in a man's world, if they do not quickly become allies, are destined to be incurable rivals. Going around Hilo was something Shae was accustomed to, but this, she knew, he would not forgive. 

I miss Lan so much and I needed more interactions between him and Hilo

Alina

Hilo was furious at his sister. He stormed into the main Kaul house and found her at the table in Lan’s study with Woon. Unlike him, she seemed to enjoy retreating in here, though he’d never seen her sit in Lan’s chair; he would’ve forbidden her from using the room if she’d done that.

So not true, it was your choice and it was a bad one

“I despise it when my hand is forced,” the Pillar said, adjusting one of the coils of jade on her arm. “Ayt Yugontin brought me, a girl that should have died, out of a war orphanage and trained me to be the strongest Green Bone in the Mountain clan. Yet when he grew old, he couldn’t bring himself to name me his heir. He feared a backlash from the inner circle of men in the clan who would fault him for naming a woman his successor. The Spear of Kekon, who was never afraid to die fighting the Shotarians—he was afraid to name an adopted daughter to rule his precious clan.

“The man I call my father, the one to whom I owe everything—he forced my hand. Before his body was cold, I had to kill his closest comrades—Green Bones I valued and respected—for the position that should have been mine without question.

It came as a result of going to piss alone.

It’s better to think about today when tomorrow might not happen.

Natalie Sypeck 

Jade Hérail 

Definitely one of the best read this year. The writing makes you immerse with the book and the world. 

Lili Airen

Great start to the series, rules of the somewhat magic powers are well-thought through (a pet peeve otherwise), world-building is excellent, and really really love the characters

Briana Das

This book’s reputation precedes it, so I had really high expectations, some of which were met, and some of which weren’t. The writing was good, I didn’t hate it, there were some really solid lines.

There was a lot I was indifferent to, but I really liked the characters. Shae, Hilo and Anden specifically. I thought each character was fully fleshed out, and we were given a good layout of their motivations and complexities. I also really liked how the conflicts between each of them were explored, especially since they were all family, it was arguably the thing the book did best. That being said, I personally didn’t like the way Wen was written, specifically in relation to Hilo. I hope she becomes a more front facing character in the other books and gets more development, because I can see the potential.

The pacing of this book was my main issue. It starts out pretty strong and then just flatlines, so much so that I almost gave up because I was waiting for something interesting to happen. I think the issue was, being the first book, it was trying to set up the rest of the series, which is fair, I just lost interest for a bit there. Things did eventually pick up towards the end of the book and I got invested again.

In conclusion, there wasn’t much I disliked about this book per se, it was just cruising for me and I expected more. I’m also not a huge fan of the mafia-esque plot, but I stuck around because I liked the characters well enough, and the setting was interesting. I was on the fence about continuing the series, but I think I will. I have a feeling I’ll like them better (or at least i hope so).

bel 

This book’s reputation precedes it, so I had really high expectations, some of which were met, and some of which weren’t. The writing was good, I didn’t hate it, there were some really solid lines.

There was a lot I was indifferent to, but I really liked the characters. Shae, Hilo and Anden specifically. I thought each character was fully fleshed out, and we were given a good layout of their motivations and complexities. I also really liked how the conflicts between each of them were explored, especially since they were all family, it was arguably the thing the book did best. That being said, I personally didn’t like the way Wen was written, specifically in relation to Hilo. I hope she becomes a more front facing character in the other books and gets more development, because I can see the potential.

The pacing of this book was my main issue. It starts out pretty strong and then just flatlines, so much so that I almost gave up because I was waiting for something interesting to happen. I think the issue was, being the first book, it was trying to set up the rest of the series, which is fair, I just lost interest for a bit there. Things did eventually pick up towards the end of the book and I got invested again.

In conclusion, there wasn’t much I disliked about this book per se, it was just cruising for me and I expected more. I’m also not a huge fan of the mafia-esque plot, but I stuck around because I liked the characters well enough, and the setting was interesting. I was on the fence about continuing the series, but I think I will. I have a feeling I’ll like them better (or at least i hope so).

This review is going to be all over the place because I don’t have the energy to organize it.

I greatly appreciate how this book immediately thrusts us into the world. However, it slowed down considerably after that. I went into this story pretty much blind besides knowing the genre, and that’s my fault because I’m not the biggest fan of urban fantasy. That being said, I was captivated enough by what was happening and interested in the dynamics between the various characters. There were some I cared for more than others, and my interest waned when we started focusing on someone I didn’t care that much about. The magic system is unique, but I still found myself wishing it was in a different setting. Mentions of televisions, machine guns, planes, and cars really threw me off. Overall, I had fun with this, but the pacing and my lack of interest in urban fantasy made me consume this slower than I normally would. Either way, I plan on continuing with the series because I’m curious enough about what happens next.

Nik ✨

This review is going to be all over the place because I don’t have the energy to organize it.

I greatly appreciate how this book immediately thrusts us into the world. However, it slowed down considerably after that. I went into this story pretty much blind besides knowing the genre, and that’s my fault because I’m not the biggest fan of urban fantasy. That being said, I was captivated enough by what was happening and interested in the dynamics between the various characters. There were some I cared for more than others, and my interest waned when we started focusing on someone I didn’t care that much about. The magic system is unique, but I still found myself wishing it was in a different setting. Mentions of televisions, machine guns, planes, and cars really threw me off. Overall, I had fun with this, but the pacing and my lack of interest in urban fantasy made me consume this slower than I normally would. Either way, I plan on continuing with the series because I’m curious enough about what happens next.

Jordan Chan 

interesting plot, good representation of hong kong, cool characters. just couldn’t get behind some of their decisions 

Daphne Li-Chen

Never have I been so stressed reading a book, give me 10000 more pages 

Hannah Bateman

Shortlisted for the Nebula Awards 2018 Shortlisted for the Locus Awards 2018 Shortlisted for the Aurora Awards 2018 Shortlisted for the Sunburst Awards 2018 An Amazon.com Best Book of the Month TWO CRIME FAMILIES, ONE SOURCE OF POWER: JADE. Jade is the lifeblood of the city of Janloon - a stone that enhances a warrior's natural strength and speed. Jade is mined, traded, stolen and killed for, controlled by the ruthless No Peak and Mountain families. When a modern drug emerges that allows anyone - even foreigners - to wield jade, simmering tension between the two families erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all in the families, from their grandest patriarch to even the lowliest motorcycle runner on the streets. Jade City is an epic tale of blood, family, honour, and of those who live and die by ancient laws in a changing world.

khush

AHHHHHH the ending ??? The TWICE LUCKY SCENE ?? Poor Anden 

amelia <3

First half dragged so bad I almost gave up but then Lan died and things looked up!

Nala

** spoiler alert **
           *Review is for my personal log*

3.75* I enjoyed the book - it just took me a long time to read it because school took up ALL my time. I really enjoy plot line and character-driven books, which this book definitely exhibited. Maybe it was just the wrong "reading" time for this book but personally, the plot got just a *bit* repetitive with the violence but damn did a certain someone's death hit me like a TRUCK. 

JUST REALISED IT TOOK ME A MONTH TO READ THIS *sigh*

ploral

WOW,,,the world building is overwhelming in a positive way, almost had a headache bc there's so much happening but keeps me engaged, and the ending wtf don't tell me??? 😦💀

sarah

a really solid start to a series, this book definitely sets up everything well for expansion in future novels. however, it felt a little too exposition-dumpy to me at times, but in turn, i can see how fleshed out the characters and the interpersonal politics have been set up.

sani

The Horn placed his hands on her shoulders, and pulled her close, and laid his cheek against hers. "Heaven help me, Shae," he whispered into her ear. "I'm going to kill them all.”

i did NOT expect this book to be a whirlwind rollercoaster of emotions. in no way that i can ever do justice to the accurate review of Jade City because this was everything. as someone who has thought that fantasy is over for her, i was clearly proved wrong.

the world building is rich and it would take a little bit time to get into it. (i was so confused initially) ALSO, i loved how it was a character driven fantasy, the focus was on enhancing the character development and i am all for it. my favourite characters so far are Hilo (he's so fine, i need him), Shae and Anden. 

it took me almost a month to read it and i should be embarrassed but the constant tug between squealing over Hilo and sobbing over the book ought to be a reasonable excuse. 

cannot wait to read the next books. “The clan is my blood, and the Pillar is its master. On my honor, my life, and my jade.” is etched in my brain now.

ghost girl in satin

I do not appreciate books portraying marital rape as something sexy.

aiden

Marz 

I'm scared to give this five stars but woah! this is the first fantasy book in awhile I was able to completely immerse myself in.  The concept is so unique and interesting and despite never reading a mafia book before I loved this. I think Hilo is my problematic fave. I think Fonda lee is also insanely talented for this storyline I'm excited to start the next installment already.

Luke Harkness

You know when you know you're going to five star a book even when you're only halfway through...

... yeah well that was this book. This isn't a book about a "chosen one" or about a grand world-devastating event, it's about two clans fighting for superiority and family feuds. The magic-system is fantastic and used in just the right amount. I thoroughly look forward to the sequel!

Maria

will write a proper review once i gather all my thoughts but like i need compensation for the emotional damage this caused

akynn 

kayla 

DNFed at 65%

This was way too slow for me. The characters didn't feel fleshed out, I didn't care for any of them, the women were wrote as some kind of separate species (didn't pass the Bechdel test either, not a surprise there) and the MMC was quite literally just a brat. I didn't want to DNF this as it's been loved by so many, but I truly couldn't get myself to read another page. The 'heart-wrenching' moments had absolutely no impact on me either, so I wasn't interested in the plot or characters themselves and I didn't even feel emotionally impacted. Bleh!

Cody Degen

** spoiler alert **
           5- I think

Also kinda confused why Anden jumping into the fight to save Hilo wasn’t a violation of aisho, seems like it should be?

nina 

“He would’ve been proud of you, Anden,” she said matter-of-factly. “He was always proud of you.” 

I’m increasing my rating to   4.5 stars   because that is what the kaul family deserves <3

Jade City THE WORLD FANTASY AWARD WINNER

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