Reviews

Jade City by Fonda Lee

cjbarton01's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

brennaosterhout's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

flowerwineandbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I started this a long time ago, and never got invested. So I tried again on audio - even though normally I'm not someone who can easily read adult fantasy (this doesn't lean super high fantasy anyway) on audio - and the experience was AMAZING. I immediately convinced multiple friends to pick it up before I had even finished.

The character work in this is outstanding. I care for almost all of the characters, and they all have such realistic human qualities, you see them put on different masks depending on what is needed of them or who they're around. They all make mistakes and level their ambition and grieve what they've lost in such a messy human way.

The plot did take me a while to get invested in, but once I was it was like watching a drama, the workings of the rival gangs and the family dynamics are so engaging.

Can't wait to read the next one! I'll be sticking to the audio, Andrew Kishino does a fantastic job narrating.

karen3713's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

oliveg's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Lee does a remarkable job keeping you captivated during the quiet moments. Just slowed down a little in the second half for me. 

jinlai's review against another edition

challenging mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

lookmairead's review against another edition

4.0

Did anyone feel the need to get their blood pressure checked after reading this book? No? Just me? Seriously- this is a crazy page-turning ride.

This book has some of my favorite things:
- sibling love /complicated families
- strong females
- a magic system that creates a really unique world.

So grateful books 2 & 3 are on my TBR list in 2021.
4.25/5

aileenmcgovern's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

bria_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

snleck's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5