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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Was fun to be back in Janloon, I definitely don't like this as much as the novels, and think Fonda Lee did shine more with a lot of work to develop long term plot lines, but this was still enjoyable.
I do think this book is probably overly reliant on nostalgia for The Green Bone Saga, and does have a tendency to do the middle of ground of explaining stuff at times as if it is supposed to be readable without having read Green Bone, while most of the best moments rely on me having read Green Bone, and I wish it had just picked a side, and been much more stand alone, or, even better, just assumed that yes, I know what Jade is, I know who No Peak, and The Mountain is and gone from there.
And the thing is, while I think it is probably overly reliant on nostalgia, I'll be damned if it isn't some damn good nostalgia. Also last 30 pages really brought things together.
7.5/10
I do think this book is probably overly reliant on nostalgia for The Green Bone Saga, and does have a tendency to do the middle of ground of explaining stuff at times as if it is supposed to be readable without having read Green Bone, while most of the best moments rely on me having read Green Bone, and I wish it had just picked a side, and been much more stand alone, or, even better, just assumed that yes, I know what Jade is, I know who No Peak, and The Mountain is and gone from there.
And the thing is, while I think it is probably overly reliant on nostalgia, I'll be damned if it isn't some damn good nostalgia. Also last 30 pages really brought things together.
7.5/10
A great little return to the island of Kekon and the city of Janloon, taking place before the events of the first book, a little into Lan's tenure as the pillar of No Peak. I did listen to this in audiobook format, so apologies for any misspellings.
The Jade Setter of Janloon primarily follows Pulo, an apprentice jade setter from the neutral Haido Shield clan, as well as Isin (his master) and Malla (coworker, Pulo's love interest and Abukei). The story, being a Novella, moves pretty fast, the basic premise being that Ayt Mada's moonblade has been stolen from Isin's jade setting shop, and now he and Pulo have 3 days to find it before they are put in permanent disgrace with the Mountain Clan, and Mala is convicted of the crime. The biggest compliment I can give this book is that it feels like it very easily could have been implemented (with some minor revision) as a full plotline in Jade City. The characters are well realized, Pulo goes through a little arc throughout the story, and we get to view the two primary clans up close from a party not tied to either, which shows both how terrible and kind the two groups can be to people unaffiliated with them. Likewise, we get to see what Janloon was like before the great clan battles that would forever change it began.
I genuinely think that The Jade Setter of Janloon could be a great introductory point to the series, if people want to test the waters without committing to a full novel. At the same time, its great for returning fans to see old favorites and bask in the clan politics of Janloon once again. 4.5
The Jade Setter of Janloon primarily follows Pulo, an apprentice jade setter from the neutral Haido Shield clan, as well as Isin (his master) and Malla (coworker, Pulo's love interest and Abukei). The story, being a Novella, moves pretty fast, the basic premise being that Ayt Mada's moonblade has been stolen from Isin's jade setting shop, and now he and Pulo have 3 days to find it before they are put in permanent disgrace with the Mountain Clan, and Mala is convicted of the crime. The biggest compliment I can give this book is that it feels like it very easily could have been implemented (with some minor revision) as a full plotline in Jade City. The characters are well realized, Pulo goes through a little arc throughout the story, and we get to view the two primary clans up close from a party not tied to either, which shows both how terrible and kind the two groups can be to people unaffiliated with them. Likewise, we get to see what Janloon was like before the great clan battles that would forever change it began.
I genuinely think that The Jade Setter of Janloon could be a great introductory point to the series, if people want to test the waters without committing to a full novel. At the same time, its great for returning fans to see old favorites and bask in the clan politics of Janloon once again. 4.5
Tehehehehe does she ever miss? This was such a nice thing to read after she stomped on my heart in Jade Legacy 🙂
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
FINALLY A 5 STAR READ. One of those where I'm trying to think of any reason not to, and I'm coming up empty.
A perfect novella. It brought me back to a world I already know and love, there were exciting cameos from characters I already know, and some new characters, showcasing Fonda Lee's incredible character work in very few pages. She is the MASTER.
This also was just a thrilling mystery from start to finish and kept me engaged all the way through a 4 hour car ride.
And I have to say, days after the 2024 US election... I needed that ending. I'm so happy with how it went.I nearly cried when Lan appeared, because I just knew he'd be a kind and much-needed voice of reason. What I'd give to have leaders like him right now. 😭
Just excellent work, as always. Excited for Jade Shards, but I'm definitely going to put it off for a while. I don't want to part with this world yet.
A perfect novella. It brought me back to a world I already know and love, there were exciting cameos from characters I already know, and some new characters, showcasing Fonda Lee's incredible character work in very few pages. She is the MASTER.
This also was just a thrilling mystery from start to finish and kept me engaged all the way through a 4 hour car ride.
And I have to say, days after the 2024 US election... I needed that ending. I'm so happy with how it went.
Just excellent work, as always. Excited for Jade Shards, but I'm definitely going to put it off for a while. I don't want to part with this world yet.
“A man doesn’t have to be unkind or unlikable to have enemies. Sometimes it’s good people who are hated for who they are.”
adventurous
fast-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
this is the perfect set up and concept for a novella in the gbs universe. i had a great time seeing another part of this world.
Interesting peek into people of a neutral clan, coming into contact with the Mountain and No Peak. It is a prequel to the Green Bone Saga, but we do meet a few people we know.