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theespressoedition's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The most important thing that I need to convey in this review is that while this is a slow book, it is really incredible to read. Typically, I would quickly lose interest in a book that primarily focuses on political intrigue. Not the case with Jade City. Despite each chapter taking somewhere around 30 minutes to read, I was still so hooked by what was taking place that I didn’t want to put it down. I was constantly thinking about it when I wasn't reading it, wondering what would happen next. So, if the size of the book or the intense content is frightening to you, I say give it a try anyway. You might be pleasantly surprised like I was!
There is a lot to follow in this book and I worried about losing track of the many characters or their importance to the story. Sometimes, there are full chapters that are told from the perspective of a side character. Initially, I was confused by this. Why would there be a heavy focus on such random, seemingly unimportant people? But I'm glad I didn't give up on trying to understand what was happening. Every single chapter makes a difference. Every single character furthers the story, no matter how small their role is.
I'm currently under the assumption that the only reason I don't fully understand the jade magic is because this was only the first book and it's meant to come into play later on. However, I would have liked just a little more explanation of that and even the way the shine drug affected those who used it. There were moments that helped me understand bits and pieces, but certain deaths left me reeling because I had no clue what the true cause was.
The political intrigue was what, shockingly, kept my attention the most. I was fascinated by the gang war and what was happening on either side to induce further violence and panic. The ranks of the Green Bones was also really interesting to me and the almost "heirarchy" within each group was equally intriguing. I even enjoyed the chapters with the lore behind the Green Bones and why certain people fell into certain roles - even down to how they approached death or destruction.
While I definitely believe this is the kind of book to read only when you're in the mood for a "thinker," I highly recommend it. I greatly look forward to seeing what comes next!
There is a lot to follow in this book and I worried about losing track of the many characters or their importance to the story. Sometimes, there are full chapters that are told from the perspective of a side character. Initially, I was confused by this. Why would there be a heavy focus on such random, seemingly unimportant people? But I'm glad I didn't give up on trying to understand what was happening. Every single chapter makes a difference. Every single character furthers the story, no matter how small their role is.
I'm currently under the assumption that the only reason I don't fully understand the jade magic is because this was only the first book and it's meant to come into play later on. However, I would have liked just a little more explanation of that and even the way the shine drug affected those who used it. There were moments that helped me understand bits and pieces, but certain deaths left me reeling because I had no clue what the true cause was.
The political intrigue was what, shockingly, kept my attention the most. I was fascinated by the gang war and what was happening on either side to induce further violence and panic. The ranks of the Green Bones was also really interesting to me and the almost "heirarchy" within each group was equally intriguing. I even enjoyed the chapters with the lore behind the Green Bones and why certain people fell into certain roles - even down to how they approached death or destruction.
While I definitely believe this is the kind of book to read only when you're in the mood for a "thinker," I highly recommend it. I greatly look forward to seeing what comes next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Torture, Addiction, Blood, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Moderate: Racial slurs, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, War, Grief, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
taroroot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i absolutely loved Jade City and am excited to read the rest of the Green Bone Saga! this was a well-crafted tale involving family, gangs, and complex nationalistic and personal values. the world-building was so intricate and well done. exploring each characters POV was delightful as we got to know each of them and learn their histories and motivations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Gun violence, and Drug use
Moderate: Sexual content, Addiction, and Drug abuse
jakepasseri's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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? Yes
4.25
Amazing start to the series!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Self harm, Drug abuse, Addiction, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, War, Dementia, Death of parent, Gore, Drug use, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, and Homophobia
vampirical_pirate's review against another edition
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug abuse, and War
Minor: Racism
tayanapier's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is so well thought out. For something so complex, this is so well written and surprisingly easy to follow.
The world building is fantastic.
There are complex and thoroughly thought out characters including the female characters which we love to see.
I would just like to point out that this first novel is relatively slower paced so that we have time to soak in the world, characters and plot.
Overall fantastic first novel.
The world building is fantastic.
There are complex and thoroughly thought out characters including the female characters which we love to see.
I would just like to point out that this first novel is relatively slower paced so that we have time to soak in the world, characters and plot.
Overall fantastic first novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Sexual content, Murder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Dementia
kirstym25's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Drug abuse
aargot1's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Torture, Self harm, Suicide, Abandonment, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, War, and Mental illness
maira_h's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars ✨
Damn, this was incredible!
For some reason, I thought this was YA, which it obviously was not. (Trigger warnings for violence, depictions of violence, self harm, suicide, drug abuse, addiction)
Yes, this book was action-packed but wow the politics was also top notch, which I didn't expect. The action scenes were written very well. It felt like I was watching an action movie with very well choreographed action sequences. (To be honest, if done well, I could see this book being adapted into a TV series). The politics also played a huge role in establishing how Kekon as a country operates and how these clans can influence what goes on in the country, which was super interesting to read about.
The characters were all very unique individuals, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Each with their own inner conflicts. When I was reading, I didn't find myself connecting to the characters but I was surprised that I was absolutely concerned for them when something particularly bad happened. These characters somehow managed to bury themselves under my skin and into my heart. (Anden, that precious bean. Please protect him at all costs 😌). The deep bond between the Kauls also made my heart ache.
Thank goodness I already have the second book.
Damn, this was incredible!
For some reason, I thought this was YA, which it obviously was not. (Trigger warnings for violence, depictions of violence, self harm, suicide, drug abuse, addiction)
Yes, this book was action-packed but wow the politics was also top notch, which I didn't expect. The action scenes were written very well. It felt like I was watching an action movie with very well choreographed action sequences. (To be honest, if done well, I could see this book being adapted into a TV series). The politics also played a huge role in establishing how Kekon as a country operates and how these clans can influence what goes on in the country, which was super interesting to read about.
The characters were all very unique individuals, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Each with their own inner conflicts. When I was reading, I didn't find myself connecting to the characters but I was surprised that I was absolutely concerned for them when something particularly bad happened. These characters somehow managed to bury themselves under my skin and into my heart. (Anden, that precious bean. Please protect him at all costs 😌). The deep bond between the Kauls also made my heart ache.
Thank goodness I already have the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, and Addiction
Minor: Suicide and Self harm
wrackcity's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence and Sexual content
Minor: Racism
amanduhhhpls's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
OH MY GOD. This was so intense and I need to read the rest of the trilogy immediately.
Every single one of these characters is so interesting and the way they interplay together with the politics of the clans is even more interesting. This was the kind of story I'm so glad was written for adults because the depth of the darkness and violence only added to the stakes of the story.
The magic system and the way the jade and its synthetic counterpart, shine, function is so fascinating and unique. There are hard limits to the power of jade and it makes the struggle for power all the more interesting. I also love how isolated this war is in the grander fantasy world created here. This is ultimately about power, honor, loyalty, and above all, family, and I ate up every second of it.
This book is worth every single ounce of hype it's been given.
Every single one of these characters is so interesting and the way they interplay together with the politics of the clans is even more interesting. This was the kind of story I'm so glad was written for adults because the depth of the darkness and violence only added to the stakes of the story.
The magic system and the way the jade and its synthetic counterpart, shine, function is so fascinating and unique. There are hard limits to the power of jade and it makes the struggle for power all the more interesting. I also love how isolated this war is in the grander fantasy world created here. This is ultimately about power, honor, loyalty, and above all, family, and I ate up every second of it.
This book is worth every single ounce of hype it's been given.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Animal death
Moderate: Violence