Reviews

Jade Fire Gold by June CL Tan

garnetglitch's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

danyyy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

Not the most original fantasy novel out there, but i enjoyed myself a lot while reading it. Certain typical for the genre tropes are used, which i liked. Ahn and Altan reminded me a LOT of Zuko and Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender, which definitely upped my rating. (My Zutara heart reawakened) And! Bts were mentioned in the acknowledgements, it's always good to find another army in the wild. 💜

bookishdamzel's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Jade Fire Gold is such a solid standalone fantasy debut! 

I really enjoyed the Chinese mythology influence in this book. I'm a sucker for any book with immortal and ancient magic being involved, but I think this one does it well. The themes of revenge, breaking generational cycles, generational trauma, & choosing your own way in life despite what is expected of you are well done too. 

I enjoyed the dual-pov of Ahn and Altan, seeing both of their own thoughts, secrets, etc. However, I do think the characters are a bit one noted personality wise (either naive or stubborn, or both), while both are trying to figure out who they are and finding comfort in each other in the process. It's probably my only gripe, outside of pacing. They both tend to stay stubborn and don't show super immense growth. But, I enjoyed their povs enough to enjoy my time reading it. I also love the slow-burn between them and them being oblivious to each other's feelings lol. 

Plot & world-building wise, I think the chasing of the mythical weapon that appears to be a myth to everybody, except those that are involved is pretty cool. Again, I just like immortal magic/entities and them dealing with fate, so.. I also enjoyed how queer normative the world was and that the side characters felt like they were actually part of the story instead of just stand ins. I like Altan's backstory of being an exiled prince and Ahn not knowing her past (or who she's connected to). 

There wasn't much that I didn't like about this book. Again the characters may seem one-noted at times and the pacing near the end is a bit jarring, like it was in a rush to wrap up would be my only complaints. Otherwise, I'd definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a standalone fantasy with Chinese mythology influence & dual-pov. 

CW: murder, oppression, childhood trauma, sexual harassment, violence, suicide (i may be missing more but it does have some dark themes in this book)

sholene_'s review against another edition

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adventurous challenging tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

quadratic_queen's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional medium-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

signymarie14's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 stars, rounded up. I had mixed emotions about this book. I love the beginning and the middle, but the end felt like it was written by a different person almost, all of it happening a little too fast and too vague. I also felt like a lot of the relationships while built over time weren’t shown - instead of building the relationships it was all of a sudden a few weeks later, so while the character may have known each other I never felt as if I did. Great world building and concept though, and I definitely enjoyed this books!!! Especially great for a debut :)

dcnarvaez's review against another edition

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Dialogue was too stale, no two people talk like this. There was no action whatsoever, barely a blink and you miss it fights which weren't described for longer than a page. It's filled with tropes from other Asian inspired books but there is no twist or innovation to this story its just plain cliches. The relationship between the characters is so flat, there is no chemistry between them and we are supposed to believe they fall in love? 

eellffiinnaa's review against another edition

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4.0

veeeery cooool book. It's not THE book for me, but I really liked my read and the characters. Kinda have the feeling tho that it had a lot of "world building" phase, and that a second book could be great. But I totally recommend

alyxbeau's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

I would have enjoyed this more in physical format, I think. It also, in my opinion, should have been split into two books. My main problem was with the indistinguishable transitions between waking moments and dreams. I'm not sure I'd the text would have changed in the physical book but the narrator did NOT take a pause to indicate the changes and they sometimes happened mid chapter. 

I'm a bit sick of the token representation I keep seeing in books, and this felt especially token, with no substance. Really just like the publisher asked so they were like sure, these three can be. Please understand, I have friends and family who are big parts of the lgbtq+ community in various ways - Trans, bi, gay, poly, asexual, and more. I don't have a problem with it being included. I have a problem with it feeling like it is included just to avoid our current cancel culture. The characters needed to be written better rather than have it be their whole personality. 

I think the story was okay, and the ending seemed to imply a possible sequel. I WOULD read it. I just wouldn't listen to it. 


abrookyerror's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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

5.0