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sretta's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this read! Though the pacing felt uneven at times- it was a bit slow and drawn out at some parts of the book, I did appreciate the fact that we got right into the catalyst of the plot in the beginning. I thought the world building and characters were some of the strongest points of the story. It was interesting to see how the relationships between all the different characters were developed throughout the story. The scenes having to do with the engineering guild were also engaging and enjoyable. Overall, it was an easy and fun read. Really looking forward to the sequel to see how the story progresses.
neonfrills's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book for review purposes.
An amazing debut and start to a series. The silkpunk elements are so fun and interesting, taking everything I’ve loved from the inventiveness of steampunk and then rooting it in East Asian history and culture. Ying is an amazing main female character who you can’t help but root for and feel overjoyed every time she overcomes an obstacle. In a lot of ways she takes the best things from a character like Katniss in the Hunger Games- she’s in a bad situation and has faced hardship, but uses that pain to make her stronger and more resourceful as she puts her mind to achieving her goals. Her romance with Ye-Yang is EVERYTHING; their interactions have that perfect, butterflies-in-your-stomach, cute but also a little dangerous and angsty type of romance that I go to YA for. I was a little disappointed in the ending, but I overall loved the vibes of this book and can’t wait to see what the sequel holds!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny
amethystangel777's review
3.0
It has a beautiful cover but the setup of the book needs some work. I was perplexed about where the book even began and I am sure this is because of it not being finished yet. But the digital copy needs better spacing and clearer-defined chapters. I also feel like I could have used some backstory. Because of these initial issues, I wasn't drawn into the story but it did seem to have detailed writing and an interesting premise. I might be interested in a finished version.
mishkaroni's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
5.0
Every time I choose a book based of name and cover alone and then the blurb hooks me, I have not been disappointed. Actually I fall in love. This time is no different.
While the book starts out with a murder and there's some chaos here and there, it is a slower paced book. And I was delightfully enthralled. I should have put every other arc down to get to this one sooner. But all that matters is I read it and fell in love.
This is very Mulan as an engineer seeking revenge for her father's death. Still a daughter, a force to be reckoned with and one who still wants to make her fate proud. Even his death.
This book has everything, YA fantasy with a slow build romance and acts of betrayl and unexpected friendships. I can't wait for the sequel.
While the book starts out with a murder and there's some chaos here and there, it is a slower paced book. And I was delightfully enthralled. I should have put every other arc down to get to this one sooner. But all that matters is I read it and fell in love.
This is very Mulan as an engineer seeking revenge for her father's death. Still a daughter, a force to be reckoned with and one who still wants to make her fate proud. Even his death.
This book has everything, YA fantasy with a slow build romance and acts of betrayl and unexpected friendships. I can't wait for the sequel.
madbookworm15's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mystralstorm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? No
3.5
Thank you for the eARC NetGalley and Penguin Group. All opinions provided are my own.
Of Jade and Dragon is about Aihui Ying, an eighteen year-old girl, and her journey of uncovering the mystery of who murder her father and obtaining her dreams of entering the Engineering Guild. While trying to find clues of who murder her father, she has to avoid being discovered as a girl (only men can enter the guild, pass the three tests that determines if she can enter the guild, and figure out her feelings for Aogiya Ye-yang.
Between the title, summary, and cover of the book, I was really excited to read Of Jade and Dragon. I have always loved Mulan and I liked Iron Widow so I was curious to see how the story would go. Sadly it didn't take long for disappointment to set in. In the very beginning of the book, Ying's father asked her to do 3 things: do not look at the journal, burn the journal, and do not investigate/ avenge his death. As soon as he was buried, she immediately disregarded his requests. Look, I get it. There would be no story if she did not investigate her father's murder but it felt like she was using his death to go live the dream she always wanted. It felt like she had to constantly remind herself why she was taking the guild test. She was investigating and taking the tests for selfish reasons. Nothing similar to Mulan in that regard. I had to force myself to finish the book.
There was a lot I did not like about this story but I did enjoy the world building and side characters. It was pretty cool how the steampunk elements were intertwined into the world.
Overall I did not care for the book. I gave it 3.5 stars with a round up to 4. I usually enjoy Asian fantasy: YA or adult, so I'm not sure I was not vibing with this story. Hopefully others will enjoy it.
readsinbloom's review
3.5
“Of Jade and Dragons” by Amber Chen can be described as mulan with engineering plus a murder mystery. The protagonist, Ying, disguises herself as a man to join the exclusive men-only engineer’s guild after her father, who was a member, has been murdered to discover who was behind it.
In order to become a member of the engineer’s guild, one must compete in a set of trials. I love when books have trials or games that someone must win. I do wish that the trials had been a more substantial part of the plot or were more intense, but I really enjoyed this part of the book. I was really rooting for Ying and it was super fun to read the trials. Outside of the trials, I felt the book was slow at times.
There are two main male characters throughout the book: Ye-yang and Yekan. Both sons of the emperor that aid Ying throughout her journey. Personally, I favored Yekan to Ye-yang. However, this was not a love triangle situation. Chen created very loveable and intriguing characters throughout this book.
Overall, I think this is a great YA fantasy that can be read by any age!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
In order to become a member of the engineer’s guild, one must compete in a set of trials. I love when books have trials or games that someone must win. I do wish that the trials had been a more substantial part of the plot or were more intense, but I really enjoyed this part of the book. I was really rooting for Ying and it was super fun to read the trials. Outside of the trials, I felt the book was slow at times.
There are two main male characters throughout the book: Ye-yang and Yekan. Both sons of the emperor that aid Ying throughout her journey. Personally, I favored Yekan to Ye-yang. However, this was not a love triangle situation. Chen created very loveable and intriguing characters throughout this book.
Overall, I think this is a great YA fantasy that can be read by any age!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
mellamaron's review against another edition
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc but this one isn’t for me.
DNF at 21%. Small spoilers for up to that percentage
Honestly… it all felt so bland? I’m an engineer and I was so excited to have a female engineer as a protagonist in a fantasy but I didn’t connect with her at all. Her father dies right off the bat and she barely blinks an eye - one tear falling at the graves of her parents. Besides her quest for finding his killer, she doesn’t even seem sad about his death? Nor even surprised? She doesn’t seem to have many feelings at all to be honest - it’s like her personality is “I like flying” 🙃
Ye-Yang too didn’t feel like a person but a stereotype. Prince who helps her. And I am soooo disappointed that the author chose to have Ying tell him she was a girl immediately upon meeting him. Because that’s one of my favorite parts of “girl disguised as guy” books: the male love interest being confused why he has feelings for a “guy”. By taking that out… is it even fun anymore? 🤷♀️
Ultimately the entire portion I read just felt pretty bland, from the writing style (which I would argue is a bit on the lower end of YA) to the plot to the characters. I don’t have any want to continue.
DNF at 21%. Small spoilers for up to that percentage
Honestly… it all felt so bland? I’m an engineer and I was so excited to have a female engineer as a protagonist in a fantasy but I didn’t connect with her at all. Her father dies right off the bat and she barely blinks an eye - one tear falling at the graves of her parents. Besides her quest for finding his killer, she doesn’t even seem sad about his death? Nor even surprised? She doesn’t seem to have many feelings at all to be honest - it’s like her personality is “I like flying” 🙃
Ye-Yang too didn’t feel like a person but a stereotype. Prince who helps her. And I am soooo disappointed that the author chose to have Ying tell him she was a girl immediately upon meeting him. Because that’s one of my favorite parts of “girl disguised as guy” books: the male love interest being confused why he has feelings for a “guy”. By taking that out… is it even fun anymore? 🤷♀️
Ultimately the entire portion I read just felt pretty bland, from the writing style (which I would argue is a bit on the lower end of YA) to the plot to the characters. I don’t have any want to continue.
allofmyfriendsarebooks's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5