Scan barcode
songmingi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Jade Legacy is the thrilling conclusion to the treasure that is the Green Bone saga. I enjoyed every second of my time reading this book and have thought about it continuously upon finishing. My review will be for the series as a whole as well as for Jade Legacy as a stand-alone
Firstly, the worldbuilding in this series is the best I have ever read, while it at times slowed the overall pace of the book, the payoff you receive in terms of plot is so worth it. Every single element of the setting is so well defined and distinct, that the cars the characters drive even have realistic names. By the time you read Jade Legacy, as a reader you have built a real connection to the world of the Green Bone saga and hence the changes that occur have an impact. In reading Jade Legacy I found I have built a real attachment to the island of Kekon and the people that exist there.
The changes that come over time to the world of the Green Bone saga make logical sense, the issues faced by Kekon mirror the reality faced by many modern Asian nations. In her writing, Fonda Lee highlights her understanding of politics whether it be within a family or between nations. Jade Legacy showcases in particular how with technology, modernisation and the passage of time politics and ideals must also evolve. I appreciated how comprehensive the plot is, everything connects so well together, and even details which feel mundane end up playing their part in the overall picture being painted. The plot was in no way predictable, I honestly had no idea what to expect when I started, and the surprises kept coming up until the end. Not one dull moment.
The Green Bone Saga also has some of the best characters I have read, each is complex with their own unique motivations, viewpoints and strengths. While there has been some criticism of Fonda Lee's writing of more male characters than female, I don't think the concern holds much stock since the female characters of the Green Bone Saga are so well-written and diverse. Kaul Shae, Maik Wen and Ayt Mada are all powerful in their positions and capabilities but they are nothing alike in personality and even in motivation. In Jade Legacy we see the main characters we are well acquainted with evolve, however, their evolution makes complete sense with their changing world scape. I really can't compliment it enough, as time passes so do the characters. This once again makes the book so immersive and allows the reader to feel like they are in a way growing with each character. I adored the Kaul family and their evolution was so fun to read. Kaul Hilo is such a wonderful main character he is so multi-faceted and while not all of these facets are great, he is so well developed that once it makes sense of him. Do I stand by all of his actions? Absolutely not! but I most definitely understand why he took them. His connection to his family is something I adore some of his lines about them brought tears to my eyes. Similarly, his rival Ayt Mada, is equally strong, ruthless, cunning and unrelenting she is exactly what you would want in an antagonist. She is exactly who you think she is and she will remind you if you forget. I could continue talking about every single character in detail in honesty but for the sake of time, I will stop.
Overall, Jade Legacy gave me everything and more as a finale to what is now one of my favourite fantasy series ever. It's thrilling, its emotional, its breath-taking, its a masterclass in fantasy. I can't recommend it enough.
Firstly, the worldbuilding in this series is the best I have ever read, while it at times slowed the overall pace of the book, the payoff you receive in terms of plot is so worth it. Every single element of the setting is so well defined and distinct, that the cars the characters drive even have realistic names. By the time you read Jade Legacy, as a reader you have built a real connection to the world of the Green Bone saga and hence the changes that occur have an impact. In reading Jade Legacy I found I have built a real attachment to the island of Kekon and the people that exist there.
The changes that come over time to the world of the Green Bone saga make logical sense, the issues faced by Kekon mirror the reality faced by many modern Asian nations. In her writing, Fonda Lee highlights her understanding of politics whether it be within a family or between nations. Jade Legacy showcases in particular how with technology, modernisation and the passage of time politics and ideals must also evolve. I appreciated how comprehensive the plot is, everything connects so well together, and even details which feel mundane end up playing their part in the overall picture being painted. The plot was in no way predictable, I honestly had no idea what to expect when I started, and the surprises kept coming up until the end. Not one dull moment.
The Green Bone Saga also has some of the best characters I have read, each is complex with their own unique motivations, viewpoints and strengths. While there has been some criticism of Fonda Lee's writing of more male characters than female, I don't think the concern holds much stock since the female characters of the Green Bone Saga are so well-written and diverse. Kaul Shae, Maik Wen and Ayt Mada are all powerful in their positions and capabilities but they are nothing alike in personality and even in motivation. In Jade Legacy we see the main characters we are well acquainted with evolve, however, their evolution makes complete sense with their changing world scape. I really can't compliment it enough, as time passes so do the characters. This once again makes the book so immersive and allows the reader to feel like they are in a way growing with each character. I adored the Kaul family and their evolution was so fun to read. Kaul Hilo is such a wonderful main character he is so multi-faceted and while not all of these facets are great, he is so well developed that once it makes sense of him. Do I stand by all of his actions? Absolutely not! but I most definitely understand why he took them. His connection to his family is something I adore some of his lines about them brought tears to my eyes. Similarly, his rival Ayt Mada, is equally strong, ruthless, cunning and unrelenting she is exactly what you would want in an antagonist. She is exactly who you think she is and she will remind you if you forget. I could continue talking about every single character in detail in honesty but for the sake of time, I will stop.
Overall, Jade Legacy gave me everything and more as a finale to what is now one of my favourite fantasy series ever. It's thrilling, its emotional, its breath-taking, its a masterclass in fantasy. I can't recommend it enough.
abbinormal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
elsanore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
mckenziebyrd's review against another edition
5.0
wow, what an incredible series. honestly just about perfect.
had full tears rolling down my face for the last 50 pages. i cant think of a book that has had that much of an emotional effect on me
had full tears rolling down my face for the last 50 pages. i cant think of a book that has had that much of an emotional effect on me
piperstaggart's review against another edition
2.5
i'm genuinely so fucking annoyed right now because out of all the people you had to k!ll off it had to be hilo and his son? wtf? why not that cockroach bero? idk how he's still alive for three books. fonda lee what the hell i should've dnf'ed jade war instead of finishing the book
annelvogel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.5
kaidoi93's review against another edition
5.0
This trilogy was one of the best I've ever read - the finale was exceptional. Easily the best book I've read this year and one of the best books I've ever read in my life, full stop. I'm in awe from this series.
ivs36369's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.75
ravenseye73's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.75
katsdaysarebooked's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5