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bookishwondergoth's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
A highly satisfying and emotional end to what I think might be the most ambitious and unique fantasy trilogy I've ever read. Here is my spoiler-free review of the entire Green Bone Saga trilogy:
Well, 2022 was the year I finally read the Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee, and—having now come out the other side of 'Jade Legacy' with my heart relatively in tact—I'm happy to report it was one of the most thrilling, satisfying, ambitious, epic and unique fantasy stories I've ever read in my entire life. It's not really a trilogy so much as one enormous book split into three parts, and I think that's worth bearing in mind if you find yourself slogging a bit through some of the info-dumps in 'Jade City'. A contemporary-feeling high urban fantasy that encompasses literally ✨decades✨ of time across multiple generations around an entire fictional globe, featuring a myriad of cultures, customs and creeds... Cor blimy, Fonda Lee doesn't like doing things by halves, does she?! From the gang-ridden streets of 'Jade City' all the way up to the geopolitical family melodrama of 'Jade Legacy', the Green Bone Saga had me by the throat even days after finishing. I fear it still does. Reader, I've left my heart in Janloon.
Well, 2022 was the year I finally read the Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee, and—having now come out the other side of 'Jade Legacy' with my heart relatively in tact—I'm happy to report it was one of the most thrilling, satisfying, ambitious, epic and unique fantasy stories I've ever read in my entire life. It's not really a trilogy so much as one enormous book split into three parts, and I think that's worth bearing in mind if you find yourself slogging a bit through some of the info-dumps in 'Jade City'. A contemporary-feeling high urban fantasy that encompasses literally ✨decades✨ of time across multiple generations around an entire fictional globe, featuring a myriad of cultures, customs and creeds... Cor blimy, Fonda Lee doesn't like doing things by halves, does she?! From the gang-ridden streets of 'Jade City' all the way up to the geopolitical family melodrama of 'Jade Legacy', the Green Bone Saga had me by the throat even days after finishing. I fear it still does. Reader, I've left my heart in Janloon.
The Green Bone Saga tells the story of the Kaul family of the No Peak clan in the Asian-inspired city of Janloon on the isle of Kekon. The Kaul family and others like them are Green bones; people with the ability to carry and wield bioenergetic "jade"; a magical substance that enhances users abilities in the six disciplines of Strength, Steel, Perception, Lightness, Deflection and Channelling. Kaul Lanshinwan, the Pillar of No Peak, is trying to navigate the hostile advances of No Peak's greatest rival, the Mountain Clan, headed up by the ruthless Ayt Madashi. With tension brewing between the clans, and trouble stirring across the ocean between world superpowers, Ygutan and Espenia, Lan must also try and rein in his brother Hilo, the hot-headed Horn of No Peak, and keep him from lighting the spark that starts an all-out war.
It is impossible for me to name any one area where Green Bone shines, because truthfully, all of it does. Characters, plot, world-building and writing style,... all of it is hyper-focused, meticulously planned, and delivered to the reader in the most effective, and emotionally devastating way possible.
Let's start with the writing. Fonda Lee is not what I'd call a pretty writer, but there's an evocative bluntness to her prose that really works for the style of story she's trying to tell. Sentences are beautifully constructed, but with all the grit left in, such as this gem from 'Jade City''s opening paragraph: "Summer had barely begun and already the city of Janloon was like a spent lover—sticky and fragrant."
The plot primarily is driven by the characters and how they interact with one another. It is intriguing, thrilling, twisty and shocking, and moves along at a steadily building pace. Every now and then, even as early as 'Jade City', Fonda Lee will hit you with a massive unexpected and game-changing event that will change the course of everything you know, then start building up the pace all over again. As the end of all three books draws to a close, the downtime between each climactic event gets less and less and less, until you reach 'Jade Legacy' at which point everything starts moving at breakneck speed, and you can hardly catch your breath. SO good. I found 'Jade City' to be a bit on the slow side but I found myself losing sleep to finish 'Jade War' and 'Jade Legacy' was no different. Rest assured, these are books you will not want to put down.
Speaking of characters and how they drive the plot, I guarantee that by the end of this trilogy, you will have fallen in love with the entire Kaul family. Lan, Hilo, Shae, Anden, Wen and the Maik brothers all hold places within my heart, and I reckon I've shaved years off my life in becoming so ill-advisedly invested in their wellbeing. For much of the trilogy, the misunderstood Anden and fiercely resourceful Wen were my favourites, but it was Hilo who ultimately took the top spot around halfway through 'Jade War'. The man is a masterful creation; reckless, vindictive, fiercely loyal, vengeful and utterly brutal, Hilo is a veritable powder keg of unpredictability. Things are never dull when Hilo's around, and it was so much fun watching him grow and change over the years. I was always equal parts scared and excited about where the story was going, wondering what horrible, game-changing thing Hilo would do next.
As for the world-building, this is hands down the most ambitious, comprehensive and believable fantasy world I have ever read in my life. As someone who considers themselves reasonably well-versed in the fantasy genre, I do not say this lightly. Green Bone culture permeates every aspect of Kekonese lives including their socialisation with others (including people whose cultures are vastly different to theirs such as the westernised Espenians), their politians, their economy, their medicine, their military, their expats and accompanying disapora, their crime rates, their black market, racism, xenophobia, ordinary citizens... everything. Fonda Lee takes absolutely everything into account so you know exactly where jade comes from, what it means to the people of Kekon and the rest of the world, and how far people are willing to go to get it. Starting you off primarily on the isle of Kekon in 'Jade City', Fonda Lee throws the net wider in 'Jade War' by deepening the ties between Kekon and the rest of the world, then throws it even wider still in 'Jade Legacy' with the introduction of additional factions borne of a result of the events in books 1 and 2. The nuance and skill with which all of this is handled is absolutely stunning.
Overall, the Green Bone Saga was hands down the best thing I read in 2022 and has become a new favourite. It is slick, smart, thoroughly modern, and one of those torch bearing fantasies that pushes the genre in directions you didn't even know it could go. I thoroughly recommend this trilogy to absolutely all fantasy fans, and I am on my knees begging you all to add 'Jade City' to your TBR immediately. You won't regret it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Blood, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Colonisation, Confinement, Death of parent, Child death, Racism, Suicide, Medical content, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Self harm, Sexism, Animal death, Torture, and Infidelity
3arth2kaye's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Medical content, Body horror, Gore, Infidelity, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Sexism
Minor: Abortion, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
4.5
...bruh. this book makes me scream, cry, shout, and whoop - truly the whole human experience encapsulated - but that climax def makes me fall to my knees in target.
like its predecessors, jade legacy drips w/ swagger and filled w/ violence, strategem and emotional impact, feeling both intimate and epic w/ the focus on the kauls against the backdrop of greater outside forces. as always, lee pulls no-holds-barred in this book, cunningly plotting the story while also handling and balancing more story threads, characters, and settings than ever, where things can change dramatically w/ just a sentence (a masterful example of show-not-tell, rly). it's big in scope and ever more complex as many existing characters grow and new ones develop.
it's always an extreme experience being w/ the kauls; there are great triumphs but also terrible, heartbreaking losses (**** U WERE SO CLOSEEEE BARELY 30 PGS LEFT DAMMIT). we see them here w/ changing relationship dynamics, truth-searching, and growing into their own identities. reading this book, i feel aged right along them, filled w/ nostalgia, regret, and cautious optimism still.
the previously mentioned balancing act, however, is also my one main issue w/ the novel: the frequent timeskips can be confusing and sometimes seem unnecessary, and the existence of so many characters and story threads means many of them arent fully explored, w/ a few seemingly abandoned or forgotten halfway through. certain events/actions, for example, couldve happened in the same month or yr as the previous chapter, but somehow it just has to be like 2 or 4 yrs later, which i dont understand why.
the time gaps, while it might be necessary, also mean that there are - obviously - gaps in the story, but readers arent filled in on what happen during the interim yrs, and there def isnt enough time and space for lee to explain either even if she wanted to since it occurs so often; so now we're left w/ 2 chapters that happen like 5 yrs apart but it seems like not much has changed at all. moreover, some characters - like cam for example - initially expected to be more prominent over time are relegated to the background and their relations to the kauls arent mentioned much at all.
even so, it's undeniable that this is a tightly plotted gangster family saga brimming w/ tension, high stakes, violence, cunning, and emotional impact. it's been a rollercoaster of a (figuratively 25-yr) trip w/ the kauls, and the green bone saga is def one of the best series ive ever read.
like its predecessors, jade legacy drips w/ swagger and filled w/ violence, strategem and emotional impact, feeling both intimate and epic w/ the focus on the kauls against the backdrop of greater outside forces. as always, lee pulls no-holds-barred in this book, cunningly plotting the story while also handling and balancing more story threads, characters, and settings than ever, where things can change dramatically w/ just a sentence (a masterful example of show-not-tell, rly). it's big in scope and ever more complex as many existing characters grow and new ones develop.
it's always an extreme experience being w/ the kauls; there are great triumphs but also terrible, heartbreaking losses (**** U WERE SO CLOSEEEE BARELY 30 PGS LEFT DAMMIT). we see them here w/ changing relationship dynamics, truth-searching, and growing into their own identities. reading this book, i feel aged right along them, filled w/ nostalgia, regret, and cautious optimism still.
the previously mentioned balancing act, however, is also my one main issue w/ the novel: the frequent timeskips can be confusing and sometimes seem unnecessary, and the existence of so many characters and story threads means many of them arent fully explored, w/ a few seemingly abandoned or forgotten halfway through. certain events/actions, for example, couldve happened in the same month or yr as the previous chapter, but somehow it just has to be like 2 or 4 yrs later, which i dont understand why.
the time gaps, while it might be necessary, also mean that there are - obviously - gaps in the story, but readers arent filled in on what happen during the interim yrs, and there def isnt enough time and space for lee to explain either even if she wanted to since it occurs so often; so now we're left w/ 2 chapters that happen like 5 yrs apart but it seems like not much has changed at all. moreover, some characters - like cam for example - initially expected to be more prominent over time are relegated to the background and their relations to the kauls arent mentioned much at all.
even so, it's undeniable that this is a tightly plotted gangster family saga brimming w/ tension, high stakes, violence, cunning, and emotional impact. it's been a rollercoaster of a (figuratively 25-yr) trip w/ the kauls, and the green bone saga is def one of the best series ive ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Racism, Cursing, Violence, Gun violence, Death, Murder, Kidnapping, and Torture
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, War, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Drug use, Suicide, Rape, Misogyny, and Miscarriage
laguerrelewis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Each installment in the Green Bone saga is longer than the last, swelling out of necessity to contain the growing scope of these stories. One should rightfully expect something truly epic when seeing that Jade Legacy boasts a 713 page count. Fonda Lee expertly weaves a finale that leaves you feeling as though you’ve weathered decades with the Kauls and the No Peak clan, injecting nostalgia and hope into this grand sendoff to the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, War, Alcohol, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug use, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Homophobia
maira_h's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I feel like I have a lot to say about this book, about this series as a whole. In the end, I'm just speechless. I am profoundly impressed by this series. There's a difference between loving and being impressed by a piece of literature. Most of the time, it's always love for me. For this series, however, it's both.
I can't remember the last I cried so hard– with snot and tissues and everything– while reading a book. I can't remember the last time I stayed up late to finish reading. Not gonna lie, this book and its characters will stay with me for a long, long time.
The plot and its execution was close to perfection. Every action had its consequences. Everything was deliberate. Not to mention, the world building was honestly incredible. To be able to create a universe that is similar to our urban world with its different countries and politics is impressive, honestly. The author's intelligence in business and politics shone bright throughout the book, in my opinion. And I want to watch her action scenes on a television screen someday. I don't know if an adaptation can do this series justice, though.
One thing I would have wanted is probably a much longer epilogue of some sort. I wanted more time with the characters, especially Niko and Jaya. To be honest, since the first page, it already felt like the beginning of the end. So, me asking to add more to this 700++ pages book is honestly pushing it. 😂
I honestly would love to discuss this book with someone. To just talk about the characters and their individual developments, mostly. Because the characters made this series. If we didn't have them, if we had an unmemorable cast of characters with just the plot and the politics, it would be extremely dull.
Probably the best ending to a series I've read in a long, long time.
I can't remember the last I cried so hard– with snot and tissues and everything– while reading a book. I can't remember the last time I stayed up late to finish reading. Not gonna lie, this book and its characters will stay with me for a long, long time.
The plot and its execution was close to perfection. Every action had its consequences. Everything was deliberate. Not to mention, the world building was honestly incredible. To be able to create a universe that is similar to our urban world with its different countries and politics is impressive, honestly. The author's intelligence in business and politics shone bright throughout the book, in my opinion. And I want to watch her action scenes on a television screen someday. I don't know if an adaptation can do this series justice, though.
One thing I would have wanted is probably a much longer epilogue of some sort. I wanted more time with the characters, especially Niko and Jaya. To be honest, since the first page, it already felt like the beginning of the end. So, me asking to add more to this 700++ pages book is honestly pushing it. 😂
I honestly would love to discuss this book with someone. To just talk about the characters and their individual developments, mostly. Because the characters made this series. If we didn't have them, if we had an unmemorable cast of characters with just the plot and the politics, it would be extremely dull.
Probably the best ending to a series I've read in a long, long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Suicide, Hate crime, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Racism, Violence, Drug use, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, Cursing, War, and Xenophobia
Minor: Medical content and Addiction
doodeedoda's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Grief, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Blood, Classism, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Dementia, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Gore
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Abortion
an_idiot's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, War, Gore, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Grief, and Drug use
Minor: Rape
maria2001'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Jade legacy & the Green bone Saga :
When I first picked this series up I expected it to be good, but I did not expect it to become one of my favorites. .The "supernatural" concept was pretty simple. Jade gives people who wear it enhanced powers (strength , perception, etc. etc. ).And Kekon (the main country) is inspired by mid 20th century Asia. Capeesh!! - The first book was a foundation and a really good one at that. It laid out the basics about the world and gave the outlines of the main characters and the clans.
.I gave the first book 4 stars just because of how good it was structured , but I have to admit I was underwhelmed.I wanted to be attached to the characters more, I wanted it to be more than just a clever book with well crafted political tactics and savvy characters. Enter Book 2 (Jade War) :) .
this one was anxiety-inducing in the best way.I've never had my heart palpitate this much over a book before, but as soon as I started this one ( I was in a reading slump btw ) I could not put it down..Every thing that was planted in B1 blooms and unfolds in B2. from the world to the stakes, and of course the most beautiful of all the characters <3 .The Kaul family has cemented their place in my heart and I'll keep them there for a while (especially Shae and Anden uwu , I love the rest but yes I have favourites ) ..I already have a full review on B2 so I'll move on to B3(Jade Legacy )
.
Jade Legacy :
"look at where you are , look at where you started . The fact that you're alive is miracle . Just stay alive, that would be enough " this line from Hamilton kept playing in my head as I read this book :') ..I haven't mentioned that all of the titles have been perfectly fitting so far , you get exactly what you're told on the cover. therefore, B3 is heavily inspired by the theme of what we want to leave behind for the next generation and how we will raise them based on our experiences and how will the next generation react and grow to the world we built for them, as well as the outside world..I'd say the first 40% of this book were basically dealing with all the consequences that B2 left us with and the other 60% is to wrap up everything because Fonda Lee wasn't going to leave ANY plot point loose . She really said "I'm going to create a perfect story" and DID IT !!..Now when I say the last 60% was tying loose ends I'm not by any means down playing it's intensity . Although it's not the anxiety roller-coaster that B2 was , B3 was a tear fiesta :') .The new generation comes bearing their own baggage and things to prove to the world and it was one of the most realistic depictions of how we try to make our parents proud while trying to be our own selves. I cannot fully describe the complicated and intense personal and familial dynamics in this book in just a few sentences , I can only say *chef's kiss*..
This book also is the one where the politics-savvy shines through the most. we are dealing with things in Kekon (the main country) ,while trying to deflect foreign threats and all that jazz. "I realized there are only two types of people in the world. It's not Green Bones and non-Green Bones . It's those who have power and those who don't […] If the clans stop defending the meaning of jade , then others will take that power from us. They'll amplify all the worst parts and leave non of the good."
.With that quote I seal this review but I'm in no way done talking about this trilogy ,This deserves it's own podcast or long YouTube video . But for now let's leave it as it is :).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Death, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity, Kidnapping, and Torture
roxy_reads_romance's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Cursing
_forestofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
Hands down the best fantasy trilogy I have ever read. I laughed, I sobbed, I freaked out. Fonda Lee is incredible in every way and I could not find a single flaw. This was the best and most painful but beautiful ending to this trilogy I could have hoped for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Murder
Moderate: Torture, Racism, and Racial slurs
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