Reviews

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen

hanlov's review

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

“‘To yearn for great opportunity without the courage to accept great risk is naive.’ My father used to say that.”

Of Jade and Dragons is a Mulan retelling mixed with steampunk fantasy and the vibes were excellent in this book. I loved the obvious research and effort put in to try and keep you immersed in the story, but sadly the actual writing and plot kept pulling me back out. While it was YA, I felt like the story could’ve had more depth and been more dynamic to keep readers of all ages engaged. It felt more ‘tell rather than show’ in many instances and I wish we could see the characters develop more! The last 10% of the book was the best and I would read the next book if it felt more like that. This writing style will likely work for some folks but sadly I just didn’t love it. I would be willing to read more from the author in the future to see how she grows as a writer!🐲

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: War

Minor: Classism

bkc's review against another edition

Seems boring. Sold.

tessa_talks_books's review against another edition

3.5

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen is a captivating example of the silkpunk genre, a unique blend of fantasy and technology that is sure to intrigue readers. And it's reminiscent of the Mulan story's rich world-building and engaging plot. This novel held my attention from start to finish, offering a fresh and intriguing take on these genres.

The main characters in 'Of Jade and Dragons' are developed exquisitely, and their interactions are not just intriguing, but also deeply human, fostering a strong sense of connection with the reader. The main character, Ying, is stubborn and champions what is right even when it's a hard choice. Her interactions with Ye-Yang felt authentic and grew over time, which I found particularly engaging. Ye-Yang is a decent, almost bland male lead, but his individuality shines as the story progresses, making the reader feel a strong sense of connection and investment in their journey. You'll find yourself rooting for them as they navigate their complex world.

While the story was engaging overall, it started too slowly for my tastes, and I struggled with unfamiliar Chinese terms dating back to the Qing dynasty. They were unknown to me, and I didn't find them described enough so my reading could flow smoothly. This might resonate with readers who prefer a faster pace and are unfamiliar with Chinese history and culture. However, knowing these aspects beforehand will help you better appreciate the story's unique setting and cultural references, preparing you for a more immersive reading experience.

haylee_reads's review against another edition

Unfortunately I just can’t seem to get into this one. I loved the idea and I love silkpunk fantasy, but I am really struggling with the pacing and writing. The dialogue is coming across very stilted and it felt really predictable. I am really bummed because I was so excited for this book! I just don’t want to get into a reading slump.

Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

jillrounds's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

theweatherwriter's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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? N/A

3.5

csmall73's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny fast-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

Famous last words. What harm could there be in reading a book? 

 

I love that Ying is not letting things go or just acquiesce to her fathers fears. She needs to go and explore, experience for herself. A truly scientific woman. Never just accept always test always strive to be better. 

 

The writing was easy to follow and get pulled into the story. The steampunk atmosphere created is intriguing and challenges your mind to create the story described. I look forward to seeing more of Ying. It was a little bit of struggle with the names and titles pronunciation.

bookgirlangie's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

5.0

A delightfully easy to read book with airships, chimeras, a mysterious murder and a guild full on intriguing secrets. I flew through the pages quicker than expected and found myself lost in its world. Ying is quite the enchanting girl and Yang I found myself constantly curious about. I continued to puzzle over all that happened in the past with her father and guild and found myself amazingly surprised. 

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

welcometomynirvana's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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? No

3.75

pemdas97's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

3.75