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dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
second read (jan 2023): 4.5 stars
I still very much enjoyed this start to what I can only imagine is an epic trilogy. The characters are complex & multi-dimensional, the drama/tension between clans is high, and the fighting scenes are top tier! I am excited to continue on the series for sure.
first read (jan 2022): 4.5 stars
a bit hard to follow at times due to the vast character list within, but i freakin loved it!
I still very much enjoyed this start to what I can only imagine is an epic trilogy. The characters are complex & multi-dimensional, the drama/tension between clans is high, and the fighting scenes are top tier! I am excited to continue on the series for sure.
first read (jan 2022): 4.5 stars
a bit hard to follow at times due to the vast character list within, but i freakin loved it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence
Minor: Sexual content
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Murder, War
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Sexual content, Blood
Minor: Grief
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
- Do you love stories like The Godfather or Succession but wish they included magic? JADE CITY is the book for you! Warring clans with intricate hierarchies and long histories vie for territory as the younger generation jockeys for power. Plus, excellent fight scenes.
- As much as I enjoyed this story, I can't talk about it without discussing the anti-fat bias woven through it, which really dragged everything down for me. Most minor characters weren't given physical descriptions unless they were fat. Then, every time they were mentioned, so was their fatness, and it never had any bearing on what was happening in that scene. Poor Chancellor Son was forever pursing his "thick lips," drumming his "sausage fingers" or heaving himself up on his "heavy elbows." Recruits who clearly weren't going to make it into the ranks of the clans were "clever, but pudgy," or "doughy and insipid." These fat characters were all shown as being lazy or incompetent in one way or another, often described as having once been formidable warriors who now ate and drank too much. If a character was described as being hardworking, loyal, etc., their size usually wasn't mentioned.
- This is not me telling you to cancel this book and this author - I just want to point out how pervasive these stereotypes are, and how often we don't even notice them in our stories (especially in fantasy, where the protagonists are usually thin and able bodied.) Read the book if the story sounds good to you, but go in aware of this aspect of it.
- As much as I enjoyed this story, I can't talk about it without discussing the anti-fat bias woven through it, which really dragged everything down for me. Most minor characters weren't given physical descriptions unless they were fat. Then, every time they were mentioned, so was their fatness, and it never had any bearing on what was happening in that scene. Poor Chancellor Son was forever pursing his "thick lips," drumming his "sausage fingers" or heaving himself up on his "heavy elbows." Recruits who clearly weren't going to make it into the ranks of the clans were "clever, but pudgy," or "doughy and insipid." These fat characters were all shown as being lazy or incompetent in one way or another, often described as having once been formidable warriors who now ate and drank too much. If a character was described as being hardworking, loyal, etc., their size usually wasn't mentioned.
- This is not me telling you to cancel this book and this author - I just want to point out how pervasive these stereotypes are, and how often we don't even notice them in our stories (especially in fantasy, where the protagonists are usually thin and able bodied.) Read the book if the story sounds good to you, but go in aware of this aspect of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Rape
dark
emotional
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
ouch! what a rollercoaster. i had a hard time getting into at first, confused by the rush of new terms and places in a city i obviously wasn't familiar with, but as the book went on the jade city, and by extension the entire intricate world that the book is set in, became easier to understand. seriously, once i got into it the worldbuilding was so immersive that i felt loath to leave. it was just so descriptive, allowing me to visualize every scene. the characters became easier to understand as well. they all have their flaws and intricacies, which could be equal parts frustrating and lovable- just like any real person. the shock and anger i felt at lan-jen's death was quite visceral because of that.
also, i can't forget to mention that the action sequences were thrilling, keeping the book fast-paced, and the descriptions of the magic system were breathtaking. though i'll definitely need a break before diving into book 2, i'm excited to see where this high fantasy goes next.
also, i can't forget to mention that the action sequences were thrilling, keeping the book fast-paced, and the descriptions of the magic system were breathtaking. though i'll definitely need a break before diving into book 2, i'm excited to see where this high fantasy goes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting
challenging
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
'Jade City' by Fonda Lee kicks off an engaging urban fantasy where warring clans clash for control of the resource that imbues them with powers.
The story focuses on the Kaul family who lead one of the clans that are vying for control of the capital city in Kekon. The three Kaul siblings, Lan, Shae, and Hilo, are dealing with the complexities of life in the clan, an ailing grandfather, and the prospects of a new drug that allows anyone to wield jade.
Lee has created an engaging world full of complex characters. The pairing of a simple but really well thought out fantasy element in jade's powers to enhance abilities with the political machinations of warring families creates a world that I cannot wait to return to. By focusing on the three Kaul siblings, Lee gives the reader a peek into different parts of the clan but also different views on jade. Lan is the reluctant leader, Hilo the determined and sometimes rash Horn, and Shae is returning from time abroad and without jade. These characters are complex and though not always lovable, I found that I cared deeply for each of them.
The plotting is exceptionally paced. Lee weaves together more action heavy moments of conflict with the plotting and political decisions that are going on in the background. These pieces fit together to create a plot that is constantly moving forward but also feels easy to follow.
I cannot wait to read Jade War though I think I will wait some time so that I read it closer to the release of Jade Legacy. If you are looking for an exceptional urban fantasy series with a complex plot, you really must read Jade City.
The story focuses on the Kaul family who lead one of the clans that are vying for control of the capital city in Kekon. The three Kaul siblings, Lan, Shae, and Hilo, are dealing with the complexities of life in the clan, an ailing grandfather, and the prospects of a new drug that allows anyone to wield jade.
Lee has created an engaging world full of complex characters. The pairing of a simple but really well thought out fantasy element in jade's powers to enhance abilities with the political machinations of warring families creates a world that I cannot wait to return to. By focusing on the three Kaul siblings, Lee gives the reader a peek into different parts of the clan but also different views on jade. Lan is the reluctant leader, Hilo the determined and sometimes rash Horn, and Shae is returning from time abroad and without jade. These characters are complex and though not always lovable, I found that I cared deeply for each of them.
The plotting is exceptionally paced. Lee weaves together more action heavy moments of conflict with the plotting and political decisions that are going on in the background. These pieces fit together to create a plot that is constantly moving forward but also feels easy to follow.
I cannot wait to read Jade War though I think I will wait some time so that I read it closer to the release of Jade Legacy. If you are looking for an exceptional urban fantasy series with a complex plot, you really must read Jade City.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Dementia
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this; it was very readable and the setting was easy to fall into. Even though most of the story was set only in the city of Janloon, the worldbuilding was rich, with just enough history and a glimpse of the world outside Kekon. For a mob story, this wasn't fast-paced; the action sequences were brutal, but they took up less of the story than I anticipated. Instead, nearly the whole book felt like a set-up for the sequel - lots of political maneuvering, shifting of power, planting plot devices whose consequences are to be revealed later on.... All enjoyable and well-written, but I was ~80% into the book before I got truly excited. Even now I'm still not that invested in the characters. I'm interested to see where their paths take them and I care about No Peak as a whole, but would I cry if any of the main characters died? Probably not. Will I still read Jade War right away? Yes, actually! I have a feeling it'll be a lot more exciting now that the chess pieces are in place (fingers crossed).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Pedophilia, Torture, Grief
Minor: Rape, Suicide, Death of parent
Jade acts like a drug, pretty much, with all the consequences of withdrawal or addiction. There's also SN1, a synthetic drug designed to decrease sensitivity to jade.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Representation:
- queer boy/man MC
- Asian-inspired cast/world
I....I honestly don't know what to say. The characters? Amazing. The world-building? Impeccable. The writing? A masterpiece. I am. Flabbergasted. I need my hands on Jade War yesterday, omg.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Self harm
Additional triggers include: child sexual assault/child porn (mentioned)
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Gore
Minor: Dementia
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Grief
Moderate: Pedophilia