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adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
I can see why this series is so well rated overall. The family dynamics, complex plot, and fully realized world are so well written. The characters are flawed, but you find yourself understanding their motivations and how they see themselves and their world.
At times the plot was slow but the setup is very worth the ending.
At times the plot was slow but the setup is very worth the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
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
Jade City is the first book in the Green Bone Saga trilogy. This was a truly excellent start to this series and I can’t wait to continue. Love the Kaul family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief
Minor: Bullying
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
LIKED:
- I find the politics built of this country and this world very fascinating. There's a very obvious metaphor here with Jade and hard drugs (it's not bad that it's obvious by any means), but there's also correlation with blood diamonds and the costs that mining and classism have on certain countries and national relations. I found all of that really intriguing as I was reading and I'm excited to learn more as the series progresses.
- The caste system of the clans was also really interesting, even just in regards to naming (Pillar, Weather Man, etc.). Politicking within politicking and the different dynamics of the clans, etc. I ate it up.
- I think this book's interweaving of POVs (blessedly 3rd person) is really masterful. The flow and placement of each of the chapters kind of broke my brain looking at it from a writing craft perspective.
- Shae rules. Shae is queen. Shae is my favorite character.
- Anden's storyline and character arc is also fascinating and I'm so looking forward to see how his story continues to develop.
- My absolute favorite part of this world was learning how different Green Bones decorate themselves with Jade. Ayt's spiraling arm bands? Sick. Hilo's embedded jade in his collarbone? Rad as hell. They added layers to the character that I just found so much fun to devour
LOATHED:
- This book is too long. I love a long book. But this book could have been closer to 400 or 450 and that would have been a bit less burdensome. I'm, uh, worried about the third book because...woof that's a big book.
- I'm a bit disappointed in the character arc for Hilo, BUT I'm expecting he's being set up for some pretty important shit in the next book or two, so I'm not too annoyed.
- I hate this Grandad. I hate him. I know I should be so it's not a detriment to the book, but goddamn I hate that man.
- The description for this book (eg., the blurb on the inner cover) makes it seem like Shine is going to be a way bigger part of this story. All in all, it's quite minor actually? I'm not a huge fan of reading about drug use in books, so I'm not really complaining, but I did find the plot points involving Shine to actually be quite interesting.
- This is really silly but the map of Kekon is not my favorite. It looks like a fetus.
- This, again, not about the book. But WHY is this a book I see recommended time and time again to people who have read ACoTAR and are looking for their next fantasy read?? This is not high fantasy. It is urban fantasy and it is very different and people expecting a high fantasy romantasy are going to leave this reading experience very disappointed - which isn't fair to them or this book! I've never read ACoTar or any SJM books, but to my understanding, this may be an okay route from Crescent City if anything? But woof. Book influencers. Take a breath.
LONGED FOR:
- More jade lore. I liked the interludes well enough, but I really wanted to know more about the development of jade and honestly more about the export of it economically because I'm a loser who would find that fascinating.
- More descriptions of how people wear their jade. Just more. It's so telling. I love it.
- Not so big a book if possible (I know, I just asked for more words with the first two. I'm an enigma).
Will I read the next one? : Yep Yep. Doing another buddy read with my sisters for Jade War.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Dementia, War
Minor: Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Masterful world building, to the point where all other fantasy books will start to pale in comparison. Most characters are not likable but they’re all necessary. Also - the politics are SO realistic. This was just done really well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Dementia, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Violence, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gore, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder, War
Minor: Drug abuse, Dementia, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
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
"...for the most part, you give a man something to look up to, you tell him that he can be something more than he is now, more than other people think he'll ever be, and he'll try his goddamned best to make it true".
Jade is a valuable commodity amongst the Janloon. The two main tribes (No peak and Mountain) claim territory across the city and live side by side uneasily.
Within each clan there is a strict hierarchy: from fingers, fists to horns and the pillar (lowest to highest) and the weatherman, luckbringers...all are green bone practitioners who uses Jade to enhance their powers. Jade is also won by challenge or stolen. Each clan has a strict hierarchy and violations of this lead to immediate retribution.
The Kauls are the leaders of the No Peak Clan and hear of a new drug which allows non green bones to wield Jade, without training. This story revolves around the Kauls, where the new generation are taking the Horns (so to speak) and pushing past the previous generations tolerance and wariness around respect, history between the clans and moving towards a new era where they are battling a new drug which threatens their way of life...but the rival gang The Mountains seem to be moving onto the No Peak territory.
I have seen many rave reviews for Fonda Lee and made an effort to finally pick this up; this did not disappoint. I was sucked into the narrative, world building, honour code and world of the Kenon. I really enjoyed the strategy, politics and the colonial history weaved into the story. This is a perfect blend of East and Western influenced fantasy. This is the first book of the trilogy which I will be diving into.
Jade is a valuable commodity amongst the Janloon. The two main tribes (No peak and Mountain) claim territory across the city and live side by side uneasily.
Within each clan there is a strict hierarchy: from fingers, fists to horns and the pillar (lowest to highest) and the weatherman, luckbringers...all are green bone practitioners who uses Jade to enhance their powers. Jade is also won by challenge or stolen. Each clan has a strict hierarchy and violations of this lead to immediate retribution.
The Kauls are the leaders of the No Peak Clan and hear of a new drug which allows non green bones to wield Jade, without training. This story revolves around the Kauls, where the new generation are taking the Horns (so to speak) and pushing past the previous generations tolerance and wariness around respect, history between the clans and moving towards a new era where they are battling a new drug which threatens their way of life...but the rival gang The Mountains seem to be moving onto the No Peak territory.
I have seen many rave reviews for Fonda Lee and made an effort to finally pick this up; this did not disappoint. I was sucked into the narrative, world building, honour code and world of the Kenon. I really enjoyed the strategy, politics and the colonial history weaved into the story. This is a perfect blend of East and Western influenced fantasy. This is the first book of the trilogy which I will be diving into.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Violence, Murder
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual assault, Abandonment
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
this restored my faith in adult fantasy. amazing writing. intentional and great world building. a little slow at some points and a ton of politics that take a minute to understand.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, War
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Racism, Torture
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use