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abigails_books's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
CW: mention of suicide, rape, violent death of a parent, child abuse, general violence throughout, and a graphic sex scene
Rating: 3.5 stars
Summary: Jade City takes place in the city of Janloon on the island Kekon, a place on the verge of war breaking out among fragile peace between the two Green Bone clans, the Jade warriors, that protect Jade from outsiders and generally keeps life in Janloon moving forward. The two clans, The Mountain and No Peak used to be one under the joint leadership of Kaul Sen (now of No Peak) and Ayt Yugontin (Yu) (of The Mountain at time of death). It's been several years since the two clans separated and began a tentative peace, particularly when Ayt Yu died and his adopted daughter, Ayt Madashi (Mada) killed his former advisors and her own adopted brother in order to take control The Mountain.
Now, Ayt Mada rules The Mountain as Pillar while the eldest grandson of Kaul Sen, Kaul Lan, rules No Peak as Pillar, with his younger brother Kaul Hilo as his Fist, or leader and enforcer of his fighters or Fingers. Kaul Sen is elderly and losing his grip on reality, but he's still sure he is the one who should be in charge. At the start of the story, Kaul Shae, the final and youngest sibling of Lan and Hilo, returns from foreign Espenia, after being away for two years to her grandda's dissapointment.
A fourth important family member of the Kaul's lineage is Emery Anden, an adopted grandson of Kaul Sen, particularly at the behest of Kaul Lan, who originally took Anden in when his mother died a horrific death due to Jade sensitivity, a disease called the Itches that affects those with higher Jade sensitivity causing them to lose their sanity and destroy themselves.
The story really begins as a war between the two clans bubbles to surface in Janloon. Lan struggles to moderate peace while his younger brother Hilo is outward in his rebuke of The Mountain's attempt to take over certain No Peak territories. Through Shae's return and Anden's soon-to-be-graduated from the No Peak training academy, the plot picks up with the loss of one of the Kaul's own, causing Shae, and Anden, to step up in the clan in different ways.
Thoughts:
I gotta say this was a ride. This was not a page-turner for me, in fact, it was very hard to get into. I chose to read this because of a recommendation from a friend who had heard great things about it. After winning the World Fantasy Award I thought I had to try it out — the concept of Asian lore of Jade mixed with gang politics seemed interesting. For the first honestly 300 pages I really struggled to get the draw. I must admit I'm new to adult fantasy, having previously mostly read YA fantasy or sci-fi, but this book didn't feel like fantasy to me — it felt like a modern gang story with a little bit of super-powered elements. The mention of the gods and the allure/disease/addiction of jade and the Itches was interesting to me and is probably the reason I kept reading aside from the development of Shae.
Shae was an incredible character and I loved reading her development from first returning to Janloon determined to remain independent, even to the point of almost ruining her relationship with her brother Hilo, until she simply could no longer deny who she was — a Kaul, and puts her jade back on and returns to the fight.
The major downfall of this book for me was how little of Shae I got, and that's definitely why I preferred the last 200 pages the most because she was finally a dominant pov.
The book ranged from several perspectives — at times we saw what affected a main character like Lan, Hilo, Shae, or Anden, but we also got snippets from characters that we were not attached to at all. I saw the point of doing this — expanding what we understand the story to be and the world in general — but it was so boring to read!
I did enjoy the way traditional eastern Asian culture and lore were woven into this story, I really appreciated it as someone who is familiar with some of it due to the background of my partner. But it was so slow to get into that I can't give it any higher than 3.5 stars.
The ending, however, did win me over. I wasn't sure I would keep reading to find out what happens in the rest of the trilogy, but by the last 100 pages, I was ordering Jade War to pick up the rest of the story. And by the last 30 pages, I was gasping audibly, not expecting some of the turns that came.
I will say this is not an easy read, but it is an interesting read and I believe it was worthwhile. I wouldn't recommend this to someone in a reading slump, and I would recommend it to someone willing to work for the story.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Summary: Jade City takes place in the city of Janloon on the island Kekon, a place on the verge of war breaking out among fragile peace between the two Green Bone clans, the Jade warriors, that protect Jade from outsiders and generally keeps life in Janloon moving forward. The two clans, The Mountain and No Peak used to be one under the joint leadership of Kaul Sen (now of No Peak) and Ayt Yugontin (Yu) (of The Mountain at time of death). It's been several years since the two clans separated and began a tentative peace, particularly when Ayt Yu died and his adopted daughter, Ayt Madashi (Mada) killed his former advisors and her own adopted brother in order to take control The Mountain.
Now, Ayt Mada rules The Mountain as Pillar while the eldest grandson of Kaul Sen, Kaul Lan, rules No Peak as Pillar, with his younger brother Kaul Hilo as his Fist, or leader and enforcer of his fighters or Fingers. Kaul Sen is elderly and losing his grip on reality, but he's still sure he is the one who should be in charge. At the start of the story, Kaul Shae, the final and youngest sibling of Lan and Hilo, returns from foreign Espenia, after being away for two years to her grandda's dissapointment.
A fourth important family member of the Kaul's lineage is Emery Anden, an adopted grandson of Kaul Sen, particularly at the behest of Kaul Lan, who originally took Anden in when his mother died a horrific death due to Jade sensitivity, a disease called the Itches that affects those with higher Jade sensitivity causing them to lose their sanity and destroy themselves.
The story really begins as a war between the two clans bubbles to surface in Janloon. Lan struggles to moderate peace while his younger brother Hilo is outward in his rebuke of The Mountain's attempt to take over certain No Peak territories. Through Shae's return and Anden's soon-to-be-graduated from the No Peak training academy, the plot picks up with the loss of one of the Kaul's own, causing Shae, and Anden, to step up in the clan in different ways.
Thoughts:
I gotta say this was a ride. This was not a page-turner for me, in fact, it was very hard to get into. I chose to read this because of a recommendation from a friend who had heard great things about it. After winning the World Fantasy Award I thought I had to try it out — the concept of Asian lore of Jade mixed with gang politics seemed interesting. For the first honestly 300 pages I really struggled to get the draw. I must admit I'm new to adult fantasy, having previously mostly read YA fantasy or sci-fi, but this book didn't feel like fantasy to me — it felt like a modern gang story with a little bit of super-powered elements. The mention of the gods and the allure/disease/addiction of jade and the Itches was interesting to me and is probably the reason I kept reading aside from the development of Shae.
Shae was an incredible character and I loved reading her development from first returning to Janloon determined to remain independent, even to the point of almost ruining her relationship with her brother Hilo, until she simply could no longer deny who she was — a Kaul, and puts her jade back on and returns to the fight.
The major downfall of this book for me was how little of Shae I got, and that's definitely why I preferred the last 200 pages the most because she was finally a dominant pov.
The book ranged from several perspectives — at times we saw what affected a main character like Lan, Hilo, Shae, or Anden, but we also got snippets from characters that we were not attached to at all. I saw the point of doing this — expanding what we understand the story to be and the world in general — but it was so boring to read!
I did enjoy the way traditional eastern Asian culture and lore were woven into this story, I really appreciated it as someone who is familiar with some of it due to the background of my partner. But it was so slow to get into that I can't give it any higher than 3.5 stars.
The ending, however, did win me over. I wasn't sure I would keep reading to find out what happens in the rest of the trilogy, but by the last 100 pages, I was ordering Jade War to pick up the rest of the story. And by the last 30 pages, I was gasping audibly, not expecting some of the turns that came.
I will say this is not an easy read, but it is an interesting read and I believe it was worthwhile. I wouldn't recommend this to someone in a reading slump, and I would recommend it to someone willing to work for the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Death, Violence, and Self harm
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide, Xenophobia, War, Torture, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia and Rape
romiress's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Did I like it? I don't know. That's a complicated question. I think, fundamentally, this book was just not for me - it never quite landed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Sexual harassment, Drug use, Drug abuse, Grief, and Addiction
Moderate: Sexism, Dementia, Self harm, and Death of parent
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
a gritty, cool, stylish story about family, loyalty, duty. gangster stories and their seemingly needless violence have never interested me, so it's an amazing feat indeed that jade city is able to make the aforementioned seem rational--even inevitable--to me.
even more surprising, though at times painful as well, is how much lee is able to make me care abt the characters, their plight, their battles (both external and internal). i also appreciate how much nuance is imbued in both sides of the clan war: the characters' personalities, their motivations, differing ideologies that have both merit and disadvantages, making the central conflict actually seem unavoidable. this book is also full of violence--though none of it is gratuitous--and w/ the startling death of [redacted] halfway thru the book, i was shocked to discover that no one is spared, which is actually realistic, rly.
i also enjoyed the political stuff, esp how much meaning can be conveyed or inferred from even the subtlest words or actions. the third person pov is effectively used to great effect as well. another thing i rly like is the ideas and themes explored in the story. shae is disturbingly relatable w/ her internal warring of stifling expectations and need to escape her present environment; parallels to the real world are reflected in the hubristic foreign presence on kekon, and the latter's rightful desire to take control of its own country, though obvs the means are a contentious point; the seemingly cyclical nature of violence and vengeance spurred on by loyalty and a sense of duty. lee explores the themes w/ aplomb w/o ever seeming preachy or overbearing, and that's not sth many authors can say. im daunted to see how it all further unfolds in the sequel.
even more surprising, though at times painful as well, is how much lee is able to make me care abt the characters, their plight, their battles (both external and internal). i also appreciate how much nuance is imbued in both sides of the clan war: the characters' personalities, their motivations, differing ideologies that have both merit and disadvantages, making the central conflict actually seem unavoidable. this book is also full of violence--though none of it is gratuitous--and w/ the startling death of [redacted] halfway thru the book, i was shocked to discover that no one is spared, which is actually realistic, rly.
i also enjoyed the political stuff, esp how much meaning can be conveyed or inferred from even the subtlest words or actions. the third person pov is effectively used to great effect as well. another thing i rly like is the ideas and themes explored in the story. shae is disturbingly relatable w/ her internal warring of stifling expectations and need to escape her present environment; parallels to the real world are reflected in the hubristic foreign presence on kekon, and the latter's rightful desire to take control of its own country, though obvs the means are a contentious point; the seemingly cyclical nature of violence and vengeance spurred on by loyalty and a sense of duty. lee explores the themes w/ aplomb w/o ever seeming preachy or overbearing, and that's not sth many authors can say. im daunted to see how it all further unfolds in the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Dementia, Drug use, Gun violence, and Infidelity
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Sexism
theevelyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Self harm
giulay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
"Under the eyes of all the gods in Heaven, I pledge this. On my honor, my life, and my jade."
TW: violence, blood, gore, mentions of suicide, mentions of rape, self-harm, racism, mentions of child sexual abuse
This feels like the end of an era.
No, for real. I’ve started reading Jade City May 1st 2021 – yes, you can read it again. Yes, you’ve read that correctly.
This book has been in my mind and on my nightstand for eight (8) months – what an obscene and shameful amount of time…
It is time to turn a new leaf.
But please, if you have to take something from this Rather Random Review™️ let it be this: the time it took me to go through this novel does not, and I repeat does not, mirror my enjoyment of the book, my love for the characters and the setting, and my absolute and unquestionable interest in the plot.
Because, sure, it might have taken me eight (8) months, but whenever my mind allowed me to read a bit, I remembered all the action and plot-twists and characters and political intrigue that previously happened. And that is no small feat as Jade City was a beautifully action-packed, intriguing and fast-paced read.
If you know my reading tastes, you know I do love me political intrigue, backstabbing, morally ambiguous characters and discussions around religion/faith. Needless to say, Jade City offered me this and much, much more.
I will not waste your time with a long and winded Rather Random Review™️. The amazing readers on Goodreads have done a far better job that I ever will explaining this book, so if you are curious and want a more in-depth review and summary, I’d suggest go read a couple of said reviews.
Also, because I feel as if I’m late to the party. I mean… it did take me eight (8) months to finish this book.
But believe me when I said this: Jade City deserves every single hyped review it got.
You’ve heard about this book. Everybody and their mother have heard about this book. You know the plot. Everybody and their mother know the plot.
And indeed, for a good reason!
Mafia, clans, war, family bonds, gruesome action, religion, drugs, incredible atmosphere, powers given by jade, complex, unique and three-dimensional characters (Hilo, I love you. Enough said) and fascinating lure.
This is a very simple and short list to give you an idea about what this book can offer you.
It can give you a whole entire world to lose yourself into.
It was nothing short of amazing. It set the basis for what I am sure will be an epic story.
Jade City is a great and stunning beginning to a series that I cannot wait to continue!
…in a while though, because I’ve been staring at this cover for way too long: these past eight (8) months have been rough
TW: violence, blood, gore, mentions of suicide, mentions of rape, self-harm, racism, mentions of child sexual abuse
This feels like the end of an era.
No, for real. I’ve started reading Jade City May 1st 2021 – yes, you can read it again. Yes, you’ve read that correctly.
This book has been in my mind and on my nightstand for eight (8) months – what an obscene and shameful amount of time…
It is time to turn a new leaf.
But please, if you have to take something from this Rather Random Review™️ let it be this: the time it took me to go through this novel does not, and I repeat does not, mirror my enjoyment of the book, my love for the characters and the setting, and my absolute and unquestionable interest in the plot.
Because, sure, it might have taken me eight (8) months, but whenever my mind allowed me to read a bit, I remembered all the action and plot-twists and characters and political intrigue that previously happened. And that is no small feat as Jade City was a beautifully action-packed, intriguing and fast-paced read.
If you know my reading tastes, you know I do love me political intrigue, backstabbing, morally ambiguous characters and discussions around religion/faith. Needless to say, Jade City offered me this and much, much more.
I will not waste your time with a long and winded Rather Random Review™️. The amazing readers on Goodreads have done a far better job that I ever will explaining this book, so if you are curious and want a more in-depth review and summary, I’d suggest go read a couple of said reviews.
Also, because I feel as if I’m late to the party. I mean… it did take me eight (8) months to finish this book.
But believe me when I said this: Jade City deserves every single hyped review it got.
You’ve heard about this book. Everybody and their mother have heard about this book. You know the plot. Everybody and their mother know the plot.
And indeed, for a good reason!
Mafia, clans, war, family bonds, gruesome action, religion, drugs, incredible atmosphere, powers given by jade, complex, unique and three-dimensional characters (Hilo, I love you. Enough said) and fascinating lure.
This is a very simple and short list to give you an idea about what this book can offer you.
It can give you a whole entire world to lose yourself into.
It was nothing short of amazing. It set the basis for what I am sure will be an epic story.
Jade City is a great and stunning beginning to a series that I cannot wait to continue!
…in a while though, because I’ve been staring at this cover for way too long: these past eight (8) months have been rough
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, War, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Self harm, Rape, Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Gun violence
wordwilderness's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
This book got me out of a months-long reading slump so I cannot praise it enough. Jade City is one of the most exciting and immersive books I've ever read. I loved the mix of modern technology, tradition, and magic that made the world come to life. Even more fantastic than the worldbuilding were the characters. Fonda Lee might be my new favorite author for dynamic and interesting characters. Hilo was especially frustrating and loveable. I couldn't decide if I wanted to give him a hug or strangle him.
I can't wait to read the rest of this series!
I can't wait to read the rest of this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, War, and Drug use
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Self harm, Sexual assault, and Addiction
Elaboration on the drug use content warning:raspberrytia's review against another edition
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Self harm
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Torture and Mental illness
caseythereader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-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
- 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, Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Dementia, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Rape
bookishjd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, Murder, Violence, Grief, and Self harm
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Homophobia, and Gun violence
kait_sixcrowsbooks's review against another edition
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
5.0
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: Gore, Body horror, Gun violence, Violence, and Suicide
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual content
Minor: Self harm
Additional triggers include: child sexual assault/child porn (mentioned)