Reviews

Jade City by Fonda Lee

cadmanreads's review against another edition

5.0

Upping the rating from 4 to 5 stars.

Enjoyed it so much more on reread. Excited to continue the series.

marilicious's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

heycheeel's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

lelia_1's review against another edition

adventurous challenging 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

4.5

laurenj1398's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

I went into this Asian mafia urban fantasy novel with not much knowledge of the story - I had heard some good reviews on TikTok and wanted to support an Asian author. I spent a lot of this book feeling very neutral towards the characters, not super invested in their stories. The big plot twist/turning point of the story didn’t really make me feel any type of way. But at some point between then and the end I really became invested in the story! By the end of the book I found myself looking forward to finding out what happens next for the Kaul family. 

I will say that the writing is great and it never felt like a slog to read, even when I wasn’t the most interested. I did like how the story followed the perspectives of various characters throughout. I wonder if in the next two books we’ll see the perspective of someone from the Mountain clan! 

The world building took some time and effort, but by the second half of the book I understood the societal hierarchy, the politics of Kekon, and the Jade magic/power system very well. 

I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy!

jnl0's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

wooseoks's review

5.0

Re-read: I missed the Kauls so much that I had to re-read this even though I never re-read anything. Just as good the second time. That shit hurted just as bad. Anden is my beloved son.

I can't think of anything I don't like about it. It's the perfect mix of character development, character relationships, and plot. I really felt like I knew and understood all the characters and was really invested in their stories. Also - who doesn't love a good mafia story? With magic, too!?

nikolinebjer's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

4.5

iainmclachlan's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

tiggy18's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5