A review by miak2
The Jade Setter of Janloon by Fonda Lee

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective 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

 
"Sometimes the gods rain shit on us. Good luck, kid."


I read the entirety of The Green Bone Saga earlier this year, but even so it was so refreshing to dive back into this universe. It's such a testament to the world that Fonda Lee created, because I wouldn't feel so sentimental over a place that didn't feel so real. And how, in just over 100 pages, she managed to add even more worldbuilding? I mean, c'mon. Is she even human?

Pulo's perspective was such an interesting one to follow. He's outside of the two major clans, and as such he has such a different Janloon experience compared to the Green Bones with whom we'd spent time the main series. He was a frustrating character at times, but in the end, I found him quite sympathetic. The plot of this was fun and fast-paced, but, in typical Fonda fashion, she also managed to weave in touching character moments and relevant social commentary.

And I can't not talk about how emotional I was at the appearance of characters from the main series. It was especially refreshing to see them as viewed from someone else's eyes - someone with no affiliation to either clan, nor personal familiarity with them. The original series put me through an emotional blender and getting to see a few of the characters I'd spent so much time with again was almost more than I could handle. God, I love this series.

The clan is my blood and the Pillar is its master. 
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