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A review by christinecc
Jade City by Fonda Lee
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
It's got everything: Family drama. Mafiosi drama. Kung Fu action mixed with Wuxia and fantasy battles. And, of course, Jade.
"Jade City" centers on the eponymous city, really named Janloon but known to the outside world by its nickname. Janloon is run by two major gangs: the No Peak gang, and the Mountain gang, who were once a united force of resistance fighters against the colonizing Western forces. Now, in a pseudo-1920s/1970s time, Janloon is free, the war is only remembered through the tales of grandparents, and the young generation runs the streets.
Our heroes: the No Peaks, headed by the intimidating Kaul family:
-Lan, the eldest brother who is in his early/mid-thirties and has borne the responsibilities of his gang at too early an age;
-Hilo, the hotheaded right-hand man in charge of the gang's muscle;
-Shae, the sister who fled the family business to seek an education and career outside the Jade City; and
-Anden, the adoptive sibling still in school, doted on as the baby of the family but keenly aware of his true family's tragic past (not to mention all the stigma surrounding his biracial heritage in a deeply insular community).
I went in completely blind but if you look at any description of the book or interview with author Fonda Lee, you'll see very clear mentions of The Godfather movies. While "Jade City" does include some very fun and effective callbacks to the 70s films. ( The one that tipped me off was the scene where Anden is hijacked by the rival gang in order to pass a strategic proposal back to his family head. Also the offer is about getting into a narcotics business so... yes, definitely a Godfather callback with its own very original flair, for reasons I won't go into here, but mainly due to the way the offer is received by the family and the subsequent consequences. )
Seriously, this is a great crime drama with high stakes, characters we come to care for, and a lot of black-and-white feelings in a world that doesn't hide its grey morality. What seems clear to one person is obviously more complex for another, and Lee's handling of a multi-POV story (only ever in third-person limited rather than first-person) is stunning and masterful. And that doesn't even cover the history and inherited trauma of Jade City's gang and the war that gave it prosperity at the cost of blood, legendary tales, and lifelong duty.
Although I would have liked to see more of a particular character who disappeared for most of the middle section and has a big comeback at the end, this is an absolutely fantastic read. It's satisfying by itself, but if you want more, Lee's got two more books in the series.
Recommended for anyone who love high-stakes family drama, adventures in the insular bubble of the Family Business, and action that elbows you in the face... in a good way, I mean.
"Jade City" centers on the eponymous city, really named Janloon but known to the outside world by its nickname. Janloon is run by two major gangs: the No Peak gang, and the Mountain gang, who were once a united force of resistance fighters against the colonizing Western forces. Now, in a pseudo-1920s/1970s time, Janloon is free, the war is only remembered through the tales of grandparents, and the young generation runs the streets.
Our heroes: the No Peaks, headed by the intimidating Kaul family:
-Lan, the eldest brother who is in his early/mid-thirties and has borne the responsibilities of his gang at too early an age;
-Hilo, the hotheaded right-hand man in charge of the gang's muscle;
-Shae, the sister who fled the family business to seek an education and career outside the Jade City; and
-Anden, the adoptive sibling still in school, doted on as the baby of the family but keenly aware of his true family's tragic past (not to mention all the stigma surrounding his biracial heritage in a deeply insular community).
I went in completely blind but if you look at any description of the book or interview with author Fonda Lee, you'll see very clear mentions of The Godfather movies. While "Jade City" does include some very fun and effective callbacks to the 70s films. (
Seriously, this is a great crime drama with high stakes, characters we come to care for, and a lot of black-and-white feelings in a world that doesn't hide its grey morality. What seems clear to one person is obviously more complex for another, and Lee's handling of a multi-POV story (only ever in third-person limited rather than first-person) is stunning and masterful. And that doesn't even cover the history and inherited trauma of Jade City's gang and the war that gave it prosperity at the cost of blood, legendary tales, and lifelong duty.
Although I would have liked to see more of a particular character who disappeared for most of the middle section and has a big comeback at the end, this is an absolutely fantastic read. It's satisfying by itself, but if you want more, Lee's got two more books in the series.
Recommended for anyone who love high-stakes family drama, adventures in the insular bubble of the Family Business, and action that elbows you in the face... in a good way, I mean.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence