A review by afictionalescapist
Jade War by Fonda Lee

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 

Jade War – Review – Book Two in the Green Bone Saga

Jade War really ups the ante from book one. Where we were focusing largely on one family and an opposing clan, we are now seeing this world expand and external players come to the forefront with their own motivations. Book two of the Green Bone Saga also expands the conversations, how much does loyalty matter? Are your actions honourable just because you believe them to be? Where are the lines drawn? We also see just how syndicate level crime infiltrates every aspect of a family’s life, and how deep those roots are. The reader is introduced to new generations, following the leaders into more mistakes, more devastation and setting up the next stage of the vicious cycle. 

This series is so tense, there were several times when listening to the audiobook I had to stop and just focus on the story, because I was so immersed in what was happening. I hardly ever agree with the choices our characters are making, but Lee does such a wonderful job of making the reader understand where those decisions come from. 

The characters have humanising moments, that are tender, and feel so real, that you empathise almost without realising that .. ultimately they aren’t the best of people. Although I am pretty sure I lost hair listening to this book, I cannot WAIT to dive into Jade Legacy and see how this all pans out.