A review by miak2
Jade City by Fonda Lee

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? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
The clan is my blood, and the pillar is its master.


This book was everything. It had me laughing out loud, almost in tears, and curled up under my blanket with my heart racing as I raced through pages to make sure everyone I loved was okay. (They weren't always).

Lee created such a masterpiece here (and I've heard the series gets better with each book?! What??) The worldbuilding was exquisite. Everything was so well thought out - from small details like unique sports to bigger pictures like growing tensions between countries. The story was delightfully draped in the culture, religion, and traditions of those from Kekon. It all felt very real, which isn't always the case in the fantasy genre, and that made the stakes and the consequences that much more dire.

Which - by the way - holy hell Fonda Lee. I know we've just been introduced but you can't play with my emotions like that. Every loss, every setback incurred by the No Peak clan made me feel personally affronted. While I escaped into this book, the Kauls were my family and, as such, every event in the book became deeply personal. Again, very rude of you Fonda Lee, I was having a good day before this. I freaking adored her characters, they were so fleshed out and human, and all of their insecurities and personal conflicts really helped make this book stand out.

I'm not sure that I'm emotionally prepared for the next book, but I'll still be eagerly refreshing my Libby holds until it's ready. 
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