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A review by christinecc
Jade War by Fonda Lee
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
- 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
4.0
Good grief, Fonda Lee is trying to kill us. This book has somehow managed the impossible: a satisfying sequel?? But how??
The Kaul fam drama continues, with a healthy helping of Slow War between the No Peak Clan and the Mountain Clan. Hilo's the hot-head middle sibling put in a position of power and leadership he never expected to fill (after the sudden death of best big brother Lan). Shae's the Kaul patriarch's favorite grandchild, favored even over Hilo. Despite being the prodigal daughter in 'Jade City," Shae is now the trusted Weatherman with big shoes to fill (and always more conflict about how she feels about this life that relies so deeply on jade, death, and power). Finally, we have Anden, the baby of the family. Estranged from the jade-filled life he expected to lead but strayed from, Anden is exiled to fill a new role far from home, where he can be useful. But what does that mean? And will it bring Anden the sense of security and family he so desperately seeks? Can he only be happy at the cost of wearing jade?
Don't talk to me about Bero. This man is an ambulatory trashfire circus and every time he appears I have no clue what catastrophe he could possible bring about or witness next.
But most of all, I love Jade War and its Green Bone series for its thrilling drama. The action is cinematically vivid, the politics and street turf wars are even more fleshed out with Kekkon's history and culture, but the real selling point of the series is the family at its core. The Kauls are in a bad business. Lee doesn't romanticize the realities of living in a clan where loyalty trumps all and missteps come at a high price. But the Kauls are the beating heart of this story. Hilo and Wen, Shae and her inner turmoil, Anden and his search for approval... even the fearsome leader of the opposing Mountain clan has a family drama of her own, ready for us to unwind and pour over.
Recommended to anyone, even if they don't usually like fantasy, who enjoys family drama, high stakes, crime stories, and a plot you just can't see coming. (Also: the third book is excellent, so enter with no fear. This roller coaster nails every loop-de-loop.)
The Kaul fam drama continues, with a healthy helping of Slow War between the No Peak Clan and the Mountain Clan. Hilo's the hot-head middle sibling put in a position of power and leadership he never expected to fill (after the sudden death of best big brother Lan). Shae's the Kaul patriarch's favorite grandchild, favored even over Hilo. Despite being the prodigal daughter in 'Jade City," Shae is now the trusted Weatherman with big shoes to fill (and always more conflict about how she feels about this life that relies so deeply on jade, death, and power). Finally, we have Anden, the baby of the family. Estranged from the jade-filled life he expected to lead but strayed from, Anden is exiled to fill a new role far from home, where he can be useful. But what does that mean? And will it bring Anden the sense of security and family he so desperately seeks? Can he only be happy at the cost of wearing jade?
Don't talk to me about Bero. This man is an ambulatory trashfire circus and every time he appears I have no clue what catastrophe he could possible bring about or witness next.
But most of all, I love Jade War and its Green Bone series for its thrilling drama. The action is cinematically vivid, the politics and street turf wars are even more fleshed out with Kekkon's history and culture, but the real selling point of the series is the family at its core. The Kauls are in a bad business. Lee doesn't romanticize the realities of living in a clan where loyalty trumps all and missteps come at a high price. But the Kauls are the beating heart of this story. Hilo and Wen, Shae and her inner turmoil, Anden and his search for approval... even the fearsome leader of the opposing Mountain clan has a family drama of her own, ready for us to unwind and pour over.
Recommended to anyone, even if they don't usually like fantasy, who enjoys family drama, high stakes, crime stories, and a plot you just can't see coming. (Also: the third book is excellent, so enter with no fear. This roller coaster nails every loop-de-loop.)