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Jade City

(The Green Bone Saga #1)

Fonda Lee (Goodreads Author)

4.01 · Rating details · 5,712 ratings · 1,306 reviews

In this epic saga of magic and kungfu, four siblings battle rival clans for honor and power in an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis.

* World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, winner
* Aurora Award for Best Novel, winner
* Nebula Award for Best Novel, nominee
* Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, finalist

Jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, ...more

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Kindle Edition, 512 pages

Published November 7th 2017 by Orbit

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Jan 02, 2019 Chaima ✨ شيماء rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommended to Chaima ✨ شيماء by: CW (The Quiet Pond) ✨

Shelves: read-in-2019, sci-fi, adult, own-voices, fiction, lgbtqia-rep, fantasy, poc-rep, favorites, boys-love-boys

Physically, my body is here and now, but mentally, I’m in the astral plane beating myself up in an empty parking lot for NOT READING THIS BOOK SOONER.

With that being said, my condolences to anyone who will pick up this book because the experience of reading it is the equivalent of getting a piercing....through the heart....with a wooden stake.

So, what’s this book about?

Jade City is set in a world where jade confers great strength and power to those who can wield it—without risking madness or a ...more

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May 24, 2017 Fonda Lee added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Shelves: i-wrote-this

Jade City is my adult debut and it also marks my foray into epic fantasy. It came about from watching kung fu movies and thinking, "You know, I'm a long-time student of martial arts, so why can't I punch through concrete or fly thirty feet into the air yet?" I started envisioning a society where magical jade granted special abilities to warriors with the proper training and bloodline, and the idea merged with my longstanding enthusiasm for mafia stories to become this modern gangster family ...more

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Nov 10, 2018 Petrik rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Asian-inspired fantasy and urban fantasy fans

Shelves: owned-physical-books, favorites

4.5/5 stars

Incredible, the multiple nominees and awards this book has won are all well deserved.

Jade City, the first book in The Green Bone Saga series is also Fonda Lee’s adult fantasy debut. Ever since I knew about the existence of this novel, it has always been a book I wanted to read. As usual, the unbeatable TBR pile delayed me and I was so sure that I won’t be getting into this one until next year. However, after seeing the non-stop praises that Fonda Lee and the book constantly received, ...more

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Jun 24, 2017 karen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: from-publisher-or-author

NOW AVAILABLE!!

it took me an embarrassingly long time to get through this book. between life-sorrow and the early bitchslap of summer weather, i’ve been very bad at reading. however, once this clicked for me, i was completely hooked, and when i finished, i felt that very specific emotional mashup of yearning and frustration that comes when you read the first book in a series six months before it is even published, making the wait for the next book that much longer.

this is the author’s first NOW AVAILABLE!!

it took me an embarrassingly long time to get through this book. between life-sorrow and the early bitchslap of summer weather, i’ve been very bad at reading. however, once this clicked for me, i was completely hooked, and when i finished, i felt that very specific emotional mashup of yearning and frustration that comes when you read the first book in a series six months before it is even published, making the wait for the next book that much longer.

this is the author’s first novel for the adult market, and it’s really impressive. i’ve never read her YA, but if it’s anything like this, i’m interested.

on paper, it’s not really my kind of book - epic fantasy meets organized crime, rippling with all the unfamiliar names of characters, locations, ranks, and honorifics that give me agita trying to keep straight whenever i attempt to read fantasy, and filled with detailed fight sequences that tend to make my eyes glaze over trying to visualize ‘em. BUT, while i admit it took me a bit longer than i’m comfortable admitting to orient myself in this world, once i did, her worldbuilding blew my mind a little. this is such a dense and elaborate realm; a kinda-sorta japan, but with its own unique myths, religious rituals, caste system, culture, etc to which the reader is exposed gradually, almost incidentally, while following the story of two clans of superhuman warriors fighting for dominance, territory, and undisputed control over the supply of jade from which the clans derive their powers, while regular citizens are caught in the crossfire. but it’s not just battles and physical conflicts, it’s about family (and Family), politics, legacy, reputation, loyalty, and that always-unpleasant opposition between duty and desire.

it’s damn good, practically shakespearian.

lee is a martial artist herself, and she writes her fight scenes in a way that even i (a lover, not a fighter) can follow along with, which is a rare gift. she’s equally skilled in the emotional landscapes of her characters (of which there are many), creating a rich psychological component, and this thing is impressively thick with details of the hierarchies and roles and the complex social mechanics of this world. some of the names are better than others - it’s hard for me to get invested in the earnest fight for the region known as the Armpit, but who am i to judge another culture’s armpit-estimation?

i haven’t said much about the plot, because it’s one of those books where you can’t easily mention one element without attaching five qualifying/explanatory statements to it - backtracking to differentiate between Fists and Fingers, White Rats and stone-eyes, etc - and i think ‘warring crime syndicates with magical powers’ is enough to pinpoint the driving force behind the action.

it may have taken me a while to settle into the world, but i’m a notorious fantasy-dummy, so now that i’m comfortable here, bring on book two before i forget all this hard-won understanding!!

come to my blog! ...more

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Oct 24, 2017 James Lafayette Tivendale rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: freecopy, fantasy

I received a review copy of Jade City in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Fonda Lee and Orbit Books.

Although presently at a time of an uneasy peace, the city of Janloon is controlled by two rivals groups which are the No Peak Clan and the Mountain Clan. The families that run the clans are powerful and world famous as they mine and control the Jade. Jade is a precious stone that enhances a warriors capabilities in six disciplines. Strength, steel, perception, lightness, I received a review copy of Jade City in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Fonda Lee and Orbit Books.

Although presently at a time of an uneasy peace, the city of Janloon is controlled by two rivals groups which are the No Peak Clan and the Mountain Clan. The families that run the clans are powerful and world famous as they mine and control the Jade. Jade is a precious stone that enhances a warriors capabilities in six disciplines. Strength, steel, perception, lightness, deflection, and channelling. A "Jade warrior" becomes more formidable and Herculean when they earn and flaunt more of the jewels. There is a great focus on honour and tradition with how jewels can be obtained. When youngsters graduate from the warrior academy they can earn their first Jade but it's mostly obtained by the victor from a deceased rival following a duel or skirmish. These phenomenal powers and the potential have not gone unnoticed by the black market who are trying to get in on the act of distributing the highly sought after stones through unsavoury means to individuals who have not earned them. Interestingly though, for the untrained it is like a drug, overuse and withdrawal can lead to madness and death.

The entire narrative has an Oriental feel to it with a focus on clan life, traditions and martial arts. I'd say this book is a mix of To's - Election, Coppola's - The Godfather and the Jade can give it's wearers powers reminiscent of those seen in Lee's - Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. In fact, I often forgot I was reading a fantasy book as the stunning worldbuilding created a picture to me that all this was happening in a 1980's Hong Kong. Lee has created a world of immense depth. From Gods to complex clan hierarchies, to intricate past character relationships, to the science behind the fighting scenes. Some of the gang titles may seem unfamiliar at first but they never seem confusing and are cleverly caressed into the reader's mind. The hierarchy seems military-like in its presentation and the clans have a Pillar > Weather Man and Horn > Luckbringers and Fists > Fingers > Students.

The real stunning standout element of Jade City is the exceptionally deep and fully realised characters. The Pillar Lan is calm, intelligent and respected but runs his clan in the shadow of his Grandfather. His brother Hilo is the Horn and essentially the street armies general. His soldiers are fiercely loyal even if he flaunts an action first and ask questions later approach. Shae is their sister who returning following studying abroad at a time after a spat where her family turned her back on her. Finally Anden, the adopted cousin who's currently in his final year at the training academy. How they interact and work together with the threat of an upcoming turf-war is brilliant. There are about eight point of view characters, the above mentioned included but I truly don't think there was a weak character anywhere in this narrative. There is a complexity surrounding this books ensemble that is rarely seen in the first book of a series. The character progression is also exquisite as the times change, motives are influenced, and the running of their businesses are affected.

This is the first entry in The Green Bone Saga and I honestly can't wait to see what happens next. I didn't care about anything else whilst I was reading this and I just wanted to see what would become the characters. There are some emotionally shocking moments, some intricate and otherworldly fight scenes, and lots of loyalty, honour and tradition. Jade City is an epic, unique and often unforgiving gangster fantasy intertwined with glimpses of hope and goodness. The haunting nature of the world is also mixed with betrayals and a huge death toll. Recommended.

...more

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Dec 23, 2017 Philip rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-releases, fantasy, high-fantasy, urban-fantasy, top-5-2017, author-of-color, female-author

4.75ish stars.

Blown away. The holy trinity of great characterization, unique world-building, and well-written prose. In that sense I'm reminded of the Broken Earth series (starting with The Fifth Season), which is the only recent series I can think of that has reached the same distinction. I'm one of those nerds that has to read each of the novels nominated for the Nebula award even if I probably never would have otherwise. Glad I did in this case, even though the cover is lame, because I would ...more

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Jun 16, 2019 Hamad rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books, 2019-reads, paperbacks, good-covers

This review and other non-spoilery reviews can be found @The Book Prescription

“Expectations are a funny thing,” Wen said. “When you’re born with them, you resent them, fight against them. When you’ve never been given any, you feel the lack of them your whole life.”

I BR this with my friend Fares, he wrote a great review too so I need to go all out now! I am not a big fan of mafia and Yakuza and all these real life gangster thing! I don’t watch movies including them as I feel they are all the ...more

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Apr 16, 2018 ❄️Nani❄️ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fantasy-sci-fi, east-asia, near-favourites

Thank you. THANK YOU, FONDA LEE!

You wrote the book I was desperately searching for but didn’t know I was searching until I found it.

- A brilliantly constructed, brutal mob-like family saga.

- Epic territorial clan showdown between two jade-wielding clans known as Green Bones - the No Peak clan and the Mountain clan.

- Fight sequences so descriptive and vivid it’s like you’re watching a mothefucking badass martial arts movie.

- And the characters? I haven’t felt this level of connection with ...more

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Feb 22, 2018 Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fiction, all-time-favorites, fave-characters, fantasy, reread, 2018-read, 2018-favorites

Update 01/09 : rereading it with شيماء because her texts made it impossible for me to stay away from Hilo and also I MISS HIM-

First I'd like to clear the air and say that although I probably ought to be a better person by now, let it be known that I'll shamelessly judge you if you don't read Jade City. I wouldn't go as far as saying that we can't be friends if you don't, but, hey, we never know.

\_(ツ)_/

Jade City is the kind of books that make me second guess all my recent 5 stars reads - even ...more

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May 30, 2018 Em Lost In Books rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, 2010-19, 4-star, armchair-ir

I stumbled upon this book on pure chance, had not even known the existence of this title. I was going through list of last year’s releases and found this. Blurb sound interesting and someone has described this as “Godfather meets Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon". I usually don’t pay attention to these lines but damn I love those two movies. Hence I ended up reading sooner than expected, and this book did not disappoint me.

So this book tells us the story of Clan War between No Peak and the ...more

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May 05, 2018 Mary ~Ravager of Tomes~ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, year-2019, 5-star, lgbt, favorites, owned-physical, year-2018

Reading this for a second time in preparation for the sequel & tbh because I’ve just been dying to return to this story ...more

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Jul 11, 2019 C.G. Drews rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, epic-fantasy, read-2019

This was so INTENSE and utterly incredible...I'm just sitting here all fuelled on the power of wretched feels ahhhh. Just excuse me while [screams in jade] yes yes I love this book. Also I picked it up because of book twitter's fierce love for it and I was not disappointed. It took me a while to read though because it's more dense than what I usually pick. But I just wanted to absorb it all?? It's the kind of book where I was just impressed with the author's world building, the amount of detail, ...more

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Jun 16, 2019 Fares rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 3-and-a-half-stars

3.5 stars

I’m gonna take this first line right here to recommend this book right away, I mean I really do see why people would love this, so give it a try you never know.

If you told me before I started this that it’s a fantasy with a yakuza like clans in the early 1900s with cars, guns, planes and they use magic in jade stones. I would’ve said that I don’t know how I feel about this.
And I still don’t.

Characters

If I must give one reason and one reason only to my lack of enjoyment for this book it’ ...more

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Jul 03, 2018 Melanie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommended to Melanie by: CW (The Quiet Pond) ✨

Shelves: fantasy, adult, audible, erotic-scenes, read-in-2018, buddy-reads, lgbtqiap, own-voices, favorites, dark

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Jul 27, 2019 may ➹ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: asian-rep, buddy-reads, tears, 2019-reads, asian-rep-main, adult, lgbtqiap, gifted, poc, poc-author

despite how terribly heavy and dense this was... it’s safe to say I’m officially invested and am now in a love-hate relationship with Hilo

// buddy read with my Asian squad

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Jan 09, 2019 Scarlett Readz and Runz....Through Novel Time & Distance rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.25 stars

Cloaked in myth, Jade City is a fantastical journey of two clans fueled by the magical powers of jade, its mining trade, protection and the fight for the ultimate power.

The island nation of Kekon, mirroring mid-20th-century Hong Kong, is controlled by two major clans. The No Peak Clan and the Mountain Clan. There are hierarchies set in place and the clans have a Pillar > Weather Man and Horn > Luckbringers and Fists > Fingers and > students. For decades, the Green Bone ...more

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Mar 26, 2017 Justine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites-2017, canadian-content, 2017-read

4.5 stars - and after some thought I moved this book to my favourites-2017 shelf. It's really sticking with me.

I thought this was just such an excellent book. It takes a lot of the things I liked about New Moon by Ian McDonald - rich worldbuilding, compelling characters, a complex story based on conflict between dynastic families - and situates them in a unique Asian inspired urban fantasy setting that feels a bit like something out of an old school martial arts movie. The result here actually ...more

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Dec 10, 2019 Charlotte rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: rest-of-2019

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Read for my 2018 women of speculative fiction challenge.
“Expectations are a funny thing,” Wen said. “When you’re born with them, you resent them, fight against them. When you’ve never been given any, you feel the lack of them your whole life.”

I’ve broken my 2019 streak by going all the way back to 2017 – it’s that year’s World Fantasy Award winner, Jade City by Fonda Lee! Spoilers follow.

So What’s It About?

“The Kaul family is one of two crime syndicates that control the island of Kekon. It’s ...more

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Jun 09, 2019 TS Chan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: physical-owned

Fantasy readers have been calling out for more diversity and Jade City is a resoundingly good response.

The urban fantasy setting that heavily evoked Chinese gangster/crime syndicate movies, which I've grown up on, is a paradoxical breath of fresh air that carried the scent of nostalgia. All that was needed to make it even cooler and awesome was magic and martial arts.

I will not rehash the plot since the blurb said it all without spoilers. I found the world-building both refreshing and Fantasy readers have been calling out for more diversity and Jade City is a resoundingly good response.

The urban fantasy setting that heavily evoked Chinese gangster/crime syndicate movies, which I've grown up on, is a paradoxical breath of fresh air that carried the scent of nostalgia. All that was needed to make it even cooler and awesome was magic and martial arts.

I will not rehash the plot since the blurb said it all without spoilers. I found the world-building both refreshing and familiar. The island of Kekon in my mind was a vibrant blend of Hong Kong and Shanghai where both the seedy and sophisticated sat side by side, controlled and protected by powerful clans in exchange for tribute money.

It was the way of all things, to live and die at the whim of powerful creatures.

I loved how the author used jade as the source of power - both magically and monetarily - as this gem has always been viewed as the most venerated of all in East Asian cultures. The magical attributes of jade to those who can wield it, i.e. the Green Bones, reminded so much of Mistborn and Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson, which can only be a good thing since I adored everything that Sanderson has written. The same goes for the action scenes, which depicted with great efficiency the power of the Green Bones through superhuman abilities and kung-fu. What I appreciated, even more, was that there is a cost to wielding such power. Such rules within the narrative help to keep the story honest and hopefully not fall to silly deux ex machina traps.

Now to the best part, the characters. I swear that I felt like I was watching one of those old Chow Yuen Fatt movies again - respected clans and families, honour and duty. The solid and sensible leader of the family, an older brother who is overshadowed by his more adept and fiery younger brother, who commanded unfailing loyalty from his followers. While this is not original, it makes for a truly compelling story. Lan and Hilo are the two brothers I've mentioned and their stories are my favourites. Especially Hilo, whom I found incredibly attractive. He was not physically described in detail at all, but his charisma and his barely restrained passion which makes him volatile and violent pulled on me like a lodestone. It took me a while to warm up to the other main characters, Shae and Anden. But by the time the book ended, I was completely invested in what the future holds for them as well.

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

And the real war is coming...

You can purchase the book from Amazon | Book Depository (Free shipping worldwide)

You can also find this, and my other reviews at Novel Notions. ...more

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Feb 18, 2018 CW (The Quiet Pond) ✨ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, all-time-favourites, 2018-favourites, forever-in-my-heart, has-lgbtqa-rep, political-issues, diverse-shelf, urban-fantasy

My full review can be found at my blog, The Quiet Pond.

I think Jade City is, objectively, one of the best books I've read - EVER.
I know that's a very bold claim, but I'm serious: I am in AWE of this book and Lee's incredible skill and vision as a writer.

- Jade City can be described as a perfect merging of Hong Kong gangster drama with wuxia.
- It's an amazing story has everything from gripping fights between powerful warriors that draw power from bioenergetic jade, or Green Bones, to the ...more

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Jun 08, 2018 MeaganCM rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: anti-hero, favorites, urban-fantasy, diverse-main-characters, female-sff-adult, unique-magic-systems, all-time-favorites

"On my honor, my life, and my jade."

Overall thoughts:
First I have to say that I have not written many reviews this year and the ones I have written were just a mish mash of all my my thoughts. This has been the first time in a long time I have really wanted to sit down, organize my thoughts and write the review that this book deserves. Thank you Fonda Lee for this fucking masterpiece. Excuse my long review, but I LOVED this!

I am in absolute awe of Fonda Lee and the masterpiece she ...more

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Jan 06, 2019 Nenia ⚡ Aspiring Evil Overlord ⚡ Campbell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Nenia ⚡ Aspiring Evil Overlord ⚡ by: Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘

Shelves: poc-interracial, fantasy

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I'm a commitment-phobe when it comes to books. Long books scare me. I like the idea of long books, and the satisfaction that comes from reading one to completion, but it's a long and grueling road to that satisfaction. JADE CITY is a long book. Goodreads says it's not even 500 pages but I'm pretty sure that's a lie. It took me several days to finish JADE CITY, when I can normally read several shorter books in a day. But commitment-phobe ...more

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May 07, 2019 Nils | nilsreviewsit rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

‘No Peak defends and avenges are own. You wrong any of us, you wrong us all. You seek to war with us, and we will return it a hundredfold. No one will take from us what is ours!’
~
Jade City by Fonda Lee is the first book in the Green Bone saga. It’s been hailed as ‘Godfather-esque’, with a healthy mix of Asian inspired fantasy and Kung Fu. Well, hello! You have my interest, and yes I think I need this book in my life now! I’m so ecstatic to say that I feel the book lived up to this description as ...more

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Dec 15, 2017 Kaitlin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I'm pretty happy to say that this book, which I picked up largely based on the quotes from so many of my favourite authors which adorn its beautiful covers, was actually a really fun political fantasy. I usually don't enjoy politics in my fantasy too much, it can get dry or dull, but this book does a great job of involving lots of politics with a host of characters and some very wonderful plot-twists. This is set on an island called Kekon, where there is a single race who can wield the Jade I'm pretty happy to say that this book, which I picked up largely based on the quotes from so many of my favourite authors which adorn its beautiful covers, was actually a really fun political fantasy. I usually don't enjoy politics in my fantasy too much, it can get dry or dull, but this book does a great job of involving lots of politics with a host of characters and some very wonderful plot-twists. This is set on an island called Kekon, where there is a single race who can wield the Jade magic, and they are called the Green Bones. Within this race there are two major clans, No Peak and the One Mountain, and both of them have control of certain parts of the country and different industries. The two ruling families vie for power an control, and there are daily skirmishes, but as a new generation of Green Bones start to take power there is much more at stake than just territory and honour killings start to turn the tide into full-scale war once more.

Alongside this warring society we have the production of a drug called Shine which is supposed to give users the chance to wield Jade, much like those within the Green Bone families. As Jade is such a powerful weapon (it enhances your senses and greatly increases your power etc. but take a toll on the wearer even if they are a Green Bone) it's highly desirable, but being unable to wield it is a problem that this new drug may solve for many...

We follow quite a few different characters, most of whom are part of the No Peak tribe. We have Shae (sp? I was audio-booking this so I'm not certain of the spellings) who is a young woman who left the clan to go after a 'normal' life, leaving her Jade behind her.
We have Anden a young cousin of the leaders who is in training at the Academy to claim his Jade and join the clan as an adult.
We have Hilo the Horn of the clan and second in command to his brother who is the current leader. He's brutal and has a reputation for violence.
We have the Weatherman Doru who is an elderly advisor who helps give council to the Pillar/Leader of the clan.
We have the current Pillar/leader who is Lan, the eldest sibling of Shae and Hilo and is looked on favourably by most of those around him.

Overall, what I liked most about this was the way that it managed to be both exciting, fast-paced and political, but also have some real moments that shocked or excited me and some great moments where the characters learned from things happening around them. I really enjoyed it and I think it's a solid start to a series that I will continue with. 4*s from me :)
...more

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Sep 11, 2019 Bradley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, fantasy, 2019-shelf

I'm reviewing this purely from enjoyment. I had fun.

Every character was strong and very familiar to me since I've been a life-long fan of The Godfather. Yep. SO MUCH of the story seems to be a slight twist on the classic tale, but never far from that grand feel. I loved seeing the story twisted with SilkPunk, the addition of magic-granting Jade that enhances particular families' inherent abilities, be it strength, hardiness, speed, etc, and having the plot twisted further with an addictive drug ...more

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Dec 22, 2019 Thomas rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, lgbtq, own-electronic, read-on-nook

I liked this one a lot! Recommended for those searching for an Asian inspired urban fantasy. I felt impressed by the world-building in this book in particular, featuring warring mafia clans and a cool jade magic system that Fonda Lee wrote about in a detailed yet understandable way. Also, because I’m me, I found the themes of gender and patriarchy and toxic masculinity so interesting in Jade City. Lee wrote compelling female characters and I felt so intrigued by how she positions them in a ...more

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Nov 05, 2017 Lindsay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

On the island nation of Kekon, rival clans powered by mystical jade war for dominance in a mafia-like dynastic epic.

Green Bones are people of Kekon descent who have the unique ability to tolerate and channel the bio-energetic jade stones mined on the island. Kekonese society includes Green Bone clans who function basically like mafia families. The Kaul family controls the No Peak clan, the second largest of the Green Bone clans. Increasing tensions with the One Mountain clan who have a new and On the island nation of Kekon, rival clans powered by mystical jade war for dominance in a mafia-like dynastic epic.

Green Bones are people of Kekon descent who have the unique ability to tolerate and channel the bio-energetic jade stones mined on the island. Kekonese society includes Green Bone clans who function basically like mafia families. The Kaul family controls the No Peak clan, the second largest of the Green Bone clans. Increasing tensions with the One Mountain clan who have a new and ambitious leader threaten to escalate into a street war between the clans. Kaul Lan, the Pillar (leader) of the No Peak clan, and his brother Kaul Hilo, the Horn (head of the clan warriors) are relatively new to their roles and the One Mountain clan wish to exploit the perceived weakness. What follows is an epic tale as the clan and the members of the Kaul family evolve into their roles and meet the challenges that they are faced with, usually at great cost.

As has been pointed out in other reviews, this feels a lot like New Moon with larger than life figures carrying the weight of responsibility for hundreds of people and a dynastic tradition threatened by ambitious rivals with a better grasp of new ideas and a strong vision. Tragedy abounds, particularly with organization and family so deeply intertwined. War means loss of family, not just fellows, and war here is more bloody and tragic because of it.

I loved this book and nearly everything about it. The world-building is wonderful and I always think it's a bold choice to give a fantasy world nearly modern technology alongside of a believable magic system. This one goes the whole way with a believable society with a history based on a country recovering from a devastating world war and occupation by a foreign power. There's a real sense of history in this society, strongly rooted in tradition and religion. Also a world with its eyes on Kekon, the jade it produces, and it's place as a key factor in international politics.

Yet with all the attention paid to setting, it's also a deeply personal book with flawed characters who can't help but participate in the tragedy they find themselves in simply by being who they are. The judicious Kaul Lan, a peaceful leader of his clan who could be great, but is completely overmatched by his One Mountain rival. The brutal Kaul Hilo, savage and impulsive but so deeply devoted to his family that he can't distrust them, because to distrust his own family is a loss in itself. Their sister Kaul Shae, who looked for a future outside the clan, but is drawn inexorably back in. And their adopted brother Emery Anden, whose own history is more tragic than most, and whose own blood may mean his future is darker still.

My only criticism is that the book is over-long, with the war between the clans dragging out towards the second half of the book. I didn't mind though as time spent in this intricately well-imagined world was rewarding throughout. Looking forward to the next one. ...more

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Jul 27, 2019 Lily ☁️ rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Lily ☁️ by: CW (The Quiet Pond) ✨

Shelves: fantasy, book-series, asian-rep, buddy-reads, lgbtqiap-rep, adult, yarc-2019, first-in-series, poc-author

3 1/2 stars

The main thing I need to shout out into the void is: I love Anden!!! How dare this book end on such a note, though.

// buddy read with the Asian squad

Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Bloglovin’ ...more

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Dec 29, 2019 Mogsy (MMOGC) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs-and-galleys, fantasy, magic, review-copy, urban

5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/01/06/...

I’m really kicking myself for having taken so long to pick up and read Jade City. But perhaps it is also a blessing in disguise, because the second book is out now, and this was definitely a story that made me want to pick up the sequel right away to see what happens next. A completely absorbing and compulsive read, Fonda Lee’s adult fantasy debut held me spellbound in its grip from the beginning pages to the very end.

5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/01/06/...

I’m really kicking myself for having taken so long to pick up and read Jade City. But perhaps it is also a blessing in disguise, because the second book is out now, and this was definitely a story that made me want to pick up the sequel right away to see what happens next. A completely absorbing and compulsive read, Fonda Lee’s adult fantasy debut held me spellbound in its grip from the beginning pages to the very end.

Imagine The Godfather in an Asian-inspired fantasy setting, and you have a good starting point for the premise behind this novel. We are transported to the city of Janloon, controlled by two rival families—the Kauls of the No Peak Clan and the Ayts of the Mountain Clan. Our main characters are Lan, Hilo, and Shae, three Kaul siblings who have been raised from birth to be loyal to their blood and name, knowing that one day the heavy burden of the territorial conflict will fall to them. But there’s more to the issue than simply who can own the most property or buy the most loyalty; there is also the jade trade to consider, and whoever controls that will have a huge advantage, because magical jade and its ability-enhancing qualities is what makes this world go round.

And really, the world-building in this novel is nothing short of incredible. For instance, just take a look at the vast body of lore and magic systems built around jade. For Green Bone families, like the Kauls, jade is more than a valuable commodity, it is a way of life. Its magical properties allow those who can harness its powers to gain special abilities, increasing their battle prowess and fortitude. There is also a time-honored code of ritual surrounding how a Green Bone warrior can obtain jade, including earning it through study, inheriting it through a family member, or seizing it from an enemy after killing them in battle. The more of these precious stones a warrior wears, the more powerful they become, though too much jade can also be dangerous, its overwhelming effects breaking even the strongest minds. Green Bones must receive special training to fight effectively with jade, as well as to recognize the early symptoms of its negative effects. These secrets are jealously guarded, and as a resource, jade is also strictly controlled by the nation of Kekon, forbidden for use by foreigners. There are even some who are completely immune to jade so that it is impossible for them harness its powers, and these individuals are labeled as unfortunate and unlucky (even though there are plenty of useful jobs these “stone-eyes” can obtain while being highly paid for). A street rat named Bero gives us a glimpse into the black market, showing just how desperate some people can become in their attempt to get their hands on some jade.

But when a new drug emerges, said to allow anyone to wield jade, tensions in the war between No Peak and the Mountain are elevated to dangerous levels. Kaul Lan, the eldest son who has assumed the mantle of the Pillar following the retirement of his grandfather and death of his father, must now prepare to lead his family through violent times ahead. His hot-headed brother Hilo, the clan’s Horn and top enforcer, is standing strong behind him, ready to bring the fight to the Mountain. However, their sister Shae, recently returned from her self-imposed exile, has remained adamant about not being involved the family business even though she would be perfect as the clan’s advisor or Weather Man, especially now that the current one is suspected to be corrupt.

The character connections here, particularly the ones related to family, are delightfully complex and steeped in subtlety and meaning. These relationships are never explicated stated; instead, Lee weaves a cleverly nuanced narrative that shows rather than tells us where all these interactions and associations might be headed: Lan might be too soft-hearted to do what is necessary, Hilo too impulsive to know what is best for No Peak clan, Shae’s hesitancy makes her all but MIA. And meanwhile, in the Kaul-owned academy for Green Bone warriors, their young cousin and adopted brother Anden who is getting ready to graduate and earn his first jade provides another perspective. Technically an outsider, Anden is nevertheless well-loved and cherished. It’s becoming increasingly likely that his class would be graduating into an all-out war, and the time to pledge alliances is now, though Anden isn’t sure how he feels about his family’s mobster politics or the way jade can utterly destroy a mind.

Jade City starts off slow, but in spite of that, the story was never uninteresting or tedious. The novel drew me in by degrees, fascinating me with layer upon layer of world-building before kicking it into high gear once the No Peak/Mountain war heats up. I loved the themes of family, honor and loyalty. It’s also interesting to me how different members of the Kauls viewed the ancient ways of jade and blood, and for some, that may prove to be their undoing in these modern times, where martial tradition has given way to commercialism and profit. Lee’s well-rounded characters feel genuine as they react realistically and sympathetically to the pressures placed upon them. The result is a vibrant mob family drama with plenty of intrigue and action, which overall I found both entertaining and emotionally engaging.

Like I said, I can’t believe I waited so long to read this novel, which has become a new favorite. But at least now I have its sequel Jade War in hand, and I’m looking forward to reading it soon! ...more

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Mar 26, 2018 Fafa's Book Corner added it · review of another edition

Mini review:

DNF

Jade City has been circling on Twitter and GR. After seeing my friend's glowing reviews I wanted to read it. It wasn't what I expected.

I have to give the author credit for creating such an impressive world. I felt that I was walking amongst the characters. The idea of Jade having magical powers was also very unique! The mafia organization also made sense. I especially appreciated that Jade City was adult rather than young adult. And the author didn't fall into the main tropes ...more

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About Fonda Lee

Fonda Lee

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Fonda Lee is an author of science fiction and fantasy novels for adults and teens. Her fantasy trilogy, the Green Bone Saga, begins with Jade City, which won the 2018 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, was a finalist for the Nebula and Locus Awards, and was named a Best Book of 2017 by NPR, Barnes & Noble, Powell's Books, Syfy Wire, and the Verge. Her young adult science fiction novels, ...more

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The Green Bone Saga (3 books)

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Quotes from Jade City

“Screw you, Hilo,” she snapped. “I can kill my ex-boyfriends myself.” — 17 likes

“Any old horse will run when it's whipped, but only fast enough to avoid the whipping," Hilo said. "Racehorses, though, they run because they look at the horse on their left, they look at the one on their right, and they think, No way am I second to these fuckers.” — 10 likes

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