Search For A Review:
Reviews are in order by last name of author.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G| H | I | J | K | L | M |
| N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
| Books of the Year | About Me |
| ARC Reviews | Recent Posts |
| The Den (Home) |
MY ⭐️ RATING: 5/5
Format: Kindle Whispersync
BOOK DESCRIPTION
In this World Fantasy Award-winning novel of magic and kungfu, four siblings battle rival clans for honor and power in an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis.
*Named one of TIME’s Top 100 Fantasy Books Of All Time
* World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, winner
Jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for — and for centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their magical abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion.
Now, the war is over and a new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon’s bustling capital city. They care about nothing but protecting their own, cornering the jade market, and defending the districts under their protection. Ancient tradition has little place in this rapidly changing nation.
When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone — even foreigners — wield jade, the simmering tension between the Kauls and the rival Ayt family erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones — and of Kekon itself.
MY REVIEW
Jade City, the killer opener to the Green Bone Saga, throws you into Janloon, a vibrant city with Hong Kong roots, where streets are run with martial arts flair, the blend of cultures is what makes this world so beautiful and unique. The story follows the Kaul family, leaders of the No Peak Clan, as they clash with the rival Mountain Clan over magical jade that gives Green Bone warriors superhuman abilities. Tensions escalate with the rise of an illegal drug enabling non-jade users to wield its power, shaking up the city’s balance. Often compared to The Godfather, Jade City is more like a yakuza epic with a fantasy spin, as Lee crafts a world of family loyalty, betrayal, and power struggles that keeps you hooked from page one.
The characters are Jade City’s heart, each with their own drive. Kaul Lan, the Pillar, stays calm under the weight of leadership, while Hilo, my favorite, is a fiery Horn with swagger and fierce loyalty, commanding No Peak’s fighters. Shae, the youngest Kaul, returns from abroad and wrestles with her clan role, her sharp smarts shining as the Weather Man. Anden Emery, a mixed-race teen, faces identity struggles, his courage and heart making him stand out. Ayt Mada, the Mountain Clan’s ruthless Pillar, fuels the war with cunning plans, backed by her fearsome Horn, Gont Asch, a brute who dominates the streets. The Maik siblings, Wen, Kehn, and Tar, add grit and depth, while Bero, a scrappy jade thief, stirs up the wild, messy side of Janloon’s streets. The mix of love, tension, and duty, set against Ayt Mada’s schemes, gives the clan conflict serious emotional punch.
Lee’s writing is vivid and punchy, bringing Janloon’s culture to life without overwhelming you. She balances intense action with thoughtful moments, making street fights and family pressures feel real. The world-building is awesome, with details like Kekon’s gods, clan rules, and the stigma around stone-eyes and Abukei people adding layers to the jade-driven society. Mythology interludes offer a cool, poetic break from the story’s intensity, tying the conflict to a bigger picture.
“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.”
As a martial arts film enthusiast, I couldn’t help but imagine a new Jade City screen adaptation, after Peacock decided to cancel their version before it could even happen. Woo Do-hwan, with his electric energy and fight skills from The King: Eternal Monarch, would nail Hilo, owning every scene. Jessica Henwick, blending brains and toughness from Iron Fist, is perfect for Shae, capturing her smarts and jade-fueled moves. Ludi Lin, with his grounded depth from Mortal Kombat, would shine as Lan, balancing leadership and doubts. Ryan Potter, tapping his Titans heart, would bring Anden’s mixed-race struggles and loyalty to life. Dallas Liu, with his scrappy edge from Shang-Chi, would kill it as Bero, stirring up Janloon’s messy streets. Gong Li, fierceness from Memoirs of a Geisha, would dominate as Ayt Mada, driving the Mountain Clan’s war, with Ma Dong-seok’s massive presence from The Roundup making Gont Asch a beast. This cast is rooted in East Asian heritage, which helps amplify the novel’s themes of family, loyalty, and power, bringing Janloon to the screen in style. You can thank me later for this perfect casting (takes a bow)
While the Jade City excels in its pacing and tension, the audiobook narration by Andrew Kishino, though strong overall, struggles to differentiate female voices from male ones. This didn’t necessarily kill the immersion for me since he nailed the action and drama of the story, but it was a slight hiccup. I’m also not fan of sex scenes in books and generally find them unnecessary, though I understand why it’s there for the characters, it’s just one of those “skip to the next page” things for me. These minor quibbles didn’t take away from Lee’s storytelling, which kept me hooked with its seamless blend of action, intrigue, and emotional stakes.
Jade City is a stellar urban fantasy, weaving crime drama and epic fantasy into a story you can’t put down. Lee’s take on power, family, and identity, against the Mountain Clan’s ruthless plans, hits deep, and I’m stoked to dive back into Janloon for the sequels. The audiobook’s voice mix-up and skippable sex scenes didn’t slow me down—the vivid world, gripping characters, and relentless action make this a must-read. I now understand why Petrik Leo loves this series so much, and I’m saddened I took so long to read it, so if you love tight family bonds or jade-charged battles, Jade City is going to win you over ten-fold.
Wolfmantula.com 