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
The Kaul siblings’ battle with rival clans reaches new heights in the heart-pounding continuation of the Green Bone Saga, an epic trilogy about family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of blood and jade.
On the island of Kekon, the Kaul family is locked in a violent feud for control of the capital city and the supply of magical jade that endows trained Green Bone warriors with supernatural powers they alone have possessed for hundreds of years.
Beyond Kekon’s borders, war is brewing. Powerful foreign governments and mercenary criminal kingpins alike turn their eyes on the island nation. Jade, Kekon’s most prized resource, could make them rich – or give them the edge they’d need to topple their rivals.
Faced with threats on all sides, the Kaul family is forced to form new and dangerous alliances, confront enemies in the darkest streets and the tallest office towers, and put honor aside in order to do whatever it takes to ensure their own survival—and that of all the Green Bones of Kekon.
MY REVIEW
Jade War is a sensational second installment in The Green Bone Saga that dodges “second-book syndrome” with a vengeance, cranking the jade-fueled battle from Janloon’s streets to a global stage. Set 16 months after Jade City, the Kaul family of the No Peak Clan navigates a fragile truce with the rival Mountain Clan, while the rise of SN1 shine throws Kekon’s power structure into chaos. Foreign powers like Espenia and the Uwiwa Islands get involved, as jade smuggling and global tensions threaten the island’s stability. Lee leans hard into intricate political machinations, blending the intensity of a yakuza epic with global intrigue that kept me glued to the pages.
Shae anchors Jade War, a role the Subterranean Press edition’s cover nails perfectly, as No Peak’s Weather Man, showing off her sharp intelligence and driving the clan’s strategies through a web of espionage and diplomacy. Whether she’s outwitting Espenians or facing off against Ayt Mada, Shae’s personal sacrifices hit like a gut punch. Hilo, now Pillar, rocks that fierce charisma I loved in Jade City, but his protective streak for Wen and their kids shows the toll of leadership as he battles smugglers and foreign threats. Anden, exiled to Espenia, wrestles with his jadeless life and mixed heritage, uncovering a hidden Green Bone community while finding new purpose through moments of bravery that show how much he’s grown since the first book.
Lee’s world-building continues to be a beacon, weaving Kekon’s honor for their gods and rigid jade hierarchy into a sprawling global conflict I couldn’t get enough of. The Oortoko War and Espenian meddling ramp up the tension, while mythology interludes add poetic depth to the saga’s scope. Lee’s prose balances visceral jade-fueled action, like Hilo’s brutal showdowns, with the quiet weight of political maneuvering, making every scene pop. Kekon’s cultural vibes bring the story to life, with the jade hierarchy forcing the Kauls to juggle external threats and their society’s expectations in a fascinating push-and-pull dynamic.
“Change is inevitable, Kaul-jen; the only question is whether we control its direction or become victims of a landslide.”
The emotional depth is Jade War‘s knockout punch, diving into the Kauls’ losses and resilience. Lee doesn’t hold back, wielding her pen like a talon knife, characters you love aren’t safe, and every death lands like a sucker-punch, making Shae’s struggles, Hilo’s loyalty, and Anden’s self-discovery hit even harder. Even with politics taking center stage, the intricate plotting and raw stakes match Jade City‘s action-packed vibe, keeping me hooked on No Peak’s fight for survival.
The supporting cast in Jade War is pure dynamite, lighting up the clan wars with their own stakes and swagger. Wen, with her stone-eye grit, proves she’s more than just Hilo’s heart. Ayt Mada’s cold, calculating vibe as the Mountain Clan’s Pillar makes every clash feel like a high-stakes chess game, while new faces like Dauk Coru and the Crew in Espenia and Ti Pasuiga in Uwiwa Islands add fresh flavor to the saga’s expanding world. From loyal fists to scheming rivals, they weave a vibrant web of alliances and betrayals that makes No Peak’s fight a family affair you can’t look away from.
Jade War excels as an easy five stars for me. Andrew Kishino’s narration crushes the emotional stakes, with each male voice distinct and vivid, but the female voices blend together, lacking the same individuality. I still don’t care for sex scenes and never will, so I skipped over them, but if they’re your thing, more power to you to enjoy them. Aside from that, Jade War was flawless and with that jaw-dropping ending, I’m counting the seconds to dive into Jade Legacy!
Wolfmantula.com 