This is a standalone prequel novel set in the world of the Green Bone Saga. It is rare to capture a world so detailed and immersive but Lee pulls this off. The Green Bone Saga is exactly the kind of series I could talk about for ages and never feel like I did it any justice.I can't wait to see what Fonda Lee does next.

**Review will be published on my site and socials July 25th,2023**

I MISSED THEM ALL.

I loved this collection so much!!! The Green Bone Saga is one of my all time favorite fantasy series and when I heard we were getting a few more short stories, I HAD TO HAVE IT. And it delivered.

Seeing everyone again, learning some more back stories, seeing the beginnings of love, it’s all here. I love that Fonda Lee wrote these and that I got a chance to be back in this world. I found each one engaging and quick and that it added another layer to how I view the characters from the trilogy. This is a must read for those who love this series!

Note: I think this is best read after finishing the series (but also could be read after at least reading book one, Jade City). The author adds some comments after each short story about why she chose to write it and its connection to the larger story.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Novella Collection
Language: some strong
Romance: 2 open door; high explicit
Violence: moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: suicide, physical altercations, murder, loss of a parent

4.5 stars rounded up!

I really enjoyed these short stories. The first two stories were my favorite. I love Ayt Mada and would kill to see more stories about her past. I also love Lan, so the second story was a delight.

The last two stories weren't my favorite, but they were still good and add a lot to the background of the characters in them. I wish this had been longer because I absolutely flew through it and was sad when it ended.

The Greenbone saga is a series I will always love returning to. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the series!

This is going to be a short review because at this point The Greenbone Saga is in "if you know you know, and if you don't you don't" territory. What Fonda Lee has produced over 3 chunky novels, a novella, and now four short stories is nothing short of stupendous - a multigenerational epic of family, loyalty, political conflict, colonialism, and much more. These are a perfect little morsel, a little post-dinner snack, to everything that has come before. Greenbone fans are sure to enjoy all four of these stories as we travel back into Fonda Lee's world.

The four short stories contained within Jade Shards all are prequels to The Greenbone Saga. They are not a good starting place for the series. You should have read the entire trilogy before diving into this short collection (although the novella Jade Setter of Janloon is not required reading for this one).

Opening Jade Shards I was instantly transported back to Janloon, one of my favorite fantasy cities, and the Kauls of the No Peak Clan. These four stories don't introduce any new twists or turns into what we know of the Kauls, and this is what I appreciated most about Jade Shards. Outside of maybe the fourth short story, none of them are particularly plot based. Instead, Lee gives us readers the pleasure to just spend more time with some of our favorite characters. These stories lean back rather than lean in. They are about small interactions and connections that readers know will one day have far reaching consequences. In these stories Lee doesn't challenge, change, or transform the histories of the characters that we know from The Greenbone Saga, but rather gives those histories just a bit more detail, a bit more texture.

When we first met the Kauls in the beginning of Jade City they were already established adults. Lan was already ready to inherit leadership of the clan. Shae had already attempted an escape from her family's life. Hilo was already ready to cut his life short through clan violence. And Anden was already an orphan. These situations don't change in Jade Shards, but we do get a closer glimpse of how each of these characters got to this point. How did Lan come to adopt Anden? How did Hilo and Wen meet? What was Shae returning from? We get these answers, and they aren't mind blowing. These are slice of life stories, and that is always what Lee has been good at. Despite the global political games the Kauls got themselves embroiled in, what Lee always mastered were the smaller moments that were about family and connection. And those talents are on display here once again.

My personal favorite story was the first one, The Witch and her Friend because we got both a snapshot of Anden's mother, who we had heard about but not really seen in The Greenbone Saga, and one of fantasy's best complex villains - Ayt Mada. The complexity that Lee is able to bring to these characters, particularly Anden's mother, in such a short amount of time is impressive.

I don't really have to say much more. If you are a Greenbone fan and aren't ready yet to let that world go, snatch up this book as soon as you can. Lee is once again at the top of her game here and you won't be disappointed. I was more than happy to just get to spend the smallest bit of time with some of my favorite characters in all of literature. Would I have liked more? Always. But these are immensely satisfying on their own and I savored each one.

THANK YOU SO MUCH MADAM FONDA LEE FOR THIS TREASURE ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💚💚💚💚

I miss them so sooooo much and get to see them in pages again is everything I could wish for.

Alive, and well, and young 💚💚

In a more serious note:
- I LOVE THE BOOK LAYOUT. IT'S SO PRETTY.
- It consists of 4 well written short stories. You can read it first without reading Jade City, but it will give a much better experience if you have read Jade City.
- I'M NOT PREPARED FOR BETTER THAN JADE 😭🥹👌👌 (tags: porn with feelings)
- Loves and giggles and actions
- Able to be finished in one sitting. PAGE TURNING I DONT WANT THIS TO END

This is the kind of novella I read directly after I got it. Hell with my tbr list 😭

Brb bcs I need to reread Jade City after this.


Thanks subpress and Netgalley for the arc. IM SATED 💚

I *squealed* with joy receiving an ARC of Jade Shards by Fonda Lee. The Green Bone Saga is one of my favorites fantasy series to date, and I really enjoy Fonda Lee's writing. I knew being back in this world for these short stories would be bittersweet and it was.
Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

**5 stars**

These were all character driven short stories in my opinion. I believe the last was the most plot heavy, but even then we got a great glimpse into the character that was being highlighted. I was delighted to learn more about each character, as they all left an impact on me after finishing the Green Bone Saga. The character evolutions from Jade Shards into the trilogy itself are amazing, and here I really got an insightful glimpse into the pre-beginnings of Jade City. Honestly, I wish we had a whole second book of shorts stories from this world, to look into how even more stories, relationships and events fell into place. We didn't have much more world building in this book, but as we explored the world during the trilogy, it was not necessary.

As always, Fonda Lee's writing is one of my favorites; it's captivating, heart wrenching and flows so well within the story and world. For me, she captures the atmosphere and central essence of the emotions in all her characters and stories. I feel like I am right there with them, feeling very involved and invested, feeling WITH them.

I think my favorite short story involved Hilo and Wen, and seeing a softer, more nervous side of Hilo when he was younger was really sweet and human.

I enjoyed this collection of prequel short stories from the Green Bone Saga world immensely, and am overjoyed I was given an advanced copy to read and review. For any lovers of the Green Bone Saga, this collection is a must!

It’s always wonderful to go back to this world. The stories were all interesting and I absolutely loved seeing the characters I already loved in these different lights. I honestly would love to see Ayt Mada’s rise in the clan after seeing how she was before that. I didn’t think this world could have been detailed any more after the trilogy but I’ve been proven wrong twice!

I couldn’t even described my feeling after finished reading this book. Am i crying? YES. Am i beyond happy? YES.
There’s 4 short stories, and it’s highlighted the event before Jade City.

I’m so glad that i could see Anden’s mom Aun Ure, and see how she becomes the Witch. Her full story of being heavily Jaded woman and not just her tragic story. “My mistakes gave me Anden” i’m shaking 😭

Then omggg Kaul Lanshinwan, the kindest purest soul. I lost my words.
He’s the Angel. I couldn’t imagine Kaul family without Amery Anden. Indeed Lan made one of the best decision ever.

Hilo as a teenager radiating his HOTness like i can’t resist this torture miss Fonda Lee 😭 and as fonda lee said in her note Hilo and Wen are strong individuals, but neither would be who they are without the other. (But still my heart feel ache when i remembered how Hilo treated Wen in Jade Legacy)

Now Kaul Shaelinsan short story, i always have a mixed feelings with her. But now i could clearly see what makes her choose to take off her jade, to flee away from janloon.

At this point i’ll read anything by Fonda Lee. I love her writing, and in this book i love to read her notes at the end of the short stories. I couldn’t wait for her new books in 2025 😭

Forget to mention the Cover Art is always stunning!! I hope that i could someday buy the physical copy. The shipping fee cost me fortune *sigh*

I’m so sorry it’s not a proper review, and it’s just my rants. I always lost my words when i really love the books.

Thank you for Subterreanian Press and Netgalley for providing me an e-Arc.