Magical jade—mined, traded, stolen, and killed for—is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. For centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their 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—from their grandest patriarch to the lowliest motorcycle runner on the streets—and of Kekon itself.

Jade City begins an epic tale of family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of jade and blood. (via Goodreads)

I received an eARC of Jade City from the publisher, courtesy of Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a slow starter, and it took me a few tries to really get into it, but once it caught me, it never let me go. This fantasy novel is absolutely stunning on every level.

The worldbuilding absolutely immerses you into the No Peak clan in Janloon and the carnage that ensues. The characters whose heads we enter are each completely unique, but so tied into each other that you can't escape any more than they can. And holy hell, is the plot fantastic.

It really does need trigger warnings though. Here are the things I noted - sex scene, use of ableist words (lame, crippled, deaf) suicide mention, sexual child abuse mention of nonMC, cockfighting, death of MC, gore, death of nonMC. Please take care of your mental health, dear readers.

I really can't tell you a lot without giving it away, but I fell hard for this book, and cannot get it off my mind.

I really look forward to seeing Wen grow as a person throughout the rest of the series. I think, with more development and getting in her head, she and Hilo could be the badass power couple of my dreams. And I definitely want to learn more about Anden's life after the last chapter.

You can (and should) pick up a copy on Amazon or Indiebound.  I highly recommend it, and look forward to the future of Janloon.

I loved the rich world-building. Fonda Lee transported me into her realm almost immediately. The characters were real and the dynamics between the families were interesting. The story has a lot of depth, though, and took me a long time to read. The way characters' backstories are used to build scenes and fill in history is masterfully done. This book is bloody and violent and captivating.

This was an okay read. Not bad...but nothing to write home about either. A bit boring at times which was unfortunate. I really wanted to love this book but it barely held my attention by the end of it. It started off really awesome, but somewhere in the middle it started to taper off, (I assume because it started to take itself too seriously,) and then it never really recovered.

I enjoyed Hilo, though. He had an edge, and was really something else! I found him to be the least dull out of the ensemble. The depth and range exhibited by the characters felt artificial, coming off strained at times. The plot could have used a bit more oomph. There's only so much you can do with gang violence...no matter the amount of Jade enhanced martial arts used to settle territorial disputes.

Great concept. Writing was fine. It's just missing a certain je ne sais quoi.

3 ⭐

To anyone on the fence about Jade City let me just say: READ IT!

It is easily one of the best books I've read this year, possibly ever. Even after seeing it described as "the Godfather of fantasy" I still wasn't expecting it to be as good as it is. I expected something more along the lines of a YA fantasy, a kind of watered down, light Godfather-esque story about the two clans who gain mystical powers from jade, where a heroine comes in to unite them against outsiders save the day and everyone lives happily ever after. Boy, was I wrong!

It's a very character driven story and the characters are so exquisitely written, with each one, including the heroes and the villains and those in between, perfectly developed from the mc's all the way down to the bit players.

I found myself so attached and emotionally invested in these characters that I had to put it down and step away at times when the shit hit the fan cause I didn't want certain things to happen to them but at the same time I didn't want to put it down because I needed to know the outcome. That's not something that happens very often for me, and it speaks to the author's high level of skill and talent that she was able to draw me into her world so completely.

Going into it I had no doubt it would be a good book, but I was surprised at how much I absolutely loved Jade City. This is one of those rare (for me) books that I know I will re-read again and again and I'm sure I'll find more to love about it each time. It's simply AMAZING!

**Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions are my own.**

Well that was fun. That's a perfect description of the experience of reading this book. It's it amazing? Not really. It's not groundbreaking or full of ingenuity. But it is fun. It is entertaining. It's even a little dark. Would I read it again? Eh probably not. But it's good for a one time read and I wouldn't take that experience back.

For all my love of fantasy, I was a bit leery of Jade City. The magical element drew me in but the integration of crime akin to The Godfather/mafia I wasn't keen on. That being said. . . this book was written by a master.

Jade City feels at home with Asian inspired fantasy but is also something completely different altogether, with its own history and culture. You're not expected to know everything about it, mind you. This isn't an info-dump kind of book; they come gradually and naturally through the story. I'm honestly struggling to describe the depth of Lee's world because the layers go beyond the characters and their backstories. There's the culture they're ingrained in, the dynamics between clans and individuals. The practices and customs. The very setting. If you're looking for a richly diverse fantasy then you need to pick this book up. 

It's also hard to speak of the characters in any level of detail because there is so much detail. You know every little bit about these people, every decision they want to (and do) make, and why. At times it was a bit too much for me. I felt spoon-fed information rather than inferring from character actions. I consider it a byproduct of the third person viewpoint we see the story from as it shifts through characters. 

Now, my one "issue" with this book wasn't the story or the characters. It may not have even been the writing. But it took me a long time to get into it. I wasn't hooked early on and never fell into the world despite the level of detail and work put into creating such a rich, vibrant setting (and story). I can't really call this book boring because of how much is going on but the way it's written, as a whole, didn't let me sink in more than knee-deep.

Without breaking down this entire book in a review (since y'all should just read the book at that point), let me just say that this book is descriptive and vibrant and wonderfully crafted. If a fantasy riddled with a magical jade mafia sounds like something you'd be interested in, definitely go grab yourself a copy. If not for the fact that it took me so long to get into, I'd give it 5 stars but it just didn't quite work for me from an enjoyment standpoint.

I've been dying for this book since I read the deal announcement, so when Orbit sent me a digital galley, I'm pretty sure I cackled with delight like a crazy person. I'm pleased to say that Jade City did not disappoint.

First, I have to admit that gangster stories are my favorite. I also love intricate worldbuilding. This book has both. Fonda Lee deftly weaves a tragic tale of rival gang warfare in a sumptuous setting that leapt off the page. The world of Kekon's No Peak and Mountain clans is fully realised, and I'm already eager to return.

Also, I've gotta say it: Hilo is my new favorite character. I'm always such a sucker for those characters that both love and hate fiercely, and his complicated relationship with his family (especially Shae) was the best kind of tension. Basically, I'd read a whole series from his POV.

Basically, read this book. It's an impressive debut with spot-on worldbuilding and characters. The action scenes are descriptive and easy to follow, the plot had just enough surprise, and the end will rip your heart out. When can I have book 2?

This was so good I'm never getting over it. I absolutely love political fantasy and Jade city had the perfect mix of gang politics, fight scenes and mistery. The plot and all the little plot twists were clever a perfectly timed, most characters were compelling enough and had varied personalities and motivations, but my favorite part was the worldbuilding. Not only was the setting so intrincate and well thought out that it seemed like a real place, but it also had amazingly detailed history, international politics, religions and economic issues. All in all Jade city was a five-star read and a real page-turner that managed to surprise me at every turn.

There never really seemed to be a connection made to those who inhabited the pages. As a reader, I expect some sort of emotional connection with a majority of the main characters. That is often what drives a story for me. In this case, that just did not exist. I’m not sure if it was due to the violence that drove much of the action, or if the character development got in the way of story development for future books – but whatever it was, I put it down feeling like they were just ghosts, already fading from my mind. The best characters linger, often for a long time, making the story special and one that bears returning to. That was not the case here.

While I did find myself more interested in the book during the last half, it wasn’t enough to make me want to read the next one. Jade is a bright, vibrant stone – unfortunately, that did not carry over into the book that carries its name.

Why DNF? I just could not get into it
Liked: Setting, Gems giving characters abilities, it seemed already very complex from the few chapters I read (it would be one of those stories that goes against a readers expectations)

Jade City, by author Fonda Lee, is the first installment in the authors Green Bone Saga. This is Fonda Lee's first endeavor into the adult fantasy genre. This is Fonda's idea of a society where magical jade grants special abilities to warriors with the proper training and bloodline. Jade City is a story that relies heavily on Asian culture, especially family, power, politics, and betrayal. It is epic fantasy meets organized crime in a world with modern technology. It is a story that could take place on Hong Kong or Taiwan, especially when you take in consideration the food that the author features. 

This is a story about two clans who control the Island of Kekon. The Kaul and the Ayt's. The two clans control those who make the decisions for the citizens of Kekon. They may not hold power legally, but they do know what buttons to push and get what they want when they want it. The two clans are warriors who have been fighting for dominance, territory, and complete control over the islands Jade supply which gives the clans superhuman powers and abilities. It is very much like a Mafia story where organized crime control almost every aspect of those who live on Kekon, and the innocents are always the one caught in the cross-fire. 

The Kaul's are the primary featured clan. The Kaul's have a long history of being at the center of almost everything, including a rebellion that gained them their freedom. In this world, those who wear jade and are able to use it are called Green Bones. The family even has its own hierarchy. From the Pillar (Kaul Lan), to the Weather Man who is a close confidant of the families grandfather, to The Horn (Kaul Hilo) who is the clans muscle. The last member of the family is Kaul Shae who left Kekon for 2 years, before coming home and finding that she has been dragged deeper than she ever wanted to be into the families dealings. 

As long as this book is, Jade City could have definitely been a standalone. As I've said above, this book definitely centers around a culture which I am thinking is Taiwan, more than Hong Kong. My favorite character in this story is Shae. My least favorite is Anden, the boy who was adopted into the family, and the one that the Kaul's have the most hope for a bright future with. There is also a character named Bero who I felt was just a was of space and time the author could have spent on other things. 

I do believe that if you are a fan of The Grace of Kings, A Song of Ice and Fire, and perhaps Games of Thrones and The Sopranos, you will definitely enjoy this story. Lee, as an Asian-American, knows her stuff, so it should be no surprise that she should use an all Asian cast to tell her story. This is a pretty solid start to the series. The world building is pretty impressive, and the magic system is pretty unique to this particular genre. I also felt a bit of realism in this story that you won't necessarily get from an epic fantasy novel. I love the mixture of modern technology with fantastic action scenes throughout the story.

Jade City is the beginning of an interesting and ambitious trilogy. The first book, Jade City, was released three days ago and I want to make sure all of you get your hands on this wonderfully inspiring, interesting and compelling first book.
I have to be honest with you guys, I have not been reading as much as I used to, and of the books I read I rarely felt this spark of excitement, empathy, and commitment towards the characters in the book as I did here. That’s why I took the time to actually sit down and write a review.

Jade City is the kind of book that presents you with charismatic characters you wish you could meet in real life, a wondrously magical setting that keeps you on your toes . The story keeps you interested in what happened before the actual story begins. It is a complex world in which the reader quickly notices that there is so much more you don’t know, yet not plot-wise, but when looking at the world this story takes place.
We only get a glimpse of what is happening and so, everything was a mystery ( in a positive way) and many things have been left unanswered after the first book, but I’m anxious and impatient for the next book to be released. But let’s hear a bit from Fonda Lee herself:

“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 saga. It's the most intense, ambitious thing I've ever written, and there's more to come.”

This story is so rich on characters, their development, cultural information and world- building that I would recommend it to anyone who likes a complex world without having to read a thousand pages. Lee makes all this possible in her newest story and I can honestly say that even though I have already read Jade City, I will definitely buy the book. The only thing that I really didn’t like about the book is that it is not available as hardcover in Europe. I mean, it is but has to be shipped here and so it is extremely expensive and not good for our environment.

Totally not my usual kind of book, fairly violent and essentially glorifying gangs. All that said, it's such a fresh take on urban fantasy, with a technology level of around the late 1970s and not a detective to be seen. It's basically The Godfather set in a secondary world 1970 era Japan, and it's insane and awesome like you might expect something with that description to be.

I really liked the various viewpoint characters, and the way the beginning of the book played with my expectations based on the viewpoints. Anden in particular is very sympathetic, and I look forward to getting to know him the most in the next books.

There were several very unexpected twists in this book, which honestly surprises me. Not much is totally unexpected to me anymore, and I like being blindsided, especially with something of such magnitude.

I'd recommend this for folks who love The Godfather, folks who want a different kind of urban fantasy, folks who want a new take on non-Western fantasy, and probably folks who enjoy grimdark as well. It's not fully grimdark, but it's grimdark adjacent to my mind.

Jade City probably has one of the more interesting fantasy worlds I’ve come across recently. It takes something as simple as jade, and puts a spin on it by essentially linking it to a system of magic. The power was selective—limited to people called Green Bones. That was pretty cool because it created this hierarchy within the society, one that was based on the ability of Green Bone's, family, and influence. In fact, there was nothing wrong with the story even though I didn’t end up finishing the book. This really is a case of it’s me not the book. Let me explain. I’ve been trying to read Jade City since August. I wanted to read the entire book since I'd received an ARC, and it was one of my most anticipated book releases of 2017. But, after months of trying, I still struggled to fully engage with the story, and therein was the trouble. While there was action and tension on the page—elements that should have held my interest—I couldn’t connect with what was going on. Ultimately, that was what made me set this one aside. That being said, I can definitely see how Jade City would be a hit with other people.

Ahoy there me mateys! I received this fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .

jade city (Fonda Lee)

Title: jade city

Author: Fonda Lee

Publisher: Orbit Books

Publication Date: TODAY! (hardcover/e-book)

ISBN: 978-0316440868

Source: NetGalley


Ken Lui recommended this book and when I read the description I just knew I had to read it. His awesome blurb:

"Stylish and action-packed, full of ambitious families and guilt-ridden loves, Jade City is an epic drama reminiscent of the best classic Hong Kong gangster films but takes place in a fantasy metropolis so gritty and well-imagined that you'll forget you're reading a book."

Me thoughts: awesome ideas. awesome characters. made it to 50%. bored. never forgot I was reading a book. sigh.

So lastly . . .

Thank you Orbit Books!

Goodreads has this to say about the novel:

FAMILY IS DUTY. MAGIC IS POWER. HONOR IS EVERYTHING.
Magical jade—mined, traded, stolen, and killed for—is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. For centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their 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—from their grandest patriarch to the lowliest motorcycle runner on the streets—and of Kekon itself.

Jade City begins an epic tale of family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of jade and blood.

To visit the author’s website go to:

Fonda Lee - Author

To buy the novel please visit:

jade city - Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

Yer Ports for Plunder List

This was an interesting take on mobs with a twist of magical powers it was quite the page turner

I'm not sure what to call the sub genre this intense, brilliantly gripping fantasy falls under. Epic fantasy, at least to me, usually signifies world-changing events involving countries and cultures.

In Jade City, the history, cultural detail, and mythology are every bit as involving as those in big epic fantasies--everything centering around the mysterious properties of jade.

I enjoyed this urban fantasy more than expected. It has been described as "Game of Thrones meets The Godfather meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," which makes me shudder, but the novel almost lives up to such an impossible standard. The first few chapters, while fast-paced and engaging, suggested a predictable martial arts/gangster novel with a mild fantasy twist. However, as the book continued, Lee gave her characters depth and complexity, presenting them with no easy choices as their relationships were tested and strained. The main leaders of the rival clan were sketched quickly but skillfully, making them seem appropriate foils for the protagonists, a bit more than cartoon villains. I also found the post-colonial dynamics of the island of Kekon added an welcome socio-historical dimension to the tale, as well as opening the possibility for future intrigue in the series. I look forward to reading the next volume.