This was a lot of fun! Most of the Asian-inspired fantasy I've read has a more historical-esque setting or is focused on one culture, so it was very cool to see a pan-Asian magic system and mythology. I will say it's very clear this is the first in a planned series, and I'm hoping the final edition includes a chart of the magic types or some glossary because there is a lot going on here. I'll definitely keep an eye out for the next in the series.

Thank you Tor Publishing Group and Netgalley for providing me this e-arc in exange for an honest review. My opinion is my own and not influenced by others.

First of all let me mention that I loved reading this book!

The Ebony Gate is about a young woman Emiko who has familiarities with john Wick in a very good, human way, because of this I sympathied quickly and easily with her.
The story has action, a lot of good, wonderful world building, well written characters who I liked a lot like a tiger who fights battles among side Emiko and a very good writing style which made me want to keep on reading. The use of Japanese and Chinese mythology, but also information about the Japanese and Chinese world and uses were well developed and I loved reading about it.

This book is one of the best urban fantasy books I've read and I can't wait to read more about Emiko's journey!

Oh this was an epic start to a series! I thoroughly enjoyed the Japanese and Chinese cultures, customs, mythologies in the story. Emiko was a strong female lead character. I dug the subtle lgtbqia+ rep in there as well. This was a power house urban fantasy from cultures not typically seen until recently and I am here for it!

I am so ready to embark on this new urban fantasy series! I especially love series where the cities they take place in feel like characters in their own right, and boy is this steeped in city magic as well as dragon magic. Throw in that the city in question is San Francisco, a city I love deeply, and I was already in for the ride.

Emiko's relationship with San Francisco, both as a city young in its magic vying for her to take up the mantle as its Sentinel, as well as a place for her to learn who she is without being at her clan's beck and call, is so central to the story and one of the things I absolutely love about this. This isn't just a book set in a city, this is a book that lives and breathes the city and its neighborhoods and its people, that reflects the old and new cultures, both of those tied to the clans and those outside.

The magic system itself is very interesting - eight (or nine, depending on your viewpoint) dragons were exiled from their Realm long ago, and their human descendants now live with various talents and magical artifacts in a tenuous balance. The system clearly has its roots in Chinese dragon mythology - meridians, qi, and auras are intrinsic pieces of being able to use talents, and different types of talents are recognized by the beasts of the cardinal directions - but sort of follows the flow of communities in diaspora. This leads to an interesting mix of cultures and threats - the shinigami and the titular Ebony Gate holding back Yomi are tied to Japanese myth rather than the dragons - but all of the mythical beings seem to be aware of each other and spheres of influence bleed into each other the same way that neighborhoods and families do.

The action scenes are great; it feels like the urban fantasy books I grew up loving, with a fresh, modern take. As Emiko tries to unravel who's behind this disturbance and why, more and more characters get involved, but it never feels crowded or overwhelming. Instead, each encounter has just the right amount of tension, even though the book takes place over what have to be the longest 48 hours ever. The side characters help with this, lending new voices and support to Emiko, as well as wonderful characters in their own right. I love the Tran twins so much, and I can't wait to see more of Emiko training Leanna.

My one quibble is that this very, very much feels like the setup of something bigger - Emiko's reason for being expelled from her training is clearly a coverup, and there are flashbacks to things we aren't meant to understand yet, all of which would be fine, but there are too many questions directly raised by the text and too few even hints at answers that it feels teasing in an unsatisfying way. I would've wanted to read more of Emiko's adventures even without the other handful of hooks about her past. That said, I'm definitely in for the next book.

I love urban fantasy, always have always will. This was one that stood out to me as a series I hope gets many more volumes. There is always the risk when picking up a series that you don't get the first book and can get kind of lost in what's going on in the world. And while this is the first book in the series, at least I think it is, and there is plenty mentioned of past events I felt like that was reveals yet to come rather than me missing anything. Loved the quiet queer representation and the non Eurocentric mythology explored as well. Wonderful book! Freddy is a delight

"female John Wick story with dragon" is what drew me in, and I'm so glad I read this. The story worked on all levels and I was invested in what was going on in the world. The characters worked well with the world and I enjoyed getting to know them. I loved the cover and glad I got a chance to read this.

"It wasn’t clear to me that there were any benefits to being the Sentinel of San Francisco. Being at the beck and call of the Soong Clan had been hard enough. I’d already learned too many sharp lessons about the true cost of power. Yoked to a whole city of demanding magical elites? My neck chafed at the thought. No, thank you."

This was so good I was enchanted from the very beginning. I loved this so much and the dragon magic was a perfect touch. I think this is a must read fantasy that needed to be on everyone's TBR.
I just reviewed Ebony Gate by Julia Vee; Ken Bebelle. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.