A Mulan inspired steampunk fantasy! The main character Ying is fierce, intelligent, and goes against societal norms for her beliefs and family.

This book is for Mulan fans and YA fantasy lovers! Of Jade and Dragons does follow some pretty common plot lines seen in YA fantasy books where a strong female character has to prove themselves in a male dominated world while also finding some romance along the way. This familiarity added to the enjoyableness while reading the book because you knew what to expect and Amber Chen did it well. That isn't to say that there wasn't plot twists and excitement throughout the book because there was some surprising obstacles and new problems that our main character encounters.

One of the uniques aspects is that Ying was not training for battle in a typical way, instead she was fighting to prove herself as an engineer - a profession forbidden for women in this story. I loved how Chen highlighted different areas of strength as well as roles in war because Ying was still fierce and showed boldness in actions. I loved Ying and Ye-Yang's slow burn relationship in the beginning and was even giggling at times but the ways things left off is not my favorite so I will need to pick up the next book to find what happens next! I would say that although I enjoyed the read and found it quality writing it was very YA and sometimes more juvenile then I typically enjoy to read nowadays but would have been obsessed with the series if I was younger.

Aihui Ying has had her life turned upside down. Her father is murdered in front of her eyes, leaving only his engineering journal and a pendant that she unwittingly steals from his assassin. Unable to overlook the injustice of her father's death, Ying heads to the Engineering Guild to follow in his footsteps. Though, as they don't accept female students, she does so in disguise with unexpected help from a prince. With the pressure of keeping her own secrets, the lingering threat of the assassin, and the trials of the Engineering Guild, it's all Ying can do to keep herself ahead of danger.

This book has beautiful scenery, engaging characters, and an intriguing plot. It took me a while to get through due to the number of characters that I had to keep straight and density of the plot, but there is more than enough to keep you turning the pages. I thought the different plotlines were well-balanced, with enough time put into each to keep them relevant. The author was able to tie threads from the beginning of the story into the conclusion, and paying attention to what characters say pays off in an extremely satisfying way.

I was a bit worried that I would find the school aspect of the book to be contrived, but I was happy to find that it really helped establish the characters, their relationships, and their growth in believable ways. Do I think that it has some of the same issues with believability as the works that helped inspire it? Yes. Do I think this affects the story negatively? No. Without getting into spoilers, I will say that the ending absolutely left me wanting more, and I am eagerly awaiting the next book. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group. This is my honest review.

5/5 Silkpunk fantasy at its finest.

Of Jade and Dragons follows a young girl who sneaks into an Engineers Guild following her father's murder. The fast pace kept me engaged, but I was underwhelmed overall. I wanted more world-building and detailed engineering.

I received an ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Random House Publishers for accepting my request to read this arc. It was one of my highly anticipated 2024 releases, and it lived up to what I have hoped for.

As someone that loves steampunk, this book was something that I was extremely excited to read, especially with the mix of Chinese mythology. I love this book, and it is now one of my top reads for this year!! I love the mixture of steampunk, the academy, and Ying's determination to find the truth behind her father's murder. The slow burn between yeyang and ying was one of my favourite, as she learns more about her father from him and those in the academy, to battling different ideals. It is hard to trust anyone in the book, as each person ying encounters most likely has ulterior motives and hidden agendas. If you haven't read it, I highly suggest picking it up and enjoy a new look at steam pink that hasn't been explored.

Thanks to NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, DNF'ed at 20% of the way through.

I like the concept of the book but it wasn't executed very well. Lots of lore/info-dumping that's fast forwarded so you can't question any of it and how confusing it is. It's very barebones worldbuilding which is why everything is so fast-paced to pretend that isn't a problem.

This book is a LOT of telling and not showing--the protagonist is this engineering prodigy but we never see it. Literally 5 minutes into the book her dad is murdered and she runs away to engineering school. It's a lot of "I've always been SOOO good at engineering" inner dialogue and it got very annoying very fast. I didn't enjoy it very much.

I was honestly laughing pretty hard when the protagonist "showed off" her engineering skillz by....fixing a leaking barrel. Lmao.

I had really high hopes for this one because I have read a few Asian/Fantasy/HF type books and I end up really enjoying them. Honestly my biggest complaint is that it was really long and so it took me a while to get into it. I liked the Mulan vibes and just the whole setting and plot. I think the author could have gone a little deeper into some of the characters personalities and their development. The writing wasn't bad, it just wasn't as complex as some others I have read that are similar in plot/genre. I would definitely recommend this book and read more from this author but I would just have to warn people that it is pretty long.

A perfect blend of Fantasy and Science Fiction, this Steampunk Mulan is a fun YA read. I really loved the murder mystery aspect and the trials, however I do think things moved a little too fast and the experience our FMC had in this book could have been fleshed out a little more.

I enjoyed the Mulan vibes. I am always drawn to these type of books. Really easy read. I absolutely loved the cover.

Ying dreams of joining the prestigious Engineers Guild, but as a woman, this is forbidden. After her father's murder, she disguises herself as her brother to enter the guild's trials, hoping to uncover his killer and fulfill her ambition. With the help of Prince Ye-Yang, Ying navigates the guild's dangerous secrets and political intrigue.

The book's pacing is excellent, making it a compelling read. Ying's character is well-developed, intelligent, and relatable, despite her naivety. Her relationship with Ye-Yang adds depth without overshadowing the main plot. The story's mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and steampunk elements creates a unique and intriguing world.

While the ending leaves some questions unanswered, it sets the stage for the next book in the series. Overall, "Aihui Ying and the Engineer's Secret" is an engaging read with strong characters and a captivating plot. Highly recommended for fans of sci-fi fantasy and strong heroines. .

Ying witnesses her father's murder, and he tells her of a secret notebook with instructions to destroy it. Of course, Ying does no such thing, and instead joins an engineering competition that girls aren't allowed into in her quest to learn who it was that killed her father. This is very much YA, as it followed a bit of a predictable road in the beginning. There's an engineering school, with three tests everyone must pass in order to become a part of the order. Ying has to hide her gender along the way, giving way for some awkward moments. If you like books with somewhat magical trials, this is for you!

While it does feel YA, it is intriguing and will hook you. I read the majority of it in a day. Not going to be a classic, but I will definitely read the next one!

Thank you to Viking Books for Young Reader for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was expecting to love this book but honestly it fell really flat for me. I thought the FMC was extremely annoying and she was more focused on the drama than finding her father’s killer, which is what she went to the school to do. She wasn’t very motivated, and the murder mystery aspect was very easy to guess

The cover for this book is simply gorgeous, and from the description, I knew this book was right up my alley. A Mulan-inspired murder mystery? Let's GO! The setting for this novel is unique and fits the plot beautifully.

I absolutely loved that the the female protagonist, Ying, is an engineer. We need more women in STEM! She is bright, determined, and clever. I desperately wanted her to find out who is responsible for her father's murder. Rivals to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, so I was happy to have not just one, but two (!!) rivals enter the scene. I'm excited to see how this progresses in the next book.

Overall, the pace is fast and it is an easy and delightful read! A wonderful fantasy read with some romance that doesn't overpower the story.

"These seas can never trap those who are meant to fly."
This story follows Aihui "reckless mare" Ying in finding clues about her father's mysterious murder and continuing where he left of in the engineering world.

I liked the descriptions; the author used imagery very well in them. I could imagine everything as I was reading. I really loved the cast of characters, like Ye-kan, An-xi, and Chang'en. The main MCs too, but I just felt like they had a shallow characterization. I enjoyed the story nonetheless.

I loved how the author dealt with Ying and Ye-yang's relationship and the last 10% of the book were exciting and made me look forward to the next book!

Thank you, NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Aihui Ying dreams to become a world-class engineer like her father, but when he's murdered in front of her, her life falls apart. Left with only a journal filled with her father's engineering's secrets and a jade pendant snatched from the assassin, Ying decided to follow the trails to the capital and to the Engineers Guild, in order to discover the culprit. Disguised as her brother to enter the guild's male-only apprenticeship trials, Ying finds herself an unexpected ally: Aogiya Ye-yang, the eight prince of the High Command and a target on her back, since her father's fame. Ying will have to do anything to be one step ahead, dealing with jealous guild masters, fellow competitors and the assassin, hidden in the guild. Not only that, but also the blossoming feeling towards the taciturn prince. Will Ying be able to avenge her father?


I loved reading this silkpunk fantasy! Mulan meets Iron Widow? I'm absolutely sold! The story is incredible and I loved every single thing. Ying is a fantastic main character, she's smart, brilliant, inquisitive and determined, willing to do anything in order to discover who killed her father and why someone would have done such a thing to a man who choose a calm life, instead of fame and power.
The setting is incredible and I loved the contrast between the quiet, but safe, life on her island and the chaotic world of the guild, made dangerous by fellow competitors, masters, lies, secrets and assassins.
I also loved how the romance was so well interwoven with the rest of the story and Ying's personal journey, without overpowering neither.
A brilliant, funny and intriguing book. I can't wait to read more!

This is an excellent young adult story. The fantasy, steampunk, and Asian influences helped create an interesting story that quickly immerses the reader. There are a few points where the pacing is off, and the story did drag a bit at times, but overall, it was worth the read.

I liked how the romance was not the main focus of the story. The romance was compelling, though, and I lingered over it after finishing.

It was not a direct Mulan retelling, but it had similarities. It reminded me of many other books, and I think the Mulan comparisons miss the depth and complexity of the storyline.

I especially loved engineering school because Ying was not always at the top of her class.

I am super pumped for the next book!

Thank you to Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group and Net Galley for the eARC!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. This was a fun read! The overall book reminded me of the Mechanist episode from Avatar, filled with inventions, airships, and adventure. If this is Chen’s debut novel, she will be a gem in YA publishing.

⇢➤ Plot: The main female character, Ying, has dreamt of creating inventions like her father. She doesn’t understand why her father left the engineer’s guild in the heart of the empire, their family now secluded in a rural land.

Her world is flipped upside down when an assassin abruptly takes her father’s life. After the assassination, Ying finds blueprints that seem antithetical to her quiet father. Intent on learning more, Ying disguises herself as her older brother and travels to the capital to pursue a place in the engineer’s guild. Along the way, she befriends Aogiya Yeyang, the eighth prince of the kingdom. Yeyang is the only one who knows that she’s a woman. The two bond over their unlikely circumstances and, upon seeing her ingenuity in action, he vows to help her through the guild trials. It’s only upon her arrival that Ying realizes there may be more than one reason why her father left the capital…

⇢➤ Pros: A Chinese-inspired Mulan retelling with airships, trials, unlikely friends, gender politics, and commentary on imperialism? Truly, what more could a girl ask for in YA? The book kept a great pace throughout, showcasing Ying’s inner dilemma before branching out to the wider politics of the world. There are twists at the end, even at the 95% mark, that I wasn’t expecting.

Also, I liked the romance. I fear I am a victim of Apothecary Diaries and I live for a man like Yeyang. Their relationship felt meaningful without being overbearing for younger readers. Even for older readers, there’s something about period drama romance (where even a forehead kiss is improper) that is so engaging.

⇢➤ Cons: While I enjoyed 90% of the book, the first 10% is harder to get into. Given how abrupt her father’s death is, it’s hard to connect to the main character or understand the full impact of his assassination. It isn’t until the reader meets Yeyang that there seems to be better structure to Ying’s story.

⇢➤ Recommended for fans of: Xiran Jay Zhao, Elizabeth Lim

4.5⭐️

This was a great ya fantasy with a little bit of a Mulan retelling. I loved the story, its characters, and the changing relationships between them. Aihui Ying is our mc who travels from her small town to the capital disguised as her brother, after her father is murdered. This is the start to the mystery surrounding the story, but there’s also Ying’s time in the Engineer’s guild where she learns more about her father and live her dreams of being an engineer. I loved her sibling like relationship with Ye-Kan, another student. She also meets one of the princes, Ye-Yang. I loved their relationship and the changes it goes through in this book. I would love to see more of this relationship and its consequences in another book!

Overall, this is a great ya fantasy that I recommend!

Ying witnesses her father's murder, and finds out it was because of his connection with the Engineering Guild in the main city. She decides to travel to the city and try to enter the Engineering Trials, disguising herself as her younger brother. Fortunately on her way there, she runs into one of the princes, and he is allowed to enter a candidate for the trials. She impresses him by coming up with a repair on his flying ship, and he offers to be her patron for the trials. Ying moves through the lessons and trials, while also trying to find our who was behind her father's murder, and why.
This was a super fun Mulan-inspired steampunk fantasy. I appreciated Ying's dedication to avenging her father, as well as her commitment to becoming an Engineer. I thought the balance of the key plot points and seeing Ying at the Engineering Trials was good and kept the story moving while building the world and Ying's character. The side characters definitely added to the story, and I enjoyed seeing Ying develop relationships. The last third of the book went in a totally different direction than I thought, and for the better, as it sidestepped some fantasy cliches and made it a better story.

Of Jade and Dragons is a fantasy set in a somewhat recognizable past time in Asia, with references that appear to be from both Mongolia and China. Aihui Ying is the daughter of a well-known engineer, who desires to be an engineer herself - but girls are not accepted at the engineering college. Despite that, her father taught her everything she wanted to know about engineering, and encouraged her to experiment. When her father is unexpectedly murdered, and, with his dying breath, orders her to destroy his notebook, Jing instead flees to the Engineering Guild, to try to gain the knowledge she needs to understand her father's final work.

This is a fantasy that reads like Asian mythology, with a setting to match. Ying is an adolescent girl with ambitions, in a society that limits female aspirations, who doesn't allow the rules of society to stop her from trying to reach her dreams. Along the way, she meets another young man who, like herself, chafes at the expectations of society, who is striving to reach a goal at odds with his rank and caste, as well as others who, in more conventional fashion, strive to reach various goals of their own. Recommended for readers middle school through adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.