I was for the most part 100% on board with the story and swept up in what was happening. The immersion was occasionally broken when I questioned how hot-headed and quick to jump into anything and everything Ying is, and how quickly her relationship with Ye-yang develops, and how the plot alternates jumping around and meandering.

All of those sound like things that would have had me dropping the book but... I was still hooked. I kept reading through all Ying's eyebrow-raising choices and abrupt about-faces. I was sold on her as the central figure. I also loved Ye-Kan and their developing friendship.

The final section of the book was a whirlwind and I still don't know how I feel about everything that went down. It's clearly setting up for the next book which I will be reading.

I listened to the audio and it was really well done. The voice actor really commited to the voices and the emotions in the story.

The steampunk world was fascinating and fun to explore. The characters were all really well done. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters more than anything. The plot doesn't quite know what it wants to be, but I can forgive it that.

*Thanks to Viking Books for young readers for providing an early copy for review.

I really enjoyed the setup of this one! Crossdressing to follow in her father's shoes, a murder mystery, silkpunk? Instantly sold, and I'm glad that the execution worked for me (even though it took me forever to finally get back into the groove of reading in general). It's hard for me to enjoy YA as much nowadays, but Chen's writing was really easy for me to get into, and I was endeared to Ying. I definitely would have enjoyed this growing up and the twists were fun for me.

Of course I was EXCITED to read a story of a girl dressing as a boy to achieve her goal/dream! The storyline is interesting and I love the worldbuilding in this book. There were several slow parts in the book that made me disconnect with it. I did love the slow-burn tension between Ying and Ye-Yang!

A solid YA fantasy.

Book: 3.5
Spice: 1

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP for the ARC! I always appreciate it.

A thrilling fantasy debut with steampunk elements, political intrigue, and a fierce heroine determined to carve her own path.

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen is a captivating blend of mythology and innovation, set in an East Asian-inspired world where engineering and ambition collide. The story follows Aihui Ying, a skilled engineer whose life is upended after her father’s murder. Armed with his secret journal and a jade pendant linked to his killer, she disguises herself to enter the prestigious Engineers Guild trials, seeking both revenge and the truth.

Ying is a compelling protagonist—intelligent, determined, and relentless in proving her worth. The trials were a standout aspect of the book, filled with tension and creativity, and the steampunk influences added a fresh twist to the worldbuilding. While I loved the intricate setting, I occasionally wished for a deeper exploration of its mechanical elements.

The pacing is well-balanced, though some plot points felt predictable. However, the character relationships truly shine, particularly the dynamic between Ying and Ye-yang, whose slow-burn tension and growing respect made for a satisfying subplot. The friendships, especially between Ying and Yekan, also added emotional depth.

The ending left me eager for more, and while the story isn’t without its minor flaws, it’s a strong start to what promises to be an exciting series. Fans of Mulan-inspired stories, steampunk fantasy, and determined heroines will find much to enjoy here.

Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy. This review reflects my honest thoughts.

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen is a wonderfully immersive fantasy that pulls you into a world filled with magic, mythology, and fascinating characters. The story kept me hooked, with plenty of twists and turns to keep things exciting. Chen’s writing brings everything to life, and the characters, especially Aihui Ying, are easy to root for as they go on a journey of growth and discovery.

While the story is engaging, the pacing can sometimes feel a bit slow, and a few plot points are predictable. However, these minor flaws don't detract from the overall experience. It's a strong debut, and I’m eager to see where the series goes next. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy with a touch of mythology!

Ying loves to create and make inventions and test them. And all Ying wants is to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a master of the Engineers Guild. However, that dream is put on hold when she comes home one day to an intruder in her father’s workshop and her father bleeding on the ground.

As her father is laying dying, he entrusts her with a leather bound book and tells her she needs to burn it because it could bring about the downfall of their clan and possibly the rest of the nine isles.

But Ying is too curious and looks at the book and learns it is a book of weapons. She dismisses it and instead decides to focus on getting revenge for her father’s death. And she believes the Great Jade Empire is responsible thanks to a pendant she snagged off the intruder. And now, with her sister’s help, she dresses as a boy and ventures out to find out the truth about her father’s death and bring about revenge for his death.

As she’s traveling, she learns the Engineers Guild apprenticeship trial is still about to happen and now wants to try entering, but doubts she’ll make it in time when she meets the fourth beile, Ye-yang, who offers her passage and a sponsorship for the trial to enter the guild. Ying of course says yes.

I’m mad it took me so long to read and finish this book. This was so so goooood!!! I LOVE the world! It gave me steampunk vibes, but really it’s just an older world with machines and I found it so utterly fascinating and unique!

I adored Ying. She’s a bit reckless and brave, but I admired her tenacity and I especially loved her at the end with a decision she makes. I was very impressed and I usually have a hard time rooting for the female characters because they usually come off as unbearable or emotional, but she wasn’t. And it’s probably because she’s an engineer and has more of a logical mind. She thinks things through first. And I support her decision at the end, and I wonder how it will continue now though 👀

This definitely focused mostly on Ying and her journey, and that ending I feel like will change her so much, but I love that she recognized what she thought was right versus wrong and followed her father’s footsteps still. And there’s a bit of a romance, but it was mostly about Ying and her story and after the ending, I do wonder how this romance will…continue 😅

But my favorite thing about this book is the beautiful friendship Ying has with Yekan. Yekan is a spoiled boy, but wow does he grow and change and seem to recognize what a wonderful person Ying is. Their interactions were hilarious and so much like siblings it just made my heart ache. Their sibling like relationship is just so lovely to see and I wonder how it will be in the next book because again that ending really disrupted a lot of things and makes me worried and yet eager for more.

I will be moving onto the next book asap!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The writing and word choice was a bit confusing for me. I didn’t really enjoy the plot or story which made me feel disconnected. I ended up not finishing this one.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read and review this book. I was so excited to read this book, because of the author, cover, and the premise. Mulan is one of my favorite Disney movies. I can see the comparisons to Mulan within the story for sure.

"Eighteen-year-old Aihui Ying dreams of becoming a world-class engineer like her father, but after his sudden murder, her life falls apart. Left with only a journal of her father’s engineering secrets and a jade pendant snatched from the assassin, a heartbroken Ying follows the trail to the capital and the prestigious Engineers Guild—a place that harbors her father’s hidden past—determined to discover why anyone would threaten a man who ultimately chose a quiet life over fame and fortune. The secrets concealed within the guild can be as deadly as the weapons they build—and with her life and the future of her homeland at stake, Ying doesn’t know who to trust. Can she avenge her father even if it means going against everything he stood for, or will she be next in the mastermind’s line of fire?"

I enjoyed this book overall. It was pretty strong, especially for a debut novel, but the world building needed a lot of work. The character work was pretty good and I liked the writing style. I will definitely read more books by Amber Chen.

I was granted an advanced copy of of Jade and dragons by Amber Chen four review by net gallery. All opinions written here are my own. I did not receive any compensation whatsoever for this review.

This beautiful story reminds me a little bit about the legend of Mulan with a modern twist and tells the wonderful story of how tradition, gender roles, and expectations can hold an iron grip. While it is difficult, a strong few have the determination, willpower and strength of heart and character to shed the chains placed on them by society. I love the beautiful pictures depicted in this story. They were very vivid and easy to see in my mind's eye. I love the truth and depth of emotion portrayed by the characters.
I very much enjoy escaping into another world and perhaps another time when I read a story. I very much appreciate. Also the ability to learn about other cultures while reading works like this one.
I hope that I will be given the honor of reading Amber Chen's next book if she chooses to continue the series. I can't wait to hear about what happens next..

This book is everything I wanted in a YA fantasy—rich worldbuilding, intense stakes, and a heroine I couldn’t stop rooting for. Of Jade and Dragons blends historical inspiration with sci-fantasy elements, delivering a story that is equal parts action-packed, emotionally gripping, and full of intrigue.

Aihui Ying is a phenomenal protagonist. She’s brilliant, fiercely determined, and willing to risk everything to seek justice for her father’s murder. Her journey, disguised as her brother to infiltrate the male-only Engineers Guild, is filled with challenges—both external and internal. The guild’s trials, the political maneuvering, and the ever-present danger of being discovered kept me glued to the pages.

The East Asian-inspired steampunk elements were seamlessly woven into the narrative, creating a unique setting that stands out in the YA fantasy landscape. The tension between science, magic, and political power made for an engaging backdrop, and I loved the hints of deeper secrets waiting to be unraveled.

Then there’s Aogiya Ye-yang—the eighth prince with his own agenda. The slow-burn dynamic between him and Ying is filled with tension and mutual respect, adding just the right amount of romance without overshadowing the main plot. Their interactions were some of my favorite moments in the book.

The story is full of twists, unexpected alliances, and betrayals, making it impossible to put down. By the time I reached the end, I was desperate for the next installment. If you love YA fantasy with strong heroines, thrilling competitions, and a touch of political intrigue, Of Jade and Dragons is a must-read.

3.5 star. Story was well written, but the end of the book is what made the book.good. I liked the characters, but found story to predictable.

A fantastic debut! I enjoyed the world building and the story which is different than the fantasies we've been seeing lately. Great for fans of fantasy!

Before we begin I want to say thank you to penguin Teen & Netgalley for sending me an e-arc of this one and so mad/happy I've read this one in 2025 because it became my second five star read of the year!! Mad I waited so long and because I have to wait five months for book 2.....

This book was so good but my one question I have is where was the dragons? Unless they did show up and I didn't pay attention to it cause I listened to the audiobook oops! But anyways this was really fun if u love mulan u would love this book too. Of jade and dragons is a first of a series and I'm dying for book 2?!!! Five stars gave me all the feelings while reading this and took me 4 days to read it too!(:

This was so good. I really loved this book. I highly recommend to all my dragon book reading friends. It's a really great option for younger readers too that aren't quite up to the spice level of Fourth Wing.

I was very excited to read this book but getting into it, it felt very juvenile. I have said it numerous times but I love a strong female lead who knows what she wants and Ying is that. She goes against societal norms after her father's murder and disguises herself as a boy to get what she wants. Love this. But the rest is definitely geared towards a very YA audience and I am not that. Some books that I read like this one are fine and I love them. But there was something missing here that I didn't like. It's a solid 4 star but it could have easily been a 3.5.

I really enjoyed this book. I am a huge fan of Mulan and enjoyed this retelling. The only complaint I have is waiting for the next book after the plot twist!

I just could not get into this book, but I'm a mood reader! so it might just be a me-thing and hopefully, I will be able to pick it up later.

I had high hopes for this. I love me a steampunk work! The issue was that the science didn’t science. The setting felt like a gimmick or afterthought. The plot wasnt the focus. I just didn’t feel Iike this was fleshed out. Romance isn’t enough to carry a book.

Amber Chen’s Of Jade and Dragons is an exciting mix of Chinese mythology, magic, and a heartfelt adventure. The story pulls you in right away, taking you to a world where dragons soar through the skies, and ancient jade holds mysterious power.

The main character, Mei Lin, is strong and determined, making her a protagonist you can’t help but root for. As she uncovers her family’s secrets and faces dangerous challenges, you really feel like you’re on the journey with her.

What makes this book stand out is how beautifully it weaves Chinese culture and folklore into the story. The descriptions of jade artifacts, powerful dragons, and divine realms are rich and vivid, making the world feel magical and real at the same time.

The book strikes a great balance between quiet, emotional moments and exciting action scenes. Themes of family, courage, and standing up for what’s right are explored in a way that’s meaningful but easy to connect with.

Whether you love fantasy, mythology, or just a good adventure, Of Jade and Dragons has something for you. It’s a story that sticks with you even after you finish.

Rating: 5/5

After her father is murdered, Ying is left with a jade pendant and a journal her father told her to burn. Instead, Ying uses the journal to start her investigation into her father's past. This leads her to the capital city and the Engineer's guild.

One of the commander's sons enters her into the guild, where she must disguise herself as a boy since girls are forbidden entry. There she learns that her father was a legend in the guild. While he never talked about his time there, her fellow initiates have plenty of stories to tell. There are equally those who praise him, and those who wish her to fail from jealousy.

While there are some romantic inklings, these are largely unacted upon, though they do lend to some delightful tension. Ying finds unexpected friends along the way and discovers why her father turned his back on the guild. Now she must choose for herself, fame and reputation, or the ideals that her father tried to instill in her.
 
My first silkpunk fantasy read, and I definitely need more of this subgenre! I'm so excited that the second book will be out later this year, it's definitely already on my want to read list!

Thank you to the publishers at Penguin through NetGalley for the ARC of this one. I'm a little late on reading it, but I'm so happy that it was brought to my attention. All opinions are my own.