I had a lot of fun with this book and I’m glad I read it. This review is kind of ridiculously long so first off here are some star ratings for the different aspects of the book and then if you care you can read my more in depth thoughts on each aspect below.

Characters: 4.5/5
Character Growth: 5/5
Plot: 4.5/5
World (history, politics, setting): 5/5
Romance: 4/5
Writing (style, tone): 3.75/5
Ending: 4.5/5
Interest in Sequel: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5 (but I round up when I can’t do half stars on certain websites/apps)

To expand on these all for those curious.

Characters: I really enjoyed a lot of the characters in this book. First we have our main character Ying. I liked her creativity, curiosity, bravery, loyalty, and morals. There really just is a lot to love about her. Then we have Ye-Yang. He is a very interesting character. I don’t want to go into spoiler territory, so I will just say that I liked his sweet side, his ability to make me blush once or twice, his determination, and his cunningness. But I also don’t totally know how I feel about him and I definitely need the sequel to determine this. Another character I really loved was Ye-Kan. He starts off as an annoying little twerp but he quickly became one of my favorites. He can be so caring and loyal. He’s like the perfect little brother that will stick by your side and not let anyone mess with you but will still annoy the crap out of you when he wants to. I really hope he has a major part in the sequel and am so curious to see what’s next for him. The other characters aren’t really that important. I did think the different dynamics of the other guild apprentice hopefuls and beileyes was interesting. Oh and Master Lianshu was a fun character. I’m hoping we get more of: Master Lianshu, Nian, and Wen in the sequel as well.

Character growth: this is one of my favorite aspects of the book actually. Ying started off very naive and honestly a little annoying, but that was actually perfect because it helped you see how much she grows throughout the book. She really has a lot of soul searching to do about her father’s death, her own ambitions, and just learning about the world and political landscape and what her place in that should be. I really like how she develops through all of this and I think the best part of the ending was her being so sure of her choices and sticking by them. I’m so curious to see what’ll happen for her in book 2 and how she’ll grow even more. Another character that had great growth was Ye-Kan which I kind of already mentioned. But seriously, he becomes such a good friend and for growing up spoiled as he did, I think that was really impressive. I don’t think Ye-Yang really had much growth in this book but I think he’s set up well to have that in book 2 so I am excited to see that.

Plot: this was enjoyable. I love a woman being disguised as a man. I love the mystery and revenge story of figuring out why her father was killed and deciding what she was going to do about it. I also thought the backdrop of war and the role of engineers in that was very interesting. The plot pacing was pretty good. There was a lot happening but we still had a few quieter moments that focused on character growth and relationships too. Overall I would say it was medium paced and then the last 20% is faster.

World: the world is super interesting. Amber does a great job with describing it and helping me visualize it. (I was also listening to cdrama OSTs while reading and I would highly recommend this, you feel so fully immersed into the world when doing so). I wish I had gotten even more of the history and politics of the world and sooner. But that’s just a personal opinion because I like those things. I’m sure many people will be happy with the amount given in this book. I also expect book 2 to focus on the politics and war a lot more and I’m very excited for that.

Romance: I think this was a really interesting aspect of the book because of the characters and what ends up happening later on in the book. I was definitely feeling some of the romantic moments throughout the book. At one point Ye-Yang said something that shocked me and I may have been actually blushing. So it was a very fun read in that aspect. I do think the romance could have used a little more development for me personally. But I am really excited for the development of it in book 2.

Writing: when I started reading the book it came across a lot younger than I was expecting and felt very typical YA (not that any of this is a bad thing of course). So at that point I was thinking - okay this will just be a cute fun read that I don’t take super seriously. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that the writing developed and it soon felt older and more serious in tone. Personally, I’m really glad it did because the beginning tone didn’t really match an 18 year old woman’s pov, but I think the middle and ending tone was a much more believable match to the characters and plot. And it aligns well with the character and plot growth. So if you start reading this and aren’t super enjoying the tone in the beginning, just know it develops nicely throughout the story.

Ending: wow that kind of threw me for a loop in some aspects. But it was a pretty fun ride at the end. I am kind of mad at a specific character though and I really need that character to make things right in book 2.

Interest in sequel: at this point I’ve mentioned like a million things I want to see in the sequel so obviously I am very invested and excited to read it. I have really high hopes for it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and the author for the ARC I read.

Wow , such amazing read, gorgeous story , so well done and developed thru the book, love the fantasy sections and how immersive was this world. Very similar to a Mulan retelling and im here for it .

I loved the FMC Ying as she navigates the engineering apprentice trials and seeks to track down her father's murderer. She's strong and committed to her values, which are tested throughout this book as she learns who she can and can't trust. Ye-Yang was an intriguing MMC/love interest, but for me personally, the romance didn't pull me in as much as Ying's storyline of passing the trials and solving her father's murder. The most compelling character relationship for me was her rivals-to-friends dynamic with Ye-Kan, and I'm curious to see how the supporting characters and world building in general will be expanded upon in a sequel.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this book for free from netgalley and the publisher.

I really liked this book to be honest. The main character of this book was delightfully headstrong, the romance was romancing in the right way, the tension was good, the standard 3 act tournament arc was based delightfully, and the murder was devious in the right way that made you feel like you were gaining ground, but not quite enough. I also really enjoyed the deviousness and capriciousness of some characters, and the careful line the author drew between making someone who is doing some really despicable stuff, but also you kinda adore. The goods of this far outweigh any of the bads, and I would unquestionably recommend this book for someone looking for a good light fantasy read.

That being said I had 3 gripes with the book, going from least annoying to most. This doesn’t meant the least annoying isn’t the worst, it just means it annoyed me the least.
1) The world felt hollow. I honestly didn’t get a sense of any distinct nature of any of the kingdoms or of the world. No nation, culture, or group, was particularly distinct in nature.
2) A lot of the characters didn’t feel their age. Despite the fact that Ying and Ye-Yang are apparently a year apart, and Ye-Kan is years younger than Ying, it didn’t feel that way. Ying and Ye-Kan felt the same age, whereas Ye-Yang felt quite a bit older. Like I wish the author had done a better job of makign the characters feel their age.
3) WHY IS SHE CALLING HER DAD A-MA. This was the most confusing thing, I had to keep reminding myself she <b>didn’t</b> mean her grandma or mom.

TLDR; A fantastic book that, personally, didn’t quite hit. I would recommend this for anyone who really wants people to recognize that China invented gunpowder, and write a fantasy novel around that. That being said, parts of the book left me incredibly confused, especially her calling her dad a-ma. All in all a 7/10 rounded up for very good feelings.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an arc!

"Of Jade and Dragons" was one of my most anticipated reads of the year but it was a bit of a let down. The writing was easy to follow and the story had its moments of excitement, suspense and action but I found some parts to be a bit predictable and the pacing to be uneven. Some plot points were resolved too conveniently and the characters also could've used more depth and development

The ending did have me curious to see where the series goes from here, so despite not being blown away, I'll definitely be continuing with the sequel.

3.5 stars ⭐

The concept of an Asia-inspired steampunk setting was so promising, but it didn't nearly live up to expectations. There were moments of marvel, like placing restaurant orders using a tube and rail contraption, but there wasn't anything else. For a revered Engineers Guild where would-be apprentices "[dabbled] in cutting-edge engineering technology" there was a distinct lack of any kind of description about this technology.

I didn't care for the instant love between Ying and Yeyang, nor for the 3+ times he catches her before she falls. Ying was more focused on Yeyang than solving her father's murder, which didn't seem to affect her at all and was only mentioned conveniently to move the plot forward. I didn't expect the reveal where <spoiler>Yeyang had a hand in her father's death</spoiler>, but it wasn't anything special to me.

Overall, the story feels hollow and the world-building is all but nonexistent. I can't articulate or even understand why the Great Jade Empire and the Antaran isles are at war or why <spoiler>Shanjin agreed to design weaponry with Lianshu since he left the Engineers Guild because he didn't want to cause harm</spoiler>. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me.

AHHHHH! I love reading novels involving Asian characteristics and culture. Reading the book description beforehand, I was immediately reminded of Mulan. The stubborn female main character was an enjoyable character to follow along as she grew and learned. It was a very simple and quick read. However, I would’ve loved to see more world-building and introductions (or references) to more characters because I felt like we were only seeing the same few over and over again. This made the story seem smaller when I feel like it could’ve been expanded more. Overall, I think it is a great book for those looking for a quick, enjoyable read.

3.75⭐️

For those who loved a Mulan as a kid this book is a must-read! It is suitable for all audiences, but it is a YA which is shows a lot but it was still very enjoyable. I loved the unique world and the writing is so good. I will be reading the second one when it comes out. I just thought it was so fun and magical. Mythology fantasy books always get me!! it was a predicable tbh but it is written for a younger audience so i guess that can give a reason why i was able to predict it so easily.

4.5/5 ⭐

If you like...

🐲 silkpunk
🐲 Chinese-inspired historical fantasy/sci-fi
🐲 a FMC in STEM
🐲 a morally grey MMC
🐲 a murder mystery
🐲 DRAGONS (yes, the dragon on the cover is in the book, wait for it...)

then please read this book!!

Of Jade and Dragons is a beautiful story about a woman doing whatever necessary to avenge the death of her father, even if it means leaving her family, disguising herself as a boy, and going against her father dying wish for her to burn his journal and stay away from the Engineers Guild. But after a chance encounter with Ye-yang, the eighth prince and fourth beile to the High Commander, Ying is given the chance to not only track down her father's murderer, but also to follow a dream that was never a real possibility for her: a chance to compete for a spot in the Engineers Guild. And she takes it.

This book is the perfect blend of plot, politics, romance, and technology. Chen did an amazing job balancing all the aspects of her story (the assassin, the murder mystery, the competition, the romance...) and created an extremely well-paced story. There was always something happening! I was never bored or wishing that Ye-yang would come back from wartime things to further the romance subplot.

And speaking of romance...

Finally, an FMC that doesn't let her feelings, of both romance and betrayal, get in the way of what she wants and needs to do! Ying is an excellent FMC. She is a career-based woman with a good head on her shoulders, who doesn't let her feelings for Ye-yang cloud her judgement, and that is something I really respect. Because of this, I grew to fall for Ye-yang as Ying did, slowly, but surely. The romantic feelings came first, and then the trust came later. How *realistic* of Ying to decide she doesn't trust a man she met only two months prior. We love a girl who can think logically, even if she loves a beautiful, morally ambiguous man like the rest of us. I mean, how can you not fall for a man who drops lines like "If I want to conquer the world, will you stand by my side?" I get it, girl. I get it.

Everything was so well thought out. The characters, the mystery, the romance. The characters had excellent development (Ye-kan, I didn't expect to love you as much as I did, but I don't think Ying did either), the mystery was uncovered in a way that didn't leave Ying looking naive or stupid for not figuring it out earlier (no "how could I have possibly missed that?" moments), and the romance was given the time and space it needed to develop naturally (and to give it more of an impact when things may or may not start to go wrong).

Please read this book, it is 100% worth your time. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If I'm being completely honest, the title and (stunning) cover are what made me curious about OF JAD AND DRAGONS. But I'm glad it came onto my radar, because I enjoyed it!

This is the sort of novel that I feel really fits the category of young adult. Readers are thrown right into the action in the first chapter; the plot continues to move along at a steady, quick pace from there. The plot really is the main focus of the story, with our main character navigating her investigation in the capital, maintaining the guise of a male trial competitor in the hopes of earning a place in the Engineer's Guild, and discovering more about her nation and the bodies of power along the way. There are certainly conveniences that feel either a touch deus ex machina or a glossing over of some details, but honestly, those didn't stick out in a way that personally bothered me.

Given this is very plot-driven, there was a lighter hand when it came to the world-building and character development. But it wasn't overly detrimental to me either since there was just enough detail to grab and keep my attention, and honestly, I was still pretty interested in seeing how Ying's story was going to play out (and I actually like how it ended, though I'm sure there will be a variety of opinions on that).

Overall, this was a fun and entertaining YA book! I liked it a great deal, and look forward to the sequel.

P.S. If you enjoyed A Magic Steeped in Poison, Spin the Dawn, Daughter of the Moon Goddess, and Tamora Pierce, you might enjoy this one too.

it was okayyyy, the prose is really vivid and detailed but the plot beats are kinda predictable and very typical but i can see the creative aspects that shine thru anyways, i think a younger person would love this

“Of Jade and Dragons,” by Amber Chen

Ying wants to be a world-class engineer like her father so when her father is murdered, she decides to go to the capital in disguised to the Engineers Guild to find answers. Ying makes an ally with Ye-yang, the eight prince of the High Command.

I really liked the Asian aspect of the story; the lore and imagery were so unique. The entire engineering stuff made it feel slightly futuristic but in a historical fiction world. It was such a good Mulan retelling type of story. I related to the FMC and loved the main characters relationship. 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

this was magnificent! and that ending??? i am completely ruined! this story means so much to me! i cannot wait to get my hands on the second book!!

This was an easy read. The pacing was good, the plot was easy to understand, and the key developments and obstacles for the heroine were interesting.

The biggest strength in this book is the protagonist herself. Ying is an easy heroine to root for; she has resolve, cleverness, thoughtfulness, and strength. But she becomes a foil for the book's biggest weakness: all the incredibly huge odds stacked against her that could have provided a nuanced landscape for her growth barely materialize in the story. To be more specific about the nitpicking, she had never left her insular, sheltered hometown before, she is a girl posing secretly as a boy, she is the child of the guildmaster's rival, she is being sponsored specially by a prince even though she's not from a noble's family... but so few of these things make a dent in her journey. (I'm especially disappointed in the gender issue, since this is a key theme as a Mulan reimagining and in the book's marketing. She is found out immediately at the beginning by the beile who also immediately agrees to keep her secret, no one questioned why she never bathed, she never had periods, she is described as extremely pretty at the beginning but no one bats an eye... even her reveal to the Guild at the end is kept from the readers, with only the note that her acceptance was unanimous but no other comments.) In a book that is very like one that would be labelled "palace intrigue," there was so little sabotage and rivalry. It would have been so interesting to see how she was challenged in these various precarious aspects of her life, but so little of it ended up mattering.

I appreciated the question that came up often in this book: at what point is progress unethical?

I thought the ending was somehow both extremely predictable and pretty interesting. I love when books that are part of a series wrap up pretty open-endedly, without an obvious cliffhanger. You get to choose whether or not to continue adventuring with these characters, and I hope the next book lets me do so!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

For those who love a Mulan-inspired story, this book is a must-read! It is suitable for all audiences, true YA. I enjoyed the rich world and the unique twists to the plot, and the writing is well-crafted. While I did not find it mind-blowing, it is worth picking up and I will be reading the second one when it comes out.

Action packed and well written. I love that the fmc, Ying, is a femme fatale badass who is trying to avenge her father and find out the secrets of his past. She does so by pretending to be her brother to get into the Engineers guild who only take in me -very Mulan of her. She has the help of the taciturn 8th prince of the High Command, Ye-Yang. But he has his own complicated agenda.
The ending left me reeling and I can't wait for a 2nd book!
Thank you to Amber Chen for the pleasure of reading this story and giving my honest review.

I loved this book great Mulan retelling I just thought it was so fun and magical and the mythology weaved I'm to it is just great I love this book

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My heart cannot handle the love between Ying and Ye-yang. Every single scene between them, I was silently screaming to myself for them to kiss. I absolutely love Ye-yang. I love how he can see Ying every single time. Nothing gets past him and my heart just surge each time he finds her out. It's absolutely adorable. Ye-yang is intelligent. He plans his moves carefully to get what he wants, but there is also a part of him that can't really plan his moves when he's around Ying. There is the vulnerabilities you see within him that he only shows to Ying, but there is also a part of him that is hidden away, that eventually hurts Ying in the end. A part of me broke when Ye-yang revealed his plan and it hurt that Ying was in the cross-fire. She doesn't deserve it, not after her father's death. She doesn't belong to be in that contiuous loop that her father was dragged into.

This book was fast-paced, but it also slowed at the important moments, allowing me to savor the interactions between Ying and Ye-yang. In addition, the interactions between her and Ye-kan. An unexpected friendship blossom between the two and I absolutely loved how they cared for one another. Not only was it nice to see her bonding with others at the Engineers Guild, but it was nice to go on the journey to find more about her father. Going through his past and seeing who he was back then, felt so heartwarming each time I learn a new thing about him, just as Ying was experiencing as well. She eventually understands why he left and soon she comes to realization that his reasoning for leaving, is similar to the situation she's in. I believe she's at peace with her father's death, but she's not at peace with herself. The plot of finding clues to her father's murderer, felt like it was in the background as she goes through the Engineers Guild, but I don't mind at all. What she is doing there was so enthralling, that I couldn't get mad that she became sidetracked.

Overall, this book was breathtaking and I couldn't put it down. The characters were captivating and there was something to each one of them. I also enjoy how the love that blossoms between Ying and Ye-yang was slow and it didn't overwhelm the plot of the story. He's there and he's not the main point of attention as she goes through the trials of the Engineers Guild. I enjoy Ying's perseverance and passion for engineering. With the author's great work of writing, it doesn't feel like Ying passion for engineering is just something that has to be there for the sake of the plot. With that bittersweet ending, I am curious to see how Ying will continue her life and if she will ever continue the fiery passion she had in the Engineers Guild. In addition, how will the Antarans fair with a war against the Empire? I worry for the deaths that are to come.

- wait i didn’t expect to enjoy this so much i love this book 😭👍🏻 HIGHLY recommend if you like any of the following: historical cdrama/kdramas, mulan, or the apothecary diaries
- i love ying she’s so smart and has AGENCY
- lowkey this book was predictable imo but still so entertaining and enjoyable to read, it’s so easy to fall into the world the author has built the silkpunk setting is so cool i literally couldn’t stop reading
- the romance omg?? this is slow burn done right 😩
- i need to know how many books will be in this series i already can’t wait for the next book 😭😭

thank you so much netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!

It is so unfortunate that I did not enjoy this book. The synopsis drew me in immediately but while reading my experience took a turn. The writing was just not clicking for me. It felt very stunted which pulled me out if the story...