adored this with all my heart!!! the rep made my heart melt and the fantasy aspect was SO well done, i applaud the author. stunning. definitely would recommend!

tl;dr
Secrets upon secrets power a fast-moving plot and some fanciful world building.

Thoughts
Ooh, this one's twisty. Ying dreams of joining the Engineer's Guild, a goal rather hampered by the fact that it's a boys only situation. When her father is murdered, seemingly in connection with the Guild, she disguises herself as a boy and joins to find his killer. But her deception is far from the only one. We've got political machinations, assassins, secret machines of war, and other hidden identities, all wrapped up in a power grab for the future of the kingdom. The plot moves from one twist to the next at a speedy pace that kept me turning pages, but never felt like it was overdoing it with the drama. Ying is a great lead - determined, capable, but also incredibly conflicted, especially as more secrets come to light and the reality of war unfolds. There's also a romance woven into this for fans who like it with... complications. World building is a bit steampunk and a lot of Chinese lore woven together in an original world that sparks the imagination, and by that I mean there's a mechanical dragon that flies and it's awesome.

Unfortunately I found the book difficult to read due to how the book is presented. Even with reading a little bit of the book, I found that this book was not for me.

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for providing me with a copy of this lovely book. I rarely ever give a book five out of five stars, but this is so beautifully written that I had to give it a perfect score. I love the worldbuilding, the well-fleshed characters, and the mystique of the guild. Amber Chen, well done! I very much look forward to reading more of your work! I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy for my personal library!

This was honestly just so fun! The vibe was 100% giving Mulan meets like… avatar the last airbender? And weirdly.. she’s the man? But.. make it fantasy haha
I love a more political fantasy with a SUBplot romance so genuinely this was right up my alley.

Honestly just such a good debut novel and excited to see what happens next after that little cliffhanger!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a wonderful representation of the tough choices we face in life. I absolutely love all the engineering marvels and the STEM emphasis throughout the book. The airships, gliders, and fighting fans gave me strong AtLA vibes, and I am here for it.

Ying, while frustrating at first, became the lovable protagonist I crave. She is flawed and stubborn but grows so much!

I can’t say that any of the plot points or tropes were completely original or groundbreaking. But those included are classic for a reason and we’re executed well. There were parts of the story that felt slow and parts that felt rushed, but apart from the pacing, I loved everything about this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc copy of this book to read. I definitely recommend it to those who love YA fantasy.

CW: I literally cannot believe that this is my CW for this review, but CW for discussions of body types. (I'm not going into any particular detail because it's just not necessary, but talking about the book's approach to these themes. CW is just to be on the cautious side because! of course people who want to read a book about an engineer scheming in the heart of the Jade Empire are not anticipating running into that! Completely fairly!)

The pacing here is odd, seemingly based around romantic plot points with the love interest. There are several characters we do not end up knowing very much about, despite their introduction to the story. As is frequently my complaint with similar books (particularly ones in the YA-ish category), I don't understand why it is Ying cannot think generally or conceptually -- she is upset about her father's death, and completely stops wondering about anything after that feeling. She has no grander sense of injustice/oppression, she has no real *opinions*. I was not clear on the political relationships between the territories until the very end of the book. To this end, there is one particular plot point (if you've read, maybe you'll know which I mean) that is so astonishing, and has the potential to alter the balance of power, that is forgotten about in mere paragraphs. In general, just a lot of odd story decisions where it seems broader development of themes/characters/places cast aside in favor of telling the central love story, which is (in my opinion) not always convincing. It lacks tension since you already know more or less who is going to end up with who.

One last thing: every character in this book, literally every single one, is described by their body type. There is one character in particular who receives such a startlingly mean introduction that maybe on this reason alone, I don't think the book is suited for a YA audience. Aside from being repetitive and boring, the author seems to be using body type as a signifier for character traits. I really did not like this element of the book and was astonished to see just how many characters were described in this way. Of course, I'm not saying that it never makes sense to describe what someone looks like -- but the way the book is structured positions these descriptions as introductions, wherein body type somehow always plays a factor.

I understand this is a YA book, but if it is, I don't know why more attention wasn't paid to the language used to describe peoples' bodies. For the next one, this will hopefully not be as prominent.

Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a really solid debut novel!

A Steam Punk-y Mulan-style story bursting with fun, loveable characters and imaginative engineering. Every time I thought "eh, the story is probably going to be pretty straightforward from here on out", I was wrong! I was delightfully surprised by the way this tale was weaved, the way the mystery resolves, and Ying's relationships with the various characters in this novel. I am already looking forward to the next installment in this series.

I will say, it does feel like Ying overcomes all of her obstacles with relative ease, but I think there was a reason for that, I'm curious to see if this will change in the sequel (and curious to know others thoughts on it!). The writing was good, but a little too explain-y at times. I do understand this is a YA novel but I do believe in young readers being able to put two and two together when things start lining up plot-wise.

Overall though, I was surprised with how often I wanted to return back to this story, I would recommend to those who liked Iron Widow and Tamora Pierce novels!

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC.

This book was perfection, from the start till the end.
Ying was written very well, she was smart, she was not annoying, she wasn't those female characters that are "bad-asses"( I hate bad ass sword wielding female characters).
I also loved every character, I liked the relationships they had and how they argued sometimes.
Ye-Kan was my favorite, I he was a good friend , and and sweet. ( can't wait to see what happens with him in the next book)
Ye-yang and and Ying relationship...I'm scared for them.
Great writing, great story, great characters.
Also if you like C-dramas or K-drama I would recommend this book!

I absolutely loved the premise of this story! Unfortunately I could not get connected to the protagonist. The way the story opened felt very jarring and almost impossible to connect to.

Thank you PenguinTeen for approving my e-ARC!

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen is a captivating fantasy tale filled with action, mystery, and intricate world-building.

The story follows a main female character who navigates a world of danger and intrigue, disguised as a boy while unraveling the mystery of her father's murder.

One of the highlights of this book is its vibrant Mulan aspect, which adds depth to the protagonist's journey as she balances her dual identity and quest for justice. Chen's skillful world-building creates a rich and immersive setting, though at times, the abundance of information felt overwhelming to me.

However, as the story progresses, readers will find themselves drawn deeper into the intricacies of the world, gaining a newfound appreciation for its depth and complexity. If you're a fan of action-packed fantasy with elements of war, romance, and mystery, this book is sure to delight.

I'm grateful to NetGalley for providing the opportunity to delve into this enthralling tale. While I ultimately settled on a four-star rating due to the initial information overload, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story, eagerly awaiting the next installment. Reminiscent of 'Iron Widow,' this YA fantasy leaves readers on the edge of their seats with a tantalizing cliffhanger that leaves them yearning for more.

This was a fantastic, fun, and smart adventure story. While some of the tropes--a young woman passing as a man, the prince passing as a pauper--are common, they're given unexpectedly interesting treatments here with well-developed characters who have motives, means, and desires that keep pushing them into new territory. The Chinese-influenced/silkpunk culture presented here is fascinating and rich, expertly crafted and very well thought out--it's clear that the novel and its inner workings have been built from the ground up so that when each element or idea engages, it makes complete sense and is believable. I'll warn you, though: the end is painful, but I'm optimistic for a sequel.

This book was definitely…something. But in a good way! It wasn’t like anything I’ve ever read before and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to get a digital review copy of it from NetGalley.

From the moment I started this book I knew I would love it. Amber Chen is a master at her craft and I can’t believe this is her debut traditionally published novel. She was able to create such a unique world with its own silkpunk vibe and I love it.

The characters are engaging and fleshed out (specifically Ying, Ye-yang, and Ye-kan [my personal favorite]). The world is full and bursting with color and creativity and I just want more! Thank you Amber Chen for writing this.

However, the reason I rate it 4 stars is because some parts seemed to drag. At some points it seemed like nothing was happening, but luckily I wasn’t stuck in those situations very long because before too long some big situation involving jade or dragons or angsty love would follow it up.

Overall, a great read and I’m glad I took the time to get into it. Definitely going to buy a copy when it’s released in June!

Ying disguises herself as a man and infiltrates a prestigious engineering academy in order to find the assassin who murdered her father. But as she completes the trials set out for her, she begins to discover how much she doesn't know ...

This book is engaging and gripping, with brilliant characters and a fast plot. I really enjoyed it and would be intrigued to see where else a sequel could take us!

Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy

I am always down for a book about an underdog trying to rise through the ranks within a school, but I was especially intrigued with this one since it resembled aspects of Mulan. Aihui Ying has always dreamed to be like her father, a master engineer trained at the prestigious Engineer’s Guild, but she never thought investigating her father’s tragic murder would be the path to make her dreams come true. Ying must disguise herself as her brother to enter the Guild’s apprenticeship trial with hopes of rising to the top and finding some answers about her father’s death and his short-lived success within the Guild. My favorite part of the book was how Amber Chen beautifully infused snippets of Ying’s memories of her father throughout the book as she was grieving his death - you continue to learn more about their relationship as the book goes on and it felt like her father was with her throughout her time at the Guild. I can’t wait to read more about Ying’s story - especially after a cliffhanger in last chapters!

A steam punk Mulan. If Mulan was trying to figure out who murdered her father instead of saving China.

Overall the story was great and unique. There were times where the story dragged a bit. But it wasn’t anything that didn’t add to the story, or at least explain the invention part of it.

Rating: 4.5 stars

If you love Asian inspired fantasy with an intricate plot and a strong female lead, I would definitely recommend reading this book!

It is about Aihui Ying, our female protagonist, who dreams of becoming an amazing engineer like her father. However, after witnessing his murder, she is determined to find her father’s killer. When the trail leads her to the prestigious male only Engineers Guild, Ying must disguise herself as a boy. While competing in the apprenticeship trials she discovers secrets about her father’s past that changes her life forever.

The story was very captivating. I loved the combination of the murder mystery and the guild’s apprenticeship trials. I thought the prompt of the trials (mind, heart, soul) were well thought out and I loved how Ying’s memories of her father’s lessons played an important role in her growth as she faces each challenge. I also loved the discussion of innovation and ambition. On one hand it can make the world a better place. On the other hand, it can also lead to harm, and I love how Ying’s character struggles with this as she tries to find herself.

Aihui Ying was such an amazing character. She is intelligent, curious, and determined. I love how she doesn’t want to be bound to the role society has placed on women and instead strives for something more. Throughout the story she faces numerous hardships, failures, betrayals, and heartbreaks. However, she faces them with dignity and thoughtfulness, and that is what makes her character so relatable. There is also a slow burn romance subplot and it is complex. I am curious to see how the author will develop the romance between two people who sincerely love each other, but can’t be together due to differences in believes and motivation. As for the secondary characters, they were well flushed out. I love the rivalry and the unexpected heartwarming friendships. I am interested to see what role they will play in the future novels and the change in the dynamics of the relationships.

The world building was very intriguing. I love the inventions and technology. However, I found myself having a hard time understanding the politics and the tension between the Jade Empire and the Antaran isles. One of the grievances is that the Antarans are at the mercy of the Jade Empire for the import of various necessities due to their poor harvest. However, they have this amazing engineering guild with creative minds. I am surprise they didn’t focus their resources to invent something that will help with harvesting in harsh environments. A lot of the focus was on engineering of weapons. I would have loved to have explored the other sectors of the guild such as architecture/construction, transportation, or the Black opt unit.

Overall, it was a fantastic read. Besides the plot and characters, I also loved the foreshadowing, tension, and the plot twist at the end! I am so grateful to have been able to read this book and I can’t wait for its release in June. Definitely will look forward to reading the next one.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group/Viking Books for Young Readers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A YA story with Mechanical beasts, a woman in STEM, and romance?! Count me in. 🤩

I absolutely loved following Ying’s character through her journey to be an engineer in the engineers guild! Her character was so fun, strong willed, and determined. As a woman in STEM, I am so happy that this book weaved in Ying’s character to be an engineer in a world dominated by men. That makes her relatable and very inspiring to me! Also this story reminded me a little bit of Mulan, which I love, so the story immersed me from the beginning. It was interesting to read how Ying had to disguise herself as a man in the engineers guild and to read about her struggles with keeping this secret. The plot twists that this book had I have no words for!! I can’t wait to see where the next book begins and to be immersed into the world that Ying lives in again.

My only critique is that I feel that the world building was not as detailed as I had hoped it would be. I got the basis of the story/world but I was not as immersed in it as I expected to be and I did not understand some of the politics/setting of the world. That is why I rated this book 4 stars instead of 5, but overall I loved this book and the writing.

My favorite quotes from this book✨
“These seas can never trap those who are meant to fly” and “I was your sword, but you were never mine”.

Thank you Netgalley & Penguin Teen for the ARC! 💕

If you read this title and thought “yay a dragon book”, you’ll be sorely disappointed. There’s no dragons and very few mentions of dragons.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I loved some of the side characters, the school and the little bit of world building you get. But the main characters didn’t have enough personality for my liking and the ending felt rushed.

"Of Jade and Dragons" by Amber Chen is a captivating blend of Mulan and Iron Widow, set in a thrilling silkpunk fantasy world. Chen weaves a tale of intrigue and danger as eighteen-year-old Aihui Ying disguises herself as a boy to uncover the truth behind her father's murder. Left with only her father's journal and a jade pendant stolen from the assassin, Ying embarks on a quest to the prestigious Engineer's Guild, where secrets lurk and danger abounds.

Chen skillfully crafts a story of betrayal, alliances, and unexpected twists as Ying navigates the treacherous world of the guild's trials. The dynamic between Ying and her unlikely ally, the taciturn eighth prince Aogiya Ye-yang, adds depth to the narrative, complicating Ying's mission and raising questions about trust and loyalty.

The world-building in "Of Jade and Dragons" is rich and immersive, bringing to life a vibrant setting filled with intricate technologies and political intrigue. Chen's attention to detail creates a sense of authenticity, drawing readers deeper into the story with each page.

At its core, "Of Jade and Dragons" is a tale of resilience and determination, as Ying confronts the demons of her past and fights for justice in a world where danger lurks at every turn. With its blend of action, mystery, and romance, this book is sure to captivate fans of fantasy and adventure alike. Amber Chen has crafted a compelling debut that will leave readers eagerly awaiting her next installment.