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tkhongmaly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
tiffanysbautista's review against another edition
I couldn't get into it. The world building got very confusing and I tried to get passed it but I could not.
teadregon's review against another edition
5.0
“Pray to Jenshu, but be like Baijen.”
Jade City is a novel unlike what I’ve read in recent memory. At a cursory glance, the urban fantasy setting of the jade-laced island of Kekon was an interesting magic/power system and the conflict between clan wars pumped me up for the action ensuing with each turn of the page. What I didn’t expect as much, was to get so attached to the characters, both those I adored and those I despised. Without a doubt, a solid 5★ for me.
My favorite aspect of the novel was the characters by far. Everyone felt proactive, rather than reactive, when it came to their desires. Honestly, I think it would be safe to say that the novel is driven by character decisions, which lead to exciting consequences and actions between the two clans: No Peak and the Mountain. Although I would love to have seen more from the major Mountain players, their efforts did not simply blend in with the setting.
Speaking of the setting, the city of Janloon was so immersive, which is surprising in a book that seems so character-driven. Lee did amazing at contrasting a world (or should I say island) in which everything felt grounded: cultural and social actions had historical meaning, that while not integral to the plot, made clear that the major actors grew up in Kekon, specifically in Green Bone culture.
I could go on and on about the plot but at that point, you might as well read the book! The plot is easy to grasp but the intricacies of all the aspects Lee conveyed made it feel much more than that. I thoroughly enjoyed the more political sides of the clan, just as much as I did the physical action sides!
“Politics moved slowly and blades moved fast.”
To conclude, I am thoroughly excited to continue into the second installment and see what No Peak and the Mountain does next in the city!
Jade City is a novel unlike what I’ve read in recent memory. At a cursory glance, the urban fantasy setting of the jade-laced island of Kekon was an interesting magic/power system and the conflict between clan wars pumped me up for the action ensuing with each turn of the page. What I didn’t expect as much, was to get so attached to the characters, both those I adored and those I despised. Without a doubt, a solid 5★ for me.
My favorite aspect of the novel was the characters by far. Everyone felt proactive, rather than reactive, when it came to their desires. Honestly, I think it would be safe to say that the novel is driven by character decisions, which lead to exciting consequences and actions between the two clans: No Peak and the Mountain. Although I would love to have seen more from the major Mountain players, their efforts did not simply blend in with the setting.
Speaking of the setting, the city of Janloon was so immersive, which is surprising in a book that seems so character-driven. Lee did amazing at contrasting a world (or should I say island) in which everything felt grounded: cultural and social actions had historical meaning, that while not integral to the plot, made clear that the major actors grew up in Kekon, specifically in Green Bone culture.
I could go on and on about the plot but at that point, you might as well read the book! The plot is easy to grasp but the intricacies of all the aspects Lee conveyed made it feel much more than that. I thoroughly enjoyed the more political sides of the clan, just as much as I did the physical action sides!
“Politics moved slowly and blades moved fast.”
To conclude, I am thoroughly excited to continue into the second installment and see what No Peak and the Mountain does next in the city!
hiddenbookstore's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Fantasy Hong Kong and Mafia series. A lot of exposition happens, even more gangster stuff happens. Super morally gray series. Excellent world building by Fonda Lee, and even better characterization. You might not like the character as a person, but you can appreciate the world building at least.
lildizzee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kdub3411's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
inkedbibliomaniac's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like this book took me a while to get into. Whether it was the world-building, names/amount of characters, or because I was trying to read two books at once, I'm not sure. But once I got into it, I did get into it! It's heavier than my normal reads with political intrigue and, really, the world itself, but it was intriguing and enjoyable. I'm excited to see what happens next.
I also really like the writing style; it's concise but imaginative to where I could envision what was happening clearly.
I also really like the writing style; it's concise but imaginative to where I could envision what was happening clearly.
remjunior's review against another edition
4.0
This was great. I read about half of the novel on a flight back from California and really couldn't put it down. At its core, this is a story about family. In some ways it reminds me of a Boardwalk Empire type of show, with gangsters and a lot of Eastern influence.
I think it was a little repetitive at points, which is why I'm knocking off a star, but overall this was a great read.
I think it was a little repetitive at points, which is why I'm knocking off a star, but overall this was a great read.
megegghan's review against another edition
3.0
I really had to force myself through this one. The writing was fine, the plot had interesting twists and turns, but I felt it could have been half the length or even less if it cut out the constant repetition and hammering in of clan/family loyalty. This sounded like something I would enjoy - my favorite book of all time is about warring families and a finite natural resource that enhances human abilities - but this left me feeling like maybe this particular type of fantasy book just isn't what I want to read. I don't know if I will bring myself to continue on with the series or just read a synopsis of the next book - I do want to find out what 'happens' but don't want to slog through another 400 pages of the same words over and over again from characters that I really didn't care about.
Struggled between giving this a two and a three.
Struggled between giving this a two and a three.
sngsweelian's review against another edition
5.0
Love this book and can’t wait to read the next 2 books.