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ncoletti's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Racism, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion
sarah984's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
It's pretty rare to find a sequel - especially part 2 in a trilogy - that's as good as the original, but Jade War surpassed all of my expectations. It's got a broader scope this time: many scenes take place in other countries and the Kauls are contending with foreign militaries, expat communities and trade agreements on top of the clan war situation and general family drama. It was easy to romanticize what was going on in Jade City, but Jade War draws back that curtain a bit to show the darker side. The characters are fantastic and unfortunately all of their terrible decisions are absolutely consistent with what you'd expect them to do. I can't wait to read the third book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Genocide, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Classism
theespressoedition's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It's a little hard to compress all of my thoughts about this book into a review.
There's a lot that occurred in Jade War and I struggled to comprehend all of it. In fact, it took me about three times as long to finish it as I expected (I don't know why I thought I'd finish it sooner when it took ages for me to finish Jade City as well).
It's a thick book with a thick plot that's often really hard to follow. The primary theme is "political intrigue" and the author gives us that element in abundance. However, because of that, it often becomes sluggish and almost too dense. While the first book had almost equal amounts of informational chapters and action chapters, this one fell heavily on the side of information and left the action to happen in short spurts throughout.
However, when the action did occur, I found myself holding my breath, waiting to see what would happen next. I was never sure who would live and who would die, whether there was a traitor in the midst, or if a romance would occur. There aren't many other authors who could get me to sit through over 600 pages (probably 400 of which were about politics and war strategies) and still find myself interested enough to keep going. So major props to Fonda Lee for holding my attention through this one.
The ending alone was enough to make this book worth it. I honestly can't wait to find out what happens next.
There's a lot that occurred in Jade War and I struggled to comprehend all of it. In fact, it took me about three times as long to finish it as I expected (I don't know why I thought I'd finish it sooner when it took ages for me to finish Jade City as well).
It's a thick book with a thick plot that's often really hard to follow. The primary theme is "political intrigue" and the author gives us that element in abundance. However, because of that, it often becomes sluggish and almost too dense. While the first book had almost equal amounts of informational chapters and action chapters, this one fell heavily on the side of information and left the action to happen in short spurts throughout.
However, when the action did occur, I found myself holding my breath, waiting to see what would happen next. I was never sure who would live and who would die, whether there was a traitor in the midst, or if a romance would occur. There aren't many other authors who could get me to sit through over 600 pages (probably 400 of which were about politics and war strategies) and still find myself interested enough to keep going. So major props to Fonda Lee for holding my attention through this one.
The ending alone was enough to make this book worth it. I honestly can't wait to find out what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Abortion, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
le_mur's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Abortion, and Pregnancy
maregred's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Abortion, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
4.0
The second book in the sweeping and immersive "The Green Bone Saga" fantasy series. It's a chunky one, but so far it deeply remains worth it!
Jade War picks up right where Jade City leaves us. There is a temporary lull in the No Peak vs Mountain Clan war for control over the island of Kekon. Though that moment of quiet is not destined to last for long. And the stakes get even higher here, as the war over jade expands to a national level. Both governments and local gangs in other countries are entering the fray, as far as access to jade and its powers and financial benefits go. The Kaul family is doing everything they can to gain advantage over the Mountain and maintain the sanctity of the way of the Green Bone both at home and abroad, making alliances and political moves and planning assassinations and more.
The dual stars of the first novel, the details of the Kaul family dynamics and the world-building internal to Kekon, remain just as spectacular in this second book. The overall complexity of the Green Bone clan traditions and beliefs, as well as the nuances of the interactions and power struggles and social rules, are so impressive, and one of the major reasons these books pull you in with such strength. This book really does take you further too, not just relying on what was set up in the first one and sacrificing continued depth in favor of plot movement. Lee walks the fine line of detail and intrigue, moving into a more international setting, including a complicated amount of new enemies and alliances and deals and politics, but somehow still keeping things moving with a considerable amount of drama. And I loved that expansion into the larger world. It was great for moving forwards from what we learned in the first book about Green Bone culture and placing it in a wider context, allowing the reader who had (obviously) been set up to sympathize with them, to see some of the ways their (insular) traditions may have dangers/shortcomings in a wider context, but always with that understanding of the harmful aspects of foreign colonizers had brought in the past. Fascinating and incredibly applicable (and accurate) to real life. That context was one thing I had wanted more of in the first book, so I was really excited for it here. I was hoping for a bit more detail on the workings of the jade itself, and I feel like, while I have a better vibe for its role and how it enhances ability, we still don't have an explanation as to how/why it works that way. It may just be a world mystery that we have to accept at face vaule...and I feel better about that possibility after this book, if I'm being honest, so that's good.
Relatedly, the further development of the Kaul family, and the No Peak vs Mountain conflict, mirrored that external expansion. Shae's efforts to get No Peak to look outside Kekon for advantages, and Ayt Mada's similar moves (if less obvious until key moments, as we aren't following her narrative perspective), allowed for great character growth for Hilo and Anden, and Wen to a certain extent (her cooperation with Shae is a wonderful addition - and a cool and positive spin on what is essentially her "disability"). Anden's time internationally helped him realize a lot about himself, with the space to do so, both personally and professionally (as far as his role in the No Peak clan and his use of jade). I enjoyed the glimpses into Shae's personal life as well, even if it was overall fairly tragic, but it gave her some really nice dimension and growth as well. And Hilo's maturing into a true leader, past violence and his role as the Horn, has been spectacular, though the things that make him Hilo, like his way with people (which is just the kind of character trait I love in a fantasy MC) and family loyalty and emotions, are still central to his being. It's a really authentic character path and I'm truly enjoying reading it. Final character comment...we have been following Breo all over the place for two books now and I am dying to finally know what role he is going to play (other than representing another, "normal person," point of view) that makes it that important to know his whole story.
Y'all, so much happened in this book. There was a lot of "slower" setting up a lot of alliances and greater world politics in this one that were super intriguing. And it was interspersed with quite a bit of harsh decision-making and violence (how Hilo deals with Enyi, Doru’s death, THE duel, abortion, what happens to Mudt and Maro and Kehn, and so much more). Honestly, it was both steadily paced and nonstop action, and I am loving the “new beginnings” sort of ending...clearly there is much more to come, but also a lot has been resolved or come out in the open or been reset/reframed, and I feel the build for the finale with great anticipation. While I totally have no idea where the last book is going to take/leave us, I am so invested in and intrigued to find out.
“Out of small resentments, spring great wars.”
“…the possibility of death was like the weather - you could make attempts to predict it, but you would likely be wrong, and no one would change their most important plans due to threat of rain.”
“…he felt no great relief or happiness - only the sort of heaviness that comes from wanting something for so long that the final achievement of it is a loss - because the waiting is over and the waiting has become too much a part of oneself to let go of easily.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ripxreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse and Suicide
Minor: Racism and Abortion
vampirical_pirate's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Torture, and War
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
4.75
what. a. trip. jade war does things bigger and is more complex, layered and - an uneasy feat - emotionally brutal than its already great predecessor. its violence, heartbreak, and scheming are further elevated by the nuanced exploration of its themes.
lee delves even deeper into the world of her story by expanding its scope through looking beyond kekon and examining all the intricacies and complex interconnected politics + history of the world she's created. the worldbuilding is starkly vivid, each country and their relationships w/ one another so distinct, realistic, and infuriatingly and familiarly mirrors our world.
the kauls continue to go through a whole lotta shit; there's a lot of ups and downs here but they do their best. never have i ever seen such a strong, complex fictional family and felt so much for their plight. there are certain points in the novel that just made me stop and go, "bruh this shit rly just went there." what i also rly appreciate is how they arent perfect at all; sometimes one can see their decisions' terrible consequences from a mile away, though theyre understandable and even inevitable.
the politicking and scheming, as always, continue to be one of the best things abt this series. idk if it's bc of lee's corporate strategist background, but the diplomatic, furtive, subtle ways the characters talk and act are enjoyably interesting, all imbued w/ an undercurrent msg or tension. i feel smarter reading abt how the characters talk and think lol.
what i most enjoy abt this book, however, is the nuanced, complex exploration of its themes that are hugely relevant in the real world not just on a personal, individual level but also historically and politically, esp how infuriating yts are, how countries and ppl arent black-and-white, diasporas, and how national sentiment borne from traumatic history can get entangled in more immediate, complicated current int'l relations and priorities. lee explores them all w/ gusto and a deft hand, offering persuasive arguments for both sides yet never talking down to the reader. also, reading this in 2022 feels like the book prophesized a lottt of things.
my only major caveat w/ the novel is how a lot of the kauls' scheming amounts to too little - like, all that for nothing compared to the mountain? nevertheless, this is an engrossing, dark, violent, complex, thrilling, and emotionally brutal book, one of a few that can easily make me scream, spooked, tear up, and stressed, and whose sequel i cant wait to devour.
lee delves even deeper into the world of her story by expanding its scope through looking beyond kekon and examining all the intricacies and complex interconnected politics + history of the world she's created. the worldbuilding is starkly vivid, each country and their relationships w/ one another so distinct, realistic, and infuriatingly and familiarly mirrors our world.
the kauls continue to go through a whole lotta shit; there's a lot of ups and downs here but they do their best. never have i ever seen such a strong, complex fictional family and felt so much for their plight. there are certain points in the novel that just made me stop and go, "bruh this shit rly just went there." what i also rly appreciate is how they arent perfect at all; sometimes one can see their decisions' terrible consequences from a mile away, though theyre understandable and even inevitable.
the politicking and scheming, as always, continue to be one of the best things abt this series. idk if it's bc of lee's corporate strategist background, but the diplomatic, furtive, subtle ways the characters talk and act are enjoyably interesting, all imbued w/ an undercurrent msg or tension. i feel smarter reading abt how the characters talk and think lol.
what i most enjoy abt this book, however, is the nuanced, complex exploration of its themes that are hugely relevant in the real world not just on a personal, individual level but also historically and politically, esp how infuriating yts are, how countries and ppl arent black-and-white, diasporas, and how national sentiment borne from traumatic history can get entangled in more immediate, complicated current int'l relations and priorities. lee explores them all w/ gusto and a deft hand, offering persuasive arguments for both sides yet never talking down to the reader. also, reading this in 2022 feels like the book prophesized a lottt of things.
my only major caveat w/ the novel is how a lot of the kauls' scheming amounts to too little - like, all that for nothing compared to the mountain? nevertheless, this is an engrossing, dark, violent, complex, thrilling, and emotionally brutal book, one of a few that can easily make me scream, spooked, tear up, and stressed, and whose sequel i cant wait to devour.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Racism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, and War
wrackcity's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Sexual violence and War