yak_attak's review against another edition
4.0
Just about the only thing I can really point to as an issue here is some clunky exposition, and a plot that plods just a *little* too much. Could easily be fixed in the sequel. Just wish the writing was a liiiittle bit more bold. But even as is this is a fantastic, compelling story, with. a great cast of characters all of whom are enjoyable. The dynamics within the family are impressively dynamic and nuanced, giving you chances to root for and against everyone at different times - it's rare that a story *really* pulls off "no good guys, no bad guys" but this is it. This is the one.
lukeaesjedai's review against another edition
Reading funk. Left off at chapter 27
reviewsbyjenni's review against another edition
3.0
pros: well-written and the plot was great. unfortunately i didn't really enjoy the setting or care about the characters, so i won't be continuing on with the series.
sav124's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
aminonawhim's review against another edition
I really was hyped about this one and wanted to read for the longest time because it intrigued me but unfortunately I read 25% of the book and I'm still not invested in the characters or their stories. The magic system is basic, the world-building is rudimentary and not exciting enough for me to continue reading. I might pick it up some other time.
mari_the_cryptic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I wasn't in the right mood to fully enjoy this book.
lgummy's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Huge fan of the worldbuilding and magical system. I should have been interested in the fairly intricate politics but instead it felt like a chore to get through, enough that I lost interest in continuing the series
jess_segraves's review
3.0
Thanks to Orbit Books via NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. My opinion of this book is not influenced by this opportunity.
Jade City combines elements of gangster families with martial arts, fantastical properties of jade, and the quest for power. The book spans multiple perspectives from the No Peak clan (and a couple outside perspectives too), and one of the central themes is the role of family obligation.
To be completely honest, I had a really hard time getting into the book. It took me until about 50 percent through the e-book to find a groove, which means that had I not been reading it as a galley, I would have abandoned it by that point. I never felt that sympathetic or even enraged by any of the main characters, instead feeling kind of annoyed at their decisions and lack of overall maturity. With so many characters introduced, I never felt like I had a sense of any one character's depth or complexity. Only towards the end of the book did I feel that one of the purported villains was multifaceted, and that would have made for a much more interesting subplot. Similarly, a side female character without jade-related abilities (stone-eye) ended up being one of the more fascinating cases and I would have loved to have experienced this plot from her eyes.
I also found Lee's choice to make men so prominent in her world and women - with two slight exceptions - fairly minor. In a world where we're supposed to imagine a different world, why are men still so prominent?
I think if this book continues on to become a series, I'd like to see a tighter plot with better editing and stronger character development.
Jade City combines elements of gangster families with martial arts, fantastical properties of jade, and the quest for power. The book spans multiple perspectives from the No Peak clan (and a couple outside perspectives too), and one of the central themes is the role of family obligation.
To be completely honest, I had a really hard time getting into the book. It took me until about 50 percent through the e-book to find a groove, which means that had I not been reading it as a galley, I would have abandoned it by that point. I never felt that sympathetic or even enraged by any of the main characters, instead feeling kind of annoyed at their decisions and lack of overall maturity. With so many characters introduced, I never felt like I had a sense of any one character's depth or complexity. Only towards the end of the book did I feel that one of the purported villains was multifaceted, and that would have made for a much more interesting subplot. Similarly, a side female character without jade-related abilities (stone-eye) ended up being one of the more fascinating cases and I would have loved to have experienced this plot from her eyes.
I also found Lee's choice to make men so prominent in her world and women - with two slight exceptions - fairly minor. In a world where we're supposed to imagine a different world, why are men still so prominent?
I think if this book continues on to become a series, I'd like to see a tighter plot with better editing and stronger character development.
zbaldwin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
pammie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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