Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Jade City

Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

Jade City by Fonda Lee

43 reviews

heather667's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.0

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le_mur's review against another edition

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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

4.5

I didn’t mean to reread this in full, this quickly, right now; it wasn’t the plan; I don’t know how this happened. Just as addictive and compulsively readable as first read (and I’m a little concerned/ impressed at how closely my reading experience resembled my first read in how consumed I was, despite knowing everything that happens and without really picking up on deeper narratives, which I usually enjoy about rereads. I wasn’t shocked or surprised, yet I was somehow still as engrossed and on-edge). I really enjoyed reflecting on the distinct characterizations of the cast, but even that was mostly reinforcing what I tracked on first read. The obvious difference is the context of having definitive insight into their trajectories, having read the entire trilogy, but I think my thoughts and responses were still pretty congruent.

My main appreciation for this series as a whole, which I was able to digest more—while actually reading— upon reread, is how relevant the framing of perspective is to the narrative. The characters are so compelling (not to be mistaken with likable, heroic, or defendable), yet if this were another series, we could have easily been led by any of the other ‘antagonistic’ perspectives and feel just as compelled/ conflicted/ like their actions may be justifiable. It’s entirely plausible that I could have devoured this same plot framed as the story of an antihero—and that would have been the story of one of my most despised characters (a hatred which I can admit is probably more than a little irrational, seeing as it probably could be recontextualized without changing much about the character’s qualities. In this story, though, I legitimately had to brace myself every time we switched to that perspective). Even the aggravating development of protagonists felt motivated and human in their consistencies and inconsistencies. It’s hard to entirely love* or hate any character (*WITH ONE EXCEPTION. One beloved character). There’s a recurring motif of characters regarding each other with begrudging admiration, and I think that summarizes how I felt towards characters (cough, ****, cough) even in the midst of being appalled at certain actions. Really fascinating point for me to be so consumed by in a book that’s more plot-driven than what I typically gravitate toward. Characters are what make books for me, but I don’t need likable or lovable or even agreeable characters; I need interesting characters, and this series certainly delivers.

I will now attempt* to resist the impulse to immediately dive into Jade War (*specifically not an oath).

(((Also, the fact that I not only felt compelled to try, but actually delivered on writing out my thoughts in some semblance of organization? Unprecedented.)))

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ellenelly's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.5

honestly, the best fantasy book i have read in a long while. (probably will be one of the best fantasy trilogies i've ever read)

at first i was a little scared to start a new fantasy series but i am so glad i got through the fear and started it! i was instantly hooked. it’s an asian inspired urban fantasy, so of course, i was going to enjoy the book.

the magic system is so unique, and the world building is phenomenal! it didn’t feel info-dumpy at all, and the lore was so interesting to read about. learning about kekon, its culture, and its people felt so natural; all the information was so easily digestible. the characters were fleshed out so well and i found myself loving them so easily (except, you know,,, for the select few - but that’s understandable, iykyk).i love the dynamic of the kaul siblings and just hilo in general (also lan,,, ily <3333). no matter how minor the character, fonda lee finds a way for you to just kNOW the character; that’s how well she writes everyone. and don’t get me started on the prose; oh the prose!!! wonderfully written; the writing grips you when it wants to, makes you feel things, and connects you to the story in ways you cannot even imagine a book can do.

gangs, war, drugs, family, honor , a pinch of romance (if you blink, you’ll miss it - but its still endearing), great characters, great plot, great world building, well written, well paced, likE WHAT MORE CAN YOU WANT FROM A FANTASTIC BOOK

ok i’m going to read the next books now, bye

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takarakei's review against another edition

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dark 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

4.5

Warring mafia/mob families
Political intrigue to the max
Kung fu/martial arts inspired
Complex lovable characters
Multiple POV

I struggled in parts of this book because of the amount of political intrigue related to the clans/families was a lot and I'm not really interested in mafias in general. But those parts were also the typical sorts of things I figure you'd find in books about a mob family and being used as a kind of structure/base (I haven't read any others, so I personally don't have anything to compare it to besides The Sopranos). However the things that make this book unique, mainly the jade and THE CHARACTERS which are all so complex and interesting, were thoroughly enjoyable. I found myself towards the end really getting invested because I loved these characters so much.

Even though my favorite character was killed relatively early on. It's ok, I still hold a glimmer of hope something magical will happen.

Since this is the first book in a series it did feel like it was a lot of set up for the subsequent books, but I am interested to keep reading and see where things go from here.

Also I drew a lot of parallels between this book and The Poppy War, even though they are VERY different series. But interestingly the first books were published a year apart, so I wonder if Fonda Lee and R.F. Kuang have any similar influences.

3/5 🌶️ (there is explicit sex but it’s very sporadic)

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jessiereads98's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

5.0

An absolute masterpiece. Fonda Lee has crafted amazing characters in an incredible world. Truly the world building here is masterful. She weaves the narratives of characters together flawlessly, revealing important details or moments at the exact right time. The action scenes grab you and pull you to the edge of your seat. I can not wait to read the rest of this trilogy.

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