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giulay's review against another edition
- 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
TW: violence, blood, gore, mentions of suicide, mentions of rape, self-harm, racism, mentions of child sexual abuse
This feels like the end of an era.
No, for real. I’ve started reading Jade City May 1st 2021 – yes, you can read it again. Yes, you’ve read that correctly.
This book has been in my mind and on my nightstand for eight (8) months – what an obscene and shameful amount of time…
It is time to turn a new leaf.
But please, if you have to take something from this Rather Random Review™️ let it be this: the time it took me to go through this novel does not, and I repeat does not, mirror my enjoyment of the book, my love for the characters and the setting, and my absolute and unquestionable interest in the plot.
Because, sure, it might have taken me eight (8) months, but whenever my mind allowed me to read a bit, I remembered all the action and plot-twists and characters and political intrigue that previously happened. And that is no small feat as Jade City was a beautifully action-packed, intriguing and fast-paced read.
If you know my reading tastes, you know I do love me political intrigue, backstabbing, morally ambiguous characters and discussions around religion/faith. Needless to say, Jade City offered me this and much, much more.
I will not waste your time with a long and winded Rather Random Review™️. The amazing readers on Goodreads have done a far better job that I ever will explaining this book, so if you are curious and want a more in-depth review and summary, I’d suggest go read a couple of said reviews.
Also, because I feel as if I’m late to the party. I mean… it did take me eight (8) months to finish this book.
But believe me when I said this: Jade City deserves every single hyped review it got.
You’ve heard about this book. Everybody and their mother have heard about this book. You know the plot. Everybody and their mother know the plot.
And indeed, for a good reason!
Mafia, clans, war, family bonds, gruesome action, religion, drugs, incredible atmosphere, powers given by jade, complex, unique and three-dimensional characters (Hilo, I love you. Enough said) and fascinating lure.
This is a very simple and short list to give you an idea about what this book can offer you.
It can give you a whole entire world to lose yourself into.
It was nothing short of amazing. It set the basis for what I am sure will be an epic story.
Jade City is a great and stunning beginning to a series that I cannot wait to continue!
…in a while though, because I’ve been staring at this cover for way too long: these past eight (8) months have been rough
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and War
winters's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
totallyshelfaware's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Drug abuse and Suicide
btrz7's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Confinement, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Suicide, Dementia, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
genny's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Pedophilia, Torture, and Grief
Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Death of parent
Jade acts like a drug, pretty much, with all the consequences of withdrawal or addiction. There's also SN1, a synthetic drug designed to decrease sensitivity to jade.kait_sixcrowsbooks's review against another edition
- 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
- queer boy/man MC
- Asian-inspired cast/world
I....I honestly don't know what to say. The characters? Amazing. The world-building? Impeccable. The writing? A masterpiece. I am. Flabbergasted. I need my hands on Jade War yesterday, omg.
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Self harm
Additional triggers include: child sexual assault/child porn (mentioned)bonks's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Pedophilia
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
@ everyone hyping this book up: y’all were right. This book is freaking fantastic, and it singlehandedly renewed my interest in adult fantasy.
Lee built an incredibly complex yet easy to understand world, and it was so easy to get lost in. Even though the pacing in the first half was a bit too slow for my tastes, the second half more than made up for it. Politics and war and family dynamics—I’m here for all of it. I also liked that Hilo and Wen were already together, and aside from their relationship, there was no romance. That allowed the focus to stay on the Kaul family and tension between the clans, and rightfully so.
The last fifty pages were so much more stressful than I expected and I don’t appreciate it. Anden is about my age, everyone else is older than me, but I’m attached to these characters and I DON’T WANT ANYTHING BAD TO HAPPEN TO THEM. I love Hilo, Shae, and Anden, and I WANT TO PROTECT THEM. But everyone talks about how devastating these books are and this is only the first, so..... to say I’m scared is an understatement.
Also, I legit can’t find the second book anywhere, at the library physically or digitally, and I am sad. I have so many other books I’m excited to read but I also lowkey only want to read Jade War.
If you’re on the fence about reading this, do it, and stick with the book even if you’re kind of bored at first. I was, and now I’ve got yet another book I’m obsessed and in love with.
Representation:
• One of the protagonists is queer
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Regarding the three content warnings tagged as minor—sexual assault, self-harm, suicide—all three happen prior to the story, and are mentioned in passing multiple times during the story. None of it happens on page.