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A review by aprilyang1
Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
โ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐จ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐จ๐ฌ๐ค๐ง๐, ๐๐ช๐ฉ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ซ๐๐ง ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐.โ
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What a rollercoaster this story was! I might have predicted a few outcomes, but I was still shocked every time a secret was revealed. If there was camera footage of me reading this, itโd show me gasping to my walls at 4am because I was in shock lol. Amber Chen I humbly as for book 2 as soon as possible ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ.
Ying was naive and a little thoughtless, BUT she was also self-assured, inventive, unwilling to change what she believed in for anyone (FOR ANYONE ๐ซต๐ป!!). At first, I struggled to get through the beginning 20ish% because of her naรฏvetรฉ. BUT, that characteristic made me question everyoneโs trustworthiness (this is a good thing, it kept me on my toes!) because I was constantly wondering if it was Ying's perspective that was influencing me or my own. The feeling of something being "too good to be true" sums up a lot of what was happening in my mind lol. Regardless, Ying stood out as a fmc because she didnโt necessarily have physical strength or fighting abilities (GREAT characteristics many strong fantasy female leads have), but she did have her inventiveness, her resolve, and her beliefs.
I will say that since this is a YA story, it does gloss over some of the darker topics that could have been explored if it were geared toward adults, but I appreciated it for what it was.
I know I donโt do this book justice, but I promise it's a great story that leaves a lasting impression. If youโre a beginner fantasy reader (like me ๐), I think youโll really enjoy this one. And for those who have read or will soon read itโฆ I liked how it ended and I think it was exactly what shouldโve happened ๐!
Thank you NetGalley & publisher for providing me with an e-arc for โOf Jade and Dragonsโ by Amber Chen! All opinions are mine alone. โOf Jade and Dragonsโ publishes June 18, 2024!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood