Scan barcode
A review by bladebailey
Jade City by Fonda Lee
adventurous
challenging
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
In the sleek, urban heart of Kekon, two rival clans war using magically enhanced abilities in order to defend their territories, amass coveted Jade stones, and secure honor and power for their families and followers. The Kaul family, who heads up the No Peak clan, must fight to preserve their foothold in Janloon and beyond.
When everyone praises Jade City as a masterclass in epic fantasy, they certainly aren't kidding. Fonda Lee expertly weaves Janloon, Kekon, and the Kaul family into such exquisite detail that Jade City reads more like a historic nonfiction than pure fantasy. Every word has purpose, every constructed piece of culture, economy, organized crime system, city structure, family dynamics, characters you meet for a single sentence to the main characters of the entire book, and especially the combat sequences fly off of the page and into your mind like a field guide meeting an old kungfu flick. The incredibly flawed characters grapple with family life, their own magic, and mortality as the city escalates into open warfare between the No Peak and Mountain clans. I cannot wait to follow Hilo, Shae, Anden and the rest of Kekon in the next book, Jade War.
When everyone praises Jade City as a masterclass in epic fantasy, they certainly aren't kidding. Fonda Lee expertly weaves Janloon, Kekon, and the Kaul family into such exquisite detail that Jade City reads more like a historic nonfiction than pure fantasy. Every word has purpose, every constructed piece of culture, economy, organized crime system, city structure, family dynamics, characters you meet for a single sentence to the main characters of the entire book, and especially the combat sequences fly off of the page and into your mind like a field guide meeting an old kungfu flick. The incredibly flawed characters grapple with family life, their own magic, and mortality as the city escalates into open warfare between the No Peak and Mountain clans. I cannot wait to follow Hilo, Shae, Anden and the rest of Kekon in the next book, Jade War.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Pedophilia