Jade City
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4.4 • 302 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
In this World Fantasy Award-winning novel of magic and kungfu, four siblings battle rival clans for honor and power in an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis.
*Named one of TIME's Top 100 Fantasy Books Of All Time
* World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, winner
Jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for -- and for centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their magical abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion.
Now, the war is over and a new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon's bustling capital city. They care about nothing but protecting their own, cornering the jade market, and defending the districts under their protection. Ancient tradition has little place in this rapidly changing nation.
When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone -- even foreigners -- wield jade, the simmering tension between the Kauls and the rival Ayt family erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones -- and of Kekon itself.
Praise for Jade City:
"An epic drama reminiscent of the best classic Hong Kong gangster films but set in a fantasy metropolis so gritty and well-imagined that you'll forget you're reading a book." --Ken Liu, Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award-winning author
"A beautifully realized setting, a great cast of characters, and dramatic action scenes. What a fun, gripping read!" --Ann Leckie, Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author
"An instantly absorbing tale of blood, honor, family and magic, spiced with unexpectedly tender character beats." --NPR
The Green Bone Saga
Jade City
Jade War
Jade Legacy
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Fonda Lee’s thrilling hybrid mixes the effortless cool and high-octane energy of a martial-arts action movie with the detailed mythology of a fantasy series. On the urban island of Kekon, two rival clans—Mountain and No Peak—keep an uneasy peace through the magical power of jade, which endows their fighters with superhuman powers. But when a synthetic street drug that offers those abilities to anyone and everyone appears on the scene, the clans and the entire city are pushed to the brink of war. Street-tough and magical, Jade City is unlike anything else we’ve ever read.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this intrigue-packed adventure, first in a trilogy set in an Asia-inspired, alternate-world modern city (and the first book for adults from YA author Lee), warring clans battle for control of their island nation and the jade that empowers them to perform superhuman feats. For decades, the Green Bone warriors of the No Peak and Mountain clans have maintained a delicate peace, hewing to a rigid code of honor as they control Janloon's neighborhoods and industries. But ambition, treachery, and the rise of a new generation of leaders lead to open conflict between the factions. The members of No Peak must wage war on all fronts, including political and economic, but the real battle is in the streets, where their jade-enhanced champions fight to the death. As this ambitious and complex story unfolds, Lee (Exo) skillfully juggles a huge cast. Her action scenes are flashy, brutal, and cinematic, while the family dynamics hold their own weight and significance. This is an engaging blend of crime drama and Asian martial arts film tropes. At times, the modern elements cars, televisions, guns feel out of place in such a strongly envisioned world, but this remains an intense, satisfying experience.
Customer Reviews
You need patience
I loved this book. It took me a while to get into it because the beginning of the book was very slow. The only qualm I have with the book is the writing. There were things that were explained that did not need to be explained that left me skipping paragraphs out of impatience. The overly-detailed writing provided vivid images in some cases, which I appreciated.
The entire book, I felt, is in preparation for you to read the sequel. That being said, the characters were absolutely incredible and real and I loved the Asian-inspired setting. It’s definitely worth it if you’re in the right mood. And I didn’t notice any overused tropes that made me roll my eyes.
Dynamic and Fun Read
I really enjoyed this book and it brings a 90s Hong Kong vibe I love. The beginning was kinda slow but still enjoyable, I adored the world building and Lee’s writing style suited the story magnificently, the world building was so good it made me feel like it could be a real world and I loved it and can’t wait to read the next one!!
Great
I can not wait to start jade war book 2 soon