Book Review ‘Jade City’ ~ Fonda Lee

Jade City by Fonda Lee

Publication Date: November 9th 2017 (first published November 7th 2017)

Publisher: Orbit

Series: The Green Bone Saga #1

Blurb: JADE CITY is a gripping Godfather-esque saga of intergenerational blood feuds, vicious politics, magic, and kungfu.

The Kaul family is one of two crime syndicates that control the island of Kekon. It’s the only place in the world that produces rare magical jade, which grants those with the right training and heritage superhuman abilities.
The Green Bone clans of honorable jade-wearing warriors once protected the island from foreign invasion–but nowadays, in a bustling post-war metropolis full of fast cars and foreign money, Green Bone families like the Kauls are primarily involved in commerce, construction, and the everyday upkeep of the districts under their protection.
When the simmering tension between the Kauls and their greatest rivals erupts into open violence in the streets, the outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones and the future of Kekon itself.

Review

Jade City is book one in the epic Greenbone Saga. On the island of Kekon jade is power and for the Green Bones who wield it the jade grants them Strength, Steel, Perception, Lightness, Deflection, and Channelling. A Green Bone warrior is capable of feats no ordinary human can achieve, though not for lack of trying.

Family is duty.
Magic is power.
Honour is everything.

As the only place on earth where this jade is available Kekon and it’s jade trade are ruthlessly guarded by the Green Bones Clans, most notably No Peak and the Mountain. These mafia-esque clans are far from happy neighbours. Each clan controls different areas and industries in and around Janloon, the capital of Kekon, and each is vying for control. Skirmishes at the borders of territories are common and death is not unfamiliar to a Green Bone.

Jade City focuses on the three Kaul siblings, the ruling family of the No Peak clan. Lan, the eldest, is the Pillar, the backbone and head of the clan. Hilo is the Horn, leader of the No Peak warrior arm. Shae is the youngest and is returning to Kekon after a two year absence. As well as Anden who was adopted into the Kaul family as a young child.

But the tensions and uneasy peace between the clans soon erupts into outright war as the Mountain moves to assume complete control of Kekon and its jade.

“The clan is my blood, and the Pillar is its master. On my honour, my life, and my jade.”

Jade City is a novel with many layers and factors to the novel, this could have quickly become confusing however Lee did a wonderful job with keeping the immense scale understandable and intriguing. Indeed, the ability to wield jade and the power it gives was very detailed and written in a way that meant you can believe that it’s actually possible.

There was the death of a major player that really surprised me I hadn’t actually expected it to take that turn. Out of all the characters I would have assumed they would have been less likely but I suppose it’s a good thing as you don’t know what’s coming and the tide can change at any point.

Anden was probably my favourite of the main secondary characters. As a Green Bone in training and an adopted Kaul he struggles to feel like he fits in.

Jade City could be a little slow at times because it’s not all action and does spend a lot of time of the political going ons within clans, between clans, Kekon itself and of course neighbouring countries.

Overall Jade City was a gripping tale with intense and intricate fight scenes, dynamic and at times volatile relationships and clan politics. There are betrayals, defections and death. And I have a feeling with the ground work laid books 2 and 3 have the potential to go even further.