Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Jade War


 Jade War by Fonda Lee (2019, 608 pages)


This is the sequel to Jade City, which Kara reviewed after it was an Orcs and Aliens book club book.

For those who are unfamiliar with the series, this is a low-fantasy world similar to Earth. Of the indigenous population on the island Kekon, there are typically two groups: the Abukei, who are immune to the effects of jade mineral; or green bones, who can wear it to achieve supernatural heightened senses and physical power. Only Kekonese can handle jade, the rest are prone to illness and even death with too much exposure.

The island is ruled by green bone clans. Typically hereditary positions, so families rule for generations. The No Peak clan, run by the Kaul family, have been getting back on their feet after a couple major deaths in their ranks. The rival Mountain clan is run by the heir-less Ayt family. They have agreed to a precarious truce in violence, but continue to attack each other through media and business ambushes.

I absolutely love this series. It's got a good mix of romance (although I'm not typically a fan of the sex scenes) and interesting personal relationships, crime, politics, and a fun fantasy element. I can't really predict what's going to happen next, and there's a lot of emotion. The whole idea of jade being a rare and supernatural element is unique. The inclusion of mafia-like clans keeps the reader on their toes. And the characters are sincere and likeable, despite their violent tendencies. I actually liked this book more than the first, maybe it's because I'm more invested. Highly recommend this series to anyone wanting more of a complex series!

★★★★★

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