Review: Jade City by Fonda Lee

Jade City by Fonda Lee is an urban fantasy about love, family, betrayal, and revenge. It was hands down one of the most immersive and exciting books I’ve ever read. More than that, it got me out of a months-long reading slump so I have a feeling this book is going to stay with me for a long time.

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Blurb

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

• Medium paced
• Mix of character-driven and plot-driven
• Multiple POVs and main characters
• LGBTQ rep: gay main character, not the focus of the story
• Asian-inspired world building

Characters

What really drew me into the story was the characters. Fonda Lee might be my new favorite author for writing morally grey characters. Kaul Hilo, the war leader of No Peak Clan, was especially frustrating and loveable. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to hug him or strangle him. I loved how Lee showed Hilo’s impulsive and passionate nature in how strongly he expressed love and hatred.

Hilo Draped his arms over Shae’s shoulders and hugged her, then he spoke into her ear. ‘I could still kill him for you.’

‘Screw you, Hilo’ she snapped. ‘I can kill my ex-boyfriends myself.’

Kaul Hilo and Kaul Shae, Jade City, Ch. 40

I also loved to hate the villains of Jade City. Ayt Madashi, the leader of No Peak Clan’s greatest rival, was cunning in the worst sort of way. I desperately wanted to see the Kaul family best her.

Each of the characters took me on an emotional rollercoaster in their own way. It’s uncommon that I find a book where I feel differently towards each of the characters, but am still equally interested in all of them. Even the characters I didn’t like, like Ayt Madashi, kept me turning pages, needing to know more.

Writing Style

Fonda Lee’s writing had a film-like quality that made me feel like I was standing in Kekon watching the event unfold in front of me. She kept the plot tense, making a 500+ page book seem much shorter than it actually was. Lee also perfectly balanced giving the reader enough information to be interested while also keeping the plot moving, so I never felt lost or like I had to plod through long descriptions.

The chapters switched between characters, which worked really well with the story. Switching perspectives gave the characters and the story a lot more depth. I liked getting to see how each of the characters saw themselves compared to how others saw them. Kaul Lan was very self-aware, which made sense considering he was the most level-headed member of the Kaul family. Kaul Hilo, on the other hand, was more action-oriented so his flaws were usually pointed out by other characters.

You’ll Like This Book if You Enjoy…

• Urban fantasy that reads like epic fantasy
• Gangster/crime fiction
• An action packed plot
• Angsty family drama
• Morally grey characters

Where to find Jade City by Fonda Lee

Have you read Jade City? Let’s discuss in the coments!

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