Jade City (The Green Bone Saga #1) – Fonda Lee

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit
Pages: 498
Release Date: November 7, 2017

Magical jade—mined, traded, stolen, and killed for—is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. For centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their 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—from their grandest patriarch to the lowliest motorcycle runner on the streets—and of Kekon itself.

Jade City begins an epic tale of family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of jade and blood. 

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Jade City is a fantasy novel steeped in yakuza style politics and warfare as two clans fight for dominance.

If you’re a fan of in-depth and expansive magic systems, Jade City may not be for you. Jade City is similar to A Song of Ice and Fire where the magic is very minor to the plot and almost only used a catalyst for plot points. The magic system in Lee’s world is one of enhancements. The character wear jade on their person and it enhances their strength among other things.

Jade City is a multi-POV novel, but mostly focuses on the No Peak clan. I enjoyed almost all the POVs equally. Each offers a different perspective on the world and clan life through very different personalities.

I don’t want to give too much away because I think Jade City is one of those novels worth going into without any expectations. If you’re a fan of political intrigue in your fantasy novels, Jade City will surely quench your thirst.

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Have you read Jade City? What did you think?