Jade Legacy (The Green Bone Saga #3) – Fonda Lee

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit
Pages: 736
Release Date: November 30, 2021

Haven’t read the previous novels? Check out reviews of Jade City and Jade War!

Jade, the mysterious and magical substance once exclusive to the Green Bone warriors of Kekon, is now known and coveted throughout the world. Everyone wants access to the supernatural abilities it provides, from traditional forces such as governments, mercenaries, and criminal kingpins, to modern players, including doctors, athletes, and movie studios. As the struggle over the control of jade grows ever larger and more deadly, the Kaul family, and the ancient ways of the Kekonese Green Bones, will never be the same.

The Kauls have been battered by war and tragedy. They are plagued by resentments and old wounds as their adversaries are on the ascent and their country is riven by dangerous factions and foreign interference that could destroy the Green Bone way of life altogether. As a new generation arises, the clan’s growing empire is in danger of coming apart.

The clan must discern allies from enemies, set aside aside bloody rivalries, and make terrible sacrifices… but even the unbreakable bonds of blood and loyalty may not be enough to ensure the survival of the Green Bone clans and the nation they are sworn to protect.

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Jade Legacy is an epic conclusion to The Green Bone Saga. It’s truly an epic finale as the novel spans 20 years and depicts countless political moves, clan warfare, and generational change.

There isn’t much criticism that can be levied against Jade Legacy, but the one issue I had with the novel ended up being one of its strengths. As mentioned previously, Jade Legacy spans 20 years. Initially, I wasn’t a fan of the time jumps (and there are multiple). I felt like the time jumps didn’t allow for the narrative to feel cohesive and flow. But, after having finished the novel, these time jumps are crucial to what Lee is trying to get across to which she is ultimately successful. 

The series focuses heavily on generational hatred and biases as readers watch the characters deal with this inherited hatred and decide whether or not they continue the cycle. This is readily apparent in Jade Legacy. It’s a story about decisions and how far the characters are willing to go to protect their family, clan, and country from outside and inside threats. Without these time jumps, Jade Legacy would not be able to accomplish what it did.

The heart of this series is the characters. The Green Bone Saga is expansive in its world building and plot, but what ultimately drives the story are the characters and their relationships. If you’ve read the previous two novels, you know that these characters are flawed and their motivations are not always easy to pin down. They can be reckless yet levelheaded, unforgiving yet loving, and merciless yet compassionate. This expansive world building and detailed character work prove Lee is a truly talented writer who deserves to be held up with the best of them.

Jade Legacy is full of twists and turns with moments so shocking I had to pick up my jaw from the floor. Because of the 20 year span, there are seemingly useless plot points throughout the novel that end up paying dividends later in the story. These moments are worth waiting for.

Overall, Jade Legacy is a truly satisfying ending to an epic character driven urban fantasy story. From expansive world building to intimate and detailed character work, Jade Legacy will leave readers in awe of everything Lee accomplishes with this trilogy. 

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Will you be reading Jade Legacy?