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4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum

So, I have a bad habit of not paying too close attention to book blurbs and hence completely missed the allusions to Mulan in the publisher description for Of Jade and Dragons until I actually picked up the book and started reading it. My first reaction? Groan, not another one! But you know what they say about avoiding making snap judgments. This book ended up exceeding my expectations, delivering a richly told tale of mystery and ambition set against a silkpunk fantasy world inspired by Qing dynasty China.

The story follows 18-year-old Aihui Ying, who spent her life looking up to her father, the greatest engineer of his generation. But her life takes a drastic turn when she witnesses her beloved A-ma’s murder, the killer escaping with a dropped pendant as the only clue as to their identity. Armed with only her father’s journal for guidance, Ying sets out to become an apprentice by joining the prestigious Engineer Guild, where she also hopes to track down and exact revenge on the assassin.

The only problem? The male-only Guild will not accept a girl, leading Ying to adopt her brother’s identity to gain entry and prove herself worthy of following in her father’s footsteps. In the capital, she befriends a few of her fellow aspirants, including Prince Ye-Yang, who has entered the candidate trials for his own reasons. An alliance—and later, an attraction—forms between them as they promise to keep each other’s secrets and face the apprentice challenges together. This bond and partnership later become crucial as the trials give way to more and more dangerous obstacles, revealing treacherous guild politics and hidden agendas among its members.

First off, I loved the writing. Amber Chen’s prose is vivid and evocative but flows well without being too effusive. I enjoyed the world she created, which is brought to life by intricate details which make it easy to visualize the surroundings. The setting feels both historical and fantastical, which is a hallmark of this particular style of silkpunk blending magic and technology.

Ying is also a great protagonist, driven by her determination and resourcefulness. Despite the characters� ages, Of Jade and Dragons exudes YA vibes and yet manages to avoid some of the most common genre pitfalls. Relationship dynamics feel genuine, capture the essence of each character’s personality and motivations. Dialogue reads as sharp and authentic. Sure, the plot isn’t without its predictability or clichés, but Chen’s sense of timing and ability to pace things just right make up for it. I found myself hooked on both the intrigue of Ying’s quest to find her father’s killer and the adventure of the guild challenges.

These trials are fraught with danger, but they also introduce wonders like mechanical beasts and other imaginative technology. The Engineers Guild is old and respected, steeped in tradition, but there are factions and infighting within. The wider threat of war looms as well. All the while, the characters grow and their relationships develop. Every thread comes together to fill out the plot, contributing to a gripping narrative.

All in all, I’m reminded that patience pays off. The elements in Of Jade and Dragons came together to deliver a good story with characters that made me feel invested, and I was happy to discover it’s the first installment of a series. I’m looking forward to continuing.