"Just one bounce Felix�� "

"Jade City completely swept me away. From the very first chapters, Fonda Lee immerses you in the world of Kekon �� a vibrant, brutal city built on jade, loyalty, tradition, and power. The world-building is phenomenal: rich, detailed, and fully realized without ever feeling forced. You’re thrown right into the deep end, and somehow, it works perfectly. Kekon feels like a place that could exist just beyond the edge of our own world �� alive, dangerous, and full of tension.

The true heart of this story, though, lies in its characters, each of whom felt vivid, layered, and incredibly human.

Lan, the Pillar of the No Peak clan, absolutely broke my heart. He’s a character defined by restraint and honor in a world that rewards violence and ruthlessness. Lan’s strength isn’t flashy �� it’s quiet, steady, and deeply rooted in responsibility to his family and clan. His internal struggles �� balancing tradition with the need for change, upholding peace while preparing for inevitable conflict �� gave his character so much depth. Watching him carry the immense weight of leadership with grace, and ultimately seeing how that burden consumed him, was devastating. His loss felt like the moral center of the story crumbling, and I’m honestly still grieving it.

Hilo, by contrast, is a storm. He is passionate, impulsive, fiercely loyal to those he loves, and brutally decisive when he feels threatened. He wears his heart on his sleeve, which makes him captivating, but also dangerously unpredictable. There were times when I admired his fire and dedication to No Peak, and other moments when his rage made me fear for what he might become. Fonda Lee doesn’t let you love or hate him easily �� she forces you to wrestle with him, just like the other characters do. Hilo’s complexity made him one of the most compelling and nerve-wracking figures in the entire book.

Shae was a standout for me. Her intelligence, independence, and resilience shone through every scene she was in. She walked away from the clan life to forge her own identity, but despite the pain and pride tangled up in that decision, she finds herself drawn back into the family she tried to leave behind. Shae’s internal battle �� between her own ambitions and the pull of duty and loyalty �� was raw and incredibly relatable. I admired the way she refused to be underestimated, even as she navigated a world that tried to confine her. Her journey was one of reclaiming not just a place within the clan, but also her own power on her own terms.

And then there’s Anden �� sweet, conflicted and earnest Anden, whose story quietly shattered me. Anden is the future of the clan, yet he is burdened by the fear of what jade will make him become. His struggle isn’t just about mastering jade �� it’s about holding onto his humanity in a world that often demands its sacrifice. His sensitivity, compassion, and deep moral questioning set him apart in a brutal society that values strength above all else. Watching him navigate loyalty, identity, and trauma made me feel so protective of him, and the decisions he faces by the end of the book left me both proud and heartbroken.

One of the things I loved most about Jade City was Fonda Lee’s unique use of jade. It’s not just a magic system �� it’s a living force tied to power, heritage, and personal worth. The way jade enhances abilities but also exacts a brutal toll felt both thrilling and terrifying. Its presence is a constant temptation, a blessing and a curse woven into Kekonese life, and it added a fierce, tangible edge to every conflict.

The political and family dynamics throughout the novel were masterfully done. Every conversation is layered with hidden meanings, every alliance feels precarious, and the tension between honoring tradition and forging a new path runs deep. Fonda Lee doesn’t just tell a story of rival clans �� she tells a story about legacy, cultural identity, ambition, and sacrifice.

Even the antagonists are never painted with a single brush. Ayt Mada, leader of the Mountain clan, is ruthless and relentless �� yet she, too, is shaped by the brutal world she’s trying to survive and dominate. You understand her even as you oppose her. There are no clear-cut heroes or villains; everyone is evolving, shaped by their history, ambition, and choices. Your loyalties shift constantly, and that moral complexity is one of the book’s greatest strengths.

Jade City is brutal, emotional, and endlessly compelling. It’s a story about power, legacy, loyalty, and survival �� and it refuses to let you look away.

I adored this book, and I’m already eager (and a little scared) to dive into the next installment."

_Luc_y_Readz💐 is on page 25 of 419 of A Court of Thorns and Roses

_Luc_y_Readz💐 is on page 25 of 626 of A Court of Mist and Fury