Fonda Lee: Jade City

Hi everyone

Jade City is the first book in The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee. 
The original book has a gorgeous, simple cover but I read it on my e-reader. With a 4.08-star rating on Goodreads, I went in with high expectations. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t click for me. 

"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."

I really wanted to love Jade City, but I found it quite boring. The plot felt slow and uninspired, and the characters lacked depth, which made it hard to connect with the story. What frustrated me most, though, was the jarring mix of modern and traditional elements. The world of Kekon is supposed to feel like a modern metropolis (there are televisions, guns, and fast cars) but the characters fight with knives, and the jade magic has a very old-world, almost mythical vibe. This clash of tones made the setting feel inconsistent and confusing.

It’s clear that Fonda Lee put a lot of thought into the world and its magic system, but the execution didn’t resonate with me. The clan politics and family drama had potential, but the slow pacing and flat characterization made it hard to stay engaged. I wanted to care about the Kaul family and their struggles, but I never felt invested in their story.
In the end, Jade City isn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t for me. 

Have you read Jade City or The Green Bone Saga? Did you love it, or did you struggle with it too? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena