Jade City

The Green Bone Saga, Book 1

De: Fonda Lee

Narrado por: Andrew Kishino

In this World Fantasy Award-winning novel of magic and kungfu, four siblings battle rival clans for honor and power in an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis.

*Named one of TIME's Top 100 Fantasy Books Of All Time*

Jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for—and for centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their magical 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—and of Kekon itself.

Praise for Jade City:

"An epic drama reminiscent of the best classic Hong Kong gangster films but set in a fantasy metropolis so gritty and well-imagined that you'll forget you're reading a book." —Ken Liu, Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award-winning author

"A beautifully realized setting, a great cast of characters, and dramatic action scenes. What a fun, gripping read!" —Ann Leckie, Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author

"An instantly absorbing tale of blood, honor, family and magic, spiced with unexpectedly tender character beats." —NPR

The Green Bone Saga
Jade City
Jade War
Jade Legacy

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Stylish and action-packed, full of ambitious families and guilt-ridden loves, Jade City is an epic drama reminiscent of the best classic Hong Kong gangster films but set in a fantasy metropolis so gritty and well-imagined that you'll forget you're reading a book."—Ken Liu, winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards

"Jade City has it all: a beautifully realized setting, a great cast of characters, and dramatic action scenes. What a fun, gripping read!"—Ann Leckie, author of the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke Award winning novel Ancillary Justice

"Lee's astute worldbuilding raises the stakes for her vivid and tautly-described action scenes." —Scott Lynch, New York Times-bestselling author of The Lies of Locke Lamora

"Lee draws on her Chinese heritage, passion for gangster stories, and strong writing to launch a Godfather-inspired fantasy series that mixes bold martial-arts action and vivid worldbuilding. The result is terrific."—Library Journal (Pick of the Month, starred review)

"As this ambitious and complex story unfolds, Lee (Exo) skillfully juggles a huge cast. Her action scenes are flashy, brutal, and cinematic, while the family dynamics hold their own weight and significance. This is an engaging blend of crime drama and Asian martial arts film tropes.... an intense, satisfying experience."—Publishers Weekly

"Compelling characters and intricate worldbuilding.... I want to spend more time in Kekon."—Hank Green

"Intricate, fast-moving, and brazen, Jade City elevates the fantasy crime novel to something really special. A sharp and insightful new voice."—Elizabeth Bear, winner of the Hugo and Locus Awards

"With a powerful family of complex characters -- including my favorite, Kaul Shaelinsan -- Jade City beckons readers to secret family meetings and public battles between warring clans. With magical jade at stake, winning the battle for control of a city has never been more important, or more dangerous. Fonda Lee's first adult novel is a fast-hitting, tantalizing, sometimes unsettling, and always insightful book with a wealth of power at its core. A modern-day epic."—Fran Wilde, award-winning author of Updraft, Cloudbound, and Horizon

"Jade City is an instantly absorbing tale of blood, honor, family and magic, spiced with unexpectedly tender character beats."—NPR

"Lee has a supreme talent for world-building.... Jade City is a fierce, energetic and stylish story that will keep you engrossed from start to end."—Culturefly

"How does a book make me giddy and heartbroken at the same time? Jade City delivers intrigue, family drama, and martial arts magic that feels absolutely real."—Mary Robinette Kowal

A fresh take on fantasy

There's a little something for everyone in this book. A lot of people have said it's like The Godfather, but with a fantasy twist. Personally, I thought it was a bit more like a more modern twist on Game of Thrones. Magic? Check. Sociopolitical complexity? Check. Characters who must reconcile their ideas of honor and their goals? Check. I recommend this book for any fantasy fan who is tired of Tolkien-esque settings. Can't wait for the next book!

liked it

this urban fantasy was action filled and well done, the writing was great, the over all feeling of it had me craving for an anime, if you like politically driven adult books about gang wars and family, books that are morally gray and characters that will have you question your self, this is the book for you, I might continue on with this series .

why not 5 stars ?
this is a 5 star read tbh, it's just not my kind of book, I don't usually like political intrigue, and though I enjoy reading about morally gray characters, I didnt like how this book had me rooting for murderers and torturers, I felt bored at some parts and procrastinated myself into a slump , or rather the slump had me procrastinate for more than month .

a whole lotta details

interesting concept but it took a while to get my attention I almost gave up half way through

Grounded in Gritty Realism

Fonda Lee’s Jade City is one of the most compellingly written stories in modern fantasy, masterfully illustrating how every action carries consequences. Though rooted in a unique magical system, the narrative remains grounded in gritty realism. It’s a story that mirrors real-life choices—messy, difficult, and irreversible—while immersing readers in a world of loyalty, ambition, and legacy. The characters are richly drawn, the political intrigue is sharp, and the stakes always feel personal. This isn’t just fantasy—it’s a reflection of how power and family shape who we become.

Fresh Fantasy World Building, Cool Magic System

I’m sick of reading fantasy that takes place in a society inspired by medieval Europe, populated by white people and white cultures. Fonda Lee’s island nation of Kekon, which takes heavy inspiration from more modern Asian societies, is a world where people are driven by honor, family, and magical jade.
This novel also scratches my Brandon Sanderson itch- the world and magic Lee has built bring to mind some of his work. So for anyone like me who had finished all of the cosmere novels, consider Jade City as you wait for Stormlight 4.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the narration. The voices of the characters feel authentic, and his narration gives life to the culture of Kekon.
5/5, would recommend to any fantasy lover