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

The Truth about the Godfather Connection

First- there are a lot of people saying this is/isn't like the Godfather. It most certainly is, and anyone who says it isn't probably hasn't read Mario Puzo's novel. What's similar? The story structure, the pacing, the levels of violence and sex, the themes of family/clan loyalty and honor. Even the conflict is the same (families/clans at war over whether or not to sell drugs/jade). Want a hotheaded fighter light Sonny Corleone? Check out the Horn. Or a thinker and planner character like Michael? Check out the young Pillar. If you enjoyed the political intrigue of the Godfather but you want a little fantasy? This is a book for you. It's a little more spelled out than the Godfather, but it's still there.

Second- The fantasy element is very light. That can be good or bad, just know what you are getting.

Third- The narration is competent. The narrator is Canadian, but many of the characters are read with an American accent that doesn't always fit the tone and setting I had in my mind. It's fantasy, so it's not that big of a deal, but I think that is what is throwing some people off.

Pretty darn inaccurate

First off this is not a fantasy novel nor a kung fu novel. Why it is advertised as such is a mystery to me.

The book is set in a fictional country somewhere in modern Asia with all modern technologies today (fantasy?). It is set in a city ruled by "clans" which function have gang-like territories and extort all businesses in that area like the Mafia. Each clan has a Mafia style hierarchy and consider themselves family. Where it gets really unrealistic are these criminal organizations are government sanctioned, have popular approval, are responsible for law enforcement in the cities, and treated as vital military assets. There is no more kung fu than the phrase "he kicked" warrants. They essentially have a feudal ownership of everything within their territories...and the people think this is a good thing?

In this country they mine a special type of jade that is poisonous to whoever touches it. Based on genetics, latent ability, physical conditioning, and prior exposure everyone has a safe tolerance level. For most people and everyone not born in this country, the safe tolerance is 0. For a select group if slaves it is unlimited, but they cannot use the jade. Jade for everyone else is the source of magic, but the magical system in this novel is extremely lackluster. You can make yourself faster, heighten your perceltion, and create deflection walls...not sure if there is anything else.

The synopsis has one clan trying to take over the rest of the clans by going to war with one other clan. There is no explanation as to what everyone not in these two clans are doing.

Fantasy Mobster Story

Characters and story are a great mix of tropes from the fantasy and mobster genres.

Phenomenal

The emotional weight and impact in this story is wonderfully well done. Plot, setting, history, and character development are balanced, but the gravity of the moment, of the interaction between the characters is what moves the tale. I want more. #Suspenseful #Heartfelt #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

Samarai intrigue with real people

I loved this book. I stayed up till 4:30 in the morning to finish. I can't wait for the next book.