Jade City

September 11, 2017
In this intrigue-packed adventure, first in a trilogy set in an Asia-inspired, alternate-world modern city (and the first book for adults from YA author Lee), warring clans battle for control of their island nation and the jade that empowers them to perform superhuman feats. For decades, the Green Bone warriors of the No Peak and Mountain clans have maintained a delicate peace, hewing to a rigid code of honor as they control Janloon’s neighborhoods and industries. But ambition, treachery, and the rise of a new generation of leaders lead to open conflict between the factions. The members of No Peak must wage war on all fronts, including political and economic, but the real battle is in the streets, where their jade-enhanced champions fight to the death. 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. At times, the modern elements—cars, televisions, guns—feel out of place in such a strongly envisioned world, but this remains an intense, satisfying experience. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel & Goderich Literary.

November 1, 2017
Two clans fueled by the magical power of jade battle for control of an analog of mid-20th-century Hong Kong.Clan soldiers have a specific genetic affinity for jade not shared by most outsiders, which grants them strength and shielding, among other magical powers. Kaul Sen, the former Pillar (head) of the No Peak clan, has retired, and the new Pillar, Kaul Lan, doesn't quite inspire the fear and loyalty garnered by his legendary grandfather or his late war hero father. His younger brother, Kaul Hilo, is an effective Horn (chief enforcer), but he's also rash and impulsive. Sensing weakness in her rival, Ayt Madashi, the ruthless Pillar of the Mountain clan, begins a campaign to destroy No Peak and take total control of the island nation of Kekon. The setting suggests that this crime-thriller/fantasy might find inspiration in history and fiction about the triads, and perhaps it does, but it also clearly leans heavily on elements drawn from The Godfather. Some examples (beyond the general plot of crime families battling for supremacy): an adoptive member of the Kaul family is kidnapped by the Mountain to serve as intermediary; the Mountain wants to sell drugs and initially seeks No Peak's help with the business; the character of Hilo bears some similarity to Sonny Corleone, while the third Kaul grandchild, Shae, traces part of the path of Michael Corleone (she's spent years outside the clan pursuing her own interests but her loyalties drag her back when tragedy strikes). Despite those beats, Lee's (Exo, 2017, etc.) novel has its own story to tell; an intriguing confluence of history, culture, and biology shapes both the characters and their fates.The open-ended nature of the ending suggests that the clan war is not yet over; it'll be interesting to see what course Lee charts next.

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March 1, 2018

Janloon, a city susceptible to typhoons, is better known throughout the modern world as Jade City because of how members of clan fiefdoms depend on the power of jade to give their bodies heightened senses and strength. Lan, the eldest Kaul brother, leads the No Peak clan, assisted by his fear-inducing 27-year-old brother. The Green Bone brothers are wary when their scorned younger sister returns home from a two-year exile, but they need her aid when the clan is attacked by Jade City's rival mafialike family. Shine, an illegal drug that allows all citizens to become empowered by jade, infiltrates the city, and all of the Kaul family members, including the youngest adopted brother still attending the Green Bone training academy, join forces to save their people. Lee, best known for the debut YA science fiction/mixed martial arts novel Zeroboxer, makes her adult debut here. The juxtaposition of modern technology (subways and television) against the ancient social structure of clans in an Asian-inspired city sets this fantasy apart. VERDICT Revenge killings will draw action readers, and the powerful and flawed relationship dynamics between the Kaul siblings will keep teens enthralled. Perfect for epic fantasy fans.-Sarah Hill, Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 15, 2017

The award-winning author of the YA sf novels Zeroboxer and Exo, Lee goes adult with a story that unfolds on the mythical island of Kekon, protected from invasion by the magical jade mined there. Now the Kauls, once honor-driven Green Bone warriors, abandon tradition and grab control of the jade market, even as a new drug lets anyone use the fierce power of the jade. That's when war breaks out with the rival Ayts, and it's just the beginning of a big, rich saga. Featured at BookExpo.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 15, 2017

For centuries, the Green Bone warriors defended the island of Kekon from foreign invasion by using jade to enhance their physical and mental abilities. But now the peace is disintegrating as rival families compete to control Janloon, the capital city. Heading the No Peak clan are the Kauls. Eldest son Lan leads as Pillar, but he struggles with health issues and his grandfather's efforts to seize control; sister Shae gave up her jade when she chose another path, but she has reluctantly been brought back into the family; youngest brother Hilo wields power as the Horn but is burdened by family issues. Yet as the Mountain clan, led by the notorious Ayt family, moves onto No Peak's territory, and the Kauls try to stop their inevitable slide into clan war, the siblings discover much more is wrong beneath the surface tensions. VERDICT Making her adult fiction debut, YA author Lee (Zeroboxer) 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. [Previewed in Marlene Harris's "Galaxy Quests" sf/fantasy preview, LJ 4/15/17.]--KC

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2017

For centuries, the Green Bone warriors defended the island of Kekon from foreign invasion by using jade to enhance their physical and mental abilities. But now the peace is disintegrating as rival families compete to control Janloon, the capital city. Heading the No Peak clan are the Kauls. Eldest son Lan leads as Pillar, but he struggles with health issues and his grandfather's efforts to seize control; sister Shae gave up her jade when she chose another path, but she has reluctantly been brought back into the family; youngest brother Hilo wields power as the Horn but is burdened by family issues. Yet as the Mountain clan, led by the notorious Ayt family, moves onto No Peak's territory, and the Kauls try to stop their inevitable slide into clan war, the siblings discover much more is wrong beneath the surface tensions. VERDICT Making her adult fiction debut, YA author Lee (Zeroboxer) 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. [Previewed in Marlene Harris's "Galaxy Quests" sf/fantasy preview, LJ 4/15/17.]--KC

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.