Jade War

Starred review from May 27, 2019
In this ambitious fantasy, which takes place in an Asia-inspired alternate present, rival clans battle for dominance over their island home, waging an economic, political, and physical war over the course of several years. Picking up where 2017’s Jade City left off, this installment sees the Kaul family of the No Peak clan working against the ruthless Mountain clan, fending off foreign governments, and trying to stamp out smugglers and opportunists. At the heart of everything is jade, a greatly coveted gem that imbues its bearers with amazing abilities and cultural status. While Hilo, the new leader of No Peak, settles into his role, his sister Shae must prove herself as his chief strategist. Meanwhile, their cousin Anden, who refuses to wear jade for the clan, is sent overseas as a punishment and becomes entangled in local issues. Lee’s story is sweeping, leisurely, and epic, and combines political intrigue with sharply choreographed action scenes, but it’s a character-driven family drama at its heart. Conflict ranges from delicate boardroom negotiations to dramatic duels, and from assassinations to all-out war, while the increasingly complex narrative continually ups the stakes. This worthy continuation of the larger story line delivers a satisfying tale and sets the stage for the next installment. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

June 7, 2019

On the island nation of Kekon, the Kaul family continues to fight with the Mountain clan, as the rivals shift control back and forth in a feud going back generations. However, beyond Kekon lie other threats, as the country's primary resource, jade--which endows magical powers to the trained Green Bone warriors of Kekon--becomes increasingly coveted by military and criminal forces alike. As Hilo and Shae struggle in their positions as Pillar and Weather Man, leader and advisor, and brother and sister, they soon face threats from inside and outside the family, making choices that will affect not only their loved ones but the future of all Green Bones. This smart and action-filled fantasy, filled with vibrant characters, weaves intricate plot threads throughout, positioning many female characters front and center. VERDICT The follow-up to Lee's Jade City delves further into her Asia-inspired world, embracing topics of family, relocation, and relations between rival factions. The setup for the final book will leave readers breathless with anticipation.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 15, 2019
In the second installment of a political fantasy thriller series where "bioenergetic jade" provides magical energy, the conflict of two warlord/organized crime clans has global implications. In the Hong Kong-like city of Janloon, the Mountain and No Peak clans have announced a public truce while each secretly tries to undermine the other for control of the city and their nation of Kekon, the only source of the jade. As jade smugglers both inside and outside the country threaten the clans' mutual control over the mineral, political tensions rise between the neighboring nations of Espenia and Ygutan over a rebellion in Shotar, which leads both to seek more jade for their armies. Meanwhile, Hilo, the former Horn (chief enforcer) of the No Peak clan, struggles to master the tactics he needs to fill his late brother's role as Pillar (clan leader). His sister, Shae, the clan's Weather Man (chief advisor), has that tactical knowledge but lacks the clan's complete trust; she's also trying to juggle her clan responsibilities and her personal life, which includes a quiet romance with a nonclan professor. At the same time, their adopted brother, Anden, embarks on a new, jade-free life in Espenia but still manages to find trouble there, and Hilo's jade-immune wife, Wen, secretly supports the clan through her own work as a spy. If they are to prevail against the ruthless Ayt Mada, Pillar of the Mountain clan, and the various other domestic and foreign threats, terrible sacrifices will be required, made willingly or not. The first installment, Jade City (2017), leaned rather heavily, albeit effectively, on some tropes and plot points from The Godfather, and it's pleasing to see that the author has chosen a more independent path this time around. If there's any thematic link between this book and Godfather II, it's a common understanding that the outside world has a way of crashing into isolated communities and forcing them to adapt, so it's best to be on the offensive, as well as a rueful acknowledgment that despite that understanding, relationships with those outside the community might not end well. A strong, thoughtful, and fast-paced follow-up that bodes well for future volumes.

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