Author: Fonda Lee
Publisher: Orbit Books
Page Count: 560 pages
Audiobook Length: ~19 hours and 7 minutes (narrated by Andrew Kishino)
Introduction
When I first picked up Jade City, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the setting. A fantasy novel set in a modern(ish) city ruled by rival mafia-like clans? It felt like a strange mix of crime drama and supernatural warfare. Would it lean too heavily into gangster tropes? Would the magic system feel tacked on? Turns out, I had nothing to worry about—this book rules.
Fonda Lee crafts an intricate, gripping world where honor, family, and raw power are everything. Instead of keeping their dealings in the shadows, the clans openly run the streets of Kekon, the only place in the world where jade—yes, that jade—grants superhuman abilities. Two rival clans, No Peak and the Mountain, constantly scheme, battle, and maneuver for dominance, with the legendary Kaul family at the heart of it all. Jade City is The Godfather meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with a dash of The Untouchables, and once it gets its hooks into you, there’s no escape.
The Magic of Jade
The magic system in Jade City isn’t about flashy fireballs or mystical chants—it’s gritty, dangerous, and deeply tied to power and control. The mineral jade is more than just a shiny rock; it’s a rare, potent resource that enhances the abilities of those who can wield it. But here’s the catch—not everyone can. Only people of Kekonese heritage with the right genetics can handle it long-term. Foreigners get overwhelmed by its effects, suffering severe physical and mental strain, while some Kekonese are born as “stone-eyes,” completely immune to jade’s power but viewed as unlucky within their society. This creates an innate hierarchy within Kekonese culture, where access to jade—and the ability to use it—determines one’s status, influence, and destiny.
For those who can wear jade, the abilities it grants are nothing short of lethal. Jade warriors—called Green Bones—train from childhood to master six disciplines, each of which enhances their physical and mental prowess in different ways:
- Light – The ability to leap impossibly high and move with enhanced agility, allowing Green Bones to scale buildings and evade attacks with almost supernatural grace (think Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon levels of badassery).
- Strength – Amplifies physical power, letting warriors strike harder, lift heavier, and withstand greater damage in combat.
- Perception – Heightens senses to an extreme degree, allowing Green Bones to react with inhuman speed, detect incoming attacks, and even sense the emotions or intentions of those around them.
- Deflection – A powerful defensive ability that enables Green Bones to redirect physical and magical attacks, even bullets, making them incredibly difficult to harm in battle.
- Steadiness – Grants resistance to pain, injury, and emotional manipulation, making warriors nearly unbreakable in both body and mind.
- Channeling – The deadliest of all. It allows a Green Bone to sense another being’s life force—and, if strong enough, snuff it out entirely, making it a weapon that can kill without ever drawing a blade.
Channeling is particularly fascinating because it adds a terrifying psychological edge to battles. A skilled Green Bone doesn’t just kill with a blade or a bullet—they can reach inside and tear the life from an opponent. This ability makes jade warfare especially chilling, as enemies are not only fighting for physical survival but also trying to shield themselves from an invisible, internal attack that can drain their very essence.
But jade isn’t just a gift—it’s a burden. Overuse leads to addiction, paranoia, and, in some cases, complete mental collapse. The drug SN1, known as “shine,” is used to help Green Bones tolerate jade’s effects, but prolonged use comes at a cost. Dependence on shine can lead to serious health risks, and withdrawal is brutal, making it a double-edged sword. Many warriors struggle with the balance between power and self-destruction, adding another layer of complexity to their battles and their lives.
Beyond combat, jade’s influence seeps into every aspect of Kekonese society. It dictates social class, fuels black markets, and serves as both a source of national pride and an international commodity that other nations seek to exploit. The tension over jade’s control is not just a street-level issue—it’s a geopolitical conflict, one that makes the world of Jade City feel all the more immersive and believable.
This balance of power and peril makes every fight in Jade City feel raw and unpredictable. When a character dons jade, they are not just gaining an advantage—they are accepting a responsibility, a curse, and a test of willpower. In this world, jade doesn’t just make warriors stronger; it defines their fate..
Meet the Kaul Family: The Heart of No Peak
At the center of this bloody, jade-powered conflict is the Kaul family, who lead the No Peak clan. The Kauls aren’t just crime bosses—they’re warriors, tacticians, and deeply flawed individuals trying to hold onto power in an ever-changing world. Their relationships are strained by ambition, duty, and the inescapable weight of tradition, making them some of the most compelling characters in modern fantasy.
Kaul Sen – The Torch of Kekon
The family patriarch, Kaul Sen, was once a legendary warrior known as the “Torch of Kekon.” He played a key role in securing Kekon’s independence, earning his reputation as a hardened leader. However, in the present, he is old, bitter, and increasingly frail, struggling to reconcile the shifting landscape of Kekon with the rigid traditions he holds dear. Though he is no longer directly involved in the clan’s affairs, his legacy still influences his grandchildren, whether they seek his approval or resist his outdated ideals.
Kaul Lan – The Measured Leader
As the eldest grandson and current Pillar (leader) of No Peak, Kaul Lan embodies diplomacy, reason, and patience. Unlike his more aggressive counterparts, Lan favors stability and negotiation over brute force, making him a rare kind of leader in a world that respects power above all. However, his calm nature can be mistaken for weakness, and as the clan war intensifies, he faces immense pressure to assert dominance while staying true to his principles. His struggle to lead No Peak without succumbing to the violence that defines Green Bone culture makes his arc both tragic and thought-provoking.
Kaul Hilo – The Warrior in Waiting
The younger brother of Lan, Kaul Hilo serves as the Fist of No Peak, responsible for leading the clan’s street-level enforcers. Unlike Lan, Hilo thrives in combat and wears his emotions on his sleeve. He is fiercely loyal to his family and clan, but his impulsive nature and thirst for vengeance make him volatile. While he possesses an undeniable charisma that earns him the respect of his subordinates, his approach to leadership is fueled by passion rather than strategy. Hilo’s journey throughout Jade City is one of transformation, as he is forced to reconcile his instincts with the responsibilities thrust upon him.
Kaul Shae – The Prodigal Daughter
Kaul Shae is perhaps the most complex member of the Kaul family. Having left Kekon to study abroad, she hoped to forge a life free from the expectations of a Green Bone. However, circumstances draw her back home, and she finds herself torn between personal autonomy and family duty. Shae is intelligent, resourceful, and deeply conflicted—she resents the violent world she was born into but ultimately cannot escape it. Her return to No Peak brings new dimensions to the clan’s leadership, as she challenges the patriarchal structure and outdated traditions that have long defined the Green Bone way.
Emery Anden – The Reluctant Heir
Adopted into the Kaul family, Emery Anden is a student at the Kaul Academy, training to become a Green Bone. He is exceptionally gifted, first in his class, and poised for a promising future. However, his struggles with the expectations placed upon him create one of the novel’s most compelling internal conflicts. Anden has a complicated relationship with jade—while he possesses immense potential, he fears the violence and loss it brings. As he navigates the treacherous waters of No Peak, his choices will determine not only his fate but the future of the clan itself.
The Family Dynamic: Power, Loyalty, and Betrayal
What sets the Kaul family apart from typical mafia-style crime families is the depth of their relationships and the weight of their individual struggles. Unlike traditional crime sagas, where family bonds are often absolute, Jade City explores the complexity of loyalty—whether it’s to blood, clan, or personal ideals.
- Can Lan maintain peace without appearing weak in a world that values strength above all else?
- Can Hilo control his rage long enough to lead effectively, or will his impulsive nature be No Peak’s downfall?
- Will Shae ever truly escape the world she was born into, or is she fated to repeat the cycle?
- Can Anden reconcile his love for his family with his aversion to the violence that defines them?
The Kaul family’s journey is what makes Jade City more than just a tale of gang warfare—it is an exploration of legacy, identity, and the personal cost of power. Every decision they make has consequences, not just for themselves, but for the future of Kekon itself.world she was born into? These are the questions that keep the story gripping from start to finish.
The Politics of Power: A Battle for Kekon
Beyond the action-packed fights and jade-fueled abilities, Jade City thrives on its intricate political maneuvering. The No Peak and Mountain clans are more than just rival gangs—they are deeply entrenched power structures shaping the fate of Kekon. The struggle for dominance isn’t just about who has the most jade or the strongest warriors; it’s about who controls trade, who has the ear of the government, and who can play the long game without falling victim to a sudden betrayal.
Each clan is structured with a clear hierarchy—Pillars at the top, Horns leading the fighters, and Weather Men orchestrating financial and political strategies. These layers create an engrossing system of checks and balances where power isn’t just about brute force but about strategic alliances, manipulation, and ruthless pragmatism. Some leaders seek a modernized future, while others cling to old traditions, leading to inevitable friction and explosive conflicts. The Mountain Clan, led by Ayt Mada, is ruthless and pragmatic, willing to take any action necessary to secure total dominance. No Peak, under Kaul Lan’s leadership, initially seeks balance and stability, but as conflict escalates, the lines between right and wrong blur, forcing leaders to make increasingly difficult choices.
Fonda Lee does a fantastic job of illustrating the weight of leadership in these power struggles. The choices that the Pillars make aren’t just about survival; they dictate the fate of countless Green Bones and civilians alike. These decisions carry long-term consequences, creating a world where nothing is black and white. Corruption seeps into political dealings, and betrayals aren’t just personal—they are strategic moves that can alter the balance of power overnight. Every interaction between rival factions crackles with tension because the stakes are always high. Even moments of diplomacy are layered with unspoken threats and hidden agendas, making each political maneuver feel like a battle fought with words instead of fists.
The Turning Point: When Jade City Hooks You
Every great story has that moment when it transforms from a slow burn into an unputdownable experience. For Jade City, that moment comes when you least expect it. Whether it’s the first shocking assassination, a major character’s devastating choice, or an unforeseen betrayal, Fonda Lee expertly lays the groundwork so that when the moment hits, it hits hard.
One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its unpredictability. No character is safe, no decision is without consequences, and no victory comes without sacrifice. The turning point for many readers is the fate of Kaul Lan, the measured and diplomatic Pillar of No Peak. His unexpected death shatters the fragile stability of the clan and forces his fiery younger brother, Kaul Hilo, into leadership. This shift drastically changes the trajectory of the story—Hilo, driven by emotion and a thirst for revenge, steers No Peak into full-blown war with the Mountain Clan. The book goes from a tense cold war of maneuvering and espionage to an outright, bloody conflict with devastating losses on both sides.
Anden, the adopted cousin training to be a Green Bone, experiences his own breaking point. His journey is compelling because he embodies the struggle between tradition and personal identity. As someone who has the talent to wield jade but fears the violence it brings, Anden’s internal conflict mirrors the broader themes of the novel—loyalty versus self-preservation, duty versus personal choice. His pivotal moment in the novel comes when he is kidnapped by Ayt Mada and offered a place in the Mountain Clan. His decision not only determines his fate but serves as a test of where his true loyalties lie.
The pacing in Jade City ramps up considerably after these key moments. Lee expertly blends strategic planning with visceral action, making it impossible to predict what will happen next. The unpredictability keeps readers fully engaged, reinforcing the novel’s central theme: power is never permanent, and those who hesitate in a battle for dominance will not survive.
Final Thoughts: Why Jade City is a Must-Read
There are plenty of books about crime syndicates, family loyalty, and power struggles, but Jade City stands out because it seamlessly blends all of these elements with an original fantasy world. The magic system, rooted in the power of jade, adds a fresh dynamic to an already compelling tale, making it feel both grounded and extraordinary at the same time. The societal structures surrounding jade—the training academies, the drug “shine” that extends jade tolerance, and the deeply ingrained cultural traditions—give the world an authenticity that makes it feel as real as any historical crime drama.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is how deeply personal the stakes feel. Every victory comes at a cost, and every loss is gut-wrenching. Relationships between characters are complex, layered with love, resentment, loyalty, and betrayal. The Kaul family’s bond is central to the emotional weight of the story, making their triumphs feel earned and their tragedies hit even harder. The love-hate dynamic between siblings, the generational clash between old warriors like Kaul Sen and the new leadership, and the pressures placed on the next generation all feel authentic and relatable despite the fantasy setting.
The story doesn’t just rely on action—it builds tension through character-driven decisions, moral dilemmas, and a deep sense of history and culture. The relationships, whether familial or adversarial, feel authentic, making every loss and victory resonate on a deeper level. The themes of duty, honor, and the cost of power are woven throughout, leaving readers questioning what it truly means to lead and what sacrifices are necessary for survival. Lee’s writing doesn’t offer easy answers, which is precisely what makes Jade City such a compelling read.
If you love stories that are equal parts strategy, emotion, and action, then Jade City needs to be at the top of your reading list. It’s an intricate, thought-provoking novel that blends crime, fantasy, and martial arts into something entirely unique.
Final rating: 4.5/5 stars
This is a novel that doesn’t just entertain—it immerses, challenges, and leaves you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page. If you haven’t already, step into the world of Kekon and experience the jade-fueled battle for power yourself.
