Jade War by Fonda Lee Narrator: Andrew Kishino
Series: Green Bone Saga #2
Published by Hachette Audio on July 23, 2019
Genres: Science Fiction Fantasy
Length: 24 hours, 4 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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On the island of Kekon, the Kaul family is locked in a violent feud for control of the capital city and the supply of magical jade that endows trained Green Bone warriors with supernatural powers they alone have possessed for hundreds of years.
Beyond Kekon's borders, war is brewing. Powerful foreign governments and mercenary criminal kingpins alike turn their eyes on the island nation. Jade, Kekon's most prized resource, could make them rich - or give them the edge they'd need to topple their rivals.
Faced with threats on all sides, the Kaul family is forced to form new and dangerous alliances, confront enemies in the darkest streets and the tallest office towers, and put honor aside in order to do whatever it takes to ensure their own survival - and that of all the Green Bones of Kekon.
Jade War is the second book of the Green Bone Saga, an epic trilogy about family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of blood and jade.
Jade War is the second book in the mafia family Kung-fu mash up series The Green Bones. It continues the story of the war between two strong clans of No Peak and the Mountain as they fight against each other on the streets for territory, in the political arena and financial endeavors to be the last clan standing.
Jade is the source of bioactivated magic. Not everyone can wield it, but with improvements made to SN1, a drug to minimize its effect on average individuals, it has become even more coveted outside the Island that is known for it. Jade War opens up the story even more to foreign locations, customs and sets up the upcoming war and all the geo-political ramifications letting Jade off Kekon and into some foreign countries. As the Kaul family tries to expand into other countries publicly, the Mountain has its own schemes to source Jade behind the scenes to the military of another country. Tensions rise and the fallout in this book is surprising.
I love how family centered this story is. I became attached to Hilo, Shae, Wen and Anden in the prior book and how each played such a pivotal part to the story. Mired in a cold war for years now, Hilo is a wartime Pillar. He makes some hard and brutal calls throughout the book. He is a strong set man who must make all the hard choice for the future of his clan. Some you will agree with and others probably not, but it is hard not to like this tough, no nonsense man that is in this for his family, honor and the survival of his clan.
Wen, Hilo’s wife was probably one of my favorite characters this time around. She is smart, patient and wily. She is the secret strength and force behind the pillar, more than he even knows as she is also a spy of sorts. As a stone eye (someone jade does not affect at all), she is considered bad luck to most. This has just made her stronger and more determined to help the man she loves and her brothers that serve him.
Shae is the financial and political maneuver in the Jade War. She is the political smarts behind the No-Peak clan and their rival always seems two steps ahead of her so far. She is going to take some big risks and make some hard sacrifices along the way to support her brother the Pillar and keep the clan afloat.
Anden is living practically in exile in Espenia, a foreign country, because he chose not to wear Jade. Through him, we get to learn about a new culture and why the rest of the world has such diverse feelings on the importance of Jade and whether to embrace it or ban it. He will enter a world that still has some of the old customs surrounding Jade but also embraces different ways of dealing with crews and other influential powers. Anden will find a way to be of use to the family he is separated from by building new alliances and opening new opportunities for his clan to strengthen their position against The Mountain.
This was even a stronger book than Jade City. I was impressed by the growth of the worlds, the issues and all the surprises. I’m so invested in these characters and sometimes I both love and hate them at the same time. I’m so glad the next book is almost out because the ending to Jade War was so intense and I wonder what all the ramifications will be going into Jade Legacy.
“The possibility of death was like the weather—you could make attempts to predict it, but you would likely be wrong, and no one would change their most important plans due to threat of rain.”
Narration:
Andrew Kishino reprises his role as narrator and again brings the entire asian gangster drama to life. He has been so great and performing this intricate and complicated tale.
Listen to a clip:
About Fonda Lee
Fonda Lee is the World Fantasy Award-winning author of the epic Green Bone Saga, beginning with Jade City and continuing in Jade War and Jade Legacy. She is also the author of the acclaimed science fiction novels Zeroboxer, Exo and Cross Fire.
Fonda is as a three-time winner of the Aurora Award (Canada’s national science fiction and fantasy award), and a multiple finalist for the Nebula Award, the Locus Award, and the Oregon Book Award. Her novels have garnered multiple starred reviews, been included on numerous state reading lists, named Junior Library Guild selections, and appeared on Best of Year lists from NPR, Barnes & Noble, Syfy Wire, and others.
Fonda is a former corporate strategist and black belt martial artist who loves action movies and Eggs Benedict. Born and raised in Canada, she currently resides in Portland, Oregon.
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Nice review Robin! I’m so glad you liked this book and are enjoying the series. I hope the third book in the series is as good as these first two books.
Thanks Wendy. It has been a crazy and emotional ride for sure.