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FAMILY IS DUTY. MAGIC IS POWER. HONOR IS EVERYTHING.
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 — from their grandest patriarch to the lowliest motorcycle runner on the streets — and of Kekon itself.
Jade City begins an epic tale of family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of jade and blood.
Available from Orbit Books.
Suitable for adult readers.
ISBN: 978-0316440868
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- World Fantasy Award winner
- Aurora Award winner
- Nebula Award finalist
- Locus Award finalist
- Audie Award finalist
- Sunburst Award finalist
- Seiun Award finalist (Japan)
- Named one of the Best Books of 2017 by NPR, B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Powell’s Books, Locus Magazine, Syfy Wire, Den of Geek, and the Verge
- Named one of the favorite fantasy books of the past fifty years in NPR’s reader poll
- Named one of the 22 Best Fantasy Books of All Time By Book Riot
- Named one of the 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time by Time Magazine
- Named #1 in Reader’s Digest’s list of 25 Best Fantasy Book Series Ever Written
“Bold martial-arts action and vivid worldbuilding… Terrific.” ―Library Journal (Pick of the Month, starred review)
“An instantly absorbing tale of blood, honor, family and magic, spiced with unexpectedly tender character beats.” ―NPR Books
“Ambitious and complex… An intense, satisfying experience.” ―Publishers Weekly
“An ambitious statement….Unforgettable.” ―BookPage
“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
“Fast cars, brilliant characters, and gangster kung-fu! Lee’s written the postcolonial Godfather hiding under the surface of the Avatar: the Last Airbender universe ― and it’s a fantastic read.”―Max Gladstone
“Lee’s astute worldbuilding raises the stakes for her vivid and tautly-described action scenes.” ―Scott Lynch
“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
“Intricate, fast-moving, and brazen, Jade City elevates the fantasy crime novel to something really special. A sharp and insightful new voice.”―Elizabeth Bear
“A fast-hitting, tantalizing, sometimes unsettling, and always insightful book with a wealth of power at its core. A modern-day epic.”―Fran Wilde
“Intrigue, family drama, and martial arts magic that feels absolutely real.”―Mary Robinette Kowal
“Fonda Lee is the new Mario Puzo; Jade City has officially dethroned The Godfather.” ―Sarah Gailey
“A modern classic…Fonda Lee handles each thread with skill and style, weaving a story that feels as intimate as it does epic.” ―Nicholas Eames
“Dynamic fight scenes and vibrant world-building bring to life this sharp, memorable story of a family caught up in a ferocious gang war.”―Kate Elliott
“An atmospheric, gritty noir tale of family loyalties, martial arts and power struggles… Epic drama writ large.”―Aliette de Bodard
“Dragged me through by the scruff of the neck. What a ride! I love this book.”―Steven Brust
“A sweeping saga of ambition, loyalty, and family.”― Tina Connolly
“Exquisite writing, explosive fighting ― Jade City is as rich and deadly as the Green Bones warriors who stalk its pages.”―Heidi Heilig
“An addictive read with intense martial arts action and high-stakes character drama. I’ll never look at jade the same way again.”―Beth Cato