Reasons I liked this book are these! The mafia politics and the evolution of it through the series The characters (shae is my favorite, but I LOVE how they evolve through the series, Anden was really good queer representation in a more traditional society and family love and acceptance and he plays a larger role in the later books) The world and politics get larger and higher stakes as the series goes on The fantasy elements come into play more as the series goes on - but the lighter fantasy didn’t bother me much either way and there was great action scenes when there was action I honestly liked all the things y’all didn’t like - I thought the pace was fine I liked learning about the characters and the family, I liked the time jumps because it shows that the things going on need time to ruminate so it’s not just all happening quickly, I didn’t really care when the actual time period was so not being able to place it didn’t affect my experience at all, I thought the political maneuvering especially as the series goes on was so fun to read about especially seeing the consequences of how it played out
I've read Jade City twice and Jade War once. I haven't read Jade Legacy yet, but I plan to! The biggest thing I like about the series (so far) is the worldbuilding centered around the jade. It's a really interesting inspection of power, who has it, how they've gained it, or what they're willing to do in order to gain it. I personally disagree that removing the magic wouldn't affect the book much as the reason jade is so highly coveted is due to the magical abilities it gives. The Green Bone families hold the societal clout they do thanks to jade, and gatekeep who is trained in jade through their schools. Kekonese that can't use jade are ostracized or made to work manual labor. Then there's the shine drug, created outside of Kekon to mimic the effects of jade. It's dangerous to use, but it also recenters the power dynamics. Anyway, I really enjoyed the discussion and hope that The Bone Season will be a win for you! I haven't read it and will try to read along so I can watch the liveshow next time.
It was a very entertaining 4 stars for me but I agree with you that it lacked depth, and I hope the next two books will add that. I found it very cinematic, to me it felt fast paced, and I think it would have worked even better as a tv show. I disliked poppy war and the daevabad trilogy, interestingly.
Geez this makes me soooo happy because I legit finished the book thinking “am I missing something here I’m the only one that seems to not love this book?”
Ok I’m further in to the video now. My thoughts: I JUST finished reading, so my thoughts aren’t settled yet, but I liked it. I liked the characters (namely Shae, Wen, Lan, and Ayt) and I’m a character over plot kind of person, so that’s enough for me to not hate a book lol. Though now I’m nervous for book 2 because I thought Jade City was written slow to build the world and characters and the next books would be faster paced?? So hearing that Jade War is slower does turn me off of it a bit…how do you slow down in a sequel 😩 beyond that, books are subjective and maybe it just wasn’t for you guys. I was kind of chuckling because how you all responded to Jade City is how I responded to Poppy War. I had high expectations and then I didn’t have ANY feelings toward any of the characters, some of it felt jumpy, but also dragged on to me, and I even pulled a Marines while reading wondering if it was me? If it was the book? Maybe I read it at the wrong time? Eventually I just settled on it not being the book/series for me. So maybe it’s the same for you and Jade City
So glad you weren’t all head over heels for this book -everyone else seems to be and I was thoroughly whelmed/bored by it. I read the 2nd book hoping for more about the rival gang leader but was destined for disappointment, it was just Hilo being a meathead brawn over brains leader 😒
i didn’t love jade city but picked up jade war and dnfed it about half way through bc 1)it was even slower 2) i went from indifference to the characters to disliking them 3) the writing which i didn’t really have a problem with in the first book probably bc i was just tocused on the world building and introducing the characters and everything but in jade war the writing got SO tedious 4) it was just so boring
Reasons I liked this book are these!
The mafia politics and the evolution of it through the series
The characters (shae is my favorite, but I LOVE how they evolve through the series, Anden was really good queer representation in a more traditional society and family love and acceptance and he plays a larger role in the later books)
The world and politics get larger and higher stakes as the series goes on
The fantasy elements come into play more as the series goes on - but the lighter fantasy didn’t bother me much either way and there was great action scenes when there was action
I honestly liked all the things y’all didn’t like - I thought the pace was fine I liked learning about the characters and the family, I liked the time jumps because it shows that the things going on need time to ruminate so it’s not just all happening quickly, I didn’t really care when the actual time period was so not being able to place it didn’t affect my experience at all, I thought the political maneuvering especially as the series goes on was so fun to read about especially seeing the consequences of how it played out
I've read Jade City twice and Jade War once. I haven't read Jade Legacy yet, but I plan to!
The biggest thing I like about the series (so far) is the worldbuilding centered around the jade. It's a really interesting inspection of power, who has it, how they've gained it, or what they're willing to do in order to gain it. I personally disagree that removing the magic wouldn't affect the book much as the reason jade is so highly coveted is due to the magical abilities it gives. The Green Bone families hold the societal clout they do thanks to jade, and gatekeep who is trained in jade through their schools. Kekonese that can't use jade are ostracized or made to work manual labor. Then there's the shine drug, created outside of Kekon to mimic the effects of jade. It's dangerous to use, but it also recenters the power dynamics.
Anyway, I really enjoyed the discussion and hope that The Bone Season will be a win for you! I haven't read it and will try to read along so I can watch the liveshow next time.
I think the time period was meant to be like the 60s to 80s. Pre-internet modern era.
I had a mostly fun time reading these books but you guys raised very valid criticisms.
🖤
It was a very entertaining 4 stars for me but I agree with you that it lacked depth, and I hope the next two books will add that. I found it very cinematic, to me it felt fast paced, and I think it would have worked even better as a tv show. I disliked poppy war and the daevabad trilogy, interestingly.
😭😭😭😭the first book was pretty low on the mafia business meetings compared to book 2
♡ will you be discussing The Bone Season next?
yes!
Nice! Love these videos
Geez this makes me soooo happy because I legit finished the book thinking “am I missing something here I’m the only one that seems to not love this book?”
we are happy to have found our people lol
Wait, the cars are real? 😂 I 100% thought they were made up, and was annoyed they weren’t better described so I could picture them
Ok I’m further in to the video now. My thoughts: I JUST finished reading, so my thoughts aren’t settled yet, but I liked it. I liked the characters (namely Shae, Wen, Lan, and Ayt) and I’m a character over plot kind of person, so that’s enough for me to not hate a book lol. Though now I’m nervous for book 2 because I thought Jade City was written slow to build the world and characters and the next books would be faster paced?? So hearing that Jade War is slower does turn me off of it a bit…how do you slow down in a sequel 😩 beyond that, books are subjective and maybe it just wasn’t for you guys. I was kind of chuckling because how you all responded to Jade City is how I responded to Poppy War. I had high expectations and then I didn’t have ANY feelings toward any of the characters, some of it felt jumpy, but also dragged on to me, and I even pulled a Marines while reading wondering if it was me? If it was the book? Maybe I read it at the wrong time? Eventually I just settled on it not being the book/series for me. So maybe it’s the same for you and Jade City
So glad you weren’t all head over heels for this book -everyone else seems to be and I was thoroughly whelmed/bored by it. I read the 2nd book hoping for more about the rival gang leader but was destined for disappointment, it was just Hilo being a meathead brawn over brains leader 😒
same 2nd book was huge disappointment
i agree 100% with everything said which is refreshing because i have heard nothing but good things about this series from everyone
Tan eik fai l am 22 years malaysia loph👫💤🏡🤙🏋💅hi 2022🤙🤙
i didn’t love jade city but picked up jade war and dnfed it about half way through bc 1)it was even slower 2) i went from indifference to the characters to disliking them 3) the writing which i didn’t really have a problem with in the first book probably bc i was just tocused on the world building and introducing the characters and everything but in jade war the writing got SO tedious 4) it was just so boring
Wow I thought all 3 were great