Amazing in so many ways. Obviously the world building and action are top-notch but there are two things that stand out for me in this as just exceptional pieces of writing that I haven't really seen before in fantasy.

The first is the stark look at what a world looks like once the classic heroes (the Torch and Spear) have finished the war against their oppressors. Once the blood has been cleaned how do two incredibly violent men who have given their lives to killing move forward? The answer is they don't, and the look at a city ruled by violence is so well done, seeing the world from the Green Bone perspective and then from the eyes of those without jade does such a good job of showing us what monsters the Green Bones really are and how ordinary people would live in near constant fear.

Jade tying not only into class but also the racial caste system of Kekon is also brilliantly portrayed. Given the native Abukei are completely immune to its effects the arrogance of the Kekonese in the way they claim jade is outstanding, not only physically forcing the Abukei to mine the stone for them but moulding an entire religion around how they are owed jade from the gods shows just a breath-taking arrogance, and a deep irony with the way they gatekeep jade from the rest of the world.

Secondly the depiction of jade in this book as a drug shows by far the best writing I've seen in a fantasy book on not only addiction but the physical effects drugs can have on different people. The descriptions of Lan being overwhelmed by senses is scarily well written (I've been there bud), and his desperate need to get better and better and dealing with the effects is heart-breaking. Even Anden (and Bero's) brief foray into Jade usage show just how incredibly intoxicating the power and the drug is, clearly having a huge mental effect on the two young men, though one runs away from this, and one runs very much towards.

Bero is super sympathetic, and I find it hard to blame him for all that he does in this book. Looking up at the near divine ruling class of the city from the gutter, idolising them and attempting to become the same he is instantly beaten down by the people he looked up to the most and told to hide in fear, it’s hardly surprising he looks for the brief touch of power he had held elsewhere.

Interesting to think that if Hilo had reacted differently to the events in the first chapter, specifically if he had held off the brutal violence he was raised to worship for some basic compassion towards a child who clearly just wanted to be like him, the events in the book would've played out wildly differently.

Very exited to read the next one.