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A review by samtherat17
Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the most unusual things about the first two books was how there would be sometimes be pretty big time jumps in between chapters. Well, Fonda Lee really dials that up to 11 in this book. All jokes aside though, how this book covers a 20-year time period is very unique and is executed really well. It certainly makes the title of 'Jade Legacy' fitting.
The characters are the heart and soul of this trilogy and Fonda Lee knows it. The character development of Hilo, Shae, and others over the years is truly excellent to read. I've grown really attached to these characters, to the point that when any action scene happened, I was just thinking "please don't die, please don't die!!"
Also, the characters' perceptions of various things (including each other) change over time is perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of this book/series. It's not easy to write something taking place over so many years, while keeping it interesting and tense, but again, it's just executed so well and elevates this book to another level.
On a side note, while the 'newer generation' characters don't have the most screen time, they are all unique in their own way and interesting to read about whenever their chapters come about. Also, Anden is a real MVP in this book -- I just love him.
After the characters, I'd say that the world is the most important part of the Green Bone Saga, and it is really expanded upon and we explore many more areas other than just Janloon and Port Massy. Just like the character development, the evolution of the world over the years is also a delight to see. And while I've already repeated this many times in my Jade City and War reviews, the world is just so damn immersive.
And of course, the emotional beats of this story. While I can't say too much here due to spoilers, the ending will hit you right in the feels. It's a bittersweet conclusion--sad in some ways but hopeful and triumphant overall. After putting down the book, I mulled over the ending for a long time and realised just how much I had grown to love this world and its characters. It's not every day that a book makes me feel that.
Would I say that there are any flaws in this book? Well, it could have been shortened, and some of the stuff here doesn't feel too necessary, but I don't think that the book has any major flaws.
Overall, a spectacular conclusion to the Green Bone Saga. Probably my favourite read so far into 2024. Fonda Lee used a bold technique for this book, but it paid off massively. I would say that this series has definitely become one of my all-time favourites--perhaps even my favourite fantasy trilogy!
Hilo, man. His death scene was just so powerful--I would have cried if I wasn't sitting in a public space. What an absolute legend of a character. Also, Bero driving Anden to the Twice Lucky--talk about things coming full circle.
The characters are the heart and soul of this trilogy and Fonda Lee knows it. The character development of Hilo, Shae, and others over the years is truly excellent to read. I've grown really attached to these characters, to the point that when any action scene happened, I was just thinking "please don't die, please don't die!!"
Also, the characters' perceptions of various things (including each other) change over time is perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of this book/series. It's not easy to write something taking place over so many years, while keeping it interesting and tense, but again, it's just executed so well and elevates this book to another level.
On a side note, while the 'newer generation' characters don't have the most screen time, they are all unique in their own way and interesting to read about whenever their chapters come about. Also, Anden is a real MVP in this book -- I just love him.
After the characters, I'd say that the world is the most important part of the Green Bone Saga, and it is really expanded upon and we explore many more areas other than just Janloon and Port Massy. Just like the character development, the evolution of the world over the years is also a delight to see. And while I've already repeated this many times in my Jade City and War reviews, the world is just so damn immersive.
And of course, the emotional beats of this story. While I can't say too much here due to spoilers, the ending will hit you right in the feels. It's a bittersweet conclusion--sad in some ways but hopeful and triumphant overall. After putting down the book, I mulled over the ending for a long time and realised just how much I had grown to love this world and its characters. It's not every day that a book makes me feel that.
Would I say that there are any flaws in this book? Well, it could have been shortened, and some of the stuff here doesn't feel too necessary, but I don't think that the book has any major flaws.
Overall, a spectacular conclusion to the Green Bone Saga. Probably my favourite read so far into 2024. Fonda Lee used a bold technique for this book, but it paid off massively. I would say that this series has definitely become one of my all-time favourites--perhaps even my favourite fantasy trilogy!