Update: There are some issues that Asian BIPOC reviewers have stated. I would urge others to read their reviews and respect their input. My review is not an endorsement of the book, but just how I felt while reading the work. Please read and respect ownvoice reviewers first and foremost.

Disclaimer: I received this arc from Little Shop of Stories and an e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Jade Fire Gold

Author: June C.L. Tan

Book Series: Standalone for now

Rating: 4/5

Diversity: Chinese MC and side characters. Ownvoice. Sapphic romance side characters

Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, ownvoice, Asian inspired

Publication Date: October 12, 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, gore, death, grief, child abuse, parental death, torture, alcohol use, self harm TW)

Explanation of CWs: Self harm, child abuse, and torture are shown and mentioned. Violence and gore and death are throughout the book.

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 464

Synopsis: Ahn is no one, with no past and no family.

Altan is a lost heir, his future stolen away as a child.

When they meet, Altan sees in Ahn a path to reclaiming the throne. Ahn sees a way to finally unlock her past and understand her arcane magical abilities.

But they may have to pay a far deadlier price than either could have imagined.

Review: For the most part I liked this read. It was really well written and had some amazing world building. I liked the characters for the most part and they were well developed. I really enjoyed reading this for the most part and it’s your average YA book. I also really liked it because it gave me

However, I did feel like the pacing was completely off and that it threw off the entire book. The romance felt underdeveloped and rushed.

Verdict: It’s good, just needed a bit more.