This book was flush with characters and action. It was sold to me with the description, “Imagine The Godfather just with wuxia and more kick-ass women.”, and it definitely delivered.

It wasn’t fast-paced, but I did find myself invested in the characters, even ones didn’t like, fairly fast. (Lan is my favorite, sorry Shae and Wen.) The implications and loose plot threads here are promising for the next in the series as well.

After finishing I was looking at other reviews and blurbs - and I have to admit even with all the jade-powered super human fighting scenes I almost forgot this was fantasy (oops). It is gritty and intense but I’d say it has more in common with The Fast and the Furious than most of the usual books you think of as fantasy. Not a bad thing at all, but something to note if you’re picking this up expecting something more like epic fantasy.

…I’m getting the sequel soon though. I am way too invested in these characters.