From the window, to the walls. Enemies all on these stones 😅

Jade War  starts 16 months after the tragic events of the first book. Kekon is in an even worse state than before. We are immediately thrown into a chaotic political landscape where Kekon must defend itself not only from internal threats but also from external forces eager to exploit the jade trade.

The siblings are trying to outmaneuver the Mountain clan, while the Mountain clan's pillar, Ayt, is playing a longer game that involves opening their gates and expanding their trade to the rest of the world.

Fonda Lee has done an outstanding job of expanding an already intricate and complicated world. This book features the most realistic and elaborate political machinations I have read in any book. Kekon faces not only internal issues like clan wars, smuggling, and unregulated drug sales, but also external threats, xenophobia, refugee issues, and more. The complexities and depth of this book will leave you enthralled.

Unlike many authors, Fonda Lee isn’t afraid to kill off her characters, which keeps one anxious and deeply invested in the fate of their favorite characters. This unpredictability adds a layer of tension and realism to the story, in my opinion.

As much as I love this book, I can't ignore some issues that I noticed more in this book than in the first one. First of all, the war promised by the title remains in the background and never becomes an actual threat to our main characters. There are some parts that feel dragged out and others that could benefit from more in-depth exploration.

Another major issue is the constant time jumps. This book spans over several years. One moment you're reading along, and the next, Hilo has a daughter out of nowhere, like a surprise plot twist at a family reunion. Most of the significant events are mentioned briefly after the fact. We don't get to see the characters experiencing these major events; we just learn about them in short paragraphs.

For example: "Boss Kromner is awaiting trial and may spend decades in prison."

The boss in question was becoming a big threat, but then after a time jump, he was in prison. We don't get to witness the events leading up to his imprisonment.

This issue is persistent thoughout the book. It  annoyed me because there were parts that could have been edited out to make way for more detailed character development and plot progression.

Sometimes, conversations between characters get sidetracked by lengthy and unnecessary backstories, which can disrupt the flow and dilute the impact of the dialogue.

Despite these issues, Fonda Lee’s skillful storytelling and the depth of the socio-political themes make Jade War a captivating read. The narrative is refreshing and unlike anything I have ever read. It's has just the right amount of politics, family drama, and action. A must read. This series will do great as a movie or TV adaptation.

Plot: ★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
World building: ★★★★
Reread value: ★★★★