Pulo is a hard-working, honest apprentice whose life at the jade setter’s shop changes forever in an instant. An important jade object is stolen and Malla, the stone-eye girl who works in the shop, is unfairly blamed. Pulo must clear her name to save her and find the item before the shop closes forever in shame. 

After the heart pounding and epic finale of Jade Legacy, needless to say I had a massive book hangover. I was thrilled to return to Fonda Lee’s intricate world. The novella format gives Fonda Lee an excellent opportunity to delve into characters who never held center stage in the books, yet were integral pieces of the story. 

Fonda Lee introduces new characters who I felt quickly invested in, despite the shorter time period to get to know them. Seeing cameos from well-loved characters from the Green Bone Saga was fantastic! It was really interesting to see them before the events of the books took place, while knowing what lies ahead for them. Janloon is one of my favorite places to spend time. Reading this novella felt simultaneously like coming home and peeking behind the stage curtain to see all of the backstage workers who make the main show possible. 

The novella was a very satisfying and complete story. If you are a fan of the Green Bone Saga, then this novella is a must-read! Thank you so much to Fonda Lee, Subterranean Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Kagen the Damned follows the eponymous man who believes he is damned and whose gods have turned their backs on him. One night, a brutal coup strips him of his charges, his family, and all he holds dear. Tragically, he does not arrive in time to save the royal children. Surviving against all odds, Kagen swears revenge against the person responsible- the mysterious and terrifying Witch King. The stage is thus set for a grimdark epic fantasy, as magic is brought back to a world that has long forgotten it.

Despite the dire circumstances in which readers initially find him, I didn’t feel a strong sense of interest in Kagen. While his circumstances were indeed grim, I didn’t find the choices he made as a result particularly compelling. It felt like the book struggled to balance the level of gore and assault one might expect during a coup with shock value.

Ultimately, I did not find Kagen a likable or relatable character. He was a character of extremes. This ranged from self-congratulatory over his substandard treatment of women to self-castigating over honest mistakes. The writing felt clunky and unpolished. I particularly disliked the ending for two of the only queer-coded characters, which had an unpleasant twist.

However, this series certainly has a lot of potential and I look forward to learning what is next for Kagen. I know Jonathan Maberry is a beloved author and now that the world-building and circumstances have been established in book one, perhaps book two will be more my cup of tea. Thank you to Jonathan Maberry, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.