The Book Nook

Battle of the Clans   “Jade City” by Fonda Lee combines the author’s experience as a corporate strategist and black-belt martial artist with her interest in comic books and action movies.  The result is an eclectic yet well-organized mix of action and world building anchored by strong family relationships. Kekon is a fictional land whose capital city is controlled by two rival groups – the Mountain and No Peak clans.  Clan leaders oversee their own districts, constantly seeking to expand their territorial domain while trying to prevent their enemies from doing the same.  They rely heavily on two people - one who keeps the business wheels rolling smoothly via bribes and threats and the other who acts as an enforcer. If you’re thinking this sounds like the Mob, you’re right.  The similarity to organized crime seem intentional and several parallels to The Godfather can be found in this intricate yet well-laid out story of intrigue and power struggles. Clans share control of the country’s major natural resource – jade, which in this case is much more than just an ornamental stone.  Kekon’s jade has magical properties that can either confer superhuman powers or kill you, depending on various factors.  It’s both a status symbol and a powerful yet deadly substance which can drive people to thievery or worse. No Peak’s legendary leader has turned the reins over to his grandson, Lan.  While Lan has gained some respect and trust, he doesn’t have the fearful loyalty his tyrannical grandfather commanded.  Lan’s brother Hilo is tailor-made for the role of enforcer, but his impetuous and volatile nature means Lan spends more time on damage control than he’d like. Another problem is their younger sister Shae, who is returning home from college.  Their hopes that she’d help run the business from the safety of the family estate are dashed when she shuns the protection and advantages of her family’s elevated status.  Worse, she refuses to wear the jade which would help her perceive danger more easily.  She does agree to help Lan with a special mission, discovering irregularities that confirm his worst fears. Add to the mix a thief’s string of bad decisions and changes to international demands for jade and you have all the necessary ingredients to brew up a huge pot of trouble. I liked several aspects of this book, such as the in-depth look at the characters and satisfactory descriptions of their motivations.  Duality of nature is featured in several ways, such as hating an enemy yet admiring their talents.  Characters understand the importance of self-sacrifice for the greater good or that they can be true to themselves while serving others. There’s also substantial depth to the culture and history of the land and its inhabitants.  The author creates a somewhat complex world, yet her careful explanations have the right timing and length to keep readers up to speed.  The narration is revealed from four alternating points of view.  Hilo and Lan give us detailed views into the clan, as well as the how and why behind their decisions.  The other two give us an outsider’s perspective via Shae and Anden – a young cousin. Although the narration comes from different voices, each perspective is carefully thought-out and adds a new layer.  Equally satisfying is the consistently smooth storyline with no underdeveloped voices, which can be hard to accomplish in a story with multiple narrators.    The complexity of each character enhances the plot and helps us understand Kekon’s world and people. Another plus is how well the author intertwines the feeling of a crime thriller with fight scenes between combatants with super-hero powers.  She aptly describes the magic underlying everything without getting bogged down in archaic trivia.  The fighting is described with enough detail to put you there but not so graphic as to put you off. The emphasis on familial duty and honor adds to the East Asian element.  The tension and love between family members never feels contrived and we’re given the history behind their multi-faceted relationships, making it easier to understand them. As I neared the end of the book, I realized the unresolved nature was setting me up for another installment.  Sure enough, “Jade War” was published in 2019 and I felt the dynamics between the characters was sufficient reason to add it to my reading list. Fonda Lee aimed her first two novels at young adults and both were nominated for awards.  Published in 2017, “Jade City” is Lee’s first book intended for adults.  It won a World Fantasy award and was a finalist for the 2018 Nebula Award for Best Novel.  It’s an excellent choice for fans of crime thrillers, martial arts, superheroes or those seeking intelligent action or world-building novels.