Please note, Jade War is the second book in The Green Bone Saga. If you have not read Jade City then it is likely what follows will contain some minor spoilers. Consider yourself duly warned!
On the island of Kekon, the Kaul family is locked in a violent feud for control of the capital city and the supply of magical jade that endows trained Green Bone warriors with supernatural powers they alone have possessed for hundreds of years.
Beyond Kekon’s borders, war is brewing. Powerful foreign governments and mercenary criminal kingpins alike turn their eyes on the island nation. Jade, Kekon’s most prized resource, could make them rich – or give them the edge they’d need to topple their rivals.
Faced with threats on all sides, the Kaul family is forced to form new and dangerous alliances, confront enemies in the darkest streets and the tallest office towers, and put honor aside in order to do whatever it takes to ensure their own survival – and that of all the Green Bones of Kekon.
Back in 2017, I had the distinct pleasure of reading Jade City by Fonda Lee. It was one of my favourite books that year. The second book in the series, Jade War, is due to be released next week. I’ve been fortunate enough to read an advance copy and the word is good. Jade War is a winner from beginning to end.
From a character perspective, the Kaul family, leaders of the No Peak clan, remain front and centre. Hilo Kaul has risen from the position of Horn (street boss) to Pillar (clan leader). Stepping away from the immediacy of life on the streets, he is still finding his way as the boss of bosses. Hilo’s sister, Shae, has settled into her role of Weather Man, guiding the clan’s various business interests. In this book we get to see different sides to both of these characters. Hilo is becoming more of a family man, and there is a sense of caution in his actions. Shae has fully embraced clan life and is possessed by the will to succeed over all the clan’s enemies. I got the distinct impression Shae come to a crossroads in her life, she is no longer interested in playing nice. Shae has made personal sacrifices and that hurt has fuelled her need for control. Far more certain than she was before, Shae steadfastly refuses to back down from any challenge. When the siblings work together, the brother and sister complement one another perfectly. Unfortunately, there are also instances when they disagree. When you’re running a large business empire, the consequences of disagreements tend to have significant ramifications.
Lee is great at getting under the skin of her characters. There are some beautifully judged introspective moments where Hilo, Shae, and others ponder their respective roles within the clan system and it’s insightful stuff. Can anyone really ever walk away from the life they have been born into? What’s that old turn of phrase that they use to describe membership to the Mafia? Once you’re in, you’re in. That seems entirely appropriate when it comes to the clans as well.
In Janloon, the Kekon capital, hierarchies are so ingrained in the way of life that loyalty and good favour are almost as useful as money. From the lowest foot-soldier right up to the Pillar, everyone is bound by the rules and moral codes that the clans follow. This system offers the illusion of stability in a country that has experienced bloody chaos in times past. Each clan protects their interests from external threats and from one another. There is a thin veneer of civility, business is just business after all, but when push comes to shove violence is often the only course of action. When I reviewed book one, I compared Lan Kaul (Hilo and Shae’s older brother) to Stringer Bell from The Wire. The previous Pillar of No Peak was driven by his craving for legitimacy. Clan leadership is only for the strong, those who lead are forced to bear great responsibility. In Jade War, the same pressures that Lan faced are starting to take their toll on both Hilo and Shae.
In addition to all the internal struggles, there is also the relationship No Peak has with the other clans, most notably the Mountain. These two groups have been at one another’s throats for decades. In order to keep their extended family, and clan safe Hilo and Shae have to try and out think everyone that would wish them ill. The only problem is that the list of names that fall into that particular category is getting ever longer.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that Jade War is solely about the complexity of Kekonese politics and warring families. The author also has a real eye when it comes to delivering action sequences. There is a duel at one point that is completely breath-taking. When I was reading these moments featuring the skills that the magical jade imbues, I found myself picturing a cross between The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I would dearly love to see this translate to the screen. There is a graceful, almost balletic quality to the fights that I’m sure would be mesmerising.
Elsewhere, the narrative explores the juxtaposition between traditional and modern values. All of the various clan’s existence are built on a rich sense of history. Custom and heritage lie at the heart of all that they do, but the modern world demands evolution. Hilo is leading the No Peak during a period of intense change. These changes are directly linked to the jade industry, but aren’t just at home in Kekon, they are happening across the world. For the No Peak, the only option is to adapt or die. If that adaptation means breaking with the old rules, then so be it.
The worldbuilding in Jade City was wonderfully evocative, and Jade War continues to deliver on that score. The story expands far beyond the shores of Kekon* and we get to discover how jade and the Kekonese are treated elsewhere in the world. It’s exactly what I had hoped for. When the plot then switches back to the city streets of Janloon, you can sense that events are building towards a climax. The turf war between the clans just keeps getting larger and larger in scale. When political concerns, at home and overseas, are added into the mix the tension builds to a fever pitch. The culture is so vibrant and alive that even with all the clan wars and jade related power struggles, I find I still want to visit the city of Janloon.
I’m so pleased with this book. I’d hoped for so much and Fonda Lee did not disappoint. Jade War is flawlessly executed. The best sequels always build successfully on their predecessor’s original premise, and Jade War does exactly that. Book three can’t come soon enough. There is due to be a reckoning or twelve and I cannot wait to see how they all play out.
My musical recommendation to accompany Jade War has a traditional air about it. Shogun II: Total War by Jeff van Dyck does a fine job of capturing the tone of the book.
Jade War is published by Orbit and is available from 25th July. Highly recommended, but if you haven’t already, do read Jade City first.
*I’ll admit I was insanely curious while reading book one as to what was happening elsewhere.
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