Super-Toughness: The Steel ability; special mention goes to Gont Asch, who used this ability to survive a death of consequence. Subverted in the case of Kaul Nikoyan. By the time Hilo outright admits to killing Niko's real parents, Niko has thought of Hilo and Wen as his parents for so long that he doesn't feel any desire for revenge. He does end up falling out with Hilo, but for mostly unrelated reasons. Arranged Marriage: Jade Legacy reveals Kaul Sen was planning to force Shae into one. note Hilo disapproved, and so contrived to murder her suitor.

The story has wild turns that are unexpected, and keeps you both heavily invested in the characters, and the story. It is intense, with wonderful pacing from start to finish. Every time I thought I knew the direction this book was going to take, it would spin into a new one that was even more entertaining than I was envisioning.Yeah, I didn’t need to worry at all. Jade War does everything you want in a second volume, expanding on the world and the story while deepening the characterization that drew us into the world in the first place. By the time it all finishes, it’s clear that Lee has turned her family saga into something much larger, all without losing a single element that made the original book so good, and in fact, improving on all of them. Partially subverted in that many characters point out the issues with this attitude, and due to the series' modern setting it results in the (not-unfounded) stereotype of Kekonese being dangerous and unrefined brutes who resort to violence at the drop of a hat.

Going into this book, I was extremely nervous that I would not enjoy my experience. I've been burned lately from books that are "the next best thing" lately, and coupled with the fact that I'm generally not a fan of urban fantasy, there was a lot that led me to believe I would be in the minority in disliking this book. Officially the country is a constitutional monarchy, ruled by a Prince whose role is only ceremonial, and all political power invested in the Royal Council, a unicameral elected legislature. Hilo is joined by his trusty Weather Man, Shae, who ends up with the best character journey of the entire novel. She’s still entangled in both politics and fighting, but this time also has a romance thrown in too, which helps to add crucial depth to her persona. This depth can also be extended to Hilo’s wife Wen, the Stone-Eye who is no longer just a pretty face and mother. Instead, she’s far more active in the story and by the end, becomes integral to the way Jade Legacy is likely to pan out. Jade City is set in a world where jade confers great strength and power to those who can wield it—without risking madness or a lethal propensity to the Itches.The clan was not just people and jade and money. It was an idea, a legacy that connected the pats with the present and the future. The family’s strength was a promise.” Affably Evil: Ayt is quite capable of having a civil conversation with her mortal enemies. Could also apply to Hilo, depending on how you feel about him.

Granddaughter Cormorant. Before she left and returned to Kekon, Kaul Shae was the apple of her grandfather’s eye…as well as a daring secret informer to a foreign country. Contains an introduction and story notes by the author. Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing! Grave Robbing: Bero and Mudt decide to steal Lan's jade from his coffin at the end of Jade City, and actually do so at the beginning of Jade War, using the open grave meant for Lan's grandfather to make it easier.

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Genre Mashup: The most commonly used elevator pitch used when reviewers talk about the novel is " The Godfather, but with magic and kung fu."