logo

62 pages 2 hours read

Jade City

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Fonda Lee

Jade City

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

560

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Janloon • 20th century fantasy world

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In the city of Janloon on the island of Kekon, the powerful No Peak and Mountain Clans, led by the Kaul and Ayt families respectively, vie for control over the jade trade, which grants its wielders supernatural abilities. Amid escalating tensions, the Kaul siblings—Lan, Hilo, and Shae—struggle to maintain their family’s dominance and navigate intra-clan conflicts, betrayal, and warfare to protect their legacy. The novel contains scenes of violence, issues related to substance use, and themes involving the legacy of anti-Asian racism.

Mysterious

Gritty

Suspenseful

Challenging

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.2

85,943 ratings

80%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Fonda Lee's Jade City is praised for its intricate world-building and compelling characters, blending fantasy with gangster drama. Critics commend its exploration of power dynamics and familial loyalty. However, some find the dense narrative and multiple viewpoints initially overwhelming. Despite this, the novel's originality and depth have earned it significant acclaim.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Jade City?

Readers who enjoy Jade City by Fonda Lee typically appreciate intricate world-building, political intrigue, and martial arts fantasy. Fans of The Godfather by Mario Puzo and The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu will find parallels in the novel's clan dynamics and rich, Asian-inspired setting. This book is ideal for those who seek a blend of modern and epic storytelling.

4.2

85,943 ratings

80%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

560

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Janloon • 20th century fantasy world

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.