Of Jade and Dragons Series: Fall of The Dragon #1 on June 20, 2024
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Juvenile Fiction / Love & Romance, Young Adult Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Romance, Young Adult Fiction / People & Places / Asia
Pages: 480
Find the Author: Website, Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram
Goodreads
Reading Challenges: 2024 Audiobook challengeIRON WIDOW meets SIX CRIMSON CRANES in this immersive YA fantasy inspired by Chinese legend, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Chloe Gong.
Aihui Ying's life is viciously torn apart when her father is killed by a masked assassin. Left with only his journal and a jade pendant snatched from his killer, she vows to take her revenge.
Seeking answers, Ying infiltrates the prestigious Engineers Guild - the ancient institution home to her father's secret past. There, she begins to navigate a world fraught with politics and treachery.
Soon though, Ying's quest for vengeance turns into a fight for survival and she'll have to stay one step ahead of everyone. . .if she's to make it out alive.
'A richly detailed and wildly imaginative book.' - Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Iron Widow
Review:
When I first saw the cover, I was immediately captivated by its stunning design! As soon as I read the synopsis, I was hooked. A girl disguising herself as a man to enter an engineer’s guild trial and solve her father’s murder? As I started this book, the vibes I got reminded me of Poppy War, another story where a young girl wants to prove she can do precisely what men can. With this kind of story, you are on the edge of your seat, just waiting for them to be discovered and for it all to be over. Ying is an exceptional character. Intelligent, headstrong, and fiercely determined to uncover the mystery behind her father’s death, she carries the story beautifully. Alongside her, the two male leads, Ye-Yang and Ye-Kan, were intriguing, even though they didn’t have as much focus in this book. Their dynamic as friendly academic rivals added a great layer to the story, and I hope to see more of them in book 2.
The Asian fantasy setting combined with a steampunk atmosphere was a perfect backdrop for the tale. It felt fresh and immersive, providing a unique twist to the familiar Mulan narrative.
Audiobook Review:Â The chosen narrator did a great job, and I could fall into this story and be involved in the book while still getting adult things done. I also appreciated that the narrator knew how the names should be pronounced, so I got the authentic sound to accompany the beautiful story.
About Amber Chen
Amber Chen is a Singaporean-Chinese author who writes in the genres of SFF and contemporary. Her debut YA novel OF JADE AND DRAGONS is forthcoming from Penguin Teen in Summer 2024.
She spends much of her free time living within Chinese fantasy novels and dramas, and also drinks one too many cups of bubble tea. One of her webnovels, The Cutting Edge, has been adapted for television.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Beautiful cover and this is another one I want to get for my school library. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!