Jade City (novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Fonda Lee |
| Products | Fantasy novels, novellas, short story collections |
Jade City is a fantasy novel published in 2017 by Fonda Lee, marking the beginning of the Green Bone Saga. It is succeeded by Jade War (2019) and Jade Legacy (2021). Additionally, a prequel novella titled The Jade Setter of Janloon was released in 2022, followed by the short story compilation Jade Shards in 2023. The novel earned both the 2018 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel and the 2018 Aurora Award for Best Novel.
Background
Prior to creating Jade City, Lee completed an MBA at Stanford University and worked professionally as a business strategist while also writing science fiction. She designed the book’s magical system with a scientific approach, using it as a framework to examine themes of international commerce and political intrigue within the narrative.
Lee’s objective was to craft an epic fantasy that diverged from traditional medieval European settings, focusing instead on "scheming and politics and clash of noble houses" situated in a unique cultural and historical context.
Premise
Taking place a generation after the Many Nations War—a conflict analogous to World War II—Jade City centers on Kekon’s rival clans, descendants of the One Mountain Society liberation movement. The isolationist Mountain clan, led by the Ayt family, and the internationalist No Peak clan, under the Kaul family’s leadership, are dominant forces. Each clan is governed by three key figures: the Pillar (chief), Horn (enforcers), and Weather Man (business manager).
Kekon holds exclusive control over jade, a rare mineral that bestows enhanced abilities but requires both genetic suitability and mastery of six jade disciplines. The indigenous Abukei are unaffected; outsiders are hypersensitive; only Kekonese of mixed heritage can safely wield jade long-term. Lee tied jade aptitude to genetics and chance to subvert conventional "chosen one" narratives. Kekonese incapable of using jade are labeled "stone-eyes," regarded as unlucky. The drug SN1 ("shine") can temporarily increase jade tolerance.
Jade City
Bero, a thief, attempts to steal jade from a No Peak Fist but is apprehended alongside his partner Sampa and brought before Kaul Hilo for discipline. Hilo involves his brother Lan, the clan Pillar, during interrogation. Lan aims to resist Mountain clan encroachment on No Peak territory but faces opposition from Doru, the Weather Man, who favors diplomacy. Frustrated, Lan seeks his grandfather Kaul Sen’s approval to remove Doru but is refused. Lan’s sister Shae returns from overseas yet declines participation in clan matters or wearing her jade.
The Mountain kidnaps Emery Anden, adopted cousin to Lan, Hilo, and Shae. Ayt Mada offers Anden a role intended to bridge Mountain and No Peak clans. After Anden’s safe return, Lan initiates reforms by proposing legislation preventing any clan from monopolizing the Kekon Jade Alliance (KJA) and assigns Shae to audit its finances.
Following an attempt on Hilo’s life, Lan engages in a duel with a Mountain member and emerges victorious. Hilo requests Lan’s blessing to marry Wen despite concerns regarding her family background; Lan consents. Lan sustains injuries but conceals his condition by wearing additional jade won during the duel. Secretly dependent on shine supplied by Anden—who urges cessation—Lan hides his addiction. Shae visits Anden but remains unaware of Lan's condition.
Shae detects jade theft within the KJA and suspects either Doru’s negligence or complicity. Lan sends Doru abroad and informs Royal Council allies about halting jade production temporarily. Meanwhile, the Mountain orders Bero to attack a gentleman's club frequented by Lan. During the assault, Lan overdoses on shine and drowns after falling into the sea.
Shae formally returns to clan duties, dons her jade, and convinces Hilo—now Pillar—to retaliate against the Mountain clan. She assumes the role of Weather Man; Doru is arrested and placed under house arrest. Shae and Hilo accuse Ayt Mada of illicitly diverting jade to foreign markets. Ayt attempts unsuccessfully to recruit Shae into betraying No Peak. Wen becomes a covert operative for the clan, smuggling millions worth of jade to an overseas military base, restoring disrupted supply chains.
Doru defects to the Mountain clan. Hilo marries Wen then leads Anden into Mountain territory anticipating fatal combat. Together they eliminate Gont Ascht, Mountain’s Horn leader, securing a strategic victory for No Peak despite Anden falling into a coma. Upon awakening, Anden rejects becoming a Green Bone at his graduation ceremony, expressing disdain for violence; Hilo publicly reprimands him.
Under cover of night, Bero visits Lan’s gravesite still seeking jade and discovers a significant stash concealed within the coffin.
Reception and awards
Publishers Weekly characterized the book as "a captivating fusion of crime thriller elements and Asian martial arts film motifs." A starred review from Library Journal highlighted its "daring martial-arts sequences and immersive worldbuilding," describing the overall effect as "excellent."
Kirkus identified Kekon as a representation of mid-20th-century Hong Kong and noted inspirations drawn from The Godfather, while stressing the novel’s distinctive narrative, influenced by historical, cultural, and biological factors. Liz Bourke of Tor.com likened the story to a combination of The Legend of Korra, Gangs of New York, and Hong Kong action films, praising the intricate worldbuilding and richly developed characters.
| Year | Award | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Nebula Award | Novel | Finalist |
| 2018 | Aurora Award | Novel | Winner |
| Locus Award | Fantasy Novel | Finalist | |
| World Fantasy Award | Novel | Winner |
Adaptations
In August 2020, Peacock revealed intentions to produce a television adaptation of the novel through Universal Television, with Dave Kalstein serving as writer and executive producer, Breck Eisner directing and also executive producing, and Dean Georgaris acting as executive producer. Nevertheless, in June 2022, Lee disclosed that the project would not proceed at Peacock and would instead be offered to other networks or streaming services.