Jade War
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Fonda Lee |
| Products | Fantasy novel |
| Parent | Orbit Books |
Jade War is a 2019 fantasy novel authored by Fonda Lee and published by Orbit. It serves as the follow-up to Jade City. The narrative centers on the island of Kekon, where jade-wielding clans become entangled in a global conflict revolving around jade. Spanning multiple years, this installment is the second entry in the Green Bone saga, succeeded by the series conclusion, Jade Legacy, released in 2021.
Plot
Following Kaul Sen’s demise, the thief Bero and his accomplice Mudt pilfer jade from Kaul Lan’s tomb. Hilo faces challenges maintaining his position as Pillar of No Peak, navigating a fragile truce with the Mountain clan. Beyond Kekon’s borders, war breaks out between Shotar and Ygutan over control of the Oortoko region; Kekon’s ally Espenia backs Shotar. Many Kekonese remain conflicted due to Shotar’s history of colonization.
Anden, who refuses to wear jade after killing Gont Asch, is dispatched to Port Massy in Espenia for study. He struggles with assimilation but discovers a Kekonese-Espenian clan under Pillar Dauk Losen’s leadership and begins a romantic relationship with Dauk Cory.
Operating from the Uwiwan Islands, jade smuggler Zapunyo benefits from support by barukan—jade users of mixed Kekonese and Shotarian heritage. Hilo declines Zapunyo’s proposal to share profits from smuggling, underestimating its consequences.
Shae locates her predecessor Doru, who takes his own life before facing clan justice. Wen, Hilo’s wife and covert informant, uncovers that Lan fathered a son named Niko with his former wife Eyni. When Eyni refuses to raise Niko as a Green Bone, Hilo kills her and claims Niko as his successor.
The Mountain and No Peak clans publicly declare peace; street-level violence ceases though underlying rivalry endures. The Mountain clan adopts a nationalist ideology, whereas No Peak leans toward globalism. Ayt Mada reveals Shae’s military past in Espenia; although she loses a duel against him, she regains her standing. She secretly dates Professor Maro but ends their relationship following a private abortion. Maik Kehn—Wen’s brother and Horn of No Peak—is assassinated by a car bomb; Maro is blackmailed into assisting the attack and is later killed by Shae.
Hilo pursues Bero and Mudt for their involvement in Zapunyo’s smuggling ring. Mudt betrays Bero and appears to kill him; Hilo kills Mudt believing him responsible for Lan’s death. Bero survives and exposes the smuggling operation, enabling No Peak to halt illegal jade exports.
To bolster No Peak’s international influence, Hilo forms an alliance with Kekonese clans in Port Massy. When Zapunyo travels there for medical treatment, Shae and Wen plot his assassination despite Hilo’s objections. Dauk Losen consents only if Anden ends his relationship with Cory; Anden reluctantly agrees. They succeed in killing Zapunyo but are ambushed afterward; Wen sustains brain injuries and is saved only when Anden resumes wearing jade. Shae admits to allowing Wen into danger, causing tension with Hilo. Anden returns home with intentions of becoming a physician.
The international conflict concludes with Ygutan victorious. The Mountain clan absorbs barukan refugees, expanding their power. Shae confronts Ayt Mada as hostilities between Mountain and No Peak flare again. Bero joins resistance fighters aiming to dismantle Janloon’s clan system.
Reception
Jason Sheehan from NPR praised Lee for constructing an entire contemporary universe, complete with its unique history, customs, traditions, and language. He observed that Jade War expands significantly beyond its predecessor in scope and depth. Sheehan also highlighted the persistent allusions to The Godfather, suggesting that without the influence of The Godfather, both Jade War and Jade City would stand as defining organized crime epics of their generation. He commended Lee's ability to weave intimate character stories with grand-scale narratives, describing the novel as a "magical, almost operatic crime and family drama" that features jade-enhanced superhumans who nonetheless express deeply relatable emotions. The Library Journal awarded the book a starred review, labeling it a "clever and action-packed fantasy" featuring strong female leads and establishing a compelling foundation for Jade Legacy. Similarly, Kirkus Reviews granted a starred review, calling the narrative "robust, thoughtful, and briskly paced," signaling promising developments for future installments. Positive remarks were echoed by Fantasy Book Review. Additionally, Publishers Weekly honored Jade War with both a starred review and designation as a weekly pick, applauding its expansive political intrigue, meticulously choreographed action sequences, and a character-driven family saga that ranges from corporate boardroom dealings to full-scale conflict.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Aurora Award | Novel | Template:Sho |
| Dragon Awards | Fantasy Novel | Template:Sho | |
| Ignyte Awards | Novel – Adult | Template:Sho | |
| Locus Award | Fantasy Novel | Template:Sho |
Adaptations
In 2020, Peacock began developing a television adaptation of the first entry in The Green Bone Saga, titled Jade City, with Lee serving as a consulting producer. However, in July 2022, Peacock announced the project's cancellation. Despite this setback, Lee revealed that efforts were underway to find an alternative platform to continue the series development.