Mulan meets steampunk.
We all know I love me some fantasy, add in flying ships (like the pirate kind) and a quest to find a killer and I sense a 5 star read in my future.
Of Jade and Dragons is the first book in the Fall of Dragon series by Amber Chen that follows Aihui Ying who after catching her father's assassin in the act, dresses up as her younger brother and journeys into the heart of the kingdom to join the Engineers Guild and ferret out the one who sent the assassin. Armed with only the knowledge her father has passed down to her, her fathers journal and a fan, she must compete to gain entrance into the guild and while each test brings her closer to the truth it also puts her real identity at risk.
Of Jade and Dragons had already been on my radar and to buy list when I received a finished copy from Penguin.
(Thanks Penguin Young Readers!)
I have all these other books on my TBR but for some reason this one just kept sitting there like this, whats a girl to do when a book is literally begging to be read? Read it of course!
This book is a captivating world where steampunk meets Asian mythology, weaving together intrigue, and romance, with moments of sheer astonishment. From start to finish, I was enraptured by the dynamic plot and compelling characters. One of the biggest standouts of the book is the twists. Oh the twists! While I anticipated some of the major reveals, the way the story unfolded still left me shocked. The characters are all intricately crafted. To me, both the 14th Prince and Aihui Ying were incredibly vibrant while the 8th Prince, moody as he was may have been a little 1 dimensional. Aihui Ying, shines brightly with her sharp mind and determination. Her journey is exhilarating and thought-provoking, especially given the STEM elements and the intricate workings of her inventions.
The emotional rollercoaster this book takes you on is intense. There were moments when my jaw literally dropped, times when I burst out laughing, and instances when my heart raced with panic for Aihui Ying's fate. It's evidence of the author's skill that the story caused such strong reactions for me. Of Jade and Dragons is a gem that I wholeheartedly recommend, especially to fans of "Spin the Dawn," "Daughter of the Moon Goddess," and "The Hunger Games." Easily a 5 star read for me, and I can not wait to read the rest of the series!
Psst! Just so you know, some of the links sprinkled here are affiliate links. If you decide to click and treat yourself, I might get a little high-five in the form of a commission at no additional cost to you. Cheers and happy reading!