The Jade Setter of Janloon

It's hilarious that I still haven't read Jade War or Legacy yet despite loving Jade City. I guess it was such an intense experience that picking up the sequel makes me all kinds of anxious. But hopefully I'll finish the trilogy soon. In the meantime, I found myself in a bad mood today and decided to cheer myself up by picking up this prequel and it was definitely the right decision.

The writing is very engaging right from the beginning and it was interesting to get to know the perspective of someone who is not a Green Bone but works with setting it. The author describes jade setting like an art form and I enjoyed picturing it in my head. And in such a short book, the author also manages to include robbery, murder, corruption and revenge and I have to commend her for creating such a compelling narrative while also feeling satisfied with its length. It ofcourse moves at a fast pace but that is to be expected, and it helps that the narrative takes place in the duration of a couple of days.

Pulo is an interesting character because he is a good person and somewhat idealistic but also easy to judge when it comes to other people, without knowing their whole situation. He does have his heart in the right place though and I admired him for standing up for his mentor and friend in very dangerous situations. Isin is his mentor and the owner of the Jade setting shop, a mysterious person who keeps things close to his chest and is very unassuming and unambitious despite being a master crafter. Malla is competent at her job but quiet and doesn't draw too much attention to herself. These three characters' dynamics and their relationship with each other is explored very well. But the little cameos of familiar characters from the Green Bone sage were definitely a highlight for me, especially one which made me quite emotional.

I don't know if the author intends to write more stories in this world but this is definitely a fun addition to the series. It is entertaining, has some unique characters, unexpected plot twists, still maintains the gritty nature of the trilogy, and gives us a small glimpse into how some of our favorite characters of GBS came to be who they are. And ultimately, this is amazing fan service.

Obviously, a short novella is no match for a lengthy trilogy when it comes to characterization and worldbuilding, but Fonda Lee was still able to craft an exciting, tightly-plotted, and complete story featuring many of the hallmarks that made the Green Bone Saga so compelling.

If you're interested in the Green Bone Saga and aren't ready to commit to the full series, this is a tasty appetizer for what's to come. And if, like me, you loved the Green Bone Saga and aren't ready to leave Janloon behind just yet, this is still a supremely satisfying read.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.