By Fonda Lee
“Family is duty. Magic is power. Honor is everything.”
June 7th, 2024
Original art by C. J. Merwild.
Hello, everyone! I'm excited to restart my reviews of my favourite books that I've read recently. This time, we'll be posting in English, as I'm still working on the translations for the previous posts that were originally written in Portuguese. (But wait! I did translate one of them! If you'd like, please take a peek at my review of the TV series "Good Omens's" first season here!) Also, an obligatory “English is not my first language” here. You don’t have to forgive me for my mistakes, though; fell free to come at me in a comment or two (preferably adding the problematic passages for further correction, thank you!) But be advised that my writing might sound odd for a native speaker.
Today I will write about "Jade City," by Fonda Lee.
This review has three parts: First, I provide a brief summary of the novel, with a brief paragraph about the author, the amazing Fonda Lee, followed by my own impressions from my initial read-through. In the second part, I write about the main characters and their relationships, keeping mostly away from spoilers. Lastly, I discuss a few topics and themes that I found most interesting in this novel. Although I have kept most of this review spoiler-free, the final part will contain a few spoilers. But don’t worry, I will leave warnings for the cautious reader.
Part I
About the novel and the author
Original art by Raven @bookart_imagined
“Jade City,” by Fonda Lee, first published on November 7th, 2017, is the start of the Green Bone Saga. It tells the story of the rising tensions between the two major clans in Janloon city, the capital of Kekon Island. The first book introduces the power struggles between the Kekonese jade warriors of the No Peak clan, led by the Kaul family, and the Mountain clan, led by the Ayt family. Both clans descend from the One Mountain Society, the Kekonese nationalist organisation that fought for the island’s freedom from foreign colonisers in the previous generation.
The small, recently independent Kekonese nation has become the centre of international interest as the world’s only source of jade, the magical stone capable of granting extraordinary abilities. Although other nations seek to negotiate the export and use of jade, only a few natural Kekonese men and women, the so-called Green Bones, can use these precious stones without suffering the terrible consequences of the jade fever and the Itches.
Well, one can see that I have great interest in the conflicts born between clans and nations throughout the story, but trust me, this isn’t a boring tale of faceless stuntmen. One of the best and most interesting aspects of “Jade City” arises from its characters and their deeply interconnected conflicts. Most of the narrative focus on the Kaul siblings—Lan, Hilo and Shae— and their closest affiliates, whose lives and bonds are tested by a series of unfortunate events and direct attacks from their rival, Ayt Mada, Pillar of the Mountain clan who plans to become the sole clan leader of the whole nation.
Fonda Lee is an award-winning Canadian-American author in the genre of speculative fiction. Before the Green Bone Saga, for which she became widely recognised, she published the YA novels "Zeroboxer" (2015), "Exo" (2017), and "Cross Fire" (2018), which earned her a few awards. "Jade City" is her first adult fiction novel, nominated for the Nebula and Locus Awards and won the Aurora Award and the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 2018. Fonda Lee’s writing style is engaging, fast-paced, and easy to follow. What I liked the most about her work is how effortlessly she introduces many aspects of the worldbuilding through the relationships of the characters, whether regarding politics, the setting, or the magic system. This is a great novel for both beginners and long-time fantasy readers alike, offering a fresh perspective in a genre that often relies on worn-out Medieval settings. I strongly recommend checking out her site at fondalee.com as well as her other works.
Now I will give you a brief summary of the story and share my initial experience reading "Jade City." If you haven't read this novel yet, beat ease! I will make it as spoiler-free as possible.
I consider "Jade City" to be a fantasy novel that leans towards the urban fantasy sub-genre, blending wuxia's magic and fighting style with a touch of sci-fi. The island of Kekon, where most of the story takes place, belongs to an alternate world not too different from our own, including the less admirable aspects of colonisation and industrialisation in our history. As a recently independent nation, Kekon faces all the troubles of a former colony. Without a common enemy to defend against, tensions grow between the powerful clans that rule the island. Meanwhile, the greater foreign nations appear to be on the brink of a global war, increasing international interest in Kekon's most precious resource, the jade that empowers the Green Bone warriors.
The official map of Kekon.
The first chapter dives straight into the action at the Twice Lucky restaurant, where a street urchin named Bero, accompanied by his friend Sampa, is about to embark on a foolish heist. After working briefly at the restaurant, the teenage boys decide to steal jade from a drunk jade warrior. Bero is an ambitious young lad seeking to change his fate by making a small fortune selling the well-cut jade on the black market, or perhaps keeping at least one piece to become a jade warrior himself. Unfortunately for them, at that same time, Kaul Hiloshudon, the Horn of the No Peak clan, is enjoying his lunch a few tables away.
Fonda Lee’s writing style does not stick to a single point of view. A paragraph tends to focus on a particular perspective, and each chapter mainly revolves around the thoughts and feelings of a few key characters. In the first chapter, we are mostly invited into the POV of both Bero and Kaul Hilo—two very different sides of the Kekonese society.
With this broadened perspective, the first chapter soon shows us a glimpse of the many conflicts driving the narrative. Kekon Island is primarily inhabited by the indigenous Abukei, who are entirely immune to the effects of the magical jade, and the Kekonese people, born from the mingling of Abukei blood with the first settlers on Kekon. However, among the Kekonese, only a selected few can cultivate the abilities to handle jade. Despite jade and the jade warriors' ashido being central to Kekonese culture, only privileged men and women can aspire to wear jade and become Green Bones—and carrying jade without permission is punishable by death. Every Green Bone must undergo strict training from youth to fully control jade power, and lineage and connections within one of the clans are crucial for securing a spot in one of the jade warrior academies. This is the system Bero is trying to overcome by any means necessary.
There is also unrest among the major clans of Janloon, Kekon’s capital city. Until a few decades prior, there was only one clan, the One Mountain Society, which gathered and trained all the jade warriors to fight against the Shotarians, a foreign power that conquered and ruled over Kekon. After defeating the Shotarians and gaining their independence, the two main leaders of the One Mountain Society parted ways due to their differing views on the island’s governance, particularly regarding interactions with foreign powers. Kaul Seningtun, the Torch of Kekon, became the Pillar of the No Peak clan and advocated for opening relations with other countries, especially the Espenians, who recognised Kekon’s national power and sought to negotiate an expensive trade market for jade. Conversely, Ayt Yugontin, the Spear of Kekon, despised all foreigners and the trade of jade and founded the Mountain clan. However, Ayt Yu was killed by Ayt Madasi, his adoptive daughter, who took over the clan. Since then, animosity grew between the No Peak and the Mountain clans.
To top it off, there is internal conflict within the clans, most notably within the No Peak main family. Kaul Sen, the patriarch and former Pillar, reluctantly passed the clan’s leadership to his eldest grandson, Kaul Lanshinwan, after the deaths of his son during the war, followed by his wife and then his best friend, Ayt Yu. Kaul Lan nominated his younger brother, Kaul Hilo, as the No Peak’s Horn, the top worrior and commander of the clan’s fighting forces, but was compelled to retain his grandfather’s Weather Man, Yun Dorupon, as the head of the clan’s civil affairs. Meanwhile, the youngest granddaughter, Kaul Shaelinsan, fled Kekon to study in Espenia to distance herself from the clan. And lastly, there's Emery Anden, the youngest grandson of Kaul Sen who had been adopted into the Kaul family after his mother's tragic death to the Itches when he was a young child.
What I liked most about the conflicts in "Jade City" is that they are neither too abstract nor too straightforward. Instead, they are intricately woven around the characters’ goals and values and arise naturally through the clash of their choices and actions against one another. I found myself rooting for and against the same character in different circumstances, and I could easily understand their perspectives and actions.
The magic system has easy-to-follow rules while remains open to a great deal of possibilities. Jade power is exceptionally useful for fighting, and the author doesn’t shy away from writing a great fight. However, power comes in many forms, being useful in a variety of circumstances like for healing abilities and for a heightened perception of one’s political opponents. Overall, it is clear that the well-trained jade Green Bones live at an entirely different level than the other characters.
All of this is nicely wrapped up in the first chapters, where the conflict between Bero’s desperate plan and Kaul Hilo’s concerns unfolds.
Part II
The characters
[May contain an itty-bit of spoilers, though not much, really. I promise.]
Original art by @Steohsama
The Kaul sibilings
Kaul Lanshinwan, or Lan, is the elder sibling and Pillar of the No Peak clan, who had been raised with the expectation to become the next clan leader after his father’s death. Lan strongly resembled his father, Kaul Dushuron, which led to constant and harsh comparisons between in his disfavour from his granfather, Kaul Sen. With a moderate temper, Kaul Lan dutifully balances the responsibilities of a clan leader during times of peace, as well as during the first stages of the conflicts among the clans. He could have done even better if not perhaps for the meddlings of his old Weather Man, Yan Doru, who has only ever been loyal to the former No Peak Pillar. Although seemingly born and raised to be the leader of the clan, Kaul Lan has grown increasingly weary of his responsibilities and the life choices he had to endure. Even so, the young Pillar gives his all to keep the balance, supporting his clan and holding his family together.
Kaul Hiloshudon, or Hilo, is the middle sibling and the Horn of the No Peak clan. He is considered the strongest warrior among the Green Bones of NBo Peak, and has become the youngest Horn to ever exist. Hilo is empathetic and fiercely loyal, which makes it easy for him to draw an unwavering loyalty of his allies and a deep fear from his enemies. However, the same attributes that allow him to be a great warrior for his clan and for his family come with a passionate personality that is used to outbursts of anger and violence. For this reason and his overall unruliness, the older generation considers him an ill-fitted leader. Differently, Kaul Lan trust in Hilo and stands as the one person able to guide and command the younger brother, showing a remarkable ability to counter the most destructive aspects of Hilo's temper. At the same time, Hilo’s eagerness for action tends to hinder him in subtle matters and sensitive situations, greatly balances Lan's tendency to lose himself in thoughtful reflections to the point of indecisiveness.
Kaul Shaelinsan, or Shae, is the youngest of the Kauls that had been expected to eventually become the No Peak’ Weather Man. Hilo and Shae are closer in age and attended the Kaul Dushuron Academy (named after their deceased father) at the same time. Their relationship was marked by a strong competitiveness and constant fighting kindled by the clash of Hilo’s temper and Shae’s own eagerness to prove herself. Among all three grandchildren, Kaul Shae was particularly favoured by Kaul Sen, who in turn considered Hilo an uncontrollable child and saw Lan only as a less talented version of his beloved son. But things changed after a series of unfortunate events that included an Espenian boyfriend and a few leaked secrets. Shae had a fall-out with her family and fled to Espenia, which left the siblings’ triad incomplete. Shae resented the stiffness of her family and the expectations placed on herself, and she kept away for a couple of years. After completing her studies, however, Shae returns to Kekon and to her family, houwever uncertain of her future and to return to the family business.
Original art by @sirenareader
The two teenagers
Bero is a sixteen-year-old Kekonese who has lived a rough life fending for himself. He met his Abukei friend Sampa through the dangerous and illegal trade of diving in the Janloon River in search of scraps of jade washed down from the mountain mines. Dissatisfied with his life so far, Bero dreams of becoming a Green Bone warrior and rising his social and economical status. However, his first attempt to hold jade results in immediate failure, leaving him with an incurable fever for jade power.
Emery Anden is a seventeen-year-old lad born to a Kekonese woman and an Espenian man. His mother was a great Green Bone warrior of the No Peak clan, but she died of the Itches when he was only a child. Anden was then promptly brought home by Kaul Lan and accepted into the Kaul family by the patriarch, Kaul Sen. Anden is a talented young man who inherited his mother’s exceptional skills with jade. Sponsored and fully adopted into the Kauls, Anden studies in the eighth and final year at the Kaul Dushuron Academy and is expected to finish school with stellar grades to join the higher ranks of the No Peak warriors.
Original art by @kauledin
The allies
Kaul Seningtun, the former Pillar of the No Peak clan, was the Torch of Kekon during the period of the One Mountain Society. After Kekon gained independence from the Shotarians, Kaul Sen believed that the best strategy for the island's independence and rule relied on the alliances with Espenia, enemies of their former colonisers. This led to a fallout with his friend and brother-in-arms, Ayt Yugontin, who decided to found a different clan with opposing ideals. Despite his old age and having outlived his wife, son, and most of his friends, Kaul Sen strives to maintain control over his family and the clan.
The Maik Siblings: Born to a No Peak mother and a Mountain father, the Maik siblings carry the infamy of their parents’ betrayal. Nevertheless, they were accepted into the No Peak clan. The brothers, Maik Kehnugo and Maik Tarmingu, studied at Kaul Dushuron Academy and became close friends with Kaul Hilo, eventually becoming his Firsts. The youngest sibling, Maik Wenruxian, is a stone-eye, a Kekonese who is immune to jade, much like the Abukei. She is also the secret lover of Kaul Hilo, and doesn't back down from a challenge to defend her brothers, her lover and the clan.
Original art by C. J. Merwild.
Yun Dorupon has been the Weather Man of the No Peak clan since Kaul Seningtun’s days as Pillar. He keeps a close watch on Kaul Lan’s leadership and openly expresses his displeasure regarding Kaul Hilo’s appointment as Horn.
The enemies
Ayt Yugontin was the Spear of Kekon and the former Pillar of the Mountain clan. Ayt Yu held strong isolationist ideals, which drove a wedge between him and his best friend Kaul Sen after the Kekonese jade warriors secured the island’s independence. In honour of his days as a warrior, Ayt Yu founded the Mountain clan and became the strongest opponent of Kaul Sen’s No Peak clan. Ayt Yu did not have children of his own, since his entire family had been killed in the independence war. Instead, he adopted three orphans of Green Bone warriors fallen in the war, whom he saw great potential in: Ayt Imminsho, the eldest son; Ayt Eodoyatu, the second son; and Ayt Madashi, the youngest daughter. Ultimately, Ayt Yu was killed by Ayt Mada after he refused to acknowledge her strong will to lead the clan and her plans to unify all the Green Bone clans.
Original art by @vxctorvale
Ayt Madashi, adopted daughter of Ayt Yugontin and the current Pillar of the Mountain clan, is a formidable warrior and an unbeatable strategist. She rose to power by orchestrating the assassination of her older brothers and killing her own adopted father. Ayt Mada is a mysterious and feared figure who believes in the rule of the strongest and that only a completely unified Kekon could endure in the budding international conflicts. She is respected and feared by enemies and allies alike, and is a driving force of revolution and change in the story.
Original art by @Nicole
Gont Aschentu is the Horn of the Mountain clan, the direct counterpart to Kaul Hilo as the young Horn of the No Peak clan. Gont Asch is an experienced and cunning jade warrior, much like the Mountain clan’s Weather Man, Ree Turahuo. And like all of the uppermost members of the clan, he is completely loyal to Ayt Mada and believes in her strenght to rule all Green Bone warriors.
Part III
Themes
[There will be spoilers, proceed with caution.]
“Jade City” isn’t just about thrilling kung fu fights and magical shenanigans (though there’s plenty of that as well). There’s a lot to discuss regarding the story’s themes, which stem from the deep conflicts and rich characters created by Fonda Lee. Here, I’ll share my thoughts on three main topics that caught my attention: Foreign Influence and International Relations, Power, and Family and Community Values. Although I explore these separately, they are very much intertwined. My aim is to provide an overview rather than an exhaustive analysis, as each of these themes could warrant a blog post—or even a couple of academic articles—on their own.
I. Foreign Influence and International Relations
Although most of “Jade City” revolves around Janloon, the capital city of Kekon, the international relations play a significant role throughout the story. I will delve into specific points to illustrate how the novel explores the lasting impacts of colonialism on identity, governance, and societal structures, making it a rich narrative that resonates with both historical and contemporary post-colonial themes.
Colonialism
Kekon, the island where the story unfolds, has recently gained independence from the Shotarians, foreign colonisers. This mirrors real-world post-colonial struggles of nations attempting to rebuild and redefine themselves after colonial rule—particularly through the East-Asian coast. It’s worth noting that none of the fictional nations in “Jade City” directly correspond to specific real-world countries. For more on this, I recommend checking out this interaction between Fonda Lee and her fans. (Yes, that's on Reddit.)
Only twenty years have passed since the Kekonese gained independence, and many signs of the colonial rule remain. Fonda Lee sensitively addresses these issues through her characters’ lives. Take the senior characters, for instance. Kaul Sen and Ayt Yu lived through the brutal battle for their nation’s freedom, and their approaches to governance stem directly from their experiences. As the former Torch of Kekon, Kaul Sen embodies the legacy of resistance against colonisation and the complexities of post-colonial leadership. His decisions to ally with foreign nations highlight the challenges of balancing national pride with pragmatic decisions acknowleding the outside world. Conversely, Ayt Yu, while not completely opposed to negotiating with the Espenians, harbours strong prejudice against all foreigners and would prefer to isolate the island from any external forces. Both elders, hardened warriors who lost family and friends to the war, make decisions aimed at strengthening Kekon to protect it from future incursions and preserve their legacy.
The creation of the clans after the war is a direct result of the island's colonisation and the subsequent fall of the One Mountain Society, as much as it comes from the local culture surrounding jade. The once unified One Mountain Society, which hosted all the Green Bones of Kekon, could not remain united after the Shotarian enemies were defeated. While jade power became known worldwide with the extraordinary victory against the colonisers, industrial forces elsewhere grew interested in the mystery of Kekon’s jade. During colonisation, Kekon’s industrial and technological development was stifled, fomenting a dependence on Shotarian industry that had to be replaced with other commercial relations through the export of jade.
Independence and Self-Governance
Kekon’s most precious resource, jade, is both a curse and a boon. It enabled the Kekonese to fight for their freedom, but it also brought the international attention to the jade's destructive capabilities. I’ll address the jade’s power over individual characters below, but for now, let’s consider its impact of a power like jade existing in this world, and how it affects Kekon’s relationship with other nations. Overall, I think that the exploration of former colonies’ natural resources is well portrayed in “Jade City.” Something that endures even after the colonisers are long gone. Besides, I can't help but notice how the power aquired thorugh the jade can be a formidable placeholder for nuclear energy and its outstanding potential as a weapon.
Kekon’s biggest ally is Espenia. The Espenians provided the Kekonese rebels some assistance against the Shotarians, and after their independence, the Espenians became Kekon’s most prominent trade partners. For the two decades following Kekon’s independence, the island traded jade with Espenia, allowing the small nation to recover quickly from the material losses of colonisation. However, during these twenty years, the Espenian army developed a drug called SN1, which significantly dampens excessive jade sensitivity. This discovery, made after extensive experimentation, now allows any non-Kekonese soldier to handle jade without immediately succumbing to jade fever or the Itches. And now, the Green Bone clans and Kekon’s leaders are increasingly aware of the risks of the SN1 trade, which enables virtually anyone to use jade, both inside and outside of Kekon. Through the alliance with Kekon and the production of SN1, the bigger nation of Espenia reached the means to also control the story's equivalent of nuclear weapons. (Unsurprisingly, it explains Ayt Mada's rush to conquer the market for SN1 everywhere else outside of Espenia.)
The successful development of SN1 boosted the international interest over Kekon's jade, mirroring how real-world nations exploit newly independent countries' natural resources, as well as the worldwide arms race preeceding a great war. All of it heightens the geopolitical stakes and pressures over Kekon. As the international scene moves towards a tense pre-war stage, the small, independent island with the only natural reserve of jade becomes the centre of attention.
Unification and Segregation
The fight for freedom driven by the unified Kekonese rebels had an unforseen result: the clans' culture and rule also deepened their society's segregation. Following independence, Kekon faces internal strife when powerful clans vie for control. The No Peak and Mountain clans, originally united against the colonisers as one only society, are now embroiled in an internal power struggle. This fragmentation and the resulting power vacuums reflect the issues often seen in post-colonial societies, further dividing the nation’s political and economic powers.
At the start of the story, the two biggest clans had maintained a stalemate for decades, seemingly balanced through the tenuous friendship of their leaders and the similarities in their forces. However, a power shift is underway. Since Ayt Mada became the Pillar of the Mountain clan, she started an underground business dealing SN1 to Yugtan and an illegal hoarding and tradings of jade. Simultaneously, Ayt Mada began to subjugate smaller clans in order to assimilate their assets and warriors. By the time the Mountain clan members start to undermine No Peak’s influence, and their minions infiltrated the other clan’s territories, the balance of power has already been disrupted.
In short, post-independence, segregation within Kekonese society only deepened. After years of struggling against colonial rule, the Kekonese people learned to value power, particularly jade power. What had once been their means to fight for independence now holds their society in a rigid class pyramid. Although political and economic powers still constitute a significant portion of the upper class, it is the Green Bone warriors and their leaders who effectively rule the nation.
The story also addresses various forms of social stratification, such as the marginalisation of the Abukei, the island's indigenous people immune to jade's effects, and the ostracising of the stone-eyes, those Kekonese born immune to jade. Foreigners are, at best, regarded with distrust. Characters like Sampa, the Abukei boy, Maik Wen, the stone-eye girl, and Anden, whose father was Espenian, all struggle to find their place in such a society. Although most Kekonese are not stone-eyes, they are nevertheless kept away from jade as both a means of protection and control.
Jade power is still dangerous to anyone who hasn’t undergone years of rigorous training, and only the clans possess the means and knowledge to train Green Bones. We see Bero develop a violent character in his struggle against this steep social divide, while characters like Lan and Anden suffer under the pressure of their responsibilities and expectations. I also believe that an analysis of these characters could lead to a reflection on how colonial legacies can perpetuate discrimination against those perceived as 'other' or 'lesser'.
II. Power
Jade is both a tangible and symbolic source of power in Kekonese society, encompassing political, economic, hierarchical, and informational realms, as well as relationships among peers, loyalty, and family ties. In a narrative where a precious stone grants immense power to its bearer, power naturally emerges as a central theme.
Means of control
Power, as is often the case, is intricately linked to control. It was fascinating to uncover the myriad ways this theme is woven throughout "Jade City." I had high expectations for it, and the narrative did not disappoint in how the relationship between power and control is integral to the story, affecting characters, conflicts, and plots in numerous ways. To begin this exploration, I chose a point I believe lies at the heart of the narrative: the self-control.
Jade power is elusive. An untrained individual sensitive to jade and its explosive capabilities cannot withstand its power without risking severe physical and mental harm. As I mentioned before, handling jade power has a certain equivalence to controlling nuclear energy—the magical stone essentially transforms Green Bones into miniature nuclear weapons. This instability demands a thorough commitment to self-control. Thus, control is at the very core of what it means to be a Green Bone warrior.
The purest form of power in the story emanates from jade; but it cannot be harnessed without a great degree of control of oneself. Every Green Bone, regardless of their clan, must undergo rigorous training to master themselves and jade power, as we can witness from Emery Anden’s trainings. Thus, pairing of power and control is embedded in the philosophy of Kekonese culture, permeating their society from myths to social structures, and manifesting in every conflict within the story. It is no surprise that the clans’ hierarchy is upheld by the Pillar leader at its centre. And so, the control required to become a Green Bone flows seamlessly into justifying the strict hierarchical control within the clans.
As I read “Jade City,” I had the impression that the island’s bureaucratic control is merely conceded to the regular Kekonese citizens of the higher classes as a matter of polite agreement among inhumanly powerful Green Bone leaders. The Monarchy is a fanciful adornment with no real power (at least so far into the story). The wealthy and powerful politicians and businessmen effectively rule the small Kekonese state, but they do so through the good graces and patronage (and sometimes carefully applied pressure) from the most prominent clan leaders. All the spheres of Kekonese life seem completely tied to the clans, from the streets’ policing to the parliament’s government. Ultimately, social and political control comes from the jade, as it is with the magic power.
A need for balance
I like how Fonda Lee seems to enjoy adding triads in “Jade City.” So, let’s add Balance to this mix between Power and Control.
Balance emerges as a sub-theme intertwined with power and control. A great Green Bone warrior seeks to balance their powers through control. A clan runs smoothly when there is a balance of power within its various branches. The peace established after the Shotarians' defeat and the island's independence was maintained by the delicate balance between the two most powerful clans of Kekon. The whole Kekonese society seems perched in a precarious but functional balance at the start of the story,
But the story's escalating conflicts reveal the crumbling of this multi-layered balance. Kaul Lan's progressive loss of control over his powers, leading to his use of SN1, is directly connected to his difficulties in balancing his image and role as the Pillar with his personal troubles and injuries. This mirrors both Anden's and Bero's struggles with jade power at the beginning and the end of the story.
There is also the growing imbalance within the No Peak clan, which initially seems to stem from the lack of cooperation between the Horn, Kaul Hilo, and the Weather Man, Yun Dorupon. It is only later, with the revelation of the Weather Man’s betrayal, that the extent of the imbalance becomes clear, affecting the entire clan and even the Pillar himself. Furthermore, the lack of balance among the three Kaul siblings has impacted the clan's leadership from the start. The absence of Kaul Shae, who would have naturally succeeded Yun Dorupon, allowed fissures within the family to grow, exacerbating No Peak's problems.
Ayt Mada's insatiable hunger for power and control over all Green Bone clans precipitates the conflicts between the Mountain and No Peak. This precarious balance, maintained for twenty years since the initial disagreement between the Torch and the Spear of Kekon, has now reached a boiling point. From Ayt Mada’s perspective, it is clear that she believes true balance cannot be achieved with multiple leaders. She envisions herself as a single Pillar, a powerful leader to unite all of Kekon against international threats—much like how she ascended to the position of the Mountain's Pillar by eliminating her father and brothers, along with all opposition within the clan.
I believe there is a significant symbolic conflict born from the connection between power, control, and balance in "Jade City," reflected in the numeric progression of One, Two, and Three, which I discuss further in the final topic about the Mountain symbol. (But given the depth of this discussion brought by the novel, there will definitely be more interesting things I’ll leave out or miss entirely.)
Rule of the strongest
In a society dominated by clan (and jade) power, it is unsurprising that the rule of the strongest prevails. This philosophy is intrinsically embedded in the clan’s structure, with a clan's Pillar expected to be among the most powerful Green Bones, closely aided by equally powerful and extremely loyal clan members. To explore this theme, I will examine two characters who epitomise this idea: Bero and Ayt Mada. Both lead the destructive forces in "Jade City's" conflicts.
Bero, although positioned at the bottom of the Kekonese power structure, fully embraces the rule of the strongest. I think this may explain most of his character arc. His relentless struggle to climb the social ladder by seeking more strength and jade seems to be driven by an inferiority complex, which fuels his desire for power. And this quest for power significantly impacts Bero’s relationships with others. He envies and fears those more powerful than himself, while despising those weaker, viewing them as disposable tools in his ascent towards greatness.
In contrast, Ayt Mada represents a similar force but at the pinnacle of Kekonese society. As the strongest leader of the strongest clan, she is determined to conquer all clans and command every Green Bone warrior alive, ruthlessly eliminating any who defy her. Despite her high status, Ayt Mada shares more similarities with Bero than it might initially appear.
Like Bero, Ayt Mada also hails from humble beginnings. Orphaned at a young age due to the war, her fierce nature led to her adoption by Ayt Yu. Despite overcoming every obstacle and proving herself stronger than her siblings and the best Mountain warriors, her father did not trust her to inherit the clan. We can infer that Ayt Mada’s rise to power was achieved through sheer force and cunning, unhesitant to employ any means necessary—including the murder of her father, adopted brothers, and any opposition within the Mountain clan.
Ayt Mada not only believes in the rule of the strongest; she made herself into the embodiment of it. Something that, in my opinion, makes her a perfect character to illustrate these key aspects of Green Bone culture and jade power dynamics. She also personifies the insecurity and tyrannical tendencies as lasting effects of war and colonisation. Ayt Mada's trauma from losing everything and feeling powerless fuels her overwhelming fear of returning to such conditions. In this regard, she closely resembles Ayt Yu. To feel secure, Ayt Mada needs to dominate all Green Bone clans and rule Kekon and its jade power.
Bero, though more chaotic and less skilled, is not so different. His relentless fight for survival and power pairs up to Ayt Mada's journey, highlighting the pervasive nature of the rule of the strongest in Kekonese society.
To give up power
The measure of a man is what he does with power. For some characters in "Jade City," to give up power is an unthinkable folly. While it may seem mostly like cowardice or ineptitude to handle power, I would argue that immense strength and self-control are required to give up power when a character believes it is the right thing to do for others or themselves. There is, after all, a particular strength in being vulnerable when it counts. And sometimes, sacrifices have to be made.
[This next part contains the heaviest spoilers. If you’d like to be spared, you can jump right to the next topic.]
Several characters fit into this theme. Through a few moments in their character arcs, I will briefly explain the relevance of giving up power in "Jade City's" story.
-- Kaul Lan
Kaul Lan’s arc is marked by himbeing unable able to give up on power. It isn’t that he didn’t wish to, but that he could not do it, despite not being driven by ambition and desire for control. Kaul Lan had been shaped by the struggles to meet the demands of his inheritance, which directly affects his relation to power. Lan sees power as more of a burden than something he has to fight for. As the elder among the Kaul’s grandchildren, he was always expected to rise as the next Pillar after Kaul Sen. Although Kaul Sen stepped down for Lan’s rise as Pillar, he never fully acknowledged his grandson’s leadership.
Right at the start of the story, we learn that Kaul Lan has lost something very precious to him to stay as No Peak’s Pillar: his wife. His marriage crumbled against the growing demands of his position, ending when Eyni decided to flee the country with her lover. This event breaks Kaul Lan, and Eyni’s betrayal to the No Peak Pillar is seen as a terrible slight. It was almost a requirement for Lan to whisper her name; in the clans’ language, it means to order their deaths. But for love, Kaul Lan gives up on his image as a strong and powerful leader and allows Eyni and her lover to flee and remain unscathed. This holds many similarities with Lan’s decision to release Bero and Sampa after they were captured by Kaul Hilo. His loving and empathetic nature renders him weak to the outside world, which only adds to his self-sacrifice in order to be the Pillar.
Kaul Lan’s arc demonstrates the heavy burden of power and the personal sacrifices it demands. In a way, as Kaul Sen’s heir, Lan could never give up on power—his family and his clan’s survival depended on him. It is also under this belief and sacrifice that he chooses not to wear less jade after he was injured, which led to the aggravation of his condition and his eventual death. Lan’s battle to keep up with the appearance of a powerful, unbreakable Pillar when conflict arises takes a toll on his mental and physical health, and his downfall is a consequence of failing to manage power effectively.
-- Kaul Hilo
As I understand, Kaul Hilo’s deference to his elder brother is already a form of self-restraint when power is concerned. Hilo is the most powerful warrior in the No Peak clan, and all the other Fingers and Fists are loyal to him. Yet, Hilo is content with his role as Horn and never even thinks of taking Lan’s position. Despite that, Hilo is feared by others, especially by Ayt Mada, who sees in the young Horn of No Peak a true competitor in her path towards ultimate power. This enhances the contrast between what others perceive of Hilo and his real goals and values. Hilo’s drive doesn’t come from power, but from the love he has for his family and the loyalty to his clan members.
After Lan’s death, Hilo is forced to step up as No Peak’s Pillar. Kaul Hilo has to face many of the same dilemmas and responsibilities as his brother. Even though he still has a temper and is more prone to reckless action than his elder brother, Hilo’s decisions are motivated by his love and loyalty, especially to his wife, Maik Wen, and his younger brother, Emery Anden, despite all the strategic disadvantages it represents. Hilo’s decision emphasises the conflict between personal loyalty and the demands of power. His willingness to prioritise family over clan interests illustrates the human side of leadership and the emotional struggles inherent in wielding power. This act of love and protection showcases how power can be tempered by personal bonds.
-- Kaul Shae
Kaul Shae’s journey reflects the internal conflict between personal freedom and familial duty. As the youngest Kaul and Kaul Sen's favourite, Shae had grown even more attuned to freedom than her elder brothers. Her initiative and free-thinking shows in her backstory when she, with the help of an Espenian boyfriend, tried to strike fruitful deals with the military Espenians without her grandfather’s knowledge to help the family and the clan’s business. When her family violently rejected both her efforts and her relationship with an Espenian man, Shae decides to leave Kekon to pursue independence and further education in Espenia. For her freedom and her own growth (as well as her youthful romance), Shae gave up on her jade and all the benefits of the power she had as a Kaul, alongside the corresponding responsibilities.
Shae’s initial rejection of power and later acceptance illustrate the push and pull between independence and obligation. Her story underscores the theme of power as a double-edged sword that can both bind and empower an individual. Shae’s return to Janloon and her eventual acceptance of the role of Weather Man brings about her re-engagement with Kekon’s power dynamics. Although we could say her absence has worsened No Peak’s conditions (if we agree with Hilo on that), her return to the clan comes at a time when she is more mature to handle all the responsibilities that come with power.
-- Emery Anden
Like the Kaul siblings, Emery Anden has a complicated relationship with power throughout his life. Anden inherited his mother’s strength with jade but also her over-sensitivity, despite his mixed Espenian heritage. When he was adopted into the Kaul family, he also inherited the responsibilities allotted to the Kaul siblings.
But Anden’s critical moment comes only by the end of the book. It happens when he decides to refuse his graduation from the Kaul Dushuron Academy, thereby rejecting the life of a Green Bone and possibly the position as the strongest among No Peak warriors. Right before his graduation, Emery Anden experienced an unbearably strong jade hush to save Hilo’s life. This experience left him deeply injured and greatly traumatised. Anden became afraid of himself when exerting his full power. And his fear of becoming like his mother, who succumbed to the Itches and jade madness, influenced his decision to give up on power, not become a Green Bone, and find his own path.
Anden’s refusal highlights the theme of self-determination versus predestined roles. His choice to forgo the power and prestige of being a Green Bone warrior in favour of personal peace and identity shows the importance of individual choice in the face of societal and familial expectations. Anden’s decision emphasises the potential for power to corrupt and the strength required to reject it.
-- Kaul Sen
Lastly, I mentioned how Kaul Sen decided to step out of his leadership role in favour of his eldest grandchild. Kaul Sen, the patriarch of the Kaul family and former Torch of Kekon, gradually relinquishes control due to old age and health issues that were further worsened with the news of Ayt Yu’s death. It is clear, though, that Kaul Sen would not have relinquished power otherwise, as he couldn’t see in Kaul Lan the leadership he had always expected from his deceased son, Kaul Du.
Kaul Sen’s inability to maintain his authoritative role symbolises the inevitable decline of even the most powerful leaders, despite their own wishes. The elder gradual relinquishment of leadership highlights the impermanence of power and his transition from a formidable leader to a retired elder reflects the natural cycle of power dynamics.
Still, the most relevant moment Kaul Sen gives up on power in the story's overreaching conflict comes when he gives up his own jade to his last friend alive, Yun Doru, allowing the former Weather Man to flee the Kaul state and defect to the Mountain clan. Even at the last moments of his life, the senile Kaul Sen needed to take control over his clan and his grandchildren’s decisions, choosing to trust a traitor over his family. In the end, Sen’s health declined further by giving up almost all of his last jades to help Doru’s escape only to betray his own legacy.
These characters’ moments of giving up power tie into the broader theme by illustrating the multifaceted nature of power and its impacts on individuals. Power in "Jade City" is shown to be a complex and often burdensome force that demands sacrifice, control, and balance. The characters’ struggles and decisions reflect the delicate interplay between personal desires, familial obligations, and societal expectations, showcasing both the allure and the heavy cost of power.
III. Family Relations and Community Values
Family plays a central role in the narrative of "Jade City". Each clan revolves around a nuclear family that leads them, shaping communal values. While little is revealed about Kekon's history before Shotarian colonisation, the rebellious Kekonese and the One Mountain Society seem to have naturally adopted a leadership pattern centred around powerful families among the Green Bones. It's plausible to assume that their society was organised into family clans even before the Shotarians arrived, which may explain the enduring connection between families and clans both before and after the island gained independence.
Despite a unified culture on the island and the Green Bone aisho, there are evident contrasts in the values held by the jade warriors. The emergence of the Mountain and No Peak clans, led by Kaul Sen and Ayt Yu respectively, highlights stark such differences in core values. I wrote at length about the differences between these characters and their clans, to the point I believe anyone who has managed to read this far must be quite exhausted. So, I will be brief with this argument.
The story of Ayt Yu and Kaul Sen during the war for independence sheds light on the values they instilled in their families and clan members. Ayt Yu's motivation to fight was driven by personal loss, intensifying his animosity towards all foreigners and his fear of another invasion. He believed in strengthening his family and clan through isolation, and he ensured the continuation of his legacy by adopting children who, like him, were victims of the war. Ironically, Ayt Yu was killed by Ayt Mada, his adopted daughter who most resembled him, as a means for her to ascent to power as Pillar of the Mountain clan.
The Ayt family and the Mountain clan prized power and strength, revered the superiority of Kekonese Green Bone warriors, and harboured distrust and fear towards outsiders who might seek to dominate them. Things went a little different for the Kauls.
While Kaul Sen wasn't the ideal grandfather and faced his own share of personal losses, he nevertheless raised his grandchildren with the values of family loyalty and strength derived from meaningful relationships. Despite his reluctance, Kaul Sen sought to bolster Kekon's strength through strategic agreements with Espenia, a foreign power they cautiously trusted for trade in jade and international protection. He eventually passed on leadership to his grandchildren, showing a great measure of self-restraint even though he was ever reluctant to fully forego power and leadership. The Kaul siblings grew to value strength and power as tools to safeguard and lead their family and clan, even when they had to face their conflicts and responsibilities. The Kaul’s relationship with power grew around the responsibility to maintain and protect the family, the clan and the nation.
Ayt Mada perhaps epitomised an amplified version of Ayt Yu's values, imprinting the Mountain clan's vision of a unified Kekonese nation under a strong leader capable of controlling the island through sheer strength and influencing other nations for international independence.
In contrast, Kaul Lan and Kaul Hilo, as well as Kaul Shae and Emery Anden, expanded upon Kaul Sen's legacy. They advanced beyond their grandfather's footsteps, fostering sibling relationships, thereby empowering the entire clan through loyalty built on personal and meaningful connections.
Extra: Symbols and Motifs
1. Symbols
Jade
I know it is kind of redundant, but I have to write it: Jade is the main symbol in the novel “Jade City.” Jade represents both physical power and social status in Kekonese society. It grants the Green Bone warriors enhanced abilities and portrays the ultimate expression of authority and dominance in the story. Jade also represents addiction and corruption, either after a single use or a continued, measured exposure. Through Jade, the narrative expands its themes on power, control, dominance and strength as much as it does with the themes on balance, loss, responsibility and sacrifice. Jade is both the fuel to free Kekon from colonisation and the natural resource that brings Kekon to the growing international conflicts.
Island
The Island of Kekon itself is a symbol of Kekonese heritage and identity. It embodies their history, culture and traditions, standing as a testament to their resilience and independence. The island is also a contradicting symbol of unity and isolation, of a closed ecosystem completely reliant on itself, but also vulnerable to the outside world.. The island is also a battleground for conflicting ideologies and powers, representing the constant struggle between tradition and modernisation, isolation and globalism. And the Kekon island is the only source of the magic jade in the entire world—this small patch of land embodies the most powerful representation of humanity through the jade warriors. A little green heart that is the only soul and source of such extraordinary and delicate existence.
Mountain (or the Triad)
The Mountain is definitely an important symbol in the novel. It is introduced in the naming of the One Mountain Society that nurtured Kekon’s Green Bone warriors throughout the guerilla against the Shotarian invaders. When all Green Bone warriors strived in a single clan, under a united leadership and against one clear enemy, there was a balance. Interestingly, just when the One Mountain Society achieves its goal, it shatters in several clans.
One becomes Two when the most prominent leaders of the One Mountain Society part ways. A new equilibrium, now baed on their duality, is formed in the foundation of the Mountain clan and the No Peak clan. I particularly love that the first book doesn’t come with a clear explanation for their names; it allows me to build my own interpretations first. For instance, the clan that pushes the most for unity and isolation keeps the Mountain name, and ultimately strives to conquer all other clans by any means necessary. It represents a violent push towards singularity with a conservative longing of the glory of the past. But in a very different take, the No Peak's name carries an iconic lack of singularity—it has an absence of a peak, there’s not one single point above the mountain, ruling all else from top to bottom. While the Mountain clan has Ayt Mada at its top-centre, the No Peak clan was meant to be ruled by a Triad, the three Kaul siblings.
Ayt Mada’s leadership is portrayed as the “One,” a single Pillar that dominates all, establishing the rule of the clan from a single indivitual high above. In contrast, Kaul Lan's leadership is based on the balance between the clan's internal powers, as a Triad formed between the Horn, the Weather Man and the Pillar who sustains the clan’s structure. In the ideal progression of No Peak’s Triad, all three of the Kaul siblings would have come together to create a powerful balance within the clan. And I gather that the remaining characters will have to struggle to achieve some form of the Triad’s balance as the story advances.
2. Motifs
Identity
All the characters bore some conflict with their own perception of identity. Some grapple with their cultural identity in the face of external influences and internal conflicts, where they either entrenches themselves in isolating tradition or embrace modernisation and seek a deeper knowledge of the world outside Kekon. Other characters struggle with personal identity, which enhances conflicts with their families, clans, and society. Kaul Shae, for instance, wrestles with her identity and the cultural pull between her Western education and her Kekonese heritage.
Family and Loyalty
The novel explores a deep sense of loyalty within the family and clan structures. This loyalty often drives characters’ actions and decisions, connecting it to the importance of family ties and the sacrifices they demand. There is also a generational conflict within the families, where younger characters have to find their own paths while dealing with the legacies and expectations imposed by their elders and predecessors.
Power and Responsibility
This motif has two sides. One is leadership, as the novel examines different styles of leadership and the burdens that come with power. We see it in characters like Kaul Lan and Ayt Mada and their contrasting approaches to leading their clans and handling their responsibilities. The other side is the moral ambiguity revealed by the handling of power. The abuse of power is central to the story, and characters often face morally ambiguous situations where it is hard to discern right from wrong.
Here I end what might be the longest post I’ve made so far in this blog. I congratulate you who stood strong and read it through to the very end. I hope this post was worthy of your time.
As my last observations, I would like to add that I will read the other books in the Green Bone Saga I fully enjoyed this reading experience and I expect the development of the themes I wrote about through the next novels. Also, I wanted to add quotations from the novel. But I only realised I would write a blog post about “Jade City,” when I was already mostly done with the reading. So, I hadn’t marked (or even thought of gathering) the passages I would need. Maybe I’ll come back and add them when the time comes for a re-read.
Until next time!
TL:DR
This post is actually too long, I can barely re-read it myself. So, I won't blame you if you take a look at this and decide you have better things to do today.
"Jade City" has an engaging story related to family legacy and power.
There are inciting conflicts between interesting characters that struggle to survive and exist in a complicated world.
There is also a clash of ideas in "Jade City," masterfully portrayed in the novel's events, in the characters conflicts and developments, and in the worldbuilding.
A fact about myself: I had to take a moment away from reading this book after my favourite character suffered a terrible blow.
Another one: I think my family might think I am a lot like Kaul Shae. Am I, though?
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