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Celestial Battle #3
Black Jade
From the international bestselling author of The Dark Heavens and Journey to Wudang series, Kylie Chan, comes the final installment of her Celestial Battles trilogy.
The Heavenly defenses struggle to hold against the combined might of the Eastern and Western demon hordes. The God of War Xuan Wu is now at full strength—but is his might enough to safeguard the realm when half the Heavens are already in their hands? As everything around them falls apart, John and Emma must fight a last-ditch desperate battle to defend their kingdom and protect their families.
But will the kingdom ever be the same again?
The Heavenly defenses struggle to hold against the combined might of the Eastern and Western demon hordes. The God of War Xuan Wu is now at full strength—but is his might enough to safeguard the realm when half the Heavens are already in their hands? As everything around them falls apart, John and Emma must fight a last-ditch desperate battle to defend their kingdom and protect their families.
But will the kingdom ever be the same again?
544 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 26, 2016
57 people are currently reading
856 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Chan
26 books593 followersKylie doesn't participate in the Goodreads network. You can find her fanpage on Facebook or visit her website at www.kyliechan.com.
Kylie Chan married a Hong Kong national in a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony in Eastern China, lived in Australia for ten years, then moved to Hong Kong for ten years and during that time learnt a great deal about Chinese culture and came to appreciate the customs and way of life.
In 2003 she closed down her successful IT consultancy company in Hong Kong and moved back to Australia. She decided to use her knowledge of Chinese mythology, culture, and martial arts to weave a story that would appeal to a wide audience.
Since returning to Australia, Kylie has studied Kung Fu (Wing Chun and Southern Chow Clan styles) as well as Tai Chi and is now a senior belt in both forms. She has also made an intensive study of Buddhist and Taoist philosophy and has brought all of these together into her storytelling.
Kylie is a mother of two who lives in Queensland's Gold Coast. She is the best-selling author of the Dark Heavens and Journey to Wudang trilogies, which tell the story of Emma, an ordinary Australian woman thrown into the world of Chinese Gods, martial arts, and magic. Emma must deal with a bewildering variety of Chinese mythological creatures from dragons to the Monkey King as she learns martial arts from her employer John Chen, who is really the God of Martial Arts, Xuan Wu.
Kylie Chan married a Hong Kong national in a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony in Eastern China, lived in Australia for ten years, then moved to Hong Kong for ten years and during that time learnt a great deal about Chinese culture and came to appreciate the customs and way of life.
In 2003 she closed down her successful IT consultancy company in Hong Kong and moved back to Australia. She decided to use her knowledge of Chinese mythology, culture, and martial arts to weave a story that would appeal to a wide audience.
Since returning to Australia, Kylie has studied Kung Fu (Wing Chun and Southern Chow Clan styles) as well as Tai Chi and is now a senior belt in both forms. She has also made an intensive study of Buddhist and Taoist philosophy and has brought all of these together into her storytelling.
Kylie is a mother of two who lives in Queensland's Gold Coast. She is the best-selling author of the Dark Heavens and Journey to Wudang trilogies, which tell the story of Emma, an ordinary Australian woman thrown into the world of Chinese Gods, martial arts, and magic. Emma must deal with a bewildering variety of Chinese mythological creatures from dragons to the Monkey King as she learns martial arts from her employer John Chen, who is really the God of Martial Arts, Xuan Wu.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 2, 2017
Actual rating: 4.25/5 stars
Mind you; I love this book, I love this series, I love these characters. And I'm gonna miss it now that it's finished and it'll probably be a series that I go back and re-read bits and pieces of. This series - all nine books, not just the last trilogy - has helped me deal with the post-moving-back-to-Europe-from-China-feels and given me so much interesting tidbits of Chinese traditions and, yeah, I just love it.
However this was not the best ending. Yes, everything that was supposed to wrap up was wrapped up. Yes, there were many epic moments and heartbreaking moments. But I felt like there were so many things that needed to be solved and explained in this one book that the storyline was a bit jumpy. It almost felt like two or three shorter books made into one.
There's definitely a big difference between the storyline's flow in the first book and this last book and I think that even though change is part of growing as an author, there is a point when you almost have to stop and go back a bit. This book could have done with more thinking of the flow of the story.
June 20, 2016
Black Jade is the ninth novel by Australian author, Kylie Chan, and the third book in the Celestial Battle series. Continuing on from Demon Child, Emma and John (now whole with his Turtle and Snake reunited) prepare to battle for the Southern Heavens, the domain of the Phoenix, overrun by the forces of Hell. Demons seem to have overrun the Earthly Plane, the whole of the Celestial is under threat and, of course, Emma and John are constantly aware that their son, named Frankie by the Demon Kings, is still in demon clutches.
When Simone, John and Emma become aware of the Demon force assembling in the European Celestial, they know their own chances of victory are greatly reduced. Each tries to ensure the safety of those they love, but when the unthinkable happens, only Simone has the chance to help restore the Celestial.
The novel is a straight narrative, told in the first person by Emma. The first half has the requisite number of battles; the second half is mercifully free of these as the action is more one-on-one. There are some nasty demons, although the Demon Kings show a surprising weakness on some subjects. There are impersonations, treaties, weddings (Emma gets married twice!), political match-making and a bit of kinky three-way snake-turtle sex.
The climaxes are rather mild, and the last nine chapters are spent tying up loose ends and setting up characters for possible further books (Chan says in her Acknowledgements that Simone on Earth and Dragons in Space are her next subjects). Faithful readers who started with White Tiger will, no doubt, persist with the arbitrary rules of this fantasy series to see the final outcome.
Chan states that it can be read as a stand-alone, but advises readers to start with the first book of the series and read them in order, and this is good advice, as there is virtually no recap on past events: a reader starting with this book would be at a distinct disadvantage. Despite the handy character list at the end, a good memory is helpful, as the previous instalment was published almost two years earlier. A rather lacklustre conclusion to the series, and not Chan’s best work.
When Simone, John and Emma become aware of the Demon force assembling in the European Celestial, they know their own chances of victory are greatly reduced. Each tries to ensure the safety of those they love, but when the unthinkable happens, only Simone has the chance to help restore the Celestial.
The novel is a straight narrative, told in the first person by Emma. The first half has the requisite number of battles; the second half is mercifully free of these as the action is more one-on-one. There are some nasty demons, although the Demon Kings show a surprising weakness on some subjects. There are impersonations, treaties, weddings (Emma gets married twice!), political match-making and a bit of kinky three-way snake-turtle sex.
The climaxes are rather mild, and the last nine chapters are spent tying up loose ends and setting up characters for possible further books (Chan says in her Acknowledgements that Simone on Earth and Dragons in Space are her next subjects). Faithful readers who started with White Tiger will, no doubt, persist with the arbitrary rules of this fantasy series to see the final outcome.
Chan states that it can be read as a stand-alone, but advises readers to start with the first book of the series and read them in order, and this is good advice, as there is virtually no recap on past events: a reader starting with this book would be at a distinct disadvantage. Despite the handy character list at the end, a good memory is helpful, as the previous instalment was published almost two years earlier. A rather lacklustre conclusion to the series, and not Chan’s best work.
June 28, 2020
Notes:
Well, most of the pivotal plot lines were tied up but it wasn't worth the aggravation of reading the poorly structured sequences to get there.
I really enjoyed the author's take of myths/lore/culture. However, the entire series has various issues that piled up until the plot turned into an impossible mess. Too many plot holes, story inconsistencies and subpar writing made the epic story fall apart. It's rather upsetting because I think the author created a great cast of characters and intricate world.
Well, most of the pivotal plot lines were tied up but it wasn't worth the aggravation of reading the poorly structured sequences to get there.
I really enjoyed the author's take of myths/lore/culture. However, the entire series has various issues that piled up until the plot turned into an impossible mess. Too many plot holes, story inconsistencies and subpar writing made the epic story fall apart. It's rather upsetting because I think the author created a great cast of characters and intricate world.
April 27, 2016
Disappointing end to what I was hoping would be a satisfying end to Emma's story. Instead Emma is essentially nothing more than a passenger in the major plot line of the story and has very little to do with the outcome of the book.
Instead of being the hero of the story Emma ended up being a pointless bystander.
Should never have been published and the editor should have told her to throw it out and start again.
Instead of being the hero of the story Emma ended up being a pointless bystander.
Should never have been published and the editor should have told her to throw it out and start again.
May 20, 2016
Well, I have read all this series and enjoyed the epic tales and characters. Somehow though, this final instalment in this series didn't have that flow for me that the others touched on. I found it clunky and jumping everywhere. Sometimes the setting changed so quickly I was left confused. The first three quarters of the book were just continuous doom and gloom with nothing but failure and angst for our heroes...it got to the point, I was saying what next ! Sometimes a series just goes for too long and for me this was the case here. The drama build was just tedious as I knew they would triumph in the end. Little things like the lost damaged 'stones' were talked about quite a bit and then their fate never really finalised. Just think one book to many and time to put it to celestial bed forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2017
So the final book in the 9 book series, and to be honest I'm glad its finished! The first 5 to 6 books were good, but the last 3, well, the series dragged on for way too long for my liking. So that's about it, now to find a new series!
May 25, 2016
Another cracking book from Chan. Full review to come.
April 22, 2018
What a beautiful end to a long journey. . .
Black Jade was filled with all of the heart wrenching action and drama that makes Chan’s series so bloody wonderful. There was humour and heartache, tension and shock - all in all, a roller coaster of emotions.
I didn’t expect for it to end the way it did. I was expecting something a little more epic but alas, my heart is so full of content.
Black Jade was filled with all of the heart wrenching action and drama that makes Chan’s series so bloody wonderful. There was humour and heartache, tension and shock - all in all, a roller coaster of emotions.
I didn’t expect for it to end the way it did. I was expecting something a little more epic but alas, my heart is so full of content.
December 6, 2018
Ive never been so attached to any book series like this one , I am so glad I made it to the end, I feel as though every hardship that was endured throughout this series has allowed me to reflect on how fortunate my own life is, to finally reach the end of this amazing set of books I couldnt be more satisfied with the outcome.
July 3, 2020
Super silly, telegraphs punches, and spends too much time describing kinky animal sex. But a satisfactory resolution. I have no wish to read any others, though.
May 28, 2016
Even though this book had a lovely ending to it, I am a bit disappointed by HOW the celestial battle continued to the end. Out of all the 9 books I have read, this one really got to me emotionally. One moment I was like ‘What the hell…is that it?’ The next moment I was really angry and then later I thought…’Oh good Simone and maybe Emma too are going to lead a secret Rebel group’. Nope that didn’t happen. Then Emma started acting strangely, which is explained why later in the book but Emma’s behavior at that time (during several chapters) was a bit boring. Then Simone was behaving immature and like a spoilt brat. When the celestial battle ended and one of the main characters killed the Eastern Demon King (Sorry I don’t want to give away any spoilers) my reaction was like ‘Are you serious? You have got to be kidding me!!! 9 books later and that is how he died JUST because he was caught off guard and underestimated that character?! I also agree with a couple of other reviewers that there was a lot of talk about the lost damaged stones e.g. The Jade Building Block, but it was never revealed what exactly happened to them or where they were. In saying that I am rating this book 3.5 STARS because I still like the book but I just don’t think it was amazing to be rated a 5 star. What the main characters did to move on and make plans for their future had a nice wrap up to the 3 trilogies and I’m very much looking forward to reading the spin off featuring Simone.
May 15, 2016
I can't believe it's finally the end of the series! After falling in love with White Tiger almost 10 years ago, I have been eagerly awaiting each new book in the series (well, trilogy of trilogies ;-D) excited to see what Emma and Xuan Wu - and families - have been up to in their war against the Demon King.
While I did enjoy the book, I do have mixed feelings about this story - I haven't been in a UF mood at the moment, but this is a library book so I can't keep it until I'm in the mood, so to speak ;-D
I will definitely be rereading it before I have to return it to the library, but as it stands, I'm not sure it finished how I had imagined it would. Won't give you my impressions on what happened as I don't want to spoil you if you haven't read the first 8 books in the series as it would spoil so much.
Love the world created by Kylie Chan - and having a wonderful Australian protagonist was part of the attraction as there aren't too many of them.
Still can't believe that the series isn't available on audiobook!
3½★
While I did enjoy the book, I do have mixed feelings about this story - I haven't been in a UF mood at the moment, but this is a library book so I can't keep it until I'm in the mood, so to speak ;-D
I will definitely be rereading it before I have to return it to the library, but as it stands, I'm not sure it finished how I had imagined it would. Won't give you my impressions on what happened as I don't want to spoil you if you haven't read the first 8 books in the series as it would spoil so much.
Love the world created by Kylie Chan - and having a wonderful Australian protagonist was part of the attraction as there aren't too many of them.
Still can't believe that the series isn't available on audiobook!
3½★
May 22, 2016
I didn't love it, nor did I dislike it. The constant jump in the plotline did confuse the hell out of me and there was hardly any mention of Simone Chen. I am hoping that this author does a spin of for the specific character.
September 25, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5/5
I was in two minds about this book because on one hand, there was an ending! But on the other, that ending felt like a copout.
I've been reading this series from the beginning and there are aspects I have enjoyed; the mythology, the location, the action. The characters have developed well, along with Kylie Chan's writing style.
For me, one of the biggest flaws was the build up, that realistically started from White Tiger, popped but wasn't really developed. Emma, who was such a badass to begin with, becomes complacent and while this is explained, it's a letdown after an underground revolution being suggested. The whole sacrificing themselves is noble and all but sometimes seems over the top, especially when they could be useful in war.
The characters have developed well and it's nice to see where they end up. Some characters really blossom and are very interesting, like Simone, whereas I felt John became so reliant on Emma, who was reliant on him and I get that it's explained but....damn, who wouldn't have loved some badass moments from them?
Overall, the series is good to read. The mythology and customs of China is well known by the author and in itself is interesting to read. The books are mostly page turners and most of the storylines have been tied up. If Chan happens to write more books based on the characters in this one, I would be interested in reading it.
I was in two minds about this book because on one hand, there was an ending! But on the other, that ending felt like a copout.
I've been reading this series from the beginning and there are aspects I have enjoyed; the mythology, the location, the action. The characters have developed well, along with Kylie Chan's writing style.
For me, one of the biggest flaws was the build up, that realistically started from White Tiger, popped but wasn't really developed. Emma, who was such a badass to begin with, becomes complacent and while this is explained, it's a letdown after an underground revolution being suggested. The whole sacrificing themselves is noble and all but sometimes seems over the top, especially when they could be useful in war.
The characters have developed well and it's nice to see where they end up. Some characters really blossom and are very interesting, like Simone, whereas I felt John became so reliant on Emma, who was reliant on him and I get that it's explained but....damn, who wouldn't have loved some badass moments from them?
Overall, the series is good to read. The mythology and customs of China is well known by the author and in itself is interesting to read. The books are mostly page turners and most of the storylines have been tied up. If Chan happens to write more books based on the characters in this one, I would be interested in reading it.
April 20, 2022
As someone who loved the first two trilogies, I’m shattered by how this series ended.
This book tried to mimic the tension and twists of the first two trilogies, but instead devolved to an overreliance on deus ex machina.
The despair yet determination of the Celestial’s last stand against the undefeatable demon army was undercut by a shoddy resolution - seriously, Nu Wa just comes out of nowhere, kills them all with a flick of the wrist, only for the demon army to be replaced by a human army.
The final scenes of the Demon King’s demise introduces a number of rushed and out-of-field measures to frantically resolve plot points. Michelle being a serpent person, Simone being in contact with Frankie since he was a baby and hid their contact/plans from Emma and John , the Murasame gaining sentience… I enjoy a good twist as much as anybody, but you need to build the foundation of the twist up first.
Overall I still admire Kylie for creating such a fantastic world and mythology, but unfortunately this has been a disappointing end to a beloved series.
This book tried to mimic the tension and twists of the first two trilogies, but instead devolved to an overreliance on deus ex machina.
The despair yet determination of the Celestial’s last stand against the undefeatable demon army was undercut by a shoddy resolution - seriously, Nu Wa just comes out of nowhere, kills them all with a flick of the wrist, only for the demon army to be replaced by a human army.
The final scenes of the Demon King’s demise introduces a number of rushed and out-of-field measures to frantically resolve plot points. Michelle being a serpent person, Simone being in contact with Frankie since he was a baby and hid their contact/plans from Emma and John , the Murasame gaining sentience… I enjoy a good twist as much as anybody, but you need to build the foundation of the twist up first.
Overall I still admire Kylie for creating such a fantastic world and mythology, but unfortunately this has been a disappointing end to a beloved series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2017
This was a good ending to a rather long series. While this is the 3rd book of the Celestial Battle trilogy, it is the 9th book in the Xuan Wu series. While it ended well, I do have some thoughts. Firstly, I believe that Xuan Wu was devalued as a character a lot. Often relying on Emma to save him. It lessened the badassery that he was supposed to have. I did enjoy the fact that Simone was the one to be the true hero in the end and not Emma. The one thing that bothered me throughout the books was Chan's constant mention of obscure characters that get lost in the shuffle. She would often mention a random minor character from several books back that the reader was supposed to remember. This drove me nuts. She finally put a guide in the back of her book but it was incomplete as it only mentioned characters that had a larger role to play in the current book. All in all, it was a fun read. But to get maximum enjoyment, you need to start with White Tiger and read them all.
June 24, 2018
Loved it...I have been a fan of this series since first picking up White Tiger. The Celestial battle for Earth and the Heavens against the demonic Hell rulers by Emma and her lover Xuan Wu , family and friends takes the reader on a truly magical Journey.I missed the two books previous to Black Jade but was able to fill in details and remember characters from the first six books. I congratulate Kylie on a superb series.
My first impulse after reading White Tiger was that this concept would make a blockbuster movie series ...but .... The sex scenes are for the pure adult imagination. A youthful reader could miss-interpret the intense and exploratory ideas that are portrayed in this book series. Maybe a good script writer could explore the intensity of the lovemaking and depict the emotional bond that develops and not corrupting the story line to get a M rating?
My first impulse after reading White Tiger was that this concept would make a blockbuster movie series ...but .... The sex scenes are for the pure adult imagination. A youthful reader could miss-interpret the intense and exploratory ideas that are portrayed in this book series. Maybe a good script writer could explore the intensity of the lovemaking and depict the emotional bond that develops and not corrupting the story line to get a M rating?
March 19, 2017
This is definitely the best of the 9 books in Kylie Chan's three series. I enjoyed the various twists, and the writing itself was better than it has ever been. I will say I do not like all of the sex scenes in the book, but they are pretty easy to skip, which I do. In a way, I wish Chan could go back and rewrite some of the earlier books in the series, because they have improved that much. I nearly quit the series after several of the books, but I'm glad I didn't. At first, I was just intrigued enough, and liked the characters enough to continue, and I'm glad I stuck it out to the end. I hope Chan continues to write, because her books have become a pleasure to read, not a chore. The series is over, and it feels like I am leaving old friends.
October 24, 2017
FINALLY EVERYONE IS OKAY... well save for the people that died....#awkward. Emma is an amazing character who has grown in the 9 books. Simone was just a little girl when we met her and she's bad ass too. John is super sexy and I need someone like him. Maybe hold the Chinese god on that order but everything else gimme gimme gimme!!!! I need more but Mrs. Chan's next book is hitting Australia soon and that means here in the US, I'm getting it within a year and a half. Do you hear that sound? that's me dying as I'm typing. Fantastic series and I'm considering rereading it soon!!!!!!!!
August 16, 2020
Unfathomable to me now that, earlier in this nine-book series, my biggest complaint was that its sassy, kick-ass heroine was too much a "remarkable" Mary Sue. Now, I don't even know where to start. That heroine is gone, leaving behind only a turtle-f***ing damsel in distress trapped in a "Passions"-style soap of mind-control marriages, clones, resurrections and secret children. I regret that one star is the lowest possible rating.
October 6, 2025
"Black Jade" is a fantastic finale to Kylie Chan's "Celestial Battles" trilogy. The stakes are higher than ever as the Heavenly defenses face overwhelming forces from both Eastern and Western demon hordes. Chan masterfully blends action, suspense, and emotional depth, making golf hit hard to put the book down. The character development of John and Emma is particularly compelling, showcasing their growth and resilience in the face of adversity.
December 28, 2019
I absolutely LOVED this series. I read and re-read all nine books: for me, this is the most accurate way to know how much do I like a book: do I feel like reading it again? How soon?
All nine of these books were definitely the most I re-read - and thoroughly enjoyed each time anew - during the past year.
And that places them at the top, for me.
All nine of these books were definitely the most I re-read - and thoroughly enjoyed each time anew - during the past year.
And that places them at the top, for me.
July 14, 2017
Nine books in this series, and none like the other, but the continuing story of Xuan Wu and Emma. A love story, a war story, a fantasy, full of excitement, romance, tragedy, grief - so much you are on an emotional roller coaster. Now I wonder what's next?
November 27, 2017
im fan of story and background found this series of books originally by coincidence or not but glad i did read all way through and each book hooked me in one way or another. its a shame gods left this or was forgotten could of had an interesting aide or spin off.
March 8, 2023
I had to knock a star off this one. The ending wasn't as epic as I expected and the whole Michael and Simone situation just left me empty inside as I've been rooting for them since they were kids cause that fate was written on the walls in my mind.
August 6, 2025
black jade by Kylie Chan. This was an awesome ending to this whole series. But my heart broke and I ugly cried for Emma in this one. And Simone you are truly your father's daughter and deserve the throne after what you did. You are truly the ultimate character in this book
June 1, 2017
The best darn book in the John & Emma chronicles.
March 28, 2019
Wow!! The middle of the book seemed like the ending , but no,, we picked up the pace and shot off in another direction. So glad the demon kings finally died. Go Simone!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2020
Disappointing.
August 26, 2022
Love her series of books, good reads and was a page turner for me! Good fun and comparable to "Supernatural" series meets "Kung fu"! Keep up the good work!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews