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The Green Bone Saga #0.5
The Jade Setter of Janloon
La ciudad de Yanlún está gobernada por el jade. Durante siglos, honorables guerreros huesos verdes lo han empleado para aumentar sus habilidades mágicas y defender la isla de las invasiones extranjeras.
Pulo Oritono no es uno de esos guerreros. Tan solo es un humilde aprendiz de tallador de jade que sueña con conseguir el patrocinio de un clan y abrir su propio taller. Sin embargo, sus planes de futuro se van a pique cuando alguien roba un arma de jade de valor incalculable del taller donde trabaja. Pulo tendrá solo tres días para cazar al ladrón, encontrar el jade y devolvérselo a su legítima propietaria si quiere salvar su vida y la de las personas que le importan.
Pulo Oritono no es uno de esos guerreros. Tan solo es un humilde aprendiz de tallador de jade que sueña con conseguir el patrocinio de un clan y abrir su propio taller. Sin embargo, sus planes de futuro se van a pique cuando alguien roba un arma de jade de valor incalculable del taller donde trabaja. Pulo tendrá solo tres días para cazar al ladrón, encontrar el jade y devolvérselo a su legítima propietaria si quiere salvar su vida y la de las personas que le importan.
5 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 30, 2022
65 people are currently reading
8567 people want to read
About the author
Fonda Lee
38 books7,869 followersFonda Lee is the World Fantasy Award-winning author of the epic Green Bone Saga, beginning with Jade City and continuing in Jade War and Jade Legacy. Her most recent work is the fantasy novella, Untethered Sky. She is also the author of the acclaimed science fiction novels Zeroboxer, Exo and Cross Fire.
Fonda is a winner of the Locus Award, a six-time winner of the Aurora Award (Canada’s national science fiction and fantasy award), and a multiple finalist for the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award. Her novels have garnered multiple starred reviews, been included on numerous state reading lists, named Junior Library Guild selections, and appeared on Best of Year lists from NPR, Barnes & Noble, Syfy Wire, and others. Jade City was named among the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time by Time Magazine and has been optioned for television development.
Fonda is a former corporate strategist and black belt martial artist who loves action movies and Eggs Benedict. Born and raised in Canada, she currently resides in Boston.
Fonda is a winner of the Locus Award, a six-time winner of the Aurora Award (Canada’s national science fiction and fantasy award), and a multiple finalist for the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award. Her novels have garnered multiple starred reviews, been included on numerous state reading lists, named Junior Library Guild selections, and appeared on Best of Year lists from NPR, Barnes & Noble, Syfy Wire, and others. Jade City was named among the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time by Time Magazine and has been optioned for television development.
Fonda is a former corporate strategist and black belt martial artist who loves action movies and Eggs Benedict. Born and raised in Canada, she currently resides in Boston.
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July 21, 2022
ARC was provided by the publisher—Subterranean Press—in exchange for an honest review.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is an exhilarating and heartfelt appetizer or dessert to The Green Bone Saga, depending on when you start this novella.
It is not a secret knowledge that I am a diehard fan of The Green Bone Saga. All Jade City, Jade War, and Jade Legacy are all in my list of favorite books of all time. Jade Legacy was my number one favorite book of 2021, and I consider The Green Bone Saga trilogy as the best-completed fantasy trilogy I’ve ever read. And honestly? I don’t think this prestigious achievement will be replaced anytime soon. My love for The Green Bone Saga actually made me bought the Subterranean Press limited edition of The Jade Setter of Janloon. Buying a novella as expensive as this was unprecedented to me. I spent about $72 (in total) to get this novella in its physical format. I couldn’t resist. Other than the fact that this is an entry in The Green Bone Saga, which guaranteed this to be another awesome read for me, I also think the cover art by Charis Loke is absolutely stunning and beautiful. This is the kind of cover art the The Green Bone Saga deserves, and I simply couldn’t pass the chance to get a physical copy of it. But enough about this introduction. All of this is just to say that I am, probably, what you’d call biased about this series, this world, and the characters. And as predicted and expected, The Jade Setter of Janloon ended up becoming another incredible entry in The Green Bone Saga for me. Even if it made me crave for more by the end of it.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is a standalone prequel novella in The Green Bone Saga series. For those new to this world and series, the novella takes place in the rapidly changing city of Janloon, a city ruled by jade. Jade is the rare and ancient substance that enhances the abilities and status of the trained Green Bone warriors who run the island’s powerful clans. The main character of this novella, Pulo Oritono, is not one of those warriors. He’s simply an apprentice jade setter under the tutelage of Isin with dreams of securing clan patronage and establishing a successful business. His hopes of achieving this, however, are dashed when a priceless jade weapon—a moon blade—is stolen from the shop where he works. Now, Pulo has three days to hunt down the thief, retrieve the moon blade, and return it to its rightful owner. In 140 pages long, Lee managed to tell a satisfying standalone story filled with great characters and a compelling narrative. Revolving around the themes of justice, vendettas, corruption, honor, and power, I finished the The Jade Setter of Janloon in one sitting. This isn’t to say The Jade Setter of Janloon is superior to the main novels. Its shorter format already put the novella in a disadvantageous position compared to any entry in the main series. However, as a novella, The Jade Setter of Janloon is terrific. As I said, by the end of it, I want to read more stories in The Green Bone Saga.
Before I started this novella, I knew I would end up demanding more stories in The Green Bone Saga. Don’t get me wrong. The main trilogy has been concluded extremely satisfyingly. But I’m not saying no to any standalone or spin-off story in this world, and this is what I’m getting in The Jade Setter of Janloon. More stories, standalone, or spin-off in The Green Bone Saga means I’ll be reading more new characters to care about. And with Lee’s magnificent capability in crafting fully well-realized characters, it is practically confirmed I will feel invested in the characters and story. Again. And yes, I did get what I wanted from reading Pulo Oritono’s story. I found Pulo to be an endearing and passionate character. He or Isin’s dedication to their craft was so admirable to me, and Lee superbly polished their characterizations within a relatively short time. Personally speaking, I think one of the most refreshing things about this novella is readers, especially us who’ve read the main novels, get to experience more of the events and conflict in Janloon from the perspective of the weaker citizens of Janloon. In the main trilogy, we’ve seen the brutal and deadly confrontation between the two of the strongest and biggest clans of Janloon—The No Peak Clean and The Mountain Clan, and eventually more—directly from their perspectives. But Pulo Oritono or Isin doesn’t belong with any one of the big clans. They have always been neutral and having Pulo as the main character really put things into perspective, once again, on just how terrifying The No Peak Clan and The Mountain Clan are. I loved it. Not saying that we didn’t get to see any of that in the main novels, but having an entire novella dedicated to someone being put in this position, and reading it from their perspective entirely, definitely added depths to the world and the effect of the catastrophic rivalry between the two big clans for me.
One more thing before I end this review, I need to elaborate upon the opening of this review. I started reading The Jade Setter of Janloon equipped with the knowledge and investment I attained from reading the main trilogy. And this undoubtedly enhanced my feelings and experience of this novella. However, if you have not started any of the books in The Green Bone Saga, I do objectively think this would work well as an appetizer to the series. But speaking from my own experience, one of the main highlights of the novel is seeing some of my favorite characters from the main trilogy appearing again here. I missed them. Seriously, I do. From looking at the cover art, those who have read The Green Bone Saga trilogy will know who appeared in this novella. Yeah, you guessed correctly. Lan, Hilo, Ayt Mada, Gont Asch, and a few more characters appeared in The Jade Setter of Janloon. And I can't emphasize how much their appearance made my heart and soul happy. We, The Green Bone Saga fans, and this is not a blanket statement, but our love for the characters runs DEEP. Like really deep. I mean it; it is likely only those who've read and fallen in love with the series will know the immense depth of our love for the characters and the world that Fonda Lee has crafted. This is why getting to see these beloved characters again, even if only briefly, means a lot to me.
My recommendation, if possible, try to read The Jade Setter of Janloon after you've read Jade City, Jade War, and Jade Legacy. At least Jade City. But if that's not possible, and you want to treat this novella as the appetizer before you dine on the main course of Fonda Lee's talent, I believe this novella will still give you a captivating reading experience. I can't fully gauge this, but I think I would've given The Jade Setter of Janloon a 4 stars rating if I haven't read the main novels before reading the novella. But because I have, I'm giving The Jade Setter of Janloon a 5 stars rating. As a novella, it is an absolutely compelling story from an exceptional author. I have been treating The Jade Setter of Janloon like a dessert I knew I'll love to devour but didn't for a while because I know I'll crave more. And now I'm both satisfied and sad that I'm done with the novella. If I'm not mistaken, there will be another novella in The Green Bone Saga. Or a collection of short stories, to be more precise, and the title will be Jade Shards. Until that day, this will have to do. Thank you so much, Fonda Lee, for writing another story in The Green Bone Saga.
You can order this book from: Amazon US
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Andrew, Andrew W, Amanda, Annabeth, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Ellis, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Mike, Miracle, Nanette, Neeraja, Nicholas, Reno, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawna, Xero, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is an exhilarating and heartfelt appetizer or dessert to The Green Bone Saga, depending on when you start this novella.
It is not a secret knowledge that I am a diehard fan of The Green Bone Saga. All Jade City, Jade War, and Jade Legacy are all in my list of favorite books of all time. Jade Legacy was my number one favorite book of 2021, and I consider The Green Bone Saga trilogy as the best-completed fantasy trilogy I’ve ever read. And honestly? I don’t think this prestigious achievement will be replaced anytime soon. My love for The Green Bone Saga actually made me bought the Subterranean Press limited edition of The Jade Setter of Janloon. Buying a novella as expensive as this was unprecedented to me. I spent about $72 (in total) to get this novella in its physical format. I couldn’t resist. Other than the fact that this is an entry in The Green Bone Saga, which guaranteed this to be another awesome read for me, I also think the cover art by Charis Loke is absolutely stunning and beautiful. This is the kind of cover art the The Green Bone Saga deserves, and I simply couldn’t pass the chance to get a physical copy of it. But enough about this introduction. All of this is just to say that I am, probably, what you’d call biased about this series, this world, and the characters. And as predicted and expected, The Jade Setter of Janloon ended up becoming another incredible entry in The Green Bone Saga for me. Even if it made me crave for more by the end of it.
"You're asking me to bring you into the business, but do you want to be brought in?... You have all the skills to follow in my footsteps if you choose. But a jade setter's life is dedicated to uncelebrated work that might be undone. Every day, we give ourselves to the craft of setting jade that will give power to others. They do with it what they will, and we keep none of it for ourselves. That's our place. Do you want that?"
The Jade Setter of Janloon is a standalone prequel novella in The Green Bone Saga series. For those new to this world and series, the novella takes place in the rapidly changing city of Janloon, a city ruled by jade. Jade is the rare and ancient substance that enhances the abilities and status of the trained Green Bone warriors who run the island’s powerful clans. The main character of this novella, Pulo Oritono, is not one of those warriors. He’s simply an apprentice jade setter under the tutelage of Isin with dreams of securing clan patronage and establishing a successful business. His hopes of achieving this, however, are dashed when a priceless jade weapon—a moon blade—is stolen from the shop where he works. Now, Pulo has three days to hunt down the thief, retrieve the moon blade, and return it to its rightful owner. In 140 pages long, Lee managed to tell a satisfying standalone story filled with great characters and a compelling narrative. Revolving around the themes of justice, vendettas, corruption, honor, and power, I finished the The Jade Setter of Janloon in one sitting. This isn’t to say The Jade Setter of Janloon is superior to the main novels. Its shorter format already put the novella in a disadvantageous position compared to any entry in the main series. However, as a novella, The Jade Setter of Janloon is terrific. As I said, by the end of it, I want to read more stories in The Green Bone Saga.
"Once the big clans move, they're like trains that're too fast and heavy to be stopped. People like us can only get out of the way."
Before I started this novella, I knew I would end up demanding more stories in The Green Bone Saga. Don’t get me wrong. The main trilogy has been concluded extremely satisfyingly. But I’m not saying no to any standalone or spin-off story in this world, and this is what I’m getting in The Jade Setter of Janloon. More stories, standalone, or spin-off in The Green Bone Saga means I’ll be reading more new characters to care about. And with Lee’s magnificent capability in crafting fully well-realized characters, it is practically confirmed I will feel invested in the characters and story. Again. And yes, I did get what I wanted from reading Pulo Oritono’s story. I found Pulo to be an endearing and passionate character. He or Isin’s dedication to their craft was so admirable to me, and Lee superbly polished their characterizations within a relatively short time. Personally speaking, I think one of the most refreshing things about this novella is readers, especially us who’ve read the main novels, get to experience more of the events and conflict in Janloon from the perspective of the weaker citizens of Janloon. In the main trilogy, we’ve seen the brutal and deadly confrontation between the two of the strongest and biggest clans of Janloon—The No Peak Clean and The Mountain Clan, and eventually more—directly from their perspectives. But Pulo Oritono or Isin doesn’t belong with any one of the big clans. They have always been neutral and having Pulo as the main character really put things into perspective, once again, on just how terrifying The No Peak Clan and The Mountain Clan are. I loved it. Not saying that we didn’t get to see any of that in the main novels, but having an entire novella dedicated to someone being put in this position, and reading it from their perspective entirely, definitely added depths to the world and the effect of the catastrophic rivalry between the two big clans for me.
“He picked up the moon blade. It was heavy in his hands—a priceless, one-of-a-kind object, a warrior’s treasure. He wanted to melt it down into slag. He wanted to throw it into the sea. It was worthless, just steel and wood and jade. It wasn’t alive, it didn’t love or feel, it didn’t hurt or mourn or suffer from guilt or the pain of failure. And yet it was coveted and considered more valuable than some lives.”
One more thing before I end this review, I need to elaborate upon the opening of this review. I started reading The Jade Setter of Janloon equipped with the knowledge and investment I attained from reading the main trilogy. And this undoubtedly enhanced my feelings and experience of this novella. However, if you have not started any of the books in The Green Bone Saga, I do objectively think this would work well as an appetizer to the series. But speaking from my own experience, one of the main highlights of the novel is seeing some of my favorite characters from the main trilogy appearing again here. I missed them. Seriously, I do. From looking at the cover art, those who have read The Green Bone Saga trilogy will know who appeared in this novella. Yeah, you guessed correctly. Lan, Hilo, Ayt Mada, Gont Asch, and a few more characters appeared in The Jade Setter of Janloon. And I can't emphasize how much their appearance made my heart and soul happy. We, The Green Bone Saga fans, and this is not a blanket statement, but our love for the characters runs DEEP. Like really deep. I mean it; it is likely only those who've read and fallen in love with the series will know the immense depth of our love for the characters and the world that Fonda Lee has crafted. This is why getting to see these beloved characters again, even if only briefly, means a lot to me.
“A man doesn’t have to be unkind or unlikable to have enemies… Sometimes, it’s good people who’re hated for who they are.”
My recommendation, if possible, try to read The Jade Setter of Janloon after you've read Jade City, Jade War, and Jade Legacy. At least Jade City. But if that's not possible, and you want to treat this novella as the appetizer before you dine on the main course of Fonda Lee's talent, I believe this novella will still give you a captivating reading experience. I can't fully gauge this, but I think I would've given The Jade Setter of Janloon a 4 stars rating if I haven't read the main novels before reading the novella. But because I have, I'm giving The Jade Setter of Janloon a 5 stars rating. As a novella, it is an absolutely compelling story from an exceptional author. I have been treating The Jade Setter of Janloon like a dessert I knew I'll love to devour but didn't for a while because I know I'll crave more. And now I'm both satisfied and sad that I'm done with the novella. If I'm not mistaken, there will be another novella in The Green Bone Saga. Or a collection of short stories, to be more precise, and the title will be Jade Shards. Until that day, this will have to do. Thank you so much, Fonda Lee, for writing another story in The Green Bone Saga.
“Even a place with long and respected history needs new blood to change it for the better, and it’s good to have something that all Green Bones in the city can agree on.”
You can order this book from: Amazon US
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Andrew, Andrew W, Amanda, Annabeth, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Ellis, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Mike, Miracle, Nanette, Neeraja, Nicholas, Reno, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawna, Xero, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
March 17, 2022
How does fonda lee always succeed at making me cry? She can’t keep getting away with it
November 7, 2022
I feel at peace.
It’s like Jade Legacy isn’t haunting me anymore. So yeah, best read after the original trilogy so you can sleep at night peacefully haha
We follow the high ranking members for the most part in Green Bone Saga that it was more than lovely to actually see the world from the relatively more ordinary citizens of the clans <3
— 4.5 —
⇢ content warnings// Human Trafficking (mentioned), Drug Abuse, Child Abuse (mentioned)
——
Pre-review:
i'm waiting...
It’s like Jade Legacy isn’t haunting me anymore. So yeah, best read after the original trilogy so you can sleep at night peacefully haha
We follow the high ranking members for the most part in Green Bone Saga that it was more than lovely to actually see the world from the relatively more ordinary citizens of the clans <3
“It was worthless, just steel and wood and jade. It wasn’t alive, it didn’t love or feel, it didn’t hurt or mourn or suffer from guilt or the pain of failure. And yet it was coveted and considered more valuable than some lives.”
— 4.5 —
⇢ content warnings// Human Trafficking (mentioned), Drug Abuse, Child Abuse (mentioned)
——
Pre-review:
i'm waiting...
January 29, 2024
loved being back in this world so much 🥹
January 24, 2022
"Don't invoke the gods too soon. You don't even know what I'm here for," Kaul pointed out. "Maybe I'm bored and am here to finally kill you."
🌿🍃🌱🌿🍃🌱🌿🍃🌱
i missed the world of green bones so much, this was a great lil prequel novella to give me my jade fix. the book followed characters who worked in a jade setting shop and it was interesting to see janloon from the perspective of an average citizen w no real stake in clan politics and wars. it was kind of a happy medium between bero's rough street life and the kaul's who are practically royalty.
there was a bit of mystery, a bit of action, and i loved seeing the characters we came to love so much in a different time in their lives. it felt bittersweet to see them so young, having no idea what's in store for them in the future. if you enjoyed the green bone trilogy and are missing this world, this short story is perfect to pick up
🌿🍃🌱🌿🍃🌱🌿🍃🌱
"I'm only a humble jade setter, but I'm content with the last thing I was able to fix."
🐉 a few thoughts i had while reading: 🐉
(⚠️ minor spoilers || don't read on if you haven't finished the novella or the trilogy)
arc review, opinions are my own
January 13, 2022
janloon will forever be one of my favorite fantasy settings ever and this novella further cemented that. loved the glimpse we get into the less glamorous, simpler, darker side of the city with main characters who aren't clan warriors. i also appreciate the somewhat different perspective we're given on the green bone clans through the eyes of an ordinary citizen. and of course, loved seeing cameos of old, beloved characters again.
fonda lee's worldbuilding remains as immaculate as always. really enjoyed this story!
thank you to netgalley for providing an advanced copy.
fonda lee's worldbuilding remains as immaculate as always. really enjoyed this story!
thank you to netgalley for providing an advanced copy.
May 4, 2023
Best novella I have ever read in my life. It's perfect!
If you are a fan of The Green Bone Saga then don't miss out on this gem!
If you are a fan of The Green Bone Saga then don't miss out on this gem!
September 6, 2022
The Jade Setter of Janloon ★★★★
Jade City ★★★★
Jade War ★★★★ 1/2
Jade Legacy ★★★★ 1/2
Late last year I finished The Green Bone Saga trilogy which I really enjoyed and the last book was one of my favorite books of last year. I did not expect Lee to be revisiting the world but I am glad that she did.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is a prequel novella to the main story following a new character and events taking place 2 years before that so it doesn’t really have much of an impact on the main story. However, I think it gives a good idea about the world and the characters and the writing style so if anyone is curious about the main series but is hesitant, it could be a good place to start.
The last novel contained many threads and characters that we follow through many years. This story follows one thread and only on the span of a few days but it gave similar vibes so it made me happy revisiting this world that I like. Fonda Lee established herself as a writer with this series so it is great to see her expanding it and I am even more excited for whatever she comes up with next.
Jade City ★★★★
Jade War ★★★★ 1/2
Jade Legacy ★★★★ 1/2
Late last year I finished The Green Bone Saga trilogy which I really enjoyed and the last book was one of my favorite books of last year. I did not expect Lee to be revisiting the world but I am glad that she did.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is a prequel novella to the main story following a new character and events taking place 2 years before that so it doesn’t really have much of an impact on the main story. However, I think it gives a good idea about the world and the characters and the writing style so if anyone is curious about the main series but is hesitant, it could be a good place to start.
The last novel contained many threads and characters that we follow through many years. This story follows one thread and only on the span of a few days but it gave similar vibes so it made me happy revisiting this world that I like. Fonda Lee established herself as a writer with this series so it is great to see her expanding it and I am even more excited for whatever she comes up with next.
October 8, 2023
It’s so good to be back
Malazan is making me dislike every single fantasy book I pick up lately. The only exception is Green Bone Saga, somehow I’ve been feeling the need to go back to its complex political intrigue and realized this is the first time I feel like rereading an epic fantasy series. Instead of doing that-my tbr is way too long right now-, I realized I still had this one pending.
Pulo Oritono is a young jade setter with big ideas. But everything cracks when his co-worker calls him in the middle of the night asking for help. When he arrives in the shop, it’s too late: a jade moon blade has been stolen and his co-worker is sent to prison.
The Clan won’t let anyone get out alive if the legendary arm is not restored. Pulo only has three days to find it if he wants to save the shop, his teacher and the girl he’s in love with. But someone very powerful is covering the tracks, and soon Pulo would realize finding the blade may be as dangerous as the Clan’s fury.
Although I was originally sad that this story wasn’t about the Kaul family, I quickly became too immersed in the suspense of wanting to know what was happening. Also, Kaul Hilo is too damn iconic not to get involved-I LOVE him so much-, and he won’t be the last character you will recognize. My only small complain is that I didn't find Pulo as compelling as other main characters Fonda Lee has written; there were other secondary characters more interesting than him.
🎧Read as an audiobook
↬ Series:
0.5 The Jade Setter of Janloon: 3.5 stars
1. Jade City: 4.5 stars
2. Jade War: 4.25 stars
3. Jade Legacy: 4.25 stars
Malazan is making me dislike every single fantasy book I pick up lately. The only exception is Green Bone Saga, somehow I’ve been feeling the need to go back to its complex political intrigue and realized this is the first time I feel like rereading an epic fantasy series. Instead of doing that-my tbr is way too long right now-, I realized I still had this one pending.
Pulo Oritono is a young jade setter with big ideas. But everything cracks when his co-worker calls him in the middle of the night asking for help. When he arrives in the shop, it’s too late: a jade moon blade has been stolen and his co-worker is sent to prison.
The Clan won’t let anyone get out alive if the legendary arm is not restored. Pulo only has three days to find it if he wants to save the shop, his teacher and the girl he’s in love with. But someone very powerful is covering the tracks, and soon Pulo would realize finding the blade may be as dangerous as the Clan’s fury.
Although I was originally sad that this story wasn’t about the Kaul family, I quickly became too immersed in the suspense of wanting to know what was happening. Also, Kaul Hilo is too damn iconic not to get involved-I LOVE him so much-, and he won’t be the last character you will recognize. My only small complain is that I didn't find Pulo as compelling as other main characters Fonda Lee has written; there were other secondary characters more interesting than him.
🎧Read as an audiobook
↬ Series:
0.5 The Jade Setter of Janloon: 3.5 stars
1. Jade City: 4.5 stars
2. Jade War: 4.25 stars
3. Jade Legacy: 4.25 stars
May 7, 2023
8.29 on CAWPILE
June 25, 2022
Okay so it's clear. I will cry in every single book Fonda Lee writes.
Set before Jade City (which allowed for some appearances of known and loved characters), the story follows apprentice Jade Setter Pulo when a theft occurs at the shop he works at. In typical Green Bone Saga fashion, the stakes get higher and higher in every chapter, and I was utterly gripped throughout.
I listened to the audiobooks of all the Jade books, and this novella was no different. Expertly narrated as always, with excellent focus on tension, suspense, and emotion.
Also I cried quite a bit in the final chapter - when things seemed to be going badly, when things seemed to be going better, and I don't know how Lee does it. I will read absolutely anything and everything set in this world!
‘But some pieces are too damaged to fix. I’m that way, too, Ori. Just like an old watch that still works, but has a deep crack down the centre.’
HILO!
THE MAEKS!
LAAAAAAANNNNNN!
Gosh, it's just SO good!
Set before Jade City (which allowed for some appearances of known and loved characters), the story follows apprentice Jade Setter Pulo when a theft occurs at the shop he works at. In typical Green Bone Saga fashion, the stakes get higher and higher in every chapter, and I was utterly gripped throughout.
I listened to the audiobooks of all the Jade books, and this novella was no different. Expertly narrated as always, with excellent focus on tension, suspense, and emotion.
Also I cried quite a bit in the final chapter - when things seemed to be going badly, when things seemed to be going better, and I don't know how Lee does it. I will read absolutely anything and everything set in this world!
‘But some pieces are too damaged to fix. I’m that way, too, Ori. Just like an old watch that still works, but has a deep crack down the centre.’
HILO!
THE MAEKS!
LAAAAAAANNNNNN!
Gosh, it's just SO good!
March 15, 2023
4.5 stars.
This just made me want to reread The Green Bone Saga all over again. I loved how this presented a different side to Janloon. It's the city through the eyes of the citizens, those not privileged enough to hold sway in the clans. Those who are too far down the pecking order to be seen as important.
And I loved it. And I want more stories of Hilo and Lan from their glory days of youth, and all the swagger and bluster that comes with it.
This just made me want to reread The Green Bone Saga all over again. I loved how this presented a different side to Janloon. It's the city through the eyes of the citizens, those not privileged enough to hold sway in the clans. Those who are too far down the pecking order to be seen as important.
And I loved it. And I want more stories of Hilo and Lan from their glory days of youth, and all the swagger and bluster that comes with it.
January 13, 2022
kaul lan my beloved.....
it was so good to be back into this world of jade and clans that i dearly missed. this novella has an interesting story of its own, one that provides wonderful insights into the green bone world. fonda lee's talent is incredible as always.
it was so good to be back into this world of jade and clans that i dearly missed. this novella has an interesting story of its own, one that provides wonderful insights into the green bone world. fonda lee's talent is incredible as always.
June 1, 2022
It's really nice to be back in Janloon, back with some of the characters I grew to love. This novella focuses on a new character, Pulo, who works as an apprentice to a neutral Jade setter when some high value Jade is stolen.
I read this in two sittings today so it was immensely readable, and I enjoyed it. I really liked seeing all the cameos, even if they *felt* like Fonda Lee was like "who can I make cameo right now?" But I'll forgive it because it's what I wanted to happen.
This is not a five star because for the actual story itself, our main character is more of a camera to the story as opposed to an active component of it. He does go through somewhat of an arc, but it comes mostly through watching other people tell him things or seeing events unfold.
I read this in two sittings today so it was immensely readable, and I enjoyed it. I really liked seeing all the cameos, even if they *felt* like Fonda Lee was like "who can I make cameo right now?" But I'll forgive it because it's what I wanted to happen.
This is not a five star because for the actual story itself, our main character is more of a camera to the story as opposed to an active component of it. He does go through somewhat of an arc, but it comes mostly through watching other people tell him things or seeing events unfold.
December 3, 2022
This novella is a prequel to a new fantasy series that seems quite popular, so I decided to give it a try and see if it appeals enough to make me add the Green Bone Saga to my next year’s plans.
Well, the jury is still out: I liked this short episode but I didn’t get the WOW! reaction other reviews suggested. Probably because the novella is written after the main series, as a sort of Easter Egg for those who already read and loved the main trilogy.
What I liked: the characters and the main plot.
A well respected artisan living in the capital city of Janloon works with the magical jade stones that grant superpowers to warriors in different clans, trying to remain neutral in the power struggles between said clans. He has a talented apprentice and a young girl from a persecuted tribe as his protegee.
When a precious jade-encrusted sword is stolen from his safe, the master and his apprentice struggle to recover the precious artefact before the theft sparks a clan war.
I liked the first person presentation and the family drama that underlines the political complications. I also liked the vaguely Oriental, kung-fu inspired Janloon
What I am still undecided on: the mix of very modern technology with supernatural powers and the heavy focus on politics and on combat abilities. Some vague references to a war between neighbouring nations make me suspect the main series will be more about fighting than about individuals.
As for the prose, I believe Fonda Lee is a good storyteller with a clean, efficient prose, good at increasing emotional intensity when her characters go through hellish situations. But when my alternative picks are Lois McMaster Bujold or Martha Wells as novella authors, she still has an uphill struggle to make it to the top of the TBR mountain.
I’m not so keen to embark on another series with generic setting and a mechanical magic system geared towards combat, but I am willing to give the first book in the series a try and to change my initial lukewarm reaction.
January 13, 2022
yeah so it's definitely safe to say i've very much terribly missed reading about the world of the green bones in kekon and might have gotten a bit emotional seeing characters again that i already know and love. being the short novella it is, it positively lived up to what i expected of action, crime and clan affairs. it was so sentimental to me to be back in janloon again and see some specific characters from the main trilogy appear along with seeing different parts of the clan business, particularly with neutral clans ideology taking center stage. kaul family and the siblings my forever family, i just love them so much. the jade setting branch of jade business was interesting and how people have to come to terms with their position in constantly having to undo hard work often with duels and ending in resetting jade to different owners. and also how isin, this neutral clan jade owner deals with working with both the large rivaling clans of no peak and mountain. the jade setter of janloon is a well done structured story implementing so many different clan and political aspects that fans of the green bone saga will certainly enjoy as they return to janloon in this novella!
— Thank you to Subterranean Press for providing an e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
— Thank you to Subterranean Press for providing an e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2022
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really loved being back in Kekon and Janloon, and the cameos from some beloved characters from the main series made me feel so nostagic. I'm not entirely sure how well this serves as a standalone without having read the main series to be quite honest with you - I think the plot is fairly self-contained (it's kind of like a crime/mystery situation), but some of the themes and social dynamics might be lost on readers who are not familiar with this world, and in my opinion, those are the best parts about this novella.
In this story, we follow Pulo, an apprentice to one of Janloon's most renowned jade setters, Isin. They both belong to the Haedo Shield, a minor neutral clan that operates outside of the feud between No Peak and Mountain. One day, a valuable artifact from one of the leaders of one of the major clans goes missing, and Isin's assistant, Mallo, a young Abukei woman, is arrested as the prime suspect, but Pulo decides to investigate this on his own as he doesn't believe that Mallo would've stolen from the shop.
I really liked how Fonda Lee gave us yet another glimpse into Green Bone society - in this novella, we focus on the relations between the civilian police force in Janloon, as well as the way the Abukei, who are indigenous to Kekon, are treated by the Green Bones. One of my favourite things about the main trilogy is how nuanced and in depth the worldbuilding is, and I feel like this novella just gives us even more in that aspect, which I loved.
The main thing that keeps me from rating this higher is that I do feel like the plot isn't the strongest, and Pulo as a main character wasn't my favourite. That being said, I still think that this is a very solid entry to the series and one I'd recommend to anyone who's read the series and just wants a little more of this world, but my personal recommendation would be to read this after you've read the series to get the most out of the themes and political relations discussed in this novella.
I really loved being back in Kekon and Janloon, and the cameos from some beloved characters from the main series made me feel so nostagic. I'm not entirely sure how well this serves as a standalone without having read the main series to be quite honest with you - I think the plot is fairly self-contained (it's kind of like a crime/mystery situation), but some of the themes and social dynamics might be lost on readers who are not familiar with this world, and in my opinion, those are the best parts about this novella.
In this story, we follow Pulo, an apprentice to one of Janloon's most renowned jade setters, Isin. They both belong to the Haedo Shield, a minor neutral clan that operates outside of the feud between No Peak and Mountain. One day, a valuable artifact from one of the leaders of one of the major clans goes missing, and Isin's assistant, Mallo, a young Abukei woman, is arrested as the prime suspect, but Pulo decides to investigate this on his own as he doesn't believe that Mallo would've stolen from the shop.
I really liked how Fonda Lee gave us yet another glimpse into Green Bone society - in this novella, we focus on the relations between the civilian police force in Janloon, as well as the way the Abukei, who are indigenous to Kekon, are treated by the Green Bones. One of my favourite things about the main trilogy is how nuanced and in depth the worldbuilding is, and I feel like this novella just gives us even more in that aspect, which I loved.
The main thing that keeps me from rating this higher is that I do feel like the plot isn't the strongest, and Pulo as a main character wasn't my favourite. That being said, I still think that this is a very solid entry to the series and one I'd recommend to anyone who's read the series and just wants a little more of this world, but my personal recommendation would be to read this after you've read the series to get the most out of the themes and political relations discussed in this novella.
April 30, 2022
Fonda Lee can write anything skilfully, it's true. Whether it's a long trilogy, or a short story set in the same world, she's an absolute master of her craft.
I love how this story progresses from quiet days of setting jade, to a mystery and a hunt for a jade-stealing thief. And throughout we also got cameos from some beloved characters in the series which is always welcome.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is a prequel, and since I read the series beforehand I knew who to look for, but if you decide to tackle this first, ahead of the main series, then you'll be perfectly fine, since it takes place two years before Jade City.
I'd say it's also easier to read/get into than the first book, but again, I might just be saying this because I already know the world.
Pullo ended up being a pretty cool character by the end of the story. At first I wasn't sure about him, but he proved himself. Aside from the cameo characters he's probably my fave. I like Isin too, and Malla a bit less because we didn't see much of her.
AND THAT'S IT, you'll have to find the rest out for yourself when you pick up a copy of this book. If you're looking for something on the shorter side that's fun, well thought out and full of action then this is the book for you.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I love how this story progresses from quiet days of setting jade, to a mystery and a hunt for a jade-stealing thief. And throughout we also got cameos from some beloved characters in the series which is always welcome.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is a prequel, and since I read the series beforehand I knew who to look for, but if you decide to tackle this first, ahead of the main series, then you'll be perfectly fine, since it takes place two years before Jade City.
I'd say it's also easier to read/get into than the first book, but again, I might just be saying this because I already know the world.
Pullo ended up being a pretty cool character by the end of the story. At first I wasn't sure about him, but he proved himself. Aside from the cameo characters he's probably my fave. I like Isin too, and Malla a bit less because we didn't see much of her.
AND THAT'S IT, you'll have to find the rest out for yourself when you pick up a copy of this book. If you're looking for something on the shorter side that's fun, well thought out and full of action then this is the book for you.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
June 1, 2022
When they mentioned Lan and Hilo's name, I was holding back myself from tearing up and trying NOT to remember their fates. Jade setters will always have my respect 🙏🏻💚
November 18, 2025
The Jade Setter of Janloon by Fonda Lee
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)
This was an awesome short story that allowed me to stay in Janloon a little longer.
"Pulo is the apprentice of a respected jade setter in the city of Janloon. When a priceless weapon disappears from the shop, he suddenly finds himself under immense pressure. He has only three days to track down the stolen piece, clear his master's name, and protect the people he cares about most. What begins as a simple theft quickly turns into a dangerous investigation, and every hour counts."
I enjoyed this story just as much as the entire trilogy. Yes, it is shorter, but it never feels smaller. The tension is immediate, the stakes are clear, and I found myself caring about Pulo from the very first page. Fonda Lee once again shows how effortlessly she can pull readers back into the world of jade, clans, and complex loyalties. It was a pleasure to revisit the streets of Janloon and discover new corners of the city that had only been hinted at before.
Reading it right after finishing the trilogy made the experience even better. The story takes place before the events of the first book, and it was amazing to meet familiar characters again and see how their relationships and rivalries played out in earlier days. It added depth to the world and enriched my understanding of the people we follow throughout the main series.
I can highly recommend this short story, not only for fans of the Green Bone Saga but for anyone who enjoys tightly written crime stories set in richly built worlds. The audiobook is also fantastic, once again narrated by Andrew Kishino, whose voice brings Janloon to life in the best possible way.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)
This was an awesome short story that allowed me to stay in Janloon a little longer.
"Pulo is the apprentice of a respected jade setter in the city of Janloon. When a priceless weapon disappears from the shop, he suddenly finds himself under immense pressure. He has only three days to track down the stolen piece, clear his master's name, and protect the people he cares about most. What begins as a simple theft quickly turns into a dangerous investigation, and every hour counts."
I enjoyed this story just as much as the entire trilogy. Yes, it is shorter, but it never feels smaller. The tension is immediate, the stakes are clear, and I found myself caring about Pulo from the very first page. Fonda Lee once again shows how effortlessly she can pull readers back into the world of jade, clans, and complex loyalties. It was a pleasure to revisit the streets of Janloon and discover new corners of the city that had only been hinted at before.
Reading it right after finishing the trilogy made the experience even better. The story takes place before the events of the first book, and it was amazing to meet familiar characters again and see how their relationships and rivalries played out in earlier days. It added depth to the world and enriched my understanding of the people we follow throughout the main series.
I can highly recommend this short story, not only for fans of the Green Bone Saga but for anyone who enjoys tightly written crime stories set in richly built worlds. The audiobook is also fantastic, once again narrated by Andrew Kishino, whose voice brings Janloon to life in the best possible way.
April 15, 2022
Actual rating 4.5/5 stars
The entire Green Bone Saga was a 5 star series for me, so when I had the opportunity to read The Jade Setter of Janloon I jumped on the chance!
The scope of the The Green Bone Saga is vast, covering multiple continents and nations. It’s an amazingly, epic story following the Kaul family and the No Peak Clan, and it’s highly political.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is a smaller story focusing on one character, Pulo, who works as a jade setter’s apprentice and belongs to Haedo Shield, a smaller clan on Kekon island. While there are still political elements in this story, it’s more of a mystery- something I absolutely loved!
It was so much fun to see several of the characters from the main trilogy in this book, too! Those characters play more of a cameo role, but still- anytime I get a chance to hang out with the No Peak clan again, I’ll take it!
You could read this story before reading the main trilogy and you wouldn’t be confused about anything going on, but I think it’s still best to read the first three books before reading this prequel novella. You’ll enjoy it so much more knowing what is going on behind the scenes and knowing much more about the politics of the clan and other character dynamics.
I’d highly recommend this novella for anyone who loved The Green Bone Saga, who loves mysteries, and who enjoys urban, low-magic fantasy.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the digital review copy.
The entire Green Bone Saga was a 5 star series for me, so when I had the opportunity to read The Jade Setter of Janloon I jumped on the chance!
The scope of the The Green Bone Saga is vast, covering multiple continents and nations. It’s an amazingly, epic story following the Kaul family and the No Peak Clan, and it’s highly political.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is a smaller story focusing on one character, Pulo, who works as a jade setter’s apprentice and belongs to Haedo Shield, a smaller clan on Kekon island. While there are still political elements in this story, it’s more of a mystery- something I absolutely loved!
It was so much fun to see several of the characters from the main trilogy in this book, too! Those characters play more of a cameo role, but still- anytime I get a chance to hang out with the No Peak clan again, I’ll take it!
You could read this story before reading the main trilogy and you wouldn’t be confused about anything going on, but I think it’s still best to read the first three books before reading this prequel novella. You’ll enjoy it so much more knowing what is going on behind the scenes and knowing much more about the politics of the clan and other character dynamics.
I’d highly recommend this novella for anyone who loved The Green Bone Saga, who loves mysteries, and who enjoys urban, low-magic fantasy.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the digital review copy.
Read
March 24, 2024No rating but it was fine *sigh* loved being back in the world though!
Read
October 12, 2023An incredible novella that made me want to re-read the Green Bone Series again, because when Hilo and Lan showed up, I realised how much I missed the Kaul family and this world.
May 10, 2022
The Green Bone Saga is one of my favorite series! so happy i could go back to Janloon and met some of my favorite characters in this Novella
As ussual Fonda Lee’s writing style is so smooth, sharp and easy to read… the plot is also engaging, it was so easy for me to drown into her story
I wish this book is longer tho
As ussual Fonda Lee’s writing style is so smooth, sharp and easy to read… the plot is also engaging, it was so easy for me to drown into her story
I wish this book is longer tho
February 7, 2025
Jade Setter of Janloon
5⭐+❤️
Jade Setter of Janloon is a 112-page novella set in the universe of Fonda Lee's The Green Bone Saga. It takes place a little before the main trilogy and features some familiar faces such as Hilo and Lan, as well as Ayt Madashi. However, the story focuses on a new character who is the protagonist of the story. The young adult Pulo, 22, works in a store as an assistant to a man who fuses Jade into objects for the city's clans. The premise of the story is basically that a valuable item from the store is stolen and Pulo has only 72 hours to find the item, otherwise the consequences will be fatal for him and the people he loves. I really liked this novel, especially because it focuses on other characters and shows more of this universe created by Fonda Lee. I loved Pulo's story and I loved how everything unfolded. I liked the other characters who also appear with him, such as his co-worker and the man he works for. Their dynamic is incredible. The way the story ends is really good because it makes you think it will end one way, but it ends another. completely different and that is a super positive point and another great book by the author and now all that's left is the last novel in this universe and then I can move on to the newest release by the author who has become my favorite female fantasy author.
5⭐+❤️
Jade Setter of Janloon is a 112-page novella set in the universe of Fonda Lee's The Green Bone Saga. It takes place a little before the main trilogy and features some familiar faces such as Hilo and Lan, as well as Ayt Madashi. However, the story focuses on a new character who is the protagonist of the story. The young adult Pulo, 22, works in a store as an assistant to a man who fuses Jade into objects for the city's clans. The premise of the story is basically that a valuable item from the store is stolen and Pulo has only 72 hours to find the item, otherwise the consequences will be fatal for him and the people he loves. I really liked this novel, especially because it focuses on other characters and shows more of this universe created by Fonda Lee. I loved Pulo's story and I loved how everything unfolded. I liked the other characters who also appear with him, such as his co-worker and the man he works for. Their dynamic is incredible. The way the story ends is really good because it makes you think it will end one way, but it ends another. completely different and that is a super positive point and another great book by the author and now all that's left is the last novel in this universe and then I can move on to the newest release by the author who has become my favorite female fantasy author.
June 28, 2023
This was an engaging little novella for Green Bone fans that's a character-focused thriller. Lee effortlessly got me attached to the relatable POV character Pulo and the few characters he interacts with. The page count is pretty low so things happen fast and tension is extremely high almost from beginning to end, so don't come here hoping for a cozy fantasy return to Janloon where you leisurely observe a slice of life in a master jade setter's shop. I liked getting a new kind of POV from someone in the small neutral Shield clan and seeing how they viewed and interacted with the bigger clans. It's a prequel story that's set just a few years before Jade City, so it was also fun to see some familiar faces in a slightly earlier time. I can't imagine this being of interest or making much sense to non-Green Bone fans, but for those of us invested in the worldbuilding already, it's a great little addition to the series.
May 1, 2023
This was a really great novella to give some backstory and a first look at young Lan. I definitely need to check out any other novellas because they just pad out the world even more and I always enjoy that.
April 2, 2022
This is the best novella I’ve read in a really long time. I loved everything I’ve read by Fonda Lee, although her novels are pretty long so I wasn’t sure how she’d handle a novella. It was perfect. It was everything I love about her writing and the city of Janloon. I think the shorter format actually forced Lee to be a little more concise, as the pace was much quicker than usual as well. Overall, it was excellent.
March 14, 2022
Update 05/03/2022
Find my reviews on : An Ode to Fiction
Official Release Date : April 30th 2022
Buy the book :
Subterranean Press
Check out my other reviews of the other books in The Green Bone Saga:
Jade War | Jade Legacy
4.5 rounded up to 5/5 ⭐️
ARC provided by the publisher Subterranean Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is the perfect introduction to The Green Bone Saga for new readers and the perfect bite sized flex of Fonda Lee's masterful writing.
It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Fonda Lee's masterpiece trilogy The Green Bone Saga. The trilogy has a special place on my shelf and in my heart as one of my favorite series of all time. The conclusion of the epic trilogy released back in November 2021. Since then Fonda has teased a novella set in the same universe as the trilogy to be released by Subterranean Press as a limited edition book. This announcement got me really excited and I am happy to be able to snag a copy for my collection. Readers who are interested to read the book but didn't manage to get a copy of the physical book can read the book by buying the ebook. The cover illustration for the novella is done by the talented artist Charis Loke. As you can see the illustration is insanely beautiful and intricate. The jade carvings of well known characters : Hilo, Lan, Ayt Mada, and Gont Asch caught my eye immediately.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is set in the growing and rapidly changing city of Janloon on the island of Kekon. The home of notorious green bone warriors and the origin of jade. For centuries jade has become a symbol of the Kekonese people especially the honoured green bone warriors as a show of status, power, and respect. Behind every stud of jade on a green bone's ear, the necklaces, bracelets, studded belts, and many other accessories decked out by a warrior are the craftsman such as Pulo Oritono. Pulo is an ambitious apprentice of a famous jade setter in Kekon that has big dreams of opening his own jade setting business and leaving his master. All those dreams come to a halt when a thief stole one of the most prized weapon from the shop. With limited time, his life, and the lives of the people he loves on the line it is up to him to find weapon before it is too late.
Fonda Lee's world has enamoured me since I read the first book of The Green Bone Saga and that world has organically expanded and grown to be one of the best fantasy worlds that I have ever visited in my reading journey. The world building in this short novella is more focused and less expansive but it still takes readers around for a ride around Janloon. I can confirm that readers that have not read The Green Bone Saga trilogy can definitely read this novella without prior knowledge. The experience of knowing the world of The Green Bone Saga comes with the novelty that never wears off and only becomes more stronger the longer you stay in Lee's world. As someone that has read the trilogy seeing some of the notable characters make an appearance never fails to make me tear up. To new readers that will jump into this story with new eyes and meet these characters will be treated to an introduction that will surely leave an impression that will make them want to start the trilogy.
In this novella Fonda Lee's signature style of concise and descriptive writing is as sharp as ever and yet there are certain notes in this novella that are different from the trilogy. There is a certain noir and murder-mystery undertone to it that I find exciting as it enhances the premise of the story. The main characters of The Jade Setter of Janloon also has a strong presence and is fully fleshed out in this 140+ pages long novella which takes a tremendous skill to do. Fonda Lee's writing is addictive and fast paced that immerses you deep into the story that readers can easily get invested in every aspect of the story. For returning readers if you are expecting a lot of action there aren't many but Fonda Lee has effectively spread out the action scenes to a few that will definitely leave a strong impression. The amazing thing about this novella is that Fonda manages to flesh out Janloon and the current political landscape of that time within the novella. The structure of the hierarchy of clans and the people that tied to the big clans are just as intricate as it is in the novel. Trust me The Jade Setter of Janloon is like a bite sized version of the epic world that Fonda Lee has created that is a perfect introduction to The Green Bone Saga.
The core main characters that are involved in the overarching plot are all well written and fleshed out. This isn't something new about Fonda Lee for returning readers but for new readers that aren't familiar with Fonda Lee's book this is just the tip of the iceberg. Fonda Lee's ability in writing characters, for me, is top tier S class. Lee can make readers care about all characters even the side characters that makes an appearance for a short period of time.
Final thoughts, The Jade Setter of Janloon is a good bite sized piece of The Green Bone Saga that can be a good starter for new readers to familiarize with Fonda Lee's writing and pacing. I definitely highly recommend for readers to read this novella first to experience the world of The Green Bone Saga for the first time or revisit it again because I'm sure for returning readers that have read the whole trilogy would want to see their favorite characters one last time.
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
Find my reviews on : An Ode to Fiction
Official Release Date : April 30th 2022
Buy the book :
Subterranean Press
Check out my other reviews of the other books in The Green Bone Saga:
Jade War | Jade Legacy
4.5 rounded up to 5/5 ⭐️
ARC provided by the publisher Subterranean Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
“I’m only a humble jade setter, but I’m content with the last thing I was able to fix.”
The Jade Setter of Janloon is the perfect introduction to The Green Bone Saga for new readers and the perfect bite sized flex of Fonda Lee's masterful writing.
It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Fonda Lee's masterpiece trilogy The Green Bone Saga. The trilogy has a special place on my shelf and in my heart as one of my favorite series of all time. The conclusion of the epic trilogy released back in November 2021. Since then Fonda has teased a novella set in the same universe as the trilogy to be released by Subterranean Press as a limited edition book. This announcement got me really excited and I am happy to be able to snag a copy for my collection. Readers who are interested to read the book but didn't manage to get a copy of the physical book can read the book by buying the ebook. The cover illustration for the novella is done by the talented artist Charis Loke. As you can see the illustration is insanely beautiful and intricate. The jade carvings of well known characters : Hilo, Lan, Ayt Mada, and Gont Asch caught my eye immediately.
The Jade Setter of Janloon is set in the growing and rapidly changing city of Janloon on the island of Kekon. The home of notorious green bone warriors and the origin of jade. For centuries jade has become a symbol of the Kekonese people especially the honoured green bone warriors as a show of status, power, and respect. Behind every stud of jade on a green bone's ear, the necklaces, bracelets, studded belts, and many other accessories decked out by a warrior are the craftsman such as Pulo Oritono. Pulo is an ambitious apprentice of a famous jade setter in Kekon that has big dreams of opening his own jade setting business and leaving his master. All those dreams come to a halt when a thief stole one of the most prized weapon from the shop. With limited time, his life, and the lives of the people he loves on the line it is up to him to find weapon before it is too late.
Fonda Lee's world has enamoured me since I read the first book of The Green Bone Saga and that world has organically expanded and grown to be one of the best fantasy worlds that I have ever visited in my reading journey. The world building in this short novella is more focused and less expansive but it still takes readers around for a ride around Janloon. I can confirm that readers that have not read The Green Bone Saga trilogy can definitely read this novella without prior knowledge. The experience of knowing the world of The Green Bone Saga comes with the novelty that never wears off and only becomes more stronger the longer you stay in Lee's world. As someone that has read the trilogy seeing some of the notable characters make an appearance never fails to make me tear up. To new readers that will jump into this story with new eyes and meet these characters will be treated to an introduction that will surely leave an impression that will make them want to start the trilogy.
In this novella Fonda Lee's signature style of concise and descriptive writing is as sharp as ever and yet there are certain notes in this novella that are different from the trilogy. There is a certain noir and murder-mystery undertone to it that I find exciting as it enhances the premise of the story. The main characters of The Jade Setter of Janloon also has a strong presence and is fully fleshed out in this 140+ pages long novella which takes a tremendous skill to do. Fonda Lee's writing is addictive and fast paced that immerses you deep into the story that readers can easily get invested in every aspect of the story. For returning readers if you are expecting a lot of action there aren't many but Fonda Lee has effectively spread out the action scenes to a few that will definitely leave a strong impression. The amazing thing about this novella is that Fonda manages to flesh out Janloon and the current political landscape of that time within the novella. The structure of the hierarchy of clans and the people that tied to the big clans are just as intricate as it is in the novel. Trust me The Jade Setter of Janloon is like a bite sized version of the epic world that Fonda Lee has created that is a perfect introduction to The Green Bone Saga.
The core main characters that are involved in the overarching plot are all well written and fleshed out. This isn't something new about Fonda Lee for returning readers but for new readers that aren't familiar with Fonda Lee's book this is just the tip of the iceberg. Fonda Lee's ability in writing characters, for me, is top tier S class. Lee can make readers care about all characters even the side characters that makes an appearance for a short period of time.
Bright lights distracted from darkness, while money and success flowed through the gutters toward the cunning and the ruthless. Jade was not the only thing that was gained at the expense of lives.
Final thoughts, The Jade Setter of Janloon is a good bite sized piece of The Green Bone Saga that can be a good starter for new readers to familiarize with Fonda Lee's writing and pacing. I definitely highly recommend for readers to read this novella first to experience the world of The Green Bone Saga for the first time or revisit it again because I'm sure for returning readers that have read the whole trilogy would want to see their favorite characters one last time.
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
February 14, 2022
Gah Fonda Lee got me again. This novella takes place before the events of Jade City and we follow Pulo an apprentice to the renowned Jade Setter, Isin. After a precious item goes missing from the shop, we learn more about these two as they desperately try to solve this mystery before it’s too late. I thought this would be just a one off fun mystery but Fonda really uses this opportunity to to explore a side of Kekon we don’t really see in the main series. I really appreciated the themes Fonda Lee tackles in this novella, which ended solidifying the 5 star rating for me.
There was slow start so I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel, but by the end of it I felt so much for these new set of characters. Even though this story does center around a new cast, we still got to spend some time with familiar faces from the Green Bone Saga. Lastly, I would advise reading this after finishing Jade Legacy. Even though the novella occur before the events of JL, some things that weren’t revealed until JL about the world does get discussed in the novella briefly.
There was slow start so I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel, but by the end of it I felt so much for these new set of characters. Even though this story does center around a new cast, we still got to spend some time with familiar faces from the Green Bone Saga. Lastly, I would advise reading this after finishing Jade Legacy. Even though the novella occur before the events of JL, some things that weren’t revealed until JL about the world does get discussed in the novella briefly.
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