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Razor's Edge Chronicles #5
Hidden by Jade
I’ve never been one to stand idly by when a friend’s in trouble. Yes, I know that to go looking into why Ilmu is missing is dangerous. Yue’s still out there, and more to the point she’s not happy with how little progress I’ve made on our deal regarding Sarroch.
Which means a significant decrease in the value of my life.
Staying home is therefore the smart thing to do. But all the same, a friend in trouble is a friend in trouble, and no one but me seems to care what’s going on with Ilmu.
With my limited magic there’s only so much I can do, but I manage to get my hands on magical incense that will allow me to see her.
That is until another supernatural creature appears in the smoke and drags me into whatever space Ilmu is trapped in.
And just like that, my problems with Yue look pretty insignificant.
Perspective, huh?
Which means a significant decrease in the value of my life.
Staying home is therefore the smart thing to do. But all the same, a friend in trouble is a friend in trouble, and no one but me seems to care what’s going on with Ilmu.
With my limited magic there’s only so much I can do, but I manage to get my hands on magical incense that will allow me to see her.
That is until another supernatural creature appears in the smoke and drags me into whatever space Ilmu is trapped in.
And just like that, my problems with Yue look pretty insignificant.
Perspective, huh?
Unknown Binding
First published July 29, 2021
29 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Celine Jeanjean
33 books220 followersCeline Jeanjean is French, grew up in the UK and now she travels the world as a nomadic writer. That makes her a tad confused about where she is from. During her travels she's watched the sun rise over Angkor Wat, lost her shoes in Vietnam, and fallen off a bamboo raft in China.
Celine writes stories that feature quirky characters and misfits, set in wondrous worlds.
Celine writes stories that feature quirky characters and misfits, set in wondrous worlds.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 30, 2021
The latest adventure of Apiya’s life is full of action. She now spends all her life with the Mayaks even though they are reluctant to accept her as one of them. Not content to stay safely within her “protected” house she goes in search of her missing friend Ilmu and soon endangers both of them. She is yet to tell Sarroch about her “birth” and their growing relationship seems to be doomed. Characterisation continues to be convincing and I really enjoy this series but I would prefer longer books and less cliff hangers.
February 2, 2023
Again
Again. I can't wait till I can read the next one. Such a great series. Once I start the books I can't put them down.
Again. I can't wait till I can read the next one. Such a great series. Once I start the books I can't put them down.
August 8, 2021
**minor spoilers**
This book starts out with Apiya dealing with the revelations and repercussions from the events that happened at the end of the last book, Marked by Azurite. She is scared yet chafing at the need for her to stay in her home. Add to that the fact that she cannot get in touch with Ilmu and you have a recipe for poor choices. Which she makes, unfortunately. In the end, she is able to help Ilmu but lands herself in even deeper trouble than she already was.
There were many interesting aspects to this book. For instance, we meet quite a few more Mayak and learn a little more about those we have already met. It also brings the fact that they are definitely not benevolent beings even more into focus. The author also explores the ideas of existence and the remorse that comes when someone is forced to do something terrible, even if it is for a good reason. I found how Apiya and Ilmu physically travel through Ilmu’s memories to be very intriguing. That being said, I will admit I found myself very frustrated with Apiya and her choices. In each book she gets herself into worse and worse tangles, and even though Chai talks sense to her and Sarroch talks sense to her, she still goes off to do something incredibly hare-brained. She always has a good reason in her head as to why she should do it but when things go sideways, she always looks outside herself for resolution. And to be honest, what happens between her and Sarroch at the end of the book was a little questionable, given that Sarroch is magically bonded/married to Yue, also a little confusing. Still, I felt like maybe the author is bringing Apiya to a cusp, putting her in a position where she will have to grow and become self-reliant. I guess we will see.
I received an ARC of this book and choose to voluntarily leave my honest review.
This book starts out with Apiya dealing with the revelations and repercussions from the events that happened at the end of the last book, Marked by Azurite. She is scared yet chafing at the need for her to stay in her home. Add to that the fact that she cannot get in touch with Ilmu and you have a recipe for poor choices. Which she makes, unfortunately. In the end, she is able to help Ilmu but lands herself in even deeper trouble than she already was.
There were many interesting aspects to this book. For instance, we meet quite a few more Mayak and learn a little more about those we have already met. It also brings the fact that they are definitely not benevolent beings even more into focus. The author also explores the ideas of existence and the remorse that comes when someone is forced to do something terrible, even if it is for a good reason. I found how Apiya and Ilmu physically travel through Ilmu’s memories to be very intriguing. That being said, I will admit I found myself very frustrated with Apiya and her choices. In each book she gets herself into worse and worse tangles, and even though Chai talks sense to her and Sarroch talks sense to her, she still goes off to do something incredibly hare-brained. She always has a good reason in her head as to why she should do it but when things go sideways, she always looks outside herself for resolution. And to be honest, what happens between her and Sarroch at the end of the book was a little questionable, given that Sarroch is magically bonded/married to Yue, also a little confusing. Still, I felt like maybe the author is bringing Apiya to a cusp, putting her in a position where she will have to grow and become self-reliant. I guess we will see.
I received an ARC of this book and choose to voluntarily leave my honest review.
July 26, 2021
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest, and early, review. Much to my wife's dismay I don't hold back. The description and other reviews tell you what this book is about. It won't make much sense of you haven't read the rest of the series to this point. The series as a whole is good, a little different from the norm and each book is short and to the point. There's not a whole lot of fluff and filler, little of the MC examining themselves. But there is enough to understand motives etc.
I regularly read series, the best series follow the same rules as individual books. The first third introduces the characters and the plot. The second third tells the story, the quest, the travels of life, etc. The last third begins the climatic battle, struggle, trial whatever you want to call it followed by the resolution and hopefully an epilogue. This book is very clearly the beginning of the last third. The action is really begging to pick up and this book leaves you at bit of a cliff hanger, it most certainly carries on to the next book.
Now for a gripe, the MC has power. Now she and the ready know who and what she is and that infers a certain amount of ability which should be quite a bit more than ANY ONE else, human or Mayak. I keep waiting for her to realize it and come into her power, to stand up for herself and realize that none of them truly hold any power over her.
Alternatively I keep expecting her mother, her "birth" mother to make an appearance and put some beings in their places. Perhaps that's where it's headed, we'll see in a book or two.
If you've read the rest keep going with this one.
If you are thinking about the series try book one, it's short and fun and if it hooks you then there's enough more to make it satisfying.
I regularly read series, the best series follow the same rules as individual books. The first third introduces the characters and the plot. The second third tells the story, the quest, the travels of life, etc. The last third begins the climatic battle, struggle, trial whatever you want to call it followed by the resolution and hopefully an epilogue. This book is very clearly the beginning of the last third. The action is really begging to pick up and this book leaves you at bit of a cliff hanger, it most certainly carries on to the next book.
Now for a gripe, the MC has power. Now she and the ready know who and what she is and that infers a certain amount of ability which should be quite a bit more than ANY ONE else, human or Mayak. I keep waiting for her to realize it and come into her power, to stand up for herself and realize that none of them truly hold any power over her.
Alternatively I keep expecting her mother, her "birth" mother to make an appearance and put some beings in their places. Perhaps that's where it's headed, we'll see in a book or two.
If you've read the rest keep going with this one.
If you are thinking about the series try book one, it's short and fun and if it hooks you then there's enough more to make it satisfying.
August 17, 2021
You gotta love a heroine who will put herself in danger to help a friend out. In Hidden by Jade, Apiya does just that. But in doing so, she will bring even more trouble to herself. And if you have been reading the series, you know that her friends will try to help her, but in the end, Apiya is the one that does all the heavy lifting. Still, friends are good.
Unless that friend is Sarroch. That particular relationship is getting quite complicated. Sarroch’s wife hates Apiya, but has struck a bargain with her (agreeing not to kill Apiya). Sarroch knows nothing of the bargain. And it is beginning to look like Apiya will not be able to fulfill her side of the bargain. Our heroine’s Mayak friends seem to cause nothing but trouble.
By the end of Hidden by Jade, the reader comes to realize that Apiya has come a long way from being a mere barber to the magical beings of Panong. And she still has a long way to go. The story will continue
Honestly, the Razor’s Edge Chronicles is my favorite series of the year. It has several things going for it. First, rapid release. 5 books so far in 2021. Short books yes, but 5 books. There is an engaging, quirky heroine who never met cat, dog, turtle, etc. she didn’t like. She lives in a fascinating city. There is a cat – a talking cat – with so much attitude and ego he is impossible not to love. Plus the usual non-stop action, magic, danger and hope.
Many thanks to the author who provided a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.
Unless that friend is Sarroch. That particular relationship is getting quite complicated. Sarroch’s wife hates Apiya, but has struck a bargain with her (agreeing not to kill Apiya). Sarroch knows nothing of the bargain. And it is beginning to look like Apiya will not be able to fulfill her side of the bargain. Our heroine’s Mayak friends seem to cause nothing but trouble.
By the end of Hidden by Jade, the reader comes to realize that Apiya has come a long way from being a mere barber to the magical beings of Panong. And she still has a long way to go. The story will continue
Honestly, the Razor’s Edge Chronicles is my favorite series of the year. It has several things going for it. First, rapid release. 5 books so far in 2021. Short books yes, but 5 books. There is an engaging, quirky heroine who never met cat, dog, turtle, etc. she didn’t like. She lives in a fascinating city. There is a cat – a talking cat – with so much attitude and ego he is impossible not to love. Plus the usual non-stop action, magic, danger and hope.
Many thanks to the author who provided a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.
August 3, 2021
Review originally posted on A Keyboard and an Open Mind August 03, 2021:
Apiya’s adventures continue in Book 5 of the Razor’s Edge Chronicles, and now her identity is known amongst the Mayak, but her standing among them remains up for debate. I really enjoyed the scenes within the Baku’s world and Ilmu’s memories, the descriptions of those scenes were fantastic. Particularly entering into the Ilmu’s memories, I thought that was a really cool concept. Also Apiya’s accidental taking of Mayak life and her reaction to that was done really well.
But I must say there was a great deal of talking in this book and I didn’t always feel that it was talking that moved the plot forward.
One thing I’ve felt a bit iffy about ever since the first book in this series is the use of non-Christian deities as purely fantasy/mythological figures, and there is quite a bit of that in this book.
Apiya’s choices at the end of the book were also a bit questionable. Yes, she was in a tight spot but she put Sarroch in an even worse one (well, maybe an equally bad one). Still, the ending of this one promises new realms and characters in the next one, and I’m looking forward to seeing where that goes.
(Thank you to the author for a gratis copy in exchange for a review)
Apiya’s adventures continue in Book 5 of the Razor’s Edge Chronicles, and now her identity is known amongst the Mayak, but her standing among them remains up for debate. I really enjoyed the scenes within the Baku’s world and Ilmu’s memories, the descriptions of those scenes were fantastic. Particularly entering into the Ilmu’s memories, I thought that was a really cool concept. Also Apiya’s accidental taking of Mayak life and her reaction to that was done really well.
But I must say there was a great deal of talking in this book and I didn’t always feel that it was talking that moved the plot forward.
One thing I’ve felt a bit iffy about ever since the first book in this series is the use of non-Christian deities as purely fantasy/mythological figures, and there is quite a bit of that in this book.
Apiya’s choices at the end of the book were also a bit questionable. Yes, she was in a tight spot but she put Sarroch in an even worse one (well, maybe an equally bad one). Still, the ending of this one promises new realms and characters in the next one, and I’m looking forward to seeing where that goes.
(Thank you to the author for a gratis copy in exchange for a review)
July 29, 2021
I am so in love with this series! Each new book just pulls me deeper into the fictional country of Panong and the lives of the very magical Mayak, mildly magical Touched and unmagical Mundanes who live there.
Apiya is nothing if not a loyal friend, so when someone she cares about goes missing, she is all about finding them, even though her own life is already in significant danger from Yue, the "sort-of-wife" of her other friend, Sarroch, (for whom she might fell a bit more than friendly sometimes). She has also promised Yue that she would try to get Sarroch to give her another chance in exchange for Yue not killing her painfully.
If you enjoy paranormal adventure, humor and a dash of suspenseful romance, I highly recommend you dive into this series from the first book. You won't be disappointed.
Apiya is nothing if not a loyal friend, so when someone she cares about goes missing, she is all about finding them, even though her own life is already in significant danger from Yue, the "sort-of-wife" of her other friend, Sarroch, (for whom she might fell a bit more than friendly sometimes). She has also promised Yue that she would try to get Sarroch to give her another chance in exchange for Yue not killing her painfully.
If you enjoy paranormal adventure, humor and a dash of suspenseful romance, I highly recommend you dive into this series from the first book. You won't be disappointed.
July 30, 2021
What an amazing installment to this series. It’s packed full of new insights into the world of the Mayak where no one agrees on what’s best for their society, conflict and strife abound, and everyone discounts the importance and value of those not like themselves. Sound familiar? This installment also builds on the romantic triangle that started to develop in Marked by Azurite. Hidden by Jade was a very fun read, and my only disappointment is that I’ll now need to wait for the next installment. Really looking forward to it though.
If you’re new to this series, it’s worthwhile to start with the first book “Touched by Magic”. The author Celine Jeanjean also has free short stories to introduce this series as well as her “Viper and the Urchin” series if you sign up for her newsletter.
If you’re new to this series, it’s worthwhile to start with the first book “Touched by Magic”. The author Celine Jeanjean also has free short stories to introduce this series as well as her “Viper and the Urchin” series if you sign up for her newsletter.
February 5, 2022
One thing I really like about Apiya is how much she’s self aware. In the previous books every time she’s about to make a reckless decision she informs everyone and does her utmost best to come out of the situation alive. She’s not your average snarky UF fmc who mouths off at super powerful beings, she doesn’t run headlong into situations that could end her without back up, she explains everything to everyone to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings etc. All that went out the window in this book, it was stupid impulsive decision after stupid impulsive decision. She nearly died like 4 times in this book. She put people she loves in dangerous positions. It was so unlike her I thought she was possessed or something tbh this one annoyed me 🤷🏾♀️
July 19, 2021
This book starts with Api stuck at home as it's not safe to go out. Prior to Covid I might have thought this wasn't so bad, unfortunately I now know better. Api has friends visit her and we see relationships gradually build, but she is worried about a friend who is not responding to calls, as no one else shares her concerns, despite the risk, she feels she has to act. Unsurprisingly things go from bad to worse with things becoming fast paced and frantic. I enjoyed this book and I love that Api is not content to be a lame duck, rescued by others, but acts proactively. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
August 6, 2021
This is an outstanding new book series that has an interesting take on mythology and magic. It’s a departure from the more traditional European mythology and goes deep into the myths of Asian cultures. The heroine is likable and relatable and, while magical, is not someone who suddenly “discovered“ immense powers that allow her to save the day… She stumbles through it with a minor Magical gift just like the majority of people would! I don’t want to give away too many details away but the main character is a barber, carrying for a magical egg, with a talking cat, a stupid and lovable dog, and a magical climbing turtle.
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July 29, 2021Apiya goes to trial....
The story continues the misadventures of Apiya, when nothing can go wrong it does... this time when she tries to solve things as she does... this goes bad to worst and she's put on trial... how will Apiya resolve the problem that she put herself into it...
A funny story full of adventures that made me enjoy it from the start till the end. If you enjoyed the Viper and the Urchin stories you'll enjoy this one too and be on your toes waiting the next installment.
The story continues the misadventures of Apiya, when nothing can go wrong it does... this time when she tries to solve things as she does... this goes bad to worst and she's put on trial... how will Apiya resolve the problem that she put herself into it...
A funny story full of adventures that made me enjoy it from the start till the end. If you enjoyed the Viper and the Urchin stories you'll enjoy this one too and be on your toes waiting the next installment.
August 2, 2021
Cliffhanger
I loved books 1-3. 4 was ok but I was frustrated with a lack of progress. This was beyond frustrating. There hadn’t been any growth or evolution of the key relationships. They both felt like petulant children resisting learning. I loathe cliffhanger endings as it suggests the characters aren’t interesting enough to make you keep reading the series. Plus I am suddenly not sure I care about the characters because they’re behaving so poorly.
I loved books 1-3. 4 was ok but I was frustrated with a lack of progress. This was beyond frustrating. There hadn’t been any growth or evolution of the key relationships. They both felt like petulant children resisting learning. I loathe cliffhanger endings as it suggests the characters aren’t interesting enough to make you keep reading the series. Plus I am suddenly not sure I care about the characters because they’re behaving so poorly.
September 20, 2024
Oh, Apiya!
Apiya just stumbles from one disaster to the next. This time, has another run-in with Yue and makes a “deal” she’ll never be able to fulfill, and she is also trying to help her Baku friend who has disappeared and is being held captive. One positive thing is her magic appears to becoming a bit stronger, but will it be enough to get her out the jams she keeps finding herself in?
Apiya just stumbles from one disaster to the next. This time, has another run-in with Yue and makes a “deal” she’ll never be able to fulfill, and she is also trying to help her Baku friend who has disappeared and is being held captive. One positive thing is her magic appears to becoming a bit stronger, but will it be enough to get her out the jams she keeps finding herself in?
November 8, 2021
Great Book
But this one did not finish cleanly. Apiya's life is still at risk. Sarroch and Apiya race to find a solution. This book was great. A lot happened, and I enjoyed it. But the action continues in book 6. Which I am just about to start.
But this one did not finish cleanly. Apiya's life is still at risk. Sarroch and Apiya race to find a solution. This book was great. A lot happened, and I enjoyed it. But the action continues in book 6. Which I am just about to start.
May 31, 2022
I liked this book and it certainly was a page turner, but it was missing some of my fave things like the MC using her magic and time at the barbershop. Also Sarroch yelled at her more to which I’m like, YOU CAN’T TALK TO HER LIKE THAT.
August 21, 2021
A great next installment!!
October 3, 2021
This series keeps on getting better and better. She cares and will help her friends out as she can.
January 14, 2022
Every book is getting shorter and shorter. Next book will be just a paragraph. And the chemistry....forced.
October 3, 2021
An excellent story
Yet another great story in the Razors Edge saga. The main characters are endearing, realistic, and confusing at times. The plot is easily followed and the story is a good one. I definitely recommend this book.
Merged review:
Yet another great story in the Razors Edge saga. The main characters are endearing, realistic, and confusing at times. The plot is easily followed and the story is a good one. I definitely recommend this book.
Yet another great story in the Razors Edge saga. The main characters are endearing, realistic, and confusing at times. The plot is easily followed and the story is a good one. I definitely recommend this book.
Merged review:
Yet another great story in the Razors Edge saga. The main characters are endearing, realistic, and confusing at times. The plot is easily followed and the story is a good one. I definitely recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews