A Review of Fonda Lee’s Jade Legacy (Orbit, 2021)

[lsobiesk]

 

Written by Stephen Hong Sohn

Edited by Lizzy Sobiesk

Let me begin by stating: Well, I’m sad to say that I’ve completed the Green Bone Saga. I’m sad because it was so immersive! In any case, as per usual, the official marketing description is pretty basic: “Jade, the mysterious and magical substance once exclusive to the Green Bone warriors of Kekon, is now coveted throughout the world. Everyone wants access to the supernatural abilities it provides. As the struggle over the control of jade grows ever larger and more deadly, the Kaul family, and the ancient ways of the Kekonese Green Bones, will never be the same. Battered by war and tragedy, the Kauls are plagued by resentments and old wounds as their adversaries are on the ascent and their country is riven by dangerous factions and foreign interference. The clan must discern allies from enemies, set aside bloody rivalries, and make terrible sacrifices . . . but even the unbreakable bonds of blood and loyalty may not be enough to ensure the survival of the Green Bone clans and the nation they are sworn to protect.”

 

Again, the excerpt fails to mention any major characters. Oh, and I suppose I should note that there will be spoilers forthcoming, so I would look away now (unless you don’t mind some of the plot elements being revealed). I think the big disappointment in this installment is that I felt that one of the minor characters (Bero) was going to end up doing something far more impactful in terms of the plot. Bero was one of the few POVS beyond the major Kaul family characters that tracked across all three of the novels. My guess is that Lee may have had bigger plans for this character but changed somewhere midstream precisely because she already had enough to deal with in the war between the Green Bone and Mountain clans. To be sure, Bero does have one important plot function related to the clanless Kekonese, and it involves helping to mastermind a major bombing on a place filled with both politicians and clan leaders. In fact, this portion was perhaps one of the most intense sequences in this narrative. Also, this last installment is by far the longest, and I’m sure a testament to the fact that such multi-part sagas can be difficult to pace. In any case, the main POVs are given to Shae, Hilo, and Anden as per usual. The transnational dynamics that were a part of the previous installment are still at play. The Green Bones are seeking a way to gain a foothold in the trade of jade in Espenia. If jade is allowed to be used in some form in Espenia, then the Green Bone clan would gain a major economic advantage over their rival clan and, at the same time, continue to open up new markets. The other element that is important to note is that Lee covers way more time in this novel, with the Kaul heirs beginning to grow up. Recall that Hilo (and wife Wen) have essentially raised Lan’s son (Niko) as their own. Their second son, Ru, ends up being a stone-eye, which is the term for a Kekonese with no ability to use jade and its special skill-enhancing abilities, while Jaya, their daughter, ends up wanting to become part of the “muscle” of the clan, moving into the line of becoming a Fist. One of the most tragic sequences involves Ru’s death, which ultimately leads to an important rapprochement. Niko, having estranged himself from the family, eventually returns. The ending sequence is quite masterful, with Lee having known all along how the narrative would end and how the payoff would feel best. We know that Hilo has lived his life, wielding violence as one of his most important tools to keep both allies and foes in line, but that approach will end up costing him to a certain extent. By novel’s end, I was certainly quite wistful, as I’d grown very attached to the characters. Lee shows her range as a writer, moving beyond the more confined bounds of the YA plot and ensuring her place in the silkpunk, high fantasy canon with the Green Bone Saga. I look forward to whatever she is cooking up next!

 

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