Started: 02/04/22
Finished: 10/04/22
Spoilers: No
Characters
The sibling dynamic is brilliant and highly reminiscent of Peaky Blinders. The smart, calm brother running the business and the gang, the brother who just wants to beat someone up, and the aloof sister who wants out but keeps getting dragged back in, and who proves to be an utter boss bitch. It works, it works so well and I devoured the family dramas.
Each character is well fleshed-out and developed and feels like their own person rather than a caricature or a collection of tropes. They're all very convincing and feel like real people. I would say that of all the characters, Hilo and Shea were my favourites. It was touching to watch them go from bickering rivals to a strong family unit. They mature before the readers' eyes and I hope they continue to be united going forward.
Plot
If you were to ask me plot-wise what this book is actually about, I'd probably only be able to say family drama and gang wars, but I absolutely mean that in the best possible way. Looking back on my time reading this book, on the face of it, not much actually happens, and yet it constantly feels like everything is happening at once. A sign of a skilled writer, to make so little feel like so much.
Of course, as I said, there is a tonne of family drama and politics and feuds between the two rival gangs, No Peak and the Mountain, but at the same time it does feel like the only plot is the family drama and the gang wars themselves. Again, I don't say this in a negative way, I found it gripping.
In a sense, it makes the story itself feel like episodes (another reason why this will make a fantastic TV show). The storytelling method has a slightly less conventional flare to it. At no point does it feel like the regular three-act structure, making the direction and trajectory of the plot a guessing game. Very original and unique. Fonda Lee made some bold decisions and took risks, and in my opinion, they paid off.
Setting
We have a truly fascinating world here. Both a fantasy secondary-world, but also contemporary in terms of technology and quality of life. They have cars and TVs, and also the ability to harness otherworldly abilities through the natural power of jade. In this world only born Greenbones can access the power given to them through jade, granting them heightened senses, improved strength, speed and agility.
It's also very interesting to see how the Greenbones, with all their power, fit within society. The author has done a very fine job covering this ground and leaving no stone unturned. From politics to the economy to everyday life, Fonda Lee has described each facet of society and how the Greenbones fit within what would otherwise feel like an ordinary world.
The world is vivid and brimming with life. It feels alive on the page and the Asian inspiration gives it an entirely unique flavour that makes it a real stand-out in the fantasy genres. Though I'm not 100% sure which Asian cultures were the inspiration, I personally get vibes of Chinese due to the names of the characters, they just skew a little more Chinese to me than Japanese. This fantastically realised world will keep you coming back for more.
Writing Style
I can confidently say the quality of the writing is why this book works so well. This is a slow-burn family crime saga but doesn't lack in action. The fight scenes are really well choreographed on the page that I can see it all play out in my mind as though I were watching a TV show. Speaking of which, I'm so glad to learn this is being adapted and can't wait to watch. I think it will translate perfectly onto the small screen.
The pacing is equally on point. While the action scenes are fast-flowing, the political infighting isn't slow by comparison. Each meeting attended, whether with the rival clan, the counsel, or within the No Peak clan itself, tensions were always high, making it difficult to calculate what the clan's next move will be.
Final Impression
A highly impressive novel and a bandwagon I wish I'd jumped on long ago. Despite how long this book has sat on my shelf, I'm glad I've finally read it. And in an attempt to make up for lost time, I've already bought the other books in the series. I can't wait to return to this world.
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